Y/N let out a soft, discontented grunt, her body shifting restlessly as the tendrils of consciousness tugged her from slumber. With a low-pitched grumble escaping her lips, she reluctantly blinked her eyes open, met by the sight of Aurora peering down at her.

"Y/N, hey, wake up!" Aurora's voice cut through the haze of drowsiness, urgent yet laced with familiarity. "We've got only 2 hours before the train departs. Time to get moving," she declared, her words punctuated by Y/N's slow and groggy awakening.

"Urff... just give me five more minutes," Y/N mumbled, a trace of exasperation tinting her voice.

Aurora's eyes rolled, a mixture of amusement and impatience dancing in their depths, as she reached out to tug Y/N into a sitting position. Y/N protested weakly, her whine of resistance escaping as she was handed a set of clothes that were pressed into her chest.

"Shower first. The rest of us will be waiting in the Great Hall," Aurora directed, her tone carrying a hint of authority blended with camaraderie. Y/N yawned widely, the fatigue of early morning evident in the way she stretched and moved.

"Good morning to you too."

✴✴✴✴✴

Within the school's ornate interior, a cascade of Christmas decorations adorned the hallways, transforming the otherwise familiar surroundings into a festive wonderland.

Everywhere you turned, Christmas trees stood resplendent, their branches adorned with shimmering baubles and twinkling lights that cast colorful patterns across the marble floors. Y/N had efficiently stowed her trunk in the carriages, ensuring it would be transported to the train, thus sparing herself the burden of lugging it along the path to the station.

As the group gathered around a table, laden with an assortment of delectable dishes, the buzz of conversation filled the air, accompanied by the clinking of cutlery against plates. Sophie, her plate now artfully arranged with a selection of the offerings, piped up with a curious question.

"So, what's everyone's plan for Christmas?" she inquired, her tone lively and inquisitive.

"Same old, same old," Seraphina replied, a note of familiarity lacing her words. Sophie nodded understandingly, her hum of agreement signifying the shared sentiment.

Their conversation was momentarily disrupted as a figure well-known to the group approached, a warm smile gracing her lips as she maneuvered her luggage with ease. Y/N's eyes brightened with a fleeting spark of recognition, a silent communication exchanged between the friends, a subtle exchange of knowing smirks – though Aurora, true to form, remained relatively stoic.

"Hey," Y/N greeted, her posture unconsciously straightening as she instinctively adjusted her hair and clothing.

"Hi," Hermione responded with a smile, her gaze briefly flickering to the mirror by her side, ensuring her appearance met her standards. "Um, Merry Christmas," she added, a hint of bashfulness accompanying her words. Y/N's smile grew, a soft chuckle escaping her.

"Merry Christmas," Y/N greeted warmly, her red eyes locking with Hermione's for a fleeting instant, a silent exchange of emotions passing between them.

Aurora, her expression unchanging, interjected, "What's your purpose here?"

Hermione's brows knitted in mild bewilderment. "Just... catching up with Y/N, you know. We're friends."

Aurora's response was dry and to the point. "Well, you've caught up. Depart if you wish." This statement elicited a slight scoff from Hermione, and a silent communication of understanding was exchanged between Seraphina and Sophie, complete with subtle smirks.

Contrary to Aurora's suggestion, Y/N's voice held a tone of finality as she affirmed, "No, you can stay." Aurora's gaze shifted away as Hermione claimed her seat beside Y/N, a small smile playing on her lips.

The ensuing silence was filled by Hermione's soft admission, accompanied by a faint blush, "So, um... I got you something."

Y/N's lips parted slightly, curiosity dancing in her eyes. "Oh? What's the surprise?"

Hesitation flickered across their gazes as they met, only to divert almost involuntarily. Hermione retrieved a dainty box from her pocket, adorned with a crimson ribbon that matched the shade of Y/N's eyes.

"It's not extravagant, but I crafted you a keychain," Hermione shared, her smile genuine and understated.

Y/N's face lit up with a mixture of delight and appreciation. "It's wonderful, Hermione. I genuinely—" She paused, the words hanging for a moment, a fleeting pause before they emerged. "Thank you."

For the first time, Y/N had uttered Hermione's name, and their eyes locked in an unspoken connection, a tender moment suspended between them.

"You have my gratitude, Y/N," Hermione responded, and Y/N's heart responded with a delicate flutter, her mouth parting slightly in surprise. Her first attempt at speaking resulted in a slight crack in her voice, so she cleared her throat before retrieving something from her pocket.

In a soft murmur, Y/N began, her fingers deftly revealing a familiar petite box. However, this time, the ribbon that adorned it bore the hue of brown, perfectly mirroring Hermione's own warm-toned eyes.

"I, um... actually got something for you too," Y/N stated with an affectionate smile, the air around them lightened by her words, prompting a chuckle from Hermione.

"Seriously?" Hermione inquired, her fingers gently undoing the ribbon's knot. Inside, a charming design of an otter greeted her gaze. "You remembered that otters are my favorite animals?" she questioned, a faint rosy hue gracing her cheeks.

Y/N offered an explanation, her voice holding an air of casual sincerity. "Well, it was more of a chance encounter. I just happened to come across it, and it instantly reminded me of you. It wasn't a conscious decision to remember, really." Her words prompted a soft smile from Hermione, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

Hermione's voice was gentle as she instructed, "Now, it's your turn." Y/N nodded in response, her fingers tracing the edges of the box's lid in anticipation.

Y/N cautiously opened the box, her lips curving into a smile accompanied by a faint trace of bewilderment. "A bobcat?" she inquired, her gaze shifting toward Hermione, who responded with a serene nod.

Hermione's voice carried a hint of contemplation. "Cats have always brought your essence to my thoughts," she mused aloud.

Y/N's smile grew, the expression warmed by an undercurrent of gratitude. "It's adorable," she affirmed, her words a tender acknowledgment. "I... um, thank you, Hermione," she murmured, her cheeks flushed in response to the thoughtful gesture.

Hermione's response was humble, her eyes momentarily avoiding Y/N's gaze. "It's really nothing, honestly. I— well, I don't dwell on these things," she admitted, her words tinged with a mix of vulnerability and hesitation. Beneath the surface, a tumultuous swirl of emotions danced.

"Are you two done yet? Honestly, I'm almost about to puke—" Sophie's interruption abruptly sliced through the intimate ambiance, her words brimming with a blend of amusement and exasperation. 

Y/N responded with a glare, her actions more subtle but equally impactful as she discreetly stepped on Sophie's foot beneath the table. "Ouch!" Sophie exclaimed in surprise and pain.

Hermione seized the moment to redirect the conversation. "Anyway, I should catch up with Harry and Ron," she suggested, a mild undertone of eagerness in her voice.

Y/N's quick response suggested an inclination to accompany her. "I could come along," she offered, rising from her seat, only to be met with an unexpected restraint as Aurora clasped her wrist.

Aurora's expression held a hint of puzzlement. "Didn't we plan to go skiing?" she queried, her brows slightly furrowed inquiringly.

Y/N's countenance shifted to a more neutral demeanor. "Oh," she responded dryly, caught in the crossroads of her connection with both Hermione and Aurora, a momentary hesitation casting its shadow across her features.

"It's perfectly alright, Y/N. Will we cross paths again later?" Hermione inquired, her words imbued with a sense of hopefulness that mirrored in Y/N's parted lips.

However, Y/N's expression quickly shifted into a contemplative one. "Actually, Hermione, I've been thinking... Do you think it would be possible for us to share a compartment on our train ride back to London?" 

The question hung in the air, both daring and vulnerable, as Y/N sought connection beyond casual encounters. Hermione's cheeks flushed, her response a blend of shyness and agreement as she nodded slightly. 

"Yes, I think that's a wonderful idea," she murmured, the subtle graze of her fingers against Y/N's knuckles lingering like an unspoken promise. With that, she began her departure, each step widening the distance between them. Y/N's hand raised in a farewell wave, her eyes following Hermione's figure until it melded into the crowd.

A teasing voice pierced through the moment as Seraphina interjected, her tone playful, "Who's this, and what magic have you worked on our dear Y/N/N?"

Y/N's reaction was swift, her retort sharp. "Don't start, Seraphina," she snapped, her words laced with a mix of annoyance and fondness.

Sophie, always ready to add her own flavor of humor, chimed in, her laughter evident in her voice, "Ah, there she is—the classic Y/N." Rolling her eyes at her friends' antics, Y/N settled back into her seat, a mixture of emotions dancing beneath the surface.

"You seem to have gone all mushy," Sophie quipped, her voice low and teasing.

Y/N's retort was swift and tinged with defensiveness. "I'm anything but soft," she shot back, a sneer lacing her words.

A playful challenge emanated from Sophie as she continued, "Really now? I distinctly remember the intense loathing you two had for each other at the beginning of our first term."

Y/N's glare was directed at Sophie, her frustration palpable. "Yes, but it was..." She trailed off, her gaze averted for a fleeting moment. "Oh, just drop it. It's not like I have feelings for her or anything," she muttered under her breath, her words revealing a vulnerability she hadn't quite intended.

Sophie raised an eyebrow in response, her tone tinged with mischief. "I never mentioned anything about you having a crush on her."

The color rose in Y/N's cheeks, her frustration finding an outlet in her words. "Ugh, you're jarring," she groaned, her companions Seraphina and Sophie sharing knowing glances as they chuckled and exchanged laughter.

Aurora's voice, steady and direct, cut through the banter. "So, do you?" Her words hung in the air, an inquiry that demanded an honest answer. Y/N's gaze met Aurora's, a mixture of confusion and curiosity in her eyes. 

Aurora clarified her question, "Do you actually have feelings for her, in that way?"

Caught off guard, Y/N's lips parted, momentarily rendered speechless by the sudden shift in conversation. After a brief pause, she responded, her voice carrying a tinge of bewilderment, "I—uh, no, not really."

Aurora's response was subdued as she simply nodded, her attention shifting away. Meanwhile, Seraphina and Sophie exchanged knowing glances, their amusement evident in their shared snickers and chuckles. 

TO BE CONTINUED...