Chapter 9 - - - Christmas Memories
It was Christmas Day. Hogwarts was empty except for the few students and teachers that decided to stay. Harry awoke to find presents at the end of his bed and Ron already beginning to open his up.
"Happy Christmas Harry," Ron greeted.
"Happy Christmas Ron," Harry replied as he began to open his presents.
The first present he opened was from the Dursleys. They sent him a twist tie. He threw the "present" to the side and reached for his next present. Hagrid gave him a book on phoenixes and some homemade cakes. Hermione gave him a book on advanced defensive spells. Ron got him a variety of different candies. Mrs. Weasley made him a green knit sweater. Michelle gave him a photo album. It had pictures of his parents when they were in Hogwarts. Harry watched Ron open the last of his presents, a toilet seat and a bag of their goods from the joke shop from Fred and George.
"They don't forget do they?" Harry asked.
"Never," Ron laughed tossing the toilet seat aside. "Mom should never have gave them that idea all those years ago."
Harry laughed along with Ron. They got dressed and went down to the Common Room. Michelle and Hermione were sitting by the fire.
"Happy Christmas Ron, Harry," Hermione greeted.
"Happy Christmas, guys," Michelle said.
"Happy Christmas," Ron and Harry replied.
"Thanks Ron for the bracelet. It's really pretty," Hermione told him.
Ron's face turned redder than his hair, "You're welcome."
"Let's go down and get some breakfast," suggested Michelle.
"Sounds good," they all agreed.
They spent the day having snowball fights and building snowmen. Then they went inside to clean themselves up and headed to dinner. There was one round table in the Great Hall, since so few decided to stay. There were twelve people in all, since most of the students and teachers decided that they wanted to spend as much time with their families as they could. They were afraid that Voldemort would go on killing sprees now that he was back.
Dumbledore handed out crackers to people. He really enjoyed them. Ron and Harry pulled one to reveal a small chest filled with candy. Dumbledore pulled one with Snape only to get a large witch's hat with rather large purple flowers on it. Snape glared at it so Dumbledore replaced his own hat with it.
Professor White was sitting to his left. They were talking and laughing the whole night. In fact, all the professors there were loosening up this night. McGonagall even let down her hair, so to speak. Only Snape was still the cold person he always was.
After dinner, which lasted until almost midnight, Harry and the gang headed to their common room. They were tired so they went straight to bed. Harry had a peaceful night for once. Memories did not invade his dreams neither did Voldemort. It seemed that, thanks to Professor White, he was finally able to relax his mind and block unwanted thoughts. Michelle decided to hang back to talk to her father.
"Hey Daddy," Michelle said.
"Yes sweetie," Dumbledore replied.
"I had a very strange dream last night."
"Really? What was it about?"
"Well, it seemed more like a memory, but I don't remember it happening."
"Tell me about it. Maybe I do."
"Alright, Daddy. It was when mom and I were sick and after mom got me Aria."
Michelle was lying in her bed. A healer just left her room. Passing Dumbledore on his way out he just shook his head. Dumbledore just could not believe that he was going to lose his only daughter and his wife. This was just too much for him. He walked into Michelle's room and sat down by her side.
Aria flew into the room and began to weep by Michelle's side. Even phoenix tears did not seem to work. Elizabeth came into the room looking extremely pale. She took a seat next to her husband. Dumbledore held his wife close and finally he allowed his tears to flow. Elizabeth comforted him as best as she could.
Fawkes flew into the room and landed on Dumbledore's chair. Dumbledore looked up. He knew he had to go. He kissed Elizabeth and left. Elizabeth moved closer to Michelle. Aria flew to Elizabeth's lap.
"Hello there," Elizabeth said. "I fear that I may not have long left. Aria, you have to look after my baby. Do anything you can. Promise me."
Aria began to sing softly. Elizabeth felt reassured and fell asleep next to her daughter's bed. Her breathing slowed until eventually it stopped. Aria stopped singing and flew to her perch by the window.
Dumbledore came back in with two people. He looked at his wife and daughter. He silently began to cry. He gently picked up his wife and carried her out of the room leaving the two men with Michelle.
"Our little niece, you have to get better," the older man said.
"Our brother needs you to pull through," the other one whispered to Michelle.
Michelle began to wake up, "Uncle Aberforth? Uncle . . ."
Michelle passed out again. Her uncles looked at each other sadly and left the room. Michelle was getting worse everyday. They went to find their brother and comfort him. He just lost one of the most important people in his life he would need all of the comforting he could get.
"Daddy can you tell me anything about this?"
"Sweetie that was the night that your mother died."
"I know that, but wait what?! That's not-"
"What I told you happened."
"Yeah."
"Well see I did tell you your mother died in her sleep, but I didn't want you to know that she died in your room. I just didn't think you should have to know that."
"But Daddy why? Maybe that had something to do with me getting better."
"It couldn't have. You were still sick. In fact, you nearly died three days later."
"But I didn't. I got better."
"You can't remember what it was like. You were too sick."
"Then tell me."
"I can't."
"Daddy, please?" Michelle looked at him with big puppy eyes.
"Oh alright. After your mother died, you seemed to get worse . . ."
Dumbledore was sitting by his daughter's side. She took a turn for the worse. Aria never left her side. Phoenixes were extremely loyal birds. Aberforth walked into the room.
"Albus, you have to eat something. Here try this."
"I'm not hungry," he said pushing away the plate of food.
"Come on. Elizabeth wouldn't want you to do this to yourself."
"She shouldn't have died."
"I know Albus. I know."
He placed the plate down and left father and daughter alone. Dumbledore would have cried but there were no tears left. He knew his brother was right. Elizabeth would not have wanted him to act like this. She was such a gently, loving wife. How could he live without her? At least he still had Michelle, well for the moment.
No one knew what was wrong with her and she was getting worse. He could have her placed in St. Mungo's, but he felt she was more comfortable here. He would do anything to make her well again. He even talked to some Muggle doctors, but they could not help.
He decided to take a walk and clear his mind. It had been three days since Elizabeth died and they buried her yesterday. It was a clear night. All the stars could be seen from his porch. He sat in one of the chairs that scattered the porch. Then Aberforth came running out of the house.
"Albus! Albus! Come quick! Something's happened to Michelle!"
He jumped up and raced to her room. Michelle was thrashing around in her bed. Nothing seemed to calm her down. Then she began to scream. This went on for five more minutes before all went deathly quiet. Dumbledore ran over to Michelle she was still breathing, but it was shallow. They were to busy to notice that Aria had disappeared.
"Your uncle and I were so worried, but the next day you began to get better."
"So that's what happened. Why did you wait so long to tell me?"
"I don't know. I guess I just didn't want to think about how I almost lost you. Now why don't you go to bed and get a good night's sleep."
"All right. Good night Daddy. I love you."
"I love you to, my little phoenix."
"Daddy why do you call me that?"
"Because like the phoenix, you came back from death and were reborn."
Michelle smiled and left. She loved that nickname. She went back to Gryffindor Tower and that night she dreamed sweet dreams.
AN: Well here it is. What do you think? Keep reviewing.
Oh and mistyqueen you may be onto something.
I hid some clues as to what will happen through out the story. See if you can find any of them. Some may have already happened. I'll give you an example: Michelle is described as having auburn hair and blue eyes. Doesn't that remind you of the younger Dumbledore described in Chamber of Secrets? That was a hint that they were related. Keep an eye out for those things.
Love ya, KoKo Belle
It was Christmas Day. Hogwarts was empty except for the few students and teachers that decided to stay. Harry awoke to find presents at the end of his bed and Ron already beginning to open his up.
"Happy Christmas Harry," Ron greeted.
"Happy Christmas Ron," Harry replied as he began to open his presents.
The first present he opened was from the Dursleys. They sent him a twist tie. He threw the "present" to the side and reached for his next present. Hagrid gave him a book on phoenixes and some homemade cakes. Hermione gave him a book on advanced defensive spells. Ron got him a variety of different candies. Mrs. Weasley made him a green knit sweater. Michelle gave him a photo album. It had pictures of his parents when they were in Hogwarts. Harry watched Ron open the last of his presents, a toilet seat and a bag of their goods from the joke shop from Fred and George.
"They don't forget do they?" Harry asked.
"Never," Ron laughed tossing the toilet seat aside. "Mom should never have gave them that idea all those years ago."
Harry laughed along with Ron. They got dressed and went down to the Common Room. Michelle and Hermione were sitting by the fire.
"Happy Christmas Ron, Harry," Hermione greeted.
"Happy Christmas, guys," Michelle said.
"Happy Christmas," Ron and Harry replied.
"Thanks Ron for the bracelet. It's really pretty," Hermione told him.
Ron's face turned redder than his hair, "You're welcome."
"Let's go down and get some breakfast," suggested Michelle.
"Sounds good," they all agreed.
They spent the day having snowball fights and building snowmen. Then they went inside to clean themselves up and headed to dinner. There was one round table in the Great Hall, since so few decided to stay. There were twelve people in all, since most of the students and teachers decided that they wanted to spend as much time with their families as they could. They were afraid that Voldemort would go on killing sprees now that he was back.
Dumbledore handed out crackers to people. He really enjoyed them. Ron and Harry pulled one to reveal a small chest filled with candy. Dumbledore pulled one with Snape only to get a large witch's hat with rather large purple flowers on it. Snape glared at it so Dumbledore replaced his own hat with it.
Professor White was sitting to his left. They were talking and laughing the whole night. In fact, all the professors there were loosening up this night. McGonagall even let down her hair, so to speak. Only Snape was still the cold person he always was.
After dinner, which lasted until almost midnight, Harry and the gang headed to their common room. They were tired so they went straight to bed. Harry had a peaceful night for once. Memories did not invade his dreams neither did Voldemort. It seemed that, thanks to Professor White, he was finally able to relax his mind and block unwanted thoughts. Michelle decided to hang back to talk to her father.
"Hey Daddy," Michelle said.
"Yes sweetie," Dumbledore replied.
"I had a very strange dream last night."
"Really? What was it about?"
"Well, it seemed more like a memory, but I don't remember it happening."
"Tell me about it. Maybe I do."
"Alright, Daddy. It was when mom and I were sick and after mom got me Aria."
Michelle was lying in her bed. A healer just left her room. Passing Dumbledore on his way out he just shook his head. Dumbledore just could not believe that he was going to lose his only daughter and his wife. This was just too much for him. He walked into Michelle's room and sat down by her side.
Aria flew into the room and began to weep by Michelle's side. Even phoenix tears did not seem to work. Elizabeth came into the room looking extremely pale. She took a seat next to her husband. Dumbledore held his wife close and finally he allowed his tears to flow. Elizabeth comforted him as best as she could.
Fawkes flew into the room and landed on Dumbledore's chair. Dumbledore looked up. He knew he had to go. He kissed Elizabeth and left. Elizabeth moved closer to Michelle. Aria flew to Elizabeth's lap.
"Hello there," Elizabeth said. "I fear that I may not have long left. Aria, you have to look after my baby. Do anything you can. Promise me."
Aria began to sing softly. Elizabeth felt reassured and fell asleep next to her daughter's bed. Her breathing slowed until eventually it stopped. Aria stopped singing and flew to her perch by the window.
Dumbledore came back in with two people. He looked at his wife and daughter. He silently began to cry. He gently picked up his wife and carried her out of the room leaving the two men with Michelle.
"Our little niece, you have to get better," the older man said.
"Our brother needs you to pull through," the other one whispered to Michelle.
Michelle began to wake up, "Uncle Aberforth? Uncle . . ."
Michelle passed out again. Her uncles looked at each other sadly and left the room. Michelle was getting worse everyday. They went to find their brother and comfort him. He just lost one of the most important people in his life he would need all of the comforting he could get.
"Daddy can you tell me anything about this?"
"Sweetie that was the night that your mother died."
"I know that, but wait what?! That's not-"
"What I told you happened."
"Yeah."
"Well see I did tell you your mother died in her sleep, but I didn't want you to know that she died in your room. I just didn't think you should have to know that."
"But Daddy why? Maybe that had something to do with me getting better."
"It couldn't have. You were still sick. In fact, you nearly died three days later."
"But I didn't. I got better."
"You can't remember what it was like. You were too sick."
"Then tell me."
"I can't."
"Daddy, please?" Michelle looked at him with big puppy eyes.
"Oh alright. After your mother died, you seemed to get worse . . ."
Dumbledore was sitting by his daughter's side. She took a turn for the worse. Aria never left her side. Phoenixes were extremely loyal birds. Aberforth walked into the room.
"Albus, you have to eat something. Here try this."
"I'm not hungry," he said pushing away the plate of food.
"Come on. Elizabeth wouldn't want you to do this to yourself."
"She shouldn't have died."
"I know Albus. I know."
He placed the plate down and left father and daughter alone. Dumbledore would have cried but there were no tears left. He knew his brother was right. Elizabeth would not have wanted him to act like this. She was such a gently, loving wife. How could he live without her? At least he still had Michelle, well for the moment.
No one knew what was wrong with her and she was getting worse. He could have her placed in St. Mungo's, but he felt she was more comfortable here. He would do anything to make her well again. He even talked to some Muggle doctors, but they could not help.
He decided to take a walk and clear his mind. It had been three days since Elizabeth died and they buried her yesterday. It was a clear night. All the stars could be seen from his porch. He sat in one of the chairs that scattered the porch. Then Aberforth came running out of the house.
"Albus! Albus! Come quick! Something's happened to Michelle!"
He jumped up and raced to her room. Michelle was thrashing around in her bed. Nothing seemed to calm her down. Then she began to scream. This went on for five more minutes before all went deathly quiet. Dumbledore ran over to Michelle she was still breathing, but it was shallow. They were to busy to notice that Aria had disappeared.
"Your uncle and I were so worried, but the next day you began to get better."
"So that's what happened. Why did you wait so long to tell me?"
"I don't know. I guess I just didn't want to think about how I almost lost you. Now why don't you go to bed and get a good night's sleep."
"All right. Good night Daddy. I love you."
"I love you to, my little phoenix."
"Daddy why do you call me that?"
"Because like the phoenix, you came back from death and were reborn."
Michelle smiled and left. She loved that nickname. She went back to Gryffindor Tower and that night she dreamed sweet dreams.
AN: Well here it is. What do you think? Keep reviewing.
Oh and mistyqueen you may be onto something.
I hid some clues as to what will happen through out the story. See if you can find any of them. Some may have already happened. I'll give you an example: Michelle is described as having auburn hair and blue eyes. Doesn't that remind you of the younger Dumbledore described in Chamber of Secrets? That was a hint that they were related. Keep an eye out for those things.
Love ya, KoKo Belle