Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter
Girls. I rolled my eyes as Hazel stalked off down the corridor. Could they get any more complicated? All I was doing was trying to help a first year and she comes and tells me I shouldn't have. Bloody hell, what else could I have done? Telling McGonagall wasn't going to help anyone. Rebecca needed to learn to stand up for herself. It was bloody stupid, that's what it was.
Well, I suppose I should go and send this letter to Mum and Dad. It wouldn't get to them by remaining in the pocket of my robes.
Where does she get off anyway? It's not like it had anything to do with her. Nothing whatsoever. She shouldn't have just butted in and tried to tell me what to do. She had no right. None at all.
Calm down Hugo; just take a deep breath, count to ten, whatever works. It's not a big deal. You're right, of course you are, you don't need anyone else to tell you that. Hazel can have her opinion, that's fine, don't stress about it. Count to ten. Another deep breath should do it.
Ok, I'm officially calm.
Ish.
Well as long as I don't bump into her on my way up, I should be fine. I've had worse fights than this with other people. Yeah, loads worse and they all turned out fine. This one will blow over in no time. Yeah, no time at all.
It was just like that argument I had with Alex and Beth when they ate my fudge, well I did offer it to them but there was no need for them to accept it! Couldn't they just see I was trying to be polite? See Mum? The only place being polite gets you is a hungry fudgeless stomach. The horror!
The Owlery was quite quiet when I got up there. A bit unusual for a Sunday evening. It's usually when quite a few people go up because they realise that they haven't replied to their parents' last letter and are procrastinating doing their homework. The choice between a two foot History of Magic essay and a letter home usually comes out with the letter on top. It's all part of the standard procrastinating technique after all.
When I got up to the Owlery the hoots of the owls were few and far between as they woke from their slumber. Although some of the ones that were awake were making a right load of noise. Spotting Linus I coaxed him down from his perch and tied the letter onto his legs.
"Have a safe flight, buddy." I said to him as he soared out the window.
It's sort of peaceful, watching owls in the sunset. Owls are very calming creatures when they're not screeching. There's just something majestic about them as they soar through the sky. Imagine what it would be like to do that, to have no limits, to just jump out of the window and float freely across the horizon. It would be wicked, that's what it would be.
The next day we, Alex, Beth, Lily and I, were walking to Charms when I remembered something vitally important.
My charms homework.
"Merlin's pants! I left my essay in the dormitory." I smacked myself in the head.
"I'd run." Beth and Alex said at the same time.
"Yeah...yeah...I'll do that." I said and tore back up the corridor.
I'm an idiot. An absolute idiot. This is our biggest piece of charms homework in the history of my schooling career and I forget to bring it to class. That's just stupid, idiotic, and dumb; whatever else you want to call it.
Merlin, I wish I was fitter. Mind you, running up four flights of staircases, weaving in and out of the flow of students going in the opposite direction and having to accommodate the changing of the staircases is no easy feat. In fact, I'm quite proud I didn't fall over.
"Paracelsus!" I yelled at the Fat Lady, although I was puffing so it sort of came out like "Par-huh-a-huh-cel-huh-sus." But she got the message.
"Shouldn't you be in class?" she asked as the portrait hole swung open.
Yes, I thought irritably but didn't say it out loud and just dashed into the common room. Running up the boys' staircase I ran into a second year (they have Monday mornings off, lucky buggers) who looked at me in an annoyed manner but I just kept moving. Shouting an "I'm sorry!" Over my shoulder too, of course.
And there it was, lying peacefully on my un-made bed. My charms essay. You see, the very simple reason for it being there was that I checked it quickly this morning to check that it was alright, no spelling errors, that sort of thing, and I left it there when Alex called me to help him with something. The problem was I forgot to put it back in my bag. At least my room is close (by comparison to a thirty minute bus ride away like some muggles who don't go to boarding schools, that would suck) to the Charms room.
Anyway, I grabbed my essay, stuffed it hastily in my bag and charged back down the stairs. Past some seventh years that had a free period and back out the portrait hole (the Fat Lady calling after me "If you're only going to come back out in two minutes, what was the point of coming in?" I didn't give her a response).
Why won't my feet move any faster? I thought desperately as I sprinted down the stairs, why was I cursed with my mother's athletic ability? Does the world hate me? Rose got Mum's brains and Dad's sporting ability. And this is fair, how?
Then, I did an Alex. I tripped over my own feet. Down several steps, and came to a halt on the fourth floor landing. Cringing in pain I opened my eyes to, thankfully, see no one in sight. Well, obviously they're all in class.
"Need a hand?" A voice asked from behind me.
Oh, so apparently I wasn't alone. Bugger.
By the time Hazel had moved around me to offer her hand my face had gone bright red. It completely beetrooted up. My face still a startling red, I grabbed her hand and she helped me up.
"Thanks." I said.
"You're welcome." she replied.
We just stood there. I was trying to think of something to say but I really couldn't think of anything.
"Um..." I started.
"Ah..." Hazel said at the same time.
We both stopped again, waiting for the other to say something.
"I'm really sorry." she said after a few seconds. "Although I think you're wrong, I shouldn't have overreacted, it's your opinion."
"That's ok. I'm sorry too." I said. "I shouldn't have snapped back."
Then we stood their awkwardly again.
"Well I'll see you tonight on patrols." she smiled and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "Bye."
"See you." I called as she walked away from me. Her golden hair was swaying as she walked down the stairs, the sunlight from the window shining off it.
Wait. What am I doing? I'm late for charms!
And with that, I raced down the corridor.
The scarlet steam engine pulled out of Hogsmeade station at around 10 o'clock in the morning on the Sunday before Christmas. Snow was falling thick and fast outside the windows of the train and all the students had their scarves wrapped tightly around their freezing throats, myself included. Beth and Alex were staying at Hogwarts these holidays so it was just Lils and I on the train. Lily had offered Beth to come and stay with her but she said she wanted to stay at Hogwarts. Alex was originally going to come and stay with me but now he was going to stay at Hogwarts to keep Beth company.
Lily and I shared a compartment with Al and Rose. Apparently Malfoy was staying at Hogwarts these holidays. I was quite pleased about that to be honest. Well actually, I think he just doesn't want to get killed by all the male Weasley relatives. I know I'd feel the same way if I wasn't part of my family and was dating someone from my family. Luckily, I am in my family and I have no interest in dating any of my relatives. None. Ew.
We spent the time talking, playing exploding snap and swapping chocolate frog cards. I'm missing Neville Longbottom and it's really starting to annoy me. Honestly, he's my Herbology Professor, surely I should have one. But alas, I do not. Lily's got one. She always mentions it just to annoy me. Luckily I've got Merlin, she doesn't have him. It's kind of funny because he's the first one I ever got.
"So how's Hazel, Hugo?" Al asked me.
My eyes went wide and I gave Al a 'shut up now' look. But it was too late. The words had already escaped his traitorous lips (stupid Slytherin) and Rose turned to look at me.
"Who's Hazel?" she asked, a smile forming on her lips.
"Nobody." I mumbled looking down at my hands. Wow, there was an interesting cut that from Herbology that I hadn't noticed. I pretended to examine it.
"She's not nobody!" Al and Lily said at once.
"She's Hugo's girlfriend." Lily explained for Rose.
"Aw, that's so cute." Rose said. I shot her a look.
"Rose, I'm fifteen. It isn't 'cute' thank you very much." I grumbled. It was not under any circumstances. Who uses that word to describe a relationship? A fifteen year old guy (wow, look, that's me) does not want to be called cute. Ergh, it just brings me images of Madam Puddifoots.
"Whatever you say." Rose grinned. Al and Lily just smirked. I wanted to punch them. However, I restrained myself.
It was probably a good thing too, I'm a weakling to be honest and they are both excellent at Quidditch.
Yeah, it was safer not to. A glare would work just as well.
Ah Christmas, who doesn't love Christmas?
Snow, presents, amazing food? It's just simply incredible. What's not to love?
Anyway, it's tradition for us all to have Christmas at the Burrow. Ever Christmas Eve everyone comes over and we all sleep here. Let me tell you, you need an extremely good reason to get out of it. I think Grandma almost murdered Uncle Charlie when he didn't come when I was eight. He's come every Christmas since.
This Christmas we have 28 people at the Burrow. That's a massive number of people. Of course there is Gran and Granddad who have their room; Dad, Uncle Harry and Uncle George have Dad's old room (it's awesome, Chudley Cannon posters everywhere, Mum won't let me do the same to my room); Mum, Aunt Ginny and Aunt Ange sleep in Aunt Ginny's old room; it's Uncle Bill, Uncle Percy and Uncle Charlie in Uncle Charlie's old room; Aunt Audrey, Aunt Fleur, Victoire and baby Remus are in Uncle Bill's room; Dom, Molly and Lucy sleep in Uncle Percy's room; Rose, Roxanne and Lils get one of the two rooms off the extension (Gran and Granddad had to get one, otherwise we wouldn't all fit); Louis, Fred, James and Dom's boyfriend Harrison Grover (it's his first Christmas with us, he was in Italy last year, lucky bugger) get Uncle George and Uncle Fred's old room; this leaves the other room off the extension for Teddy, Al and I. Uncle Harry made it very clear when Al was five and James was six that under no circumstances were Al and James going to share a room. He said he liked the Burrow as it was. Fair enough I suppose.
Christmas Eve dinner was a bit weird to tell you the truth. Very weird in fact.
Are you all familiar with a certain Mr James Sirius Potter? Well you sure should be! Despite the fact he's a reserve beater for Puddlemere United, ultimate prankster and my cousin, you should know him because I've talked about him.
Anyway, I sat near him at dinner. James, Aunt Angelina and Uncle Percy. I hadn't had the time to talk to my cousin all day since I'd been busy playing a game of Quidditch and he'd arrived too late to join in. I was actually quite looking forward to hearing about life was on a professional reserve Quidditch team. But when I sat down opposite him he looked extraordinarily glum. Aunt Ange and Uncle Percy were chatting about broomstick regulations so I took the opportunity to ask James what was up.
"What's up, James?" Do you like my original question or what? Don't answer 'or what'!
"Nothing." James said and he started cutting the food on his plate.
"Yeah, and I'm a flobberworm." I rolled my eyes at him. "Seriously, what's wrong?"
"Alice and I had a fight." he shrugged. "It's no big deal, really. It's just the first one we've had." He looked up at me to see my raised eyebrows. "The first major one we've had." He clarified.
"Is that why she's not here?" I asked him.
"Nah, she's working over Christmas. Trainee healers and the like get all the awful shifts, which includes Christmas time."
"She's already a trainee healer?" I questioned him. I thought you had to do way more training before you get to that level.
"Nah, there's a new scheme they've got going at St Mungos. If you start in the summer then you only have to do five months of written stuff and then you get to observe what's happening in the hospital for around six months. Helping out with very minor injuries, getting things for the Healers, that sort of thing. Then you go back to Healer School for another two to three years before you're allowed to be trainee healer and then you have to do two or three years with that before you become a low-ranked Healer." he told me.
"Well I don't know what the fight was about but, mate; she's probably a big stress ball at the moment. Imagine having to cope with all of that. You're probably a person that she can depend on to forgive her. I wouldn't even sweat it. Just give her time and space, she'll come around." I shrugged.
James smiled weakly. "Thanks little cousin."
"Any time." I rolled my eyes. "How's training going?"
A grin lit up his glum looking face and he began telling me exactly how great being on the Puddlemere United reserve team was.
It was Christmas afternoon. Most people were having naps in various parts of the house (Teddy had passed out as soon as we'd finished eating breakfast), and everyone else was either reading or talking quietly to one and other. No Quidditch today, it's far too cold outside for that. Gran's got the fire going and is trying to warm up the whole house. People are walking around in Weasley jumpers and mittens.
At the moment, I'm playing with little Remus. Most of my cousin's are asleep and Uncle Percy is droning on about broomstick regulations again (the man never stops talking about them) to the adults that I'd talk to. Remus is the nicest option.
He's not even one yet but honestly, he's the sweetest thing in the world. No, I'm not getting mushy over a baby. I just happen to think he's pretty cool.
"Peek-a-boo." I said as I drew my hands away from my face for about the 10th time. Remus giggled and I couldn't help but smile. Smiles are contagious after all.
It's kind of weird having Remus around. When I was a kid, I was the youngest so I never saw many babies; most people my parents were friends with had packed up shop. I reckon the rest of my cousins were sick of them by the time that I came around. Anyway, I loved playing with Remus; he was just such a cool kid.
"Peek-a-boo." I grinned at Remus and he giggled again. Literally, he was really cute. And I don't use words like 'cute' often. Actually, I barely ever use the word 'cute', unless it's used sarcastically. In fact I only use the word to describe Remus (he's a baby) and I think I might have used it to describe Hazel. And she is. In an attractive kind of way. Completely different from the 'cute' that Remus is. Actually, that's what I hate about the word. You can mean cute as in 'good looking' and 'hot', like Hazel or cute as in 'sweet' and 'adorable'. It's just frustrating.
"Peek-a-boo!" That just never gets old.
"...yes and Rosie is top of her year. I wouldn't be surprised if she got all O's in her N. E. W. Ts, she was so close with her O. W. Ls. She only got one E. Her mother's brains that one has..."
My stomach literally dropped, the grin sliding off my face. Of course it was perfect, darling, Rose that Dad was bragging about to Uncle Percy.
"...a magnificent keeper on the Gryffindor team too..."
Perfect grades, perfect Quidditch ability, perfect responsibility...the only not perfect thing about her is her bloody boyfriend and he's not even that bad, it's just the fact he's a Malfoy that makes him not perfect too.
Handing Remus his toy dragon, a Christmas present from Uncle Charlie, I made my way into the kitchen to see if I could help Gran with something. I didn't want to listen to more of Dad's bragging and there was always some help to give.
"...yes Rosie is just so popular. Loads of lovely friends, Bella Finnigan is a lovely girl, very polite. And then there is..." Mum's voice wafted in from the kitchen.
Plan C; go to the room I'm staying in. Sure, Teddy and Al might be snoring (Merlin, it's annoying) but at least no one is going on about how bloody brilliant my sister is.
Author's note: Sorry about the wait but my life is pretty hectic right now. Mock exams next week, loads of homework due (you'd think the teachers wouldn't give homework to you right before exams, but alas, they do), preparing for my piano exam in just over a month. Then after that I'm going to Germany for three weeks (superly mega excited for that) and then it's straight back to school for real exams. Saying all this, if you're reading 'Time to Put Your Galleons Where Your Mouth Is!' then you'll already know, I'm not going to be able to update regularly until the end of the November when I've finished school for the year. I'm really sorry about that but school and piano comes first. I'll still be updating, just not as much (but as I haven't been updating as much as I used to, that won't really come as a shock).
Anyway, onto the chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. Not my best but regardless, I hope you liked it.
Just as a little fun-fact for you all. Linus, Hugo's owl, is named after Linus Van Pelt, my favourite character from the Charlie Brown comics. Well it's him and Lucy.
Thanks to everyone for all the lovely reviews. I'm so glad you keep reviewing; it makes my day/week/month/year/life.
TTFN
Dork-with-glasses
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