- Chapter 13 -

December 25, 1995 

It's Christmas morning. I get woken up by people excitingly running through the hallways and storming down the stairs. This house really carries through the noise, if I listen closely I could probably hear people walking around two floors down.  The room is covered in soft sunlight, by the looks of it it must still be early. I grudgingly sit upright and rub the sleep from my eyes.

I make my way towards my bathroom to get freshened up but just before I close the bathroom door I hear a soft ticking coming from my window. I walk out of the bathroom again and look at my window. A pitch-black owl, with a white skull-like face, is perched on the windowsill outside my window. It's looking at me intensely as if it's judging me.

I quickly walk over to the window and open it. Immediately the owl flies inside and lands itself steadily on my dresser. I turn away from my window and walk toward the bird, who is kind of giving me the creeps. He has placed the parcel which he was carrying in front of him on the dresser. I grab the parcel and scan it for a letter but can't seem to find any. Just before I want to turn around and shoo the bird away, I notice a small rolled-up parchment attached to one of the owl's legs. I gently loosen the thread and grab the small piece of parchment. The second I pull my hands back the owl takes flight again and vanished into the early morning air.

I place the parcel and scroll of parchment on my bed and quickly close the window. I wonder who would send me a present. It can't be from anyone in the house because they would've just put it downstairs. It is probably also not from Lola, Pete, or Aris since we always exchange gifts after the holidays. That doesn't leave much more options.

Out of curiosity, I tear open the package. A beautiful book appears; Secrets of the Darkest Arts. I'm absolutely amazed. Who would get me this? I thought no one knew of my interest in the dark arts. Of course, they know about my preference for the class Defense Against the Dark Arts but as far as I know, people think it ends there. Then it hit me.

I gently stroke the cover. Would he really send me something? I can't imagine it, but then again it all fits. I can't believe he actually remembered. 

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— Flashback —                

I'm supposed to organize and clean his ingredients shelf but I can't seem to concentrate on that, instead, I find myself in front of a shelf that is covered in his personal potions and dark art books. I gently stroke the spines with my fingers, until my finger lands on an interesting-looking book. I slowly drag it outwards. 'Secrets of the Darkest Arts', is engraved onto the cover in beautiful black, cursive letters. I let my fingers follow the letters. I know I shouldn't but my curiosity takes the better of me. Slowly I open the book. Amazed by the different topics, I start reading, completely unaware of the person standing in the doorway watching me. I soon find myself completely lost in the book.

After a short while, I get pulled back to the real world by the sound of someone clearing their throat. I jump. Faster than my heartbeat, I close the book. I turn around and my eyes find his cold, black ones. I can feel the blood flooding my cheeks. I begin to apologize but he cuts me off by snatching the book from my hands. He quickly puts it back in its place and turns his attention on me again.

"And what do you think you are doing?"He asks, anger consuming him.

"I-I'm very sorry, I was just curious." I stutter.

"You foolish girl, don't you dare ever do that again. And now get back to what you are supposed to do," He says, almost yelling. I must have really angered him. I quickly turn around and make my way back towards his ingredients shelf.

— End of flashback —

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I put the book away and grab the scroll of parchment, eager to see if he put his name in the letter. I take the dark-green thread off of it and unroll it.

Dear Eva,

I remembered your interest in the book, don't ever let it become more than that.

Merry Christmas,

S.S.

I smile while holding the piece of parchment to my heart. He actually remembered.

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It's a couple of hours later when I return to my room. We have just finished eating breakfast after having opened up the presents. It was extremely fun and cozy. I didn't participate much but I really enjoyed seeing everybody so happy, especially Harry. I can't help but feel like I need to look after him, his happiness means more to me than most. I truly see him as a little brother.

Everybody exchanged presents, and everybody was in a good mood. The men were talking while sitting on the sofa and Mrs. Weasley and Tonks were looking at the children opening their presents, and handing them out. The twins were shooting off some kind of firework, which annoyed Mrs. Weasley greatly. It was absolutely hilarious. The rest of the kids were seated on the floor before the fireplace.

I had managed to buy everyone presents, most seemed very content with them. I was glad, I'm not the greatest at buying presents. I even received some; A beautiful book about different spells from Hermoine, a gorgeous silver necklace with a snowflake on it from Harry, and some candy from the Weasley boys. I even got a hand-maid green sweater with the initial E on it from Mrs. Weasley. I was very content with how the day went.

I'm currently sitting on my bed, reading in the book Snape got me. It's getting dark outside and the noise around the house is slowly but surely dimming down. I'm completely lost in the book until I hear a soft knock coming from my bedroom door. After a few seconds, the door gets pushed open, Harry steps into my room looking around. He looks as uncomfortable as ever.

After having looked around he takes a seat on the edge of my bed.

"Hey Eva, I was wondering if I could ask you something." He says.

I raise my eyebrows at him while closing my book. "Sure shoot," I say while scooting closer to him.

He starts to fumble with his clothes. "Okay well, I guess you have probably noticed that Umbridge doesn't teach us anything useful anymore," He looks at me for confirmation. I nod and he continues. "Well, we have taken it up ourselves to teach ourselves and we were wondering if you would like to join us?"

"Who's we?" I ask.

"Well it was mainly Hermoine's idea but the DA is currently mostly filled up by 5th years. I'm teaching them some spells so we can defend ourselves when needed, I know you probably already know all the spells but I was thinking maybe you could help me with teaching?" He looks at me expectingly.

I consider this. I wouldn't mind doing it, and it's true Umbridge's teaching method has been crap and these kids need to know how to defend themselves, especially now that Voldemort has returned.

"Of course I'll do it," I say while giving him a smile.

His face immediately lights up and pulls me in for a hug. "Thank you, I knew I could count on you. Here this coin will show you when the meetings will be, they are in the room of requirement."

I take the coin from him, this has to be Hermoine's idea. She really is way too smart for her age.

I smile at him. "Of course, I'll be there, and don't worry I know where to find the room."

He gives me one last smile before leaving.

I let myself fall on my back again, wondering what the next few months will bring. I can't help but feel like life is going to change, for the good this time.

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Hope you enjoyed, I'm very close to finishing this book so expect more updates coming soon! And please let me know what you think, it would be greatly appreciated. Yes I know it's not the greatest and I could definitely improve so I may re-write some stuff when I'm completely finished but for now, bear with me and enjoy this version of it:)

love, irs