Snow was falling slowly on the courtyard as the Yule day began. Yule is a time of great power. It marks the sun's return when the days finally start to get a little longer. It's also a time to celebrate with family and friends and share the spirit of giving during the holidays. Percilla woke up to a knocking on her window. It was an owl she had not seen before. Once she opened the window, it had flown in only to drop the present and leave again.

Percilla shut the cold out before going to open her present. She had sent her gifts to her brothers and parents the days prior, hoping they would deliver in time. Her mother still has not tried to reach out and was worrying. Percilla knew that it was a bad sign. Molly Weasley's first line of emotions was anger. Percilla had expected a howler but instead received nothing.

Pulling out her wand, she tapped the box twice, ensuring it did not have one of the twin's pranks embedded. Once it was safe, she began opening it. Inside took her breath away as a beautiful dark green lay inside. Pulling the letter out, she began to read.

Dear Percilla,

It was lovely meeting you the other day at Hogsmead with Marcus. It is genuinely touching that my son was able to carry on the traditions laid out by the Flints of his time with your encouragement. I pray mother magic endows you fully on this lovely Yule, and with that, I gift you anew.

Yule is here, and I smudge this place,

Fresh and clean, in time and space.

Sage and sweetgrass, burning free,

as the sun returns, so it shall be.

Truly,

Lady Melantha Flint

The Victorious and Most Ancient House of Flint

One house. One Family.

Percilla couldn't stop the smile as she held the dress up. It was velvet and soft. It would match the comb that Marcus had given to her. Percilla didn't wait as she ran off to prepare for the day. Once completed, she braided her hair in an intricate braid before sliding her comb in.

The dress had come with lace gloves that Percilla slid on. She was so surprised by the Lady she saw standing in front of the mirror. Percilla smiled as she twirled around, watching the dress twist and move.

Moving back to the bed, Percilla grasped the gift she got Marcus. Percilla had never gotten someone a gift as expensive as the one she held. The money she was getting for tutoring and lesson plans she saved. She was absolutely gitty as she walked from her dorm and down to the common room.

"Really, Harry? You just run off and don't even return to the bathroom?" Percilla could hear Ron's voice carry as he shouted.

"I told you already, Ron, I got caught," Harry's voice seemed to have a pleading edge.

"Yeah, whatever," Ron was never one to accept an apology or an excuse, even though he had plenty of them. Percilla knew that Ron's undoing would be his own as he could not keep that temper in check. "I'm going for breakfast."

Percilla continued her walk down the stairs, only turning around when her brother's thunderous stomps were close to her.

"Ronald," Percilla said, giving her brother a nod of her head as he came into focus. "Happy Yule."

"Don't call me that," Ron snapped. His face was red with anger. It clashed with his hair terribly. "Perfect, Perci. Stay away from me." Percilla looked confused as she watched her younger brother stomp out of the common room.

"Pitty," Percilla said as she shook her head.

"Sorry about him, Perci," came the soft reply of Harry as he stood at the end of the stairs. "Marcus was right. It was cat hair that Hermonie had gotten from Millicent, so she has to stay in the dorms for the potion to wear off."

"Yeah, polyjuice is just for human transformation." Percilla let out a sign knowing that this would probably earn the second year a trip to the hospital wing if the potion didn't leave.

"Um, say Perci," Harry began as he looked around sheepishly, "could I sit with you for breakfast today? I doubt Ron would speak to me if I sat with him."

Percilla smiled at the boy and nodded her head, "of course, Harry. We will sit at the Slytherin table with Marcus to celebrate Yule and give out offerings. Will you be comfortable with that?"

Harry seemed to mull that ideal before nodding his head, "Yeah, that will be fine. I don't know how to offer, but I'm open to learning."

"An open mind is a key to knowledge," Percilla mused as she walked alongside Harry. "That is a lovely sweater." Percilla had only seen Harry in clothes that were too big for him. His Hogwarts uniform was the only item he seemed to own, his size.

"Thanks," Harry said excitedly as he ran his hand down the front of his shirt, "In my correspondence with my bank manager, I asked a few questions, such as ordering items I needed. He sent me a bunch of catalogs and banknotes. Apparently, I can order anything I want and have it just sent to me via owl. It's neat."

Percilla chuckled. The young boy had more money than he probably knew about, and he was learning he could order clothes in his own size by the post. "If I could make some suggestions?" Percilla began, which gained her an 'of course,' "Order what you want. If you see something expensive or something that you probably could not wear every day at school does not mean you should not get it. It is your life, your wardrobe."

"Yeah, I've been slowly working that in," Harry's cheeks pinked a bit as he spoke, "I've never had anything at my aunt and uncles. I got only Duddley's clothes, and now I have the option to get anything I want, and a part of me wants to fit in and just get the muggle-style clothes like everyone else."

"But you don't?" Percilla questioned as he watched Harry shake his head.

"No, I used to watch these old movies on the telly late at night when my Aunt and Uncle went to bed, and they were of these men dressed in a black and white suit, and they looked fantastic."

Both could not contain their chuckles, however, for two different reasons. Percilla had no clue what a telly was, but she was happy that Harry was finally opening up about who he wanted to be. Harry was finding it freeing to speak about his wants out loud. It was getting difficult for him to have to hide just to be able to read his wizarding culture and traditions books he had gotten from the library.

The great hall looked empty. All the students who were leaving for the festivities had gone that morning. There was no assigned seating, and many students were already mingling at other tables.

Percilla waved Harry to follow her as they went down Slytherin's table towards where Marcus sat with the group of Slytherins that stayed back. Percilla kept her head up as she ignored the whispers that always seemed to flow when she sat at the Slytherin table. The rumors that flew were something Percilla couldn't stop. She also could not stop the excited feeling that bubbled inside her when she noticed the pair of dark eyes watching her from said table.

Making her way over, Percilla sat beside the head boy noticing the dark green formal shirt he wore that matched her dress. So it seems that his mother dressed them both to match.

"Happy Yule," Percilla said softly as she placed the wrapped box on the table, moving it over to him.

"I thought I said I didn't want anything?" His voice was rough, but he didn't take his eyes off her as he spoke. The joy it made Percilla have to know she had his undivided attention at that moment as they spent their first Yule together.

"True," Percilla started, a smirk growing on her lips, "but you know I can be quite stubborn."

Marcus smiled but tried to cover it up with a snort and a chuckle, "I guess so." Moving forward, he began to unwrap the present calmly. Folding down each corner until nothing was covering the brown box. Opening the lid, Marcus felt his breath halt in his lungs.

Percilla had gotten him a pair of dragon hide-riding gloves. They were from his favorite quidditch store. Marcus was sure they cost a pretty Knutt, especially since they had his name engraved.

Leaning over, Marcus placed a quick kiss on the top of Percilla's head, enjoying the feeling of intimacy between the two.

"These are really nice," Marcus said as he pulled the gloves out. Once out, Marcus saw something gold and looked back at the box. Sitting at the bottom looked to be a pocket watch. Marcus looked up at Percilla, confused at first, and noticed the nervous look on her face. She was biting her lip which she only does when overthinking.

Marcus reached in and took the pocket watch out. It was heavy but light at the same time. It had elegant swirls of engravings on the gold surface. Marcus was confused but clicked the button to open the pocket watch. Inside held a picture of Percilla. She was smiling at him on one side of the clock while the other had only one hand. Marcus noticed that the clock was not a clock as no numbers existed. The hand pointed to the words ' school.' The other words read, In Transit, Lost, Home, Mortal Peril, Work, Bed, Hogsmead, Garden.

Marcus was confused as he raised his dark eyes to meet Percilla's nervous blue ones. "My dad made my mum this giant clock with all of us kids attached. It gave them relief when they couldn't see us. I know how worried you get when you can't see me. I thought this would give you peace of mind and allow Higgs the chance to not have to follow me or keep an eye on me."

Percilla could feel her cheeks warm up as she blushed. Percilla had spent weeks looking over Charms and Transfiguration books before she was able to successfully get it made.

Marcus hadn't said anything. His eyes remained on the watch as Percilla spoke. Percilla could feel her heart begin to beat faster as the nerves broke. He didn't like it. Maybe she had read too much into the ideal, which was not what Marcus would even appreciate.

"I," Percilla opened her mouth to speak. She wanted to apologize. She tried to grab the gift and run out of the great hall.

"This is great," Marcus's voice cut off her degrading inside comments as he stroked the metal. "So this will tell me when you're in danger?"

"Yeah, or sleeping." Percilla giggled a little as she shrugged her shoulders. "So, do you like it?" Percilla bit her lip as her eyes flicked down to the watch.

"Yes, very much so," Marcus stated as he clasped the watch tightly.

Marcus led Percilla and Harry down the seventh floor. The come-and-go room was something that he found in his fourth year when they needed a place to house Beltane. The left corridor of the Hogwarts castle has a hidden entrance opposite the tapestry depicting the attempt of Barnabas the Barmy to teach trolls ballet. Marcus was trying to think of a way to fix the situation. Professor Snape typically ignored their traditions. However, Professor Dumbledore, The way to open the room was to walk past it three times, thinking about what one needed, and the door would appear.

Marcus enjoyed how Percilla's eyes lit up once the door was open and she could get the full view of their Yule celebration. After finding the come-and-go room, the celebration could be extended to different houses. There were several Hufflepuff traditional families, a few Ravenclaw but no Gryffindor. Marcus was not sure why many Gryffindors disregarded the teaching of their ancestors for. Dumbledore's words of bile and hatred towards the olde-ways were prominent. Instead of teaching muggleborns the way of wizarding culture, he wanted everyone to assimilate to the muggle way of doing things.

"After you, my Lady," Marcus bowed as he offered his arm for Percilla to take before leading her through the door.

The room was decorated in white, gold, and silver. Tonight, what house you were in did not matter. It was just people who wanted to celebrate the coming of a new.

Marcus led Percilla more into the ballroom. A few groups were mingling, talking excitedly about their holidays and family.

"Percilla, Marcus," the voice of Cedric Diggory called out as he bowed before his eyes landed on Harry's small form behind the couple. "Lord Potter, it's nice to see you off the pitch."

Harry was caught off guard at the title as he looked up towards Percilla, wanting to ask a million questions.

"Harry is my guest for the event," Marcus stated as he gave the nod towards the second year, "he does not know many of the customs at the moment, so leniency is best."

"Of course," Cedric stated, not caring about many pureblood protocols but knowing their importance. "I am Heir Cedric Diggory, Lord Potter of the Diligent House of Diggory, but you can call me Cedric."

"Oh," Harry muttered, unsure what to say, "You can call me Harry. You're the Seeker of the Hufflepuff quidditch team."

"I am, and best captain," Cedric smirked as he smirked towards Marcus.

"Keep it up, Diggory. I'm sure Wood and Davies would be up for a Captian showdown." Cedric laughed at Marcus' threat.

"I heard my name," Roger Davies said as he approached the group.

Percilla was happy to see Marcus let lose a bit as he spoke to his fellow students. Leaning up, she whispered about taking Harry to get a drink. She waited for his nod before letting go of his arm and looking over at Harry, "come, let's get something to drink."

Once at the table, Percilla smiled at Harry and nudged his shoulder with her arm, "you looked like you had a few questions back there. Thought I could ask some of them in private."

Harry had a look of relief cross his face before letting out a slight nod, "Yeah, why did he call me Lord Potter for."

"The head of a family is Lord, and their wives are Lady. When the previous Lord dies, the heir takes the position regardless of age," Percilla knew this was a difficult question and explanation. Harry was forced to relive his parents' sacrifice every year on the 31st. "You are the last of the Potter line. You are Lord Potter. Your title is higher than every student in this room right now. They are Heirs. You are Lord. Never let anyone make you feel less then."

Percilla knew that Harry had little to no confidence, nor did he really believe in himself. It was sad to see a boy with so much loyalty and passion be reduced to someone who second-guesses himself.

"Okay," Harry whispered as he looked around before taking a cup offered to him. "Why wasn't it." Harry looked like he was trying to find the words for a moment, "Why wasn't any of this taught to me?

"I don't really have an answer for that, I'm afraid," Percilla had hunches and guesses, but she was not really sure. "Hopefully, we can get some answers at the bank," Percilla said as she snuck a lemon tea cake.

"I'm a little nervous about that," Harry said as he bit his lip, taking a sip of the citrus juice drink.

"No need," Percilla clarified as she shook her head, "I'll be with you the whole way but remember that you have a say in everything."

"Thanks, Perci," Harry said, smiling before the music began to play.

Harry had never been to a Yule celebration. During Christmas at his muggle family's house, it usually just ended with him getting sent to his cupboard, and then after everyone went to bed, he would sneak out and eat whatever leftovers there were.

Harry was not sure what he was expecting when Flint invited him. Marcus was big and scary. Everyone called him a troll, for he was tall, and his teeth were crooked. Harry remembered asking Perci about his teeth when they met to discuss the books he was reading. He was worried about offending her, but Perci just laughed.

"Teeth can be tricky to fix with Magic Harry; you can correct them, but while young, your teeth are shifting and falling out constantly. Until all your adult teeth are present, it's best not to get anything fixed, especially not without professional attention. That night was full of questions about the magical world's different jobs and practices.

Harry had always felt comfortable around Percilla. She was the first person that he had sat next to in the great hall and answered whatever questions he had. The first time he had heard anything terrible about Perci was from Ron. Apparently, the Weasleys bought Percilla an owl for her birthday and year for making Prefect his first year. Ron complained that they couldn't buy him a wand, and that was all.'Perfect Perci's fault.' Harry wasn't sure why it would be a fifteen's fault then, but he didn't want to rock the boat. He had finally made friends for the first time, and Duddley was not around to run them off. Now, Harry was afraid he really did make friends with the wrong sort.

The music began low, but it sped up as many couples made their way to the dance floor and began to waltz. A Yule log was burning brightly in the fireplace as the students began to dance merrily. Harry could pick Percilla out from her red hair as Marcus led her around the dance floor.

Harry took around as some other students stayed back watching the groups. He noticed a few lower-year Slytherin girls chatting in the corner. One is Millicent Bulstrode. Harry wasn't sure why Hermonie had chosen Millicent when she had initially said, Pansy Parkinson. However, from what Harry could remember, where Parkinson's was loud and talkative. Millicent was quiet. Harry wasn't sure she even spoke in class unless called on.

Millicent was in a pretty pewter gray dress. Her dark hair was pulled up in a braid, and one slight curl that could not be placed in her braid was loosely beside her cheek. Harry felt guilty about the plan he had followed with Ron and Hermonie. He did not plan on hurting anyone, and it seemed like the one he unintentionally hurt was Millicent.

Harry stood there trying to remember everything he could about the Bulstrode house. He had just started learning a bit about Wizengamot and each house it held. Taking a deep breath, he walked towards the corner that housed the giggling girls.

Harry could feel the nerves settling in with each step before he stood in front of the girls. Bowing deeply before he looked at Millicent before holding out his arm. "Heiress Bulstrode, would you like to dance?"

Percilla night was beautiful. Marcus had swept her off her feet and danced her throughout the night. The song they were dancing to had ended, and Marcus had taken her left hand to place on his elbow as he led her off the dance floor. Percilla did a slight double take when she noticed that Harry was dancing with Millicent Bulstrode. Percilla wanted to say something, but Marcus's grin on his lips showed that he, too, had seen it.

"I'm sure he is just making up for past mistakes," Marcus mused as he led Percilla to a table. "So, Miss Percilla Weasley, how are you enjoying your first real Yule?" The question was simple, but it felt Percilla with so much joy that he cared. Taking a sit down, she kept her body turned towards Marcus. He looked so handsome that night; it always filled her stomach with butterflies when he gave her attention.

"I am. This is amazing." Percilla wasn't sure what courage she had, but she placed her hand in his as she spoke. His hands were large and rough. Years of quidditch and farm work made them calloused. But they were warm and always held hers tightly.

"Good, so I have a serious question to ask you." Marcus tried to hide the smile, but it sept through as his dark eyes met her blue."Have you decided to accept my courtship?"

Percilla blushed with that simple word. It still shocked her that Marcus Flint wanted to court her, but it was the best couple of months of her life.