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"ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU."

Christmas had arrived at the Manor, and everyone was wrapped up in the festive spirit. Esmie, however, seemed to be at the heart of it all. Despite it being early on Christmas morning, she was already awake, singing Christmas carols and dancing around the kitchen as she prepared breakfast. Meanwhile, in one of the rooms, Harry stomped sleepily toward Enzo's door and knocked, causing Enzo to groan as he woke up and answered.

"Harry?" Enzo mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"Esmie's singing in the kitchen," Harry grumbled. "It's way too early for that."

Enzo chuckled softly. "It's never too early to listen to her sing, but I'll go check on her."

"That's what I was hoping for," Harry muttered before retreating back to his room. Enzo, still smiling, pulled on a shirt and headed downstairs. Upon entering the kitchen, he saw Esmie twirling to the music, completely lost in her festive mood as she mixed ingredients. He leaned against the wall, a grin spreading across his face as he watched her. After a moment, Esmie turned and gasped when she saw him standing there.

"How long have you been watching me?" she asked, slightly embarrassed.

"Not long, darling. You kinda woke Harry up, but I was already awake. You're up early," Enzo teased.

"Yeah, I had a nightmare. I came down for water, but then I remembered it was Christmas and put on some music," she explained, her voice softening.

Enzo's expression softened too. He stepped forward, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Same nightmares?"

Esmie nodded. "I usually don't have them, but around Christmas, they're worse."

"I'm sorry, darling," Enzo said gently, running his thumb across her cheek. "I wish I could make them go away."

"You already help just by being here," Esmie smiled up at him, and Enzo gave her a small, affectionate smile back.

"It didn't work this time?" he asked, his brow furrowing.

"It did, but I woke up thirsty. And... I figured I'd make breakfast for everyone."

Enzo glanced at the ingredients scattered across the counter. "You were planning a surprise?"

Esmie nodded sheepishly. "Yes, I was."

Enzo grinned mischievously. "Need any help, darling?"

"I'm nearly done, but—" Esmie trailed off with a smirk, grabbing the pancake batter and playfully swiping it across Enzo's nose and cheek.

"Esmeralda!" Enzo cried in mock outrage, retaliating by dabbing some batter on her lips. Esmie laughed, licking it off with a grin before leaning in to kiss him.

As they broke apart, Mattheo waltzed into the kitchen with a wide grin. "Well, that's an interesting cooking technique," he teased.

"Oh, shut up, Mattheo!" Esmie shot back, laughing as she wiped the batter from her lips and Enzo's face. "I made the batter, but... I'm a little scared of burning the pancakes."

"We've got your back, baby," Enzo said with a chuckle.

"I guess I can lend a hand too," Mattheo added with a smirk, joining them. The three of them worked together, turning the kitchen into a flurry of laughter, batter, and holiday music as they finished making breakfast.

Just as they were setting the table, Danielle and Levi came downstairs, hand-in-hand, with Levi playfully poking Danielle's side. "Smells amazing in here," Levi commented with a grin, pulling Danielle closer as they reached the table.

"That's because we made breakfast!" Esmie announced proudly, earning smiles from everyone.

Narcissa, who had just entered, gave Esmie an approving nod. "You didn't have to, Esmie."

"I wanted to. It's Christmas, after all," Esmie beamed, taking a seat beside Enzo as the group began to dig into the delicious spread they had prepared. The joy of the morning was infectious, with laughter and warmth filling the Manor.

As the cheerful chatter continued to fill the room, Esmie sat back for a moment, taking it all in. The twinkling lights from the Christmas tree in the corner cast a soft glow across the room, making everything feel magical. The warmth of the fireplace crackled softly in the background, adding to the cozy ambiance that had taken over the Manor. It was hard to believe that just earlier, she had been struggling to shake off her nightmares. Now, surrounded by her closest friends and the people she cared about, those dark thoughts seemed miles away.

Enzo leaned toward her, brushing his fingers lightly against hers under the table. He smiled when she met his gaze, his voice dropping to a soft murmur so only she could hear. "Feeling better, darling?"

Esmie smiled, nodding as she squeezed his hand. "Much better, thanks to you."

Enzo's eyes sparkled with warmth, and he pressed a quick kiss to her temple before turning back to the conversation, where Mattheo and Levi were still engaged in their back-and-forth banter. Across the table, Danielle had clearly had enough of their teasing. She gave Mattheo a playful glare, pushing her chair back slightly as she crossed her arms.

"Honestly, Mattheo, for someone who's been dating Genevieve for months now, you're awfully interested in my love life," Danielle said with a smirk, glancing toward Genevieve, who was comfortably nestled next to Mattheo at the table.

Genevieve chuckled, her hand resting lightly on Mattheo's arm. "I think he just likes playing the protective older brother."

Mattheo raised his hands in surrender, laughing. "Hey, what can I say? Old habits die hard. I'm just looking out for you, Dani."

"Right," Danielle replied, rolling her eyes. "Like you didn't spend all of sixth year sneaking off with Genevieve to the Forbidden Forest."

Genevieve nudged Mattheo with her shoulder, a teasing grin on her face. "Not much sneaking these days, though."

Levi's laughter filled the room as he turned to Mattheo, eyes wide with amusement. "The Forbidden Forest, huh? Didn't think you were the romantic type, Riddle."

"Romantic?" Mattheo scoffed, but the pink tinge creeping up his ears betrayed him. "I'm just creative. You might want to take notes, Fisher."

Levi leaned back in his chair, putting his hands behind his head with a grin. "I'll stick to my own methods, thanks."

"Which involve flirting at the breakfast table, apparently," Esmie teased, raising an eyebrow at Levi.

"I'd say it's working pretty well," Levi winked at Danielle, who let out an exasperated sigh, though she couldn't hide her grin.

Tom, who had been mostly quiet, took a slow sip from his coffee, his eyes narrowing slightly as they flicked between Levi and his sister. His protectiveness over Danielle was no secret, especially now that Levi was involved. The older brother in him always had a way of stepping in, whether it was teasing like Mattheo or offering quiet, firm warnings.

Setting his mug down, Tom spoke, his voice carrying just enough weight to get everyone's attention. "Levi," he began, his gaze sharp and measured, "just remember that Danielle's not someone you can toy with."

The room fell into a brief silence, all eyes turning toward Tom and Levi. Levi, catching the intensity of Tom's words, blinked innocently before leaning forward with a mischievous grin. "Sorry, Tom... no speak English."

Danielle let out a groan, burying her face in her hands as Mattheo and Esmie stifled their laughter. Even Enzo cracked a smile.

Tom's expression remained stone-faced as he replied flatly, "Try again."

Levi shrugged, still grinning. "Alright, alright." His tone shifted, becoming sincere as he looked Tom directly in the eye. "I get it, Tom. And don't worry, I'm not toying with her. Dani means a lot to me. I'd never hurt her."

Danielle shifted in her seat, clearly torn between embarrassment and appreciation. She shot Levi a look that said, "Really?" but there was a small smile tugging at her lips.

"Okay," she muttered, "enough with the overprotective big brother routine. Can we just enjoy breakfast without you trying to scare him off?"

Tom's gaze softened slightly, though he didn't break eye contact with Levi. "As long as he knows where he stands."

Levi nodded with a smile, his tone respectful. "I do."

Danielle sighed, giving Levi an exasperated but affectionate glance. "Honestly..."

The tension in the room slowly lifted, and Mattheo, never one to let things stay serious for too long, couldn't help but throw in another quip. "Well, now that we've got that sorted out, can we get back to the important stuff? Like how Levi's clearly whipped."

Danielle rolled her eyes, though she was smiling. "Says the guy who practically writes love poetry to Genevieve in his free time."

Mattheo leaned forward with a grin. "Hey, I'm not ashamed. Genevieve deserves love poetry."

"And flowers," Enzo added with a smirk, clearly enjoying the chance to tease Mattheo as well. "Don't forget the roses you sent her last month."

"Roses?" Levi chimed in, grinning at Mattheo. "You're setting the bar pretty high, mate. How am I supposed to compete with that?"

Mattheo waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, please. Genevieve likes the grand gestures. Dani—" he gestured toward his sister—"she's more into subtlety. I'd say you're doing fine, Fisher. For now."

"Subtle, huh?" Levi mused, casting a sideways glance at Danielle. "Guess I'll have to keep you on your toes."

Danielle shook her head, but there was a playful glint in her eyes as she leaned into him slightly. "Good luck with that."

Genevieve smiled softly at Mattheo, leaning closer. "Well, I think the roses were a nice touch."

Mattheo glanced down at her with a smirk. "Only the best for you."

As the teasing continued, laughter filled the room, creating a warm, lighthearted atmosphere. Even Tom, though still watchful of Levi, seemed to relax a little more, letting the holiday mood settle in.

Esmie looked around the table, her heart swelling with happiness as she watched her friends share these moments. Enzo nudged her with his elbow, flashing her a soft smile, and she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder for a moment as they listened to the laughter.

Soon enough, Draco, Josie, and Ron joined them, clearing away the dishes and resetting the table for the rest of the day's festivities. The smell of pine from the Christmas tree mingled with the lingering sweetness of pancakes, and the glow from the fire cast a cozy warmth over everyone. As everyone got up to head to their rooms to get dressed for the day, Esmie stood for a moment, watching them go, a content smile on her face.

Once everyone was ready for the day, they gathered back downstairs, where Narcissa stood in the centre of the living room, clipboard in hand, clearly prepared to give instructions.

"Now, as you all know, we're having a Christmas party tonight," she began, glancing around at the group. "There's plenty to do to get the house ready, so I've divided you into groups and assigned each of you tasks."

Draco groaned loudly, throwing his hands up in mock despair. "Mum, it's Christmas. Can't we just relax?"

Narcissa gave him a sharp look that made Draco quickly bite his tongue. "You can relax after the work is done."

Mattheo, standing near the fireplace, muttered under his breath with a smirk, "That's what you get for complaining, mate."

"First things first," Narcissa continued, unfazed by the grumbles. "Harry, Draco, Theo, Esmie, and Danielle—you're in charge of the food."

Mattheo let out a dramatic sigh. "Excellent. So we'll have nothing edible for the party."

"Very funny, Mattheo," Esmie shot back with a grin. "Just you wait. My Christmas cookies will be the best thing you've ever tasted."

"Sure they will, darling," Enzo teased from across the room, earning a playful eye roll from Esmie.

Narcissa pressed on, unfazed by the banter. "Astoria, Josie, Levi, Enzo, and Elsie—you're on garden duty. Make sure everything outside looks festive for the guests."

Levi grinned as he leaned over to Danielle, who was now standing by the kitchen door. "Guess I'll have to wait until later to flirt with you. I'm on decorating duty."

Danielle smirked, poking his arm. "Good. Maybe you'll actually do something useful for once."

Levi clutched his heart dramatically. "Dani, your words wound me."

Before Danielle could respond, a small voice piped up from the other side of the room. "Mumma, can I help?" It was Rosalia's young daughter, tugging on her mother's sleeve and looking up with wide, eager eyes.

Rosalia smiled down at her daughter. "She loves helping in the kitchen."

Narcissa gave a nod of approval. "Alright. Tom and Anastasia will join you in the kitchen to help."

Esmie raised an eyebrow, casting a glance toward Draco, who just shrugged. Both of them looked toward Tom, who stood tall with his two-year-old daughter, Anastasia, balanced on his hip. He gave a curt nod, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

Narcissa continued, assigning the rest of the groups. "Ron, Delilah, Blaise, and Ginny—you'll help me decorate the house. Hermione, Pansy, Mattheo, Genevieve, Jazzlyn, and Rosalia—you'll be handling the living room and the Christmas tree."

The group nodded in agreement, and with that, everyone began to split up, heading to their designated areas. Esmie led her team into the kitchen, where Harry, Draco, Theo, Danielle, and Tom followed closely behind. Anastasia giggled from her father's arms, looking curiously around at all the activity.

"Alright," Esmie said as she grabbed the necessary ingredients from the counter, a determined look on her face. "Let's start with some Christmas cookies."

Harry and Draco exchanged amused looks, clearly skeptical of Esmie's cooking prowess, but Theo jumped in immediately to help. "I'll mix the dough. Esmie, you can work on shaping them."

Danielle sidled up beside them, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Do we get to make them in fun shapes? Because I want to make a snowman."

"Snowmen, stars, and—if I have my way—a few dragons," Esmie said with a grin, pulling out the cookie cutters.

Meanwhile, Tom set Anastasia down gently, letting her wander about the kitchen under his watchful eye as he joined the others in preparing the food. "Let's keep her clear of the oven," Tom warned, his deep voice quiet but firm.

Danielle looked over at her brother with a smirk. "Always so serious, Tom. It's Christmas."

Tom's expression softened just a bit as he glanced at his sister. "Just being careful, Dani."

As they worked together, the kitchen filled with the sounds of laughter, banter, and the occasional clatter of pots and pans. Draco and Harry were busy prepping a variety of dishes, from savoury appetisers to a festive roast, while Theo and Esmie focused on the cookies. Danielle, ever the perfectionist, was determined to make sure each cookie was flawlessly shaped.

Levi popped his head in from the hallway at one point, his hands covered in tinsel. "Hey, Dani," he called out, catching her attention.

"What do you want, Levi?" she asked, exasperated but amused.

"Just checking to see if you're missing me yet," he replied with a wink.

Danielle rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips. "I'm surviving, surprisingly."

Levi grinned, giving her a playful salute before disappearing back outside to finish his task.

"You two are nauseating," Draco commented dryly, glancing up from the potatoes he was peeling.

Danielle tossed a piece of cookie dough at him, making him laugh. "Says the guy who's hopelessly in love with Josie."

Draco's cheeks flushed slightly, but he didn't deny it, instead muttering something about how at least his love life wasn't everyone's business.

Tom, ever observant, watched the exchange between Danielle and Levi with a quiet but protective look in his eyes. As he worked, he kept one ear on the conversation, and when Levi came back again, this time holding mistletoe and teasing Danielle about hanging it in the kitchen, Tom finally spoke up.

"Levi," he said, his tone calm but commanding enough to get everyone's attention. "I hope you're treating my sister with respect."

Levi straightened up, sensing the shift in Tom's demeanour. "I am, Tom. I wouldn't do anything to hurt her."

Tom's eyes remained steady on Levi for a moment longer before he nodded. "Good. See that it stays that way."

Danielle sighed dramatically. "Tom, can you please stop scaring my boyfriend every time he walks into a room?"

"He's not scared," Tom replied, a slight smirk tugging at his lips. "Just cautious."

Levi chuckled, trying to ease the tension. "I'm good, Dani. Tom and I understand each other, right?"

Tom gave a single nod. "Right."

With the tension broken, the room fell back into a more lighthearted rhythm, the sound of stirring spoons and rolling pins mixing with laughter. Esmie pulled out the first batch of cookies from the oven, the sweet smell of sugar and spices filling the air.

"Okay," she said triumphantly, holding up a perfectly shaped snowman cookie. "Tell me this doesn't look amazing."

Theo leaned over to inspect it. "Not bad, Grisky. But the real question is—how do they taste?"

Esmie tossed him the cookie, and as Theo took a bite, his eyes lit up. "Alright, I'm impressed."

Danielle clapped her hands together, a bright smile on her face. "Looks like we're actually going to have edible food after all."

As the bustle of the kitchen continued, little Anastasia looked up at Esmie with wide, eager eyes and asked, "I help?"

Esmie smiled warmly at the small girl. "Of course, darling. Would you like to help me pour the flour into the bowl?"

Anastasia nodded enthusiastically, her small hands reaching out to assist. Esmie guided her, helping the toddler tip the bag just enough to get the flour into the bowl without spilling too much. As they worked, Esmie caught sight of Tom standing beside them, his usual stoic expression softened as he watched his daughter.

"Good job, darling," Tom said softly, his tone gentle as he praised Anastasia. It was rare to see him show emotion, but with his daughter, it was undeniable.

Esmie found herself watching the two of them together, feeling her nerves begin to ease. Tom's tenderness toward Anastasia made him seem more approachable, less intimidating. Taking a deep breath, Esmie decided to ask the question that had been lingering in her mind. "Is she the reason why you defected from the Death Eaters during the Second Wizarding War?"

Tom didn't respond right away, his gaze fixed on his daughter as she concentrated on her task. The silence stretched for a moment before he finally spoke. "I chose her and Jazzlyn," he said quietly, looking down at Anastasia with a soft smile before turning his attention to Esmie. "I did some terrible things... but that beautiful little girl means everything to me, and so do Rosie and Jazzlyn."

Esmie listened intently, her curiosity piqued. "I don't remember seeing you or Rosie during the battle at Hogwarts. Everyone knows you were there, but you disappeared at some point."

Tom's expression grew serious as he recalled the events. "I saw Rosie being attacked by Death Eaters. In that moment, I knew I had to save her. So, I killed the two Death Eaters and got her out of there. I took her back to the safe house where she'd been staying with Ana and Jazzy."

As he spoke, Tom helped Anastasia add more ingredients to the bowl, his large hands guiding hers with surprising gentleness. Esmie couldn't help but be struck by the contrast between his past and the man she saw before her now—a father, deeply protective of his family.

Before Esmie could respond, a loud, exasperated cry broke the moment. "I swear I followed the instructions exactly!" Harry's voice rang out from across the kitchen, drawing everyone's attention.

Esmie turned toward the stove and gasped, her eyes widening as she saw smoke rising from a small fire. Harry, Draco, and Theo stood frozen, looking more than a little guilty.

"It was Harry's fault," Theo quickly said, pointing an accusing finger at Harry the moment he caught Esmie's disbelieving stare.

"Right," Esmie laughed, hurrying over to help put out the small fire. With a quick spell, the flames were extinguished, and the room settled once more.

"Maybe we should just leave the cooking to Esmie," Draco quipped, earning a round of laughter from the group as they resumed preparing food for the party.

Esmie glanced around the living room, taking in the cozy warmth of the scene. The fire crackled in the hearth, casting a soft glow over the Christmas decorations that adorned the space, filling the room with a festive charm. Narcissa had set out Christmas crackers for everyone, and Esmie couldn't resist grabbing one, but before she could get too involved, her attention shifted to the playful exchange unfolding between Genevieve and Mattheo across the room.

Genevieve had made a beeline for Mattheo with her usual mischievous grin, holding up a cracker with a challenging glint in her eye. Esmie watched as Genevieve teased, "Think you're up for a challenge, Riddle?" Her voice was filled with the kind of playful confidence that always made Esmie smile.

Mattheo, lounging on the sofa with his signature smirk, raised an eyebrow and took the other end of the cracker. "You're on, Hart."

With a sharp pop, the cracker gave way, and as always, Mattheo won. Esmie could hear Genevieve groan dramatically, crossing her arms in exaggerated frustration. "This is rigged," she muttered, her tone playful despite her apparent defeat.

Esmie couldn't help but chuckle to herself. Watching them together always warmed her heart. Genevieve's teasing, Mattheo's smug confidence—it was an easy, familiar rhythm between them, one that Esmie had come to appreciate over the months.

Mattheo leaned in closer to Genevieve, his voice low and teasing. "What can I say? I always win."

Esmie smiled at the sight of Genevieve rolling her eyes, clearly unable to hide the grin tugging at her lips. "Don't get too cocky, Riddle. I'll beat you eventually."

Mattheo wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close, the affectionate gesture causing Esmie's smile to widen. "I'm looking forward to seeing you try," he murmured in response.

Feeling a surge of determination, Esmie decided she wouldn't be outdone in this festive competition. Grabbing her own Christmas cracker, she marched over to where Enzo was standing, the familiar grin on her face. "Alright, Sweets," she said, holding the cracker out to him. "Let's see if my luck fares better than Genevieve's."

Enzo chuckled, his eyes sparkling with affection as he took the other end. "I'm not sure you're ready to lose, love," he teased, the warmth in his voice making Esmie's heart flutter.

They pulled the cracker, and just like Mattheo, Enzo won. Esmie groaned, dramatically throwing her arms in the air. "This is so unfair!" she exclaimed, watching as everyone around them seemed to be winning their crackers too.

Mattheo, ever the opportunist, called out from across the room, "Better luck next time, Emmy," tossing her a playful wink.

Esmie shot him a mock scowl but couldn't keep the smile from breaking through. She grabbed another cracker, her competitive spirit kicking in as she held it out to Enzo once more. "One more try," she said, her tone determined.

Enzo chuckled, clearly enjoying her determination. "Alright," he agreed, taking the cracker once more.

With another pop, Enzo won again, and Esmie's shoulders slumped in exaggerated defeat. "I can't believe this!" she complained, her voice tinged with exaggerated disbelief. "This is so unfair!"

Laughing, Enzo reached out, offering her the winning cracker with a smile. "Here you go, love. I'll let you have this one."

Esmie took it from him with a mock scowl, shaking her head. "Great. I had to be handed a Christmas cracker because I can't even win one myself."

Enzo leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to the side of her head. "You're always a winner in my eyes," he murmured, his voice warm and tender.

The affectionate gesture caused Esmie's heart to skip a beat, but her thoughts were interrupted by Genevieve's teasing voice from across the room. "You two are absolutely nauseating," Genevieve said, shaking her head in mock disgust.

Esmie grinned, turning to face her friend. "Looks like someone's jealous," she shot back, nudging Genevieve playfully.

Genevieve raised an eyebrow, her smirk directed up at Mattheo. "Hardly. I've got my own personal winner right here."

Mattheo, clearly enjoying the banter, wrapped his arm around her waist even tighter, pulling her closer. "Damn right you do," he said with a low chuckle.

Esmie's attention drifted to Tom, who was seated comfortably in a large armchair near the fire, quietly observing the scene. His stoic expression softened ever so slightly as he watched the playful exchanges around him.

"Enzo's just smart enough to know what keeps him out of trouble," Tom remarked dryly, his voice calm but tinged with amusement.

Genevieve, never one to pass up a chance to tease her brother-in-law, grinned mischievously. "And you, Tom," she said, leaning comfortably against Mattheo, "must've finally learned how to stay out of trouble. Rosie always said you were hopeless when it came to pulling crackers."

Tom shot her a mildly warning glance, though there was no real sharpness to it. "And yet, somehow, I always managed to keep you in line," he countered, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Genevieve laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, please. I was impossible to control—just like Dani."

At the mention of Danielle, Esmie's eyes flickered in her direction. Danielle had been quietly watching the exchange with a hint of amusement. "As long as Levi knows his place," Tom added, his protective tone clear.

Danielle sighed, though her playful smile remained. "Relax, Tom. Levi's already scared stiff of you. No need to keep reminding him."

Esmie leaned closer to Enzo, whispering, "And here I thought we were the dramatic ones."

Enzo stifled a laugh, his eyes gleaming as he looked down at her. "Seems like the Riddle family doesn't believe in taking breaks from drama."

Esmie grinned, turning her attention back to Genevieve. "Wouldn't trade it for the world," Genevieve said with a soft smile up at Mattheo. "Though, winning one of these crackers just once would be nice."

Mattheo glanced down at her, his lips curling into a sly smile. "Maybe next time, I'll let you win," he teased, his voice low.

Genevieve nudged him playfully. "You better, Riddle."

As the room filled with laughter and the soft clinking of glasses, Esmie's eyes drifted to Tom again. Despite his usual seriousness, even he seemed more at ease in the warmth of the festive atmosphere. His attention was now on Ana, who had clambered up into his lap, her tiny hands excitedly showing him the trinkets she'd collected from the Christmas crackers. Esmie watched as Tom's typically stoic expression softened, a rare smile barely noticeable as he gently brushed a strand of Ana's hair aside.

From her seat, Danielle caught sight of the tender moment and, unable to resist teasing her brother, spoke up. "You know," she began playfully, "I never thought I'd see the day where you'd be all fatherly, Tom. Wrapped around little Ana's finger."

Tom arched an eyebrow but didn't take his eyes off Ana. "It's not that surprising," he replied calmly, though the corners of his lips twitched in amusement.

Danielle scoffed, shaking her head. "Not surprising? You spent most of your life acting like emotions were a foreign concept. Now look at you."

Before Tom could respond, Rosie chimed in from her seat next to him, grinning mischievously as she nudged him with her elbow. "He's right, Dani. Tom's always been a softy—he just likes pretending he's not. I mean, look at him now, and don't even get me started on Jazzlyn. He lets her get away with everything."

At the mention of her name, their four-year-old daughter Jazzlyn came running over, arms full of Christmas decorations she'd been playing with. "Daddy, look! I made this one just for you!" she said, proudly holding up a shiny ornament.

Tom's expression softened even further, and he reached down to scoop Jazzlyn into his lap, next to Ana. "You did? Well, I guess I have no choice but to hang it on the tree, don't I?" he said, his voice warm and teasing.

Rosie beamed at the sight of him surrounded by their daughters. "See? Completely wrapped around their little fingers."

Jazzlyn giggled and, in her excitement, started braiding bits of tinsel into Tom's hair. Rosie laughed, watching the scene unfold with amusement. "Oh, Tom, you're really embracing the holiday look, aren't you?"

Tom gave her a long-suffering sigh but couldn't hide the fondness in his eyes as he let Jazzlyn continue her task. "You're all conspiring against me, I swear."

Danielle leaned forward, grinning. "Oh, don't worry, Tom. We're just here to make sure you don't lose your edge. You're still the cold, calculating Tom Riddle... except when it comes to Ana, Rosie, and Jazzlyn."

Rosie winked at him, her tone teasing. "And don't forget, he's still the most serious one in the family... just with a few extra sparkles now."

Esmie, watching the whole scene, grinned and whispered to Enzo, "He's definitely soft."

Levi entered the room, tinsel still draped over his shoulder, catching the tail end of the conversation. "What did I miss?" he asked with a grin, glancing around.

"Just Tom's soft side making an appearance again," Danielle said with a laugh.

Levi laughed, glancing over at Tom, who shot him a warning look. "Soft side, huh? I'll believe that when I see it."

Danielle leaned closer to Levi, her smirk playful. "Trust me, it's there. Ana and Jazzlyn have got him completely wrapped around their fingers."

Tom's warning look shifted to Danielle, though it was more amused than annoyed. "Careful, Dani. You're treading on thin ice."

Levi raised his hands in mock surrender, grinning. "I'm just saying, if you've gone soft, Tom, I'm taking notes for the future."

Tom's eyes narrowed slightly, though there was a hint of amusement in his gaze. "Just remember, Levi... no one will ever be good enough for Dani."

Levi gulped dramatically, though his grin remained. "Noted."

Danielle rolled her eyes, though her smile didn't waver. "You two are impossible."

As the teasing died down, the room filled once again with laughter and chatter. Esmie leaned against Enzo, feeling the warmth of the fire and the joy of the gathering settle around them, even Tom, for all his seriousness, seemed relaxed, his focus returning to Ana and Jazzlyn, who giggled happily in his lap as they played with Christmas ornaments. The festive spirit lingered, wrapping them all in a rare moment of peace and contentment.

"Come on, Mie, I want to give you your gift," Enzo said with a grin, his voice warm as he motioned for Esmie to follow him.

"You didn't have to get me anything, Sweets," Esmie replied, placing the Christmas cracker aside and following him with curiosity gleaming in her eyes. They made their way back to his bedroom, where Enzo walked over to his dresser and pulled out a small, neatly wrapped box. He turned back to Esmie, his expression soft as he handed it to her.

Esmie raised an eyebrow, smiling as she took the gift from him. "What's this?"

"Open it, love," Enzo said, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.

Esmie nodded, carefully unwrapping the box before lifting the lid. Inside, nestled on a bed of velvet, was a delicate infinity bracelet, the silver glinting softly in the light. Esmie's breath caught as she gently lifted it out, her fingers brushing over the intricate design. As she turned it over in her hands, she noticed a small engraving on the underside. Her smile deepened as she read the inscription aloud.

"You're my forever, Mie."

Her heart fluttered as she looked up at Enzo, meeting his gaze. His soft smile made her chest tighten with affection. Without a word, he leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. Esmie smiled into the kiss before pulling back slightly, her eyes sparkling with emotion.

"You always know how to make me feel special," she whispered, then reached into her bag to pull out a small gift wrapped in silver paper. "Your turn. I hope you like it."

Enzo took the gift from her hands, his curiosity piqued as he tore the wrapping open. Inside was a leather-bound book. He glanced at Esmie with a raised eyebrow before flipping it open.

"Go on," Esmie encouraged, her tone soft.

As Enzo flipped through the pages, a wide smile spread across his face. The book was filled with photos of the two of them together—moments frozen in time from their years at Hogwarts, their travels, and their quiet, everyday moments. Each page was filled with handwritten quotes, notes from Esmie, and little mementos—pressed flowers, a tiny ticket stub, even a sketch of a place they'd visited together.

"It's incredible," Enzo said, his voice thick with emotion. "But what is it, exactly?"

"It's a scrapbook of our memories," Esmie explained softly, her cheeks flushing with warmth. "I wanted to put something together that showed all the little things that remind me of you. All the things that make us... us."

Enzo paused, his fingers lingering on a page that held a small, handwritten quote from one of their late-night talks, and his heart swelled. He set the book down and cupped Esmie's face, leaning in to kiss her again, this time slower, more tender.

"You've outdone yourself, Es," he whispered against her lips. "This is amazing. Thank you."

Esmie blushed, feeling a wave of warmth as Enzo gently clasped the infinity bracelet around her wrist. He smiled as he admired the bracelet for a moment, then bent down and pressed a delicate kiss to her wrist, his lips brushing against her skin.

"Looks perfect on you," he murmured, his voice low.

Esmie's heart fluttered again, but she laughed softly, pulling him up to his feet. "We should probably head back downstairs before everyone wonders where we've disappeared to," she said, her smile widening.

Enzo chuckled, nodding in agreement as he stood. "Yeah, can't let them think we're slacking off."

Hand in hand, they walked back downstairs to rejoin their friends in the living room. As they entered, the warmth of the room enveloped them, laughter and chatter filling the air. Enzo placed his hand gently on the small of Esmie's back, guiding her toward their usual spot among their friends.

Everyone was gathered around the crackling fireplace, the warmth and festive glow creating the perfect atmosphere. Christmas crackers popped, and the room was filled with laughter, the kind of laughter that only comes when you're surrounded by the people you love most. Esmie glanced around, her heart swelling with gratitude for the friends, the love, and the magic of the season that surrounded her. With Enzo by her side, his arm resting gently around her waist, she felt like she was exactly where she was meant to be.

Enzo's hand remained steady on her back, his warmth and presence a comforting weight as they soaked in the coziness of the room. "Merry Christmas, darling," he whispered softly into her ear, his breath warm against her skin.

Esmie smiled, her heart full. "Merry Christmas, Sweets."

Before long, the guests started arriving, and the atmosphere of the party filled with warmth and excitement. Esmie was mid-conversation with Rosie, laughing over shared memories of their Hogwarts days, when she felt a familiar hand on her arm. Enzo stood beside her, his playful grin and sparkling eyes signaling mischief.

"Come on," he said softly, but with a clear glint of adventure in his voice.

"Oh?" Esmie glanced at Rosie, who gave her a knowing smile, before letting Enzo take her hand and lead her outside. A cold gust of winter air hit her face as they stepped onto the snow-covered grounds, the night sky twinkling above. Their friends followed close behind, murmuring with curiosity. The crunch of snow underfoot and the crisp smell of pine trees filled the air as they gathered under the stars.

"What's going on?" Esmie asked, glancing around as her curiosity grew.

"We thought we'd have some fun," Enzo whispered, his breath warm against her cheek as he pressed a soft kiss to the side of her head. His eyes flicked toward Mattheo, who stood a few feet away with his signature smirk already forming.

Esmie barely had time to react before a snowball came hurtling through the air, hitting her square in the chest.

"Mattheo!" she squealed, her laughter ringing through the night as she crouched down to gather a handful of snow. She packed it tightly into a snowball and flung it in Mattheo's direction. Her aim, unfortunately, went slightly off, and the snowball smacked straight into Tom's face instead.

The air froze for a moment as Esmie gasped in horror, while the rest of the group burst into laughter. "I am so, so sorry!" she stammered, her eyes wide as she stared at Tom, whose normally composed face was now covered in snow.

Tom wiped the snow from his face with deliberate calmness, his expression unreadable at first. "You should be," he replied coolly. But before Esmie could even open her mouth to apologise further, Tom swiftly packed his own snowball and, with precision, threw it back at her, hitting her square in the chest again.

Esmie stood there, momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter. "Oh, it's on," she declared, bending down to scoop up another pile of snow. The group erupted into chaos as a full-blown snowball fight broke out, laughter and shouts filling the cold night air.

Genevieve, watching the snowballs fly around her, couldn't resist jumping into the fray. She ducked behind Mattheo, tugging at the back of his coat with a playful grin. "You're my shield, Riddle!" she teased, trying to avoid the barrage of snow coming from all sides.

Mattheo glanced over his shoulder at her, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "If I'm your shield, you better be prepared to fight back," he challenged, packing a snowball in his hand.

Genevieve's eyes glinted with mischief as she quickly formed a snowball of her own. "Oh, I'm ready!" she shot back, hurling the snowball over Mattheo's shoulder and hitting Draco square in the back of the head.

Draco whipped around, his expression a mix of shock and indignation. "Who threw that?" he demanded, wiping the snow from his hair. His eyes landed on Genevieve, who was trying (and failing) to stifle her laughter.

Genevieve ducked behind Mattheo again, giggling. "Not me!" she called out, her voice filled with mock innocence.

"Coward," Mattheo muttered under his breath, though he couldn't hide his grin. He lobbed a snowball at Theo, who was darting between trees, trying to avoid being hit.

Meanwhile, Danielle, standing off to the side, spotted her opening. Grinning wickedly, she packed a snowball with deadly accuracy and hurled it at Tom, who was too busy aiming at Ron to notice. The snowball hit him squarely in the face.

Danielle burst into laughter, doubling over with glee. "Oh, the great Tom Riddle, taken down by a snowball!"

Tom, once again, wiped the snow from his face with that same calm precision, his expression unreadable for a moment, but then, slowly, a smirk tugged at his lips. Without a word, he packed another snowball and sent it flying toward Danielle, hitting her on the shoulder.

"Laugh it up, Dani," Tom called, his voice cool but tinged with amusement.

Danielle narrowed her eyes, her competitive streak flaring up. "Oh, you're so going to regret that!" she shouted, quickly forming another snowball and launching it at Tom, who dodged it with ease, his smirk growing wider.

Levi, standing nearby, had been watching the back-and-forth with a grin. Seizing the moment, he packed a snowball and tossed it lightly at Danielle, hitting her arm. "Hey, you're supposed to be on my team!" he teased, feigning betrayal.

Danielle laughed, raising an eyebrow at him. "Who said anything about teams?"

Levi clutched his chest dramatically. "You wound me, Dani! I thought we were allies."

"Only when it benefits me," Danielle shot back with a wink, her voice filled with playful flirtation.

Mattheo, watching the banter between Levi and Danielle, shook his head with a chuckle. "She's ruthless, Fisher. You better keep up."

Levi grinned, grabbing another snowball. "Oh, I can handle her."

"Is that a challenge?" Danielle asked, her eyes gleaming with competitive fire as she readied her next snowball.

Genevieve, meanwhile, grinned as she packed another snowball and threw it at Mattheo. "I'll help you take him down, Levi!" she called out, her laughter bubbling up as the snowball hit Mattheo squarely in the shoulder.

Mattheo turned slowly, narrowing his eyes at her with mock menace. "That was a mistake, Hart."

Genevieve giggled, taking a few quick steps back. "Oh, I'd love to see you try and catch me," she teased, throwing another snowball at him and sprinting off toward the trees.

Mattheo smirked as he packed two more snowballs and began to pursue her. "You're going to regret that."

The snowball fight continued, with snow flying in every direction and laughter filling the air. Esmie ducked behind a tree with Ginny, both peeking out to launch surprise attacks on the others.

"Es, get down!" Ginny yelled as another snowball whizzed past them, narrowly missing Esmie's head.

Esmie ducked and laughed, quickly throwing a snowball at Draco and hitting him squarely in the back. "Ten points to Gryffindor for hitting Draco Malfoy!" she shouted triumphantly.

Draco turned, narrowing his eyes at her. "That's not how the points system works, Grisky."

"Well, it's better than losing points, Malfoy," Esmie teased, sticking her tongue out at him.

"Pretty sure Gryffindor would disown you if you lost any more points," Ron added from behind a snowbank, barely avoiding a snowball from Theo.

"There's always a place for you in Slytherin, Mie," Enzo called, dodging another snowball as he made his way toward her.

Esmie grinned, throwing another snowball at him. "I'll stay loyal to Gryffindor, thank you very much!" she said with a laugh, though her aim was off once again. Instead of hitting Enzo, the snowball hit Genevieve right in the back.

Genevieve spun around, clutching her chest dramatically. "You too, Esmie?"

"Sorry, Gen!" Esmie called, giggling as Enzo wrapped his arms around her from behind.

As the snowball fight started to wind down, Rosie called out, "We're heading back to Ana and Jazzy!" She and Tom, along with a few others, made their way back inside, leaving the core group of Esmie, Enzo, Theo, Mattheo, Genevieve, Danielle, Levi, and Elsie outside under the falling snow.

Theo, as usual, had other plans. "Come on, follow me!" he called out with a mischievous grin, waving for the others to follow him deeper into the trees.

Esmie raised an eyebrow, exchanging a curious look with Danielle. "Where's he taking us now?" Danielle muttered, looping her arm through Levi's as they trudged through the snow.

"With Theo, it could be anything," Esmie replied, intrigued as she and Enzo followed behind.

The group soon arrived at a small, hidden shed nestled among the trees. Theo opened the door with a flourish, stepping inside first and motioning for the rest to follow. The others exchanged curious glances before filing in behind him.

"What are we doing in here?" Elsie asked, looking around the dimly lit shed.

Theo grinned, revealing his secret stash—several bottles of Firewhisky and a small collection of cigarettes hidden in the back. Esmie couldn't help but laugh as she sat down beside him, already sensing the chaotic energy that was about to unfold.

"We're having some fun," Theo declared, lighting a cigarette and handing it to Elsie before taking one for himself. Danielle rolled her eyes but settled down beside Levi, leaning into him as they sat on an old bench.

Levi shot her a playful smile. "Always an adventure with this lot, huh?"

Danielle chuckled, resting her head on his shoulder. "It wouldn't be Christmas without a little Theo-brand chaos."

As the group passed around the Firewhisky and cigarettes, the atmosphere grew warmer, filled with laughter and easy conversation. Esmie leaned back against Enzo, feeling the heat from the alcohol and the buzz of excitement settling over her.

Genevieve, seated beside Mattheo, leaned into him with a flirtatious grin. "You know," she said in a teasing voice, "for someone who's so tough during a snowball fight, you sure let me hit you a lot."

Mattheo raised an eyebrow, smirking down at her. "I'm just giving you a false sense of security, Hart. Don't get used to it."

Genevieve laughed, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. "Oh, is that so? Maybe you're just afraid of me."

Mattheo chuckled, slipping his arm around her waist and pulling her closer. "Afraid? Not a chance."

Genevieve's eyes sparkled as she leaned up to brush her lips against his jaw. "We'll see about that, Riddle."

From across the shed, Danielle noticed the flirtatious exchange and rolled her eyes with a grin. "You two are worse than Esmie and Enzo," she teased, tossing a crumpled piece of paper at them.

Genevieve grinned, leaning back in Mattheo's arms. "Jealous?"

Danielle laughed, shaking her head. "Hardly. I just think it's funny that Mattheo's pretending to let you win."

Genevieve raised an eyebrow. "Pretending? I am winning."

Theo, noticing the banter, leaned forward with a grin. "I think it's time for a game. Who's up for some Would You Rather?"

Esmie immediately perked up, excitement lighting up her face. "Yes! We haven't played that in forever!"

Levi groaned dramatically, leaning back against the wall. "I'm not sure I'm ready for Esmie's Would You Rather questions."

Genevieve grinned mischievously, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Oh, this is going to be good. Hit us with your worst, Esmie."

Esmie thought for a moment, her devilish smile growing wider. "Alright, would you rather have nipples for eyes or eyes for nipples?"

The group burst into laughter and groans of disbelief. Enzo stared at his girlfriend, "What on earth?"

Genevieve was quick to answer, laughing as she spoke. "Eyes for nipples, definitely. Nipples for eyes would be way too creepy."

Mattheo raised an eyebrow, his smirk never fading. "And eyes for nipples wouldn't be?"

Genevieve shrugged with a grin. "At least I could cover them up easily."

"Point taken," Mattheo replied, chuckling softly.

Danielle groaned, leaning into Levi. "Oh, it gets worse. Just wait."

Esmie was nearly in hysterics, laughing uncontrollably as the game continued. The Firewhisky flowed, and the conversation grew wilder as the night went on.

After a while, Esmie suddenly jumped to her feet, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "I want to go on an adventure!" she exclaimed, flinging the shed door open dramatically and dashing out into the snow.

Genevieve burst into laughter, leaning into Mattheo. "She's on a whole new level tonight!"

"She's always been on a different level," Mattheo replied, shaking his head in amusement as they watched Esmie run through the snow.

"Let's just hope Enzo can keep up with her," Danielle giggled, watching as Enzo sighed, rolled his eyes, and followed Esmie out into the night.

Esmie was already twirling in circles in the snow when Enzo caught up to her. "Hi, darling. What are you doing?" he asked, watching her with amusement.

"I want to give the earth a hug!" Esmie shouted, before dramatically diving into the snow, face-first.

Enzo laughed, watching as she sputtered and spat out mouthfuls of snow. "Esmie," he chuckled, shaking his head. He reached down to help her up, but Esmie grabbed his hand and, with surprising strength, pulled him down into the snow with her.

Enzo gasped in surprise, landing beside her with a thud. "Esmeralda! You're an idiot," he said, though his voice was full of affection as he brushed snow off his face.

"You love me," Esmie teased, grinning up at him.

Enzo sighed dramatically, but there was no hiding his smile. "You're right, I do."

As they lay in the snow together, their laughter blending with the soft crunch of the snow around them, Enzo leaned in to kiss her. The cold melted away as their lips met, the warmth of the moment surrounding them.

But after a moment, Enzo pulled away, sitting up and shaking his head. "Please get up out of the snow before you end up with a cold, baby."

"The snow is soft," Esmie murmured, closing her eyes and relaxing into the cold ground.

Enzo sighed again, this time more fond than frustrated. He leaned down and scooped her up into his arms. "Alright, let's get you inside before you catch a cold," he said, carrying her back toward the manor.

As they neared the door, Danielle and Levi emerged from the shed, their laughter still echoing from inside. "There's the lovebirds," Danielle teased, walking over with Levi beside her. "Having a little romantic snow dive, are we?"

Enzo smirked, carrying Esmie easily. "She's too much sometimes."

Levi grinned, looking at Esmie who was still smiling sleepily in Enzo's arms. "Looks like she's had a blast. Good luck getting her inside without causing a scene."

"Oh, I think I can manage," Enzo said with a chuckle, shifting Esmie in his arms as he made his way into the manor, dodging lingering guests as they made their way to their room.

Once they were safely inside their bedroom, Enzo gently laid Esmie on the bed and went to the closet, grabbing a warm set of clothes for her. When he turned back, Esmie was curled up on the bed, still giggling softly to herself.

"Comfortable, Mie?" Enzo asked, walking over with a soft smile.

"Yes," Esmie replied, her voice soft as she gazed up at him.

Enzo sat beside her, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Let's get you into some warm clothes, okay?" he suggested, pulling her up gently.

Esmie nodded, beginning to strip off her snow-dampened clothes. Enzo quickly looked away, biting his lip as he tried to focus anywhere else, but Esmie noticed, and with a cheeky smile, she walked closer and kissed him softly on the lips.

Enzo chuckled, kissing her back before gently pulling away. "Let's get you dressed, baby," he murmured, helping her into the fresh, warm clothes he had picked out.

Once she was dressed, Esmie climbed back onto the bed, lying down beside him as she admired his features. "You have the prettiest eyes, Lorenzo," she said softly.

Enzo smiled, leaning down to kiss her. "I think your eyes are prettier, Princess," he replied, his voice warm.

Esmie smiled into the kiss, then snuggled closer, her arms wrapping around him as she nestled into his chest. "This has been the bestest Christmas ever," she mumbled sleepily.

Enzo chuckled softly, stroking her hair. "Bestest isn't a word, baby, but yeah, it has been amazing. I'm so happy I got to spend it with you. I love you so much."

Esmie smiled, her eyes fluttering closed as she snuggled into him. "I love you too."

As she drifted off into a peaceful sleep, the sound of Danielle and Levi's laughter still carried faintly from outside. The night had been wild and filled with fun, but for Esmie, being in Enzo's arms was the perfect end to a perfect Christmas.

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We love a happy chapter 🫶🏻

Enjoy! Xo

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