Hi guys! I'm so sorry it's been a week since I last updated. I had a bunch of exams and I was struggling through some writers block, but I have a better idea of where I want the story to go now and I will (hopefully) be more consistent with my updates in the future.
Without further ado, I hope you enjoy!

Mumbo's eyes fluttered open and he lay still for a moment, wondering why the dormitory was so quiet. It took several minutes before the tingling excitement of realization overtook his body.

Christmas holiday had begun, and he was still at Hogwarts.

Mumbo took extra time combing his unruly raven hair and correctly looping the yellow and black striped tie around his neck before walking the short distance to the great hall.

Instead of the four long house tables, there was just one in the center of the gargantuan room with several teachers and about 30 students scattered around it. The ceiling resembled the light snow that blanketed the grounds outside, making the hall feel cozy despite its size.

Mumbo scanned the faces, looking for one Slytherin in particular.

"Mumbo!"

At the end of the table, in a group of about seven students which included Doc and False, Grian jumped up from his seat and ran over to the tall Hufflepuff, his smile so wide it seemed as though it could split his face in two.

Mumbo's breath hitched and he pressed his lips together to avoid any embarrassing sounds from escaping his mouth. Grian wasn't wearing his school robes as Mumbo was. He wore black sweatpants and an over sized green t-shirt so large the sleeves reached past his elbows. His dirty blond hair curled wildly around his face and instead of shoes, he wore black socks.

The sheer comfort and relaxed state of his attire was utterly adorable, and Mumbo felt his face warming the longer he stared.

"Why are you so dressed up?" Grian asked, tugging gently on his tie. "It's holiday! You don't have to wear your school robes"

"Oh, ah, well good to know" Mumbo muttered, smiling as Grian giggled at his embarrassment.

"Come on" Grian said, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the breakfast feast. "I've been waiting for you to eat"

Mumbo happily allowed himself to be dragged along into a seat a couple yards away from the cluster at the end of the table.

"Don't you, um, want to sit with your siblings?" Mumbo asked, smiling shyly as the group regarded him with interest.

"Nah" Grian shrugged, grabbing a piece of toast and slathering it with marmalade. "I eat with them all the time. Besides, you get nervous in larger groups, and I want you to be comfortable"

Mumbo felt his heart swell at Grian's words, and he shoved down the urge to wrap the small Slytherin in his arms at the sight of False's disapproving scowl.

"Tha-thank you"

"Of course" Grian said with a smile before inhaling his toast like a starving man. "So what did your parents say when you told them you were staying here?"

"They said they were happy I was taking the initiative to study so intensely since they were getting annoyed with having to do it themselves"

"Oh... I see. Do you feel bad about lying about why you stayed?"

Mumbo furrowed his brow as he considered the question, skewering a sausage on his fork and taking a small bite.

"I don't think... no" he said, surprising even himself with the answer. "They never really listen when I say that I need a break and I don't really..." he hesitated "...respect them anymore. Sorry, sorry, that sounds really bad, forget what I said"

"No, no, I get it" Grian murmured. "It's hard to respect people who don't respect you"

"But they're my parents. I should-"

"Respect is earned" Grian interrupted, a serious expression flashing across his usually carefree face. "Even for your parents. It doesn't mean you love them any less, but it's not uncalled for to feel disdain for someone who doesn't consider your thoughts and feelings"

Mumbo's eyes widened in surprise and he nodded slowly, allowing Grian's words to sink in before he spoke.

"Yeah... you're right. I... thanks"

Grian smiled and shrugged as he reached for a potato on Mumbo's plate.

"No problem"

~~~

After breakfast, the two fourth years changed into thicker robes before going outside to enjoy the snow. The grounds looked like a wonderland, and Mumbo smiled as Grian's siblings pulled him into a snowball fight, preferring to stay dry himself.

He laughed as Doc dumped a handful of ice down the back of Grian's shirt making him shriek.

"What are you doing here Hufflepuff?"

Mumbo turned, his stomach dropping as False narrowed her gaze and crossed her arms.

"I, uh, G-Grian brought me-"

"Not why are you outside, why are you at Hogwarts during holiday? You've never stayed before"

"W-well I didn't, um, know that you could s-stay at Hogwarts for Christmas, and Grian suggested that I stay with, uh, him"

False rolled her eyes, moving to stand next to Mumbo as she turned her gaze onto the small Slytherin.

"I'm sure you remember what I said?"

"Um... about...?"

"If you hurt him, I will get you" she snarled, glaring down at the dark haired boy who gulped and nodded.

"I-I promise I would never-"

"What about the letters then, huh?"

"It's not like that! Really! I-I just..." Mumbo took a deep breath and looked at the ground. "He makes me... nervous"

"What?"

"I said he makes me nervous" he repeated slightly louder, looking around to make sure no one else could hear.

False smirked.

"No, I heard you, I just don't see how anyone could be intimidated by the tiniest, happiest little gremlin in the world"

Mumbo looked over to Grian, his face softening as the Slytherin's bell-like laughter echoed across the field.

"Oooh, I see" False said, following Mumbo's line of sight. "You have a crush on my brother"

Mumbo felt his cheeks burn and he shook his head vigorously.

"N-no I don't! We're j-just friends!"

"That doesn't change the fact that you like him" False shot back, grinning widely at Mumbo's red face. "So, you didn't write him back because you were chicken?"

"I-I..." Mumbo looked at the ground. "Yes" he whispered.

False laughed, surprising Mumbo so much he jumped.

"Well geez why didn't you tell me that before?" She giggled, her shaking shoulders reminding him of Grian when he couldn't stop laughing. "I thought you were just an asshole! I can understand a crush"

"Do you have to be so loud?" Mumbo hissed, glancing around as color bloomed in his face once more.

"Look" False said, ignoring his embarrassment. "I get that you like him, but you can't do something like that again"

"The letters?"

"Obviously" she said with an eye roll. "Grian isn't the youngest in our messed up family, but he is the baby. He has endless quantities of optimism and love to give, and I don't ever want that to be changed. You really hurt him when you ignored him, and I have never seen as many fake smiles from him as I did that summer. He acts confident, but he's really insecure. I'm sure you can understand that given our... background, so I don't care how nervous you are or how anxious he makes you. The happiness of my siblings comes first, and anyone that gets in the way of that will be dealt with accordingly. Got it?"

Mumbo nodded wordlessly, his eyes wide in surprise.

"Good"

She flashed him a small smile before running off in the direction of the snowball fight which had become a full on war by that point.

Mumbo stood still, watching her receding back as he tried to digest her words.

His heart clenched tightly at the thought that he had made Grian so unhappy his family was able to notice a difference, and as embarrassing as it was to confess his true reasoning to False, at least now he didn't have to fear her. Well, not as much at least. Mumbo had no doubt that she would make good on her word if he stepped a toe out of line.

He glanced back at Grian whose hair was damp and sticking to his forehead, his cheeks and nose rosy pink, and his eyes tight with laughter.

Mumbo smiled.

Don't worry False. I'll never hurt him again.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter! If you did, please consider leaving a like and a comment to let me know what you think!