Christmas has always been Lalisa's favourite holiday. There's just something about the atmosphere: it's lighter, the people merrier, and the thrum of excitement in the air just seems to increase tenfold as each day passes by. This year was no different--the chatter of students in Hogwarts after the last day of class before the holiday break is louder, conversations consisting of Christmas plans and gifts to give to their loved ones and what not.

The Gryffindor student carefully maneuvers herself so as not to bump into anybody as she tries to head towards her dormitory, murmuring hello's and hi's to those she knows and exchanging greetings--even if it's a little early. The snow falls quietly outside, coating the dark halls of the castle and Lalisa makes a mental note of visiting Hogsmeade as soon as she has the time. She'd probably take Ryujin with her, or maybe even Jihyo.

"Lali, hey!"

Lalisa turns around and catches sight of adorable Hufflepuff Roséanne Park running towards her, eyeglasses askew and chipmunk cheeks puffed in exhilaration. She's another of her friends, a pureblooded witch from House Park, but not as arrogant and as proud as a certain Slytherin boy who'd she recently saved from amortentia. She's better. More tolerable.

"Rosie, hi," she greets when the girl finally reaches her. "What are you running to me for, do you need anything?"

Roséanne straightens her glasses and smiles. "Yes, actually. I just want to ask if you're still going? To our skiing trip?"

Her shoulders instantly fall down. Two weeks ago, Roséanne and several of their friends organized a skiing trip in the muggle world for the holidays, and she had been invited. She wanted to, obviously, but a letter from her mother had arrived a few days prior, informing her that she'd have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because she and her stepfather had an emergency trip to Switzerland and they would not be able to come back in time.

It wouldn't be her first time spending the holiday here, however, but the disappointment still lingers all the same.

She shakes her head regretfully. "I can't, I'm sorry. I won't go home for Christmas this year; dad had to fix a major problem with his restaurant in our Switzerland branch. Duty calls," says Lalisa, a frown marring her face.

The Hufflepuff scrunches her brows. "That sucks," mutters Roséanne. She then takes a hold of one of her hands and asks, "Are you certain you can't persuade them? Maybe the issue isn't as severe as you think it is."

"I don't think so, Rosie. They're probably already there."

Her friend's eyes light up. "Or! You can spend Christmas in my home! My parents are very nice and my grandma always makes these tasty scones that taste like no other!"

She could not help but laugh at Roséanne's giddiness. The offer is too tempting, but she really does not want to impose. Besides, it's not like Hogwarts is a bad host.

"Thank you, Rosie, but I'll have to pass up on the offer," smiles Lalisa. "But please do send me letters. I'd love to hear from you from time to time."

Roséanne nods understandably and gives her a hug. "Alright then, Lali. I'll make sure Hank is able to fly as fast as he can so you can get my letters as soon as possible." Hank is a tan barn owl, and her friend rescued him two years ago after being injured by some horrible spell an irresponsible wizard casted. "I wish you a happy holidays, though. Next time, yes?"

Lalisa nods and watches as she walks away. "Happy holidays, Rosie. I'll see you soon."

As soon as her friend gets washed away by the heavy crowd, only then did Lisa walk towards the Gryffindor dormitory, feet exhausted and eyes tired.

* * *

The next morning, Lalisa walks into a nearly empty dining hall. A rare sight, as it's always brimmed with students, but a welcome one. Her eyes drink in the sight of the hall: twelve decorated fir trees litter all around, holly and mistletoes scatter and snow falls from the ceiling. A smile appears on her face as she hears carols being sung, and soon she finds herself sitting alone at the Gryffindor table, munching on her breakfast of mashed potatoes and rich gravy.

She's reaching for a slice of Christmas pudding when a shadow looms over her and she turns her head to see him.

"Jeon," says Lalisa in a bored tone, hand tightening on her utensils.

"Manoban," utters Jeon Jeongguk with distaste, looking down at her with his signature Slytherin look on his face.

Ever since she'd saved him from Lee Jieun, everyone expected them to develop a friendship, or even come into some sort of truce because again, she quite literally saved his life. But alas, they felt nothing but disappointment when neither of their predictions came true. Jeon Jeongguk is still a prick--more, this time around--and Lalisa is still too proud to let herself be swayed by his arrogance.

They do not speak of the amortentia incident, especially after his father practically barged into Hogwarts demanding as to why his son had been a victim of the said potion and made a fool of himself before everybody. As expected from House Jeon, they responded fiercely, and Lee Jieun was expelled before Junseo Jeon was able to lift his finger.

"Where's your baggage? Are you staying for Christmas?" asks the idiot, hands in his pockets as he looks around for her bags.

Lalisa raises a brow. "What's it to you?"

Jeongguk snorts. "Can't a guy ask questions around here? I just want to satisfy my own curiosity. Besides, you always used to wear that ugly muggle puff jacket whenever you go home for the holidays. Makes you look like a waddling penguin. Imagine my face when I didn't see you walking around in that ridiculous attire of yours."

She probably had a good comeback somewhere in her mind, but honestly, she is still sleepy and does not want to waste her energy on someone as pretentious and as infuriating as Jeon Jeongguk. "Go home, Jeon," is all she says before going back to her meal.

He lingers for a few seconds.

Lalisa turns her head back around and raises another brow, as if to ask if he needed anything.

Jeongguk looks conflicted, mouth opening and closing like a fish like he wants to say something. Lalisa doesn't know why, really, but eventually, his lips form a thin line and he walks away with his luggage. He doesn't look back.

Huh. Alright, then.

* * *

The days quickly bled into each other and soon enough, Lalisa finds herself waking up to a pile of presents underneath the miniature Christmas tree she and the other remaining female students set up in the common room days ago.

She takes all of the boxes that has her name on it and brings them up excitedly into her own room, heart beating so fast at the prospect of receiving new gifts. She might not be a little girl anymore, but the idea of opening gifts during Christmas day still makes her feel warm and wonderful.

The ones that are from her parents are the ones she opens first--it's a new muggle phone, one that she's been wanting for quite a while now. Another gift from them is a box of skin care products that she often uses, and Lisa swatches some of them on the back of her hand for trial. Seokjin sends her an ugly sweater that he obviously made himself, Roséanne gifts her a necklace with an L charm that she absolutely loves, and Namjoon gives her a copy of Quidditch through the Ages--ever the serious captain, that one.

There's another gift, though, one big enough that has no cards whatsoever. Lalisa cautiously touches it, turns it around in her hands as she tries to guess what was inside.

Eventually, her curiosity got the best of her, and she rips it apart only to gasp.

Merlin's beard.

It's a Firebolt Supreme--exactly the same broom that she broke during the last Quidditch Championship, after she and Jeongguk... had an accident. She had not been able to replace her old one, and it resulted to her often borrowing broomsticks from the school. It was not the same as her Firebolt, nor as fast, but she had no choice.

A card is nestled in between the bristles, and she grabs it carefully.

For you. Happy Christmas, Manoban. J

Lalisa would not admit it to anybody, but the smile that overtakes her face as she reads Jeongguk's letter would put the sun to shame.

Well. Maybe the Slytherin isn't as stupid as she thought.

* * *

Weeks later, Jeon Jeongguk would find a mysterious package in his own dorm bed, with no cards and no clue as to who it's from. He would rip it open, and a laugh would escape his lips as he comes face to face with a penguin plushie, a Gryffindor scarf wrapped around its neck.

* * *

author's note: MERRY CHRISTMAS N HAPPY NEW YEAR LOVELIES!!! <33