christmas.

The Slytherin common room was quiet and warm, the green flames in the fireplace flickering softly. Snow fell outside the windows, covering the world in white.

You sat on the couch, wrapped in a blanket with a cup of hot cocoa in your hands, watching everyone open their gifts.

Regulus unwrapped a leather-bound book and nodded.

“Another addition to the library,”

he said, ignoring Blaise’s smirk.

Blaise held up a pair of snake-shaped cufflinks, tilting his head.

“And they say I’m predictable,”

he teased.

Draco sat near the fire, admiring a silver pocket watch.

“Practical and elegant,”

he said, earning an eye-roll from Pansy. She twirled a new emerald pendant in her fingers, clearly pleased despite herself.

Theo leaned on the arm of the couch beside you, looking at a star map.

“Of course Regulus would get something cosmic,”

he said quietly, though you could tell he liked it.

Tom Riddle sat apart from the others, holding an old, emerald-green book. For once, his expression wasn’t cold. He looked at you briefly and gave a small, rare smile.

Mattheo sprawled on the floor, grinning as he slipped on a black dragonhide jacket.

“Now this,”

he said,

“..is legendary.”