The Malverne estate was alive with festive cheer as Christmas Eve arrived. Snow blanketed the grand manor, the glow of lanterns and enchanted fairy lights casting a golden warmth over the winter landscape. Inside, the halls were adorned with garlands of holly and mistletoe, the scent of pine and cinnamon filling the air.
This Christmas was different. It wasn't just about family traditions but also the prelude to Ezekiel and Daphne's wedding. In just two days, they would be bound together forever.
---
The grand hall of the Malverne estate was bustling with warmth and laughter. A massive Christmas tree stood in the center, decorated with shimmering silver and blue ornaments—colors representing both House Ravenclaw and House Malverne.
Ezekiel stood near the fireplace, watching as Celeste eagerly hung the last ornament on the tree. His parents, Thomas and Marissa, sat nearby, sipping mulled wine, watching their children with fond smiles.
Alys, seated on the couch, smirked at her older brother. "You're staring at the tree like it holds all the secrets of magic itself."
Ezekiel chuckled. "Just appreciating the moment."
Daphne arrived shortly after, dressed in an elegant dark green dress, her hair in soft waves. She greeted his family before coming to stand beside him, slipping her hand into his.
"It feels surreal, doesn't it?" she murmured.
He glanced at her. "What does?"
She smiled softly. "That soon, we'll be married. I know we've accepted it, but sometimes it still feels like a dream."
Ezekiel lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her fingers. "If it's a dream, I don't want to wake up."
Daphne blushed, but before she could say anything, Celeste ran up to them.
"Ez! Daphne! We're about to open our first round of gifts!"
Ezekiel smirked. "First round?"
Celeste nodded excitedly. "The Christmas Eve tradition, remember? One gift before bedtime!"
Daphne chuckled. "I suppose we should join them then."
---
The family gathered near the fireplace, unwrapping a few presents before the grand exchange in the morning.
Celeste eagerly opened her gift from Ezekiel—a beautifully crafted enchanted bracelet that would subtly warm her hands in the cold. She gasped in delight.
"This is amazing! Thank you, Ez!"
Alys rolled her eyes fondly. "Spoiling her as always."
Ezekiel smirked. "That's my job."
Daphne, meanwhile, unwrapped a delicate silver necklace with a sapphire pendant, enchanted to glow softly whenever she was thinking of him.
She looked at Ezekiel, her expression soft. "It's beautiful."
He leaned in. "So that even when we're apart, you'll always carry a piece of me with you."
She kissed his cheek. "You're too sweet for your own good, Malverne."
---
The next morning, snow fell gently outside as everyone gathered once again near the grand tree for the main gift exchange.
Daphne sat beside Ezekiel, unwrapping his present carefully. Inside the box was a beautifully bound, ancient tome filled with forgotten magical knowledge—a book that had once belonged to Rowena Ravenclaw herself.
Daphne's breath hitched. "Ez… this is… incredible."
He smirked. "I had it restored for you. I figured since you're going to be Lady Ravenclaw, you should have something truly worthy of the title."
She ran her fingers over the ancient text, eyes shining. "I love it." She turned to him, kissing him softly. "Thank you."
---
After exchanging gifts with the rest of the family, Daphne finally handed Ezekiel his present.
He unwrapped the box and raised an eyebrow when he saw a perfectly tailored set of enchanted dueling robes, black with silver and blue accents.
"Impressive," he mused, running his fingers over the fine material.
Daphne smirked. "They're reinforced with protective enchantments. A gift worthy of Lord Ravenclaw."
He chuckled, pulling her close. "I love it. But the best gift is still you."
She rolled her eyes but smiled. "You really are hopelessly romantic, aren't you?"
"Only for you."
She leaned in, whispering against his lips. "Good. Because I plan to keep you all to myself."
He kissed her deeply, the warmth of the fire matching the heat between them.
---
As the day went on, the reality of their impending wedding loomed closer. That evening, Marissa Malverne pulled Ezekiel aside, handing him a sealed letter.
"The final preparations are done," she said. "The wedding will proceed as planned on the 26th. Are you ready?"
Ezekiel exhaled, then nodded. "I am."
Marissa studied him for a moment before smiling. "I always knew you would find your own path, Ezekiel. And I see that Daphne is truly your choice, not just the contract's."
He met his mother's gaze. "She is. And I will make sure she never regrets this."
Marissa nodded approvingly. "Then go enjoy your last days before the wedding. Because once you're married, things will change."
Ezekiel smirked. "I'm counting on it."
As he returned to the celebration, he caught Daphne's eye from across the room. She smiled at him, and he knew—this Christmas wasn't just about gifts and tradition. It was the beginning of a new chapter.
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