Boxing Day followed – a day of huge sandwiches crammed with the leftovers of Christmas dinner. Professor McGonagall disapparated after lunch and Sophie's mother and grandmother left mid-afternoon. Ambrose took them home in 'the motorcar' and Sophie went with them to see them off. Ambrose and Sophie were back in time for tea. Lydia realised that there were no televisions in the house, just a couple of wizarding wirelesses. Her uncle explained that the magic left by Fearghal Finnegan's alterations had rendered most electronic gadgets unusable. Lydia was quite pleased that she had not missed the technology. Her mother agreed that it made life more restful. There were times she missed cosying down in front of a good movie. But there were plenty of books in the house and Ambrose was always prepared to tell his far-fetched stories.
The day following Boxing Day was, in a way, a huge relief for Lydia. They had made a pact with Freddie not to do any homework until after the celebrations. Now Lydia, and Sophie, could do their assignments and clear them from their consciences. Freddie joined in, though he begrudged having to leave the trampoline and the ball pool alone. The went to Freddie's room, at Ambrose's suggestion, to try out the study area under his bunk bed. As they squeezed in together, they found the space getting bigger until there was plenty of seating and desk space for the three of them.
"Ohmygod, I love this house," said Freddie. "I just wish the seats and desk were the other way round, so I could see the trampoline."
"I think that's exactly why the seats are this way round, so you can't keep staring at the trampoline and wishing you were in there," Lydia pointed out.
Sophie laughed. "And I bet that Ambrose said we should come and help you so that we can keep an eye on you."
Freddie made a glum face for about two seconds, then he returned to his normal cheery self. "Right, let's get it over with."
They started with Transfiguration, as that was the subject Freddie said he found hardest. After ten minutes of Lydia explaining the Principles of Transfiguration and Transmutation Freddie clapped his hands.
"Why can't Professor Cunningham explain it like that?" he said. "It makes sense now."
"I don't know," Lydia replied. "We both have Marcus. He's a bit funny but he teaches well and makes sure everyone understands."
Sophie nodded. "I always thought Cunningham looked a bit shy. Maybe she doesn't make a conversation of it like Marcus."
Freddie thought about it. "I don't think she understands how anyone could not get it. You know? Maybe it's 'cos it's so easy for her."
"Yeah, maybe," Lydia mused.
"Oddy's like that sometimes," Sophie noticed. "He expects everyone to understand everything he does, and even some of you Ravenclaws can't follow him all the time."
"He's great though, Oddy," Freddie said. "His double act with Dean is hilarious. He's really become part of the gang, thanks to Dean – and Xander."
Lydia looked around Freddie's room. "Where is Xander, by the way?"
"Probably with your mum," Sophie said. "He spends a lot of time with her now, hadn't you noticed?"
"Yeah, I had," said Lydia. "It's great how she's got over her allergies since moving here. I bet Uncle Ambrose has got Mr Finnegan or someone to do something to the house so she doesn't get allergic."
Freddie grinned. "I love this house. I could live here forever, as long as we could have friends over."
Sophie nudged him. "You'll have to marry Lydia, then you can live here."
Freddie looked Lydia up and down. "OK."
"Err!" Lydia exclaimed. "Do I get a say in this?"
Freddie glared at her. "Well! If you don't know a good offer when you see one… or, you could marry Teddy and the two of you could adopt me."
Lydia frowned. "I know we're friends with Teddy again, but I don't think I'll ever trust him, not like I trust you two."
Freddie nodded. "OK. Marry Sophie and the two of you can adopt me."
"Or," Sophie said. "She could marry whoever the heck she wants to marry and you could be her House Elf."
Freddie looked aghast. "That sounds like work! Anyway, you shouldn't talk about House Elves anymore, they're Free Elves."
"We seem to be getting off the subject of transfiguration," Lydia noted. "Now, you explain the principles back to us to prove you understand."
Homework only took them a couple of days. It would probably have taken less but for Freddie's frequent digressions. Between discussions on whether Ambrose would marry McGonagall and whether Xander would like to have wings, they somehow dragged Freddie through it all without doing it for him. After that there was over a week of school holiday remaining, with New Year's Eve in between. That was plenty of time for them to hang out and have fun, to trampoline and to play one-on-one quidditch.
"The train is tomorrow morning," Sophie complained one breakfast time. "Where did the holiday go?"
Freddie stared at her. "Erm, we had it."
"I know, but there should be more," she protested.
"Such is time," Ambrose said. "Some of our times we wish we could seal in a bottle to revisit again and again. Other times we wish we could flush away down the toilet where they belong. Sadly, neither is really an option. On the bright side, you have spent your holidays with good friends and true. You have come to know each other better, and you have stored away the most delightful memories, I am convinced."
"And school's great, too." Freddie reminded her. "Don't forget you're popular and have adoring fans."
Sophie sagged further into the armchair. "Until I do something wrong. Then they'll be back to insulting me all the time."
"But you've still got us – me and Lydia. That's got to count for something."
Sophie smiled at Freddie. "That counts for everything, Fredster. Thanks. Where's Lydia, anyway?"
Ambrose sighed. "I believe she was washing her hair to be ready for tomorrow. There is a distinct possibility she may have…"
"Sorry!" said Lydia, rushing into the room. "Had to dry my hair. I don't want it to freeze to my head while we're out."
"My word, Lydia," said Ambrose. "Your hair looks incredible!"
"Does it?" she asked, smoothing it with her hands.
"No, actually," he admitted. "But it ought to, considering the time you have taken over it."
Sophie snorted. "It's typical. You take ages getting your hair dry and I spend all my time trying to stop mine drying out. Quidditch kills it. It's cracking off at the ends."
"You know, Sophie," Ambrose said. "I may know someone who can assist you with that particular problem. I shall send an owl to Neville, Professor Longbottom. You have reminded me of a snippet of news he was recounting to me a few weeks ago. Leave it with me. Now, we are ready for our walk, I believe."
They went for a walk with Ambrose in the wintry countryside around his home. Lydia pointed out some mushrooms growing in the wood which, she believed, had magical properties. Freddie asked if they were edible. Ambrose remarked that, according to a friend of his, all fungi are edible, but some varieties are only edible once.
The following morning Ambrose bundled them all in his motorcar and they set off for London. They made it with plenty of time to spare and Ambrose parked on a double yellow line.
"You can't park here!" Lydia warned.
"Please, Lydia, think before you speak," he said. "I have already parked here therefore, patently, I can."
"I mean you'll get a parking ticket or something."
"Ah," he replied. "I understand your concern. Worry not. Fearghal assures me this motorcar is immune to such vulgar concerns."
"I don't know why I bother," Lydia whispered to Sophie. "It'll serve him right if he comes back and it has been towed away."
Sophie shrugged. "Considering the job this Fearghal did on the house, I think it'll be OK."
The students and Ambrose made their way to Platform 9¾. They met Ginny there again, seeing Teddy Lupin off. Freddie started to enthuse about Ambrose's house. Lydia reminded him that it was not to be mentioned in public. Ambrose invited Ginny and Harry to dinner then they bundled the students onto the Hogwarts Express. They all took a compartment together. Freddie's cousin, Fenella, and her new boyfriend, Oliver Dawlish, Gryffindor's seeker, joined them. Freddie resumed his rhapsody about Ambrose's house. Oliver swore to keep his silence.
A week into the term they were sitting together in the Joint Common Room one evening. They were just finishing some homework when Professor Longbottom walked over to them. He asked Sophie if he could have a word in private with her. They stepped out onto the balcony which overlooked the Entrance Hall. After chatting for a few minutes, Lydia saw Neville hand Sophie a small package before leaving.
"What was that about?" Lydia asked as Sophie re-joined them.
Sophie put the package on the table and started to unwrap it. "Ambrose's idea. You remember when I said how quidditch was destroying my hair? And Ambrose said he'd talk to Longbottom? This is what he thought of. Neville had told him he was growing Aquatic Avocados and didn't know what to do with them. Ambrose said that they use ordinary avocado oil in moisturisers. He mentioned that I needed some moisturiser for my hair. Well, Neville contacted a friend of his in Nairobi. She said Aquatic Avocados make the best hair moisturiser ever. So, Neville got the recipe and made a hair balm, just for me! What a hero!"
"He's a great bloke, Longbottom," said Freddie. "And Ambrose is pretty cool, too."
Lydia frowned at him. "I'll agree with one of those statements, but I'm never going to admit to my uncle being cool."
Sophie smiled. "I'm pretty sure he'd return the compliment."
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