Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter Series, etc.

A/N: This is a fic I started writing one day to cheer myself up, thought I should share it . Please let me know if I should keep posting and writing

Chapter One – Time for a Change

Christmas Dinner at Hogwarts was not the noisy affair it had been years previous, and not because there were less than twenty students remaining in the castle. Professor McGonagall felt her heart break as she watched the less-than-cheerful proceedings and, when dessert appeared without the usual appreciative cries, she decided that something had to be done.

There was no need to call for silence; the little chatter there had been died away when the Head Mistress rose from her seat and Minerva felt even more saddened. She cleared her throat and addressed the students;

'I realize that returning to Hogwarts this year has been difficult for many of the students that witnessed the horrors that occurred within these walls last year, and that for you, the students that remain at school over this festive season because you have lost your families or your homes, it is especially difficult to enjoy the holidays,' she paused, wondering how her next statement would be received, 'So, in an effort to make these holidays a little more bearable, I propose that you, the students, as a group, organize games and activities with which to occupy yourselves. I suggest that you divide the activities into two groups; those over which the professors can preside and those in which only the students will take part. I expect the Head Boy and Girl,' her eyes swept over Hermione and Ernie, 'to report to me by nine o'clock this evening to inform me as to whether the students are interested in taking part in this and if so, the details of the activities that will be taking place.' McGonagall was pleased to see that all of the students had brightened as she spoke and some were already whispering to one another as she finished.

'If you will all please stand,' she called over the excited whispering. She waited patiently as Harry and George helped Fred from his seat and, when all the students had moved out of the way she waved her wand and the House tables vanished to be replaced with a single, circular table, heavily loaded with the dessert that the students hadn't eaten yet.

'I think you will find it easier to discuss my proposition in this manner. Remember, nine 'o clock, Miss Granger, Mr Macmillan.'

With that Professor McGonagall resumed her seat and, glancing around at her colleagues as she did, she was pleased to see that the idea had been received with as much enthusiasm by the professors as with the students; Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout were chatting excitedly, the other professors smiled happily as they tried to guess what activities the students would come up with and even the usually sour Professor Snape looked excited.

Hermione took charge as soon as all the students had taken their seats (Fred once again helped buy his twin and Harry), as expected.

'Right, I think we should all enjoy our dessert, we can begin planning once we're done. That sound alright to everyone?'

There was a murmur of assent as the students tucked into dessert. It had never been eaten in such a rush.

'Alright,' said Hermione once dessert had been cleared, 'Let's begin.'

She conjured a sheaf of parchment and a quill, but before she could begin Hannah Abott raised her hand;

'Do we have to take part in every activity?' she asked and some of the other students echoed her question. Hermione bit her lip as she considered this, looking around at the group.

'Well… Firstly, does everyone think these activities are a good idea?' All of the students nodded and she paused, thinking.

'How does this sound; let's decide on the activities, the teacher-included ones first, that suit the majority, and then if there are one or two that you don't want to take part in it's okay as long as you take part in all the rest of them?'

There was a moment of silence as the gathered students considered this, then, as one, they all agreed. Harry spoke up before Hermione could; 'Before we begin, I have a suggestion; I haven't really seen this in the wizarding world but in the muggle world they celebrate the New Year with a party or such. How about we hold these activities for five days and then on the 31st we have a party?'

Hermione and a Slytherin girl, Anna Shan, nodded thoughtfully as Harry spoke, but the rest of the students frowned, confused.

'A New Years Eve Party?' Cho Chang asked.

Harry nodded, 'Exactly, the party begins on the afternoon or evening of the 31st and at midnight everyone yells 'Happy New Year!' and drink champagne - a very fancy Muggle Alcohol.' Comprehension dawned on the students' faces as Harry explained and there was an excited murmur when he finished. This was, however cut short by none other than Pansy Parkinson.

'That sounds ridiculous, we're not a bunch of muggle fools!' she said loudly, earning the group a sharp look from Professor McGonagall, who hadn't left the hall yet.

'Oh, shut it Pansy!' Draco snapped at her and the others stared at him surprised; after the war had ended his parents had absconded despite being cleared of all crimes, leaving Draco behind, and the Slytherin had chosen to hide behind an expressionless mask; this was the first time he had spoken more than two words since the start of term. Harry smiled gratefully at the blonde as Pansy huffed but fell silent.

'Sounds good to us!' the twins chimed, returning everyone to the discussion at hand, looking around at their peers.

'I agree!' Terry, Blaise, Ernie and Neville said at exactly the same time. There was a pause and then the whole group burst out laughing.

'So, are we going with Harry's idea – five days of games and then a party on the 31st?' Hermione asked, still chuckling, when most of the laughter had died down. There was a call of aye and Hermione made a note on her parchment.

'Why don't we have a ball type of set-up that the teachers can be invited to and then an 'after party' for just the students? For New Years, I mean,' Draco suggested and silence fell.

'I think that's a brilliant idea!' Ron said after a moment, stunned, the other students nodding fervently in agreement and Draco, who had tensed at the silence that greeted his words, sagged with relief.

'How about we have a masquerade ball?' Luna asked dreamily and Ginny, with whom the Ravenclaw had become firm friends, grinned at her.

'Now, that sounds like fun!' she enthused and Hermione laughed.

'Let's focus on the activities first, the teacher-included ones first. Any suggestions?'

'How about a snow sculpture?'

"A Talent Show!'

'Quidditch Matches?'

Hermione smiled as there was a flood of talk, everyone making suggestions, and she had to yell to get some order. And that evening, at exactly nine o'clock, Professor McGonagall also smiled as Hermione and Ernie detailed the schedule for the next week; maybe the holidays wouldn't be so grim after all.

A/N: Well that's the first chapter done. Let me know what you think.

Also, I realize that some of the characters that appear in this fiction shouldn't be there but I couldn't resist, so here are why they're back:

Fred Weasley: Everyone thought that Fred had died when the wall collapsed on him but, when they took him to the Great Hall Madame Pomfrey discovered that he was alive, but barely. He sustained near-fatal injuries and spent close to six months in St Mungos. He returns there once a week for a thorough check-up.

Severus Snape: Harry returned to the Shrieking Shack after the Battle of Hogwarts, meaning to retrieve Snape's body so that he could receive a proper burial. He discovered that Snape still had a pulse and rushed him back to the Great Hall.

Fred and George Weasley: After the war Mrs Weasley begged the twins to complete their unfinished seventh year and they complied on the condition that she stop trying to convince them to leave the shop and work for the Ministry.

Cho Chang (appears in later chapters): I only realized while writing the third chapter that she graduated from Hogwarts before the war, but I don't want to have to change that so let's pretend that she was still at Hogwarts during the war. Sorry.

Please let me know if you spot any other characters that seem out of place. Thanks