Chapter 10 – Behind Closed Doors

Liz was devastated. David was the only boy she had ever really liked, and now he was dating her worst enemy, besides the Dragon. Rachel and Michael had seen it too, and Rachel was determined to cheer Liz up. So Liz found herself, trying to do homework, with Rachel pestering her every few seconds and WWN playing music in the background.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Rachel, how many times do I have to tell you? I don't want to talk about it, all right? Why should I care if David kissed Winnie? Why should it matter to me?"

"Because! Look at you! You're heartbroken!"

Liz snorted. "I hardly think heartbroken is the word for it."

"Listen, it's a news broadcast!" said Michael, leaning in to listen to the Wizarding Wireless.

"Stop playing news! IT'S A MUSIC CHANNEL!" Rachel yelled at the device.

"Breaking news, wizarding world," said the announcer. "As most of you know, Ancient Runes expert Philip Meyers has been missing since early October. He was found last night returned to his home in Bristol without a clue who he is. Yes, that's right, a Memory Charm. The kidnapper has planned this carefully, so the man has no remembrance of any kidnapping. The Dragon is still the number one suspect. Currently, Mr. Meyers is at St. Mungo's being treated, but there doesn't seem to be too much hope that he will recover. And now back to our regularly scheduled broadcasting."

Liz didn't know what to make of this. Should she be worried? Michael looked slightly confused, and Rachel's face was blank. The music began to play again.

"So what are you two doing for Christmas?" Liz asked them, trying to change the subject.

"I'm going home," Rachel said.

"Well, I'm staying this year," said Michael. "Me and Mum and Jessica."

"What about your dad?" Liz asked.

"He's coming on the Hogwarts Express when it picks up everyone to take them home for the holidays," Michael answered. "He wants to see how Hogwarts has changed since he came here."

"I wish I was staying," Rachel sighed. "But Mum and Dad wanted me and the twins home over the break, and the twins want to go, so I really can't complain."

"We'll miss you, Rachel," said Michael.

"You'll still owl me, right?" Rachel asked.

"Of course we will. What makes you think we wouldn't?" Liz said, grinning.

Christmas came on fast. Before Liz knew it, she was preparing to see Rachel off and greet Mr. Weasley at the train station. She bundled up warmly, because the outdoors was freezing. When she got downstairs, Michael laughed.

"What's so funny?" she asked. Her voice was muffled because of the four scarves piled up in front of her mouth.

"You look like a big round cat toy," said Michael, quickly turning another laugh into a cough. He had on a shirt, a warm jacket, pants, a hat, and snow boots. Liz had up to three more layers than he did.

"Thank you," Liz said sarcastically, reaching to adjust her hat. Unfortunately, she had on so many layers that she could barely move her arms. Rachel, who was descending the stairs behind her lugging a trunk, stopped and fixed the hat for her. "Thank you," said Liz, seriously this time.

"You're welcome. Should we get going?"

"Rachel, it won't be the same without you!" Liz said. "It'll be the three of us minus one this Christmas…"

"What did you say? I can't hear you through all your scarves."

Liz took off two of her scarves and threw them on a chair by the fireplace. Then she removed one of her coats. There were two more underneath. "All right, now I don't look like a stuffed turkey. Let's go and get it over with, shall we?"

The twins came racing up behind them. "Home for Christmas! Home for Christmas!" they chanted shrilly. "We are going home for Christmas!"

"Shut up, will you?" Rachel grumbled.

They left the portrait hole and met up with Professor Weasley and Jessica, who were going the same way as they were. Once outside, they had a long walk to the station, which was stationed almost at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. "My toes are numb," Liz said.

"Why?" said Michael. "Your feet are bundled up like the rest of you."

"I know. I have five pairs of socks on and it's cutting off my circulation."

They finally made it all the way to the station, where the majority of the student body was waiting eagerly to board the train and return home. The train hadn't pulled in yet. "Where is it?" Jessica said. "I want to see Dad again."

"Be patient," Mrs. Weasley told her. "It'll be here soon."

Sure enough, at exactly eleven o'clock, a whistle blew off in the distance, signaling the train's arrival. It chugged its way into the station, blowing off puffs of smoke from its smokestacks as it went When it had come to a full and complete stop, the doors opened and a conductor stepped out. "Don't come in, don't come in, let the man out. Pringle, get his trunk out, would you, man? That's what you're getting paid for." A disgruntled-looking assistant slouched over to the luggage cart and pulled out a large trunk marked with a gold W. Through the doors strolled Mr. Weasley.

"Hermione!" he called out, running to hug his wife. They embraced and kissed. Michael made a face.

"Stop being so immature," Rachel told him.

Students were beginning to board the train. "Well, bye then," said Rachel. Liz hugged her, and then so did Michael. Rachel waved one more time as Pringle, the grumpy assistant, too her trunk and the twins' trunks and loaded them onto the train. "Bye!" Rachel called before the doors shut.

"The station sure has changed," said Mr. Weasley.

The train whistle blew again and it pulled out, huffing furiously. Liz waved until it was out of sight.

Christmas dawned over the towers and turrets of Hogwarts bright and early. Liz woke up to cold, streaming sunlight shining through her window. She got out of bed to find a pile of packages and letters at the foot of her bed. One package was from Rachel. She had sent Liz a huge bag full of chocolate that turned teeth and tongues different colors. Another was from the Smiths, who had sent a book about tree frogs Liz's way. After she had finished opening all of them, she grabbed Michael's and Chris's present and turned to leave. But there was still one more. It was a tiny box. Liz opened it. Inside was a pair of beautiful, glittering earrings.

"Wow," Liz breathed. She picked up the last unopened letter and tore it open. It read:

Dear Elizabeth,

Merry Christmas! I love you very much. Luna

"Thanks, Mum," Liz whispered softly. She put on the new earrings and headed downstairs, where she met up with Michael in the common room. They exchanged gifts. Michael had gotten her an updated Book of Spell, Charms, and Hexes, and she had gotten him a new pair of black earmuffs to replace the red ones that clashed horribly with his hair. Then they headed to the Great Hall, where they saw Chris and Hagrid.

"Are you practicing like I told you to last lesson?" Liz reminded Chris, handing him his gift.

"Yes. Here you go." He gave her the one he had gotten her. After much flurry of wrapping paper, he produced a multicolored quill from Michael and a bag of Canary Creams from Liz. Liz had gotten a Gryffindor-colored necklace. Michael had received a wand polish kit.

"Time for breakfast," McGonagall announced. Everyone who was there gathered at the High Table. Among the students were David, Winnie, and Nora and Carl Lovegood. At the table, Liz found herself in-between Michael and Nora. Nora was gazing, wide-eyed, at the enchanted ceiling of Hogwarts. "Looks like snow," she said to no one in particular. Liz shifted in her seat.

Almost as soon as everyone was seated, Professor Magus stood again. "Hermione, may I speak to you for a moment?" Professor Weasley nodded. Ron looked up at Professor Magus, seemingly searching her with his eyes. Professor Magus sighed. "Fine, Ron, you can come too." The three got up and left.

Liz was curious to hear what Professor Magus had to say. About a minute after they had left, she stood and said, "I've got to use the bathroom. Be right back." And she followed the path that the adults had taken.

"Liz! Wait up!" called a voice. Liz turned to see Michael and Nora hurtling up the corridor behind her.

"Shh! What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you that," said Michael.

"I said I was going to use the bathroom."

"The bathroom is in the other direction," Nora said matter-of-factly.

"If you must know, I just want to hear what Professor Magus is telling your parents," said Liz. "Are you coming with me?"

"Looks like it." Michael gave a half-grin. "Come on, let's go."

They followed the hallway to a small door. Professor Magus's office. There were hushed voices coming from the other side. All three of them pressed their ears against it.

"I don't believe it," Mrs. Weasley was saying.

"Are you sure?" said Mr. Weasley.

"Yes. I was supposed to tell you, but the stupid law made it absolutely impossible for me to…And don't send an owl, in case it gets intercepted. All right?"

There was silence. Liz supposed Michael's parents were nodding.

"All right, we can go back now."

At this, Liz, Michael, and Nora ran for it. They didn't quite care that they were making as much noise as a stampeding herd of elephants; they just knew that they had to reach the Great Hall without being caught. They slid into their seats just before the three adults returned.

"Very good food," said Mr. Weasley. "Michael, why are you all out of breath?"

"I…um…choked. On my pumpkin juice." He gave a weak grin. Winnie looked at him suspiciously, and then returned to her meal.

For the rest of breakfast and the rest of the day, only one thing was on Liz's mind: What had they been talking about?