Christmas for two ((Vlad))

[Rayne Hamilton R3]

Rayne checked the mirror for what seemed to be the millionth time. She had to make sure she looked absoultely perfect for tonight. Rayne wrinkeled her nose at her reflection. She couldn't get her hair to cooperate. She had decided not to straighten it with a spell as usual. Instead it hung to her back in soft waves. Rayne couldn't decide if she should leave it down or put it up with ribbons for the Christmas holiday. Remembering the reason she was going out tonight she decided to put her hair up if for nothing else so she could play with the ribbons when things got undoubtedly awckward. Rayne pulled her hair into pigtails then fixed the red and green ribbons so that they were a drastic contrast to her blueish black hair.

Satisfied she had done all she could with her hair Rayne checked her outfit. Since it was Christmas and still break she didn't have to wear the stupid robes the school made them wear when class was in session. Since that was the case Rayne had thrown on her favorite white blouse and the red and black skirt her mother had surprisingly sent her. Finally satisfied with her appearance Rayne picked up the neatly wrapped package and made her way to the great hall.

Rayne sat at a table closest to the Christmas tree. She had thought she was going to be late but either she had gotten there earlier then expected or Vlad was late. She was hoping she was just early. The thought of Vlad standing her up on Christmas day when she was finally going to give him his present and maybe tell him how she felt just hurt too much for her Thirteen year old heart to think about. 'Come on don't let me down now love.' She muttered under her breath.

[hakhuraziel]

Christmas day had been alright so far for Vlad, he'd awoken to find a small package from his father, a pocket watch on a chain.. he connected it to his belt and the chain hung down to his pocket, as he smartened himself up for what was seemingly a big event.

He hadn't eaten all day because his mind was set to other things, he was hoping there'd still be oodles of delicious food in the Great Hall where he was now headed, just a couple more corners. With each nearing step he was becoming more conscious of himself and his outward appearance, he checked his sleeves and collar. He was wearing his smartest black jacket and shirt, with his blood red tie. His hair was especially straight and brushed and clean, he'd made an effort. He even smelt nice with some of the aftershave he'd received for christmas from some old family relative that pretended to know him one day a year.

He turned the corner into the Hall, and glanced across the tables and benches. The Christmas Tree was where his eyes fell, it was glowing almost radioactive with festive aura, it was beautiful. He made out a silhouette of a girl, long black hair and a white blouse, she was not facing him and was sitting down. It was Rayne, and she was dressed to perfection.. he was awe struck. She hadn't seen him so he approached silently, and hoped that he was atleast in some way up to standard with the way she looked, he'd tried his best to be smarter than ever.

He walked up behind her and as he arrived at the bench, tapped her on the shoulder and as she turned round he noticed her skirt which was stunning and clung to her hips and legs like some kind of perfect display of how girls should look. He didn't want her to think his eyes were wandering in that general direction so he quickly looked back up after that slight lapse, into her fantastic eyes. Extending his hand he presented her with a rose, it wasn't really romantic in the fairytale style of romance, since he didn't know how to act like a prince, he kind of just stuck his arm out and said merry christmas, but in his head it had looked and intended to be romantic. It's like bands that play live, sure the album sounds great but to get a song sounding great live it takes perfection and time and practice, Vlad wasn't so practiced in showing affection. He also handed her the christmas card he had written, it was in the beautiful golden envelope. He smiled at Rayne and asked, 'where should i sit?'.

[Rayne Hamilton R3]

Rayne had been so busy worrying about whether Vlad would show up or not she didn't even hear him approach. In fact she didn't even know he was there until he tapped her on the shoulder. She spun around startled but was very happy to see it was in fact Vlad. She was even more thrilled when he handed her a rose and a Chrismas card. Rayne transfigured an empty cup near her into a vase and filled it with a pitcher of water so that the rose would stay alright until she could get it upstairs to her dorm room and she could properly water and feed it. Thanks to her Dad she knew how to preserve plants so they would live for quite a while

Rayne set the card aside and handed Vlad his present. It was wrapped in shiney blue wrapping paper and had a pretty red bow on top. She really hoped he'd like his present. She'd spent a lot of time looking for the perfect thing and when she saw this she knew he'd love it. It was a silver music box that resembled the one she had shown him in the courtyard after a fight. There were some key differences of course his was much newer then hers since hers had been in her family for generations. The shape was different as well. Hers was in the shape of a heart with a face in the middle of it. She thought that would be too girly for a boy so she'd purchased a squareish one that had a pentagram as it's design. It was the only one she could find that wasn't completely girly looking. She made up for the lack of decoration on the box by the song she had the shop keeper put in it. The song that it would play when Vlad opened the lid was like the song that was in hers. Only it was the version she'd heard Vlad play before so it was the same song pretty much only better since it was played by Vlad.

"Merry Christmas love and take a seat." She said gesturing to the seat next to her. "Get everything you wanted?"

[hakhuraziel]

Rayne looked amazing, she seemed so happy to see him too as she turned, she had made herself look perfect from the front as well as the back as he'd first seen her. She presented him with a gift which he accepted with both hands, and gave her a slight thankful bow with his head and a shy wince of a smile.

Unwrapping the package, as it seemed appropriate to do, he felt the square, hard texture of what was inside, and eventually peeling away the blue paper, neatly folding it back, he slid out the music box and held it between both his hands. His fingers ran along the engraved pentagram, much like they would along the engraved chair he loved in the lounge, he admired its beauty.

Vlad's eyes flicked back to Rayne who was still looking at him seeing how he'd react, he just looked at her with a plain face and looked back it, almost shocked. He bent his fingers over the top of it and twisted the lid so that it cracked open gently, as the lid raised he heard the gentle chimes of a familiar song. It was beautiful, it was the song he'd been working on all year and Rayne had somehow notated it into a music box, magic perhaps? He was awestruck, she had gone to such effort to make his gift personal and meaningful, this was the best thing he'd ever been given since his mothers pendant which he wore fixed around his neck.

Vlad just looked straight at her, and said with a slight laugh in his voice, a laugh of disbelief 'Wow.. thanks'. He chuckled under his breath to himself, shaking his head still eyeing over the box, listening to its perfection. It was like she had said before, about his music piece being perfect and he was trying to attain the impossible, he'd just needed to see it, or hear it rather, from a different angle.. it was a realisation he had perhaps finally got where he wanted to be.

He regained a few of his senses and realised he was still in her presence and not to be rude, especially since he wanted to make her the centre of attention and feel as special as possible. He politely placed the music box on the bench and took a seat right next to Rayne, to her left, their legs crossed each others as they were facing one and other on the bench. He kind of felt a bit naked in the present department, in comparison, all he'd brought was this thin envelope, nothing of real substance. He just hoped the words inside were as meaningful as this fantastic gift.

[Rayne Hamilton R3]

Rayne smiled as she watched Vlad unwrap the present she'd bought for him. She knew he'd love it and she was glad she'd thought of it. She especially loved his face when he opened the lid and heard his music. She told him it was perfect when she first met him and it seemed he finally believed her.

Raynes heart jumped to her throat as their legs touched when he sat down. It was just a little touch but it was electrifying none the less. It was kind of funny how she'd gone from a complete loner to someone who was about to confess all to someone she'd just met a week ago. In a way it was kind of nice. She had never gotten the girls that got a boyfriend and then would spend like every day with them. Now she sort of understood and it was a nice feeling. She just needed to work up the courage to tell him that.

Rayne looked at Vlad then looked down. This was the not so good feeling that came with this sort of stuff. The whole you want to tell the other you like them but are not sure they feel the same way. It was a gut clenching feeling she could definately do without. She could also do without the lack of courage she was feeling at the moment. It had all been so easy in her head she'd sit down give him his present then be like so yeah I like you. In reality it wasn't. She had gotten the giving him the present part down but every time she opened her mouth to speak the words just wouldn't come.

"So how about we eat some dinner. I'm starved and I'm sure you are too anyway the food they make for Christmas is just delicious!" She said grabbing some festive looking dish from the middle of the table. 'How lame can I get!' she thought as she took a ladle full and put it on her plate. 'At least I'm getting out words this time.' she shook her head in frustration making the ribbons in her hair move as well.

[hakhuraziel]

Rayne asked him if they should eat, she looked kind of like he imagined how he looked when he was trying to make conversation, or atleast find something to say. He was feeling quite comfortable in the great hall, just the two of them and for whatever reason a lot of his nerves had just faded, they'd probably given up since he was in too deep to run away and hide now.

It was one of those perfect situations where he dare not say anything out of place to break the flow of the evening, he decided to carry on with the meal and scooped some roast potatoes and gravy onto his plate and poured himself a glass of water, he also poured Rayne a glass, to be a gentleman.

'You really didn't have to get me the gift you know, i'm sorry i haven't anything to return the favour, do you outshine everyone with your such great gifts?' Vlad smiled at her as he asked, although it was the perfect gift maybe that's all it was, and she was just great at picking gifts for people, maybe he'd still made an idiot of himself with what was written inside the card. His eyes scanned over at it as he spoke, since he was thinking this, and wasn't sure if he wanted her to open it now, because he had no idea how she felt. Maybe he should ask her, like that would be easy, yeah right.

[Rayne Hamilton R3]

Rayne blushed as he asked if she showed everyone up on gifts. At least she knew now that he liked her gift as much as she thought he would. Which was good she had spent days thinking about what to get him and this gift had only come to her after their little fight in the Room of Requirements where he yelled at her for fighting with Rachel. "No I didn't outshine everyone thanks though."

Rayne took a sip of the water Vlad had poured for her like the gentleman he was. She smiled at him. "Thanks much love and cheers." She said clinking glasses with him. She lowered her eyes with how nice he looked and how nice he was being she should just tell him. She opened her mouth to say something but the words wouldn't come. At least not the words she wanted. "So have you been enjoying your Christmas so far? Get everything you wanted?"

[hakhuraziel]

Vlad smiled at Rayne's question, Christmas was turning out much better than normal now that he had a friend. He was staying really positive and grateful for what he had, considering how many dull and dreary people were moping about pulling grey faces, this was the time of year to have some spirit, to be happy for what you got and all that.

'Yeah, Christmas has been great, it still doesn't feel like it should be Christmas Day, but i seem to recall saying that every year'. He took a few bites of his food as he was talking, digging his fork into his potato casually. Rayne still looked like she was a bit uncomfortble and had something to say, maybe she was offended because he hadn't given her a gift back, he wasn't entirely sure but even if she was hopefully rhe card would change her mind, when she got round to reading it. It still just sat there in between them.

'Do you like the card? It's not just a poor excuse because i forgot to get you something, i promise'.

[Rayne Hamilton R3]

Rayne looked mortified as she realized she had completely forgotten about his gift to her. She had been so concerned on whether or not Vlad would like his gift and she had been so involved in trying to find the right words to say to him that she hadn't given the card a second thought. Rayne picked up the card recovering from her moment of embarassment. "I didn't think it was love." She said smiling at him before opening the card.

Raynes looked at the card it was very pretty and it was definately the one she had seen him with in the Students Lounge. She had almost forgotten about that but she was glad he had given it to her. It looked expensive but that was besides the point the point was it was from him and he hadn't forgotten about her. Raynes eyes scanned over the words he had written in the card. They were beautiful almost poetic and he had pretty much said all she wanted to say in a card. Rayne had to read it three times before her brain would let her believe what she already knew. He liked her just as much as she herself liked him. Rayne put the card down and turned to face Vlad. "This is the best Christmas present I have ever gotten." She said and meant it.

Rayne leaned in closer she was nervous about this but she wanted to do it and she was pretty sure he wanted it too. Rayne kissed him just a little kiss because she was still not sure he wanted it. She pulled back and looked at him to see how he'd react. She really hoped she hadn't messed everything up.