37. Christmas day 2.

The Great Hall was a warm, festive sight despite the smaller crowd of students who had stayed behind for the holidays. Instead of the usual four house tables, a single long table had been set in the center, covered in an extravagant feast. The enchanted ceiling reflected a soft snowfall, and glowing fairies danced around the massive Christmas trees lining the hall. The scents of roasted meats, spiced cider, and freshly baked desserts filled the air, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

Ryan, Yue, and Rachel arrived together, the latter shyly holding onto Ryan's hand. Though Rachel wasn't as outwardly affectionate as Yue, there was a quiet satisfaction in the way she leaned against him ever so slightly, still basking in the warmth of the morning's intimacy. When Ryan pressed a soft kiss to her temple, her violet eyes sparkled with happiness, and she bit her lip to suppress a pleased smile.

As they took their seats, Harry looked up from across the table, his eyes lighting up when he saw Ryan. "Thanks for the trunk, mate. It's amazing—I spent half the morning exploring all the rooms."

Ryan smirked. "Figured you could use the space. You always looked cramped in that tiny dorm."

Harry shook his head with a chuckle. "You have no idea. That thing is a lifesaver. I've got a whole study room now! And a place to hide from Ron when he won't stop talking about the Chudley Cannons."

Ryan laughed. "Glad you like it. It's got plenty of room for whatever you need. Just don't let the twins use it for experiments unless you want surprise explosions in your own personal quarters."

Harry grimaced. "Yeah, no thanks. I'd like to keep my stuff in one piece."

The group enjoyed the meal, feasting on everything from honey-roasted ham to treacle tart. Every now and then, an enchanted Christmas cracker would explode in a shower of colored sparks, revealing various magical trinkets and prizes.

Ryan pulled one with a loud bang! and found a tiny, enchanted snow globe inside. Inside the glass, a miniature Hogwarts was covered in a gentle snowfall, the castle's windows glowing warmly. Yue's red eyes gleamed with interest, so Ryan handed it to her without a word. She took it with a pleased smile, cradling it in her hands like a precious treasure.

Rachel's cracker burst in a swirl of violet sparks, revealing an elegant, silver hairpin in the shape of a raven. She hesitated before picking it up, running her fingers over the delicate metalwork. Ryan reached over and carefully slid it into her dark hair, tucking a stray lock behind her ear. Her cheeks flushed slightly, but she didn't pull away, instead leaning just a bit closer to him.

Harry's cracker produced a pair of thick, woolen socks in a garish shade of orange that clashed horribly with his robes. "Brilliant," he muttered dryly, holding them up for Ryan to see. "Think they'll keep Snape from giving me detention?"

"Only if he's too blinded by the colors to assign one," Ryan replied with a smirk.

Even Yue and Rachel chuckled at that.

As for Ron he was too busy stuffing his face with food to participate in conversation, he did get a new wizard chess set from his cracker that he was pleased with.

After the feast, Ryan pocketed a few extra crackers before making his way back to the Ravenclaw Tower, with Yue and Rachel sticking close. Once they reached his dorm, he tossed his coat aside and fell onto his bed, sighing in contentment. The castle was peaceful, the warmth of Christmas lingering in the air.

Yue wasted no time curling up beside him, resting her head against his chest as her small hands traced idle patterns over his arm. Rachel hesitated for only a moment before slipping under the blankets as well, pressing herself against his side with a quiet hum of satisfaction.

"This is nice," Rachel murmured, her voice soft.

Yue nodded sleepily. "Mmm… warm."

Ryan chuckled, wrapping his arms around both of them. "Not a bad way to end Christmas, huh?"

Rachel only hummed in agreement, closing her eyes as she nuzzled into him. Yue smirked but said nothing, simply enjoying the warmth of being close to Ryan.

Just as the warmth and drowsiness began to settle over them, the air shifted slightly. Ryan didn't need to look up to know that Serenity had silently slipped into the room. Her presence was like a ghostly whisper, barely noticeable—except for the faint rustling of fabric as she carefully climbed onto the bed.

"Thought you'd be lurking in the shadows," Ryan murmured, cracking one eye open.

Serenity smirked, her deep purple eyes glinting in the dim candlelight. "Even assassins like warmth sometimes," she whispered.

She moved with care, making sure not to touch Rachel, who was still nestled against Ryan's side. Instead, she curled up on the opposite end of the bed, resting her head near his shoulder, her body just barely brushing against Yue's.

Ryan, without opening his eyes, lazily reached out and tangled his fingers with Serenity's, a quiet gesture of affection. Serenity gave the faintest of smiles at the touch, her normally guarded expression softening.

Ryan sighed, a small smile tugging at his lips as he lay there with the three of them. "Guess I'm not getting much sleep tonight with all of you clinging to me."

Serenity chuckled quietly. "Consider it a Christmas gift."

For a while, they lay there in comfortable silence, just enjoying each other's presence. The soft glow of the enchanted candles flickered gently, casting a warm light over the room. Eventually, as Yue and Rachel drifted off, Ryan's mind began to wander.

His gaze flickered toward the corner, where one half of the Vanishing Cabinet rested. He already had its pair, but repairing the damage was no small feat. If he could get it working, it would be a useful tool for quick travel.

His thoughts then turned to the Devil Fruits stored in his Gate of Babylon. He hadn't eaten them yet, but he wondered—could their curses be removed? If so, consuming them without the drawback of losing his ability to swim would be an incredible advantage.

Stretching slightly, he made a mental note to begin researching curse-breaking magic in more depth. There were ancient magical arts that might hold the answers he needed. But for now, he let his thoughts settle, enjoying the peaceful warmth of Christmas night, surrounded by the three women who meant the most to him.