Chapter Nine: A Hogwarts Christmas - Part 2
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I'm in love with the story, yes, but I don't own it. Love ya Dan, Rup, and Emma!
Author's Note: One of the rare times I pop this up here, but this chapter will contain fluff. How much? Yes. It's Christmas for goodness sakes. And this might have been the reason it took a few months for me to update... full explanation later, enjoyyyyyyy!
The four kids followed the mob of students headed towards the Hogwarts Express. Nate walked with Hermione as Daphne and Pansy followed behind, giggling and whispering to each other. Both girls smiled at Nate and Hermione's locked hands as more of their friends joined the group. Susan Bones and her best friend, Hannah Abbot, joined them, hands and arms full of presents for their respective recipients. The bunch chatted about Christmas as the arch to Hogsmeade Station came into view, and behind it, the scarlet red Hogwarts Express. The sextuplet boarded and located an empty compartment mid-train.
From the Astronomy Tower, Harry looked out and saw the white column of smoke slowly move away from Hogsmeade Station, signaling that his friends were on their way home for Christmas. Harry watched the smoke/train until it was out of eyesight. Harry made his way back down and met up with Ron, who convinced him to head back to the Common Room for a game of Wizards Chess.
On the Hogwarts Express, rumors and whispers made their way through the train as a compartment in the middle of the train appeared to be a joke. Slytherins, Hufflepuffs, and Gryffindors, and a pet familiar, laughing with each other at a beet red Gryffindor.
"Sooo," Daphne drawled out, still laughing, "Who wants to play a game?"
"What game?" Nate asked, still unable to contain his beet red blush.
"Truth or Dare!" Hannah squealed loudly, only earning quizzical looks from the Slytherins.
"For example," Susan started, noting the Slytherin's expressions, "One of us asks each other 'Truth or Dare?' and that person has to answer, then the first person either asks if something is true or dares the person based on what they said. It kinda is popular among muggles, but it is alright, a lot of us here at Hogwarts play it too."
The Slytherins nodded in understanding. Pansy immediately cried out.
"I'll go first!" She smiled and looked at Hermione. "Hermione, truth or dare?"
Hermione thought. "Uhm, truth!"
Pansy giggled. "Do you like someone?"
Hermione smiled and blushed. "Yes, I do."
"Who?" Susan asked excitedly.
"You didn't ask that!" Hermione exclaimed.
The girls broke into a fit of giggles while Nate sat there, feeling awkward but smiling all the way.
It was Hermione's turn next. "Daphne, truth or dare?"
Daphne smiled. "Dare."
"I dare you to tell us if you have a crush on Harry Potter!"
The whole compartment, sans Daphne, broke into giggles, as Daphne herself turned beet red and stuttered. "I- I – I uh… do? Hehe… hehe…"
Now everyone sans Daphne erupted into laughter. She looked over at Pansy who nodded and winked at her.
"Truth or dare, Nate?" Daphne asked.
"Uhh, truth," he replied.
"Tell us who you like," Daphne squealed.
"Dare," Nate said.
"I DARE you to tell us who you like!" Daphne squealed again.
"I uh, well, you see, uh, well, uh…" Nate kept failing his words. Hermione was practically about to jump him if he spoke her name.
Nate was now redder than the Hogwarts Express' dark red paint.
"Hermione." Nate spoke it in such a whisper, no one heard what he said.
"Who?" Hermione asked.
"Uh. Uh…. Uhhh…. Susan! Talk to me? Alone?" Nate pleaded at the redhead.
Hermione's heart shattered but had to recover fast as Hannah pushed her and the other girls out of the compartment, leaving Susan and Nate alone.
"What's up Nate?" Susan cheerfully asked.
"I…. I…." Nate took a deep breath. "I like Hermione, Susan, but I have no idea in Merlin how I am supposed to tell her!"
Susan stared at the boy before bursting into giggles.
"You just say it!"
"I can't just go up to her and say 'Hi 'Mione, by the way I like you.' Susan! What if she rejects me? I don't think I can handle that! She is like one of my best friends! I mean, you are too, I mean you, Hannah, Daph and Pansy are also my best friends, but… Oh I mean…"
"Stop it Nate! I'm going to explode!" Susan said than giggled.
Nate looked sheepish at the floor. "I just don't want to lose my first magical friend," he stated quietly.
Susan smiled and hugged Nate. She pulled away and looked him square in the eye.
"You like Hermione, right?"
Nate nodded.
"You're also a Gryffindor, right?"
Nate nodded again.
"You know that Gryffindors value bravery?"
Nate nodded again.
"Then be a Gryffindor and ask her out! Doesn't have to be big or anything, but if you just be you, she will like you if she does!"
Nate did a half head-bobble and nod. "I'll try Susan, but we both know I'm horrible with girls."
"Says the boy who has five girl best friends!" Susan smirked and pushed him towards the door, playfully.
"Now, I'll distract our other friends and you make your move!"
"But-" Nate started.
"No exceptions, Harrison." Susan winked and opened the door. Nate followed and walked to the opposite end of the carriage. Hermione was looking out the window as the Scottish countryside rolled past.
Nate turned around and saw Susan, who made a shooing motion with her hands. Nate took a deep internal breath and took Hermione's hand. She jumped, then relaxed when she saw it was Nate. He motioned to the compartment, and Hermione nodded and followed. As soon as the compartment door closed, four sets of eyes looked through the glass at the unfolding scene.
"Uh, so, uh, Hermione," Nate was positive he was sweating. Why on earth are you choking Nate? You have talked to her normally before! Nate smiled at Hermione.
"Ireallylikeyouandihopeyoulikemeback!" Nate quickly stated in one second flat.
Hermione looked puzzled. "Can you say that again?"
Nate looked into her chocolate eyes and repeated his line.
"I really like you, Hermione. Probably since we met, and I hope you like me-"
Hermione pounced Nate and hugged him tightly.
"I like you too! I didn't wanna ruin our friendship by telling you!" Hermione exclaimed.
Nate smiled and returned the hug. When the pair released each other, Hermione planted a shy but gentle kiss on Nate's cheek.
"For you to remember me this Christmas," she stated, grinning.
Nate had a lob-sided grin on his face. Oh boy, this was the best day of his life! Well, after learning he was a wizard, of course.
The four girls outside were celebrating of their accomplishment. Daphne and Susan were dancing and Pansy and Hannah were high fiving each other. They didn't give a care to the world what people thought. Nothing could ruin this moment. Nothing.
"What in Merlin's Hell are you doing?"
Bollocks.
Draco Malfoy stormed into the carriage, with a scowl on his face, and his cheeks fuming in anger.
"What are you doing?"
"Uhh, celebrating?" Susan supplied.
"Celebrating what?" Draco demanded.
"That's none of your business!" Hannah squeaked.
Draco was angry. He was angry at his authority being challenged. "How dare you! My father will hear about this!" Draco then scurried away like a scared rat looking for cheese.
The girls giggled and made their way back into the compartment, where Hermione was still side-hugging Nate while his face was deep red and his smile wider than his face.
"Yay Nate and Hermione!" Daphne chimed.
"Yay Nate and Hermione!" The other girls responded.
The bunch sat down and giggled about presents and Christmas.
Four hours and two defeated students later, Ron and Harry exited the Hogwarts library empty handed. They had nothing new on Unicorns related to You-Know-Who, and they had nothing new on Nicholas Flamel and something that Snape wanted. The two were getting pissed and angry at themselves. Fortunately, dinner was rapidly approaching, and the boys hauled themselves to the Great Hall to eat dinner. Both ate viciously and way too much, at least to Hermione's standards. Annalise flew into the Great Hall and dropped a letter at Harry and Ron's spot. It was from Daphne. Ron groaned, but Harry opened it up.
Hi Harry!
It worked! Nate and Hermione know they like each other! Anyways tell Annalise I'm sorry again, she might not have forgiven me…
Anyways Nate told me to tell you guys that presents would be delivered either tomorrow or Christmas Eve, after she collects gifts from my sister Tori for all of us (yes, even Ron… Nate convinced me.) Anyways Anything you missed giving us just leave it on your sill and Annalise will pick it up then!
Me and Pansy will be with Nate this Christmas due to some… circumstances, so remember that if you wanna send anything. Maybe Hedwig can come along? I don't know. Anyways Pansy is pinching me so I gotta go! Happy Christmas!
Daphne
Harry smirked and smiled before calling his own owl over. Hedwig flew in and immediately him and Annalise talked to each other in whatever language owls talk in. Harry smiled again and looked over to see that Ron was stuffing his face again, and Harry followed suit shortly after.
Four P.M. rolled around, and the Hogwarts Express rolled into Kings Cross station. Among the crowd, Lucius Malfoy waited impatiently for Draco to exit the train. He was still pissed off. Draco walked up to his father, smirking.
"Father," he started, "You will be pleased with what I have to report."
Lucius smirked. "Very Well, Draco. Let us go home." The pair apparated out.
Ben and Emma Harrison waited eagerly on the platform for their son and his two house guests. A very ecstatic Anna waited impatiently on the other side of the barrier.
Nate walked off the train, hauling not only his trunk, but Hermione's, Daphne, and Pansy's trunk. Susan and Hannah had spared Nate when they offered to take their trunks themselves. Nate looked relieved, but smiled nonetheless. For a boy of eleven, he was damn strong… Well, if he wasn't dragging the trunks along half the time.
Hermione wiggled her trunk out of Nate's grasp and side hugged him.
"Have a happy Christmas, Hermione!" Nate said.
"You too, Nate!" She replied. She skipped off to find her parents.
Daphne and Pansy giggled to themselves as Nate hauled three trunks over to his parents.
"Hey Mum, Dad! These are my friends who are staying with us! Daphne," Nate nodded his head towards the slim blonde girl, "and Pansy." Nate nodded his head to the slightly shorter black haired girl. "Where's Anna?"
"She's on the other side, Nate," Emma responded.
"Ah, okay." Nate replied.
Ben took a load off of Nate, by taking his trunk and leaving the girls' trunks with Nate.
"Gotta keep your game up, son." Ben winked at Nate and Nate semi kicked Ben while laughing. "Not here, dad!"
Daphne and Pansy giggled.
Hermione skipped around the platform, looking for her parents. She accidently bumped into Neville, who had just de-boarded the train after finding his toad.
"Oh, uh, sorry Hermione!" Neville said.
"No problem Neville!" Hermione waved at her friend and moved on. Neville went on his own and found his grandmother.
"Hi gran!" Neville spoke cheerfully.
Hermione spotted her parents after walking through most of the platform. Jean was happy to see her daughter and Daniel was interested in an incident with a troll. The Grangers left Kings Cross and headed home. Hermione had a lot of explaining to do.
Nate walked through the barrier and was greeted with a blonde missile going by the name of Anna Hooper.
"I missed you!"
"So did I!" Nate replied, hugging his childhood best friend.
Nate pulled away. "Anna, these are two of my best friends from school, Daphne and Pansy," pointing to the respective girl. Anna was happy to meet them and them her. Nate's parents walked out with Nate, Anna, Daphne, and Pansy as they made their way home.
Ron clambered into bed. So did Harry. Both awoke immediately though. It was morning. Well, so much for deep sleep. Both boys got out of bed and headed down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Lavender and Parvati were there, giggling and gossiping about whatever they chatted about.
"Hi Harry! Hi Ron! Here's your gifts from me and Lav!" Parvati exclaimed happily.
"Thanks!" Harry exclaimed. Ron and Lavender temporarily clocked out as they locked eyes with each other. Nobody noticed, but both were blushing after. Oh, how Christmas is a beautiful time.
Nate woke up with a headache. He was sleeping upside down, while Anna slept on Nate's desk chair and Daphne was sleeping against Pansy and Pansy against Nate's dropped hand. Annalise cocked her head to the side then loudly hooted several times. All the kids woke up, fully.
"Annalise!" Nate exclaimed, haven fallen out of bed and directly on Daphne's opposite shoulder.
Anna was laughing at what Annalise did, and at the tangled mess of Hogwarts students at the foot of Nate's bed. Emma peeked in and Nate yelled "No!" and fell over Daphne onto Pansy trying to close the door. Pansy squeaked and accidently kicked Nate in the stomach after he landed on her and Anna was howling in laughter. In other words, the kids were awake in their own way. Funny, but awake.
Emma had a laugh watching Nate fumble over his friends to close his door. Definitely one for the books. Ben was still sleeping when Emma swatted him with her sleeve.
"Nate and his friends are comfy," she said with a smile.
"Ah, a happy start to their vacation," Ben smiled back at his wife.
Hermione woke up to both her parents sitting on the edge of her bed. She wiped her eyes and eyed her parents.
"A troll," Her mom started.
"And a rather sweet splitting of you and that boy," her dad finished.
Hermione opened her mouth.
"Mrs. Weasley mentioned it to us. They were waiting for their older sons to arrive." Dan stated.
Hermione blushed but looked shocked. She was in for a hell of a day.
Harry and Ron slept in, only being awaken by Hedwig hooting several times. Harry sat up, then Ron. They both missed breakfast. And Lavender and Parvati were poking their heads into the dorm room.
"Heard ya might like company?" Parvati asked.
"Sure," both boys said simultaneously.
"Forget the library today," Harry thought.
The newly formed Quartet pulled themselves together and hung out that day.
Anna was writing a letter to one of Nate's friends. She had no idea who he was, but apparently, he was famous. Annalise hooted several times before Anna tied two small parcels and a rolled-up note onto Annalise's outstretched legs. The owl hooted happily and flew off.
Meanwhile, Nate's parents were teaching Daphne and Pansy how to cook. The muggle way. Both found it interesting, as both have always been served by elfs, and a little persuasion from Nate had convinced the girls to learn.
The kids hung out for the rest of that day, enjoying Daphne's burnt cookies and Pansy's undercooked brownies.
Harry was playing Wizards Chess against Parvati, and she was an even more hardcore player than Ron. Damn girls. Annalise shrilled as she flew into the common room through Hermione's open bed window. Harry plucked the contents of the owl and Lavender fed it some crackers. Ron just petted the owl in hospitality.
Hi Harry,
My name is Anna, you know, Nate's non magical friend! Anyways he said that you and your friend Ron were staying so I got you both something. By the way, Daphne and Pansy say hello! Hope you like muggle items!
From,
Nate's friend Anna
Harry chuckled and pulled the small boxes and popped them underneath the tree in the common room. Ron smiled and let Annalise fly off.
Annalise left Hogwarts, and now energized for her Christmas delivery mission. She first flew to Hermione's house, casually, where several gifts were waiting by the sill. It took Annalise four hours to fly to the Grangers, as she was in no hurry – queue up the three-hour round-trip monstrosity…- and hooted happily among seeing a smiling Hermione in her pajamas waiting for the brown owl to arrive. Annalise allowed Hermione to tie said gifts and letters to her legs, but also noticed that the girl's parents were in animated thought. The things you pick up as an owl. Hermione fed Annalise several small strips of bacon, and she happily hooted and flew off.
December Twenty-second arrived with Annalise hooting in Nate's ear. Nate woke up to his familiar bearing presents, from the girl of brains, Hermione Granger. He pulled out about four or five presents from Annalise's legs. How the owl carried all that weight for several hours in the air was a mystery to Nate. He read a quick note from Hermione.
Hi Nate,
Parents are over protective, but they are letting me stay in Hogwarts. Remind me to prank the Weasley Twins when we get back to school.
Hope you like the gifts!
Hermione
Nate smiled at the small pile of presents. He looked over at Annalise, who had now fallen asleep in her cage. Flying for close for sixteen hours straight with three breaks is tiring, even for a magical owl. Daphne was having a fit, certain that she wouldn't be allowed back home due to learning muggle methods for cooking. After a reassurance from Pansy and Nate, Daphne calmed down. None of the students were about to tell the girl's parents they were learning to cook. To purebloods, it was an elf's job to cook for the witch or wizard. Not the other way round.
Harry slouched into the common room that night, again, defeated. Ron followed, with four chicken legs in his hands. Lav and Pav followed them, even encouraging them both for a bit in the library before accidently falling asleep.
Harry had sent Hedwig to deliver a gift to Daphne and Pansy, it was a green scarf that Katie Bell had helped him make. Other than Quidditch, Katie was a diverse girl. And one boy had eyes for her. If only his Gryffindor courage was as good as his guts.
Anna had gone back home that evening, so it was just Nate and the girls left over. Pansy had the funny idea of squeezing all three into Nate's bed, which largely consisted in Nate being pushed off when Daphne squirmed under the covers. They all found it funny. Hedwig dropped the two packages through Nate's window.
The next morning, Annalise was up and about again, but this time, she was headed for Bones Manor, where Susan and Hannah were staying for the vacation with Susan's aunt, Amelia Bones. In Nate's room, Nate was half-off the bed while Daphne and Pansy were practically snuggled into each other. They were best friends, after all.
Annalise flew towards the kitchen sill of Bones Manor, where a tired yet jittery Susan let Annalise in. Anna moved her head towards their tree, and Susan got the hint.
"Sorry Anna, but we already gave our gifts to Nate, Daphne, and Pansy on the Express." Susan said.
Annalise, while somewhat annoyed, gave a cheery "hoot" before flying out and towards Hogwarts.
Nate took Daphne and Pansy for a walk around his neighborhood, even bringing them onto the beach for a nice picnic. Once they got back, Nate saw someone sitting on his bed. It was Hermione Granger.
"Mione!" Nate smiled and became energized and excited inside. Hermione felt similar, and smiled widely and jumped up and hugged him. Both hugged until Pansy giggled loudly. Both kids broke apart and blushed. Daphne and Pansy laughed, and then Nate and Hermione were also laughing.
"What are you doing here?" Nate asked.
"I convinced my parents to let me come! Granted, we got lost twice, but we made it!"
"Well, you're in time for dinner and some forbidden cooking courtesy of yours truly, Daphne and Pansy!" Nate grinned.
Beforementioned girls did a dramatic bow and laughed. Christmas was that much better with Hermione joining him.
Annalise flew out to Hogwarts' Owlery and snuggled into her little branch where she stayed when she wasn't needed by Nate or his friends. She settled in for Christmas Eve and Christmas day.
The next morning, the four kids set up their Christmas trees from Herbology class, sans Hermione, who, had days prior, resized her tree in her own house. Along with the Harrison's Christmas tree, Pansy, Daphne, and Nate all resized their trees in an almost semi-circle fashion. Emma thought it looked too crowded, but Ben liked the Christmas-y look the kids brought into the house. The six of them spent the rest of that day decorating the three additional trees.
Susan and Hannah were bouncing around Bones Manor like they were ten-year-olds. Granted, they were eleven, but it was Christmas. They did whatever they wanted. Amelia Bones took that opportunity to stuff their Christmas tree with gifts for the girls. Susan and Hannah were astonished at how many presents they had. They couldn't wait for tomorrow.
Daphne's owl pecked on Nate's window that evening. Daphne had a huge smile on her face and saw that her owl had already been to Hogwarts. 'Thanks, Tori!' she thought as she pulled off the three good sized parcels off the owl. It wasn't unusual, for Daphne's owl was much larger than Annalise, and was easily able to handle the odd lift and weight. The owl hooted and flew off. The other kids smiled as more gifts were put under their respective trees.
Christmas woke up Harry and Ron with Lavender and Parvati stealing their blankets and
blowing on their faces until they woke up. Harry stirred first, and Parvati giggled. Ron woke up and jolted up so fast he almost accidently kissed Lavender. Since Harry and Parvati saw it, Ron was in for it. Lavender blushed but laughed out of it. Ron was blushing too, except his wasn't going away. The pair shared a laugh before Ron smiled and yelled, "presents!"
Ron got candy and sweets from Lavender and Parvati, a "Weasley Sweater" from his mum, a book about Dumbledore from Hermione, another book about the first Wizarding War from Nate, and a box of Bernie Blotts' Every Flavour beans from Harry. He got a drawing of himself from Tori, and a box of chocolates from Nate's friend Anna.
Harry got a "Weasley Sweater" from Mrs. Weasley as well, his imprinted with a large "H" in the middle of it. He also got a box of chocolates from Nate's friend Anna and a picture of himself from Tori. He smiled inside.
Harry received one more gift. It was unmarked, but inside was a silky cloak. There was a small note in it.
This belonged to your father.
It is time it is passed to you.
Use it well.
That was it. No name. Ron looked shocked. The girls looked like twins.
"That's a cloak of Invisibility, Harry!" Ron exclaimed.
Harry wrapped it around himself and the trio watching burst into giggles as Harry's body disappeared leaving him with just his head.
"My body's gone!" He exclaimed. The four shared a laugh before putting their gifts away and heading down to the Great Hall for breakfast.
Nate woke up to being smothered in a blanket of brown hair. He pushed it aside and saw that Hermione had taken his quilt and slept next to him. Daphne and Pansy were still sleeping peacefully on their makeshift beds on Nate's floor. Moving her hair stirred Hermione though. She blinked and turned over, facing Nate.
"Happy Christmas!" she said.
"Happy Christmas, Hermione," Nate replied. Both kids wore wide smiles on their faces.
The bedroom door slammed open and a blonde girl catapulted herself into Nate's body.
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS NATE!" Anna screamed, waking up Daphne and Pansy while hugging Nate. Nate hugged back and laughed.
"Happy Christmas, Anna!" The friends hugged before Anna clambered off of her best friend.
"Happy Christmas guys!" Anna said.
"Happy Christmas, Anna!" the other girls responded, and in horrible synchronization, if I might add. They all laughed as Ben poked his head into the room.
"I see your all up. I'm making pancakes. Then we open presents!"
The kids made their way downstairs, where Mr. and Mrs. Hooper were sitting on the couch talking with Emma while Ben whistled Christmas tunes and flipped pancakes.
"Hi mum, dad! Nate's awake!" Anna happily stated.
"Good morning, Nate!" Mrs. Hooper smiled and stood up, hugging the young boy.
"You too, Mrs. Hooper," Nate responded.
"Who are your friends, Nate? Last I heard, you are an only child," Mr. Hooper laughed.
"Oh, Sir, these are my friends Hermione Granger, Daphne Greengrass and Pansy Parkinson. We go to school together!" Nate pointed to each girl as he said their name.
"Ah, nice to meet you three. How is Howards Academy?"
The three girls blinked in confusion for a split second then registered that Mr. Hooper was not aware of their magical status.
"It's awesome, thanks for asking, sir," Daphne replied.
Mr. Hooper nodded approvingly.
Ben walked into the room with a stack of thirty pancakes.
"Eat up kids!"
The kids gathered around the table and snagged three a piece.
"Ben, you certainly outdid yourself this year. You have four Christmas trees, and they are all shaped differently!" Mrs. Hooper said.
"Ah yeah, the kids wanted to have fun with my clippers, so we bought several trees and they made wonders with it." Ben replied.
"Seemed like a nice way to spend the holidays, dear," Mrs. Hooper responded, nodding at the kids happily.
"Yeah," Nate chimed in. "Me and Hermione spent a few hours yesterday wrapping empty boxes so we could have four trees with presents! Obviously, we only have one tree with actual presents, but we thought it would look more festive with more presents!"
Emma knew that it was a lie, but she also understood that the Statue of Secrecy was enforced heavily.
Mr. and Mrs. Hooper seemed to laugh at Nate's reasoning.
Breakfast ended, and the kids sat around opening their presents. They couldn't open up any of their magical presents for risk of breaking the Statute, but books and gifts from Emma, Ben, Mr. and Mrs. Hooper were opened.
Daphne and Pansy got different cookbooks from Ben and Emma. Both smiled at the adults. Hermione got a book about the History of London from Nate, while he got a book about train evolution from Hermione. Nate and Hermione also got a book about basic relationships from Nate's parents, to which both kids blushed profusely, earning a laugh from everyone in the room. Nate tried to look angry, but one look at how much Hermione was laughing broke his barrier and he was laughing too.
Anna was yet to open her presents, as they were still at her house. But she and her parents we going to visit their family that day and left. The kids all hugged before Anna skipped out of the house, her parents following minutes later. Once they were gone, Nate and the others let out a sigh.
"While I hate lying to Anna's parents, it was necessary to keep you kids safe," Ben stated.
Nate and his friends frowned but understood. It was for their safety. Dumbledore had forbidden it, and since Dumbledore said it, it was unanimous.
"Time for the rest of our presents!" Pansy exclaimed.
Daphne got wizard candy from Pansy and Hermione, and a charmed doll of herself to enjoy from Nate. She got a drawing of the famous "Boy-Who-Lived" from her sister, and everyone giggled at that. She got a chocolate frog from Ron and a green scarf from Harry. She also received a book about the Wizengamot from Susan and Hannah. Daphne smiled.
Pansy got a similar scarf from Harry, a chocolate frog from Ron, a small bracelet from Daphne, and a charm add-on from Nate, Hermione, Hannah, and Susan, respectively. Pansy smiled and hugged her friends that were there, mentally noting to hug Susan and Hannah for their gifts.
Hermione opened her presents and got a book on "Famous Wizards and Witches of Slytherin" from Daphne and Pansy, a note from Harry that read, "Your present will be at Hogwarts," a new set of quills and ink from Hannah and Susan, a (you guessed it) chocolate frog from Ron, and a charmed flower that emitted green smoke that formed in the shape of a Christmas tree and "Happy Christmas Hermione" along the top. It also played "Jingle Bells" as a Christmas tune. Nate got a very long hug and another kiss on the cheek from Hermione, who was nearly crying.
"it's, it's, it's beautiful Nate! How did you get it?"
Pansy smirked while Daphne gave Nate a "Don't mess this up" look.
"I was going to give it to you for Halloween, as a 'thanks for helping me with my work' gift, but after the troll incident and the aftermath the whole thing slipped my mind. When I realized I still had your present, I went back to Professors Sprout and Flitwick to fix it so it would be Christmas related. Pansy and Daphne gave me a beating over it last month, and I really hope you like it."
Hermione smiled wider than before and encaptured Nate into a fierce hug, to which he returned happily. The others joined in shortly after before resuming sitting in a circle opening presents. Hermione held onto Nate's hand though.
Nate, with only one hand, opened up his presents. He got a chocolate frog from Ron, a box of owl treats for Annalise from Harry, a lacrosse stick and ball from Hermione, a similar set of new quills and ink from Hannah and Susan, and a book on magical creatures from Daphne. Pansy got Nate a wide selection of Potions ingredients from her parent's store.
The kids hugged each other, thanking their friends for their gifts, and Ben and Emma waltzed in calling them for lunch.
Hannah and Susan were sad. Amelia had been called unexpectedly to the Ministry that morning and wasn't there to watch Hannah and Susan open their gifts. The girls had been waiting for Amelia to return. It was now mid-afternoon, and the girls had already had three snowball fights and several cups of hot chocolate. They were slouched on the couch when Amelia apparated into the house.
"I am so sorry girls! There was an issue at the Ministry I had to handle. Did you get any gifts?"
Susan answered. "No Auntie, me and Hannah, we waited for you. We want to open them with you."
Hannah nodded in agreement.
Amelia sighed. "I'm sorry I wasn't here this morning girls. Do you want to open your presents now?"
Both girls' faces lit up. "Yes!" They both exclaimed simultaneously.
Amelia smiled as the girls ran to grab their presents and return.
Susan ended up with a range of different candy types from Harry, a chocolate frog from Ron, a book from her Auntie about the history of the Wizengamot (the same book Daphne had received) and smiled, opening it up it had her Auntie's signature as well as most of her inner circle of aurors, including a rather unique signature from an "Auror Tonks." She got a badgers pin from Nate, and she immediately loved wearing it. Hermione got Susan a book about the History of Hufflepuff. She giggled. Hermione was a bookworm, and she loved it. Her Slytherin friends got her enchanted twin faux snakes that were peaceful around her, Hannah, her Auntie, and anyone who she considered to be a friend, and appeared angry when someone was angry at Susan. And of course, Hannah got Susan a friendship bracelet.
She looked over and saw that Hannah had received the same thing from her Auntie. As well as a chocolate frog from Ron. She also received a wide assortment of sweets from Harry. She also got a small badgers pin from Nate, so she and Susan could twin. The two were effectively sisters, after all. Daphne and Pansy got Hannah a small enchanted bat, who, like Susan's faux snakes, were peaceful around her friends and angry at those who were mean to her. Both girls giggled and laughed. Susan had gotten her a hair pin, and it read Hogwarts on it. Hannah wore it immediately. Hermione got Hannah a fashion tips book, as she loved enhancing her looks, something her mum had done several years earlier.
Over the course of the week, the kids enjoyed their gifts from each other, and they had fun counting down the hours and minutes to the New Year. The Harrison household was lively. The Grangers, Hoopers, Pansy, Daphne, Nate, and his parents all crowded around the small television that counted down to 1992. Then it did, the adults cheered and drank their wine, and the kids hugged and danced.
Susan and Hannah celebrated New Years with Amelia, and they had a fireworks show, set up by their elves, outside the Manor.
At Hogwarts, Professor Flitwick set off his yearly fireworks show, and the remaining students huddled up around the castle and watched the fireworks.
Before they knew it, they were back on the Hogwarts Express headed back to Hogwarts. The six of them, Nate, Hermione, Susan, Hannah, Pansy, and Daphne, expressed their love for their gifts to the sender, and they all had enough livelihood jokes and stories to make the train ride faster and happier. As they walked back to the castle after leaving the train, the six decided that they would have to figure out their answers fast before anything bad happened. They had to figure out Nicholas Flamel, Unicorns, You-Know-Who, Snape, and the things that connected it together. As they met up with Harry and Ron, they looked sheepish but after Harry presented a Quidditch book that he borrowed from the Library to Hermione, they felt courageous enough to talk openly.
The kids headed back to their respective dormitories to unpack and head to the evening feast. And after that and a welcoming speech from Dumbledore, the Golden Quartet headed back to the Common Room. Tired and exhausted, they started falling asleep. Nate suddenly spoke up.
"I know who Nicholas Flamel is."
Author's Note: God damn me. This took me way too long to write. A combination of final exams, Summer homework, writers block, and a case of personal health really killed me when writing this. I never intended for this to take as long as it did for me to update. For those who have stuck around, thank you. I really don't want to abandon this story, and I knew I had to get back into writing it. I promise there will be no more major time gaps after this chapter 😊.
On a happier note, Happy birthday Harry Potter! You're 41 now! Of course, It is also my birthday, and I am 16, but that might be a reason why I became a Potterhead. Lol. Anyways I am three hours late of July 31, at least where I live. Sorry! I promise updates to this story will be more frequent now, considering I have moved the plot along. To be honest, I gave up writing the holiday after New Years since it wasn't really a big focus on the plot. Then again, most of this chapter was fluff, but I wanted our characters to have some time off.
On an even happier note, I ordered a set of Harry Potter books! The set I had was actually online copies that I received from a friend when I was too broke to buy stuff. After I killed my eyes with reading, I set myself to buy the actual books so I wouldn't kill my eyes! (yay!) Anyways I also got Luna's Spectrasepts, and I absolutely love them! Thanks for reading and see you in Chapter Ten!