Chapter 208 The Last Date on Christmas Eve
On December 12, Christmas Eve, Della and Belinda got up early and dressed.
Della wore a vintage red velvet dress that was not longer than her knees and had a V-neck, and a pair of black winter boots that just reached her knees. Belinda helped her simply pull her hair back, deliberately creating a conflict between elegance and looseness, weakening Della's subtle aggressiveness.
Belinda followed the "ugly sweater" habit today and wore a red sweater printed with green Christmas trees. However, the style of this sweater was not designed to be as thick as the "ugly sweater". After one corner of it was tucked into Belinda's short black leather skirt, it was able to show the curves of Belinda's upper body very well. She also wore black boots today, which were slightly above the knees.
After everything was packed up, Della and Belinda agreed that the highlight of today would be the warming spell, so that the two of them, who were well dressed and had some legs exposed, would not be so beautifully "frozen" outside.
Della has to leave early tomorrow morning. Today is their farewell date, and they plan to play in the Muggle world until midnight.
Oh, I almost forgot, Maggie also came along, and because she was afraid that the warming spell wasn't enough, Belinda thoughtfully brought him a bag with a larger capacity and put a layer of fleece inside to hold him.
"Maggie is actually used to going out in the winter." After everything was packed, Della said to Maggie, who was curled up in Belinda's handbag with only half of her head sticking out.
"Being used to being out doesn't mean you like it," said Belinda, reaching her fingers into the bag and stroking Maggie twice. Maggie cooperated by moving the snake's head up and down, causing Belinda to laugh twice. "It's against nature to let hibernating snakes out in winter, so of course we have to take better care of them."
"That's so sweet of you, Belinda." Because Maggie seemed to be enjoying it so much, Della didn't say anything more, but she felt that Maggie was pretending to be young in front of Belinda.
Admittedly, he had often hung out with seniors at Hogwarts, but according to Della's observation, although Maggie appeared docile in front of those people, she always seemed to be at ease and could even be said to be dominant in interactions between humans and snakes.
It is actually rare to find such a well-behaved Maggie.
However, it is rare to see Della so comfortable.
When she was with Belinda, she didn't have to care too much about the name Riddle, didn't have to deliberately distinguish between Muggles and wizards, and she couldn't even hide her emotions. She liked it this way.
It's a pity that this is the last day.
Della had an indescribable feeling in her heart. The word "goodbye" was not far away from her. She had left the small town where she lived and left Hogwarts where she studied, but she had no attachments in the small town in the past. When she left Hogwarts, she had no chance to say goodbye to everything due to limited conditions.
This was her first time going on such a "farewell" date, and her reluctance to part with Belinda almost surpassed that of anyone she had ever known before - she poured an excessive amount of emotion into Belinda.
After realizing this, an idea immediately came to Della's mind - Belinda was worth it because she was a reliable adult, a delicate woman, and a perfect roommate. Della was very glad that Belinda was with her during her growth process.
"Silent Night, Holy Night."
"In heaven, the stars are bright."
“A miracle has happened.”
As the two of them walked arm in arm past a shop whose glass window was filled with gift boxes, they heard melodious music. After they heard these few words, the music immediately switched back to the same cheerful Christmas music that was playing in other shops on the street.
"They played it early," said Belinda, "but that's all right. Hearing it on the street will make you appreciate the midnight carols in the church better."
To Della, the three lines of lyrics that came to an abrupt end were very much in line with the scene in her heart. After scanning the streets filled with a strong festive atmosphere, she held Belinda's hand tightly and said, "It also tells us to enjoy the festival that brings miracles."
"It's too early for you to say that," Belinda tapped Della's forehead affectionately, "You can enjoy it, but don't just focus on what's in front of you. There will be something more enjoyable in the future."
"Yes, we haven't walked around much today." Before saying goodbye, there was still half a day to enjoy. Della looked up at Belinda and smiled. This smile was restrained like usual, but there was an unprecedented soft light in her slightly narrowed black eyes. "Let's go, Belinda."
"Let's go, Della." Belinda's eyes narrowed with a smile, and Maggie, who was hiding in her handbag, quietly poked half of her head out and stared into Della's eyes.
Ah, I see...
Maggie suddenly understood Della's view on love and realized that she didn't need to worry about it anymore.
Anyway, it's just...
what.
Maggie relaxed like a snake. He found a comfortable position in Belinda's velvet bag and listened to the strange harmony formed by the various carols played in a loop in the shops on the shopping street. For the first time, he felt the festive atmosphere beneath the noise.
Before he got Della's first "Merry Christmas" of Christmas, he first found his Christmas present.
And in this ubiquitous Christmas carols, Della and Belinda visited Christmas markets one after another, ate seafood meals with Maggie, and had more and more shopping bags filled with souvenirs in their hands - in Belinda's words, although there is Christmas every year, every year is different, so every year needs a commemorative memory that can be witnessed.
In fact, it was just that she couldn't control her desire to consume during the holidays, but Della liked Belinda's explanation and mentality, and it was obvious that she was not a person who could control her desire to consume.
On Christmas Eve, as the night went on, more and more lights went out, and only a few souvenir sheds with lights on and songs were left on the street. Belinda took Della to the local cathedral.
In the magnificent church, people stood in groups of three or five and talked in low voices. Everyone had peace and expectation on their faces. When they looked at the holy cross, the peace on their faces would instantly turn into piety.
"Silent Night, Holy Night."
"In heaven, the stars are bright."
“A miracle has happened.”
The children on the platform began to sing. Della looked at their lively and rosy cheeks and found a place to stand with Bellinda. They were not religious, but in this melodious and innocent singing, their faces began to show the same peace and expectation as everyone else in the church.
Peace is for the present, and anticipation is for the future.
"The Son of God sleeps in the straw,"
"May endless love protect him!"
"May endless love protect him!"
When the children sang this, Belinda held Della's face and kissed her gently on the forehead.
This kiss was moist, soft, warm, and had a hint of eldership.
This kiss was for the real Della Riddle in Belinda's eyes.
"Sweet child, gentle lamb!"
“How holy, how beautiful!”
The hymns in her ears continued, and Della threw herself into Belinda's arms and buried her whole face in them.
she cried.
She cried sincerely in front of outsiders, she didn't want her tears to be seen.
Belinda's amber eyes also shone with tears. She looked at the extremely fragile black-haired little girl buried in front of her, stroked her smooth black hair, and sang softly along with the hymn:
"From this world where love is strange,"
"From now on, love will never leave us,"
"May he be king forever!"
She looked at Della, sang here, leaned over to her ear and whispered, "And you don't have to worry about 'not needing' and 'getting', you are always worthy of love, Della."
Belinda could see that Della Riddle was not very happy as a Riddle, but just as Belinda Eleta would always be named Eleta, their past, present and future could not be changed by a few words from anyone.
So she wouldn't give Della too much advice, she just needed to tell Della, "Also, Belinda always welcomes you, Belinda is always willing to be by your side."
Della didn't move or speak, she just buried herself deeper in Belinda's arms, feeling this brief last bit of warmth that belonged to her alone.
In order to protect Belinda, Della could no longer enjoy this warmth willfully.
She is a child, but she has no right to be willful in this matter.