he second week of December had arrived at Hogwarts. Christmas trees, tinsel, and red and green candles filled the castle with spirited joy. At first, it reminded me of Christmas break at Huntshrow, filled with incessant loneliness. But this year, yeah, this year, things will be different for once. Kind and warm.

Classes were grueling, but I didn't feel inadequate about my lackluster grades. Everyone seemed to be clamoring for Christmas break so much that they got a low score on at least one of their projects. Even Daphne had trouble completing a potion during one of our classes with Professor Mortitch. Mediocrity followed me everywhere, but I was still getting glowing marks from Hagrid in Care of Magical Creatures. Occasionally at the end of the school day, I would help out Hagrid with feeding the hippogriffs.

"I'm really impressed with how much the hippogriffs like yeh, Rollie. Yeh ever flew one before, at Huntshrow?" Hagrid asked.

"I actually haven't. Our class was all about the study of animals, not very practical or hands-on like yours."

"Oh uh, really? Tha's a little bizarre."

"I know it's a shame. Hippogriffs are beautiful creatures." I pet the side of a hippogriff that I just finished feeding, her name was Thunderquill.

"Well, if yeh'd like ter fly Tunderquill around fer a moment, I trust yeh, an' I know she does too."

"You really mean that?"

"Yeah, go fer it, climb up on her back."

Thunderquill brushed my shoulder with her beak and stared at me for a moment. Something about her curious tilted head expressed, 'why haven't we flown yet?'

"All right, sounds good." I brushed her nape, and she lowered her body, and I climbed on.

"Bring her back around wherever yeh're done. Take yer time!"

As soon as I settled, Thunderquill jumped, and her wings propelled us up, ascending through the air with a gentle glide. It was like riding a broom but much less stressful. Thunderquill was in control, my legs were saddled, and I raised my palms up and felt the cold winter breeze through my fingers. I was dressed in thick robes, so I was warm, but it didn't take long for the wind-chill to make me shiver. I rubbed the side of Thunderquill's neck, and she started heading back to Hagrid's hut after a quick lap around the castle. The entire time I thought about Daphne and how I wished she was sitting behind with her arms wrapped around me. Then the thought of not conjuring a Patronus in front of her to save us from the dementor ate away the pleasant daydream. Thunderquill landed by Hagrid's hut. That's when an idea struck me like a bolt of lightning.

We had our last Quidditch practice before Christmas break, and the whole team shivered afterwards. My plan was uncertain, but I had to make an attempt. As usual, Edna and I were the last to leave with Daphne, and that's when I said, "Hey, I'm freezing after that practice. I'm about to go up to the perfect bathroom and warm up in the pool. Daphne, would you wanna join?"

"Oh, uh sure." Daphne shrugged. "That sounds relaxing."

"But Daphne, I thought we were going to finish up some homework?" Edna asked.

Please don’t let my plans go awry.

"We can do it afterward. We won't be too long.” Daphne smiled.

"Ugh, fine. I'll see you two later then." Edna waved and strolled away down another corridor.

My heart rate kicked up, the pieces of the puzzle were falling in place. We walked into the prefect bathroom to what I was hoping was going to be a peaceful oasis, but instead, it was plagued by a shouting match.

"What should we do? Maybe we should leave," I said, already feeling defeated.

"Shhh." Daphne held her finger up to her mouth and leaned forward in the hall with her ear cupped.

"I don't understand why we can't do Christmas at my house. I already spent the last year with your family!" there was no doubt, it was Oliver's voice.

"I told you, I can't leave my family on Christmas! You're invited, of course, but I never committed to staying at your family's house this year!" Magdalene's voice echoed.

"Excuse me, I thought it was just safe to assume! I sacrificed my family's Christmas to spend it with yours last year, and, like a normal person, you're supposed to spend it with my family THIS year! That is if we're in a relationship, which last I checked, we are!"

"I really wish you could understand! But since you can't, I don't really want to yell about this!"

"Well, we have to figure something out, Christmas break is going to be here, and I need to tell my family if you're going to be with us or not!"

"I'm totally fine with spending time away from each other. I can't leave my family, and it sounds like you can't leave yours." Magdalene lowered her voice. "I'm just tired of fighting over this." Footsteps bounced off the walls as they came closer to Daphne and me.

"Wait! I still have to get changed!" Oliver hopped out of the pool. I could hear his wet feet smacking against the ground as he headed towards the changing room.

Magdalene entered the hallway where Daphne and I stood. "Oh. Hello, Daphne, hello, Rollie. I didn't even hear you two come in." She feigned a smile.

"Hey, are you okay?" Daphne asked.

"Yeah, I'll be okay." Her frown bled through as she moped to the exit. "See you two later."

My heart ached for her. Daphne and I continued to walk in. I reached the changing area, and Oliver trucked forward, colliding with my shoulder.

"Hey man, watch it," I grunted.

He turned around and sneered. "Cram it, yankee. You're lucky I'm in a hurry," Oliver sped off towards the exit.

I got changed and wandered to the pool. Daphne was already leaning her head back with her arms outstretched along the wall of the tub.

"Don't fall asleep now." I chuckled.

"I'm awake."

I used the steps to get in and swam next to her. My heart fluttered. Butterflies were holding aerial dogfights in my stomach.

"I don't understand how Magdalene can stay in such a tumultuous relationship. But what do I know? I shouldn't judge, but I just hope she's okay. Did Oliver say anything to you when he walked out?" Daphne asked.

"Just called me a yankee and shoulder checked me."

"I'm sorry, gosh, he's so rude."

"It's all right, I've experienced worse, as y-you know."

"Still." Daphne frowned, then she studied my face. "Rollie, are you okay?"

"Y-Yeah, I'm f-fine. Uh, l-look, I gotta ask you something."

"What's on your mind?"

"Um, I really don't know uh how to say this, and I probably look like a bumbling idiot but... Can I kiss you right now?" My heart thudded, and my insides swirled with stress.

Daphne's eyes widened.

"Look, I can explain. I'm sorry, it's just I-" I wiped my forehead. The water felt like it was boiling. "I kinda have a crush on you, and I'm hoping maybe you feel the same, but I understand if not. I just thought that maybe if I kissed you, it'd be the happiest moment of my life and I'd be able to finally summon a Patronus, but-but I don't just want to use that moment purely as a tool for me, because I really care about you and like you, and I feel like you see me for who I am, and you still enjoy my company and it well... It just means a lot... And it would mean a lot to kiss you right now, but I understand, y'know if, well, yeah." I wanted to shove my head under the water and swim away, but I continued to stare at her as if she had all the answers.

"Rollie, I don't know what to say." She exhaled a single uncomfortable laugh. "I really like you too, and I've thought about you before as being more than just a friend, but it's not something I entertain." She reached for my hand and held it with both of hers. The warmth made my heart melt. "I don't feel like manufacturing a moment of happiness would help with your Patronus efforts. I'm sorry, don't take it the wrong way, but I'd prefer to keep being your friend. Romantics aren't something I focus on right now. Becoming the best witch I can possibly be is my current goal, and I don't want to get distracted. I had a boyfriend last year, and it was too much."

"So what about just sharing a kiss that doesn't mean anything? We don't know if we don't try, you said you liked me, maybe it would be a happy moment for you too." Tears were surging their way to the front of my eyes.

"Oh, Rollie." She brushed my cheek with her hand and held my face. "I'm sorry, but I can't. Please understand."

My brain was flooding with emotion. I couldn't think clearly. "I understand." I smiled, my eyes still watering.

"I think I'm going to go back to the common room. You should stay here for a moment and relax." Daphne swam up to me and gave me a hug.

"Can I still come over to your house for Christmas?"

Daphne pulled away. "Of course, we're still friends. This doesn't change anything."

"Okay." I smiled. "I'm really sorry."

"Don't be." Daphne swam out of the pool. As she was leaving, she waved. "See you later."

"Daphne," I said, rooted to the wall of the pool. "Can we forget this ever happened?"

She smiled. "I won't say a word to anyone. Don't worry." She walked out of the prefect bathroom.

I floated there, alone, and wept for a few minutes. But after my eyes dried up, a sense of relief came over me. I was at peace until a ghost came flying through the wall.

"I'm sorry, Rollie."

Through my teary eyes, I couldn’t see much, but from her voice, I could tell it was Myrtle. "It's okay," I sighed.

"I was really rooting for you there. You'd be a much better boyfriend than that previous git she dated." Myrtle flew by my side.

"What was he like? Do I know him?"

She shook her head. "He graduated last year. He was a 7th year. Smart chap, I guess, but, loved himself more than anyone and anything else. I always thought he was full of it. Daphne deserved better, like you. I wouldn't give up, she'll come around."

"I appreciate that, but it's alright. I'm not gonna force anything. I'm lucky and fortunate to have a friend like her, and I'm not going to ruin that."

Myrtle smiled at me. "I think you're wise beyond your years. Personally, I would never stop trying if I really liked someone."

"Dating isn't everything. I should focus on my own bullshit. Try not to force anything. I was mad and embarrassed, but now, I'm just grateful I'm still her friend."

Myrtle giggled. "That seems like a loser's mentality."

"Maybe to you. But not to me." I took a deep breath and straightened my posture, staring ahead at Myrtle with confidence. "Now, if you don't mind, I'd actually like to be alone for a little while."

"Whatever you say, Rollie. Nice chatting with ya." Myrtle snickered as she flew through a wall.

Sitting alone with my thoughts, I allowed for a little more time to pass before I finally got out of the tub. I was still looking forward to the holiday season just as much as before.