❤️❤️

THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SMUT — IF THIS MAKES YOU UNCOMFORTABLE, PLEASE SKIP TO ESMIE'S POV TOWARDS THE END OF THE CHAPTER.

{ENZO}

HOGWARTS FELT UNUSUALLY PEACEFUL, WRAPPED IN A QUIET THAT ONLY CAME WHEN THE CASTLE WAS NEARLY EMPTY.

The gentle snowfall outside blanketed the grounds in pristine white, turning the once lively scenery into a picture of serenity. Inside, the corridors, usually filled with the excited chatter and footfalls of students, were now eerily still, the only sound the occasional crackle of a distant fireplace. For Enzo, that silence was a welcome relief. After the chaos of Christmas Eve at Malfoy Manor, this kind of peace was exactly what he needed. He hadn't planned to return to Hogwarts so early, but after enduring one too many tense moments and biting remarks from Draco, he'd made his escape at dawn.

Spending the holidays at Malfoy Manor had been nothing short of a disaster. From the moment dinner started, it was clear the night would be uncomfortable. Draco had been his usual, insufferable self, throwing sarcastic jabs across the table, most of which were aimed at Enzo. Mattheo and Dani, his best friends, exchanged concerned glances, aware of the tension building. Theo and Blaise tried to keep the mood light, but even their humour couldn't diffuse the situation.

Then Delilah made everything worse by accusing Enzo of constantly overshadowing Draco, making him feel like he was always "second best." The accusation grated on Enzo — not because it held any truth, but because he had long stopped caring. His mind had been elsewhere the entire evening, consumed by thoughts of Esmie, the person who had slowly, quietly become his world. Mattheo and Dani knew he missed her, and they could see how much the weight of her absence affected him.

As Enzo strode through the dimly lit corridors of the Slytherin dungeons, his mind was still preoccupied. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about Esmie. All through the disastrous dinner at the Manor, he had wondered where she was, what she was doing, and if she was enjoying her holiday. He found himself hoping she was safe and warm, and part of him regretted not staying behind at Hogwarts.

By the time he pushed open the door to his dorm room that morning, expecting to be met with cold emptiness, his breath caught in his throat.

There she was — Esmie Grisky, curled up on his bed, fast asleep.

Her soft blonde hair fanned out across his pillow, and she was wrapped up in his blankets, cocooned in warmth. She wore his oversized Slytherin Quidditch jumper — the same one he had given her for Christmas — and it practically swallowed her small frame. Yet, despite the bulkiness of it, she looked so peaceful, so at ease, that Enzo couldn't help but smile at the sight.

For a long moment, he simply stood there, watching her, his heart swelling with an unfamiliar warmth. Seeing her lying there, amidst his things, in his space, made everything else fade away. The tension of the previous night at Malfoy Manor, the cutting remarks, the awkward conversations — it all seemed distant and insignificant in comparison to the sight of her curled up on his bed.

Quietly, so as not to wake her, Enzo set the small gifts he had brought back from the Manor on the bedside table. He crouched beside her, his movements gentle, and reached out to nudge her shoulder. Esmie didn't stir. He nudged her again, a little firmer this time.

Esmie jolted awake, her eyes widening in surprise before softening with recognition. "Oh — hi, Enzo," she mumbled sleepily, her voice groggy and disoriented. She sat up, rubbing her eyes as she adjusted to the dim light of the room.

Enzo smirked, raising an eyebrow in amusement. "Hi, Mie. Didn't expect to see anyone back at Hogwarts until after the holidays."

A nervous laugh escaped her as she pulled the blanket tighter around her, clearly embarrassed. "Yeah, well ... surprise," she said, her voice light but carrying a hint of awkwardness.

His smirk faded slightly as concern crept into his expression. He moved to sit on the edge of the bed, his tone more serious now. "What are you doing here? I thought you were spending Christmas with your family?"

Esmie's smile faltered. She glanced down at her hands, fiddling with the hem of the Quidditch jumper, refusing to meet his eyes. "I wasn't ... entirely truthful with you," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Enzo frowned, leaning closer, his heart sinking. "What do you mean?"

She sighed, still avoiding his gaze. "I didn't want to worry you, so I told you my family was coming to pick me up, but ... they weren't. They never were. I'm spending Christmas alone."

A pang of guilt washed over him as her words sank in. "Mie, why didn't you tell me?" he asked softly. "You didn't have to be alone. I would've stayed here with you."

Esmie shook her head quickly, her voice small. "I didn't want to ruin your Christmas. You deserve to be with your family. I didn't want to be a burden."

Enzo's expression softened as he reached out and gently tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his eyes. "You're never a burden, Esmie," he said firmly. "Honestly, I would've much rather spent Christmas with you. My dad didn't even bother showing up, and Christmas at Malfoy Manor ... let's just say it was a nightmare. You being here? It's the best surprise I could've asked for."

Her eyes softened, and a small smile tugged at her lips. "I missed you, Sweets," she whispered, leaning into his touch, her voice trembling slightly.

"I missed you too," Enzo murmured, pulling her into a tight embrace. The warmth of her body against his felt like the missing piece he didn't know he needed. For a long moment, they held each other in silence, as the outside world seemed to disappear.

After a while, Esmie pulled back slightly, her eyes catching on something on the bedside table. Her gaze landed on a small snow globe, the one she had given him years ago. She picked it up, her fingers trembling slightly as she turned it over in her hands. "You kept this?" she asked softly, her voice thick with emotion. "I didn't think you ever got it."

Enzo's expression softened further as he looked at the snow globe. "Theo gave it to me last night," he explained gently. "He was supposed to give it to me in fifth year, but ... well, you know Theo."

Esmie's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she smiled at the snow globe, her thumb brushing over the glass. "I made this for you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I thought you didn't want it when you never mentioned it."

A pang of guilt twisted in Enzo's chest at the sadness in her voice. He gently cupped her face, brushing away a tear that slipped down her cheek. "I'm sorry you ever thought that, Mie," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "It means a lot to me. More than you know."

Before Esmie could gather her thoughts, Enzo closed the distance between them, his lips finding hers in a kiss so soft, so tentative, it felt like the culmination of everything they had both been afraid to say. The brush of his mouth against hers was feather-light, a question unspoken but understood. His touch was gentle, as if he feared the moment would vanish if either of them moved too quickly, but beneath that tenderness, Esmie could sense the depth of his desire. It was as though all the emotions they had buried for so long were finally surfacing, raw and powerful, demanding to be felt.

The room around them— the quiet hush of the world beyond—faded into the background as Enzo's hands cradled her face, his fingers brushing against her skin with a reverence that made her heart race. Their kiss deepened slowly, and she melted into him, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck as she pulled him closer. The warmth of his body pressed against hers sent a shiver down her spine, and she could feel the tension between them building, like a current pulling them into something far deeper than they had ever allowed themselves to explore.

Enzo's dorm room felt secluded, like their own private world tucked away from the bustling life of Hogwarts. The light flickered across the room, casting long, dancing shadows on the walls as they stumbled toward his bed, their bodies pressed so tightly together that the space between them ceased to exist. His lips moved against hers with increasing urgency, and she responded in kind, her fingers tangling in his hair, tugging him closer, needing more. She could feel his heart pounding in sync with hers, their breaths mingling as the kiss grew more heated, more desperate. Every touch, every brush of his lips against hers sent a wave of warmth flooding through her, igniting something deep within.

As they reached the bed, Enzo gently laid her down on the soft sheets, hovering over her, his dark eyes filled with an intensity that made her pulse race. His gaze raked over her, taking in every inch of her as if he was committing her to memory. He paused for a moment, his breath coming in short, uneven bursts as if he was trying to steady himself. There was something unspoken in the way he looked at her, a tenderness mixed with the undeniable hunger that made her tremble beneath him. She could feel the weight of the moment settling over them, the realisation that there was no going back from this. And yet, she didn't want to. She needed him, all of him, more than she had ever needed anything.

Slowly, deliberately, Enzo leaned down and captured her lips in another kiss, this one slower, deeper, filled with the weight of everything they had never said aloud. His hands slid down her sides, his fingers grazing her skin with a touch so light it made her shiver. She gasped softly into his mouth, arching her body into him, desperate to feel more of him. His touch was electric, setting every nerve in her body alight as his hands roamed over her, exploring every curve, every line, with a reverence that made her feel cherished in a way she had never experienced before.

Esmie's hands slid under his shirt, her fingers skimming over the hard planes of his chest, feeling the heat of his skin beneath her palms. She pushed the fabric up and over his head, her eyes following the path of her hands as they traced the lines of his body. Enzo's muscles tensed beneath her touch, his breath hitching as her fingers brushed over his skin. The light flickered over his bare chest, casting a golden glow across his skin, and for a moment, all she could do was stare, overwhelmed by the sight of him, by the way he made her feel like she was the only thing that mattered in the world.

Enzo's hands moved with purpose now, sliding beneath her shirt, pulling it over her head in one fluid motion. His eyes darkened as he took her in, his gaze lingering on her bare skin with a mixture of hunger and awe. His hands followed the path of his eyes, tracing the curve of her waist, her hips, with a slow, deliberate touch that left her breathless. She could feel the tension in his body, the way his muscles tightened beneath her hands as he leaned down, pressing soft kisses to her collarbone, his breath hot against her skin.

Her own body responded instinctively, her back arching off the bed as his lips traveled lower, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. His mouth was everywhere, kissing, tasting, exploring, and with each touch, each caress, the need between them grew stronger, more urgent. Esmie's fingers tangled in his hair, tugging gently as she gasped, her body trembling beneath him. The sensation of his mouth on her skin, the way his hands roamed over her with a mix of tenderness and hunger, made her feel like she was on fire.

The room around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the sound of their breathing, the soft rustle of fabric as they shed their clothes. Enzo's body pressed against hers, his weight grounding her in the moment as he leaned down, capturing her lips in another kiss that was slow and deliberate, but filled with the same passion that had been simmering between them for so long. His hands explored her body with a newfound urgency, his fingers tracing the lines of her skin as if he was trying to memorise every inch of her.

Esmie's hands roamed over his back, her nails digging into his shoulders as she pulled him closer, needing to feel more of him, needing to feel all of him. His body moved against hers, the heat between them building to a fever pitch as they lost themselves in each other. Every touch, every kiss felt like a promise—a silent vow that this was more than just a moment of passion. It was something real, something lasting.

As their bodies moved together, the tension that had been building between them for so long finally reached its breaking point, and Esmie gasped, her fingers gripping his shoulders as a wave of heat washed over her. Enzo's name escaped her lips in a breathless whisper, and she felt him shudder in response, his own breath coming in short, uneven bursts as he held her close.

For what felt like hours, they stayed wrapped up in each other, their bodies entwined, their hearts racing in time, their breathing slowly returning to normal. Enzo's arm was wrapped around her, his body pressed against hers as she rested her head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. The warmth of his skin, the rise and fall of his chest beneath her cheek, was the most comforting thing she had ever known.

Her fingers traced lazy patterns across his skin, following the lines of his muscles, grounding herself in the moment. She felt a sense of peace settle over her, a quiet contentment that she hadn't realised she had been missing until now. Enzo's hand gently ran through her hair, his fingers brushing against her scalp in soothing strokes, and she sighed softly, her eyes fluttering shut as she let herself relax into him.

But as she lay there, nestled against him, a small flicker of doubt crept into her mind, unbidden and unwelcome. It was subtle at first, just a faint whisper in the back of her mind, but it grew louder as the minutes passed. She couldn't shake it. What if this changed everything? What if the fragile balance they had built between friendship and something more was forever altered by what they had just shared? What if they couldn't go back to the way things were?

Her fingers stilled against his chest, and she bit her lip, her thoughts swirling despite the comforting rise and fall of Enzo's breathing. She had wanted this—they had both wanted this—but now that it had happened, the weight of the moment was pressing down on her. She didn't doubt her feelings for him. That was the one thing she knew for certain, but the fear of the unknown, of what came next, gnawed at her. Could they really handle the shift in their relationship? Would this new closeness bring them even closer, or would it create a divide they hadn't anticipated?

Esmie shifted slightly, her head still resting on his chest, and she closed her eyes, trying to silence the doubts racing through her mind. She knew Enzo cared about her—he wouldn't have kissed her like that if he didn't. And yet, the questions lingered.

"Hey," Enzo's voice broke through her thoughts, soft and low, as he tilted his head to look at her. His hand slid up to brush a strand of hair away from her face, his touch gentle. "You okay?"

Esmie opened her eyes, meeting his concerned gaze. His brown eyes were warm and full of affection, and for a moment, her heart ached with the intensity of what she felt for him. She nodded slowly, but something in her expression must have given her away because Enzo's brow furrowed in concern.

"What is it?" he asked, his voice soft, almost coaxing.

Esmie hesitated, biting her lip. She didn't want to ruin the moment, didn't want to let her fears overshadow what had just happened between them. But she couldn't ignore the worry gnawing at her heart. "I just ... I'm scared," she admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Enzo's expression softened immediately, and he shifted, pulling her a little closer, his hand gently stroking her arm. "Scared of what?"

She took a deep breath, trying to put her thoughts into words. "Of this. Of us," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "What if ... what if this changes everything? What if we can't go back to being just friends?"

Enzo was silent for a moment, his eyes searching hers. Then, he smiled, a small, reassuring smile that made her heart skip a beat. "Mie, I don't want to go back to being just friends," he said softly, his hand cupping her cheek. "I don't think I could even if I wanted to. This ... what we have now ... it's real. I've wanted this for so long, and I'm not going to let it slip away because we're afraid of what might happen."

Her heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. "What are you saying?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"I'm saying ..." He hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words. "I want more than that. I want to be with you. I've wanted this for a long time."

Esmie's heart raced, her mind spinning as she processed his words. "You ... you want to be with me?"

Enzo nodded, his gaze steady, his hand tightening around hers. "Yes, Mie. Will you be my girlfriend?"

For a moment, Esmie was too stunned to speak. She stared at him, her mind reeling with the weight of his question, but then, slowly, a wide smile spread across her face, her eyes shining with happiness. "Yes, Sweets," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "Yes, I'll be your girlfriend."

Enzo's face broke into a grin as he leaned in to kiss her again, this time with more certainty, more passion, and in that moment, all of her doubts and fears melted away, replaced by the overwhelming sense that everything was finally, beautifully right.

They lay together long into the night, wrapped in each other's arms, the quiet warmth of their connection filling the room. For the first time in what felt like forever, neither of them felt alone. They had each other now, and that was more than enough.

~*~

{ESMIE}

"So, let me get this straight," Pansy began, leaning in with a wicked grin, her dark eyes wide with a mix of disbelief and amusement. "You two had sex, then he asked you to be his girlfriend?"

Esmie felt her cheeks flush a deep pink, the heat creeping up to her ears as she giggled, covering her face with her hands. She knew Pansy was going to be relentless about this, but she couldn't help but laugh along with her. The two of them were sitting on the plush rug in front of the fire in the Slytherin common room, the flickering flames casting a warm, golden glow over the room. The heat from the fire was comforting, but what made Esmie feel even more at home was the familiar, oversized Quidditch jumper she was wearing — Enzo's, of course. It was practically swallowing her small frame, but the soft fabric and the scent of him wrapped her in a kind of warmth that went beyond the physical.

"Yeah," Esmie finally admitted, her smile shy as she glanced at Pansy. "That's exactly what happened."

Pansy shook her head, an incredulous smirk still plastered on her face. "I swear, it's about bloody time! You've been going on about him for days. You're lucky I didn't hex you for all that lovesick nonsense."

Esmie nudged her friend playfully, though her heart was still racing from the memory of the night before. "I wasn't that bad."

"Oh, you were," Pansy retorted with a chuckle. "You could barely say his name without blushing. Every time he walked into the room, you'd turn into a puddle."

Esmie bit her lip, a small, embarrassed smile tugging at her lips. She couldn't deny it — Pansy was right. From the moment she realised her feelings for Enzo were more than just friendly, she had struggled to keep her cool around him, but now, things had changed. Last night had been a whirlwind of emotions, but it had ended with her heart feeling more full than ever before.

Pansy's voice broke through her thoughts. "But seriously, I'm happy for you. Enzo's a good guy, even if he's a pain in the arse sometimes. You two make sense together."

Before Esmie could respond, she felt a familiar pair of arms wrap around her from behind, and a soft kiss was pressed to the top of her head. She looked up to see Enzo standing behind her, his grin lazy and warm.

"Hi, darling," he said, his voice low and affectionate as he gently squeezed her shoulders.

Esmie leaned back into him, feeling that familiar rush of warmth wash over her just from his presence. "Hi," she replied softly, her heart fluttering.

Pansy glanced between the two of them with a raised eyebrow, her smirk deepening was she looked at Enzo teasingly, "So, I take it you two are official now?"

Enzo chuckled, releasing Esmie only to slide down beside her on the floor. He pulled her into his lap effortlessly, his arms circling her waist as he leaned back comfortably against the couch. "Looks that way," he said, glancing down at Esmie with a smile that made her heart skip a beat.

Esmie's face heated again as she felt herself blushing under Pansy's gaze, but the warmth of Enzo's embrace made her feel grounded. The three of them shared a laugh, the atmosphere light and filled with the kind of easy camaraderie that had become so rare at Hogwarts lately. Despite the bitter cold of winter outside and the near-deserted castle, Esmie felt a warmth spreading through her that had nothing to do with the fire in front of them. It had been a chaotic few days, but all the emotions, all the confusion, had led to this—a sense of peace she hadn't felt in a long time.

As the evening wore on, the crackling fire in the Slytherin common room provided a cozy warmth that contrasted with the chilly wind howling outside the castle walls. Esmie, Pansy, and Enzo sat huddled around the coffee table, the board game Monopoly laid out before them. Esmie, eager to get things started, was already distributing the colourful paper money while Enzo and Pansy exchanged skeptical glances.

"Alright," Esmie said, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she handed them their wads of fake cash, "let's see who's got the best strategy."

Pansy raised an eyebrow, arms crossed over her chest. "You've been talking about this game for days, Esmie. I still don't see the appeal. We could be doing literally anything else right now."

Enzo leaned back into the couch, smirking as he spun the wheel on the dice cup. "Let me guess—this is one of those games where you think you're doing great, and then out of nowhere, it all crashes down around you?"

Esmie giggled, placing the metal tokens in front of them: a top hat for Pansy, the car for Enzo, and, for herself, the dog. "Pretty much, but that's the fun part. It's all about who can hold their nerve the longest."

"Well, then," Enzo said with a grin, "prepare to be humbled, Grisky."

Pansy sighed dramatically, reluctantly picking up her token. "I'm only playing this because there's literally nothing else to do in this empty castle."

"Or," Esmie teased, "because you know I'll win, and you want a shot at proving me wrong."

Pansy's eyes gleamed with a challenge. "You're on."

The game began slowly, with each of them cautiously purchasing properties here and there. Enzo landed on a couple of cheap ones early on, and Pansy, although skeptical, snatched up a few of the utilities. Esmie, meanwhile, silently began forming her own empire, eyeing the prime real estate on the board.

Half an hour in, the tension started to build.

Enzo groaned as he landed on Esmie's newly acquired property, Park Place. "Oh, come on!" he exclaimed, reluctantly handing over a hefty sum. "How did you even get that one so fast?"

"Luck," Esmie said sweetly, holding out her hand expectantly for the money. "But don't worry, Enzo. I'm sure you'll make it up on the next turn."

Pansy, meanwhile, sat in quiet frustration as she surveyed her properties—most of them low-value and scattered. She rolled the dice with a resigned sigh, and when she landed on another one of Esmie's properties, she glared at her friend. "You've got to be joking. Do you have some kind of secret pact with the game board?"

Esmie laughed, shrugging innocently as she collected the rent. "Hey, it's not my fault you two aren't playing with better strategy."

Enzo groaned, running a hand through his hair as he landed, once again, on Esmie's property, this time on Boardwalk. "I swear you're cheating," he muttered, staring at the pile of Monopoly money in front of her.

"I'm not cheating!" Esmie protested, her eyes sparkling with glee. "You've just got to plan ahead, that's all."

As the game progressed, it became clear that Esmie had the upper hand. She had acquired most of the high-value properties, and with hotels sprouting up all over her side of the board, Enzo and Pansy found themselves in increasingly dire financial straits. Every time one of them rolled the dice, they seemed to land on one of her properties, forcing them to hand over more and more of their dwindling resources.

"I'm starting to see why people hate this game," Pansy grumbled as she handed over another pile of Monopoly money. "How is this even fun?"

"It's fun for me," Esmie said with a wink, placing yet another hotel on her board.

"Yeah, we can see that," Enzo muttered, giving her a sideways glance. He was down to his last few dollars, his pile of cash a sad shadow of what it had been at the start of the game. "I'm not even sure why I'm still playing. You've practically bought up the entire board."

"Because there's always a chance for a comeback," Esmie said brightly, though the gleam in her eyes told a different story. She knew they didn't stand a chance.

Pansy, looking utterly defeated, rolled the dice one last time and landed on Esmie's property—again. "I give up," she declared, throwing her hands up dramatically. "I'm officially bankrupt. Congratulations, Esmie. You're the Monopoly queen."

Esmie beamed, gathering the last of Pansy's money with a satisfied grin. "Thank you, thank you. It was a tough battle, but someone had to win."

Enzo groaned, handing over his final bills with a rueful smile. "I don't know how you did it, but you wiped the floor with us."

"I told you," Esmie said, laughing as she swept the remaining pieces of the game into the box, "excellent strategy."

Enzo leaned back, crossing his arms behind his head as he grinned at her. "You're ruthless, Grisky."

"You've just got to know when to invest," Esmie teased, closing the box with a triumphant snap. "But don't feel bad—it's all in good fun."

Pansy, still looking mildly disgruntled, leaned back against the couch, stretching her legs out in front of her. "Next time, I'm choosing the game. Something that doesn't involve being financially ruined by Esmie Grisky."

Esmie chuckled, sliding closer to Enzo and resting her head on his shoulder. "Fine, fine. But you've got to admit, it was a good way to pass the time."

Enzo wrapped an arm around her, pulling her in closer as he laughed. "Yeah, if you enjoy being humiliated."

As they packed up the game, the room settled into a comfortable quiet. The fire crackled softly in the background, casting a warm glow over the common room, while snow continued to fall outside, covering the grounds of Hogwarts in a thick, white blanket. Despite the game's brutal outcome, there was an undeniable sense of camaraderie between them—laughter and good-natured banter filling the air.

"I'm just glad we weren't playing for real money," Esmie said, breaking the silence with a teasing smile. "You two would be completely broke."

Enzo groaned dramatically, though his grin gave him away. "Don't remind me. Monopoly queen strikes again."

Pansy shot Esmie a mock glare. "Next time, I'm coming for you, Grisky."

Esmie giggled, leaning into Enzo's embrace as the warmth of the fire made her feel even more relaxed. "We'll see about that."

For a moment, Esmie let herself bask in the contentment of the moment. The world outside might have been cold and quiet, but here, in the heart of the Slytherin common room, she felt warm and happy. They might have been some of the few students left at Hogwarts over the holiday break, but that only made this time together even more special. It was their own little slice of peace—three friends laughing, sharing stories, and making memories they would cherish for years to come.

She glanced at the fireplace, the flames casting flickering shadows across the room, and smiled. Christmas had been quieter than she'd expected, but in the best possible way. There was no rush, no chaos—just the three of them enjoying each other's company.

"Next year," Esmie said softly, "we're doing this again. Same place, same game."

Pansy groaned but couldn't hide her smile. "I'll hold you to that. And next time, I'm bringing a strategy."

Enzo laughed, his hand tightening around Esmie's shoulder. "We'll need it."

As the night wore on, the three of them sat together, the soft crackling of the fire and the snow gently tapping against the windows providing the perfect backdrop to their easy conversation. Despite the cold outside, inside, Esmie felt a warmth unlike any other. This was home, and she wouldn't have traded this night for anything.

~*~

The Great Hall had been nearly empty earlier that day as they gathered for Christmas dinner, but the sense of coziness hadn't been lost. The smell of roasted turkey, spiced pumpkin pie, and cinnamon had filled the air, wrapping them in the warmth of the season. Despite the lack of other students, Hogwarts had never felt more like home.

As they ate, Pansy had turned to Esmie with a curious expression. "So, how did you spend Christmas before Hogwarts?" she had asked, her voice light but genuine.

Esmie had hesitated, glancing at Enzo before answering. "It wasn't exactly something I looked forward to," she had admitted softly. "My mum and her husband would drag me to these fancy Christmas parties every year. I'd end up sitting at the kids' table alone, or worse, completely ignored."

Enzo had squeezed her hand under the table, his heart aching for her. "That sounds awful."

Esmie had offered a small smile. "It wasn't great," she'd said with a shrug. "But that's in the past now."

Pansy had frowned, her brow furrowed. "I wouldn't have guessed you came from a family like that. You're nothing like those posh pureblood types who care about status and money."

"Because I don't," Esmie had replied simply, her voice steady. "None of that really matters to me."

Enzo had smiled at her, his thumb brushing gently over her hand. "Well, this Christmas is different."

Esmie's heart had swelled at his words. "Yeah," she'd whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "This is the best Christmas I've ever had."

Later, as they were sitting in front of the fire with Enzo's arms around her and Pansy lounging nearby, Esmie couldn't help but feel that she was exactly where she was meant to be. The warmth of the fire, the comfort of her friends, and the quiet joy that filled her heart—it was perfect.

For the first time in as long as she could remember, Esmie felt like she belonged. She had found her people, her place, and she wouldn't trade this feeling for anything in the world.

As she snuggled deeper into Enzo's embrace, she smiled softly to herself, knowing that this was just the beginning of something beautiful—something she had always hoped for, but never truly believed she would find.

❤️❤️

Enjoy! Xo

❤️❤️