We stepped out from my fireplace to hear my mother scream. “God! Don’t scare me like that!” She scolded. I looked around the corner to see Bram holding a giant stuffed spider close to my mother. “Mum!” I yelled as I let go of Marian’s hand. She gave another yelp. “God, now I have both of you doing it? That just seems unfair.” Bram and I gave a little laugh. “Ah, Draco, darling, come. We were just about to open presents and I know that Gwen got you something special.” I blushed. “Mum!” Draco gave a small smirk in my direction and my blush lightly darkened.

I refused to be the center of attention so I stormed off into the family room and sitting next to Gabby. Gabby was a quiet girl. She too was a Ravenclaw and very nice. She had milk chocolate hair, a slightly tanned complexion, and thin glasses that hid creamy hazel eyes. “Hey Gwen.” She greeted. “What’s with the glum face?” I sighed. “Boys.” I said simply and Gabby made and ‘OH’ face. She then looked around and then leaned in real close to me. “Did you know that when you brother first kissed me I was the one who made the first move.” My eyes widened. “Really? But he always says that he was the first.” Gabby laughed. “I just let him tell people that so his pride isn’t fractured. But, if I hadn’t made the first move I know it would be until we’re married for him to have kissed me. Sometimes we girls have to do what we have to do for our guys.” She shrugged. “That’s life.”

“Wow.” I mumbled.

“PRESENT TIME!” Mom announced before swooping in with a santa hat on. I giggled. “Everyone grab a gift and rip into it!” Wrapping paper flew everywhere when mom said that. Bram got a new broom from mom and dad and Gabby got him the whole collection of ‘The Killing Hood’ his favorite book series. I got some new hair accessories from mom and dad and then I looked at Draco. He handed me a small box. I opened it to reveal a small charm bracelet on it. It already had some charms on it. There was a bunny, an owl, and a dragon. I smiled at him. “Thank you, Draco.”

“Well, what did you get me?” He asked, trying to push away the fact he had a small blush on his face. I leaned over to grab a little bag. “Here you are.” I said giving him the bag.

“A Remembrall and an,” He held up a metal egg. “An egg?” He said, examining the oval shaped object. I took it from his hands and said, “Draconifors.” The metal started to melt and reform itself. By the end of its transformation, I was holding a small metal dragon, no bigger than my palm. It shook out its wings and yawned, causing a little fire to come out.

I placed the dragon back in Draco’s hand. Draco’s face was in aw. I could tell he loved the gift. “How did you make this?” He asked. I smiled shyly. “I had Ms. Mcgonagall help me with it during my free periods.” Draco just nodded. “What are ya gonna name him?” I asked.

“Malice. Malice Malfoy, has a nice ring to it.” I liked it. Very subtle, and Draco said that I could call him Mal.

That was my Christmas. Nothing real special, but I still always look forward to it. Something about spending time with the people I love makes me happy.

The whole time I wanted to approach my mother about her being a secret Hufflepuff and her taking my memories, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. Somewhere deep down, I just didn’t want to believe that my mother could be capable of something like this. To steel my memories and sign me off to something that I had no say in? What exactly had she gotten me into? Some kind of cult?

I was pulling my hair out about it, at least until it was time to go back. I sat alone since Draco was hanging out with those gigantic first year boys who took up half the cart, and because Kat wasn’t with me. I sighed as I looked at the fast moving trees.

I was still deep in thought when I stepped off the train. So much so that it wasn’t until I had toppled over that I realized that Kat had attack-hugged me. “Oh! Gwen! Oh, how I’ve missed you so!” She said, helping me up just to give me a bone-crushing hug. “It-it’s nice to see you too Kat, but... I’d like to breath now.” She released me I took a deep breath of fresh, Hogwarts air.

We walked side by side to the school. “It’s great to have you back, Gwen! Here!” She shoved a small box in my hands. “It’s your present. It didn’t come till during break. You have no idea how painful it was to have to wait to give it to you.”

I gently pulled the ribbon off the box and opened the box. Inside was charm. A charm in the shape if a honeybadger. “How did you know I had a charm bracelet?” I asked.stopping to put on the charm. “Duh! Who do you think told Draco to get you the bracelet in the first place?” We laughed. “And look.” She held up her hand to reveal she had a golden charm bracelet with a matching honeybadger charm. “I had my mum get me one two. To show that we’re best friends.” I giggled. “Of course Kat.” I reached my hand out to make our bracelets clink together. “Beast friends forever.”