The Changeling

Be·queath- pass (something) on or leave (something) to someone else

Malfoy Manor, England

Waking up by Bella's side in frilly pajamas, she scoffed softly and moved to the attached bathroom, changing into her fuzzy pajamas. Charlie had gotten her a soft onesie that looked like a dragon and it was a tradition for her to wear it on Yule whenever the weather permitted.

Bella snorted when she saw it, but didn't try to make her change, as she was in her pair of silken blue pajamas. "Coming? I'm sure that everyone's up by now if it's Yule."

"Mmm." Putting her hood up and yawning into her hand, she trudged after the woman. "I hate winter... so exhausting." Spotting Remus and Sirius matching in horrible plaid pajama pants, their tops switched, she ambled over to sit in between them on the floor.

"Hot chocolate?" Remus smiled and held out his cup.

With a sappy smile, still half-asleep, she took the cup and drained half of it. Then she coughed, shoving the mug back at him. "Are you trying to poison me?"

Nox hissed, climbing into her lap and eyeing the man shiftily.

"I didn't expect you to chug it!" The man flailed slightly as Sirius burst out laughing. "It has rum in it but- but you weren't supposed to drink so much!"

"It's hot chocolate! Why would you trick me like that!" She frowned deeply at the man. "That was unnecessarily mean and for your betrayal, I demand you get me a cup of real hot chocolate as repayment."

With a grimace, the man stood up. "I thought you were nice on Yule?"

Bearing her teeth, Remus paled and scurried off.

"I see you have him housebroken." Severus, in full robes, moved to sit across the little circle in the smaller family room where a pile of presents was sitting under a fancy silver tree. "Are you ready to admit defeat this year?"

"A competition then?" A heavy dark presence moved past her, the Dark Lord sitting in the chair opposite her like he owned the manor, dressed in a nice set of under robes, eyes flicking to her curiously.

Sirius snorted. "No way you'll win Snape! Spring's been trading all year for this!"

The dour potions master sneered at the man next to her. "So have I, Black."

"It's a... sort of competition I suppose. Both Sev and I see who can give the other person the better present. A tradition of a sort." She knew the Dark Lord was listening to her, the explanation for him more than anyone else.

Remus returned with her hot chocolate, Bill and Maria following him. Sitting next to her, the other two sat next to him and Bella plopped down next to Sirius with a big box. With a slightly insane glint in her eyes, the woman looked at her. "Who first, princess?"

"We have to wait for our hosts, Bella. It would be highly rude to start without them."

The woman muttered something under her breath, eyeing Severus. "Didn't you get the memo, Snape? It's pajamas or nothing." Wand slipping into her hand, the man's eyes widened and she could only guess what was about to happen, Sirius raising his hand to her eyes.

"Bella." Her voice was tired. "It's much too close to Yule for this. Don't make me feed you to Nox."

Nox purred louder from its place curled up in Maria's lap.

There was silence and then Sirius put his hand down.

Bella was pouting, eyes big as she gave her a weepy look. "But Springggggg he's not wearing pajamas!"

With a slightly amused smile, she looked at the woman with a silent challenge. "What would you give me to change that?" The woman's eyes immediately sharpened, crawling over to sit in front of her, studying her face like a kid on a sugar-high. "And don't think my rates have dropped because of the season. Or that you get a discount."