Christmas was on its way to Hogwarts; the coming festive season had put a large damper to Rodrick's mood knowing he would be spending it at Hogwarts, it would've been fine had he not been the only one too. Almost if not all the Slytherin students were planning to spend it with their families, his friends had tried to cheer him up ever since but seeing them only made him feel worse as he realized something else. He couldn't even afford to get them any gifts. He had asked his grandfather if he had any money to his name.
He'd been surprised when his grandfather had, in fact, confirmed a Grindlewald vault's existence. There was only a small problem, attempting to access said vault would encourage half the wizarding world to try to hunt him down. The elder Grindlewald had told me to leave it to him to sort out himself however before he could ask his meaning Rodrick had woken up almost immediately.
It was currently mid-December, Hogwarts had woken to find the castle covered in snow, even Rodrick couldn't help the smile coming to his face when he saw it. His friends had seemed relieved to see him smile and made the most of it.
"This is one of the few rare moments we can get a conversation out of him without him pouting." Blaise joked.
The girls attempted to hide their chuckles poorly while Rodrick frowned before forcing a smile back on so as not to prove Blaise's point.
They saw through the whole thing and laughed even harder.
...
They'd had a strange potions lesson that morning, Rodrick had found out that some of the Gryffindors, more importantly, some he knew, would also be spending Christmas at Hogwarts. This made Rodrick feel slightly better knowing he would have some company, however, he didn't voice it out. Malfoy had also apparently found out as he'd attempted to make fun of them for it. That was the moment it got strange. Rodrick had glared off towards Malfoy when he'd started making the remarks assuming them to be directed towards himself, Malfoy noticed the glare and surprisingly stopped trying.
Malfoy had avoided insulting him on purpose? Rodrick couldn't figure out why. In fact, now that he'd thought about it, Rodrick should've been a prime target for a person like Draco Malfoy. Having no family links that he can speak off and him being an orphan to top it off. Rodrick had worn his school robes most of his time in the common room as he feared his muggle clothes would attract too much attention however even then his school robes were second hand.
That alone should've prompted some form of snide remark out of Malfoy and yet now that Rodrick had thought about it... The boy had never actually tried to antagonize him. The thought unsettled him.
Rodrick was confused at the realization, but he was sure of one thing... Draco wasn't trying to make an enemy out of him. Daphne who was beside him had noticed the exchange and raised an eyebrow when Malfoy had ceased on his insults; even the Gryffindors seemed put out. He turned towards his friend and shook his head showing off his own confusion at the matter.
Daphne and Rodrick were sitting in one of the sofas in the Slytherin dungeon, Tracey was currently playing a game of chess with a fellow Slytherin with Blaise behind her trying to give her his 'advice' to help her 'win.' Rodrick shook his head at his friend's antics before resting his head on the couch. Daphne stared at him for a few moments before she asked him a question that made him almost bolt his head.
"Do you want to spend the holiday with my family?" Daphne had a small smile on her face when she asked.
Rodrick stared at her face dumbfounded; he wasn't sure what to say in all honesty, he felt happy that he was offered.
"Did you ask your parents?" he questioned back, he didn't have anything against Hogwarts, but he didn't want any reminders of his orphanage either.
Daphne's face fell a little at this before she replied, "I sent them an owl asking... They haven't responded to it yet."
Rodrick's hopeful look disappeared before he quickly set his face into a neutral mask and replied "I don't think it's a good idea than," he shrugged with false amusement
"I doubt it'd be that big of a problem, I mean you di-" however before she could finish Rodrick quickly put a finger over her mouth to quiet her, she narrowed her eyes a little before she realized the common room was quite packed, she nodded her head slowly.
"Even then...I mean it'll be okay here really, I can at least wear what I want with everyone else leaving, don't really have to worry about any insults or anything." Rodrick shrugged.
"If you change your mind tell me, I'll be gone in about three days," she added.
Rodrick lowered his head slowly, before motioning them to join the others.
Daphne looked a little dismayed at the thought before she admitted not knowing how to play the game, Rodrick chuckled before he offered to teach her.
They both came up in time to see Blaise lose a game to a happy Tracey, Rodrick raised his eyebrow at his friend who narrowed his eyes back before offering him a chance to do better. Rodrick accepted, a small smirk lit up his face.