Getting Through Tomorrow

Chapter 1: The Beginning

Hogwarts was still and quiet in the hazy glow of dusk. Tom squinted across the snowy field, concentrating on the silhouette of his best friend as she became clear in the distance. He knew that the red and green box just visible between the folds of her winter cloak was the gift that he had asked her not to buy him for Christmas. Turning his back to her, he walked further into the shadows under the stands of the Quidditch pitch and closed himself inside of the warmth of the broom closet. Although he was a child, Tom was not prone to frequent episodes of childishness. He had never been afforded that luxury. While most boys would be excitedly awaiting the sweet girl carrying a surprise gift, he sat patiently on a small stool with crossed legs and folded hands.

As soon as she burst through the door, she presented the gift and cried, "Happy Christmas Eve!"

For the moment, he ignored the pain behind her toothy smile. Regarding her apathetically, he replied, "I told you not to buy me a Christmas gift."

Her smile failed. "But, I didn't. This gift is for Christmas Eve. I'm not giving you anything tomorrow morning."

She and Tom had been inseparable since their first meeting on the Hogwarts Express. She knew him well enough to understand that he was avoiding Christmas simply because it was unfamiliar to him. Like most people, he was afraid of the unknown. He was wary of the possible disappointment of change. He never wanted anyone to see his vulnerability lurking behind his powerful façade that he had been perfecting since his years in the Muggle orphanage. She understood not wanting to appear vulnerable because as a Muggleborn witch, she felt that she needed to prove herself worthy of magic.

She forced the box into his hands. "Just take it, please. I know that you've never gotten a Christmas present before, and I want to be the first to give you one."

"This is ridiculous. I told you not to get me anything, and now I don't have a gift for you."

She sighed. "You can get me two presents next year."

The assurance from her that they would still be friends the following year prompted him to slowly unwrap the gift. The smile gracing his lips when he saw the contents of the box was barely perceptible, but that was enough for the nervous girl watching him to finally exhale. He looked up at the sound.

"Thank you."

"You like it." It wasn't a question. "I was a bit unsure. I almost got a Wizard's Chess set, but . . ."

"No, this is great. I didn't have one, and . . . well, chess is the only thing that Muggles got right, yea?"

With a roll of her eyes, she said, "You're such a Slytherin."

They didn't bother leaving the Quidditch pitch for the rest of the evening. There weren't many students staying for the holidays, but Tom didn't feel like threatening the few Slytherins in the castle with bodily harm should a confrontation happen due to his companion's blood status.

They made good use of the new chess set in silence for about an hour before Tom remembered something from earlier.

"Your eyes were red when you first got here."

As the mood changed in the room, she realized that she was getting cold.

He watched her nervously pace about the room as she renewed the warming charms, and he waited patiently for her response.

"One of the older boys . . . I know I'm not pretty, but . . ."

There was a pregnant pause as she tried to explain to Tom how she was feeling. In truth, there was nothing wrong with her appearance. She was only eleven. Of course she wasn't pretty . . . yet. She was a mousy, skinny, brunette bookworm, but she had the potential to become a sexy librarian in just a few years. Tom didn't see that yet, but he would appreciate her beauty one day. As an eleven-year-old overachiever, Tom was drawn to her intelligence. They were both well read, and they were the top two students in their year. Plus, she was the only worthy opponent he had in the entire school for when he wanted to play his favorite games.

"He said rude and vulgar things . . . and I hexed him, just like you told me to do, but that didn't make me feel powerful."

"Give it time. You'll feel better soon because they'll stop teasing you."

"You really think so?"

"Remember what I told you?"

"When you doubt your power, you give power to your doubt."

"Exactly."

"I'm glad we're friends, Tom"

HG******************LV

"Happy Christmas, Tom!"

His fellow Slytherins shouted holiday greetings to him as they began to fill the common room and put to use their gifts from home. The fact that he was a Parselmouth had gained him much notoriety within Slytherin House. He didn't know if it was respect that kept them cordial towards him, or if it was fear that forced their kindness. He didn't really care as long as they kept sharing their holiday candy with him. He spent most of the morning in their company eating sweets and talking about Quidditch.

By the time they arrived at the Great Hall, most of the children were too enthusiastic about their gifts to enjoy the Christmas feast. Students from all four houses sat at one table and socialized while a choir of elves sang carols. However, Tom quietly enjoyed his meal before excusing himself from the table to go write in his journal. When he began to get bored, he slipped into the library.

She was already there.

"You are just as silly as the rest of the girls."

"Why is that?"

"You are reading a stupid magazine."

"This isn't a magazine. It's a comic book. Boys read them all of the time."

"Well, I don't."

"Well, maybe you should . . . Want to sneak into Hogsmeade tonight? I hear that there's going to be lights and games."

"You think we could get more sweets?"

She giggled and said, "Of course. After all, the village children will be out, so I'm sure Honeydukes has supplied something for the party."

"Let's go."

HG*********************LV

When Tom awoke on Boxing Day, he realized that he had gotten through his first ever Christmas celebration, and he had quite liked it.