hogwartsexpressed | Happy Holidays!

A card sent specifically to Harry and no one else. Elegant calligraphy says Happy Christmas from your special Santa and then this magical photo shows up visible only to him.

Oh. Well then. Happy Christmas indeed.

Harry's mouth curled up a little as he looked over the photo then glanced around the common room. He would just have to send his Secret Santa back something in return for this lovely gift.

Blaise is looking forward to it. She's really really looking forward to it. And there might be more to that picture, since it moves. She added something special to the picture potion.

And he knows how to reach her if he wants to give her a gift back in person.

The package was laying on pillow one morning. A simple silver box with a green ribbon around the edge of the lid. Within was nestled a pair of vintage earrings.

The note was a small scroll tucked within.

Darling,

My pride in you is only rivaled by your pride in our house. Here is wishing you a beautiful holiday... even if there is no pitch at home.

Cassi was so glad to be home.

Before Hogwarts, she'd never have imagined that she'd call a place like Malfoy Manor home but it was. Lucius and Narcissa had welcomed her with open arms and while she'd had her doubts originally whether it was for her or for the Girl-Who-Lived, they hadn't treated her any better or any less than they did Draca. That meant a lot to her. They hadn't hid where their loyalties stood and had stood up for her when many didn't. Not to mentioned, they were training her just like they were Draca.

She walked into her bedroom in their wing of the house and felt a smile curl on her mouth. It was nice being back. She spotted the neatly wrapped box on her pillow and walked over after setting her robe down over one of the chairs. It looked like she and Draca were once more on the same wave length. She sat down and picked up the box then opened it, her breath catching in her throat. Oh, they were gorgeous. Reading over the note, she felt herself smile then bit down on her bottom lip.

Cassi couldn't help but think back to the train on the way to London and the sheer audacity of Ronald Weasley thinking he had any sort of chance with her. Not only that, but the look on Draca's face had been fairly priceless in her opinion. Cassi glanced toward the doorway and knew it was only a matter of time (minutes to seconds) before Draca found her own gift from Cassi on her pillow.

Laying on Draca's pillow was a green box with a shiny silver bow on top. Inside was nestled a vintage necklace with a series of protective ruins and charms that would help keep Draca safe should something happen.

She too had added a small little scroll note inside the box.

My darling,

Charmed to keep you safe from any interfering headmasters and lions. Wishing you a beautiful and happy holiday... glad we can spend it together at home.

The necklace was amazing. Elegant and exquisite, and Draca could practically feel the magic radiating off the piece as she picked it up out of the box. Her fingers ran over the stones, sighing at the strength she felt in the piece.

Sliding it on though it was a bit glamourous for the outfit" she was wearing, Draca tucked her wand into her pocket, left the open box on her bed and headed out through the manor, seeking out her best friend, confidante, and if the winter went well, girlfriend.

She hadn't told anyone she hoped to make it definite during these months, and even if she hadn't been planning it before, after Weasley's behavior on the train, she wouldn't miss this chance for anything. What the hell did that horrid little ginger think trying to ask out Cassie of all people. She wasn't his house. She wasn't his kind of people. She was so much above him, and that he didn't see that was pathetic.

After the holidays though, he would know for certain that Cassi was definitely out of his range, our of class, and definitely out of his league.

By the time Draca walked into her room, Cassi had changed and was standing in front of the mirror slipping on the earrings Draca had given her. She tilted her head and then smiled. They were a little more elegant and glamorous than the outfit demanded but they were perfect.

You look marvelous, my dear. Now add that lovely green jacket and you will be good to go.

Oh she missed that mirror when she was at Hogwarts.

She glanced toward the door when it opened and smiled. "Looks like we were on the same wave length once more," she paused and took a moment to look the other girl over. "It looks perfect on you. Knew it would."

Watching from the door, she couldn't help but smile at the image of the beautiful girl before her. She was so elegant and regal and so many thought she could never be this way but, in truth, she had recovered. She had become more in the years since she had come to Hogwarts and the hat had selected her to Slytherin.

Watching her here, so at home in Malfoy Manor, it meant a lot to Draca. She definitely saw a change in her that she loved, that made her fall in love with her.

"We do tend to think alike so often, don't we?" She knew it was the truth, and it was part of why she felt so close to Cassi. They weren't just alike, she felt they were parts of the same person, connected beyond their house and the future.

"The magic on it... it's wonderful. You are such an enchanting witch, Cassi. Just amazing."

Things had changed the moment she found out she was a witch and had shook Draca's hand. She had long since grown out of the awkward and malnourished eleven year old into someone... she was actually, for once, proud to look at in the mirror. She still felt short compared to many of her classmates but compared to where she had been? It was an improvement.

Besides, now she had actual clothing that was hers. Draca had added so much to her life since they met as children (not that they weren't still children but 15 was not the same as 11), and she couldn't imagine her life without her best friend and... the girl she had fallen for.

Cassi exhaled a little breath and smiled, grabbing the before mentioned green jacket before slipping it on.

"We do," she agreed and walked over to her. She'd always felt close to the other girl though she'd never felt that same closeness with just about anyone else. "I'm glad you like it, darling."

It had taken her months to figure out just the right runes and enchantments to place on it but it had been worth it.

Watching Cassi change over the years had been a beautiful thing to see. She had grown, had become a beautiful, elegant women as she should have been being raised to be. Years at the school, with the Malfoys, it had done so much to change her, to help her become all she could be. It was that girl that Draca couldn't help but to love.

Soon as Cassi moved over to her, Draca reached out, taking her hand. It was something they often did, but she didn't resist that touch, didn't act like it was different, even for all she felt for her.

"I'm so amazed by you," she admitted. "Amazed by how you've changed. I keep remembering that young girl that first got sorted into Slytherin. You can't look at you and see that. Not now."

Cassi took a minute to look the other girl over and felt herself smile. "You look beautiful, as always." The other girl was always so put together, so sure of herself - it was a trait that honestly, Cassi admired and looked up to. Especially when they were so very young.

She laced their fingers together and smiled, giving the girl's hand a squeeze. "Sometimes I think back to those days and can't believe I'm the same girl," she admitted. It was okay to admit those feelings to Draca. The fact that Draca saw the same thing that she did was comforting.

"It's because of our house and mostly you and Cissa...," she admitted with a little smile.

It was easier and more natural to be her self here, away from the prying eyes of Hogwarts and in an environment where she felt safe and comfortable... at home.

"That I do," she admitted, not denying that. She wasn't one to play coy and pretend she was something she wasn't... or wasn't something she was. She was beautiful and she knew that, and she liked that Cassi appreciated that. "More lovely when you're around though," she added, her compliments a bit twisted but no less heartfelt for it.

"You aren't," she noted. "You've grown. You've changed. You've become so much stronger and more vibrant than you ever would have before," she said, meaning it.

"You're part of us now, Cassi. You're ours," she said softly, knowing it was possessive and more than she should have said, but that didn't change how she felt. Feelings that she wasn't hiding as well as she had before.

She smiled at the admission, not having expected anything else but those words. "Naturally," she said, sliding her thumb over the back of Draca's hand in response. "I do make you look better," she teased her playfully but knowing what the other girl truly meant.

"No, I'm not," she agreed and sent her another smile, leaning in to press a kiss to the girl's cheek. Before Draca, she hadn't been used to this sort of affection. With Draca, after all these years, it felt normal. Like the hand holding. "I'm a better version of me than I could have imagined."

Cassi smiled, hearing the possessive tone to her voice but yet knowing it was the truth. She was theirs and they were hers. "No where else I'd rather be," she admitted then felt a smirk curl on her mouth. "To think, Weasley even thought there was a chance," she muttered, making a humph'ing noise.

Draca laughed at that. A few years ago, even a year ago, there was a likelihood that Cassi wouldn't have teased Draca as she had. Especially not about that. To hear her say it though, it felt good. It showed Draca how much she had strengthened over the years. "Such a wicked, charming girl you are," she said, chuckling.

It still made her smile, chin lifting, loving that Draca showed that affection to her. "Though I guess that is true though, you really aren't. You're so much better now," she said, definitely meaning it as a compliment, even if she wasn't sure that was how it came across.

Draca snorted at that, rolling her eyes. "He's so beneath you. Completely and utterly. Beyond who you are, and that you are Slytherin and certainly not a sniveller as he is, how could he think he could win a woman like you?"

Cassi loved the sound of Draca's laughter and found herself smiling even wider when she did. That first year at Hogwarts had been a challenge. She'd come into the magical world without even a bit of knowledge of what she was walking into until she used some of that money in her account to buy any and all books she could get her hands on and shook Draca's hand at Madam Malkin's. Now she had a confidence that she had been sorely lacking in due to the Dursley's. It felt nice to have it. To stand up for herself (and those she liked) when the need arose. "I learned from the best," she said with a bright smile.

"Much, much better now," she agreed with a laugh before leading the other girl out of her room and toward the stairs. "Come on, I'm sure your Mum and Father are waiting for us."

She grinned and glanced at her. "Absolutely," she agreed. Draca on the other hand... she was much different and someone she absolutely wanted in her life. "You know Weasley's, they have a high opinion of themselves," she scoffed with a roll of her eyes. There were only two that she could semi tolerate and they were the twins.

If nothing else happened, Draca would always be glad and proud of the witch they had helped Cassi to become. She was worth so much more than most, and she deserved so much more, and she was glad that now she was strong, and powerful, and hadn't fallen into the hands of Gryffindor. Draca knew the hat had nearly done that to her, and that would have been a disaster in Draca's mind.

"Oh they probably are," she said, turning on heel and heading for the stairs.

She snorted. "I don't understand it though. They're cheap and poor and they have not a single brain cell between them except the twins," she noted. She knew they were smarter than most of the family, so she watched them closer. "Ron though, he's the weakest of the lot."

Cassie grinned and watched the way Draca moved so self assured and so confident. It was probably one of the things she loved most about the other girl. That sheer confidence.

She laughed. "Sometimes, they're the ones who think the most high of themselves. Especially Ronald Weasley," she said, walking next to her toward the stairs. "The twins at least have something going for them and according to word around, the eldest Weasley's do as well." They'd gotten out of the area at least and made some sort of life for themselves from what she understood. Not that she had a thing for Weasley's but simply it was good to know the families you may have to interact with at a later date.

"Certainly the weakest of the lot. Now, no more talking about bloody Weasley's. This is our break from damn Gryffindor's," Cassie smirked, sending the other girl a teasing wink.

At home it was only stronger, in a place where there was no one to slow her down. School had others that held her life against her, her pride and confidence. At home, she was wholly and fully the woman she was.

"I don't understand how he feels how he does. About himself. He's the lowest of his family, the one with the weakest genes. How can he even believe he's better than scum? Even the sister can kill him in a duel. They should have gone and drowned that one at birth," she said with a snort, rolling her eyes.

"But that's it. Except for hoping she kills him in a duel one day. I hope," she said with a laugh. "And we can just be ourselves. Entirely."

She laughed and sent the other girl an amused look. "I cannot agree more," she agreed. "But alas they didn't and now Hogwarts has to deal with him for another few years. I'm sure she's thrilled when more Wealsey's enter her halls." At least, as they said, some were more interesting than others.

"We can only hope she kills him in a duel however I doubt it," she mocked sighed. "We will have to pay him back somehow for the stunt on the train when we return from the holidays."

Cassi hummed in agreement and reached up to slide her fingers over the earrings she wore. "Absolutely."

Draca's nose wrinkled. "Or it feels cursed each and every time another one comes here." At least that was how Draca felt. Horribly and utterly cursed, and this one thought he should be spending time with her Cassi.

"Oh, that would make my entire year," Draca said in the dreamiest of tones. "Can we make that happen?" Pausing and then nodding. "Oh he will definitely pay. I don't want you involved in it in case they turn me in again, but he will definitely answer for that."

She smiled, watching her the movement of her fingers. "Those look stunning on you."

"Oh, I'm sure it's definitely that one. Especially one with mediocre talent and drive," she said, walking down the stairs where they would join Lucius and Narcissa for lunch. At least Narcissa if Lucius was otherwise busy as he usually was.

Cassi laughed and sent her a smile. "I believe it would make everyone's year if she did. Maybe not Granger but... we could wish." She raised an eyebrow. "What, you don't want to serve detention together again?"

She wasn't bothered really if people turned their backs on her. She got used to that after first year and she was sorted into Slytherin.

"Thank you. You do have excellent taste," she said with a smile, looking at her. "I love them."

"Do any of them have more than that?" She knew it was possible. Bill, perhaps. Maybe Charlie. Older kids than they were, but definitely the creme of whatever crop there was in the Weasley family.

"If it's together, then I'm perfectly fine with it," she pointed out, meaning it. Anything was endurable as long as they were together. "Our luck would be he'd be there with us, and then I would just be making it worse," she said, admitting that she would do more against him. He had tried to take what was a Malfoys, and that was not to tolerated.

Draca was used to being an outsider, as she was better than all of them. She was more than willing to bring Cassi with her to that level.

"I do. I chose you as my dearest friend the day you arrived, didn't I?"

Cassie tilted her head in thought. "Perhaps the oldest of the clan do. William, that one that trains dragons and the twins," she said and knew Draca likely considered them as well. Honestly, there was a small part of her that admired what Bill did - curse breaking. It was simply fascinating.

She grinned at the woman's response. "Detention with you is always preferred than solo detention." She winced remembering one or two detentions the three of them have had over the years and they never turn out pretty. Especially these days as they were older and more experienced.

"You chose me the day we met in Madam Malkin's and then promptly lead me away to help me purchase some real clothing," she said with a laugh. "You've no idea how much that meant to me that day."

"Oh well, the twins must be adopted. Mustn't they? I believe the family pulled strings to keep them in Gryffindor rather than them arriving with us in Slytherin. I can't imagine that, to be honest. It's like clipping their wings," she admitted, obviously having put thought into this. "And I can agree with the dragon trainer. He does seem to have some skills. Maybe they just used it up on the older ones," she said, considering that option. It made as much sense to her as anything else.

"Yes but then things go on from there," she said. "To three and four, and them there and talking," she said, nose wrinkling at that very thought. "We would be so much better off is Weasley was gone."

"I know how much it meant to me," she admitted. "You changed my world, and saved me from all of them. I owe you for that. Not nearly as much as you owe me though," she teased, grinning.

She laughed softly. "Mm, yes, I can see them being adopted. They are so much different than their siblings." Cassie nodded, giving it some thought. "I wouldn't put something like that against them. They would absolutely pull strings in order to to keep them in Gryffindor. Merlin forbid someone of their family become a Slytherin."

"Now, no more talk about the Weasley clan until we return from holidays," she said with a nod. "Can't have him continue to ruin our holiday, yeah?"

Cassie smiled and brought the other girl in closer to her, pressing a little kiss to her cheek. "Naturally," she smiled. "However, you get the honor of being my best friend, I feel that makes up for it," she teased her with a grin. She wanted Draca to be much more to her other than her best friend but she hadn't quite gotten up her nerve for that yet.

"The hair could be a glamour, you know. It makes sense," she added, because in the end, it did more than them being related to the one they knew. The one she was literally talking about killing.

"But you're right. He's out of our life for now," she said, smiling. "And he own't ruin anything." Because she planned to kill him. Just like that. She had made the decision that he was going to die, and that was all that mattered to Draca.

"I guess it does. It really is an honor. Even I can admit that," she said, much more warmth to her tones than her words showed. "Come on then, Darling. We need to get a few things taken care of then."

She'd wish her best friend a very Happy Christmas later, closer to the day of. It was harder to give such sweet words when, rather than being out in the open to greet your friend, you were in hiding.

Which was an awfully dramatic way to put it, but Hermione could admit to herself that that was exactly what she was doing. Well-dressed for being outside in such weather, scarf neatly around her neck, she was hiding behind and peeking out past a tree just beyond the Quidditch pitch. Waiting for Cassi to appear from practice or what not.

When she spotted the other girl, fluffy flakes falling from the sky onto an already coated ground, she very quietly scooped up snow with both gloved hands. Then, creating a snowball with it, lobbed it over, aiming beside her friend. Her natural aim, it wasn't the best, so the snowball made some contact with Cassi's lower leg. Whoops.

Obviously, she didn't intend on remaining hidden for very long yet even with the unintentional hit by snowball, Hermione stayed tucked behind the tree, peeking out juuuust enough to see her friend's face.

Nothing put her more into the holiday mood than being on break from classes and playing a pick up game of Quidditch in the snow with any students that stayed at Hogwarts over the Holidays. Even the Slytherin's had joined in this year which surprised her. Still? It had been a lot of fun.

She was still laughing and waved off a couple of the other players as they ran up to the castle when she felt something hit her leg. Cassi looked down and raised an eyebrow before looking toward the direction it came from, her eyes narrowing playfully.

"It's not nice to just throw a snowball and run," she called out, having an idea of who could possibly have thrown it this far away from the castle and knelt down to pick up her own ball of snow in her gloves.

Happy Holidays!

For Harry.

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Cassie

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For Cassi!

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