Hey sorry its been so long since I've updated but I've had a lot going on. Also I have started at uni and therefore will only beable to update once every three weeks. I might be able to do so quicker depending on my work load. I have a few assignments due in the next couple of weeks so I will be a bit occupied. Anyway hope you like this chapter. =]
Chapter 12 – Christmas and Pets
Monday 20th December 1993
I finished my lunch and went outside to where the twins were. They were having a big snowball fight, each of them had built a fort around themselves with the snow and were pelting each other with snowballs. I ran over to join them and closed my eyes to randomly select whose team I was going to be on. I walked over to Fred and helped by throwing snowballs at George. We tried to get Percy to join us but he refused. I swear he wouldn't know fun if it slapped him in the face.
We went back inside once it started to get dark and mum told us that Bill and Charlie wouldn't be able to come home for Christmas. I wish they could have been here for Christmas but they're busy. Hopefully I'll see them during the summer, I think the quidditch cup final is being held in Britain so maybe they'll be here for that.
After dinner I went to my room and wrote letters to the girls and then placed them on my desk to mail tomorrow. I sat on my bed and grabbed a book to read for a bit.
Wednesday 22nd December 1993
I got replies from all the girls today, they were all having fun enjoying Christmas. Natalie told me that it wasn't fair that it didn't snow in Manchester; all she got was ice and frost. Nikki was happy that her two older sisters had come home for the holidays and she was spending lots of time with them. Allison and Sarah both were happy to be with their families and were expecting to see more relatives on Christmas.
I grabbed the wrapping-up paper, scissors and cello tape before setting down with all the presents I got for everyone. I wrapped all the presents and added bows and tags to them before putting them away. Afterwards I went to help mum with the jumpers, not including mine of course.
Friday 24th December 1993
I was in the kitchen helping mum with dinner as dad walked through the door after work. The twins had finished cleaning the room, since they had made a mess and walked into the kitchen. They helped me set the table as Percy came downstairs.
"Ginny, I went by the post office on the way home," Dad said facing me. "I owled all the presents you gave me."
"Thanks dad," I said happily, at least I wouldn't have to worry about that. I had given my dad all the presents for my friends, Bill, Charlie and Ron to mail for me. He had shrunk them and took them with him to work along with Fred and George's as well. Percy said he would be fine.
After dinner I helped mum attach Ron's present to Errol, who left shakily through the window. Dad had borrowed some owls as well. We attached Harry's present to one and Hermione's to another along with some homemade mince pies, Christmas cake and nut brittle. We had made it all today. Dad had already owled Bill and Charlie their presents but mum wanted to send them some Christmas cake and mince pies, so she attached some to the other owls and sent them off.
We sat around the Christmas tree and opened a present each. I opened the jumper from mum and dad; it was lovely and thanked them for it. I ate a mince pie while Fred and George opened their presents.
Saturday 25th December 1993
I woke and rubbed my face as I sat up in my bed. I realised it was Christmas and I went to the bathroom to freshen up before running downstairs. Fred and George had beaten me again, damn. I sat down at the kitchen table and took the plate of pancakes from mum.
"Merry Christmas!" I said to them all and they said it back. Percy came downstairs when I finished my breakfast, fully dressed. I went into the living room with the twins and dad. Dad told to go ahead and I grabbed my presents, I had one each from Bill, Charlie, Nikki, Allison, Sarah and Natalie. Fred and George had got me one as well as Ron. I opened the presents and thanked everyone for them. We talked to Bill and Charlie through the floo network and I thanked them for the presents and wished them a Merry Christmas.
The day went by quickly, that always happens when you're having fun. Me and the twins had another snowball fight, we made forts again but this time I was on George's team.
---
We all sat down around the kitchen table as mum placed the turkey on the table before sitting down next to dad. Dad carved the turkey and handed it out to us all, I held out my plate for him to place some turkey on it. I added some roast potatoes, vegetables, mashed potatoes and Yorkshire puddings to my plate before pouring gravy all over it. I picked up my fork and knife and dug into mum's delicious cooking.
We had delicious Christmas cake with custard for dessert and then settled in the living room with some eggnog and mince pies.
Friday 31st December 1993
I placed all the party food on the table as Fred and George set up the fireworks outside with dad. I glanced at my watch and saw that it was only two minutes to midnight. I walked outside and mum and Percy followed. Dad took his wand out and waited as Fred looked at his watch and then we started the countdown.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
"Happy New Year!" We all said to one another.
Saturday 1st January 1994
Dad ignited the fireworks and they went off with a bang. We stood around watching the display until all the fireworks were used up before walking inside. We sat around eating and talking for awhile.
"Did you hear Arthur, Percy is applying for a job at the Ministry," Mum said proudly.
"Well I hope you get it Percy," Dad said smiling at him. Percy looked very pleased with himself.
"Yeah I hope you get it as well Perce," Fred said. "Then maybe we could-,"
"-get some peace from you," George said and I laughed as mum told them to stop it.
We talked for a while longer before we went up to bed.
---
I dragged my trunk out of my room and George took it off me and carried it downstairs for me. We put all the trunks in the car dad had borrowed and then left for the train station. Once we were there we got trolleys to load our trunks onto before making our way on to the platform. I saw Allison on the platform and rushed over to say hi.
"Ginny, hey," Allison said hugging me. "Did you have a good holiday?"
"Yeah it was good," I replied. "How was yours?"
"Not so bad, we had some relatives come over on Christmas," Allison explained. "I haven't seen some of them in awhile so it was nice to see them again." Mum came over and told we had to get on the train, she hi to Allison and then called dad over. The both of them helped us load our trunks away along with Crystal (Allison's owl). Allison went to say bye to her parents and I said bye to mum and dad. The whistle sounded and we got on the train and leaned out the window to wave bye until we turned around a corner and could no longer see them. We walked down the train looking for the others and had a bit of a run in with Johnny Walker, the annoying Slytherin boy but we slipped away easily to avoid an argument. We found the girls and settled into the compartment and started discussing our Christmas holidays.
Monday 3rd January 1994
Class started today and I walked to Charms with the girls after breakfast. We had a good lesson and happily went to Defence Against the Dark Arts. After that lesson I told the girls I had to go to the library to return a book and I'd meet up with them in History of Magic.
I walked into the library and handed over the book to Madam Pince. I turned to leave when I saw Hermione sat at a table trying to stuff a lot of books into her bag. I walked over to her as she stuffed the last book in her bag.
"Hey Hermione," I said and she turned around to face me, she looked upset and tired.
"Hi Ginny," Hermione said in a tired voice.
"Are you ok?" I asked concerned.
"Yeah I'm fine just a lot work," Hermione said hoisting her bag onto her shoulders. "I'm beginning to think I took on too many subjects this year."
"I'm sure you'll be ok," I said as comfortingly as I could. "If not I guess you could always drop a subject." Hermione looked as if I had insulted her.
"I wouldn't drop a subject unless it was entirely necessary," Hermione said. "I really hope it doesn't get to that." I rubbed her arm sympathetically. "I'll be fine, we should get to class." We headed off in different directions once we got out of the library.
---
I walked into the great hall with girls and towards the Gryffindor table. I noticed Hermione sat by herself and realised why she had looked upset before, she must have had an argument with Ron and Harry. I motioned towards Hermione and the girls nodded, we walked over and sat down next to her. She smiled as we sat down and began to eat our lunch.
Thursday 6th January 1994
I walked out of my last lesson of the day, Transfiguration with the Ravenclaws and walked to the library with the girls. We sat down and finished off the homework for Snape that was due tomorrow.
---
It was time for dinner, so we packed our stuff away and returned any unwanted books. I saw Hermione sitting at a table looking miserable, so I told the girls to go ahead and I'd catch up with them. I walked over to Hermione and she looked up at me and smiled weakly.
"Hey," I said sitting down. "How's the work load?"
"It's ok," Hermione said quietly.
"It's time for dinner," I said making sure she knew.
"Oh, right yeah I'll be there in a minute," Hermione said as she started to put her things away. "You go on."
"I'll save you a seat," I said and she smiled at me. I had found out from Fred and George that Harry had gotten a firebolt for Christmas anonymously and Hermione had reported it thinking it may have been jinxed. I get why Harry and Ron would be upset since McGonagall confiscated it to check it for jinxes but Hermione only did that because she cares. There are way too many people trying to hurt Harry. I walked round a corner and bumped into someone. I stumbled backwards a little and mumbled 'sorry'.
"Don't worry about it," said the boy I had bumped into. He was a good looking boy with dark brown hair and blue eyes. He smiled at me and I smiled back before making my way to the great hall.
Saturday 8th January 1994
I left the stadium and walked to the castle with the girls. Slytherin had just played Ravenclaw and won. This is good news though because if Gryffindor beat Ravenclaw as well then they would be second place and would just need to beat Slytherin. I saw Hermione struggling with her bag again and I walked back to help her. Once the both of us managed to get all her things into her bag we walked towards the oak doors where the girls were waiting. The boy I had bumped into the other day walked over to us.
"Hey," he said smiling at me.
"Hey," I replied not knowing what else to say. He said hi to Hermione as well and she said hi back.
"I'm Jared," he said holding out his hand.
"Ginny," I said shaking his hand. Hermione introduced herself and shook his hand as well. Someone called his name and he sighed.
"Well I just wanted to say hi," Jared said. "I have to go so I'll see you around?" I simply nodded in response making him smile. We walked up to the girls who immediately started questioning me.
"He's a Hufflepuff," Hermione said in answer to one of the questions Nikki had asked. "In the fourth year, I think." This got the girls talking more as we walked to the common room.
Saturday 12th February 1994
I placed my completed Transfiguration essay on the table happily just as the portrait swung open and an excited murmur filled the common room. I looked around and saw Harry holding a Firebolt in his hands. McGonagall must have given it to him finally. Everyone started asking Harry all kinds of questions and making comments.
"Where did you get it Harry?"
"Will you let me have a go?"
"Have you ridden it yet, Harry?"
"Ravenclaw'll have no chance, they're all on Cleansweep Sevens!"
"Can I just hold it, Harry?"
After about ten minutes during which the broom was passed around and admired the crowd finally dispersed and Harry and Ron walked over to Hermione. I was happy, they were finally going to make up. I didn't like seeing Hermione upset. Ron left to put the Firebolt away in their dormitory.
A couple of minutes later a strangled yell echoed from the boys' dormitory. Everyone fell silent as they heard hurried footsteps coming down the staircase. Ron emerged dragging a sheet with him and charged over to where Harry and Hermione were sat.
"LOOK!" he yelled shaking the sheet in her face.
"Ron what -?"
"SCABBERS! LOOK! SCABBERS!"
Hermione was leaning away from Ron looking completely beffudled as Harry looked down at the sheet. I stood up and peered over and saw something red on the sheet.
"BLOOD!" Ron yelled into the silent common room. "HE'S GONE! AND YOU KNOW WHAT WAS ON THE FLOOR?"
"N-no," Hermione said her voice trembling. Ron threw something onto one of Hermione's books and Harry stared. I got up to look and saw ginger cat hairs. Oh this was not going to be good at all.
Well what did you think? Review and let me know please. I will try and update as soon as I can =] =] =] x x
