Cortney was currently saying goodbye to all her friends. ( which weren't many ). They were leaving for Christmas. Cortney was the only Slytherin staying for Christmas.

" Have a good Christmas Cort," Joseph said.

" You too," Cortney smiled.

" Cort, are you sure you will be fine here? " De'Lexi asked. " I saw hat you were the only Slytherin staying ! "

" I'll be fine, promise, my home is just a bit too far away," Cortney assured her.

" See you in a day or two," Milan said as they walked away. A hand landed on Cortney's shoulder.

" Are you sure you can't do a last-minute change I'm sure my parents would love to meet their niece for the first time," Draco said trying to change her mind.

" I'm sure Draco, they might want to meet me, but I'm not ready to meet them," Cortney said confidently.

" Why? " He asked a bit annoyed.

" So much has happened, and that's one surprise that can wait," Cortney breathed.

" Have a good Christmas couz," Draco said before leaving. Shortly after e left his boonies joined him. Cortney wants to meet her real family but so many questions filled her head about them. Like if they knew about her, why didn't they take her into their care ? Did they not love her either? Did they not want the responsibility of looking after her and Draco ? All of a sudden a hand landed on her back scaring her.

" Cortney, are you sure you don't want to come home with me? " Dean asked.

" I'm sure Dean," Cortney confirmed.

" We don't you to be alone on Christmas," Seamus said giving her puppy dog eyes.

" I'm sure Seamus, if anything goes wrong, I will go to the Gryffindor common room and stay with Harry and the Weasleys," Cortney assured him.

" Come on guys I'm sure she won't mind this alone time," Neville said glaring at her.

" Merry Christmas boys," Cortney said smiling.

" Merry Christmas," they chorused as they left. Cortney walked into the Great Hall and saw Hermione. They smiled at each as they passed and exchanged Merry Christmas. She then made her way down the hallway and sat next to Harry. He and Ron were playing Wizard's chess.

" I played this before, a bit different then Muggle Chess," Cortney said. Her eyes went wide and she slowly but her hand over mouth, using it as a disguise as if she was thinking.

" Why did you play Muggle Chess? " Ron asked suspiciously.

" I like to go against the system," Cortney said slowly.

" I saw that you were the only Slytherin staying here," Harry said as he made a move.

" Yep," Cortney said popping the p.

" Why don't you stay with us? So you aren't alone for Christmas ? If anything Dean and Seamus told me to tell you this," Harry said.

" Of course they did," Cortney laughed as she playfully rolled her eyes.
********
They next morning Cortney woke up in one of the first-year boys' Gryffindor beds. She woke up to be alone. Cortney slipped on the socks before rolling out of the bed. It was Milan's bed. Cortney slowly left the room and walked down the steps to find Harry and Ron laying on the couch surrounded by open gifts. By the time she got to the bottom step they noticed her.

" Morning Cortney! Merry Christmas! " They boys said together.

" Morning boys, and Merry Christmas! " Cortney said smiling.

" You have some gifts here, you should open them," Harry said. Cortney nodded and sat down.

" This is from my mum, she heard you were staying and felt bad," Ron said handing her a gift. Cortney opened it to find a a knitted green and white sweatshirt. There was a letter of a ' C ' on it.

" Oh this is amazing, tell your mom thank you very much, I love it ! " Cortney exclaimed smiling.

" You have a lot of letters," Harry mentioned as he pushed a pile of letters towards her. Cortney's face lit up. She grabbed one envelope and opened it gently and began to read the letter.

' Dear Cortney,
We miss you so much !! Tristen is disappointed to not being able to wake you up this year for Christmas. I hope they serve chocolate chip pancakes! And you get to watch Christmas specials !! I hope this little something makes you less homesick. Merry Christmas and Happy New Years !! Love the family '. 

In the card was another picture of her and her family. It was the final goodbye before she left for Hogwarts. Tears filled her eyes, she misses her home so much. She can't wait for this year to end. Cortney looked up to see that Harry and Ron has left. Secretly she was glad they left. Next letter was from her friends.

' Dear Cortney,
We miss you so much !! Why can't you come home? I know it's far but we can't wait for you to get home! We can't go sledding together :( No annual Christmas snowman. We cant wait to see you again !! I hope you are having an amazing time !! Merry Christmas !! Love your best friends !! ' 

In the card were multiple guitar pics. On the guitar's pics were pictures of her and her friends. Happy tears made their way down her face. She wiped her face with her sleeve. Next was something from Draco. It was a picture frame, with the picture of her cousin and his parents on it. She smiled, she was happy to have something from her biological family, she now knows what they look like. Her Slytherin friends gave her chocolate frogs. Joseph gave her ponytails. Milan gave her a bracelet and De'lexi gave her earrings. The last one was from Dean, Neville, and Seamus. They attached a card to it.

' Dear Cortney,
I wish you would've come home with me, you have grown on me as a friend. I'm glad you broke out of the stereotype of a Slytherin. Merry Christmas !! - Dean

Dear Cortney,
I was forced to part take in this card and gift. I still don't like you for multiple reasons. - Neville

Dear Cortney,

I hope you have a good Christmas !! You should think of going somewhere for next Christmas, I didn't really like the idea of leaving you alone, but I guess you were okay with it. Can't wait to see you !! - Seamus' Cortney smiled. She opened the gift to find three tiny items. Neville gave her nail polish. Dean gave her stickers. And Seamus gave her a ring? There was a note attached to it. ' Ring grows as your fingers grow, it's enchanted '. The ring was silver it had a star on it. Cortney slipped it on smiling. Cortney took everything back to her common room and up to her dorm. She got ready and headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. Barely anyone was there so they sat together. She sat next to a Ravenclaw and across from Harry and Ron. She peacefully ate when two bodies sat next to her.

" Now we couldn't leave our favorite Slytherin alone," a voice said sarcastically. Cortney tensed up, it was Fred and George.

" But it's Christmas," Cortney protested.

" We know," the twins chorused. Stay at the Gryffindor place again tonight," Fred started."

" McGonagall doesn't want you alone," George added. Cortney nodded as they got up and left. Cortney played with her food as she thought about tonight. Honestly she was terrified.
*******
Authors note: Hey everyone !! I know it has been ages since I've updated. I have been super busy. Well, swim is almost over :( But guys season is right around the corner so I will be swimming with them !!