"White" Christmas

[Mary Evans]

The beach, it was so close. Mary closed her eyes and envisioned the white sands she would be celebrating Christmas on. She pointedly ignored the image of her mother in the chair next to her; pushing it aside as though that would keep it from happening. Last year was the first Christmas Mary had ever spent away from a beach with her parents and as much fun as she had in Weinig Zug she just had not found the snow all too appealing. Despite as much as she would have loved to spend Christmas with her friends again Mary had to get out of the castle and go away to somewhere warm. Sadly the only option was to go with her parents. And so Mary sat on the Hogwarts Express in her royal purple corset top, blue jeans, and a heavy black cloak without any insignia on it. The train had yet to move but Mary had already been in her seat a minute or two – having made sure she was on time by planning on leaving an hour earlier that she had to. She was late of course and only ended up leaving a half hour early but that wasn’t a big deal considering she still made it to the train when she needed to. Mary rested her forehead against the window and opened her eyes. Snow was on the ground in Hogsmead as far as she could see; it made Mary cold just looking at it. She shuddered a small bit and hugged her arms before sitting back in her seat properly.

With a sigh Mary reached down into the bag at her feet and pulled out a book. It wasn’t quite the type of book that she usually enjoyed but it actually was pretty good. It was about a woman who was a writer but was currently employed as a secretary at a fashion magazine thinking if she does well there she can get a good reference and write anywhere she wishes in a few years. Some of the parts were actually quite funny though you felt sorry for the main character at times. Mary flipped it open to a page near the centre and placed her red bookmark on the seat beside her while stretching her legs up and resting her feet onto the seat across from her.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Kennedy trudged through the snow and boarded the busy Hogwarts Express. Disappointed that winter had arrived, he stomped the snow from his feet and rubbed his hands together vigorously in an attempt to warm them. With his overstuffed bag on his shoulder, he squeezed through the narrow corridor of the train, looking for a compartment to settle into.

Noticing a fellow Slytherin seated peacefully and reading a book, Kennedy opened the compartment door and threw his bag to the ground with a loud 'thud.'
"Bloody cold out, isn't it?" he said without even looking at the girl. He brushed the excess snow from his jacket and placed his belongings securely above his seat.

Plopping down across from the familiar girl, Kennedy finally looked at her expecting some sort of acknowledgment. "That is, unless you like the snow," he added with a grin. Kennedy looked out the window and watched as more students made their way to the train. He noticed a younger student slip and fall on the ice. A small chuckle escaped his lips. Normally he didn't care either way about the misfortunes of others, but this was just the thing he needed since the snow brought out a bitter nature in him.

[Mary Evans]

Mary looked up and glared as someone tromped into her compartment and threw their things heavily to the floor. It was a fellow fourth year Slytherin though, Kennedy, and getting rid of him was therefore not worth the fight. He may well prove amusing anyways, he did share a dorm with Pyro and Jack at least and despite not having gotten along with either of them at first she would now consider them both friends. He spoke to her about the cold as Mary returned to her book not bothering to take her feet off the seat and he brushed off snow and took a seat himself. When he was seated and spoke directly to her about liking the snow she finally closed her book and looked up at him again. “Oh of course, and don’t I just seem like the type of girl to enjoy the snow?” She said sarcastically indicating her three-inch stiletto heels on her boots that were still up in the seat across from her. “Bloody winter ruins my shoes. Were it warm I would not dislike the snow so bad but for the fact it ruins my heels. As much fun as Weinig Zug was last year I can certainly say I am not sorry to be returning to my normal Christmas traditions this year.

“So what are your plans for your winter break?” Mary then asked him. He chose to sit in her compartment so he would have to amuse her. Of course if he didn’t she could always go back to her book but… Mary then smirked at him as he began to chuckle seemingly out of nowhere. “What is so damned funny? Do you have some sort of mental problem or something? I don’t remember anybody mentioning that about you but I don’t suppose I would have cared enough to remember even if they had”

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Kennedy listened to Mary's sarcastic remark about the snow ruining her shoes. He noticed that she had stopped reading, and he felt a sudden sense of pressure since he first assumed that he wouldn't have to be social but now realized he might actually have to hold a conversation. At least it was with a fellow Slytherin.

"My family and I are going to a cabin we own in Austria," Kennedy said in response to Mary's question. "Every year we go and stay over Christmas break. Rather boring if you ask me, but it's the last year that mom and dad are making me go."

A bit offended by Mary's questioning of his mental stability, Kennedy quickly replied, "I'm quite normal actually. I was simply laughing at a student who clumsily fell on the ice. Look," he said as he pointed to the child who was now attempting to gather his belongings. "Serves him right," he added arrogantly, "little kids annoy me anyways."

"What about you?" Kennedy responded. "How do you plan to avoid the snow in those stilettos?" he added with a smirk.

[Mary Evans]

Mary simply nodded in response to Kennedy’s explanation about his break. It actually did sound quite boring but then she had never really been the “cabin” type. Nope, urbanization happened for a reason and Mary was not about it regress back. Plus, the whole essence of a cabin is it is away from civilization and thus away from shopping. She laughed as he defended his sanity pointing out some kid who had evidently fallen. “Oh yes, lets push them all on the ice because their age annoys you. They deserve it for being born after us, right?” She said sarcastically her face perfectly straight. Granted she would have laughed too as younger students annoyed her as well but it was just to fun to play devil’s advocate.

Mary sighed and rested her head on the top of her seat when Kennedy asked how she planned to avoid snow in her boots over break. “’These’ stilettos will not be worn, actually. This particular pair of boots will be left at Evans’ Manor. My parents and I go down to a different tropical beach every year and spend Christmas on the sand. My mother hates the cold as much as I do so she spends most the winter while I am at school traveling anyways – but over Christmas we do a “family vacation” somewhere we will all be warm. I hate having to put with her nagging all break but at least it’s warm and at least there is always something to do and something to distract her close at hand.” Mary said looking up at him and shrugging her shoulders indifferently.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Kennedy listened to another of Mary's sarcastic jabs. She is the queen of sarcasm, Kennedy thought to himself, but chose to say nothing about it. He had learned to ignore the ways of a Slytherin by now, as most of them were always willing to lend a rude or sarcastic remark, himself included.

Half listening to Mary's explanation of an enjoyable break in the warm sun, Kennedy couldn't help but feel jealous. He was not looking forward to spending his break with his parents and his spoiled sister while being trapped in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. He figured he would do what he did every year when they went there- sleep. Either that, or he would find ways to sneak off and find something worth his time.

Thinking back to Mary and her fortune to be spending Christmas without the snow, he offered a response. "Somebody is lucky," he said with a grin. "Sounds like you will be living in luxury." He never thought of Mary as the 'rich-type' but of course he didn't know her that well. Regardless, she was the one who was getting to ditch the snow for some sun while he was not. His momentary cheer turned sour again as his jealousy overcame him. He had nothing against Mary or the fact that she was well-off, but rather he became more and more depressed thinking about how great it would be if he could somehow avoid going to the cabin.

Shrugging off his bitter attitude, he grabbed his bag and found something that always lifted his spirits. Pulling out two chocolate frogs, he eagerly unwrapped one and put it in his mouth. "Want one?" he asked Mary, as he chewed. He held out his hand and offered her the frog.

[Mary Evans]

“I am sure somebody out there is lucky but I certainly am not. If you knew my mother… trust you would not want to be away with her.” Mary responded when Kennedy mentioned someone being lucky. Likely others could see her life as being lucky… but they didn’t have to live it. They didn’t have to spend their younger years listening to their mother brainwash them into being the perfect pureblood princess. They didn’t turn against it all in their second year only to realise how stupid a decision that had been during their third. They did not have to put up with her mother’s displeasure during that whole rebellious stage. They do not have to answer questions reassuring her all the time. Sure it may not sound like much but… it sure put her life through a tailspin.

She gave him a queer look when he mentioned living in luxury; didn’t all Slytherins? “No more so than ever other year, really.” Was the only response that came to her mind.

Mary accepted the offered chocolate frog and popped it into her mouth. “Thanks” she said with a small little smile. “Chocolate. You know friends come and go but chocolate is forever.” Mary said with a playful smirk.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Mary's response had Kennedy thinking. It wasn't that his family was poor, but social status was not something he really thought of much. He didn't really care one way or another what a person's social status may be, and at that blood really didn't matter to him either. Kennedy's apathetic view toward others was a main reason that he really didn't have any close friends. He felt that he needed himself and only himself to survive. Not wanting to ignore Mary, Kennedy brought his mind back to the compartment.

Laughing softly at Mary's response to chocolate, this also made him think. Maybe she doesn't rely on having friends or others to get her through life either, he thought to himself.

Kennedy didn't know what else to say. He wasn't one who was good at creating conversation. He only used his power of speech when he needed to persuade someone to benefit him. He was very persuasive, but not good with small talk. Giving a slight grin, he just sat there and waited to see what Mary would do next.

[Mary Evans]

A grin, that was something; Mary decided as she swallowed the chocolate. Mary picked up her book once more and flipped the pages open. She read a few words before closing it once more and placing it back on the seat beside her. Mary then finally removed her legs from the seat in across from her and crossed them normally. Mary twisted in her seat so that the back of her head was resting on the window and the bulk of her body was resting on the corner between the wall of the compartment and the back of her seat so that she was directly facing Kennedy. She cocked her head and just watched him for a moment or two.

“So Kennedy; truth or dare?” she asked with an impish grin. Sure he hadn’t exactly agreed to play but he had entered her compartment… Plus she had never played with a relative stranger before – it could prove entertaining for the next little while at least. Or at least may bring up something for them to talk about since it seemed she would no longer be reading her book.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

A few moments passed as Kennedy watched attentively as Mary readjusted herself a couple times in her seat and even picked up a book at one point. The prolonged silence was awkward, but Kennedy remained still. Suddenly, Mary broke the silence and her question left Kennedy stunned. "Tr-truth or dare?" Kennedy stuttered. "Well dare of course!" he blurted before even having much time to think the situation out in his mind. He hadn't played the game that often, but instinct told him to chose dare. He couldn't come off as a coward in front of a fellow Slytherin. This could be interesting, he thought to himself. He could only imagine the type of dare Mary might conspire. Figuring it would simply be a task of taunting or bullying a younger student, Kennedy relaxed a little and was not too worried. On the other hand, he knew Mary would probably think of something very daring, and this left him a little apprehensive.

[Mary Evans]

Mary smirked as Kennedy seemed surprised at her question. That was good – surprise always provided the best answers – people didn’t usually have time to be anything but honest or try to be witty. As he chose dare she simply looked at him for another long moment. Had he chosen truth she could have easily asked him what style of music he preferred or something simple like that but instead he had challenged her by choosing dare. She would certainly need to think on it a moment, that was for sure. Thankfully for him Filch never came on the Hogwarts Express otherwise he could have repeated Jordan’s serenade. She could have him sing to Professor Snape but… he may not enjoy watching her giggle at a scene like that again and she certainly did not want to risk Snape's displeasure.

A giddy group of giggling girls passed by the compartment and Mary scowled at the door until their figures had completely disappeared from sight. It was only then that the perfect idea struck her… “Got it”, she announced smugly, “the next girl who walks down that hall wants a kiss. No, she needs a kiss. And it needs to be from you. A romantic kiss – not a grudging one – by her view at least. If it’s some piece of filth from another house all the better – confuse the poor girl – should be good for a laugh for a few weeks if you get this one right. First year or seventh, Gryffindor or Slytherin, single or attached, it doesn’t matter; it just has to be the next girl who walks down the hall.” Mary finished with a giggle. This could be amusing.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Kennedy listened to Mary's dare and he felt his face begin to get hot. This isn't too hard,he assured himself. In all actuality, he was very nervous. Thoughts began to race through his head and the compartment began to spin circles around him. Gathering himself, he focused back to Mary and cleared his throat. "I can do that," he said in a choked voice. "No problem," he lied assuringly. He gave a convincing line, but if Mary could only see his insides begin to knot in fear, she would realize how apprehensive he really was.

Shake it off,he scolded himself. You are strong. It's not like you've never kissed a girl. Just do it. Kennedy continued to reassure himself silently. He glanced over at Mary and anxiously waited for another girl to pass their compartment.

A minute or so passed, and nobody was to be seen. Just then, Kennedy heard footsteps. A lump formed in his throat, as sure enough, a girl walked by. Without allowing himself to even think twice, Kennedy jumped up from his seat and exited the compartment. He grabbed the startled girl from behind and spun her around. Before he knew what happened, Kennedy was locking lips with the girl whom he hadn't even identified. After a few seconds of kissing, Kennedy pulled away to get a good look at the girl and to see if Mary was watching the whole episode. As he peered at his victim, his mouth dropped when he recognized who he had just kissed.

[Lenora Byers]

“Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shinning, ‘tis the night of the dear saviour’s birth.” Lenora’s voice rang out through the corridors as she went from cabin to cabin looking for her best friend Ashley or maybe her brother Aaron. After so many years of training her voice never quivered through the high notes but she did recognize that she had fallen slightly out of practice at opera – though the untrained ear could likely not recognize it. She started in the front and made her way to the back having dumped her trunk off in one of the front ones – she would go back to get it about ten minutes before the train stopped or something. She had almost been late for the train that day because her morning jog had gone a bit longer than usual. That meant she couldn’t look for a familiar face before the train began to move. She had remained in one of the front compartments until she had felt the train jerk into motion. As soon as she decided she could move without tipping over Lenora got up and began down the halls.

And so there she was in the middle of the front of the train singing a Christmas Carol when out of nowhere some boy poped out from a carriage behind her. She jumped slightly as he grabbed her and spun her around. She was about to scream when suddenly his mouth collided with hers. Lenora pushed him off looking frantically about her – what on earth was going on here? She sighed exasperated upon noticing it was a Slytherin in the year below her looking just as surprised as she. “What you expected some Slytherin tart?” She snapped at him before slapping him hard as possible across the face.

Finally, Lenora pushed herself completely away from the boy and turned on her heel. She marched away trying to appear composed though she was likely going a little faster than she usually would when storming away indignantly.

[Mary Evans]

Mary nodded still giggling as Kennedy assured her he could do it. She was really hoping for some pathetic Hufflepuff to walk by and think he was in love with her. The girl’s heartbreak would be beyond amusing for many weeks to come. She began tapping the pointed toe of her boot as she waited with him for another girl to pass by. It was not overly long before she heard the sounds of a female voice singing opera coming down the hall.

Mary smirked as the figure passed and Kennedy seemed to rush out the door and swept her up in his arm in a swirl of long blond hair. The shared kiss was a far cry from romantic; but Mary was absolutely crouching her knees into her stomach laughing as the “couple” pulled apart – both with that deer caught in the headlights look. “What you expected some Slytherin tart?” Mary heard the girl reply. She didn’t know quite how to react – at present she was doubled over giggling but offended none the less. Slytherins did not come in tart form – that was the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff’s jobs. The girl seemed to storm away and Mary settled for glaring after her as she grabbed Kennedy’s sleeve and attempted to pull him into the compartment with her.

“Well that went over well, don’t you think?” Mary asked searching for signs of redness on Kennedy’s face. “Bet she will be gossiping about this with her friends all break as though she’s something special having been kissed by a Slytherin.” She said spitefully with a harsh smirk.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

In utter surprise, Kennedy recognized the girl as an older Gryffindor. He would have preferred any other house and most likely a girl his age or younger. Unlucky for him Lenora was neither.

At the instant she realized what happened, Lenora delivered a harsh slap to Kennedy's face. After a remark about her not being a 'Slytherin tart,' Lenora was off.

Mary pulled Kennedy into the compartment and examined his cheek. Kennedy placed his hand on his where Lenora had slapped him, and it was now even hotter than before. Relieved at the fact that he was at least done with his turn, Kennedy let out a sigh of relief. At least he hadn't drawn any additional attention from other students or professors- yet.

Looking at Mary, he responded to her remark. "Yeah. It went peachy," he said sarcastically. He couldn't help but feel bitter, and he instantly began to think of ways to make Mary have as hard of time as he did.

"Okay," he said after rubbing his face a little more. "Your turn," he added with a smirk. "Truth or dare?"

[Mary Evans]

Mary sneered as Kennedy said things went peachy but left it at that. Seemed neither of them were all too pleased with the reaction of the Gryffindor girl… Mary still maintained it was a funny dare; especially when Lenora and Kennedy both realised what had happened. What did it matter what that singing fool thought anyways? Rumour had it she had been tossed around by Millicent Bulstrode and Vincent Crabbe just under a year ago anyways – of course she would still resent Slytherins. Likely jealous too – who wouldn’t be? But she was a dirty little half-blood or something so she couldn’t be in Slytherin if she tried. That was still no reason to call Slytherin tarts though, honestly. The nerve of her – apparently it would take more than one Queen to show her her place.

“I guess I will begin with dare.” Mary replied. “Truth is harder anyways because you have to risk exposing yourself – anyone can complete a dare because you can always just brush it off. So I will start with the easier one I think.” Mary said a smile creeping back onto her face.

[Kennedy Valak S6]

Kennedy was glad that Mary chose dare. He knew that truth could be risky, but you could always lie. With a dare, you either did it or you didn't and then looked like a coward. Unsure if Mary would be truthful or not, he knew that he would never reveal his deep secrets.

Kennedy pondered thoughtfully as he tried to produce a brilliant dare. Idea after idea surfaced in his mind, but he dismissed each one, thinking that they were all too juvenile or just plain stupid. After a minute or so of deep concentration, he had it. "Alright," he said, his face glowing with delight. "Not too tough, but it will test your abilities." He walked over to the door and gazed down either end of the narrow hallway. Happily, he walked back in and looked at Mary. "Ok. The lady with the candy cart is on her way. Your dare is to steal something, anything, from the cart without getting caught." Kennedy knew that Mary would probably have no trouble doing the task, but he wanted to see her in action and see if she was capable of stealing. She's probably never had to steal a thing in her life, he thought, amused. "Of course if you get caught, it would make it more interesting," Kennedy added.

Watching and waiting for Mary's response, Kennedy took another look down the hall to see the candy cart quickly approaching. "So what do you say?" he asked. "You don't have much time to think about it."

[Mary Evans]

((Sorry I know this post sucks but… I just couldn’t do it properly. I suppose how unorganized it is goes with the chaos in my head right now lol.))

Mary cocked her eyebrow at her dare – steal something? Like some petty thief? She was a noble pureblood… “I suppose because it is a game but… you couldn’t have been a bit more imaginative? I mean… who steals things nowadays? Especially something like a bag of crisps.” She said with a sigh. She didn’t know how to steal things. Sure it couldn’t be too hard considering brain-dead fools managed it every day – but that wasn’t the point. It was truly below her and she would do well to say no and simply scoff at him for being so low class. But it was a dare…

After shaking her head at him a moment Mary withdrew her wand and crossed over beside Kennedy where she could see out the door with it open only a crack. The old woman knocked on a compartment door only two away from their own. Mary stuck the end of her wand out the small opening she had been looking though and with a swish all the snacks began flying everywhere. Packets of gum and chocolate frogs and Every Flavour Beans began flying everywhere – some of the packets even ripped open leaving individual beans to bounce about on their own.

The woman screamed and started swatting at the candies flying at her face while still trying to scramble and get everything onto the cart. People from all the compartments near started peaking their heads out at the sound of the squeal. Some started helping the woman collect it all – probably bloody Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs – while others could be heard laughing at the mayhem outside. Mary couldn’t help it – she sent a green Every Flavour Bean up the nose of a red clad helper. They were all looking around frantically as the candies flew everywhere and pretending to be looking out like everyone else Mary stuck her hand out and grabbed a single chocolate frog. Only one person saw her – a second year Slytherin popping her head out of the compartment next to Mary. Mary simply quirked her eyebrow at the girl and she smirked.

That done Mary pretended to tire of the show and closed the door to the compartment – the spell was wearing off anyways since it must have been a good minute or so they were all swirling around. She sat back down in her original seat and popped the chocolate in her mouth before tossing the card at Kennedy. “Here you can keep this” Mary said to him. “So. Truth or dare?”

[Kennedy Valak S6]

((The post was fine! very clever I must add))

Kennedy watched as Mary sprung into action. In no time, the Express' hallway was in a state of disarray. Mary had successfully cast a spell that had the candy from the cart spread in all directions. Through the chaos, Mary easily nabbed a single chocolate frog.

"Brilliant," Kennedy complemented Mary. "I guess I expected something more traditional. Perhaps I figured you would simply distract the lady with some sort of comment while you slipped a piece of candy right from under her nose, but I never specified that you couldn't use magic. You outwitted me on this one," he said with a grin. "But you did what I asked, so I guess that's all that matters." Still a bit set back by Mary's quick thinking, Kennedy pondered the choice before him.

Well, I could chose truth, he thought, but that would involve me having to possibly create a believable story if the question is something I wish to keep private. Or I could chose another dare, but I'm sure that by now she has many clever things thought of that I would have to end up doing. Kennedy was torn between the decision.

"I suppose I'll go with truth," he said, hoping that his thinking skills would be ready for anything Mary had coming his way. "We should probably let things die down a little bit before causing any more commotion," he added with a grin. "Wouldn't want a bloody professor to come and ruin all the fun now would we?" Kennedy had no idea what kind of question Mary might ask, be he only expected the worst if it were coming from a fellow Slytherin. He was sure she would provide something that involved him having to reveal something deep and personal. A few droplets of sweat formed on Kennedy's forehead as he awaited Mary's question.

[Mary Evans]

Mary nodded and smirked as Kennedy complemented her tactic. “Me? Do something with stealth like that? Nah. I like to cause a big fuss in everything I do. If you ever see me being quiet or not putting on a show you know something extraordinary is up. I am a leo you know. What’s the point of doing something if you don’t get credit for it?” Mary said with a self-satisfied smirk.

She took a moment to think on it when Kennedy chose truth – it really was a good idea to lay off the dares for a bit with the stir that had just occurred – didn’t want anyone catching on to their little game otherwise they could have a professor joining them in the compartment; and what fun was that? “Ok… After you die would you rather be remembered for your actions or your ideas?” Mary asked “And – the bane of all answers – why?” she asked cheerily. Mary was a firm believer that the answer to that question told a lot about a person. “Oh and while you are coming up with your answer you may want to know my next choice is truth as well so you can just ask.” She finished with an “of so innocent” smile that she had perfected over the years.

((OOC: Hehehe 1,300 posts *throws confetti* Sorry I am a little excited about that ))