[ twenty, christmas gift ]

Most people couldn't cease gazing at the screen and the clothes donned by the children, still flabbergasted by their explanation of how the seasons worked in this new world of theirs. They could have never pictured them to be so short, almost timed, and sometimes filled with cheer. None of the visitors had ever known years-long winters, but they celebrated festivities unknown to the Westerosi citizens throughout the year.

The more they learnt about this new world, the more some individuals believed it idyllic, utterly unaware of the looming darkness that threatened to swallow it whole and the very same suffocating politics they were so well acquainted with that stood at its helm.

[Aemma, Hermione and Ron are walking along a path with Hagrid, talking.]

Hagrid: Nonsense! Why would Snape put a curse on Aemma's broom?

Deeming the answer rather obvious, Daeron let out a bitter scoff. "Isn't it evident? To get rid of her and make it look like an accident," Several people turned to him, staring at him peculiarly, yet he merely smiled in response to their thinly veiled apprehension. "You forgot who raised me," He told those he'd just joined, quickly explaining his comment and allowing people to understand that reading others and assuming their main intentions had been a skill he'd developed throughout the years as a means of self-preservation.

Whilst still convinced of Quirrell's guilt, Daemon couldn't help but look at Daeron appreciatively before turning to his wife. "I might disagree with the child on some things, but I believe we found a valuable asset amongst the pious cunt's children." If someone had ever told a younger version of himself that he'd agree with one of Alicent's spawns on something, he would have certainly laughed, yet here he was, not only concurring with part of his assumption but also siding with him after he'd abandoned his kin.

Alicent began toying with her fingers as she gazed upon the way Daemon looked at Daeron, bile churning in her stomach as the Rogue Prince nodded proudly at her son. Her mind was a maze of thoughts akin to the streets of King's Landing, yet most of them bore the same name: 'How did I lose two of my children?'. Her heart had almost shattered when they had sat amongst the Blacks, but she'd held hope it was but a temporary rebellion ​━ so unlike them but understandable given their current circumstances. However, when they'd failed to return, she'd been forced to face reality: Daeron and Helaena had abandoned them, for they'd chosen that whore instead of their kin.

Aemma: Who knows? Why was he trying to get past that three-headed dog on Halloween?

Hagrid: [turns to them, suspiciously] Who told you about Fluffy?

Ron: Fluffy?

Unwilling to incur the wrath of his beloved, Aemond kept his mouth shut, yet he couldn't help but silently judge whoever had named such a beast, for 'names have power', and 'Fluffy' wasn't a name befitting such a blood-thirsty animal close to the size of a grown dragon, a monster perfect for war.

He sneered at the oaf beside the trio, for it was obvious that the beast could only belong to someone as irresponsible as him. Who else would agree to put children in mortal danger by placing such a monster within the walls of the castle?

Contrary to her younger brother, Helaena smiled at the mention of the three-headed dog, for she'd found it rather beautiful and fascinating. Having never witnessed anything like that, the princess sincerely hoped the trio would eventually come across it again under better circumstances so she could gather a better understanding of its kind, even if from afar.

( Oh, how she wished she could belong to their magical world just to get lost amongst all its creatures )

Hermione: That thing has a name?

Hagrid: Well, of course he's got a name. He's mine. I bought him off an Irish feller I met down at the pub last year. Then I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the...

As it always hid his true intentions, Otto's mask perfectly hid his judgement of the man. 'To think the Headmaster put his trust into this oaf when he was just about to share confidential information,' He scoffed internally, biting back a sneer. 'A wise man could see this man's utter inability to be of any help whatsoever.' Throughout the years, he had developed a rigorous vetting process for each of their allies, a perfect way to eliminate possible spies and weak links that would have only impeded his success. Clearly, the Headmaster of the School lacked any foresight regarding his allies and accepted anyone in their ranks.

His mask might have been impeccable to some, but Neville had spent the last year studying people to foretell their actions against the members of the Rebellion. Otto Hightower might have been an outstanding foe to many, but to Neville, he was but a man with an inflated sense of superiority and the willingness to commit any crime known to mankind to see his blood on a cursed Throne. His hand tightened around his wand as he realised how harsh the man must have been about Hagrid, for individuals like Hightower looked down upon anything and anyone that differed from them and didn't exemplify perfection in all ways, actions included.

While usually a pacifist, Neville was done with sitting by and allowing some individuals to speak ill of his friends as if entitled to share such cruelties. Who was Otto Hightower to judge Hagrid when he poisoned the king he was sworn to serve? Who were the others to judge his friends when their faults had almost led to a war that would have claimed thousands upon thousands of innocent lives? He could feel the storm within him gaining momentum, and for the first time after the war, he didn't bother blocking its path, allowing its true potential to grow to a startling degree. They really didn't want to see Neville angry.

Aemma: Yes?

Hagrid: Shouldn't have said that. No more questions! Don't ask any more questions. That's top secret, that is.

Aemma: But, Hagrid, whatever Fluffy's guarding, Snape's trying to steal it.

Hagrid: Codswallop. Professor Snape is a Hogwarts teacher.

Rhaena shook her head slowly. "Unfortunately, any soul can be tainted by darkness," She said almost mournfully, yet not for herself, but for a young girl who'd spent months following that dreaded night on the shores of Driftmark crying out in the night. Darkness hadn't sunk its claws into her tender flesh, yet her pale-as-moonlight skin had still been marred by a boy who'd answered the tempting call and welcomed its new companion, forever abandoning his former one in exchange.

When true darkness called, it didn't matter who you were but how strongly you resisted its temptation.

Hermione felt a sort of kinship with Rhaena Targaryen, for the two of them oft had similar thoughts. With a heavy nod, she agreed with what the younger girl stated, although she didn't correct her regarding the true guilty party, for her lips were sealed in such regards.

However, besides that, Hermione couldn't agree more regarding the temptation of darkness, for she had felt the tantalising pull of it whenever she'd worn that damnable Horcrux whilst on the run. It was a feeling impossible to forget, one that often kept her up at night and filled her brain with possibilities and roads not taken.

Hermione: Hogwarts teacher or not, I know a spell when I see one. I've read all about them. You've got to keep eye contact and Snape wasn't blinking.

Aemma: See? And honestly, I trust Hermione with my life. If she says it was Snape, then it was Snape.

It was hard for Alicent to witness such a friendship, for it reminded her too much of years gone by and two girls who would have blindly believed in one another and done just about anything for each other. It forced her to recall the souring of a bond over the years due to lies, politics, and scheming aplenty, actions that, for the longest time, she did not regret until faced with a healthy companionship that withstood the test of time.

Gazing discreetly and longingly at Rhaenyra, she couldn't help but ponder. 'If Aemma and Hermione made it work, how come we didn't?' And yet the answer was right there; she simply refused to acknowledge it, for it would have shattered all she ever believed in these past few years and forced her to acknowledge faults she wasn't ready to face.

Hagrid: [Sighs] Now, you listen to me, all three of yeh. Yer meddling in things that ought not to be meddled in. It's dangerous. What that dog is guarding is strictly between Professor Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel.

Ron shook his head in exasperation, for after a lengthy discussion regarding their Hogwarts 'adventures', they'd all agreed that Hagrid's constant slips were far too perfectly timed not to be the work of Albus Dumbledore himself. The meddling man constantly tested Aemma ( and them as an extension ) and didn't see anything wrong in using Hagrid as his go-between, often making the poor man feel as if he'd failed him by sharing more than he ought to when, in truth, it was all going according to Dumbledore's plan.

Baela smiled at the man on the screen, for she believed her siblings when they told them he was as trustworthy as they came. "He's a nice man, but keeping a secret from her in her past, and I guess present as well, is nigh on impossible." She commented amusedly, recalling all the times she had found herself unable to keep something from Lucerys and had eventually opened up, regardless of her initial intentions.

Whilst her loved ones exchanged funny anecdotes, Aemma pursed her lips, an air of melancholy surrounding her, for she partially disagreed with her former sister's statement.

Indeed, Aemma was uniquely skilled at making other individuals talk, yet she was no lie detector, for far too many had deceived her throughout her life. Had Baela been right, she would have seen right through specific individuals and, most importantly, understood their true intentions, mayhaps even saving a couple lives now forever lost because of her.

Aemma: [Curious and turns to Ron then back to Hagrid] Nicholas Flamel?

Hagrid: [Mumbles to himself] I shouldn't have said that. I should not have said that.

[He then leaves, mumbling to himself "I should have not said that"]

A slight snicker spread throughout the room as Hagrid left the trio, most people looking fondly at the man who'd quickly become a staple in the young children's lives, offering them sincere counsel whenever able to do so and truthfully caring about their wellbeing. It was easy to understand why the children had become so attached to this individual, and the majority of those present wagered they'd soon come to care about him at least half as much as their visitors did, for how could they not when he was so honest in his feelings? A true breath of fresh air.

Aemma: Nicholas Flamel. [Turns to Hermione] I think I've heard of him before. Who's Nicholas Flamel?

Hermione: I don't know. [Shakes her head]

[It is now Christmas at Hogwarts, with snow falling. Hagrid is dragging a massive Christmas tree to the castle. Hermione walks to the Great Hall entrance with her luggage and wearing a scarf as the ghosts are singing Christmas songs.]

Ghosts: Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Ring the Hogwart bell. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas...

Having been previously informed about the foreign festivities they'd otherwise find odd, most of those present enjoyed the festive cheer, which highly differed from what Westeros offered. Indeed, the Christmas atmosphere at Hogwarts felt almost lighthearted and aimed at coaxing joy out of its inhabitants. Unfortunately, none of the Westerosi 'holidays', if one could call them so, were characterised by the same essence.

Viserys, who in life had enjoyed several feasts, looked longingly at the preparations being made for the Christmas celebration, for it helped him to realise how what he'd grown used to had eventually started lacking heart and genuine feeling, something the people of this wondrous world seemed to have aplenty even if their ceremonies were far and few in between. What use was a feast if people had grown used to them and stopped feeling exhilarated at the thought of sharing a meal together for a grand occasion? Gods be good, his father and grandsire would be so ashamed of him.

[Hermione looks from the massive Christmas tree as Flitwick uses his wand to put another ornament on the tree to Aemma and Ron as they play Chess and walks towards them.]

Aemma: Knight to E5. [The Knight moves to its destination. Hermione walks up behind Aemma.]

Ron: [With a smug face] Queen to E5.

[Hermione watches as Ron's queen goes over to Aemma's knight and whacks the knight with her chair. Ron grins.]

Throughout all his life, Aegon had never comprehended the usefulness or the beauty of Cyvasse, considering it rather dull and far too complex at times, regardless of how many times someone had attempted to keep him entertained. What he was currently witnessing on the screen couldn't have been any more different from the game that oft plagued his days, not to mention far more thrilling to witness and play due to its different rules and sheer brutality. "Now, this is a game I'd like to play," He grinned, although deep down, he was aware of the impossibility of the fact due to him being a muggle and lacking any magic, a detail he felt bitter about for the first time that day.

Instead of disregarding the game altogether, Otto appraised it appropriately, for he could see that it held promise if used to teach young minds how to play the Game of Thrones. Whilst everyone knew Cyvasse, the game was mild compared to this one. This was a game of logic, a brutal one that would have perfectly represented the dangers of Court and how foreseeing your enemies' next steps was essential; it was something he both wanted and needed to teach the future generations of monarchs.

Hermione: [With a shocked face] That's totally barbaric!

Bolstered by someone sharing her opinion, Alicent immediately nodded in assent. "I wholly agree. Such a game should not even exist," She was trying her best to keep an open mind for the four heretics, but how could she when they showed themselves capable of violence at such a young age through a game like the one they were currently playing?

Hermione flinched as if she'd been slapped, the mere idea of agreeing with the former queen on something feeling less than pleasing, to say the least. "Is it too late to take it back?" She immediately pleaded, causing some people to snort, yet not even sparing a glance towards a fairly offended Alicent.

Hermione couldn't care less what Alicent thought; ever since they'd arrived, she'd been antagonistic towards them, using barbaric terms and wishing the worst upon them except when it suited her to be on their side. The future might have been thwarted, but the woman in this room behaved just like the one who'd gleefully targeted a group of innocent children just because of the blood that ran through their veins.

Ron: That's wizard's chess. [Looks over to Hermione] I see you've packed.

Hermione: I see you haven't.

Ron: Change of plans, my parents decided to go to Romania to visit my brother, Charlie. He's studying dragons there.

Whilst they'd already been told about the various Sanctuaries, nobody had been informed that one of Ron's kin had chosen to dedicate his life to studying dragons there. Rhaenys had never believed in destiny, for she refused to think that hers had been to bury both her children before her time. However, the more she learnt about Aemma's and Neville's lives, the more she wondered if Fate truly existed. What were the chances that a dragon handler would also be involved? It was as if the dragon motif refused to abandon the former siblings, their Targaryen bond still as strong as ever, even in a land where it should not have existed.

Excited by this information, Rhaena leaned forward to face the boy in question. "Is he any good with them?" She asked. Even if still dragonless, she cared deeply about the creatures of old her family was known to bond with and couldn't stomach the idea of any of them being treated cruelly because of how others generally misunderstood them.

( If only she had known about the fall of the Dragonpit and how cruel the small folks had been towards a group of innocent, small, slumbering dragons, she would have wept )

Proud of his brother, Ron beamed back at the girl in question. "He's one of the best, a 'dragon-whisperer', they call him," There wasn't any bitterness younger siblings unusually harboured for their older ones, only smugness and excitement at the prospect of sharing such detail with a family that cared so much about the same creatures Charlie was so passionate about.

He might not have shared much, but Ron could see how his words had drawn the attention of several people within the room, for it wasn't every day someone earned such a moniker. Although some remained more sceptical of an outsider being so talented in such a field, others appeared mildly curious or downright excited now that they were aware that some people in that universe cared about their bonded as much as they did.

Hermione: Good. You can help Aemma, then. She's going to go and look in the library for information on Nicholas Flamel.

Ron: We've looked a hundred times!

Hermione: [Leans over on the table closer to Ron and Aemma] Not in the restricted section. Happy Christmas. [Hermione leaves Ron and Aemma]

"The 'Restricted Section'?" Daeron tsked playfully while eyeing the bushy-haired girl, who groaned immediately, for she already knew where this was going. "I might not know what it is, but is someone openly nudging them towards breaking the rules?" As someone who'd been forced to live a double life pretending to be a person he was not ever since he'd been exiled to Oldtown, he was glad to see Hermione let loose and come into her true self the more time she spent with his niece and her companion.

Ready to defend her choices, Hermione straightened in her seat, a rebuttal on the tip of her tongue as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, yet she was blessedly spared the humiliation when Neville replied in her stead. "They were running out of options; the 'restricted section' made sense as what the muggles call a 'hail mary', meaning a last-ditch effort," He explained, proud of himself for using something Seamus taught him while hiding.

Ron: [Looks at Aemma] I think we've had a bad influence on her.

Aemma: [grins] I think you might be right, and isn't it amazing? [they both start laughing]

Many people followed the duo's example and burst into snickers, yet it was Neville who addressed his girlfriend adoringly. "You two are menaces to society," He shook his head playfully, his wavy hair bouncing about as he did so, successfully luring Aemma to gently run her hands through them to prevent them from becoming what he frequently referred to as a 'veritable mess'.

Aemond clenched his jaw, unable to tear his eyes away from the loving exchange between Aemma and Neville. Each time he blinked, he visualised himself in the bastard's stead, for that was how things were meant to be, how they would have been by the end of the viewing if he had any say in it, for Aemma couldn't belong with the likes of Neville when she had someone like him, someone much stronger and capable to protect her from whatever life had in store for her. They'd only have to get over her death, but that was nothing in the grand scheme of things.

[It is now Christmas morning. Ron keeps calling Aemma's name]

Ron: [From downstairs] Aemma, wake up! Come on, Aemma, wake up!

[Aemma puts on her glasses and runs out of bed. She then looks down at Ron]

Ron: [Looking up at Aemma] Happy Christmas, Aemma.

Aemma: Happy Christmas, Ron. [Aemma notices Ron's sweater] What are you wearing?

Upon noticing the expression on Aemma's face, it wasn't hard for Corlys to surmise that this had been the first time someone had said anything of the likes to his granddaughter and meant it. He could have easily given in to anger, for no child deserved such cruelty and coldness, yet all he felt at the moment was a deep heartwarming happiness, for finally Aemma wasn't alone nor shunned and mistreated on such a festive day of the year.

Ron: [Looks down at sweater] Oh. My mum made it. [Looking back up at Aemma] It looks like you've got one too.

Aemma: I-I've got presents?

Aemma's shocked look affected most individuals present, but no more than Rhaenyra, whose heart slowly shattered for her daughter, for her previous lack of love was as transparent as possible. Of course, her treatment at the Dursleys had already hinted at it, but witnessing the confirmation of one's assumptions didn't make it any easier to stomach the truth.

Now more than ever, Rhaenyra wished she could reach into the screen and shower her daughter with the love and affection she'd clearly been starved of, reminding her of her importance to each member of their family and bringing along whatever trinket she could to make sure she never forgot them and could cling to them even when they were apart and the darkness appeared to be almost suffocating.

Ron: [Nodding] Yeah!

[Aemma runs down the staircase to see her presents]

Ron: There they are.

[Aemma sees a note on the present and opens it, reading it out]

Aemma: "Your father left this in my possession before he died. It is time it was returned to you. Use it well." [Aemma looks over to Ron, who shrugs his shoulders]

Rhaena smiled sweetly, touched by the fact that her sister had been given an heirloom, something to make her feel closer to the father she'd never met yet had loved her so fiercely he'd sacrificed his life to ensure she lived. Although confused by the lack of signature on the note, she didn't stress over it, for whomever James had entrusted with Aemma's gift had come forward as soon as she'd entered the Magical World; thus, she chose to believe they could be trusted unless proven otherwise.

[Aemma then proceeds to open the remainder of her present. She pulls out a blanket-like object]

Flabbergasted, Aegon stared at the object in question in utter confusion. "A cloak? He left you a cloak?" He tilted his head and pursed his lips, for the last thing he wished for was to match Criston Cole by accidentally offending his former niece. However, he couldn't help but think that the cloak in question was rather plain and not something he would have pictured as part of an inheritance, for how many times would she have found herself in need of something like that when she could afford something far better with her funds?

Ron: What is it?

Aemma: [Looking down at the object] It's some kind of cloak.

Ron: Well, let's see, then. Put it on.

[Aemma then wraps the cloak around her shoulders, making her body invisible]

Gasps echoed around the room as multiple individuals gazed incredulously or eagerly at the magical display before them, each one of Westerosi citizens utterly speechless as they were faced with a type of magic they never believed possible. They'd all witnessed many fantastical things, yet all of them paled compared to the power imbued within the cloak currently donned by a younger Aemma, a test of true loyalty, for the temptation to own such an object had already manifested itself within a few of them.

Meanwhile, the Quartet (aware of what was unfolding around them ) smiled upon seeing the object in question, the same one they'd often used throughout the years for their adventures, escapades, and just innocent fun. That cloak had become part of their group just as if they'd been another individual they'd befriended along the way, one they could have never parted with and had often saved their lives.

Ron: Whoa!

Aemma: [Looks down at her invisible body] My body's gone!

Ron: I know what that is. That's an invisibility cloak!

Now that the initial shock had partially vanished, Corlys, ever curious about objects that drew his attention and with a keen sense of what held promise and what was nothing but a gimmick, faced his granddaughter with a questioning expression etched onto his features. "And what are the properties of such an amazing invention?" He knew deep down that that cloak was special in ways none of them could imagine; he simply couldn't fathom why or how.

Hermione's eyes glinted at the opportunity to share more of her knowledge with the Westerosi citizens, facts she'd gathered throughout life by paying attention to what others said or delving into studies on the matter. Of course, there was no mention of the fact that Aemma's Invisibility Cloak was unlike any other, for it wasn't manmade but gifted by one of the Entities present within the room because that would have breached the contract Hermione had signed, just like the rest of her peers.

As she delved into an explanation regarding Invisibility Cloaks, she allowed the room's inhabitants to believe that the cloak in Aemma's possession was either made of nothing but Demiguise hair or so powerfully enchanted it would have lasted a couple generations. The truth would have eventually been unveiled, but it wasn't her duty to see to it.

Otto paid close attention to everything the witch shared with them, greed festering within him with every passing second. If he'd thought having Rhaenyra's brood on their side important beforehand, he now believed it essential, especially if the little heathen came with such a powerful artefact that could tip the scales of the war. Aware he'd given Cole the choice of which witch to seduce, he hurried to rectify his mistake by informing the knight that the witch in question ought to have been Aemma.

( Otto couldn't care less about Criston's reaction; he was duty-bound to them and had already seduced a younger Valyrian girl; surely he wouldn't mind sullying his cloak once more )

Aemma: I'm invisible? [Aemma spins around, looking down at herself]

Ron: They're really rare. [Ron looks down at the note] I wonder who gave it to you.

Aemma: [Now also looking down at the note] There was no name. It just said, "Use it well."

Although Rhaenyra was glad her sweet girl had received something that had once belonged to her father, thus something that could make her feel closer to the man she'd certainly yearned to meet and embrace, especially after all these years of coldness and disdain on behalf of her only living relatives, she wasn't reassured by the lack of signature on the card. If anything, not knowing who the beneficiary was caused her anxiety to spike, for the newly crowned queen didn't wish her Aemma to be indebted to an unknown individual whose true intentions remained obscure. Her sweet girl was far too pure and innocent, regardless of the life she'd lived so far, to see through the manipulations of others, and it pained Rhaenyra to be unable to be present to advise her just like her mother had been with her.

author's note.     Otto: [to Cole] We all know you have a type. Stop whinging about your sullied cloak; it's already as dirty as sin.

Alicent: [at the end, thinking about Larys] 'I think I've seen this film before and I didn't like the ending.

Dumbledore: I'm so smart, not signing the note.
Rhaenyra: I see red flags everywhere.