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THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS HAD FINALLY ARRIVED, CASTING A FESTIVE MOOD OVER THE ENTIRE SCHOOL.

The halls were filled with excitement as students eagerly discussed their plans, the warmth of home just days away for most. Yet, amidst all the chatter, Esmie felt like an outsider. The very mention of Christmas was something she expertly avoided. She didn't have the heart to talk about it, not when her holiday plans had fallen apart so painfully. Instead, she busied herself, spending as much time as possible with her friends to distract herself from the emptiness of her own situation.

At the moment, Esmie found herself in Elsie's dorm, helping her and Josie tackle what seemed like an impossible task—getting Elsie's overpacked suitcase to close. The three girls were huddled around the suitcase, which lay stubbornly open on the bed, bursting at the seams.

"I swear, Elsie, what did you pack? The entire Slytherin common room?" Esmie asked, breathless from laughter as she leaned on the suitcase, attempting to squash it down.

Elsie snapped her fingers, pretending to realise something with mock seriousness. "Damn it! I knew I forgot something. I didn't pack the fireplace!" she exclaimed, her face scrunching up in exaggerated disappointment.

Josie burst out laughing. "Well, with the amount of stuff in here, it wouldn't surprise me!"

The three of them broke into fits of laughter, the weight of the upcoming holidays momentarily forgotten. As they struggled with the suitcase, Astoria Greengrass, who had been sitting nearby packing her own things, watched the scene unfold with a gentle smile. She finally stood up and walked over, unable to resist joining in on the fun.

"Need some help?" Astoria asked, raising an amused eyebrow.

"Please, for the love of Merlin, yes!" Josie groaned. "I don't know what Elsie's packed, but this thing isn't budging."

Astoria nodded and stepped in to help. Together, the four girls heaved and pushed, finally managing to snap the suitcase shut. It gave a loud click of victory, and they all tumbled onto the bed in a pile of giggles and sighs of relief.

"I honestly don't know how you're going to carry that thing," Esmie teased, lying on her back, staring up at the ceiling as she caught her breath.

"Oh, I'll just levitate it," Elsie responded with a grin, waving her wand playfully. "Problem solved!"

Astoria stood up first, brushing off her robes, and offered a hand to Esmie, who accepted it gratefully. "Enjoy your holidays, all of you," Astoria said with a soft smile, picking up her own neatly packed suitcase.

"You too, Astoria," Esmie replied, nodding back with a faint smile. She watched as Astoria walked out of the dorm room, the door closing softly behind her.

Once Astoria was gone, Esmie's cheerful expression faltered just a little. She turned to Elsie and Josie, her heart tightening. She pulled both girls into a tight hug, holding them close. They had no idea what it meant to her to have them in her life, especially now.

Elsie pulled back and looked at Esmie, her face suddenly serious. "You'll be alright, won't you?" she asked quietly.

Esmie forced a smile and nodded, though her chest felt heavy with the weight of what she wasn't saying. She hadn't told them about the confrontation with Ron a few days earlier, about how he had made it painfully clear she wasn't welcome at the Burrow anymore. It stung, especially since she had always looked up to the Weasleys as a sort of second family. Christmas with them had seemed like a given, but now, she had no plans, no family to return to.

"I'll be fine," Esmie replied, pushing the thoughts aside. "Besides, I'll still write to you both, every day if I have to. We'll see each other again in no time."

"Good," Elsie said, nodding as she hugged Esmie one more time. "And we'll make sure to send you all the latest gossip."

"Especially if Maddison tries to hex Theo again," Josie added, grinning mischievously. "That's bound to happen over the holidays."

Esmie chuckled, feeling lighter for a moment. "I wouldn't put it past her."

As they pulled apart, Josie grabbed her own things and hugged Esmie tightly. "Don't be a stranger, okay? We'll miss you," Josie said softly.

"I'll miss you both too," Esmie admitted, her throat tightening with emotion. She swallowed the lump rising in her throat, determined not to let it show. With a final squeeze, she left Elsie's dorm room, the warmth of her friends' presence still lingering as she walked the familiar hallways back to her own dorm.

The laughter from earlier echoed in her mind as she opened the door to her now-empty dorm. Her roommates had already left for the holidays, and the quietness of the room hit her harder than she expected. She took a deep breath and sat down on her bed, pulling her knees to her chest as she stared out the window. Snow was gently falling outside, dusting the grounds of Hogwarts in a serene blanket of white.

Esmie had always loved winter—the crisp air, the way everything seemed to sparkle under a layer of snow—but this year, it felt different. It wasn't just the chill in the air that left her feeling cold. It was the thought of spending the holidays alone, without the warmth of friends or family to look forward to.

As Esmie walked into her dorm room, she immediately noticed Grace, Hope, and Hermione in the middle of a conversation. The room fell silent as they all turned to look at her, making Esmie feel suddenly self-conscious.

"Uh—" she began awkwardly, not sure how to break the tension.

Grace quickly turned to her sister. "Come on, Hope. Mum's waiting for us." Without another word, the two sisters gathered their things and left the room, their footsteps fading down the hall.

Esmie watched them go, her shoulders slumping slightly. She turned to Hermione, hoping for a more familiar, friendly goodbye.

"Have a nice Christmas, Esmeralda," Hermione said, her voice polite but distant.

"You too, Hermione," Esmie replied softly, a forced smile on her lips. Hermione nodded once before exiting the room, leaving Esmie standing there, the silence pressing in on her. She blinked back the sting of tears that threatened to form, not sure why she felt so left out this year. What had she expected—some grand farewell? It wasn't like she was leaving either, but still, the departures of her friends felt heavier this time.

Sighing softly, Esmie crouched down and pulled a neatly wrapped gift from the chest under her bed. It was the only thing she had been looking forward to—giving her present to Enzo before he left. With the gift in hand, she made her way toward the Slytherin dorms.

After a brief knock, she pushed open the door to Enzo's room and was immediately greeted by Mattheo's teasing voice. "Esmie, you really should knock and wait. What if I was naked?" he said, smirking at her as usual.

Esmie rolled her eyes, the banter already lifting her mood. "Then I'd be blind for the rest of my life, Riddle," she shot back, her tone light.

Mattheo clutched his chest dramatically. "You wound me, Grisky."

"Don't be so dramatic, Matty. You'll recover," Esmie retorted, grinning as she glanced over at Enzo, who was in the middle of packing his things. Danielle, sitting on the arm of a nearby chair, laughed quietly, shaking her head at her brother's antics.

"How'd the packing go?" Enzo asked as Esmie sat beside him on the bed.

"Let's just say Elsie packed her entire wardrobe," Esmie replied with a mock exasperated sigh. "It took four people to close her suitcase."

"Four?" Danielle raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.

"Yeah," Esmie nodded. "Astoria pitched in to help. We barely managed to get it shut."

Enzo shook his head with a small grin. "Sounds like a battle."

"It was," Esmie agreed before pulling out the gift she had been holding behind her back. "Here, this is for you, but you have to promise you won't open it until Christmas Day."

"I promise," Enzo said, his eyes lighting up as he took the gift, placing it carefully in his suitcase. Afterward, he knelt down by his bed and pulled out a similarly wrapped package, handing it to her with a grin. "And this is for you."

Esmie smiled, holding the gift close. "Thank you, Sweets," she said softly, feeling the warmth of the gesture. She placed the gift beside her on the bed before standing up and wrapping her arms around Enzo in a tight hug. He hugged her back, his embrace strong and comforting, something she knew she'd miss over the break.

As they pulled apart, Mattheo, still lounging casually by the door, raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't you be packing too, Esmie?"

"I've already packed. Jack's not picking me up until tomorrow," she replied, brushing off the thought of leaving. She wasn't really going home, after all, just making an excuse for why she would be staying at Hogwarts over Christmas, and while Dani knew that and had promised to keep it a secret, Mattheo and Enzo didn't need to know that.

"Mie, are you sure you're going to be okay?" Enzo asked, his voice laced with concern.

Esmie smiled softly, brushing his worry aside. "It's one night, Sweets. I'll be fine. Come on, let me walk you to the train."

Enzo nodded, grabbing his suitcase. Danielle stood as well, joining them as the small group made their way down the hall. As they walked, Danielle stayed close to Esmie, nudging her gently.

"You know," Danielle said quietly, "If you ever need company over the holidays, just write me. I can convince Mattheo to sneak you into wherever we're hiding out."

Esmie chuckled, grateful for Danielle's offer. "Thanks, Dani, I might take you up on that."

They finally reached the platform where students were bustling around, boarding the Hogwarts Express. The train was a blur of excitement and anticipation, with students waving goodbye and hugging their friends.

Enzo stopped in front of Esmie, setting down his suitcase. He glanced at Danielle, who smiled at him knowingly before stepping back to give them a moment. Mattheo, leaning against a pillar, gave Esmie a teasing grin, but for once, he kept quiet.

Enzo stepped closer to Esmie, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her into a warm embrace. She blushed, glancing up at him. "Enzo?"

"Merry Christmas, Mie," Enzo murmured, leaning down and kissing her gently. The kiss caught her completely by surprise, her breath hitching for a moment, but as she melted into the kiss, she kissed him back, her heart racing. When they broke apart, his thumb brushed her cheek softly, sending warmth through her.

"I'll see you when we get back to Hogwarts," Enzo said quietly, his voice filled with certainty.

"Merry Christmas, Enzo," Esmie whispered, her voice barely audible. "See you in the new year."

With a final smile, Enzo released Esmie from their hug and boarded the train, giving her one last wave as he disappeared into the crowded compartment. Esmie stood there, watching him go, her heart a confusing mix of lightness and heaviness. It was bittersweet—so much had happened, and the kiss still lingered in her mind like a distant echo. She sighed, feeling a strange sense of calm as she turned away from the platform.

Danielle, who had been standing nearby, gave Esmie a knowing look, her eyes twinkling with playful mischief. "Well, well, Esmie Grisky, look at you," she teased, crossing her arms as a small grin played on her lips. "I wasn't expecting to see that before you said goodbye."

Esmie felt her cheeks flush again at the reminder of the kiss. "I wasn't expecting it either," she admitted with a shy smile.

Mattheo, who had been leaning against a nearby pillar, pushed off with his signature smirk. "Didn't see that coming, did you, Emmy?" He sauntered over, his teasing grin in full force.

"Shut up, Matty," Esmie muttered, though she couldn't stop the smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Mattheo's playful banter always had a way of lightening the mood.

"Don't worry, you can't escape me that easily," Mattheo teased, throwing an arm around her shoulders in a mock-dramatic fashion. "I'll be back to torment you in no time."

Danielle chuckled, giving Mattheo a playful shove. "Ignore him, Esmie. You know he lives for causing chaos."

"I've noticed," Esmie said, laughing softly. The three of them started walking together, making their way toward the train as the final call for boarding echoed through the station.

As they reached the steps leading up to the train, Esmie felt the weight of the moment settle in. The holidays had officially started, and she was staying behind, while her friends were heading off to wherever they'd be spending Christmas. The reality of it hit her harder than she expected.

Danielle turned to face her first, her expression softening as she pulled Esmie into a warm hug. "Merry Christmas, Esmie," she whispered, holding her close for a moment longer than usual. "Are you sure you're going to be okay staying here?"

Esmie smiled, hugging her back tightly. "I'll be fine, Dani. It's just a few weeks. Besides, I think I need the quiet this year."

Danielle pulled back, her eyes filled with warmth and concern. "You know, if you change your mind, you can always write me. Mattheo and I will find a way to sneak you into wherever we are."

Esmie chuckled softly at the thought. "I might just take you up on that."

Danielle smiled and gave her one last squeeze before stepping back. "Just remember, we're only a letter away."

Next up was Mattheo, who, true to form, couldn't resist one last round of teasing. "Don't think you can get rid of me that easily, Emmy," he said, pulling her into a quick, affectionate hug. "I'll be back before you know it."

Esmie laughed, her arms wrapping around him briefly. "I'll try to survive without your constant teasing, Matty."

"Survive?" Mattheo scoffed, stepping back with a dramatic flourish. "You'll be begging for more of my brilliant company in no time."

Danielle rolled her eyes at her brother's antics, but her smile softened as she glanced between Esmie and Mattheo. "Alright, Matty, let's not drag this out too long. Esmie has better things to do than listen to your endless ego."

Mattheo grinned, giving a final wave as he stepped toward the train. "Merry Christmas, Emmy," he said, his voice unusually sincere despite the playful tone he always carried. "We'll see you when the holidays are over."

"Merry Christmas, Matty. Merry Christmas, Dani," Esmie called after them, her heart tightening slightly at the thought of spending the next few weeks alone. But she forced a smile, determined not to let them see the loneliness creeping in.

As the train's whistle blew one last time, Danielle waved from the window, her face framed by the frosted glass. Mattheo gave a casual salute, and then they were gone, disappearing into the sea of students boarding the train home.

Esmie stood there for a long moment, he cold winter air bit at her cheeks, and she pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders. The silence that followed her friends' departure felt louder than she expected, and a sense of emptiness settled in the pit of her stomach. She hadn't realised how much she'd miss them, or how quiet the castle would feel without their presence.

Turning away from the platform, Esmie began the long walk back to the castle. Her mind was still replaying the events of the day—Enzo's kiss, the goodbyes with Danielle and Mattheo. She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice someone standing in her path until she collided with them.

"Watch it, Esmeralda," Draco Malfoy muttered, steadying himself as he glared down at her, his voice full of irritation.

"S-Sorry," Esmie stammered, her face heating up even more. She quickly stepped aside, feeling flustered by the encounter.

Draco rolled his eyes, brushing off his cloak with an annoyed grunt before walking past her without another word.

Esmie sighed, shaking her head at her own clumsiness. As if the day hadn't already been strange enough, running into Draco was just the cherry on top. She glanced back to see him disappearing into the crowd, and with a soft chuckle, she muttered, "Figures."

By the time Esmie reached the castle, the festive decorations seemed to welcome her with their warm glow. The tall Christmas trees in the Great Hall sparkled with lights, and the enchanted garlands shimmered gently, casting a peaceful atmosphere over the empty corridors. Despite the quiet, there was something comforting about the way Hogwarts felt at Christmas—a serene, magical calm that she hadn't fully appreciated before.

Esmie smiled to herself and headed to her dorm to grab a book, intending to pass the time in the Great Hall with the few students staying for Christmas. She knew it would be a quiet holiday, but with friends like hers—and the memory of that kiss—she thought maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all. Esmie wandered through the quiet corridors of the castle, her footsteps echoing in the vast, empty halls. The usual bustle of students was absent, and the stillness seemed to amplify her loneliness. She had never stayed at Hogwarts for Christmas before, and while the castle was beautiful with its enchanted garlands and twinkling lights, it felt emptier than she had imagined. She tugged her cloak tighter around herself, heading toward the Great Hall. If nothing else, she could distract herself with a book.

As she entered the hall, the festive decorations brightened her mood slightly. The towering Christmas trees glittered with magical snow and fairy lights, casting a warm glow over the room. However, the sight of the completely empty Gryffindor table quickly dampened her spirits again. All of her housemates had gone home, leaving her alone to face the holiday.

With a sigh, Esmie made her way to the far end of the table, choosing a spot near one of the trees where she could read in peace. She pulled out a book from her bag and opened it, hoping to lose herself in the story and forget the gnawing feeling of being left behind. The world in her book quickly absorbed her attention, and for a while, she managed to escape into the pages, the story pulling her far from her thoughts.

She didn't notice anyone approaching until the soft sound of someone clearing their throat brought her back to reality. Startled, Esmie looked up to find Pansy Parkinson sitting across from her at the otherwise empty table. Of all people, Pansy was the last person she expected to see or speak to during the holidays.

"Pansy?" Esmie blinked, trying to mask her surprise.

Pansy's expression was calm, almost casual, as she rested her arms on the table. "I thought you would've gone home for the holidays."

Esmie closed her book slowly, her fingers lingering on the pages. "I could say the same for you," she replied coolly, though her curiosity was piqued. What did Pansy want?

"My parents are on some trip," Pansy said with a small shrug. "They won't be home in time for Christmas."

Esmie's gaze softened. She knew how hard it was to feel disconnected from family. "I haven't spoken to mine since the start of the school year," Esmie admitted, though her tone was laced with bitterness she couldn't fully hide.

Pansy's eyes flicked down to Esmie's arm, the one covered by her sleeve, and she raised an eyebrow. "Is that why you're here? Does it have something to do with... that?" she asked, nodding subtly toward the hidden mark.

Esmie hesitated, glancing down at her arm as well. She'd kept the mark covered for a reason, but it seemed Pansy had figured it out. With a heavy sigh, Esmie admitted, "My mum would lose it if she saw this. If she found out, she'd send me to a Muggle school and ban me from ever coming back to Hogwarts."

Pansy tilted her head, her brow furrowing slightly. "She would really ban you from magic?"

Esmie nodded, her voice strained. "She's always been like that, but it won't matter soon. It's only just over a year until I'll be eighteen. Then I can make my own decisions, and no one can control me anymore."

The weight of those words hung in the air for a moment. Esmie's fingers drummed lightly on her closed book as she studied Pansy, unsure why the Slytherin girl had approached her. "Not to be rude," she finally said, "but why are you talking to me? You've never exactly been friendly before."

Pansy's usually confident demeanour faltered for a moment, and she looked down at her hands. "Esmie, I'm really sorry," she said softly, her voice uncharacteristically vulnerable. "For everything. I shouldn't have been so horrible to you or called you... what I did. You didn't deserve it. And it wasn't fair of me to say you were using Theo and Enzo."

Esmie felt her defences lowering, but her confusion remained. "Why did you say those things?"

Pansy sighed deeply, her eyes flickering with regret. "I was jealous, of your friendship with Theo and Enzo, especially Enzo. It felt like you were replacing me in their lives, and I... I didn't handle it well. I lashed out."

Esmie was taken aback. "But I tried to be your friend," she said, her voice softer now. "From the moment we met, I tried."

Pansy bit her lip, looking more vulnerable than Esmie had ever seen her. "Back then, I didn't want to just be your friend," she admitted, her voice quiet. "I had a crush on you, Esmie. I wanted you to notice me."

Esmie's eyes widened as the truth sank in. "You... liked me?" She could hardly believe what she was hearing. Pansy, who had always seemed so cold and distant, had feelings for her?

Pansy nodded, looking slightly embarrassed. "Yeah, but it's in the past now. I've moved on from that crush, but ... I'd still like to be friends. If the offer's still open."

A smile crept onto Esmie's face, her earlier tension melting away. "Of course it's still open," she said, reaching out to take Pansy's hand in a gesture of friendship. "I'd love to be friends."

Pansy looked relieved, shaking Esmie's hand and holding it for a moment longer than necessary. For the first time, Esmie felt that Pansy wasn't just the cold Slytherin girl she had always thought her to be. There was something more—something human. "Since we're friends now," Esmie said, grinning, "you have to tell me who you like."

Pansy blinked, her face turning a light shade of pink. "No way. Absolutely not," she said, shaking her head.

"Come on, Pansy!" Esmie teased. "I'm really good at keeping secrets."

Pansy hesitated, glancing around as if to make sure no one was listening. "Alright, alright," she relented, "but only if you answer one question first."

"Deal," Esmie nodded eagerly.

Pansy leaned forward, her eyes narrowing playfully. "Are you in love with Lorenzo?"

Esmie froze, her cheeks flushing as memories of Enzo's kiss that morning flooded her mind. She bit her lip, but Pansy's knowing smile gave her away.

"Oh, you're blushing, Esmie," Pansy said, grinning.

"Fine," Esmie groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Yes, I am in love with Lorenzo."

Pansy's grin widened. "I knew it! So, what happened? Did he finally make a move?"

Esmie peeked out from behind her hands, her face still warm. "He kissed me when I walked him to the train. It's all I've been able to think about since."

"Well, that's something to be happy about," Pansy said, clearly enjoying this new side of Esmie.

But Esmie's expression faltered, her smile fading. "Except ... he's going to hate me."

Pansy frowned, confused. "Why would he hate you?"

Esmie sighed, leaning back in her chair. "I told him my stepfather was picking me up for Christmas so he wouldn't worry, but that's not true. My parents ... they don't want anything to do with me since I ran away and came back to Hogwarts."

Pansy's face softened with sympathy. "Oh, Esmie, I'm so sorry."

"It is what it is," Esmie replied with a shrug, though the hurt was evident in her eyes. She quickly changed the subject, not wanting to dwell on it. "So, who's the mystery crush?"

Pansy hesitated for a moment before answering. "It's ... Hermione."

Esmie's eyes widened again, a small squeal escaping her lips. "Hermione? Pansy, you should talk to her!"

"I thought there was something between her and Ron," Pansy said, still unsure.

"Ron's with Lavender," Esmie replied with a shrug. "And I don't think Hermione sees Ron that way. You should talk to her."

Pansy looked thoughtful for a moment. "Maybe I will," she said, her tone softening.

For the rest of the afternoon, Esmie and Pansy talked, the initial awkwardness between them dissolving into a surprising friendship. They shared stories, laughed, and for the first time, truly saw each other in a new light. By the time the day ended, Esmie felt lighter, her loneliness replaced by the warmth of this unexpected connection. It seemed that, despite everything, this Christmas wouldn't be so lonely after all.

~*~

Christmas Eve

"I miss Lorenzo," Esmie groaned for what felt like the hundredth time that day. She leaned back in her chair by the fire, staring wistfully at the flickering flames. The warm glow of the Slytherin common room did little to chase away the dull ache of longing she felt, especially after spending so much time thinking about him. She barely registered the soft thud of a book hitting her shoulder.

"Ow!" Esmie yelped, jerking forward and rubbing her arm. "What was that for?"

Pansy was standing next to her, arms crossed and holding a hefty book in one hand. Her expression was somewhere between exasperation and amusement. "That's the fourth time today I've heard you say that. You're giving me a headache, Grisky," she said, shaking her head.

Esmie grinned despite herself. "Oh, you're so dramatic, Pansy," she teased, but her grin quickly turned into a squeal when Pansy raised the book again, threatening to smack her a second time. Esmie was quick to dodge, jumping up from her chair with a laugh before sprinting out of the common room and toward the Great Hall.

She could hear Pansy's footsteps catching up to her as they reached the entrance, both girls bursting into laughter as they finally slowed down. They walked inside together, the smell of Christmas dinner filling the air as they made their way to the Slytherin table. The Great Hall was mostly empty, with only a few students staying behind for the holidays, but the grand feast spread out before them made up for it. Golden plates gleamed under the enchanted ceiling, which showed a gentle snowfall over the starry night sky.

Esmie and Pansy sat down, still catching their breath from the run. It had only been a few days since they started spending time together, but already it felt like they had been friends forever. They had become so close so quickly, it was hard to imagine that there had ever been tension between them. Now, the two of them were practically inseparable.

As they began eating, Pansy glanced at Esmie and raised an eyebrow. "Are you finally going to open the gift from Lorenzo?" she asked, her tone teasing but curious.

Esmie paused, her fork halfway to her mouth. "He said to wait until Christmas Day," she replied, though there was a hint of uncertainty in her voice. "Shouldn't I wait until tomorrow morning to open it?"

Pansy shrugged, cutting into her food. "If it were me, I would've torn it open the moment he left the platform," she said with a grin. "But that's just me."

Esmie rolled her eyes. "We both agreed to wait until Christmas, though ..." She trailed off, glancing down at the food on her plate. "Fine, I'll open it tonight. Happy?"

Pansy smirked, her eyes twinkling with satisfaction. "Very happy."

After finishing their meal, the two girls stood up and began making their way out of the Great Hall when Snape's voice cut through the air like a knife.

"Miss Grisky."

Esmie froze, her stomach flipping nervously at the sound of his stern voice. She turned slowly to see Professor Snape standing near the entrance, his expression unreadable but his dark eyes focused squarely on her.

"Oh, shit," Esmie muttered under her breath. She shot Pansy an apologetic look. "I'll catch up to you later."

Pansy nodded, giving her a sympathetic glance before heading back toward the Slytherin dorms alone. Esmie took a deep breath and walked over to where Snape was standing, bracing herself for whatever was coming.

"Professor," she greeted him, her tone polite but laced with unease.

Snape folded his arms, his gaze narrowing as he studied her. "What exactly are you doing?" he asked, his voice as cold and sharp as ever.

Esmie blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "I was ... trying to enjoy Christmas dinner?" she replied, her voice lifting into a question as she tried to gauge his intentions.

Snape's expression didn't change. "Miss Grisky, why are you still here for Christmas? Surely you have somewhere else to be."

Esmie's jaw tightened, a flicker of irritation rising within her. "Not that it's any of your business, but I don't have anywhere to go." She folded her arms, mimicking his posture as she stood her ground. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Professor, I'd rather not spend Christmas Eve discussing my personal life with you."

Without waiting for his response, Esmie turned and walked briskly out of the Great Hall, her heart pounding as she left Snape behind. She made her way back to the Slytherin common room, where Pansy was already waiting for her, lounging comfortably on the couch by the fire.

"What was that about?" Pansy asked, sitting up as Esmie entered the room.

"Oh, Snape just wanted to ask why I was still here for Christmas," Esmie said with a shrug, though her voice held a note of frustration. "It's like he was personally offended that I didn't have some grand holiday plans."

Pansy rolled her eyes. "Of course he did. He's Snape. You're lucky he didn't give you detention just for being here."

Esmie chuckled as she flopped down on the couch beside her friend, the warmth of the fire soothing the tension from her encounter with Snape. "Right?" she said, leaning back with a sigh.

Pansy nudged her with her elbow. "So, are you going to get Lorenzo's gift now?"

Esmie let out a long, exaggerated sigh, though there was a glint of excitement in her eyes. "Alright, alright. I'll go get it." She stood up and made her way to Enzo's dorm, retrieving the neatly wrapped present he had given her before the holidays. When she returned, she rejoined Pansy on the couch, holding the gift in her hands like it was something fragile and precious.

"I've got it," Esmie said softly, her fingers tracing the edges of the wrapping paper. She smiled faintly. "You know, last year he got me a Christmas present even though we weren't speaking. I've never taken it off."

Pansy tilted her head curiously. "He did? What was it?"

Esmie reached up to touch the locket she wore around her neck. "This locket," she said, opening it to reveal a small picture of her and Enzo from their second year. "I've worn it every day since."

Pansy's eyes softened as she looked at the picture inside. "He gave you a locket?" she asked, clearly impressed. "That's ... really sweet."

Esmie nodded. "Yeah, it was. I gave him a snow globe that year—a handmade one with us from the Yule Ball — but I don't think he ever got it. Theo delivered it for me, but Enzo never said anything, so I assumed he didn't receive it. Or he didn't care."

Pansy frowned slightly. "That doesn't sound like him. Are you sure?"

"Well, I also kind of wrote that I was in love with him on the bottom of the snow globe," Esmie admitted, her cheeks flushing. "Maybe he just didn't know how to respond."

Pansy's eyes widened in surprise. "Hold on. You were in love with him back in fifth year? Why didn't you tell him?"

Esmie sighed, the memory tugging at her heart. "I was going to, but then I saw him flirting with Katie Bell, and I thought he had already moved on from whatever we had."

Pansy raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean 'whatever we had'? What happened between you two?"

Esmie hesitated for a moment before shrugging lightly. "We, uh ... slept together."

"You what?" Pansy nearly shrieked, her voice bouncing off the walls of the common room.

Esmie shushed her quickly, her face heating up even more. "Yes, we did. And afterward, I realised I was in love with him, but after seeing him with Katie, I figured it was just a one-time thing for him. So, I avoided him for a while, and eventually, we went back to being best friends."

Pansy looked incredulous. "Best friends? Esmie, I've seen the way Lorenzo looks at you. He's not like that with anyone else. Now, come on, open his gift."

Esmie smiled nervously and carefully unwrapped the present. Her breath hitched when she saw what was inside: his Quidditch jumper. She gasped softly, her eyes filling with tears as she ran her fingers over the soft, familiar material. It smelled like him—like home.

"His Quidditch jumper?" she whispered, clutching it to her chest as her heart swelled with emotion.

"And you still think you're just friends?" Pansy teased, shaking her head.

Esmie didn't respond, too overwhelmed by the warmth and comfort the jumper provided. She pulled it on, feeling enveloped in Enzo's familiar scent, the weight of his love wrapping around her like a second skin.

"This is the best Christmas present I've ever gotten," Esmie whispered, smiling through her tears.

Pansy smiled at her, leaning back against the couch. "I told you. That boy is head over heels for you."

Esmie smiled softly, hugging the jumper close. As much as she missed Enzo, wearing his jumper made her feel closer to him, and for now, that was enough. Christmas wasn't going to be so lonely after all, and she couldn't wait for the day Enzo returned to Hogwarts.

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Personally this is one of my favourite chapters and the fact that Esmie and Pansy became friends makes me happy.

Enjoy! Xo

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