Thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far, I've had some particularly lovely comments!
Apologies to the person who believes that the chapters are too short, but I have next to no time writing as I have exams and stuff soon, and I would rather do shorter, regular updates than sporadic longer ones.
Also, the reviewer who said it's too fast paced, I'm inclined to agree with you, but that's just my writing style, sorry.
~HOGWARTS~
As November arrived the weather quickly became icy. Every morning the grounds were white with frost, and the lake began to freeze over. Down in the dungeons Harry's breath rose in front of him as soon as he left the common room, and after several mornings of arriving at breakfast shivering, an older student finally felt sorry for them and taught them a warming charm. Oddly enough, it was Daphne who had the most trouble with it. No matter how hard she waved her wand, the warmth always faded after just a few moments.
"It's 'cos you're the ice queen," teased Harry. Mark chuckled.
"Yeah, it's self-preservation. You can't use a warming charm cos you might melt!"
She just huffed indignantly and stalked away.
Soon the Quidditch season began, and Harry was attending regular team practises. He was only a reserve this year, but Higgs was leaving at the end of the year, and Flint wanted Harry to know the ropes. He sat on the bench through the game. It was very entertaining, watching Gryffindor get pummelled. Their seeker was particularly hopeless. When Higgs finally caught the tiny golden ball, the Slytherins yelled themselves hoarse, all pretended temporarily forgotten.
It wasn't quite enough to drown out the boos from the other three-quarters of the crowd, but then it never was.
~HOGWARTS~
As soon as McGonagall brought around the list of those staying for the holidays, Theo signed it. There was no way he was going back to his father for Christmas.
More first years than normal were staying for the break. Theo noted Draco's name, along with Vince and Greg. The entire Weasley clan was staying, and so were Potter, Moon, and a handful of others.
On the last day of term, he sat in the common room and watched the others racing around with trunks and pets.
"Theo?"
"Hey Susan,"
"You meant it? You're really not going home?"
He shook his head.
"You'll - you will write, won't you?" he asked. She nodded firmly.
"Of course I will. I'll see you in January."
"Have a nice time."
"Will do."
~HOGWARTS~
Christmas was going to be fantastic.
That was Ron Weasley's assessment, as he settled to toasting marshmallows with Vince and Greg. His parents were visiting Charlie in Romania, so there was no one to stop him from eating as much Christmas dinner as he liked. Also, as he wasn't in Gryffindor with his brothers he was under no obligation to wear the usual maroon jumper that was sure to arrive on Christmas morning. Hufflepuff definitely had its perks.
The day dawned bright and clear, and the ceiling in the great hall was a creamy blue colour, the sun sparkling off the snow. The three boys opened their pile if presents, (Ron's was conspicuously larger than the other two's), and made their way to the Great Hall for lunch.
When they arrived, they found that the four house tables had been removed, and replaced by one long table. The teachers were already sat at one end, and the students had already begun to settle, automatically separating themselves into the different houses. Ron, however, spotted Potter and Moon laughing merrily, so took the seats near them. Very soon Nott from Gryffindor joined them, and then finally Malfoy. He scowled at Ron, but said nothing.
~HOGWARTS~
It was the best Christmas Harry had ever had. He ate huge platefuls of turkey and pudding, (though not at the same time), pulled countless crackers, got presents, and made some new friends. In the evening the first years all snuck into an empty classroom to hang out.
But something was bothering Harry, and had been since morning.
Harry was woken by something very heavy and warm landing on top of him.
"Harry! Wake up!"
He groaned into his pillow. "Go away Mark."
"But it's present time!"
Harry just shrugged.
"Don't you want to open them?"
"Wha- you mean, I've got presents too?"
"Yes, doughnut. Now get up before I hex you."
He did as he was told, and as he pulled on his glasses the small pile at the end of his bed came into focus. Mark had already started tearing open his (much bigger) pile.
They were Harry's first Christmas presents, and he relished every one. The sweets from most of his friends, the book from Daphne, even the fifty-pence piece from the Dursleys. However, it was the parcel at the bottom that had been most mysterious. Mark gasped as a cloak of a strange silvery material flowed onto the bed.
"That's an invisibility cloak," he said, stunned. "They're really rare."
As Harry tried it on, a note fell out.
Your father left this in my possession before he died. It was time it was returned to you.
Use it well.
Now, as Harry returned to the Slytherin dormitories tired and sleepy from too much food, he felt a strange desire overtake him again. A strange longing to use his cloak, his father's cloak to explore the castle almost overwhelmed him. He shook his head, trying to clear it. There was no point in indulging in Gryffindor-ish impulses. After all, he could be caught.
And with that thought he went to bed, and he was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.