"Can I call you Tori? You know Tori, I'm a great friend."
"I don't get it, why are you being nice to me?"
"Maybe I don't want to see you friendless."
When Victoria Silvers, who comes from a long line of Slytherins, is sorted into Gryffindor her life...
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Everyone's mood seemed to be a lot higher as Christmas was just around the corner. Sirius, for example, seemed determined that everyone should enjoy themselves as much, if not more than they would have done at Hogwarts, and he worked tirelessly in the run-up to Christmas Day, cleaning and decorating with their help, so that by the time they all went to bed on Christmas Eve the house was barely recognizable. The tarnished chandeliers were no longer hung with cobwebs but with garlands of holly and gold and silver streamers; magical snow glittered in heaps over the threadbare carpets; a great Christmas tree, obtained by Mundungus and decorated with live fairies, blocked Sirius's family tree from view, and even the stuffed elf-heads on the hall wall wore Father Christmas hats and beards.
Tori awoke on Christmas morning to find a stack of presents at the foot of her bed. She heard two cracks, and the twins appeared right beside her. Hermione and Ginny both flinched, making Tori laugh.
''Merry Christmas," said George. "Don't go downstairs for a bit."
''Why not?" Ginny asked.
''Mum's crying again," Fred sighed heavily. "Percy sent back his Christmas jumper."
''Without a note," George added. "Hasn't asked how Dad is or visited him or anything."
''We tried to comfort her,' said Fred, fiddling with a package in his hand. "Told her Percy's nothing more than a humungous pile of rat droppings."
''Didn't work," said George, helping himself to a Chocolate Frog. "So Lupin took over. Best let him cheer her up before we go down for breakfast, I reckon."
Ginny and Hermione began opening their presents but Fred handed Tori the package he was previously holding. "This only came in this morning, so I didn't have time to wrap it, but I hope it's alright."
Tori smiled at him, opening the box only to gasp. A silver necklace with a red gem laid in it. "Oh, it's... beautiful... oh, how much did you spend on this?"
"It doesn't matter. I wanted it as soon as I saw it. Here, I'll help you put it on."
Tori lifted her hair up and turned so he could put it on before turning and hugging him.
"I'm going to be sick," George muttered loudly.
Tori opened the rest of her gifts after the twins had left. Tonks had gotten her a picture frame with a note that said Tori could change the photo to any memory with a tap of her wand, she received a Weasley sweater and a grey hat from Molly and Arthur, new quidditch gloves from Ginny and Hermione, a box of Cauldron cakes from Ron, an enormous box of Every-Flavour Beans from Harry, a "secret" stash of Weasley Wizarding Wheeze treats from George and a book of advanced spells from Lupin.
She was surprised to see she had gotten a gift from Sirius as well. It was a small brown pocket watch with had engraving of trees on the back. Tori traced her thumb over it before quickly getting dressed.
