Umbras ? Harry Potter

December 25, 1993 • Briarwood Manor

Even though Ciara was fourteen, and no longer a child, she still had the childlike joy that came with Christmas. Her mother always went above and beyond, and made it special for her only daughter every year.

This year, Ciara awoke to the sparkle of snow surrounding her. Her mother had charmed a small fake snowfall throughout the house which sparkle from all the Christmas decor around the Manor.

She didn't bother dressing, and made her way to the main floor sitting room. The faint sound of a harp playing Christmas music could be heard, as well as a soft chatter from her parents.

"Merry Christmas beautiful!" her mother said as Ciara came around the corner. She came over and gave her a small hug, as her father turned around from the mornings edition of the Daily Prophet.

"Merry Christmas," her father called out before returning to reading.

The tree had been adorned with deep blue ornaments, and was strung with white gold and crystal garlands. The presents underneath were all the same colour of blue with an even richer blue as a velvet ribbon.

She opened her mother's gifts first. She had given her a few new articles of clothing for her day to day wear, some new personal hygiene products, and a new practice quaffle.

"I have one more for you," her mother said handing her a larger box. Inside was a beautiful A-line black dress. It was adorned by black butterflies and streaks of grey throughout.

"It's beautiful!" Ciara said in awe. The long dress suited her perfectly, and her mom knew that. She looked at her daughter with such pride. She had grown into a beautiful young lady before her eyes. Before her mom could think too much more about it, her father turned around crane with a couple wrapped gifts from him.

Ciara delicately put her dress on one of the chairs, and started unwrapping her father's gifts. Every one of them was a book from a different shop in Knockturn alley. It spanned from books on runes to books on ancient magic. Ciara, thrilled, skipped over to her father to give him a hug.

"Thank you," she said as she pulled out of the hug. "They're perfect."

Her father gave her a small smile, and went to see how Elwyn was doing with breakfast. Ciara looked over her new books and clothes that she had gotten from her parents before joining them for breakfast.

The breakfast table was a veritable feast. There were fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, fresh fruit, and pastries. A pot of hot chocolate simmered on the stove, and Elwyn had brewed a fresh pot of coffee for the adults.

Back at Hogwarts, Harry was woken by Ron throwing his pillow at him.

"Oi! Presents!"

Harry reached for his glasses and put them on, squinting through the semi-darkness to the foot of his bed, where a small heap of parcels had appeared. Ron was already ripping the paper off his own presents.

"Another sweater from Mum... maroon again... see if you've got one."

Harry had. Mrs. Weasley has sent him a scarlet sweater with the Gryffindor lion knitted on the front; also a dozen home-baked mince pies, some Christmas cake, and aboxof nut brittle. As he moved all these things aside, he saw a long, thin package underneath.

"What's that?" said Ron, looking over, a freshly unwrapped pair of maroon socks in hand.

"Dunno..."

Harry ripped the parcel open and gasped as a magnificent, gleaming broomstick rolled out onto his bedspread. Ron dropped his socks and jumped off his bed for a closer look.