Chapter 7

Christmas holidays started with the weather all cold and gloomy. Amy, Hermione and Jen spent their time hanging out, reading on how to help Buckbeak and doing their holiday homework.

CHRISTMAS THE FIREBOLT 25 DECEMBER

On Christmas morning, Amy was woken by Jen and Hermione jumping on her. "Wake up! Presents!"

Amy opened her eyes and saw Jen and Hermione waiting impatiently and looking very excited. Amy grinned and got out of bed. The 3 girls ran downstairs and they made for their piles.

"Another sweater from Mum. See if you've got one." Jen's was blue which her favorite color was and it was matching her eyes. Hermione got one in soft pink and Amy's scarlet with a golden snitch knitted on the front. There was also a dozen home-baked mince pies, some Christmas cake, and a box of nut brittle.

As Amy moved all these things aside, she saw a long, thin package lying underneath. "What's that?" said Jen, looking over, a freshly unwrapped pair of maroon socks in her hand.

"I don't know . . ." said Amy with a shrug. Amy ripped the parcel open and gasped as a magnificent, gleaming broomstick.

Jen's eyes widened and she gasped. "I don't believe it," he said hoarsely.

It was a Firebolt the best broom ever. It's handle glittered as she picked it up. She could feel it vibrating and let go; it hung in midair, unsupported, at exactly the right height for her to mount it. Her eyes moved from the golden registration number at the top of the handle, right down to the perfectly smooth, streamlined birch twigs that made up the tail.

"Who sent it to you?" said Jen in a hushed voice. There was no card or note or anything.

"Nothing! Blimey, who'd spend that much on you?"

"Well," said Amy, feeling stunned, "I don't know honestly."

"I bet it was Dumbledore," said Jen, now walking around and around the Firebolt, taking in every glorious inch. "He sent you the Invisibility Cloak anonymously. . . ."

"That was my dad's, though," said Amy. "Dumbledore was just passing it on to me. He wouldn't spend hundreds of Galleons on me. He can't go giving students stuff like this —"

"That's why he wouldn't say it was from him!" said Jen. "In case some git like Malfoy said it was favoritism. Hey, Amy" — Ron gave a great whoop of laughter — "Malfoy! Wait till he sees you on this! He'll be sick as a pig! This is an international standard broom, this is!" said Jen excitedly.

"You are not going to use it are you?" said Hermione for the first time and both Jen and Amy looked at her.

"What?"

"You can't use it. You have to take it to a teacher to have it looked at." said Hermione standing her ground.

"What? Why?" asked Amy confused.

"Yeah why? This is a top broom!" said Jen.

"Which we don't know who sent it."

"Doesn't matter."

"I can't believe you Jen. Is that all you care about? The broom?"

"Why shouldn't I? You wouldn't care seeing as you don't know anything about brooms."

"Oh would you listen to yourself…"

"Hey, hey…stop!" said Amy. The 2 looked at Amy and she said, "Good. Now, Hermione, why do you want me to turn this in?"

"It has no note. Nothing. It's new. It's the best broom there is. Don't you see, Sirius knows you play quidditch and could have sent this cursed to entice you with that knowing you wouldn't be able to resist. Remember when you almost fell first year? How you actually fell this year? You could have been paralyzed or killed. I couldn't take it if something like this happened so excuse me for caring too much about you and your life more than a top standard broom." said Hermione and after glaring at Jen she stormed out.

Amy sighed and said, "I am going to check if she is ok."

Jen remained standing there then she said, "She is right as always. Someone could send you a cursed broom. I got so excited I…didn't think about it. I am sorry." said an embarrassed Jen.

"Hey it's ok. I get it too. Let's go find her." using the map they found Hermione in an empty classroom. They apologized and Amy took the broom to Professor McGonagall.

Xxx

Amy managed to get a solicitor named Mr. Chase. He was the best there was and quite expensive but he was good and he specialized with magical creatures. She found him on the internet and she called him. Sneaking out to Hogsmeade with Jen and Hermione (they wouldn't let her go alone) she went to meet Mr. Chase.

He was a tall man with brown wavy hair, lean frame and brown eyes. She, Jen and Hermione told him about Buckbeak. The grin Mr. Chase wore gave her confidence he would do what was needed. It turns out Mr. Smith and Malfoy didn't quite see eye to eye.

When they told Hagrid what they had done, Hagrid had been tearful thanking them saying he didn't deserve it. of course they assured him he deserved it.

xxx

Holidays soon ended with Amy's Firebolt not back yet. Amy was itching to ride on it but she knew her safety should come first. Students began returning on the 4th of January and lessons resumed on the 5th.

Thank you for reading