The you I never knew I needed

Chapter 5

It is now December twentieth, the first day of winter break. Bria and Callum had grown quite close lately, spending nearly every moment together. He had promised to help her practice dueling over the break when less people were around. Which she would have been exceedingly excited for, if something else hadn't captured her focus.

"What do I even get him?" Bria asks, glancing over at Nat.

Nat shrugs, half listening. "Maybe you could write him a letter?"

Bria watches as Nat fiddles with something on her bed.

"Is that what you've done for Draco?" She asks.

Nat snaps back into focus and a blush spreads quickly across her cheeks.

"How'd you know?" She whispers.

"Perhaps I'm psychic?" Bria teases.

"Come on that's not funny." She replies bluntly.

"Alright fine. I saw you two in the astronomy tower together one night. I've never seen Draco look that happy before in my life."

Nat's jaw drops slightly. "Really?"

"Would I lie to you?"

Nat stares blankly, her mind wandering far from their conversation meanwhile Bria rambles.

"Nat?"

"Hm?" Nat perks up, hearing her name. "Sorry, I spaced out. What did I miss?"

"Nothing much, just me struggling to come up with ideas." Bria sighs.

"Why don't you just write Fred and George? They always have loads of ideas." She suggests.

"I don't think mailing a toilet seat would be Callums idea of the perfect Christmas gift."

They begin to laugh together, and talk about funny old memories with the twins.

-

Later that day, Bria meets Callum in the forest for their first dueling practice. The smell of frosty wet pine, damp dirt carried throughout the air. She waits beside the tree they agreed to find each other at, while briefly zoning out for a moment rummaging through her mind for more Christmas ideas.

"Hello."

Callum's low tone yanks her from her thoughts and she turns to greet him, grinning.

"Good morning," She beems.

Callum's dark eyes watch her cautiously. "Bloody hell, not you too." He muttered.

"What do you mean?"

    Callum shifts uncomfortably. "Unusually happy, dazed look in your eyes, extra spring in your step. The holiday haze has already started."

"You don't like the holidays?" Bria asked.

"No." He answers briefly before walking over to the clearing where they were going to practice at.

Bria walks with him. "Hang on a moment, why is that?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"I won't tell anyone." She adds.

"Bria Elizabeth you stubborn girl, I said drop it." He replies flatly.

'Was it because he never had much of a family to celebrate with?' She pondered.

"Fine. You win. Anyways let's get started." She decided to drop it for now.

"Today will be more of a test, just to see where you are at." Callum explains.

"Alright then."

"Ready?"