Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Halloween had been fun, but they were soon back to working hard. They had more homework than ever, and the spells in class were getting increasingly complicated. However, the four were still top of their classes. As well as Al being by far the best at DADA, Rose was best in History, Scor was just best in Transfiguration, and Shaun had the greatest competency at Herbology. Rose was also best in Astronomy, Scor in Potions, and Al in Charms. They were all top in all their classes, however, and always helped each other out.

No-one but Al and his dad knew that Al had mastered non-verbal spells though. He was by far the most powerful of the four and probably the most powerful in the school, but he normally kept a cloak on most of his power, and was always careful not to let his full power show. Not even Rose, Scor or Shaun knew how powerful he was.

The only time that Al had ever come close to losing his temper and showing his power was when he had come across Nott and a second-year Slytherin called Simmons, bullying Sara, a Hufflepuff he knew from Herbology. He had managed to keep himself from losing his temper, and kept most of his power secret, but shown enough to scare them into promising never to touch her again.

The other three hadn't seen this, and they knew him as the mellowest person ever. However, he was hard working at both class and Quidditch, and Gryffindor had completely out-classed Ravenclaw in the first Quidditch game of the season, three hundred and twenty points to ten. The Ravenclaws hadn't spoken to them for a week after that, but they soon got over it in order to get ready for their next game against Slytherin. In a close contest, Slytherin had narrowly beaten Hufflepuff.

Lucy had even asked out Al, but he awkwardly told her that he only saw her as a friend. Behind her, Scor and Shaun were laughing their heads off, and Rose was no-where to be found. Lucy had run up to her dorm in tears, leaving Al looking uncomfortable, and the other two looking away, having stopped laughing when she had burst into tears. Ever since, Lucy and Al had been exceptionally formal whenever they met.

Christmas was coming up fast, and Al and Shaun had decided to get Scor and Rose together before the break. On the evening of the fifth of December, Shaun wrote two identical cards, one to Scor, and one to Rose. They would reach their respective people the next day at breakfast.

The next morning when they got down to the Great Hall for breakfast, Shaun and Al sat between Scor and Rose. The cards arrived as they were eating toast, and they read then, looking at each other. Al and Shaun decided that they were going outside, as it was Saturday and there were no classes. They managed to keep out the way of Scor and Rose until lunchtime, and got to lunch to see the two smiling shyly and holding hands. However, as they got to Rose, she turned round and looked daggers at Al.

"I know what you did, and I will forever hate you for it, but I also love you." she said, and got up, hugging the two of them.

"Well that went better than expected." Al said, as he sat down.

The rest of the day flew by, as they did the homework that they were supposed to do for that week. That night, Rose and Scor said a non-verbal goodnight, before heading off to their respective dorms.

Soon the day came to either go home for Christmas, or stay at school. Scor had been invited to go back with Rose, as he still wasn't welcome with his mother. They packed their bags, and got the train back, planning when they were going to see each other these holidays. As the train got back into King's Cross, they were some of the first people off. Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione had all been able to get these holidays off, so had come to meet them, and were introduced to Scor.

Shaun found his parents, and dragged them off to his friends. The parents talked amongst them as Lily looked longingly at the scarlet train. Al saw James try once again to get Isabelle to go out with him. When she ignored him, he came over to his parents and Lily, getting a hug from the latter. When the parents had finished talking, James got more hugs from his mother, and dates for them to meet up were finalised.

They separated into their respective groups to get home, and Harry, Ginny, James, Al and Lily were soon back at 12 Grimmauld Place. The house had totally been refurbished since Harry had inherited the house, and it was light and airy, having gotten rid of the house-elf heads years ago. Harry had since been able to remove the Permanent Sticking Charms from both Mrs Black's Portrait, and the Black Family Tree. No-one but Ginny knew how though.

Rose, Scor and Shaun would be here the next day, as would Frankie, Ethan, Bruno and Hugo, so James, Al and Lily went upstairs to get unpacked and tidy their rooms. Harry and Ginny prepared dinner with Kreacher helping. Kreacher loved working for the Potters, and everyone loved him. He was part of the family, and even sat down to eat with them.

At dinner, James and Al told them what had been happening at Hogwarts, with Lily listening avidly. When Al told them of Scor and Rose being an item, she squealed with delight. They laughed as she went bright red, and the subject changed to what had been going on at home. The phone rang, and Harry went to answer it. It was a magical phone, which ran without electricity, and was a new intention. Harry was grinning from ear to ear as he came back.

"That was Teddy." Harry said. "He and Victoire just got engaged."

They had a mini celebration, before Lily got tired, and went to bed. Al and James went up to their rooms, and Al managed to get all of his holiday homework finished. He had the rest of the holiday to hang out with his parents and friends, and play with Lily. He had missed her at school, but knew that after the summer, both she and Hugo would be coming to Hogwarts. They all looked forward to it.

He was very tired, and seeing as it was well after midnight, he got into his own bed, and fell asleep watching his mum scoring a goal for the Holyhead Harpies the previous easter.