Chapter 8. Christmas part 1 start of the break

Here we are, back! Please vote for my poll, as it affects The four badgers two, which I'll have to start soon, as we're up to chapter 8 now, and there are 13 chapters in all for this story. I think it will end up being about 45,000 thousand words, maybe a bit more once you add the AN.

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Over the rest of the term, until the Christmas break came around, Harry and friends had been busy with school activities, which included: doing classes, being with friends, avoiding enemies, and homework. It also included avoiding Quirrell of all things, and then studying Horcruxes, albeit, there was a limit to how much they could study them without looking suspicious.

Susan had considered telling Amelia about what Professor Snape had said about Quirrell, but she decided against it, as she didn't need any more worries and stress, and Susan didn't think her aunt would believe her. It was pretty unbelievable, really, and Susan was not convinced she'd believe her if she were her aunt.

The term didn't have many different things crop up or noteworthy events, and generally, it was the same old same old from the first week. Though, on Halloween, there was a little bit of excitement outside the normal things and activities for Hogwarts' school term.

A troll got into Hogwarts on during the evening of the thirty-first of October, (Halloween,) and apparently, (Harry and his friends were in a different location,) it attacked Hermione Granger, and badly injured her: worse enough she was put into the hospital wing.

The only reason she didn't get killed was that Neville Longbottom and Ron Weasley sort of saved her. Instead of dying, the three of them ended up in the Hospital Wing together, which wasn't so nice for them. Apparently, they were friends now, though.

Sheryl, Harry, Susan and Justin wondered why they weren't sent to St'Mungos, but Daphne said when they're brought it up in front of her, the school probably wanted to avoid the outcry of the public when they found out a troll got into the school and injured three first-years. There would certainly be a withdraw of students, which Hogwarts could not afford, not until they get to a few more years when the numbers pick up, at any rate.

"I mean, it was waiting to happen anyway! Weasley and Granger were always at each other's throats, and Weasley and Longbottom are not that careful! Apparently, after their Charms class, Weasley said something nasty about her which she heard, and she disappeared for the rest of the day. Daphne heard she was in the bathroom from Padma Patil who heard from her sister Parvati, so she must have been there all day. Luckily, they didn't get killed! And it would have been very horrible.

"My aunt was not very happy when she heard about the event, but no one else seems to be worried about it: certainly the board doesn't seem to care and won't do anything about it. To do anything, you have to go through them, first. Trying to get them to do someone there, is like trying to convince a cat to dance the cancan!" Susan ranted.

Every time Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Hermione Granger, trolls or Halloween was even mentioned this happened: Sheryl had just mentioned it: by talking about the feast, or to be precise, talking about how much she loved pumpkins which they had then, and this set Susan off.

It was getting a little irritating for Harry, Sheryl, and Justin. Justin did snap at Susan one time, telling her just to stop it, which made Harry and Sheryl feel a little better about how they felt, and Susan was a bit better about it, after.

Now, they were on the train home for Christmas. Sheryl, Susan, Harry, Daphne, Justin, Lily, and Tracey were all sharing a compartment, and they just fit. Theodore did highly consider sitting with them, but he thought it would be better if he sat with the other Slytherin boys, which was fair enough. If he had sat with them, there would not have been enough room.

Daphne asked Justin, trying to make Justin feel included, (since they were all seeing each other in the holidays for the ball if nothing else, and he'd be with his family,) "What are you doing in these holidays?"

"We're just staying home, and my aunt and uncle are visiting on Christmas Day, like they always do: my cousins won't be, they wanted to spend Christmas with my grandparents in Mulund: their all older than me except for Cody, Jazibelle, Trixie and Harper: but Jazibelle and Harper also live in Spain, and Cody and Trixie are going with their older siblings. But in the summer holidays, we're visiting Greece! Mum sent me a letter telling me that just the other day!" blabbed Justin, starting glum but then cheering up.

Susan thought for a moment, then she asked after a small frown, "Wait, was that letter you received two weeks ago? You seem to be a lot happier since then, so I wondered what was in it."

"Yes! You guess right, Susan!" said Justin happily.

"So the aunt and uncle you're having on Christmas Day, they're children are going to Mulund for Christmas?" Daphne asked and Justin nodded. "Aren't they sad their not spending Christmas with their kids?"

"Probably, but I don't really know," Justin shrugged. Then he asked, "What about you all? What are you up to?"

"Staying at our family home, and then attending the Ministry Ball," Sheryl said with utter loathing.

Harry said sarcastically, "One of the many downsides to being a pureblood, Justin. I guess so, anyway: this is my first time, after all." Harry then stroked Allegro, who was on his lap.

"Boring, I'm guessing, then?" Justin asked, curious. He was someone who thought that balls sounded like a place for a bunch of old people went to talk about boring stuff.

Daphne said, giving a curt nod, "Very boring, dear Justin."

"But if you really want to see, I'll happily swap!" Lily said cheerfully.

Tracey said looking shocked, "Lily you don't want to do that! He's got boy germs!"

"Yes! And she's got girl germs!" said Justin pointing at Lily.

Everyone else laughed at Justin, and he laughed at himself, too. He did, however, take a few minutes to join in.

"We might have gone away for a few days during this break, as aunty has a house on the beach she rents, except there are a few things she has to do, such as her study on the goings-on at Hogwarts, so she needs to stay. Though, she is meeting a brick wall with all that," Susan said, and the others nodded.

##33

When the train pulled up at King's Cross, Amelia and Tasmania were waiting to pick Daphne, Sheryl, Harry and Susan up. As they walked towards Amelia and Tasmania, Harry, Sheryl, Susan and Daphne called back to Justin, Tracey and Lily, whose families were elsewhere, "See you at the ball! And Justin, see you after Christmas!"

"Bye!" called back Justin, Tracey and Lily. Then they went to find their families.

After greeting Tasmania and Amelia, Amelia asked, "Ready to go, guys?"

"Yes!" they cried, ready to leave.

Tasmania nodded, then she pulled a heart-shaped box out and said, "Everyone, touch this Portkey."

When they all were touching it, she said the activating words and they were off. The Portkey took them to Bones Manor. When they got there, Harry (because this is the first time he's taken a Portkey) almost fell on the ground.

Susan, Sheryl and Daphne all laughed at Harry for almost falling on the ground. Harry glared at them, thinking up a few colourful insults, while Tasmania scolded them, "Girls! That's not very nice: it's his first time using a Portkey! No one laughed at you when you first used one and nearly fell over! If I do recall, Daphne, you did once."

"Alright, my bad. Sorry, Harry," Daphne said, remembering that embarrassing memory.

Sheryl nodded, and Susan said, "Yes, sorry, Harry."

Amelia said, "Right. Sheryl's going home with her mother now, but you three: Susan, Harry, and Daphne, are staying here. Tomorrow, us, the Davis, the Moons, Sheryl, Albus, Tasmania and Daphne's family will meet up in Diagon Alley at eleven am. We will do some shopping then we will go buy some dress robes for the ball and presents for Christmas: if you didn't get all the presents you wanted beforehand, we can do more shopping after."

"Oh no!" Harry and Susan cried while Daphne cheered. Sheryl meanwhile, looked indifferent.

"Okay... right. See you tomorrow, Sheryl!" said Susan.

Sheryl said as she and her mum went to the fire, "Bye!"

"See you tomorrow," Tasmania said, giving a small wave.

Harry, Daphne and Amelia said as Tasmania grabbed the floo powder, "Bye!"

When Tasmania and Sheryl were gone. Amelia turned to Susan, Daphne and Harry and said, "Right, Susan, show Daphne to her room, and then you three do some homework!"

"Yes, boss," The three chorused, not arguing: that was never a good idea with Amelia. They started up the stairs.

Harry asked Susan, "Your room?"

"Yep," Susan nodded, knowing what he meant. Then Harry went to his room while the other two went onward to Daphne's. Susan showed Daphne her room, and then Susan went back to her room, to unpack, then do homework with the other two.

As they did their homework, which was a forty-centimetre essay for all their subjects, though Professor Snape wanted a bit more. Susan grumbled, "Blasted, aunty! It's not like we're lazy when it comes to homework!"

"I'm sure she's making us do it sooner, so we can enjoy more of our holiday," Harry said, defending Amelia, and Daphne nodded to agree.

Susan agreed begrudgingly, "I guess you're right."

"It's hard to believe that we still have months before exams, and they're pilling the homework on top of us!" Daphne said, wrapping a few strands of hair around her quill.

Harry said, "Unless the exams are very hard, with the amount of homework we're getting, we should pass exams easily."

"You would think so," nodded Susan.

Daphne snapped, realising they had not done very much, "Come on guys! Focus! Otherwise, we won't get this done before Christmas!"

"Alright, alright, bossy breaches," grumbled Harry. Then they sat in silence as they continued their homework.

They did homework until they were called down to dinner. When they were all seated and had begun to eat, (including after Allegro came in demanding some gourmet meat,) Amelia asked, "How is your homework going?"

"It's going," said Harry.

Daphne rolled her eyes, and said, "Tomorrow we should be finished."

"Very good, young ones," Amelia said, nodding in approval. Dinner was pretty lively, discussion wise, and lots of jokes were made. After that comment, they went on to tell Amelia about their classes and classmates.

(Next day)

After Breakfast the next day, Susan, Harry and Daphne still had a few hours to finish their homework before they went shopping in Diagon Alley. Susan and Daphne managed to finish theirs, but Harry was only a line or two from being finished, which he was very annoyed about.

Right on eleven, they arrived at Diagon Alley. When Harry came out of the floo, (he was last through,) he saw the Davis and the Winstons had arrived before them, but Lily and her family were yet to arrive. They all greeted each other, then Amelia asked, "Any signs of the Moons yet?"

"No, and we didn't even get a Patronus saying they were late," said Mrs Davis, Carrica. Harry realised they were a few minutes late themselves.

Albus (Winston) said, "Hopefully they won't be too much longer."

"Hopefully," Tracey nodded.

Harry thought for a moment, then asked Albus, "Why are dress robes called Dress Robes? Are they even more like dresses then normal robes?"

Everyone looked at Harry, then they laughed at poor Harry. Albus said, realising Harry would generally not know, so he would wonder, "They are called that because they are fancier than normal robes, and they are worn for balls and parties. They look like normal robes though. Women and men wear them, though women prefer to go and buy dresses."

Harry sighed in relief, thinking they may resemble dresses more than robes already did. He said, greatly relieved, "Ah, thanks."

Then the Moons appeared as he finished speaking. Lord and Lady (Glenda and Talen) Moon said, "Lords, Ladies, Heirs, and Heiresses, sorry for our tidiness."

"Lord, Lady and Heiress Moon, that is quite all right," Albus said, nodding politely.

Then everyone else greeted the Moons. When that was all said and done, everyone had given each other permission to use first names, and then Glenda asked, "Shall we move on?"

"Good idea," Amelia nodded, and they started their shopping. When they entered Diagon Alley, everyone separated, and they agreed to meet up at Twittle and Twirl in an hour and a half, in the meantime though, they were shopping for Christmas presents.

Harry decided to buy Susan a book on Folk Law and Law Around the Globe and Ages as she was interested in all the different Laws, old and new. He brought Sheryl a Meditation book since she was wanting to learn how to meditate. Harry got Daphne a sewing book: a bit random, but she had suggested he get her one this morning. While Harry was at the bookshop, he got Amelia a murder mystery series, which was supposed to be very good.

Harry went down to Olivander's to get some wand polish for himself and Lily, but then he decided to get a wand Holster for Justin, since he didn't have one, and Harry thought that stuffing a wand up your sleeve was a good way to break or lose it. Harry got Daphne's other friends and all his dorm-mates sweets. He also found a stuffed horse for Astoria, since she loved horses. By that stage, it was time to go to where they were re-grouping.

The whole of Diagon Alley had been quite busy, but the robe shop seemed to be the busiest. Tracy asked, "Do they all have the same idea as us, and they're buying dress robes for the Ministry Ball?"

"I believe that is the case, Tracy," Carrica nodded.

Because it was so busy, they were going to have to wait. Harry complained after five minutes of waiting, "This is taking forever!"

"Harry, we have only been waiting five minutes," Lily pointed out, crossing her arms.

Harry grumbled, "I know, I know. But still! I don't want to be here in the first place, too."

Because of Harry complaining so much, (Or so Daphne and Tracey said,) the shop did them next. By the time the shop ladies were finished, they had been being served for almost an hour.

Tracey got a knee-high dress, rather than a dress-robe, which was flame red which had very, very thin shoulder straps, but still perfectly acceptable for a twelve-year-old. Daphne got a floor-length ice blue dress-robe, and the sleeves were normal short sleeves for a formal outing.

Lily got a long-sleeved light-yellow dress with long sleeves and high neck. Susan got a long short-sleeved light purple dress-robe. And Sheryl brought a dark green dress with sparkles. Harry thought the dressed were a lot of money for something they'd only wear a few times. The dress-robes were quite a bit cheaper, there were twenty galleons, and thirteen sicks and knuts. Whereas the dresses were thirty-five galleons, five sickles and twenty-five knuts.

Harry got some dress-robes which were good quality and well looked after second-hand pair, for ten galleons, ten sickles and ten knuts: he thought it was a good deal. They happened the same colour as his eyes, and he at least thought he looked rather smart in them. The best part was, no one would guess they were second-hand. The clothes Astoria and the adults were nice too. Though, only Amelia and Albus got new dress-robes, for everyone else's still looked and fit fine.

When they got out of that shop, Adelaide asked, "Shall we have a late lunch before heading back?"

"Sounds like a great idea," said Glenda.

Amelia said, taking charge, "Right then, follow me, I know a nice restaurant!"

Amelia took them to another alley nearby Diagon called Upside Down Alley. She took them to a cafe called Upside Down, and like the name, everything was upside down inside, but somehow, the food and drink stayed were they were supposed to.

When they finished dining and had returned to Diagon Alley, Cygnus said, "We better be off, Daphne, Adelaide. See you at the ball!"

As they left, Talen said, "We're off too."

Then Carrica, Tracey and Sani (Mr Davis) left too. Then Albus said to Tasmania and Sheryl, "We should go too. See you Amelia, Susan, and Harry."

"Bye!" Harry and Susan said.

Amelia said, "Bye, Albus, Tasmania and Sheryl!"

The Winston's left, then Amelia, Harry and Susan went home. When they got home, Harry had to go and finish his homework. When he finished that, he and Susan went flying around the Manor.

I can't think of much to say for this chapter, so I will leave it there. BTW, A Flower in the Dark is up for adoption. PM me for details with 'A flower in the dark-adoption' in the message title.

Anyway, remember, 55 reviews! Next chapter we have the ball.