always. // dm.

7 - christmas with the mudblood.

***FAST FORWARD TO DECEMBER***

Elora's POV

Winter has always been my favorite season. The white blanket quieting the buzzing school as the students within the walls get excited for Christmas.

I'm in the Great Hall with the trio, watching Ron and Harry play Wizards Chess.

"You both can't tear your eyes away from that stupid game for one second, can you?" Hermione laughs, nudging me in the arm.

Ron and Harry snap their eyes up at us, almost looking offended.

"Oh Merlin's beard, she was joking. Chill." I giggle out. They face each other and the chess board again.

"Checkmate." Harry finally says, after a long hour and a half.

"Bloody hell Harry, you never loose." Ron growls.

I chuckle with Harry and Mione. These were the memories and times I'm going to miss when I go home. Still laughing, my gaze turns slowly to the window. I gasp.

"Guys! It's snowing!" I stand straight up and face the three smiling faces staring back at me from the table. "Last one out has to buy us butterbeers in Hogsmeade!"

I race out of the Hall and down the corridors, not caring that I'm getting stares from fellow classmates. I hear the trio's running steps behind me.

I fly open the door and shiver slightly as the cold snow and air hits my fair skin. I'm only wearing my sweater and pants, no jacket, boots or gloves. Still, I pull Hermione next to me and start throwing snowballs at the boys.

————

The snowball fight lasts only 10 minutes, but each one of us is shivering, lips a mix of blue and purple shades. We all trudge inside, teeth chattering against our own.

I go to the Slytherin dorms, while the others go to Gryffindor. Sometimes I wonder why I was placed in Slytherin, when most of my housemates hate me anyways.

Now at the large common room door, I use all my strength to open it, hands frozen.

I step inside the green room. The fire is lit and burning, leaving a nice pinewood smell to the room. The Christmas tree is bright with silver, gold, and, of course, deep emerald green balls that hang off the branches.

I don't see anybody, so I continue my triumph to my room.

"Maybe shiver a little quieter and you'll be sneaky enough to sneak back in." I jump when I hear a voice coming from deep in the green sofa.

He emerges, looking me up and down. A slight bit of concern in his grey eyes for a second, then it disappears.

"The fuck? Why are you in your uniform and covered in snow, Baxter?" Malfoy says, showing no emotion.

"Uh.. it started snowing. Me and the trio went out and didn't think to put on the right clothe-" I start.

"Listen, I don't give a damn about what you did with the blood traitors." He cuts me off. "You are going to get sick."

"Leave me alone, Malfoy." I look him straight in the eye. "You're the one who didn't want me to 'dirty your blood.'"

He stays silent and looks away, at my shaking, blue hands. He pulls them into his. I try to pull them away, he stops me, grabbing my wrist tightly. I flinch.

"Yeah, no, you're going to be sick." He says quietly, letting go of me.

"Not something you need to worry about. Now, can I go warm up please? Instead of just wasting time here?"

He nods and I walk up to my empty room, very quickly undressing and jumping into the hot shower.

————

"You can always just come stay with me. Harry and Hermione already are, I don't see why you would be an issue with my family." Ron states.

It's the last dinner feast before everybody leaves for Christmas holiday. I have just told the trio that I will be staying at Hogwarts for holiday break.

"Thank you, Ronald, but I am sure that your mother and father already have enough humans to deal with. Plus, I'll be alone here and I don't think your parents would want a Slytherin staying with them." I say, softly and calmly.

They do know that I like being alone as much as I like being with them. I assure them that I will be okay during the break and will owl them as much as possible.

I just can't go home. I feel bad, since Kayla and my dad are there, but I can't handle going home yet. I've been so happy here at Hogwarts and I don't want to be reminded of what happened to my mum and brother whenever I see my father.

————

"Bye guys! Owl me when you can!" I yell out, as the trio makes their way into their compartments. A few other students are staying at Hogwarts as well, but not any Slytherins. Except me.

I walk back into the castle, the few other kids who stayed split off to go do their own things. Pulling the large door open, I see his face again.

Why is he still here and not on the train?

"Malfoy? What the fuck are you doing here? The train just left." I snap.

"I know, dimwit. I'm not going home for Christmas." He says, looking down at his shoes, his hands deep in his pockets.

He suddenly looks up with a look of realization on his face.

"Wait, why are you here?"

"Same response as you." I say.

He groans. "Great. I have to spend Christmas with the mudblood."

I roll my eyes and push past him.

"You don't have to do anything. You're Draco Malfoy, for Merlins sake." I talk over my shoulder. "Just don't hang out with me."

Feeling his gaze hard against my back, I round the corner and step up the stairs, into my bedroom. Empty.