Learn to Fly

Draco, Vince, Greg and Alora were on their way to lunch, when they passed a group of whispering sixth year girls. Alora knew exactly what they were talking about.

"Everyone's talking about the Valentine's Day Ball. I mean, Christmas is only in three days! Why can't they talk about that?"

Vince smiled knowingly.

"Well, you have to admit, it is exciting."

"And everyone wants dates so they don't show up alone," added Greg.

Draco glanced at them.

"So, have you two got dates?"

Greg flushed and Vince grinned.

"I'm going with Millicent and Greg's going with Pansy."

"WHAT?!"

Draco and Alora yelled this in unison. Greg grinned bashfully.

Alora smiled painfully at him.

"Oh, Greg, mate. What was going through your head when you agreed to that?"

Draco was frozen with shock.

"I don't like her or anything, but she kept hassling me. I had to say yes. Really, I think she's trying to get back at you, Draco."

Draco suddenly smiled.

"No offence, but better you than me, mate."

Greg laughed.

"Yeah, she's been clinging to you like you're joined with spello-tape. Why does she want to get back at you?"

Draco stared absentmindedly at the ceiling.

"Maybe because I didn't want to go with her. And maybe because I'm going with someone else."

"Who?" pressed Vince.

Draco elegantly draped an arm around Alora's shoulders. Vince's eyes widened.

"Alora? You're going with Ally? Our Ally?"

Alora grinned.

"Don't act so surprised. And cut that out, Draco."

Draco quickly removed his arm.

"Yes, ma'am."

*

Alora woke bright and early on Christmas morning. Moving quietly so as not to wake the others, she began to open her small pile of presents.

Her Grandparents had sent her a beautiful, new pair of jeans and a warm, cool-looking black jumper. Her Nanna and Poppy always loved to indulge her fondness of muggle stuff. Her Uncle Wazza had sent had sent her a book of essential broom care and some new CD's and Greg and Vince had pooled in together to buy her a basket of her favourite sweets.

Glad I sent the guys presents.

There was a card from Draco saying that he had a surprise for her later. Almost bouncing with excitement, Alora reached for the last gift, which was about the size of a matchbox.

Inside was a small bottle and a note. It read:

Dearest Ally,

Merry Christmas, sweetheart! I miss you and hope to see you soon.

Love, Dad.

On closer inspection, she saw the bottle was filled with an invisibility potion.

Ah, I get it. Clever Dad.

"Merry Christmas, Alora. How long have you been awake?"

Alora turned to smile at Luna Lovegood.

"Merry Christmas, Luna. Not long. What did you get?"

"Dad sent me a new set of dress robes with shoes to match."

"Cool. You know, I think I'll go take a nice long bath."

Luna nodded.

"Just watch out for Grooblers. They hide in the plumbing."

Gathering up her new clothes, a towel and (sneakily) Severus's potion, Alora headed for the door.

"Thanks for the tip. Seeya."

After an extremely quick bath, Alora pulled on her new clothes and drank the contents of the bottle. Suddenly light-headed, she sat on the ground and waited for the feeling to pass. When it did, Alora inspected the mirror. Satisfied that she was completely invisible, Alora headed for Severus's office.

*

Severus was sleeping soundly when soft knocking on the door jerked him for his dreams. Rubbing his eyes, he glanced at the clock.

Six am? Must be Alora.

There was knocking again.

"Okay, okay. Gimme a break," he mumbled sleepily.

Opening the door, an invisible force brushed past him.

Better be sure.

"Who's there?"

He felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Chill, Dad. It's me."

Severus sighed with relief.

"Sit on the bed and I'll get the antidote."

He grabbed a bottle and held it out to the bed. It floated out of his hand and its contents disappeared into thin air. Then, before his eyes, appeared his smiling daughter.

"Merry Christmas, Dad."

Severus sat down and pulled her into a hug.

"Merry Christmas, Ally."

Holding her at arms length, he studied her face.

"You're growing into a lady so fast. I can barely keep up."

Alora grinned.

Silently, Severus stood up and walked over to his trunk. After rustling through it, he came back with a small, black velvet box.

"Here's your present. I hope you like it."

Opening it, Alora gasped with delight, pulling out a tiny, silver figure on a fine silver chain. The figure was a faceless woman grasping a silver star above her.

"Oh, Dad! It's beautiful!"

Severus leaned over to help her put it on.

"Wear it with pride. It belonged to my great-grandmother. She passed it on to my grandmother and she passed it on to my mother.

"I was an only child, so when she died, I kept it, in hopes that one day I would have a daughter of my own to pass it onto."

Alora threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek.

"I'll treasure it always."

Glancing over his shoulder, she spotted a brightly wrapped parcel at the end of his bed.

"You haven't opened my present yet."

Reaching over, he opened it to find a pair of black, leather gloves. They had his initials stitched into the cuff with silver thread.

"They're great. Thankyou, Sweetheart."

*

Alora sighed happily as she walked into the Great Hall for Christmas lunch. Eyeing the Head Table, she smiled when she saw Severus wearing his new gloves. Scanning the rest of the hall, she saw Greg, Vince and Draco waving for her to come over.

"Merry Christmas!" they all cried in greeting.

Draco pulled out a chair beside him.

"Ally, sit with us for lunch."

"I don't know," she said, glancing at her father.

"Ally, Pansy isn't here. Neither are her gang. Come on, it's Christmas."

Alora rolled her eyes.

"Really? Wow, I thought it was April Fools."

"Ha ha."

"It's the time of year you should spend with your friends," added Greg.

"Come on, Ally," pleaded Vince.

Noticing where Alora was looking, Draco whispered, "Don't worry about Snape. We can handle him."

Laughing, Alora (under her father's glare) sat down.

"Try the turkey," said Draco, moving a plate towards her.

*

After lunch, Alora decided to go for a walk. Draco joined her. They strolled together through the snow in a comfortable silence.

When they reached the lake, Alora brushed the snow off a large tree root and sat down next to Draco, watching people skate on the lake's frozen surface.

"Isn't it beautiful, Draco? I love the snow. We never get it in Australia, unless you live in the Hills."

"Yeah. I guess I take it for granted sometimes."

Draco cleared his throat.

"Ally, I haven't given you your present yet."

Alora's eyes widened.

"Oh, yeah. Well, I can see you like mine."

Draco smiled as he fondly touched the green and blue-striped scarf around his neck.

"It's great. It's supposed to represent us, isn't it? Slytherin and Ravenclaw."

"Yeah. That and I like the colours."

Draco chuckled as he reached into his pocket. He presented a small purple box with a silver ribbon.

Alora opened the box to find a delicate, silver bracelet with a heart clasp.

"Oh, Draco! I can't accept this! It's way too much!"

Draco smiled.

"Nonsense! Nothing but the best for my friends."

Draco leaned over and put the bracelet on her slender wrist. Alora blushed.

"I don't know what to say."

"Just tell me the truth."

Alora fingered the bracelet and whispered, "It's beautiful. Thankyou."

She then slowly leaned over and softly kissed his cheek. Draco stared at her, dumbstruck.

"Alora, I...uh..."

Alora smiled and he stopped stuttering.

"You're welcome."

Alora stood, brushed the snow from her jeans and gave a delicate shiver.

"Come on, it's getting cold."

They were heading towards the castle, when Draco pulled off his cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders.

"You didn't have to do that," murmured Alora, blushing.

Draco gazed at his feet and murmured, "I know, but I wanted to."

When they reached the Entrance Hall, she handed Draco back his cloak.

"Thanks for that."

"You're welcome."

Alora started up the stairs and heard Draco call out to her.

"Merry Christmas, Ally."

Alora looked back and smiled.

"Merry Christmas, Draco."