Forever Home | Draco Malfoy

Chapter 5-16: Christmas Emeralds

"Desiree, are you ready darling?" asked Mrs. Alcyone from the bottom of the staircase.

"Yes mum! I'll be right down!" Desiree called after her mother.

Today was Christmas Eve, the day the Alcyone family would finally be going to Headquarters for Christmas. Desiree wanted to see her friends badly over the few days they had been out of school and back at home over holiday, but since the Alcyone family was so well known they couldn't up vanish from their home without any word of where they were going. They also didn't want to raise suspicion if they were to 'disappear' as well as the entire Weasley family so soon after Mr. Weasley's attack. So, they had to wait until Christmas Eve night to make their move to Headquarters.

Desiree quickly grabbed her bag, stuffing a few books from her shelf into the main pocket and Draco's gift into the smaller front pocket. She had kept her promise as to not open the gift until Christmas day, but her eagerness to know grew more each day.

"You've got everything you need?" asked Mr. Alcyone, watching his daughter walk down the stairs.

"I've go everything and then some," she laughed.

"Alright then," he chuckled. "Shall we be going?"

"Oh yes please," said Desiree eagerly.

With this each of the Alcyone's mounted their brooms and began the thrilling ride to Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Desiree had forgotten how much she enjoyed flying with all of the chaos that had been brought to Hogwarts by Umbridge.

Though the air was cold against her cheeks, Desiree couldn't help but feel excited as they flew over a great forest and lake. It was truly beautiful. Luckily the night was met with a great fog in the city so that no muggles would be able to see them flying when they arrived in the city.

They touched down on the ground just a few streets over from Number 12 Grimmauld Place. They walked cautiously as to not draw attention to themselves. Which would be hard since they were walking through the streets on Christmas Eve night with brooms in their hands.

As Mr. Alcyone tapped the ground three times with his broom, excitement filled Desiree. She would finally be seeing her friends again. She quickly followed her father to the door where she was immediately met with the immense warmth and smell of cinnamon that lied just beyond the door.

"Desiree!" Hermione and Ginny said excitedly, wrapping their arms around her.

"Oh, I've missed you all so much," she smiled, gently pulling from her friends arms. "Wow, the place looks wonderful," her eyes lit up as she looked around to all of the Christmas decorations.

"They spent practically all day on them with mum," said Ron, leaning against the door frame to the sitting room.

"Oh don't act like you didn't help just as much Ronald," Ginny teased.

"Did not!" Ron's nostrils flared as he scowled at Ginny. His ears flushed red telling everyone that he was embarrassed by the accusation. Desiree however knew that it meant it was also true.

"Ron, didn't you put the star on the tree?" Hermione teased.

"He most definitely did. Fred and I were spying on him as he did it," George laughed.

"Okay, enough about me! I'm not the one that just got here!" Ron's hands stuck out in front of him as if to tell everyone to cool it on their sly remarks towards him.

"Right, I suppose we should at least let you put your stuff down," Hermione giggled towards Desiree. "You're in mine and Ginny's room again. Come on."

"Hermione, I've been up to the room before. I don't need my arm pulled off to get there," Desiree laughed.

"Sorry, I just wanted to hurry to get you to put your stuff down because I was thinking we could play this again," Hermione grinned, pulling a deck of playing cards from her trunk.

"Oh yes please," Desiree grinned, now pulling Hermione by the arm down the stairs. "Hermione's got an idea!"

"What?" asked Ron, his brows furrowed in confusion.

"Anyone care to play a game of cards?" her brows raised.

"I'll go get the peanuts," said Fred, quickly leaving the group and walking out of sight into the kitchen.

"This should be fun," Ginny laughed, walking into the kitchen with everyone else now. Fred had already scattered peanuts on the table and taken his place by the time everyone walked in.

"How long did they say the meeting was going to last?" asked Hermione, sitting down next to Desiree at the table.

"Who cares, we'll play without them," said Desiree, her eyes bright with excitement. She hoped that her luck from the first game they played wasn't just a one time thing; but she had a feeling that it wasn't.

"Okay, what are we playing to then?" asked Hermione.

"We'll play until there's only one man standing," said Ron, hitting his fist down and puffing his chest to be funny.

"Easy there Ron, you were the first one out last time," laughed George.

Ron eyed his brother for a moment, clearly sizing him up, "Deal the cards Hermione." His eyes never left George.

With this, the game began. It was just as fun as Desiree had remembered. Her knack for muggle gambling clearly wasn't just a case of first time luck. It was merely knowing how to read people for her. Their short glances at their cards before betting or other small behavior was all she needed in order to know who was bluffing. Which really played a bigger role in the game then getting good cards.

Just like last time, Desiree had come out victorious. Expect this time, her big opponent was Ginny. Ginny had given her a run for her money tonight. But it was with one card that Desiree had won, for they had both had the same amount of peanuts and they had both gone all in on their last hand.

With the excitement of the game Desiree had completely forgotten to tell her friends about hers and Draco's relationship. Her parents were happy that she had found happiness not only in herself but another person again. She only hoped that her friends would react the same way they did or even the way Hermione did.

Nonetheless, she woke up the next morning, Christmas morning, with the same excitement she always had. She looked to her side to find Hermione's bed empty but Ginny still slightly snoring in her bed.

Desiree quickly sprang from her bed and over to her bag. She immediately pulled out the small box Draco made her promise she wouldn't open until today. She gently removed the lid of the box, slowly moving the tissue paper, to reveal a beautiful Emerald green heart charm. Desiree smiled as she clamped the small heart to her charm bracelet that now had six charms on it; one for every year in addition to the Citrine heart Cedric had given her third year.

After placing the box back on her bed, she noticed a note folded neatly at the bottom. She opened the note, immediately recognizing Draco's neat handwriting.

I bought this charm for you months ago after seeing it in Diagon Alley, before I knew anything special lied ahead for us. I knew you had the small Citrine heart from Cedric, but I wanted to give you a special charm from me, and I know how much you like Emerald so it was perfect. I suppose it was even more perfect now that Pansy hadn't gotten you a charm after your falling out a few weeks ago. Now you're bracelet won't go bare this year. Anyway, I'm rambling in a letter, how pathetic. I hope you like the charm I've given you. Merry Christmas Ally.

- Draco

She absolutely adored it. . . and she adored him.