Tasha was right about that. The very next day, the second year boy was the next victim to be petrified and the scary part was, so was one of the ghosts. I'd never heard of a spell even affecting a ghost. Harry was spotted with them by a few classes. I wasn't sure what to think though Tasha and Nick were still insistent that it couldn't have been him. It was a bit odd that twice he'd been at the scene of the crime, and the night before, he had revealed himself as a parselmouth.
The entire school was terrified, especially because of the ghost (who turned out to be named Nearless Headless Nick) that there was a mass booking for seats on the train. Everyone was very early to leave the next day. If my parents hadn't offered Tasha to come over, I'd have begged them to let her. She couldn't stay by herself.
We ended up taking a compartment on the train with Luna Lovegood. She didn't talk much on the train ride home. She read her fathers magazine called The Quibbler while the three of us talked.
"Well, we'll know for sure it's Harry if there are attacks over the holidays," I said halfway home.
"It's not Harry," Luna said from behind The Quibbler.
"Do you think it's that Draco Malfoy boy?" Tasha asked her.
"No," she replied but she didn't say anymore.
"I still say it's Lockhart and he is framing Harry," Nick said. "It's a bit odd that it happened the day after Harry revealed himself. He knows that people are blaming Harry, so he took advantage of that. I heard that he left the classroom while everyone was reading. It would be so easy for him to petrify that kid and that ghost and then go back. Herbology was cancelled all day because there was a blizzard so he waited until he knew that Harry had his."
"But why was Harry wandering on his own? Why was he found near them?" I asked.
"But Hagrid talked to him right before it happened," Tasha said. "I was talking to Hagrid yesterday. Remember, Flitwick told me to stay behind and when Hagrid saw me on my own, he insisted he walked me to the Great Hall. I asked him his opinion and he said it was impossible for it to be Harry because Harry found them only minutes after they talked."
"Why did you wait until now to say so?" I asked her.
"I don't know," Tasha said with a shrug. "But I am telling you now. It can't have been Harry."
"So that just leaves Lockhart," Nick insisted.
We glanced over at Luna to see if she'd add to the conversation, but she stayed behind her magazine. Perhaps it was because Nick had laughed at her dress when we'd entered. It was green with red bows on it. I couldn't blame him for laughing. I'd had a hard time containing my own laughter. Tasha has given him a light slap.
"I just hope the mandrakes will be ready soon," I said. "Once they're ready, everything will be okay. Once there is a cure ready, whoever is doing it will probably stop. Besides, they probably saw who did it. They'll be able to tell everyone."
"You know that Ginny Weasley girl?" Tasha asked. "She looks so sick all the time. I think it's affecting her more than anyone. She burst into tears in the middle of class."
"I think she was friends with Colin Creevey," I said. "He's in the same house. She does look terrible. I saw her twin brothers trying to reassure her the other day. I think she's friends with Hermione Granger too. She might be worried that she's next."
"I just hope it stops soon," Tasha said. "I love Hogwarts, but the last two months have been so scary. I never expected anything like this when I came!"
"No one did, but as long as we all stick together, we should be fine," Nick said. "I think Slytherin's heir wants someone who is by themselves."
"That means you, Luna," I said to The Quibbler.
She rustled the paper but she didn't respond. I glanced at Nick who shrugged his shoulders.
When we arrived at the platform, it was to find mum and dad waiting for us.
"We're going to send your trunks ahead and then we are going to apparate home," mum said the moment we reached them. "We left your siblings at home. I just want to get you two home and it would take too long to take everyone."
"We'll see you later," I told Nick who had walked over with us. "Write to us."
"Are your parents around?" Mum asked him.
"They're over there," he pointed over to a couple standing together and was staring as us. "I should go. I'll see you two later," he said to Tasha and me. "It was nice meeting you Mr. And Mrs. Hoofer."
He turned and walked off.
"I take it you've never apparated," dad said to Tasha who shook her head. "Well, it's going to feel very uncomfortable, but it doesn't last long. Let us just send your trunk ahead, and then you'll take a hold of my arm and I will take you to our place."
"You'll be fine," I assured Tasha. "Mum and dad have done it with us loads of time."
With a wave of his wand, our trunks disappeared. Tasha looked nervous as she took a hold of dad's arm. I closed my eyes and Mum took my hand and then turned on the spot. I hated the feeling of apparition. It felt as if I were being squeezed through something very tight. Luckily it was never long though. My feet his solid ground about thirty seconds afterwards. I knew we were home before I opened my eyes because I heard my sisters and Ben's excited shouts.
Benny ran straight over to me and I held my arms. As soon as he reached me, I lifted him up. He hadn't grown much since the last time I'd seen him. He still felt quite light as well.
"Your home!" He shouted.
Brianne reached me next and she wrapped her arms around me. She had grown since we'd seen each other last. She wasn't much smaller than Brenda now, who I thought was still about the same height.
"It took forever for you to come back!" She said. "It seems so long since you left on the train."
I set Benny down so I could hug her properly.
"The time went by quick for me," I told her just as dad and Tasha appeared with a loud pop. I turned to Brenda. "Don't I get a hug?" I asked.
She sent a glare at Tasha before she shrugged and walked over to give me a quick one armed hug.
"Welcome home," she said. "Who is that?"
"Didn't mum and dad tell you she was coming?" I asked. "That's Tasha."
"I guess I forgot," Brenda said but I doubted it.
"I'm Brianne," Brianne said rushing over to hug her. "Welcome to our place. If you get tired of Barry you can play with me."
"She doesn't want to play with an eight-year-old," Brenda snapped at her.
"I'll be nine soon!" Brianne snapped.
"I don't mind hanging out with any of you," Tasha said. "I'd like to get to know all of you."
"Brenda, don't be rude," mum scolded. "Tasha, you'll be staying in Barry's room. He has an extra bed. We sent your trunk up there, but if you don't feel comfortable with that, we can put Benny in Barry's room and you can take Benny's room."
"I'm okay wherever," Tasha said.
"Why don't I take Benny's room and Tasha can take my bed," Brenda said. "Should she really be sleeping in Barry's room? She's a girl."
"So?" I asked.
"Well boys and girls don't sleep in the same room. Isn't that why Brianne and Benny can't share?" Brenda retorted.
"I'm sure it will be fine," dad said glaring at Brenda. "Tasha will sleep wherever she feels comfortable. Now kids, sit down, tell us about school so far."
"I told you enough in the letters," I said but I took a seat on the couch. Tasha sat beside me while Benny climbed onto my lap and Brianne squeezed herself between Tasha and me.
"It's better to hear it in person. Most of it anyway. You can leave a few things out," mum replied and I knew she was meaning the Chamber of Secrets stuff. "You two can tell us more about that later."
Brenda sat down in one of the armchairs. "I wish you'd tell us what's going on. At least you could tell me. I'm starting Hogwarts next year. Why can't I at least know. We all know something weird is going on at Hogwarts."
"Later," dad replied taking another armchair and he nodded at Benny.
"You promise?" Brenda asked.
"Yes," dad said. "Once the little ones are in bed."
"Why can't I know? I'll be nine very soon," Brianne said.
"I'm six now," Benny said.
"Fine, I was caught wandering around a lot during the first term," I lied quickly. "The school was talking about suspending me but mum and dad convinced them not to. It was a huge deal, but it's over and done with now."
Brianne opened her mouth to argue. She looked as if she didn't believe me but I shook my head at her quickly as Benny turned to look at mum and dad. I pointed at him. She seemed to understand because she nodded.
"Well that wasvery naughty of you Barry," she said.
"You're supposed to be setting an example for us," Brenda added who seemed to have caught on as well. "No wonder mum and dad didn't want us to know. They thought we'd copy you. Well, I won't."
"That's exactly it," dad said quickly. "So moving on from your suspension, which we've already discussed with you in the letters, tell us about everything else."
Tasha looked at me with raised eyebrows but then she grinned. Once we were both done talking about school, Benny turned to me and grinned.
"We get to still celebrate your birthday. I thought we wouldn't," he said.
My birthday was the next day. I'd finally be twelve-years-old. It seemed to be a very grown up age to me, and it was just a year from being an actual teenager. This time next year I'd be waiting to turn thirteen. I'd always enjoyed having my birthday so close to Christmas. I'd have my birthday and then a few days later it would be Christmas. So I got two days where I got to open presents. Brenda used to make a big stink out of this. She didn't think it was fair. She used to say I should have my presents all on Christmas but then I reminded her I'd get more presents. Now she no longer seemed to care.
"And then it will be Christmas!" Brianne said excitedly. "We wrote to Santa already. Did you?"
"Yes, we did that at school," Tasha answered her.
"Will Santa know to find you here?" Benny asked her. "You're here for Christmas too aren't you?"
"She's here the entire holidays and I am sure he will," mum answered. "Santa usually knows ahead of time."
"And she wrote him where she would be," I told him quickly.
"Brenda said there is no Santa," Brianne said.
"Brenda is just spiteful," I said as I glared at my oldest sister.
What had happened to her and who did she think she was telling them that? I didn't believe anymore, and I guessed she didn't either but why stop Brianne and Benny from believing?
"Well, I find it a bit silly that two Hogwarts first years still believe," Brenda said.
"Of course we do!" Tasha said while dad stood up and walked over to Brenda.
She looked up at him nervously.
"Brenda, go to your room now! You can stay there until dinner is ready."
"Fine," she said icily and she got up and stalked out of the room.
Dad ran a hand through his hair. "I really don't know what to do about her."
"I want to go talk to her," I told dad and then I turned to Tasha. "Why don't you get to know Brianne and Benny? They'll show you around."
"You can play with us!" Benny told her excitedly. "We just got a new game. It's in my room."
"I'd love to play with you," Tasha told him and she stood up, Brianne stood up too and took her hand. I set Benny on his feet before I stood up. He rushed over to take her hand as well. The two of them rushed ahead while clutching her hands. Tasha had to run to keep up with them lest they pull her.
"She seems like a sweetheart," mum said as soon as they were gone.
"She is a nice girl," I said. "Brenda still seems the same."
"She's worse," dad said. "Nothing we're doing is getting through to her. I had to spank her just last night because she slapped Benny. He wanted her to play their new board game and he wouldn't stop asking, so she slapped him. All she had to do was either tell us or just walk off but she hit him."
"Maybe the spankings are getting her angrier," mum said with a sigh to dad.
"I don't think so," dad said. "She's been this way long before we started again."
"When did you start again?" I asked.
"The day you went back to school," mum replied. "She made a big scene when Benny and Brianne chased after that train. Everyone was staring at her and then she mouth us off after dad threatened her. I apparated her home while dad drove the others back and spanked her. She's done nothing but be mouthy since."
"I'll go up and talk to her now," I said. "Though I don't expect to get through to her, but I'll see what I can do. She shouldn't be telling Benny and Brianne there is no Santa though!" I added indignantly. "It's not up to her to tell them."
I got up without an answer from my parents and left the living to go upstairs. My little sister and I needed to have a talk. When I got upstairs, I could hear Brianne and Benny shouting excitedly down the hall and Tasha was laughing. I smiled and then continued onto Brianne and Brenda's room. When I entered, it was to find that Brenda had her arms folded while she sat on her bed. She was glaring at the curtain that had Brianne's part of the room hidden away.
"What?" Brenda demanded when I entered.
"Hello to you too," I said and I walked over and sat down beside her.
"What do you want?" She pressed.
"Who do you think you are telling Benny and Brianne that there is no Santa Clause? Just cause you don't believe anymore doesn't mean they shouldn't?"
"It's one thing for Benny to, but it's odd for Brianne to," she replied. "You know, it's as she says, she is going to be nine soon!" She added the last bit in a high pitched voice as if to copy Brianne.
"You still believed until last year," I reminded her. "And you only found out after Christmas by accident. You'd probably still believe right now if you hadn't overheard mum and dad."
Brenda had walked in mum and dad talking about the gifts they'd bought Benny from 'Santa.' He'd been given a model quidditch set, and they were wondering if it had been too much. They hadn't heard her enter the room. At times I wondered if that conversation was the reason for why she'd changed. It wasn't much longer after that. It was either the discussion about me going to Hogwarts, or that. Either way, she'd changed from a sweet girl into whatever it was she was now.
Brenda just shrugged.
"It's not right for you to stop them," I went on. "They'll stop on their own time. Give it a couple years with Brianne," I said and then I remembered some of the things the kids had told me. "That being said, you need to stop being so rude to them all the time. You have no reason for it. You never used to be like this with them. They don't deserve it. Maybe then mum and dad wouldn't have to spank you."
Brenda blushed.
"They-they told you about that?" She asked and I nodded. "Well they shouldn't. I will be eleven next year. I am way too old for it!"
"Well then maybe you should act like it," I said to her. "Treating them that way isn't being very grown up. Right now, you are the oldest."
"Not like I get the benefits of it!" She said angrily. "Do I get to boss them around? No! Do I get my own room? No! We should never had Benny! If it weren't for him, I'd still have my own room!"
"I've never bossed you lot around," I replied. "Being the oldest doesn't mean you get to boss people around. I never wanted to anyway."
"Well, that is where we are different! I do want to boss them around!"
"So because you don't get what you want, you are acting like a spoiled brat? Mum and dad put this curtain up for you. Benny is here to stay whether you like it or not. You should be over by that now. He's six now."
"Remember you never wanted him either," Brenda reminded me.
"That was when I was a little kid and I got over it," I said.
"Because you got your own room. Even with the curtain I still share. The youngest shouldn't get his own room. Even if I have to share, we should get your room and you should get this one! You get the biggest room but the people who share should get the biggest room," she said furiously. "If it wasn't for Benny, we wouldn't have to deal with any of this! It's all his fault!"
"Yes, because he asked for all of this," I said sarcastically. "He wanted to be born last and he wanted his own room and he wanted the two of you to live together. He planned it all even though he was just a baby and all."
"Mum shouldn't have gotten pregnant with him. She should have stopped at Brianne!" Brenda insisted. "I hate sharing with Brianne. She still acts like a kid."
"Maybe because she is still a kid!" I said. "And next year you won't have to share with her."
"But then I'll be sharing with other girls!" Brenda said furiously. "Brianne will get the opportunity next year to be on her own but I won't! And it's all because of-"
"Stop blaming him!" I said angrily. "He didn't ask for any of this. He has his own room because he can't share with Brianne! I'm not sharing with him either. So just stop it already! You have this curtain dividing the room, so enough already! You can't take it out on them though. They didn't choose their birth order or their ages you know!"
"So everyone else gets what they want but me!" Brenda said. "You got your own room cause you're the oldest! Ben got his own room cause Brianne and Ben can't share and next year Brianne will get her own room!"
"Mum and dad sound proofed this curtain and everything," I said. "You and Brianne don't have to see each other unless you want to. Brianne even said it won't open unless it's from her side and I got the impression that she never opens it."
"I can't go on that side at all," Brenda responded, "but Brianne can come onto mine! If I try, I get blocked!"
"Well," I began feeling a little amused, "she kind of needs to enter your side of the room to get in here. The door is on your side of the room and so is the bathroom. I bet she doesn't linger either."
"Well no she doesn't, but that's not the point," Brenda replied. "Maybe we should switch sides then!"
"You insisted on being on this side when she first moved in. You wanted the door to be on your side and you wanted the bathroom too," I reminded her. "You can't just decide to switch sides after you threw that fit, even if it years later."
Brenda shrugged. "Not like it matters does it?" She asked. "I just have to suck it up like mum, dad and you are saying."
"Yes," I answered. "Do you really hate Benny that much?"
"I don't hate him. He's my brother. I just hate that everything changed when he came," she said. "And someday he probably won't be an annoying pest."
"You were once an annoying pest… well you still are, especially with this new attitude. Brianne and Benny are still little though. They're going to act like kids," I said to her. "And being mean to them isn't going to change a thing. So is this new attitude going to stay?"
"I don't know," Brenda said. "I am very angry and talking to you was fine but I don't think it's going to go away."
"But you can at least try to stop," I said.
"Probably. I don't like spankings much," she replied.
"That's kind of the whole point," I said.
"It doesn't work," she told me. "Mum and dad are wasting their time. I'm still angry with them and it makes me angrier because it embarrasses me."
It was something I'd have to mention to mum and dad. I didn't say anything to that. I just stood up.
"Well, I think you should think about our talk. And remember, you'll be at Hogwarts next September. You'll be around people your own age," I told her. "And you won't see them much. You will miss them even if you think you won't. I'm gonna go play with them now. Talk to you later."
First I was going to tell my parents our conversation, and then I'd play with them. I left her room and then headed downstairs. I didn't think our talk was going to change anything. I had a feeling she was going to keep it up anyway.
The next day we celebrated my birthday. Tasha must have schemed with Benny and Brianne and perhaps even my parents while I was talking to Brenda. When I'd gone downstairs to find them the day before, they weren't there. They were in Benny's room on one of his extra beds. I hadn't thought much about it the day before, but now I wondered about it. They had likely taken advantage of my absence to talk to them.
When I woke up, it was to find Tasha gone and my bedroom completely decorated. They had likely woken Tasha up early, and while I slept, all of them had decorated my room. Right above my bed was a streamer that said: HAPPY TWELFTH BIRTHDAY BARRY!
I sat up and got out of bed quickly. I hesitated just in case they decided to do what they did when I was little, and walk in singing. No one appeared though, so I grabbed some clothes and then went into my bathroom anyway. I didn't want anyone to catch me changing. However, no one was there when I left fully clothed.
It wasn't until I reached the kitchen about five minutes later when they all started to sing. It wasn't just my family and Tasha though. To my surprise, Nick was there too! I had just seen him the day before, but I did already miss him. On our Island was the cake and the table was already set with my favourite breakfast foods.
"Long time no see mate," Nick said who had Benny hanging off his back.
"Was this planned for long or just yesterday?" I asked as I thought about the fact that my parents had been in Benny's room yesterday.
"Just yesterday," Tasha replied and she rushed over to hug me. "Happy birthday! You're one stop closer to being a teenager than we are."
"Speak for yourself," Nick said. "Mine is in a couple months."
"So is mine!" Brianne said excitedly.
"Well, too bad we can't celebrate together," Nick said to her with a wink.
"Maybe when I go to school then," Brianne said looking very serious.
"Yes we should do that," Nick said grinning at her and then he looked at me. "They wrote to me yesterday to see and of course I wanted to. I mean, I get cake otherwise I wouldn't have."
"Right," I said rolling my eyes and I walked over to them with Brianne still hanging off my side.
Nick set Benny down and then Benny ran over to hug me.
"I've been working on your present for a month!" He told me. "Wait until you see it."
"Yes, well let's sit down and eat first," mum said. "We can open presents after and we'll eat cake later," she added as she grinned at Nick who let out a fake gasp. "So I came over early for nothing. I must go home."
Everyone started to laugh.
"You can't go home now that you're here!" Benny told him thinking he was serious. "And besides, you're sitting beside me!"
"You're a little trouble-maker aren't you?" Dad asked him but he was grinning.
I figured my parents would have liked Nick. He had a good sense of humour and so did they. Mum just smiled and pointed at one of the extra chairs beside Benny's spot. We all went to the Kitchen table, and I was given dad's chair. No matter where we ate, either the Kitchen or the Dining Room, we all had the same spots we sat at. Dad's was usually the head of the table, but the birthday child usually got to sit in his chair. It was a tradition that had been set on my fourth birthday.
I'd woken up early and I'd taken dad's seat. When he had questioned it, I'd told him that from now on, I would sit in his chair on my birthdays. Dad had found that amusing at the time, but he must have also liked the idea because he had let Brianne do the same on her birthday (in her high chair obviously) and then Brenda. Benny hadn't been around of course. Ever since then, we did that every year on our birthdays.
"You have to sit beside me," Brianne told Tasha.
"Please," mum reminded her. "And you too Benny. They might want to sit with Barry."
"Aw it's okay," Nick told her. "I'll sit with the little squirt."
"And I'll sit with Brianne," Tasha said and she smiled at Brianne.
"And can we still play with you even though you have friends over?" Brianne asked. "Please?"
"Yes, of course," I said and I glanced at Brenda who hadn't said a word except to sing to me and wish me a Happy Birthday. "And you too, Brenda."
Mum and dad insisted on serving me even though I could do it myself. Usually, it was just Benny they had to serve but they wouldn't sit down until I had everything I wanted on my plate. I think they were going a step further just because they missed me a lot while I was at Hogwarts.
"Can I come over everyday for breakfast?" Nick asked. "Usually it's just cold cereal for me at home. I've gotten used to Hogwarts."
"Nick!" I said though I knew he was joking.
"Yes you can," mum told him. "The two of you are invited anytime you want. I usually make extra in the mornings just in case. The kids usually end up eating the rest for brunch."
"I was just kidding," Nick told her with a grin. "But thanks for the offer."
"I know you were, but you are welcome to come over if you want more than cold cereal," she told him. "I'm usually not at work until later. I'm assuming you're parents must need to be at work early."
"Yes, and when dad is home it's still cereal cause he can't cook," Nick told her. "Mum makes good breakfast but she is at work at about six in the morning."
"How did you get here anyway?" I asked him. "Mum can't be apparating you here everyday."
"I flooed over. Ever hear of it?"
"Of course," I said. "I forgot about flooing for a second to be honest. So you can come visit more then right? Your parents would be okay with you visiting?"
"They aren't home anyway," he replied.
"We'll be baby-sitting this lot, but it's three on three now," I continued and then I looked to mum and dad. "He can come over more right?"
"I just said he could," mum answered. "If you'd like to come over in the mornings, just let me know honey. I'll make extra and you can always stay here all day."
"You're sure?" Nick asked. "I don't want to be-"
"I'm sure," mum told him quickly. "Both of you can come over anytime you want."
After breakfast, we went into the living-room to open my gifts. Mum and dad had bought me a Nimbus two thousand and one even though I couldn't take it to school yet. It was fine though. I could use it when I was at home and in the summer. Next year I could take it. I was planning on playing Quidditch but I could always fly for the fun of it. Nick and Tasha had both given me bags of candy, Brenda and Brianne it seemed had gotten along long enough to buy my gift together. They'd bought me a few books of my favourite comic book. The Adventures of Martin Migg, The Mad Muggle.
Benny's gift is what surprised me the most. I knew he had made it, but I was expecting just a picture. However, it was a Ravenclaw case for me to hold my quills and ink. He had made it out of Popsicle sticks, and it wasn't sloppy at all, except the drawing of the crest and eagle. At his age, I wouldn't have been able to make something like this. The glue would have been sticking out, and it would have been crooked. He'd even spelled Ravenclaw on it, though he ran out of room so the e and n was underneath Raven. The sticks were together perfectly, and it open and closed perfectly. The lid didn't come off. I was assuming he had help with the hinges.
"Mummy and daddy had to help with the hinges," he said as if reading my mind. "And they charmed it too but I did the rest. No one can open it but you. So you don't only have to put quills or ink in it. But I did everything else even the drawing."
"You can tell you did the drawing," Brenda spoke up. "It's not even in the shape of the crest."
I shot a glare at her while dad said: "Brenda," in a warning voice.
"It's amazing," I told him. "I'll definitely use this."
"How are you only six?" Nick asked him.
"Cause that's how long I've been alive," Benny told him seriously.
"But I could not have done something like that at six," Nick said.
"It's not that impressive," Brenda muttered.
"Maybe we could all go outside and fly your broom!" Brianne said excitedly.
"It's snowing out," I said as I pointed out the window.
"You can fly in the snow," Brianne replied.
"She has a point," Nick said. "They play Quidditch no matter what at Hogwarts, and it's not snowing that hard out."
"And it's the fastest broomstick yet!" Benny said jumping up down.
"If you do, just be careful," mum said. "And if you let Benny fly, please watch him carefully. You know he only just started and he's never flown in this weather."
"He'll be fine," I told mum.
"It's supposed to get worst," dad said. "So when it does, I want all of you to come back in. We're supposed to get another blizzard."
"You two make sure you bundle up very warm," mum said turning to Brianne and Benny. "I think I'll put a warming charm on your suits."
"It gets too hot when you do that," Benny said. "Please only if I get really cold. I always sweat and we will be running."
"I'll make sure he doesn't get too cold," I told mum knowing that he had a point.
"When it gets too snowy," dad reminded us.
Brianne and Benny started jumping up and down excitedly and then they ran to the kitchen no doubt to change into their suits.
"I don't want to fly," Brenda said. "I'll be upstairs."
And she turned and walked off before I could call her back. I wanted her to play with us too, but that would have to wait. So instead, I beckoned for Tasha and Nick to follow me.
"I just have to get my winter cloak," Tasha told me. "It's in my trunk. I'll be back."
"I didn't bring mine," Nick said. "But I'll be fine."
"We have extra's," mum told him. "You can't go out like that. We can charm it to keep it warm for you too. I expect you didn't bring gloves."
"No, but I could always go home and get-" Nick began.
"Not necessary," mum interrupted. "We have everything you need here. Come on. It's a shame Brenda won't go out with you lot, but she's never liked flying. I'd like for her to stop hiding herself in her room. Try to play with her while you're home please Barry."
"We'll find something for all of us when we come back in," I told mum.
Brianne and Benny were already dressed by the time we walked into the coat room. Benny was just pulling on his boots and Brianne was just pulling on some mittens.
"Mum, I'm going to see a new cloak soon," Brianne told her. "This one feels even tighter. I can't have grown that much since the last time I wore it, can I?"
"Usually I have to re-size it," mum told her. "I didn't get to it before you did this time. You're right though. We will get you a new one. You've grown a lot this year. You're almost the same size as Brenda. In fact, you could probably wear hers today if you'd like."
"No, she will just get angry with me," Brianne said shaking her head. "I don't feel like listening to her complain later. I'll wear this. It's not too tight."
"How come I don't grow?" Benny asked standing up. "I still wear last years. Am I always going to be small?"
"You'll probably be like me," I told him. "I had a big growth spurt when I was seven."
"Yes, and then you just kept growing. You've grown since we left you in September in fact," mum said and then she turned to Benny. "Don't worry sweetheart, you'll be very tall someday."
"I won't always be really small?" He asked. "Cause Sammy is taller than me and he younger."
"No, you will grow," mum reassured him. "Now Nick, we have a cloak right here," and she pulled my old one from last year down from a hook, "I may have to re-size this one too for you. It's Barry's old one and you two are about the same size. Try it on."
Nick pulled it on, and he could button it up, but it was tight and the sleeves weren't long enough. Mum pulled out her wand and began re-sizing the sleeves and then she made it slightly bigger so it wouldn't be so tight. She then turned and worked on Brianne so hers wouldn't be so tight.
"Does yours still fit properly?" She asked turning to me.
"For now," I said. "But I think I will outgrow it."
"Put it on so I can see," she said and so I did.
She began inspecting it. The sleeves felt as if they would be too small soon and I thought it had gotten a bit shorter too. I'd just gotten it last February.
"Yes, next year we will get you a new one," she said and sighed. "All of you are growing so quickly."
"Except me," Benny said sadly.
"You will soon," Brianne told him.
I understood how he felt. I'd had the same worries at his age. For a while, Brenda had been taller than me and she was a year and a half younger than me. Perhaps boys grew slowly at first in my family, but then they just kept growing and growing. I wanted to be tall, but sometimes I wondered if I would end up being too tall. I was the same height as some of the third years already. Maybe it was because I was one of the older first years.
"Don't worry mate," Nick said to Benny. "Someday you'll be taller than Barry."
"You think so?" He asked.
"I do think so," Nick said. "Now come on, let's go outside. I'm sure Barry will let you try the broom first."
Benny hurried to take Nick's hand and the two of them hurried from the coat room and out to the kitchen. Moments later we could hear the patio door opening. Tasha appeared moments later wearing her pink cloak.
"Ooh mum, can I please get a cloak like that one?" Brianne asked excitedly. "Please, pretty please with sugar on top!"
"Sure, we will go look at one together after Christmas," mum told her.
"Can Tasha come too?" Brianne asked.
"That's up to her," mum said.
"Sure, if you'd like," Tasha told her and she walked over to where her boots were. She pulled them on and then smiled at Brianne. "Ready to go out?"
"Uh huh! I think you could be a better big sister to me then Brenda is," Brianne told her as she grabbed her hand. "You've only been here a day and you're far nicer."
The two of them skipped out. I sat down to pull on my boots and then I stood up to grab my broom.
"Just make sure Benny doesn't fly to high and-" Mum began.
"Mum, he will be fine. Besides, the snow is fresh and if he falls it will be softer than in the summer," I told her. "He learned quicker than Brianne or Brenda did. He learns everything so fast. I think he is going to be smarter than me."
"I think he just wants to prove himself," mum said as we both left the coat room. "He feels he has to live up to the three of you. Brenda has been on his case more than usual, especially with the school work. I think it's her he wants to impress more than anyone. She criticizes him about everything. We've told her to stop, but even when he does something really extraordinary, such as that case for your quills, she will find something wrong with it."
"I've noticed that. I think she resents him for being born," I said. "Remember what I told you last night?"
"That's part of it but I think he makes her feel inadequate because he does everything so well," mum said. "But she never tried as hard at his age as he does and neither did you. I wish the four of you wouldn't feel as if you had to compete with each other. Anyway, you should get outside. They'll be waiting for you. I'll see about getting Brenda to help with lunch later and maybe cocoa. I think we need to involve her more, though lords know we haven't tried. She prefers to lock herself in her room with those study sheets you've sent home."
Mum patted my cheek, and then I walked over to the patio door and opened it. Brianne and Benny were showing Nick and Tasha our pool. Tasha seemed impressed that there was only a spell covering and that you could see the ice and water. No snow hit it because the charm prevented anything from getting into it during the winter, or at anytime when they had it on.
"That's amazing," Tasha said once I approached.
"I was just saying you could probably put a warming charm on it," Nick said to me. "I bet you could swim in it."
"We've asked that before," I said. "They won't do it."
"Muggles put a whole cover on theirs," Tasha told me. "And it usually gets dirty. This looks so clean."
"We used to do that too," I said. "But dad decided it was easier to learn to do it this way. We've been doing it this way for four years now."
"You've got quite the house and yard Hoofer," Nick said to me. "Your descriptions didn't do it justice."
"It isn't that big," I said as I lead the way off the deck and into the yard. "Believe me, there are places bigger. Usually wizards with money like to show off, but mum and dad went for a fair size."
"A fair size is my house," Nick said.
"They should've gone for bigger," Brianne said. "Cause I have to deal with Brenda. I can't wait until next September with her gone. I wish they'd bought a five bedroom house."
"I had a talk with her yesterday," I told Brianne.
"Won't matter," Brianne said sadly. "Mum and dad talk to her all the time. It doesn't help."
"And she hates me," Benny said.
"She doesn't hate you," Tasha said. "How can anyone hate you?"
"You'd have to ask her," Benny said. "She's always mean to me. Always has been."
"I thought it just started last year," I said. "She didn't change until last year."
"Uh uh she didn't do it when you two were around. Now she don't care," Benny said. "I can't wait until she is gone. I'll be happy. I wish you were my sister Tasha."
"Me too!" Brianne said.
"Yes well, Brenda is our sister," I said awkwardly. "Now come on, I'll let you two try the broom first."
The idea of Tasha being my sister made me feel strange and I didn't know why. Nick, Tasha and I were all close enough to be siblings but it made me feel funny to think that about her. Tasha was too pretty to be a sister. I pushed those thoughts away though and then held out the broom for Benny to try out instead.
The holidays went by quick. Nick came over almost everyday, and quite frequently he came over early enough to have breakfast with us. Neither Tasha nor Nick minded that our days was spent with Brianne and Benny. Brenda didn't join us often even though we tried to get her involved as well. Most days she just wanted to be in her room. We tried hanging out in there, or on Brianne's side to involve her but it didn't work. So usually it was in Benny's room because he had the most toys.
After dinner (which mum often invited Nick to), the kids would let us be on our own, and that's when we'd hang out in my room to talk. We didn't have anyone at Hogwarts that we could correspond with, so we didn't know much about what was happening. Though Tasha had written to Ginny Weasley who was apparently staying with her brothers to ask if anything new had happened. She'd written back that she'd let us know, but we didn't hear anything else. We weren't close to her though, so we couldn't know for sure.
We'd let Brianne and Brenda in on what was going on at Hogwarts after the first night. They had to swear not to mention anything to Benny until he was at least Brianne's age. So often the two of them asked us if we had heard anything as well.
"But why isn't it in the Prophet," Brenda asked us one rare evening when she'd decided to join us. Benny was in bed, and Brianne was doing crafts with mum.
"I don't think they want a panic," Nick told her. "Parents would probably pull their kids out."
"But shouldn't they already know?" Brenda asked. "Don't they write to their parents about it?"
"My parents didn't know until just recently," he said. "I didn't want mum and dad to panic. I was worried they'd try to make me go home. I had to swear that I wouldn't go anywhere by myself."
"Mum and dad considered that for Barry too," Brenda replied as she gazed over at me. "But what about your parents Tasha? They're muggles aren't they? Isn't that why you're here?"
"No they don't know," Tasha told her. "They don't need to know. They wouldn't understand it anyway."
"But then why are you here?" Brenda pressed. "Didn't they want to see you? I bet they do. Mum especially has been missing Barry, but dad talks about it too."
Tasha looked away from her and I could see that her eyes were shining. I'd have to explain it to my sister later, but she didn't need to know at the moment. Mum and dad must not have told the kids why she was coming. Her parents had surprisingly sent her gifts for Christmas, and a letter wishing her a Happy Christmas. It was all just muggle stuff. Some she could use, and some she couldn't. So none of the kids were suspicious. Tasha told me later that her parents were likely trying to make themselves look good, and that the 'Santa' gift was ten times better. She'd been given a stocking from 'Santa' as well.
"It was just easier for them," Nick answered quickly. "You know, it's harder for muggles and all and she lives far away. It's more convenient this way."
"Oh," Brenda said accepting this and then she stared at Tasha. "I'm sorry if I made you sad reminding you. I just wanted to know. I bet you miss them though and I shouldn't have asked so much."
That was the Brenda I missed and loved. Why couldn't she always be this way?
Tasha sighed and then she looked at Brenda and forced a smile.
"It's okay. I'd be curious too," she answered. "You know, you should come with Brianne, your mum and me when we got to Diagon Alley tomorrow. It could be a girls day and it will be fun."
"Sure," Brenda said and then she stood up. "Well, I'm going to go read now. Talk to you lot later."
"She wasn't too bad this time," Nick said after she'd shut the door.
"She was almost back to her old self," I said. "I wish she could be like that all the time."
"I think she must be insecure," Tasha said. "She seemed as sweet as Brianne can be."
"She basically admitted that, but she basically said she might not change even though she'd try," I said. "I'm hoping once she gets to Hogwarts, she will change more."
"Maybe she just needs an older girl," Tasha said. "We'll see what we can do tomorrow when we go shopping. I have some extra money from the summer. I know I should be saving, but it will be worth it. Besides, mum and dad have some baby-sitting lined up for me. They want me to pay my own way, but they also said they'd make up the difference in my letter as long as I work in the summer."
"That's nice of them," Nick said sarcastically.
"It could be worse," Tasha said. "I've learned this year to take what I can. I don't wanna cry every time parents are mentioned. They gave me presents and wrote to me. It might seem like much to you two, but it's better than what I expected."
"You should have been home," I said. "You shouldn't have to expect terrible things."
"That's the way my life is though," Tasha replied. "So I'm not going to worry anymore. Let's work on that Potion's essay now. We can't keep putting it off, and Barry, he'd love to put you in detention. You still haven't asked your parents about him."
"I'll do I before we go back," I said. "I forgot about it. I mean, there has been so much else going on since that conversation and I've been focusing on other things since we came home."
I didn't get my opportunity until after New Years. My parents were too busy planning for it, and were to distracted so I had to keep an eye on my siblings. The house was full of their friends, and our family. We were stuck with the kids, but it wasn't so bad and my older cousin Garth even came into let Tasha, Nick and me try some pumpkin juice and rum. Brianne, Benny and Sam were too distracted to notice but Brenda did notice.
"Mum and dad won't be too happy about this," she said with her arms folded.
"They won't be too happy knowing that you swore at Benny and Sam," I retorted. "In fact, dad said he'd have to use Scorgify on you the next time you did it! And you also pushed Brianne and that could mean a spanking!"
Brenda's face reddened instantly and she turned away.
"You said you wouldn't tell," she said in a low voice.
"So then don't tell on us!" I retorted. "Go play with the kids. You said you'd keep an eye on them!"
She walked off with her head down.
"That ones going to be nightmare she will," Garth said. "I'm glad I'll be out of school by her fifth."
"You'll be out of school by my third," I said. "You're a sixth year."
"And I am glad I'm not younger," he said with a grin. "Anyway, it's been tradition every year for one of the older cousins to offer a drink to some of the younger ones at Hogwarts. Now it's my turn."
To our surprise, Tasha even reached out to take a drink. She shrugged when she saw Nick and I gaping at her.
"One won't hurt and I won't lie, I am curious," she said.
"Knew you'd change your mind," Nick said grinning at her.
"Well enjoy," Garth said. "I need to get back to the real party now. Hard to believe you'll be giving those kids drinks someday," he added as he nodded over to Brianne, Benny and Sam. "You're growing up and it seems odd to me still that you're a first year. It will be stranger when they are. Sam is going to be a handful. Probably Benny too. Benny will be in second year and Sam will be in his first and they'll be driving Ravenclaw house mad."
"I'll be gone by the time Sam starts," I said glancing over at him. "But you're probably right."
"Well cheers," Garth said and then he turned to leave the room.
"That's awfully nice of him," Nick said. "And why didn't you tell us about that tradition."
"I didn't know about it," I replied. "Most of the older Hoofer cousins are all about the same age. At one time we were the really little ones that they had to watch. This room used to be full of them, but now they're all out there. Us and Sam are the youngest that are here. There are a couple around Brianne's age but they never come. Anyway, they managed to hide it and when Garth was my age I was quite young still, so I didn't notice. I noticed the older kids came in, but when your eight, you don't care about the big kids. Just as those kids don't care about us."
"So how old do we need to be before we can join the kitchen and dining room party?" Nick asked.
"At least fifth year. Maybe even fourth, but it really depends on the parents. Garth's parents let him join earlier. He isn't the youngest out there though. Remember, I have cousins in the fourth year too, and they're out there too. It will be when mum and dad decide we are old enough, but they will probably make sure we don't drink. Chester and Ralph won't be allowed to drink which is why they didn't come out with drinks. The parents will be suspicious. Ralph will be the best one for it."
"So how come everyone talks about the big Weasley family, but not all the Hoofers?" Tasha asked as she timidly sipped at her drink. "Hey, this isn't bad. You two should try."
"Well, they all have different last names," I said taking a large gulp of my own. "Besides, the Weasley's are all siblings and mine are cousins. Garth's last name is Ridge and Chester's is Walker and well- Ralph is Garth's younger brother. There are some Hoofer's going when Brianne is going, or before or after. They don't come as often, so I am not sure of their exact ages. We might get talked about in a few years once we are all there. I think there will be seven us there at the same time by the time Benny starts."
"Hogwarts will be over run of all of you have kids," Nick said. "It's going to be a Weasley and a Hoofer school."
I took another drink from the glass. It was quite good. I could barely taste the rum but I was assuming that Garth barely put any in. Nick began chugging his while Tasha continued to drink hers slowly.
"I wish he could have brought out more," Nick said as he set the empty glass down. "That was good."
"Give it some time," I said. "And maybe he'll give us some in school now."
"Why does Sam have blonde hair?" Tasha suddenly asked as she gazed at the little kids. "Most of your family has dark hair."
"He's the only one and it was odd," I said. "Dad says the blonde pops up once and a while. No one understands but it's like one kid each generation has blonde. My uncle had blonde hair I guess, but he's gone all gray now. He isn't Sam's father though, which is why it's odd. We don't know why that happens. Dad said one of us will probably end up with a blonde too."
"But he looks so much like Ben that he could be twins," Nick said. "That's the odd part. If he had Ben's hair, I wouldn't be able to tell them apart."
"A few years ago you couldn't. If it weren't for the fact that Ben was slightly bigger, we would have mixed them up because Benny did have lighter hair. We all did before it darkened," I said. "That's what Garth means though. All Sam or Ben would have to do is learn colour charms to change their hair and people could confuse them as twins when they're older. It's amazing how two cousins can so much alike. The rest of us you can tell we're related but we don't look that much alike."
"They look cute playing together, and look Brenda and Brianne are actually getting along," Tasha said. "Too bad we didn't have Monopoly here. Us five older kids could play it together. That's a muggle-"
"We have it," I interrupted. "It's a wizarding version of it. I'll go get it. Hang on. Go get Brenda and Brianne."
And I hurried out of the room and up to the steps. Some of the adults were in the foyer. I wasn't sure how they'd gotten there unless they went outside and came back in. Maybe they apparated. They greeted me as I ran past them and up the steps. I ran straight to Ben's room where the game cupboard was kept. I opened it up to see all of our board games there. We had muggle and wizarding ones, though mum and dad had charmed a lot of the muggle ones. I had suspicions that they had done the same with the Monopoly too. I found it at the bottom of the shelf and pulled it out.
When I got back into the living room, it was to find that Sam and Benny had joined as well.
"They want to help," Tasha said.
"They could probably play," Brianne said. "I was seven when I learned to play, remember?"
"Yes, because it was last New Years," I told her with amusement.
"Benny is a fast learner," Brenda said. "Although I don't know about Sam."
"I'm fast but someone has to count for me," he replied. "You roll the dice and move around the board, right? And Brianne said there is money too. I can count but not high numbers."
"It should be fine," I said. "You two can play too. It will make the game more interesting with more people."
"I've watched before so I know how to play anyway. At least, I think I do," Benny said.
"You'll be fine," Tasha said.
And so that's how we spent the night. Even when we heard the adults start the count down. We paused just to count down with them, and then shout: "HAPPY NEW YEAR!" but then we went right back to the game. Monopoly could take a long time, and Benny and Sam were doing really well. I was hoping mum and dad wouldn't make them go to bed. Usually the little ones had to go after midnight. However, when mum and dad came into look in on us, they didn't say a word. They just left again, so they must not have minded too much.
Even when people started going out, no one went to bed. Brenda was one of the first to go bankrupt, and then Sammy (who fell asleep on the floor) and it went down to until it was just Benny and me playing. I was proud of my little brother. He was holding his own and with no help. A lot of the adults were leaving by that point, including Sam's parents and family. They just picked him up and took off. Brianne looked ready to fall asleep, but she didn't want to miss the game.
"How much longer?" Mum asked as she came into the room. She sat down on the couch.
"Is the party over?" Brenda asked her looking quite sleepy herself.
"Yes, the last few people just left," dad said as entered the room. "It's almost three."
"Wow!" Brianne said sitting up quickly. "I've never been up this late, have I?"
"Nope, this is the first," Dad told her smiling.
Brianne, always a daddys girl rushed over to climb into his lap after he sat down. She laid a head on his shoulder and it wasn't long before she was asleep.
"We should almost be done," I told mum as Ben landed on one of my properties.
Nick and Tasha looked sleepy too. Brenda had her head on Tasha's shoulder by this point and her eyes looked glazed over as she stared. About fifteen minutes later, Benny landed on another one of my properties. By this point he had no money left and very few properties. He had to mortgage them but they weren't enough to cover the cost.
"And that's that," I said as Ben sighed in annoyance.
"I lost," Benny said.
"You held on for a long time," I told him.
"Okay kids, bed time," dad said as he stood up with Brianne in his arms.
"We didn't mean to stay up so late," I said as everyone stood up and stretched. "It's just Monopoly."
"We know," mum said smiling. "And it's fine. It's one night a year."
"I'm too tired to go upstairs," Benny said suddenly whiny. "I don't want to go upstairs!"
"I'll piggy back you mate," Nick told him.
Everyone made their sleepy way upstairs. It had been a fun night, and I hoped Nick and Tasha would be over again the next year.
It wasn't until the middle of the next week when I finally asked mum and dad if they'd ever had an encounter with Snape at school.
"Well he would have been first or second when I was in fifth," mum said. "And your father was sixth. We were both prefects and he was one of the ones we put in detention often. He was often with some bad kids, though he did hang out with sweet little Lily sometimes too. Maybe he still resents that."
"That and I was one of the best at Potions," dad replied. "And sometimes they get the older kids to help out in the younger classes. Snape was really good at it too. He resented it when I helped him at times because he wanted to prove he could do it himself. He thought of me as a show off, so that's probably where that comes from. He was one of the best. I do admit that, but his ego did get the best of him. Even when he was older apparently."
"Don't let him get to you," mum said. "I've heard he bullies all the students.
When it was close to the beginning of term, mum and dad began lecturing both Tasha and I about not going anywhere alone. They wanted us just to go everywhere in groups. I reminded them often that we already did that. Mum and dad were just apparating us to the station again. Brenda and Brianne hugged us tighter than they normally would. Benny didn't notice anything different, but he was sad that we were leaving again.
"The time will go quick between now and the holidays," I told him. "Don't worry."
When we got on the train twenty minutes later, we got a compartment to ourselves that time. We didn't see Luna anywhere.
"Wonder if there were anymore attacks," Tasha said. "I sure hope not. Maybe the culprit will have been caught."
"Here's to hoping that's true. Mum and dad said if there are more attacks next term they'll take me out and home school me until he or she are caught," Nick said.
"Well, maybe things will be different," I said.