On Christmas morning, Emily and Alicia awoke to piles of presents on the end of their beds. “Happy Christmas!” Emily exclaimed as Alicia rubbed her eyes with the back of her hands.

“Happy Christmas!” Alicia repeated.

Emily turned her attention back to her presents. On top of the pile was a note from Draco. She smiled even though they had been fighting lately.

Ems,
You’re a present short because I want to give you yours in person. So, when I see you this morning, I’ll give it you. Love you.
Draco.

Emily gently put the note on her bedside table before opening her homework planner from Hermione and spell books from Sirius. Lupin got her the usual sweets and a new trench coat with matching rain boots. Harry bought her new guitar picks and something for her broom with another note of apology while George, Fred, Ginny, and Ron went in on a radio that plays music from any era, including the future. Alicia and Jamie got her a matching bracelet for the necklace Jamie had gotten her a while back.

She moved over to Alicia’s bed, sitting at the end of it while Alicia opened her presents. She recognized the homework planner from Hermione and some sweets and items from the joke shop from George, Fred, Ginny, and Ron. Draco had given her some sapphire earrings. She opened a large box from Jamie, which enclosed a gorgeous red, sweater dress.

“He has pretty good taste for a guy,” Emily commented as she looked over the dress. Alicia just laughed at her as she ran her hands through the material.

She opened Emily’s present next, which was a slim friendship bracelet, with a Sisters charm hanging from it. The bracelet was charmed to change colors to whatever mood Alicia was in. So, whatever color her hair was, her bracelet would be.

Getting dressed, Emily put her new blue Weasley sweater on over a white undershirt with white skinny jeans and blue ballet flats. She made her hair drop in ringlets down the middle of her back. Alicia finished getting ready around the same time. She was wearing her new dress with her friendship bracelet around her wrist. The boys walked in shortly after, wearing smiles.

“I would say let’s go down and eat, but Aunt Molly’s crying again,” Jamie said as he shook his head and kissed Alicia’s forehead.

“What? Why?” Emily asked, perplexed.

“Percy sent back his jumper without a note,” Jamie said, his eyebrows furrowed.

“Happy Christmas,” Draco whispered as he kissed Emily’s cheek.

“Happy Christmas,” Emily repeated as she pecked him on the lips. She smiled as she noticed what he was wearing. She had gotten him a few articles of Muggle clothing because he owned none. His long sleeve, buttoned up shirt was a pale blue, which made his eyes look like they had a hint of blue in them.

“Thanks for the picture, Alicia,” Draco murmured quietly with a smile. She had given him a picture of the four of them by the lake. Alicia nodded with a grin on her face. Emily had no idea why she was smiling that largely, but she shrugged it off.

“So, I guess it’s time to give you my present?” he said, unsure.

“Okay,” she whispered. She wasn’t sure why, but her stomach knotted up and her palms grew sweaty.

Draco led her over to her bed and they sat across from each other, their knees grazing. He took a deep breath and pulled out a small jewelry box from his inside pockets. Emily stared at it as he placed it on her knee. Alicia and Jamie had moved forward slightly to see what it was. With shaky hands, she picked up the small box and flipped it open with her thumb.

“Draco, it’s…” Emily couldn’t think of a good enough word to describe the ring that was now sitting in the palm of her hand. Its slender band was white gold, the diamond in the middle of the ring a glistening sea green. It was the exact shade of her eyes.

“It’s a promise ring,” Draco whispered as he stared at her face, scrutinizing her expression.

“A promise ring,” she repeated.

Draco gently put his hand around hers, taking the ring from her palm. He slipped it onto her left middle finger and then intertwined their fingers. “I promise to love you Forever and Always.” Emily looked up, meeting his eyes. She scooted over to him, leaning her head against his chest.

“I promise to love you Forever and Always, too,” she whispered as she kissed his neck.

Alicia and Jamie sat down across from them as Alicia grabbed the hand with the promise ring on it.

“He has pretty good taste for a guy,” Alicia grinned.

Emily started laughing as the boys just looked at them in confusion. Emily just shook her head at Draco as he was about to ask.

They all sat around and talked for a while before deciding that it might be safe to go downstairs. As they entered the basement, they noticed Mrs. Weasley by the oven, cooking. She sounded as if she had a bad cold when she told them Happy Christmas. They avoided looking at her as much as they could while the others all clambered down the stairs and joined them. Ron, Harry, and Hermione all wandered over to Kreacher’s “bedroom” because Hermione had a gift for him. Emily snickered as Ron grimaced at the smell, but stopped when they started talking about the possibility of Kreacher leaving.

Emily’s eyebrows furrowed as she thought about the last time she had seen Kreacher. It was the night they came back. If he had left-left, then he could have went to Lucius and Bellatrix. Emily side glanced at Draco, who was nibbling on a piece of toast. He caught her gaze, taking in her worry. If Kreacher went to them, he could tell them where they were. Where Draco was. She shook the thoughts from her mind; he wasn’t able to tell where the Headquarters was.

After brunch, they all left for St. Mungo’s, escorted by Mad-Eye and Remus. The ride was shorter than normal, with there being no traffic. They passed a witch with the walnut jammed up her nostril and made their way to Mr. Weasley’s room.

After Molly discovered that Arthur had been trying a few Muggle remedies, everyone suddenly fancied a cup of tea and left them to it. As the door shut behind them, they heard Mrs. Weasley scream,

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT’S THE GENERAL IDEA?”

Emily snickered as they walked down the hall of the hospital, far away from the irate Molly.

TAAGGG!!!