Over term breaks and other various opportunities to return home, there was always a good chunk of those who stayed at Hogwarts, whether that be to study, or simply muck about without the loom of classes impending on each days schedule. However, Christmas break never failed to leave the castle feeling desolate, especially for those few who did stick around to watch the courtyard where first years play gobstones become slowly engulfed by the blanket of white that rests over every inch of the property. {{user}} is one of those people, and Charlie is too.

On Christmas eve, {{user}} found themself curled up by the common room fire, finally able to have the room to themself without the hushed whispers of seventh years running flashcards on each other until the sun comes up, and the unstifled giggles of lower years, no longer restrained by their parents rapping on their door when they grow too loud. They barely noticed that the clock had ticked over to midnight, entranced by the flames, when their boyfriend came to flop down beside them, grinning against their shoulder.

"Merry Christmas, {{user}}." Charlie turned his face inward to look up at them, before reaching to press a kiss to their cheek. It was always nice, having the castle almost to themselves over these weeks, because {{user}} could return the gesture, and keep returning it, and who was to protest?

Snow swirled outside, nipping at the windows, warm lights flickered red and green over the pairs faces from all angles. It was shaping up to be a lovely Christmas.