Winter's Wonderland

On Christmas morning snow blanketed the grounds around Hogwarts. The few students that had stayed at school were outside, enjoying a respite from the ongoing war, out- and inside the walls of the school.

Harry and Ron could be found in a middle of a snowball war with Seamus and Dean, whose parents had decided they were much safer at school than home. Hermione sat on a blanket near the action, reading material for N.E.W.T.S and laughing at the fight. When a stray ball hit her, she made one of her own and joined in. Even the bookworm knew when to concede and just enjoy the gift of happiness.

Hannah Abbott and Susan Bones busy building a snowman with Ernie Macmillan and Michael Corners. The head was rather lopsided, but cute nonetheless. At least it had been until Malfoy blew it up with his wand from the Quidditch pitch. Hooch hadn't been happy about that since she was an innocent bystander just walking by. Slytherin had been docked 20 points and Malfoy barely missed detention; holiday spirit cleared him of teaching first years how to fly properly.

Near the lake the Creevy brothers were watching the whole scene in amusement. When Nott tried to attack them out of spite, the giant squid had thrown a boulder at the boy, purposely missing. It seemed that while in the water, Dennis and the squid had exchanged pleasantries, at least until Hagrid had fished the boy out. Next to the brothers were a few Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students from their years, scowling at the Slytherins.

Neville was shivering at the window in Gryffindor's tower. He didn't feel like joining the fun. Memories of his parents haunted him on days like this. Presents were scarce. His grandmum had never found it necessary to give him anything more than clothes, and out of date ones at that. Trevor couldn't give presents, being a frog and all, and no matter how much he tried, he wasn't part of any circle. He was alone most of the time, at least when it mattered the most.

He spotted a redheaded girl heading towards a third year Hufflepuff girl; he supposed it was to help her build the snow fort that hadn't really progressed in the hour he had been watching. He remembered the crush and heartache it had caused with that particular redhead. Ginny was never meant to be his, no matter how much he wished it. He realized that now. She had another path, to walk beside the mighty, not the weak like him. No, she was unattainable; that meant he was left alone, shivering in the cold.

Finally, the too quiet tower sent him outside, to at least be among the living. Hermione noticed him and called him over, but he just shook his head. Another ill-fated crush. He wondered when Ron was going to admit to liking the other girl and do something about it already. He sure would have. Harry hadn't even noticed him. Nothing unusual there. Rarely did anyone notice him.

Heading for the castle wall, he noticed blue eyes watching him with interest: the owner of being one Luna Lovegood, probably the strangest girl in the history of the school, barring Moaning Myrtle of course. He skirted around the girl and sat several meters from her. He hadn't minded her being on his side in the Ministry fight, but she still spooked him a little. Neville went back to observing classmates.

Dressed completely in white, Luna was busy making a bottle cap necklace. She alternated Gryffindor and Ravenclaw colors, making a four-colored rainbow. Beside her was a Hufflepuff and Slytherin version. She had listened when the Hat proclaimed house unity was needed. In fact, she had dated, briefly, a Hufflepuff but found he was rather dull and didn't believe in anything exciting like she did.

So, she made the necklaces, knowing one day the colors would just be a rainbow. She saw it. Oh, she wasn't psychic or anything useful like that. She just simply saw the truth of the world. Outside of Hogwarts, the world was at war, and Houses would be forced to unite to fight the Dark Lord. Her father told her that she was like her mother, believing that in the end, Muggle and wizard would do what was right. Or, so she had during the first war. Sometimes she missed her mom, but then remembered her mom wasn't lost, only misplaced behind a Veil, keeping Harry's godfather company.

She stayed quiet, enjoying the chaos that didn't quite reach her. She finished up the necklace and rose. After placing the other necklaces in her pocket, she shook the snow off her clothes before stretching. The wet didn't bother her but catching a cold didn't appeal to her either. Walking over to Neville, she smiled before simply dropping her last bottle cap necklace on his lap. Bewildered, he just stared at her.

"Happy Christmas, Neville." With that, she started toward the castle. She had noticed the way people ignored him, just like they did her. Picked up on the sadness shimmer below the sadness, so she made him a present. Simple, but it wasn't the content that mattered. House unity had to start somewhere.

Before she reached the door, Neville caught up with her. "Why?" No one had given him anything for free and he wondered what she wanted help with. Herbology most likely, since that was the only subject he truly excelled at.

"Neville, it's just a present." Luna wouldn't admit to him she felt a little hurt by his suspicion, she had only done what her father had taught her: ease someone's pain because one never knows when the comfort is needed in return.

Neville blushed a deep red and mumbled an apology. She smiled at him before turning to go to towards her own tower. When his hand found her arm again, her eyebrows rose in surprise, at least until he pointed up. Mistletoe. In a bout of Christmas cheer, Dumbledore had decorated the castle with mistletoe, fairy lights, garland, white gauze and anything else he could find. The castle looked like some giant Christmas spirit had vomited all over the place, but other than the Slytherins, everyone just accepted it. False cheer was better than no cheer at all.

In a sisterly fashion, she puckered her lips up to kiss his cheek. Due to extremely bad timing, he turned his head and she managed to brush his lips instead. Shocked, she pulled back. He grinned and his deep red face managed to get even deeper. He slipped his hand inside hers, while she looked down still in shock.

He tugged the usually chatty Ravenclaw out of the doorway and into the snow. Maybe they weren't a couple yet, but the least he thought he ought to do was have a little fun with his present giver. Besides, maybe he could sneak another kiss. His first kiss had been entirely too chaste. Luna went along, scooping snow and tossing it at him while he attempted to do the same.

Loneliness was banished for the day in winter's wonderland.