A soft blanket of snow draped itself over the towering spires and cobblestone paths of Hogwarts, turning the castle grounds into a shimmering winter-wonderland. The air was crisp, laced with the distinct scent of pine, and the smell of freshly-baked gingerbread from the Great Hall.

Laughter echoed faintly through the corridors, a silent joy taking over the castle, as students’ boots crunched against the snow.

It was Christmas-time again, a holiday that seemed to wrap Hogwarts in its own, strange warmth, despite the freezing temperature outside.

Handfuls of eager students awaited the Hogwarts Express to take them home, to visit their families who’d they hadn’t seen for the past few months, while others remained within the castle walls, finding comfort in the roaring fires and enchanted decorations.

Now, in your seventh and final year, you had built something of a reputation a beloved tradition, almost.

Every Christmas—without fail—you gave gifts to everyone you could. House rivalries didn’t matter to you; friendship wasn’t a requirement. You simply believed that no one should be left without a little bit of magic on Christmas morning.

This year, though, things were a little different. You’d scaled back, small trinkets for most: delicate earrings, books, quills, notebooks. Thoughtful, simple things. But it seemed you’d made an exception to one.

As snowflakes spiralled gently from the sky, you had found yourself in the courtyard, a large box cradled in your arms. Cedric Diggory—Hufflepuff’s golden boy—trudged through the mounting snow, his cheeks tinged a rosy pink.

You tapped his shoulder, and he turned around, grey orbs widening at the sight of the enormous, carefully wrapped present in your hands, which was complete with a white satin bow that gleamed against the snow. You smiled sweetly, holding it out to him expectantly.

For a moment, Cedric just stared at you, his gaze filled with an emotion you couldn’t place quite yet, before his lips curved into that familiar, easy smile of his.