His Obsession

My Sister's 'Happy' Christmas

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

The presents she got this year were remarkably smaller than the ones she had received in previous years. Her parents had always sent her something lavish every year, but she didn't get anything from them. The only presents she had waiting for her was a small grey and silver parcel with a small emerald bow, and a vibrant red and gold package that was an eyesore. No one else had thought to send her anything, but then again she didn't have many friends. Aurora knew without a doubt that the red present had been sent by Sirius. He was too flamboyant for it to not have been. The grey present gave her pause however, and she flipped it over slightly to see the name written underneath it.

Pink singed her cheekbones, and she was infinitely grateful that she had awoken before Snape. Lucius Malfoy, was written in an elegant scrawl on the bottom of the parcel. Checking over her shoulder to make sure Snape was still sleeping, Aurora arose from her spot next to the fireplace. She clutched the package to her chest and crept around the bed to get into the bathroom. Once inside, she locked the door and pressed her back against the surface. 

Her heart was pounding loudly in fear and excitement. What would he have sent her? The package itself wasn't overly large, it was narrow and no longer than the length of her forearm. Her fingers curled under the folded edge, and she tore the paper away eagerly. A velvet green box met her gaze, blushing deeply she opened the gift. 

Aurora gasped loudly, and she covered her mouth with one hand. Her eyes roved over the jewelry inside in complete awe. It was the most beautiful diamond necklace she had ever seen. It would fit snugly around her neck in a row of shimmering dew drops, almost as if it were a collar of wealth. 

She delicately removed the necklace from its case, and turned until she was standing in front of the mirror. Setting the box on the side of the sink, she wrapped the chain of sparkling gems around her throat and clasped it behind her. 

The twinkling stones illuminated her soft skin. Drawing focus to the delicate curve of her collarbone and the hollow of her throat. Her eyes reflected the appreciation of her gift as she stared back at herself happily. The dark circles under her eyes even seemed to be reduced slightly in her lightness of mood. Her high cheekbones were flushed, her rosy lips parted in astonishment. Aurora felt more beautiful in that moment than she ever had in her life.

Her fingers ran over the gems lovingly. It was the best gift she had ever received. Her lips drew down into a frown. She couldn't keep it. Snape would be suspicious. He would hurt her until she told him who gave her the gift. 

She couldn't be the reason for Lucius's pain, not after his kindness and thoughtfulness. So, Aurora sadly removed the necklace and tucked it away daintily. She would return it to Lucius after the Christmas feast. She used her wand to vanish the wrapping paper it had arrived with. Then she shrunk the box containing the necklace and dropped it into the inner pocket of her robes. It truly was a pity she couldn't keep the gorgeous trinket. 

Aurora sighed and exited the restroom. Walking back to her place by the fire, she reached for Sirius's present. The box was a lot larger than Lucius's gift had been, and she was a little apprehensive about opening it. Sirius had always enjoyed a good prank. She wouldn't have put it past him to have loaded dung bombs into the box, set to go off as soon as the paper is removed. 

Once the scarlet wrapper had been torn away, Aurora stared at the brown box warily. She poked it slightly with her wand, but got no reaction. Still on her guard she opened the top of the box, and peered inside. Her bow rose in question. She stared at the empty crate resting in the middle, in befuddlement. There was the tiniest edge of what seemed to be paper poking out of the inside of the crate.