The Christmas Day Festivities
Christmas morning arrived in a flurry of soft snowfall and the warm glow of enchanted lanterns scattered throughout the castle. Thick garlands of holly and ivy curled around the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall, which reflected the soft grey of the winter sky outside. The smell of roasted turkey, cinnamon, and freshly baked bread filled the air.
Vi stretched lazily as she and Caitlyn made their way toward the Great Hall. “Now this is what I call Christmas.”
Caitlyn, ever the picture of composure, adjusted the red and gold tie around her neck and gave Vi a sideways glance. “I assume you’re only excited because there’s food involved.”
Vi placed a hand on her chest, feigning deep offense. “Cait, you wound me. I’m excited about the holiday spirit!”
Caitlyn snorted. “Right. The holiday spirit of stuffing your face.”
Vi grinned. “Exactly.”
The single long table had been set up in the center, already filled with students and a handful of professors. At the head of the table, Heimerdinger sat high on his chair, McGonagall looked particularly festive in a deep emerald cloak while engaged in conversation with Professor Flitwick, who was perched on a stack of books to reach his plate properly.
Vi and Caitlyn slid into their seats, greeted by a cheerful Finley, who had already begun loading his plate with mashed potatoes.
“’Bout time you two got here,” he said through a mouthful of food. “Almost thought ya were gonna miss out!”
Vi gasped. “Fin, I would never miss an opportunity to eat my weight in holiday food.”
Caitlyn hid her smile behind her goblet of pumpkin juice. “That’s what I was afraid of.”
The table practically groaned under the weight of the feast—roast turkey with cranberry sauce, honey-glazed ham, mountains of golden roast potatoes, fluffy Yorkshire puddings, and platters of mince pies and Christmas pudding. The house-elves had outdone themselves.
Vi wasted no time piling her plate high. Caitlyn, more refined, took her time serving herself portions far more reasonable.
As they ate, the conversation turned to Christmas traditions.
“My family always opens gifts at dawn,” Caitlyn mentioned. “Then there’s a formal Christmas dinner in the evening.”
Vi raised an eyebrow. “Formal? Like, fancy clothes and all?”
Caitlyn nodded. “Of course.”
Vi shook her head. “Yeah, that sounds awful. My Christmas back home? Chaos. Powder wakes up before sunrise and starts opening presents whether we are ready or not.” She chuckled. “Then Vander makes this massive breakfast while we all sit around in pajamas.”
Caitlyn tilted her head. “That… actually sounds nice.”
Vi smirked. “Bet you’ve never spent Christmas in pajamas before.”
Caitlyn gave her a look. “I have.”
Vi leaned in. “Bet you were still weirdly formal about it.”
Caitlyn rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth twitched.
The feast was interrupted when Professor Heimerdinger stood, tapping his goblet lightly. The room fell into a comfortable silence as he addressed the students.
“Merry Christmas to those of you staying at Hogwarts this year,” he said warmly. “Though you may be far from home, know that you are among family here.”
Vi felt Caitlyn’s shoulder brush against hers, and for some reason, her stomach flipped.
Heimerdinger gave a small smile before raising his glass. “Now, enjoy the feast!”
As conversation resumed, a flurry of enchanted crackers appeared in front of them—large, festive crackers that popped when pulled, revealing small magical gifts inside.
Vi grabbed one immediately. “C’mon, Cait. Let’s pull one.”
Caitlyn sighed, but there was fond amusement in her eyes as she took the other end.
BANG! The cracker burst open, releasing a shower of golden sparks—and suddenly, a ridiculous oversized hat decorated with tiny dancing Christmas trees plopped onto Caitlyn’s head.
Vi burst out laughing. “Oh—oh this is amazing.”
Caitlyn slowly reached up, removed the hat, and placed it onto Vi’s head instead. “There. It matches your personality.”
Vi beamed. “I love it.”
Caitlyn shook her head, but she was smiling.
After the feast had died down, Caitlyn and Vi made their way up to the Gryffindor common room where they took over the comfiest couch by the fire– one that was usually occupied by an older student during term.
“Happy Christmas, Violet,” Caitlyn whispered softly after a minute, turning to face the taller girl.
Vi hummed, and turned to look at her. “Merry Christmas, Cait.”
“Can I tell you something?”
Vi was confused, but composed herself. “Yeah, sure you can. Anything.”
“My parents didn’t have Ministry business to attend to.” Caitlyn whispered softly. Vi looked over at her, eyes encouraging her to continue. “I got an owl during the first few weeks of term. Remember how I said they were expecting Ravenclaw?”
Vi thought back to their time on the train. “Mmhmm,” she answered.
“Well they told me that I was disgracing the Kiramman name for not getting Ravenclaw, and that they didn’t want me home for the holidays.” Caitlyn sniffled softly, tears swimming in her eyes. “That’s why I’m here.”
Vi was not expecting that. Caitlyn didn’t really talk much about her parents, but from what Vi had seen of her mother in Diagon Alley that day, she wasn’t that surprised.
“Cait…”
“Don’t.” Caitlyn interjected sharply. Vi’s face fell, and Caitlyn felt bad. Softer this time she added, “I mean, you don’t have to pity me.”
“I know,” Vi whispered. “I have something to tell you too,” she admitted.
“What is it?”
“I made up my mind to stay for Christmas the second you told me you were staying. I had plans to go home.”
Caitlyn snapped her head over to Vi. “What? Why?”
Vi shrugged. “Didn’t want you to spend Christmas alone?”
Caitlyn hummed and turned away, preventing Vi from noticing the faint pink that spread across her cheeks. “That was very sweet of you, Violet,” Caitlyn whispered with a smile.
“Now come on. How bout I beat you at Wizard’s Chess?” Vi asked, a wicked grin plastered on her face. She had never beaten Caitlyn once, and Caitlyn knew that.
“In your dreams, Lanes.”