The Prewett Girl

9) Christmas

DISCLAIMER: same old, same old, I still don't own Harry Potter!

-All I Want For Christmas Is You

-Pretty Girl by Clairo

-Mariposa by Peach Tree Rascals

The first DA meeting goes by smoothly. Hermione and I both agree that Harry is a spectacular teacher. Everyone worked extremely hard the next few meetings to perfect the new spells. I was able to master a Patronous fairly quickly but I struggled to make a corporeal one. When I finally did it turned out to be a gorgeous snow leopard. The last meeting sneaks up on us and we find Christmas here far sooner than we had expected.

The day before Christmas break Harry and the Weasley twins are nowhere to be found. I do spot Hermione at breakfast and she waves me over. I curiously bound over to her eager to find out where the others are. I sit down next to her and she meets my curious stare by answering my question before I even ask it.

"According to Professor Mcgonagall Mr Weasley got bitten by a snake last night," she whispers.

"That's terrible!" I gasp, "Is he alright?"

Hermione shakes her head, "I'm not sure but," she lowers her voice, "he was guarding something for the order, they only found out because Harry had a dream about it." I quickly bombard her with questions but she just shrugs saying she doesn't know anything else.

***

Later that day Hermione and I get off the train and hurry to find our parents. I bound over to my mother and father and embrace them both in a hug.

"Hi Mum, hi dad!"

"Hi honey, how is Hogwarts?" My dad asks as he puts an arm around me and we walk towards the car. That night we settle down for a delicious meal and I tell my parents about the year so far.

"Arthur got attacked by a snake?" My father exclaims, I roll my eyes slightly.

"That's what I've just said, dad."

"But is he ok?"

"I already told you that I don't know anything!"

"Is Molly ok?" He asks his face twisted into uncertain lines.

"As far as I know she's fine," I stare at him for a moment, "why do you care so much anyways? You don't even know Molly!"

"Well, I- I just..." my father trails off.

"He's just concerned for your friends that's all, honey." My mother cuts in and she scoops more potatoes onto my plate, "now eat up and tell us more about this new teacher."

***

I wake up Christmas day to see Luna curled on the end of my bed and snow flickering down outside of my window. I hop up and pull a sweatshirt on over my pajamas. I hurry downstairs to find my parents sitting on the couch in front of the tree drinking coffee.

"Merry Christmas, Nila!" My mother smiles and hands me a cup of coffee, "We were just waiting for you, go ahead and let's open presents!" I grab a box wrapped in gold wrapping paper and find a broom cleaning kit from Harry. I also get a mound of the jokes from the twins, candy from Ron, a cute new bag from Ginny, a charm bracelet from Daphne, and a book about hexes and jinxes from Hermione. I had gotten a book about famous Quidditch players for Harry, a book that I found very interesting about the history of wizarding pranks for the twins, spell-checking quills for Ron, cute gloves I found in a muggle shop for Ginny, a silk scarf for Daphne in the Slytherin colors, and a book with the newest wizarding inventions for Hermione. I also received new clothes and a pretty necklace from my parents. I'm gathering up my presents to take up stairs when my father gives me a little black box.

"You forgot this one!" He hands me the box and I see a little tag with Draco scrawled on it in the familiar loopy letters of his handwriting. I smile and put it in my pocket. I didn't forget about his gift either, I got him these leather riding gloves. I wasn't sure if I should get him a gift so I simply didn't put my name on it, although I'm sure he will know it's from me as we had talked about it. I walk up the stairs and sit on my bed to open the box. Inside sits a gorgeous ring with a snake on it. I put it on and the snake wraps itself around my finger, I gasp quietly intrigued at the magic. I spot a little piece of paper inside with Draco's handwriting on it.

Merry Christmas Nila,

I hope it's a good one.

The snake is charmed

so that it fits your finger

perfectly. It also won't

fall off as it is charmed

to fit perfectly.

Love,

Draco

I smile at the note as I read and my heart flutters when I read love Draco, the l curved perfectly into the o and it ends with the loop of an e. The rest of the day I cannot stop grinning. I go outside to go skating with some of my childhood friends and they all ask me about how my school is and I just respond with a smile.

***

I hug my parents goodbye and they beg me to be safe. I simply smile and roll my eyes, promising I won't get killed. I look around for the others, when I don't spot them I figure they must've come back early due to Arthur's condition. So I hesitantly walk towards the Slytherin compartment. I see Daphne and she waves me over enthusiastically and I sit next to her and Astoria. A little ways into the train ride I spot Draco and he smiles at me, I smile back. He stands up and motions to me to follow him. I cautiously get up and whisper to Daphne that I'm going to the bathroom, she nods and turns back to Pansy who glares angrily at me. I follow Draco out of the compartment and into an empty one.

"Hey," he whispers.

I smile, "hi Draco."

"Thanks," I raise my eyebrows, "for the riding gloves, I'm assuming you got me those."

I flush red and nod, "the ring is beautiful."

He looks down at my hand where the snake squirms, "it looks good on you," he grins before leaning closer, "why are you embarrassed?"

I raise my eyebrows, "I'm not..."

"I thought I told you in my letter, the snake is charmed to read your emotions, it's wiggling about as if it's embarrassed."

"Oh," Draco smirks evilly and I cover the ring with my other hand.

"Anyways, I wanted to ask you something," now it is Draco's turn to flush red and he nervously plays with his ring. "You know the New Years ball?"

"Yes, It's a ball on New Years." I state matter of factly.

"Ya, well," he laughs nervously, "um, do you want to go with me?" I open my mouth to answer but he cuts me off, "I mean it's ok if you don't want to! There are going to be students from all different schools there so you may want to go with someone else and you probably don't want anyone to know we are like... friends, but I'd really love it if you'd go and-and..." he trails off when he realizes I'm laughing, "what?"

"It's so unlike Mr Malfoy to get nervous talking to a girl!" I giggle when I see him flush, "but..." a grin slowly creeps over his face, "I'd be honored to go with you." I finish with a dramatic bow and he grins.

Draco and I depart back to our seats and I slouch down in my seat as Daphne chats away with Pansy who blatantly ignores me. Multiple times during the ride I catch Draco staring at me and I shoot him a smirk. Eventually the looming castle flits into view and we quickly change into our robes. When I enter the Great Hall I see Hermione sitting with Ron and Harry and I bound over to them. I sit next to them and some of the Gryfindors give me angry stares but I ignore them. Harry quickly sums up his dream and Ron fills me in on how Mr Weasley is, to all of our reliefs he is fine and healing well. That night when I snuggle into my green and silver bed sheets I cannot stop thinking about Draco. 

***

Next chapter is the ball! I hope you enjoyed :)

p.s. next chapter will have a bit in Draco's p.o.v.