Chapter 12 – Christmas Wishes

Before I knew it the term was over and Christmas was upon us. The last few days of term had been quiet and much like every end of term, tiring. Many of the first, second and third years had opted to go home for Christmas as the Christmas Ball that would take place tomorrow night was only open for 4th years and up. 

I sat down on the couch next to Angelina. We were waiting for Michelle to hurry up and finish packing. It was Christmas Eve and the day that she would have to leave for her Granddad's funeral. It was very surprising. Michelle hadn't mentioned the fact about missing the ball since breakfast the other morning when Oliver cut her down.

I sighed deeply, closed my eyes and took in the quietness of the common room. It was declared a Hogsmere weekend so that everyone going to the ball was able to get their robes and finish their Christmas shopping. Beside me Angelina began humming a Christmas carol to the tune of 'joy to the world'. I laughed and opened my eyes. Angelina smiled.

"What?"

I shook my head.

"You were humming. 'Joy to the world' I might add." I stated raising my eyebrows.

She chuckled.

"Sorry I'm just excited about Christmas and the fact we are getting rid of Shell for a few days. Anyway I have always loved Christmas. The atmosphere was always amazing at home with all my brothers and sisters."

I nodded. I bet it was. Christmas for me was always pretty boring. It wasn't exactly my favourite time of the year. I mean my older sister is 8 years older than me and my younger sister is only 3. There is a pretty big age gap between the lot of us.

"It's easy for people that have a big family or one that actually lives together for that fact." I said bitterly.

I know it wasn't Ange's fault. Since I was little I had always wanted to have a Christmas with all the family. It wasn't that my parents had split up or anything. It was the fact that by the time I was old enough to realise what Christmas was, Gwen was away here at Hogwarts. Then Elizabeth was born when I came to Hogwarts. It always just seemed so hard for all three of us to be home at the same time and when we did get together it was really…disappointing.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean that." I said apologising to Angelina.

She didn't even look offended. She just smiled and signalled for me to explain.

"Christmas in the Bell household isn't always fun Ange. Not like the Johnston's." I said smiling. "With us it is like…disappointing." I finished lamely.

I didn't want to drag down Ange with my Christmas (non) cheer. Angelina smiled and gave me a hug.

"Well I promise this Christmas is going to be the best! No parents, No sisters or pain in the butt brothers. No nagging Grandparents that you just want to hex. Just you, Alicia and me. Oh. And Fred, George and Oliver. But that's beside the point." She said making me laugh.

There was nothing different about this Christmas than every other year. Except for probably the fact that I was seeing Oliver and spending it without Michelle. Anyway it was going to be a lot more interesting than going home. Angelina smiled devilishly.

"Plus no Michelle. Total bliss!"

We both cracked up. It would be bliss with out Michelle. There was a slam and the portrait hole door swung open and closed again. It was Oliver. He smiled at us briefly as he came closer. He was just returning from a morning fly.  

"Where's Michelle?" he asked sitting his broom down on the armchair closest to the portrait hole door.

I pretend to frown.

"Those weren't exactly the words that I wanted to hear." I said raising my eyebrows.

A smile tugged at the corners of Oliver's mouth. He tapped him foot waiting for an answer.

"She's upstairs. Still packing." I said looking towards the dorm stairs.

Oliver groaned and pushed him way between Angelina and I on the couch.

"Her Dad's here. He just cornered me in the Entrance Hall. Seems to think that I actually give a damn about his daughter. Anyway him and McGonagall are waiting for Michelle."

Angelina smiled and jumped out of her seat on the couch.

"That's a good sign." She said happily. "Means Michelle is leaving earlier than expected. I'll go round her up. You too keep the snogging to a minimum please." She said grinning and heading up the staircase of the Girls dorm.

Oliver chuckled.

"She ruins all my fun." He said kissing me lightly on the lips.

I laughed.

"Poor Oliver."

I heard a door slam and guessing that it was Michelle I quickly got out of my place on the couch and sat down in the armchair closest to the girl's dorm. Michelle and Angelina came into view with Michelle strutting down the stairs like a queen and Ange carrying her bags like a house elf. Ange seemed to be carrying more baggage than was needed for her trip away for a few days. Michelle smiled widely at Oliver and I.

"Well let's got then." She said leading the way out of the portrait door.

Angelina, Oliver and I looked at each other. I got up out of my chair and pulled Oliver out of his.

"Go on. Go do you duties as a boyfriend." I said pushing him out the portrait hole and towards Michelle who by now had reached the stairs.

Oliver shook his head.

"Why don't I do my boyfriend duties to you and carry the luggage?" he said cringing at the thought of accompanying Michelle.

Angelina shook her head, grinning I might add.

"It's fine. We can handle the luggage. We'll give you the easy job of walking with Michelle."

Oliver sighed and took off after Michelle who for someone that didn't want to leave, was walking extremely fast. Ange handed a suitcase to me.

"Now that was team work." She laughed.

I nodded.

"At least we don't have to walk with Michelle." I said obviously.

We entered the Entrance Hall some time after Michelle and Oliver. Professor McGonagall was having a vivacious talk with Mr Plydell while Michelle stood smiling and Oliver, well he was looking frankly bored.

"Arhh. Miss Bell, Miss Johnston. So nice of you to join us." McGonagall said with annoyance.

She then turned to Mr Plydell.

"I trust that Miss Bell, Miss Johnston and Mr Wood will see the two of you off. Happy Christmas." She said turning on her heel and heading down the corridor towards the Kitchens.

Mr Plydell smiled weakly at McGonagall's retreating back. He then turned to Angelina and I.

"Michelle. That's not very nice making your friends carry you luggage." He said outraged taking the bags of Ange and I.

Michelle scolded. She didn't look happy at all. But then again when did she look happy and satisfied? When she was insulting someone maybe?

"Anyway. How are you girls?" Mr Plydell asked changing the subject because of the look he was getting from Michelle.

I smiled politely.

"Good thank you. And yourself?" I asked.

I could certainly be better if Michelle would hurry up and leave already. Oliver snuck a glance over his shoulder at me. I could see the amusement on his face.

"Very good, thank you Katie. And you Angelina?"

Angelina smiled. Although that didn't count as she had been smiling for a while now and hadn't seemed to change her expression.

"Great thanks Mr P." she said brightly.

"Good to hear." Mr Plydell returned smiling.

He then looked down at his watch for either the time or for an excuse to leave.

"Well come on Michelle. We'd best be going." He instructed giving one last look at us all and exiting the Hall through the open doors.

Michelle sighed deeply and watched her father walk out the door and down the steps. She leaned forward and kissed Oliver gently but yet passionately on the lips.

"Don't have too much fun while I'm away ok?" She asked sourly.

Oliver shook his head a smile playing on his features.

"Of course not."

Michelle leered.

"Good. Well I'll see you guys when I come back then. Tell Tegan and Alicia I said goodbye and keep a good hold on Cedric Katie." She said smirking.

And with that, Michelle left the Hall. From where we were in the Entrance Hall we observed Michelle get in the carriage and close the door behind her. The carriage pulled away and approached the gates, making its way towards Hogsmere where Michelle and her father would be catching the train back to Manchester. Angelina waited a whole 3 seconds before turning around and bounding back up the stairs.

"Where are you going?" I yelled after her.

She stopped halfway up the staircase and turned around.

"To Hogsmere. I'm taking Fred and George's way. Then I don't have to see Michelle." She said happily, still smiling.

I simply grinned and shook my head. Ange flashed one last smile and took off up the rest of the stairs and back to the Gryffindor Tower to get her cloak.

"So it's just you and me then." Oliver said gabbing my hand.

I nodded.

"Yep I guess so. Are you disappointed?" I asked jokingly.

Oliver smirked.

"I guess you'll do." He said cheekily leading me out of the castle.

"Where are we going?" I asked as we hit the crunchy gravel below the steps.

"For a walk." Oliver said looking out and around at the grounds.

I groaned.

"But I don't have my cloak." I whined. "And it's going to rain any minute."

Oliver pulled me into a hug.

"You don't need one. I'm here." He said smugly.

I shrugged and looked up at the grey and miserable sky. It was going to rain. I could just see us getting caught out in the rain.

"Fine but if I get sick…"

"I'll make you some chicken soup." Oliver said cutting in smartly.

I grinned as we kept walking.

"You can cook?" I asked surprised.

Wow this guy is gorgeous, can play the best sport that ever was and can cook? Talk about a keeper. (he he. In more ways than one!) Oliver shrugged and cocked an eyebrow.

"Well no. But I would get some from the kitchens if that's any consolation?"

I slapped him playfully on the chest. Well that certainly was a let down. But then who needed a man that could cook anyway? Well I did as I wouldn't know which way was up when using a spatula. But I guess I didn't need too. I could just conjure up food. Or Oliver could learn.

"I guess. Would you watch them make it at least?"

Oliver shook his head. His eyes were alight with laughed.

"No I probably wouldn't do that either." He said looking down at the ground. "But it would be a gift from the heart."

I smiled.

"What you going to the kitchen to steal some chicken soup for my cold that I got because you forced me to go for a walk in the rain in the first place?"

Oliver chuckled.

"Well it's not raining yet."

"Yet." I repeated. "Famous last words."

Oliver smiled and drew me closer.

"Always looking on the positive side aren't we?" He joked as we drew towards Hagrid's hut.

I laughed and pulled away as Hagrid's voice boomed from outside his hut.

"I 'ave been meanin' to talk ter yeh two." Hagrid said happily emerging from behind his hut.

Oliver smiled.

"Oh really? What about?" Oliver asked happily.

I shivered slightly but smiled at Hagrid all the same. He chuckled.

"Sure 'ave. 'Bout yeh Quidditch Game a couple a weeks ago." Hagrid boomed happily.

Oliver smiled.

"What about it Hagrid?"

"I 'ave just been meanin' to congratulate you lot on a great game!"

I smiled.

"Thanks Hagrid." I said happily.

He smiled.

"And yeh Katie. Yeh put up a pretty good fight against that bloody Flint. Thinks he owns the pitch he does."

Oliver nodded in agreement.

"So when's yeh the next game Wood?" Hagrid asked interested.

Oliver remained expressionless. He bit his lip and looked up at Hagrid.

"Depends on Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs game. Should be in a couple of weeks."

Hagrid nodded.

"All the best then 'eh? For that and the scouts on Monday."

Oliver nodded. What were they talking about?

"Thanks Hagrid." Oliver replied as we walked off leaving Hagrid to tend to his pumpkin patch.

I waited until we were about 100 metres away from Hagrid's.

"What scouts is he talking about?" I quizzed.

Oliver didn't look at me. He looked up, just not at me.

"Talent scouts. From Puddlemere."

"Puddlemere United?" I asked in disbelief.

Oliver smiled and turned his head looking at me.

"One in the same."

I grinned.

"That's great news! Why didn't you tell me?" I asked excitedly.

"I didn't want to get my hopes up. Our hopes up." He said simply as we passed down towards the greenhouses.

I stopped.

"But it could mean your big break into Quidditch. Puddlemere have one of the best records in history. It'd be great playing for them! How could you not get your hopes up?" I studied his face.

He wouldn't look me in the eye.

"You do want it don't you?"

Oliver nodded and looked up and into my eyes.

"Of course I want it Katie. It's the only thing I've wanted since well…forever." He said gloomily.

"Then why aren't you more excited?" I asked shaking my head.

Oliver shrugged and leaned up against Greenhouse three.

"Because I would be playing for them next year if I did get it and I don't want to think that far ahead. Not yet anyway."

I frowned.

"Why not? Oliver any other time you would jump at the chance to play for an international team. And I know your not doubting your abilities. You never have."

Oliver didn't move. He just continued to look at the ground.

"Because I want to live now. Right now. I just want to think about us…about you. Not after Hogwarts. Now."

I nodded and leaned forward touching his face.

"You don't want to think about playing for Puddlemere United because of me?"

Oliver smiled.

"Sound ironic doesn't it. Even sounds a little corny. But I mean it. Who knows what will happen next year? Anything could. Next year could mean anything. Do you understand? It could mean us breaking up."

I nodded.

"I don't want that to happen but I don't want to be the one to take your dreams away from you Oliver. If you want the Puddlemere Gig and get it just go for it. We'll see what happens. There is no telling what might happen. We still have to tell Michelle yet. Who know she might kill me. Then you'd be stuffed wouldn't you?" I said laughing.

Oliver's lips twitched. I knew he wanted to laugh.

"You mean it? You wouldn't mind if I went for it?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Have you been listening to a word I just said? Of course I don't. It's my Christmas Wish that you get the gig. There. Now you satisfied?"

Oliver chuckled.

"And it's my Christmas wish that you come here." He said holding out his hand.

I took it and fell into his embrace. The clouds rumbled and the sky looked ferocious.

"Don't you think we'd better get back to the Castle. Before it starts raining?" I asked.

But not a minute too soon. It started pouring before either of us had time to move. Then dodging the heavy rain Oliver and I ran back to the castle, getting more wet by each step we took.

AN: Thanks for all the reviews. Especially the new one that read the entire story in one hit! You know who you are! Read and review and I'll get the next chappie up as soon as possible.