THERE WAS ONE MORE WEEK of school left before the Christmas holidays. Going home felt different this year, compared to other years. Where Ophelia had usually looked forward to going back home for Christmas, this year, she harbored other feelings towards the upcoming break, not wanting to go home in the midst of the death eater camp at Malfoy Manor.

This week was perhaps the most chaotic week of Ophelia's yet. She was juggling her rekindled friendship with Colin (which was going rather well, in her opinion), the upcoming dinner party with the Slug Club, Draco's next part of his mission as a death eater, piles of holiday homework from her professors (who were determined to push them close to their breaking point) and the upcoming Hogsmeade visit, which she meant to utilize to go Christmas shopping.

Ophelia and Colin were back to being friends. For real this time. Strictly friends. She buried her feelings for him, and he did not bring them up. They talked, argued humorously, and insulted each other for no reason. Just like best friends did.

And if Theodore hadn't agreed to go to the party with her, Ophelia would have wanted to take Colin.

As friends, of course.

In fact, the blonde had half a mind to go to Theodore and tell him he didn't have to come with her; she could go with Colin instead.

Granted, she would be more comfortable with Colin at her side.

But she couldn't just walk up to Theodore and tell him she did not want to go with him.

The reason for this was mainly because over the past week and a half, Theodore had been putting a bit of effort in trying to reconcile his relationship with her, and Ophelia felt like she owed it to him to do the same; to meet him halfway. 

She knew he was trying. It would take long to forgive him for all he had put her through, especially that time he ripped her book into pieces, but he had gotten her a new book two weeks ago and Ophelia knew he was sorry.

No longer driven to hate him, Ophelia found herself slowly letting down her tough barriers around him and allowing herself to try to get to know him.

To give him a chance.

One little, itty, bitty chance.

Just one.

No more.

Ophelia had also planned on going to Hogsmeade with Colin, but she was keeping her friendship with him under the radar so as not to attract the wrong sort of attention from the wrong company.

She wouldn't be able to go with Colin anyway, as Draco had asked her to accompany him and Theodore because he needed their help for the next part of his mission; casting the Imperius curse on Madam Rosmerta.

Theodore and Ophelia were just there as distractions; not to draw any attention to him.

And so, when the Hogsmeade visit arrived, Ophelia was all bundled up in a black fur coat that kept her snug, warm and cute at the same time. She could see Ginny's green eyes of envy from a mile away, as the Weasley girl had nothing but a measly sweater in a frightful shade of yellow, with a scarlet G embroidered on it. 

All the Weasleys wore those common sweaters. Even the wool used was cheap quality, which is why every single year all the Weasleys got new sweaters to wear until the next Christmas. Because a few months later, all the sweaters would have patched up holes and loose threats.

Kind of an embarrassment, since Ginny had been stuck with the same stupid yellow eye-sore of a sweater since first year. Miss Weasley never got the hint; she kept knitting the same sweater every year.

At least Ophelia's was made of real fur. It kept her warm, it was classy, and when paired with black stockings and knee-high leather boots it was a gorgeous outfit that all the girls of Hogwarts eyed with jealousy.

She left her blonde hair down, save for a baby pink ribbon that tied half her hair back, whilst the tips of her bangs were just grazing her eyes, too short to be held up.

"You take forever to get dressed," Draco drawled, on seeing her arrive at the gate, where they were supposed to meet.

"At least she looks presentable," Theodore quipped, causing Draco to silence him with a glare.

"You look nice," Draco commented, jutting a chin out to point out Ginny Weasley in the distance, who was disgustingly exchanging saliva with Dean Thomas. "Better than Weaselette right there. She looks like a rolled up omelet dipped in ketchup."

Ophelia did not even bother to hide her smile. 

Ginny was dressed in that yellow sweater, her vivid red hair left down to trail down her back. She really looked as Draco described, especially from the back.

"I want to go Christmas shopping!"

When they reached Hogsmeade, Ophelia was adamantly refusing to accompany Draco into The Three Broomsticks, insisting that she'll meet him there later.

"Ophelia, be reasonable, I need you there with me," Draco sighed, rubbing his temples.

"Not all the time!" she persisted. "You'll take forever. I don't want to waste this visit... I don't even have a Christmas present for Mummy!"

The last part seemed to do the trick. Draco sighed a 'fine, don't be too long,' and Ophelia gave him the classic Malfoy smirk of victory.

"But you only have half an hour," he added.

"That's— but that's not even enough— I need more time!"

"What if I go with her?" Theodore interrupted the two bickering siblings with this question. "I can watch over her... I need to do Christmas shopping too..."

Ophelia spluttered. "Watch— watch over— me? I'm old enough, I've been here loads of times—" 

But both boys seemed to be ignoring her, their gazes locked into a silent battle.

"Fine," Draco gritted his teeth very slightly. "You can only go for longer if Nott accompanies you."

"But why? I don't need anyone!"

"Ophelia, listen to me. I'm your older brother, and I said no."

The blonde let out a gasp and pushed Draco as hard as she could, until he fell backwards into the snow with a surprised cry, causing her to laugh in triumph.

"See? I'm strong enough to be on my own! I'm stronger than you," she teased.

Theodore fought to hide his smile.

Draco stood up and dusted the snow off himself. "Dark times, Ophelia. I'm being watched all the time. The place is crawling with hidden Death Eaters and aurors. I don't want you to be caught in the crossfire. It would just give me a bit of piece to know you aren't alone. Even if you can take care of yourself, it's nice to have a backup." 

This time, she understood without saying another word. A single nod was her response and she began walking on the snow-covered cobbled pathways of Hogsmeade that she had grown to love, especially how there were thousands of mismatched footprints in the snow. 

Theodore fell into step beside her. 

No words were exchanged, until they reached the main shopping street of Hogsmeade. 

"So, Christmas shopping?" Theodore suggested, clearing his throat and . "Erm— where do you want to go first?"

"I... I don't know," she murmured quietly, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. 

"Let's get something for Draco first?" he suggested, raising a brow slightly.

"Okay."

It was awkward. For both of them. The blonde just didn't know how to behave around him. She was always tense around him, trying to figure out what to say, or what to reply to something he said.

"Excited for Christmas?" Theodore asked awkwardly, and Ophelia could see the way he gulped when his Adam's apple bobbed slightly in his throat.

"Not really." Ophelia was just giving him one worded answers, for the sole reason that she did not know what else to say.

"Why not?"

"I don't know, it's just... different this year..." she mumbled, thanking him for holding the door open for her.

"Yeah, I get it," Theodore finished her sentence for her. "My dad's been in Italy for the past couple of years."

"Oh..." Ophelia's mouth went dry, and she realized she had nothing to say. "So... You've been spending Christmases alone?"

"Nah. Blaise always invites me over," Theodore shrugged nonchalantly as he looked through the store for antiquities that would work as Christmas presents for Ophelia's very picky brother. 

Ophelia was glad Theodore changed the subject before she said something stupid.

"Do you think he'll like this?" Theodore held up a dead snake in a cage, causing Ophelia to flinch and gasp softly.

"I think the Dark Lord would prefer a gift like that," the blonde muttered humorlessly.

"Think I'll just have to give him money," Theodore shrugged. "Nothing interesting here."

But Ophelia wasn't listening. She was tucked in the corner of the tiny store, her gaze set on the perfect gift for Draco.

An old, worn out poster was plastered onto the wall, giving Ophelia all the information she needed to get the perfect gift for Draco. Quickly tearing off the poster, the blonde shoved it into her bag and managed to find Theodore.

"Did you find anything?" he asked, taking quick steps to follow her out of the store.

"Yeah," she nodded. "I've got the perfect thing."

They did not speak after that. Ophelia found all her Christmas presents, and Theodore did too. Ophelia wasn't sure if she should get him a Christmas present or not, so she just bought a men's cologne just in case. 

"I'm... going to get a dress," Ophelia pointed to a quaint little shop in the far corner. 

"For the party?" Theodore raised a brow.

"Uhm— yeah."

"Do you want to color coordinate?" Theodore joked, the edges of his lips curving upwards slightly.

"What are you, a Hufflepuff?" Ophelia scoffed, distaste written all over her features.

"I was joking."

"Oh. Sorry."

Ophelia bought her dress, whilst Theodore waited outside the shop. He was smoking a cigarette when she saw him.

"Don't do that," she chastised, trying to use her hand to move the smoke that had ensnared her senses.

"It feels good," Theodore persisted. "I can't stop."

"Okay then, don't do it in front of me," Ophelia scowled, taking the cigarette from his lips and stamping on it after tossing it into the snow.

Theodore did not argue, much to Ophelia's surprise, and delight. He was actually not bad company when they weren't fighting.

And that gave Ophelia an idea. One she couldn't shake off her mind, no matter how hard she tried.

Just as they reached The Three Broomsticks, Ophelia gripped Theodore's wrist gently, stopping him from entering just yet. "Wait."

Theodore seemed to gulp, and he slowly turned to her, confusion written all over his dark eyes. "What?"

"Come home," she blurted, unable to stop the words from leaving her lips.

Theodore froze, eyes narrowing very slightly at her request. "Sorry— what?"

"For Christmas," she clarified. "Spend it with us..."

"Are... Are you sure? Because Blaise—"

"Yes, I'm sure." She had let go of his wrist, her stomach feeling like a bottomless pit that was swarming with butterflies. Empty, yet full at the same time.

"Your mother won't mind?" Theodore was still unsure about this whole thing. It could either go well, or mess up really badly.

"Mummy loves you, you know that," Ophelia recalled. "But, I.. I won't force you..." she added, not wanting to seem too imposing.

"I'd love to."

Once again, he held open the door for her to walk in, and they spotted Draco sitting all alone on a table with two other empty chairs, which they both filled.

"So?" Ophelia asked, leaning in slightly to talk to her brother. "How did it go?"

"I think it went alright. I'm going to test it now..." He slowly rang the bell to summon Madam Rosmerta, who was supposed to be under the influence of the Imperius curse, courtesy to Draco.

Sure enough, the barmaid came to their table with a smile on her face, her eyes slightly glossy due to the effect of the spell.

"I'll have a firewhiskey," Draco ordered. 

"Me too," Theodore added, perking up slightly at the mention of alcohol.

"Butterbeer," Ophelia placed in her order, staring at the two boys with disapproval of their underage drinking, yet she did not say a word.

And without realizing that the two were still underage, Madam Rosmerta nodded without a second thought and went back to the bar to prepare their drinks.

Ophelia took this as an opportunity to reprimand Draco about his indiscretions.

"Draco, you know what mummy said about underage drinking," she whispered over the table. "You're not allowed!"

Theodore instantly burst out laughing, an unbecoming snort leaving his lips. 

"Oh, grow up, Ophelia, this isn't the first time I've had firewhiskey," Draco drawled. "I'm turning seventeen in a couple of months."

At this, her jaw dropped slightly. "But you're not allowed to drink," she gasped softly. "I'm telling Mummy!"

Theodore couldn't help it. He burst out laughing, much to the Malfoys' disapproval.

Once the firewhiskey arrived, both Theodore and Draco chugged it down like it was just milk.

 "Have you ever had firewhiskey before?" Theodore looked at Ophelia with interest and curiosity written all over his features.

"Nott," Draco warned. "I swear to God—"

Ophelia shook her head, sipping her butterbeer delicately.

Theodore seemed to find this extremely amusing. "Wait, wait, wait. You've never even drunk before?"

"Of course not, I'm only fifteen!" The blonde countered immediately, like it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Theodore turned to Draco. "She's... she's never drunk anything before?" his voice was slightly hoarse from how much he struggled to keep a straight face.

"No." Draco's answer was just that one word.

"Oh my God," Theodore gasped softly, a soft chuckle leaving his lips, along with a shake of his head. "Unbelievable..."

Pushing forward his bottle firewhiskey towards her, he looked at Ophelia directly into her eyes. "Try it," he insisted. 

"Nott!" Draco snarled, banging his fist on the table. "Stop."

"Aww, come on, Draco, don't ruin all the fun," Theodore looked at Ophelia, silently urging her to take a sip. "We were only thirteen when we first drank..."

Ophelia's eyes widened. "Thirteen?"

"She wants to try it," Theodore persisted, "I can see it on her face."

Ophelia lost all her breath. She did want to try it. Not because she wanted to taste it, but because she needed to prove something to them. 

She wasn't a little girl anymore, she could make her own choices.

"No," Draco warned his best friend again with a glare, "she isn't going to drink."

Ophelia did not like Draco making her choices for her, and she wanted to take the bottle and just chug it down to spite him, but she remained silent.

"Aw, come on, she's missing out—"

"NO!" Draco snarled once more, banging his fist on the table, resulting in a few people looking over at their table and whispering mutedly. 

Just then, Madam Rosmerta came to their table to ask for payment, and Draco stood up to pay, taking out gold coins in his pockets and counting them out.

Ophelia had a stone stuck in her throat. Theodore's gaze never left her, and she had been trying to avoid the embarrassment she felt when she recalled how Theodore found it funny that she had never tried any sort of alcoholic drink before.

Theodore leant over slightly, just close enough to whisper in her ear.

"Later, baby Malfoy," he murmured, winking at her with his smirking face.

Ophelia felt a wild flutter in her empty stomach, a dark blush coating her cheeks.

That had never happened before.

He had never made her blush before.

Her cheeks felt hot, and the blonde was completely confused.

What the hell is happening to me?

{ hey guys, i would first like to apologize for updating after soooo long. i'm really sorry.. been really busy, and sick. but i'm better now, and i got round to updating.
i actually kind of love this chapter because of how awkward it is, and how much you can feel the secondhand embarrassment while reading it.
i would also like to say this: it has been a year since i first began writing this book, and it has come so far, i cannot believe it. almost half a million reads !!
thank you to each and every one of you who have supported me, and blood like gasoline, i love you all so much.
please vote, comment (spam me please), follow and share, and don't forget to follow me on spotify.
also, tortured poets department? i am so excited, aaah! it's like two of my favorite things combined; taylor swift, and poetry.
anyway, take care, ilysm.
love, jasmine. }

{FEB 08. 2024}