MGGS User 23/09/08
Not so Merry Christmas
Rosie rushed into the Great Hall, a giant smile on her rosy cheeks. All she could think of was the skiing trip her family had planned for the Christmas holidays. James, Albus and Lily were all seated at the Gryffindor table and looked up from their breakfast as Rosie entered. "Boy, you look happy today", said James with a sheepish grin. "Well Duh!" retorted Rosie, "it's nearly the Christmas holidays". "Well Duh, we know that!" said Albus. "I know you know that but I'm still excited about the skiing trip Mum, Dad and I are going on". "We know that as well", replied Lily slightly irritated. "But I'm just sooooo excited! I mean, I haven't been skiing with Mum and Dad since I was three and I don't even remember then!" "OK, OK, we get it. Now can you please eat your breakfast in peace", said James who was also getting irritated. Just as Rosie was about to stuff her scrambled eggs into her mouth, Piggy appeared. Piggy was Rosie's owl. Her father Ron had insisted she had an owl simply because he had one. Her mother however disagreed and insisted on Rosie having a cat instead. Rosie chose the owl because she thought her father's reason was much more creative. Piggy glided softly down onto the table clutching a letter in his claws. Rosie reached out excitedly and untied the letter. It read:
Dear Rosie,
How is school coming along?
I'm sorry dear but your father and I have run into some important work and our skiing trip will have to be postponed. Uncle Harry needs our help to track down some goons that have used illegal black magic to take control over innocent muggle civilians. I know how much you were looking forward to this trip and your father and I are very sorry.
We promise though that we will come in a week to pick you up personally from Hogwarts were you will have to stay and then we will depart for the mountains. It will be a short trip but it will still be a good one.
Stay safe and don't get yourself into trouble.
Merry Christmas and dad sends you his love.
Love your mother
Rosie put down her letter in anger. "What's wrong, where has Miss. Rosie's smile gone?' said Albus. "Oh, it's nothing", replied Rosie.
"What was written in that letter?" asked Lily.
"Just that I have to stay one more week in Hogwarts and that the skiing trip is postponed", Rosie replied.
"Do you want us to stay with you? We're more than happy to."
"Nah, I'll be fine", replied Rosie with a smile.
One week later
Rosie looked onto the mountains through the common room window as she anticipated her parents' arrival. All week she had been waiting for this day to arrive only to find the days going slower than usual. Maybe it was because there was no one to talk to or to hang with. The hand on the clock was just getting slower and slower and suddenly Rosie drifted off to sleep.
Rosie was woken up by a soft shake. She looked up to see that it was not her parents' but instead her uncle, Harry. Harry looked as though he had been crying and his face had a certain glint of sadness. Rosie stared at him and said, "Hey Uncle Harry, what are you doing here?"
"I've come to pick you up", he replied. Harry couldn't bear telling Rosie the truth. Rosie felt slightly confused and disappointed as she picked up her suitcase and followed Harry towards the gate. "How come my parents aren't here to pick me up?" she asked, feeling her tears about to give away. Harry took a deep breath as his face turned to stone, "Because they're dead".
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