Chapter 42-Hogwarts history
"Welcome class" Professor Binns' said.
"Good morning Professor Binns" the class said as he floated to the front of the room. "Before the start of our holiday, we will end our discussion on the finders closing with Godric Gryffindor" Binns said as a picture of him appeared on the blackboard.
Alana who was bored a few minutes before started to sit up in her seat.
"Godric Gryffindor was a pureblood wizard born in June, more or less a thousand years ago. He and his family lived in Africa for some time, away from the witch-hating English Muggles of the time. It was on the remote plain that Gryffindor discovered the wonder of African wildlife. He especially enjoyed watching the lion prides on the prowl. Gryffindor was taught wizardry by his would-be-professor father, who often went on about how there should be a proper wizards school for the children. Gryffindor was fond of his father, who tried to be strict, but often ended up skipping lessons or cracking jokes with adventurous Gryffindor. When Gryffindor turned eighteen, he returned to England on his own. He went to live in Hogsmeade, which hed heard was near an enchanted forest. It interested Gryffindor to see if this was mere Muggle lore or if he might find other wizards nearby. He met young raven-haired Salazar Slytherin in a tavern, and they became friends. This was because Gryffindor first found Salazar to have the same adventurous spirit as he did, though later he discovered it to be a willingness to do anything for himself." Binns said as Alana took more interest.
"Nevertheless, Godric shared his dream of creating a great wizards school with Salazar, who readily agreed this was a grand idea. By this time, they were both at least thirty and had shared a lasting friendship as they became famous wizards with great powers. Salazar got in touch with Helga Hufflepuff, another great wizard, and she came to help create Hogwarts. Later, Godric met young Rowena Ravenclaw, who shared the wisdom beyond her years with the other Hogwarts teachers. Godric began to grow away from Salazar as he began to make more demands from the school. Salazar became angrier and angrier with Hogwarts, Godric, and Muggle-born wizards until he finally left he school. He was no longer Godrics friend, he had become an enemy. But proud Godric kept his head high through it, and continued to be noble, brave, and daring. Today, he is perhaps the most respected of the Hogwarts four. Gryffindors have always been brave and noble, and the lion (perhaps from the lions Godric saw on the plains) remains house symbol.Godric Gryffindors wand is now in Gringotts, locked safely away and wonderfully preserved." Binns said as Padma raised her hand.
"I read in the Quibbler, Gryffindor had another enemy" Padma said.
"Yes he did, you're referring to Taddius Finch" Binns said. "Eden desends from him" Alana thought.
"Taddius Finch was a pupil of Gryffindor's father. He and Gryffindor never really got along because they were rivals in every way including swordplay" Binns said pointing to Gryffindor's sword on the table.
Alana felt someone staring at her. She turned around and saw Dumbledore watching the class.
"At age 20 Gryffindor returned to Africa to visit his father only to find him dead" Binns said sadly.
"It was rumored that Filch killed him by accident trying to find Gryffindor, but that was never proven" Dumbledore said walking up to the classroom.
"During this time Gryffindor formed a great friendship with an American wizard" Binns said.
"Victor Bernard was Gryffindor's best friend, he was gifted in charms and in archery" Dumbledore said waving his hand revealing Bernard's picture on the blackboard.
In his portrait, Bernard had jet black hair, he was holding a bow and arrow.
"Gryffindor's and Finch's rivalry risen during the years, after Finch formed an alliance with Salazar Slytherin. They both were against muggle born witches being allowed entrance into Hogwarts" Binns said.
"It should be told that only a few witches and wizards were allowed to have enchanted weapons as shown in the portraits. Wizards that do were called warwizards, there are a few today, professor Little is one of them" Dumbledore said.
"Whoa" Alana thought as the class started to end.
"That was interesting" Seamus said while they left the classroom.
"I'll say" Alana thought feeling as though she knew part of the information.
"Why did Dumbledore keep starting at me" she thought.
Chapter 43-Christmas day
Alana yarned sitting up from her bed, she smiled and looked out the window. "It's Christmas" she said looking over at her cousin sleeping in Lavender's bed.
"Lynn" she whispered.
"Michael" Lynn said in her sleep.
"Wake up" Alana said coming up to her bed.
"What" Lynn said sleepily.
"It's Christmas" Alana said happily leaving the dormitory.
Alana ran downstairs and looked at the Christmas tree in the common room.
"He's going to be so surprised" Alana thought pulling a bag of gifts out.
"Merry Christmas cuz" Lynn said walking downstairs.
"You're awake" Alana said giving her cousin her gift.
"Yes" Lynn said as they exchanged gifts.
"Alana you shouldn't have" Lynn said holding a book of classic wizard songs.
"Likewise" Alana said holding a music box with a carving of a ballerina on it.
"It's from your parents" Lynn said carefully as Alana opened the card.
"They put money into my account as a Christmas gift, what else is new" Alana said putting the card down.
"Did you get them anything?" Lynn asked.
"Yea, but the effort wasn't there this year. I don't remember what I got them" Alana said with a laugh holding a present.
"It's from grandmother" Lynn said holding the same box in her hands. "The girls unwrapped the presents together.
"Grandmother" Alana said as a bunch of tracksuits in different colors of the rainbow appeared on their laps. Lynn smiled and opened the card.
"My lovely granddaughters, you have grown into lovely young woman and I am very proud to be your grandmother. As one of my gifts to you this holiday is the gift of comfort (in these tracksuits) enjoy them. Merry Christmas. Love Grandmother" Lynn read wiping a tear from her eye.
"I miss her too" Alana said sadly putting the box down.
"Who is that from" Lynn said as Alana looked at the long skinny box addressed to her.
"Let's find out" Alana said opening the box.
"Whoa" Lynn said as Alana picked up the took the sheath off.
"Who would get me this" Alana said holding a silver sword. . Alana twirled the sword.
"Hey watch where you're waving that" Lynn said noticing a gift for her in a similar box.
"Open it" Alana said sheathing the sword.
"What is this" Lynn said looking a golden bow and arrow.
"The arrows look like the same material as the snitch in Quidditch. It's probably enchanted with some spell" Alana said.
"I did archery for a class last year that's all" Lynn said.
"You were the best in the class though, your father went nuts" Alana said with a laugh.
"There's a card with your box" Lynn said changing the subject.
"Use these gifts wisely they will lead to your future, signed a loyal follower" Alana read the card and handed it to Lynn.
"Yea of me putting it away" Lynn said taking her gifts and getting up. "I'm getting some sleep" Lynn said tiredly.
"Say hello to Michael for me" Alana said as her cousin glared back at her.
Alana smiled and started a fire.
"What a year" she thought looking back at her time in rehab, her talk with grandfather, moving to England, going to Hogwarts, meeting Harry. Alana smiled and thought about what they were doing after the Christmas dance. She realized that she never expressed herself to anyone like that before. "He really loves me" she thought remembering what took place after.
Harry kissed the top of Alana's head wrapping the white covers closer to her. She wrapped Harry's arm around her tightly catching her breath.
"I never did anything like that" Harry whispered in her ear.
Alana nodded as well as Harry started to stroke her arm.
"It didn't hurt for too long" he said concerned.
"No, it was perfect, you were perfect" Alana said softly.
Harry smiled and kissed the top of her head again. "I'm glad we waited" Harry said turning her around.
"I wanted to make love to you tonight because I love you, going to Diagon Alley that day was the best thing that happened to me in a long time, it brought me to you" Harry said touching her face.
She smiled as she felt two hands slide on her waist.
"Merry Christmas" Harry said happily kissing his girlfriend.
"Merry Christmas" Alana said looking over at the bag she pulled out.
"This is for you" Harry said holding a small box.
"Ok" Alana said happily starting to open it.
"Harry" Alana said looking at the ruby studded earrings and anklet set.
"You like it" Harry said happy about his girlfriend's reaction. Alana smiled and kissed him. She put on the set happily and walked towards her bag.
"Here you go" Alana said taking out a card and then a box.
"What else is in the bag" Harry asked.
"Follow my lead" Alana said handing him the card.
"Dear Harry, I know I can't make up for the past Christmas' but I can try. Love Alana" Harry read opening the present.
"A Teddy bear" Harry said as Alana smiled.
"Baby's first Christmas" Harry read the tag.
"Here you go" Alana said handing him another gift. Harry raised his eyebrow and opened the present.
"Wizard's picture blocks" Harry said amused.
"Here's another one" Alana said.
"Little Wizard's musical toy set" Harry said shaking his head as his girlfriend laughed. "Another one" Alana said.
"Little Wizard's sit and spin" Harry said spinning the toy.
"Here's a card, you have a little break" Alana said.
"I hope the gifts so far are making up for the many times you spent the holiday's with the Dursley's. Each gift respresents the year you were." Harry said looking up at his girlfriend.
"Here you go" Alana said happily. "A train set" Harry said touched by what Alana was trying to do.
"Merry Christmas" Alana said.
"Action figures" Harry said laughing. Alana smiled as Harry continued to open his presents.
"Your almost there" Alana said handing him his 15th present.
"A journal" Harry said.
"You can write your thoughts down, instead of keeping them in here" Alana said pointing to his heart. Harry grinned and opened his final gift.
"You didn't" Harry said looking at the leather book.
"Quidditch plays through the ages" he read looking up at his girlfriend.
"I guess you like it" Alana said as Harry moved towards her.
"I can't believe you did this" Harry said.
"I remembered you telling me at the dance how you didn't get any presents during the holidays. Those gifts are for every painful memory of the Dursley's gave you during the holidays" Alana said touching Harry's face.
Harry smiled and said "Thank you". The couple kissed and continued looking at the fire.