(A/N Fun with writing, this chapter is a chapter that sets up the next couple of chapters. How many times can I use the word chapter in a sentence? Oh, to answer the greatest question of all. Reviewing doesn't actually save trees; I was just screwing with you. But please review, it saves chickens.)

Chapter 17-Christmas and Dwarfs

The Holidays had started and Ally and Lily were happy to have the dormitory to themselves. To their delight, Potter had agreed to leave Lily alone for a week and a half after break ended. For most of the week, Lily and Ally spent their days playing Pria's game of made-up chess (she had left it for them) and helping Professor Flitwick decorate the castle. They met with Sam for breakfast, lunch and dinner. House tables didn't matter much anymore, since there seemed to be only about forty students left. Ally also saw more of Severus, who also was staying over the holidays. How bizarre it must have looked, two Gryffindors, a Ravenclaw, and a Slytherin fighting over a cinnamon roll. Dumbledore found it particularly amusing and often joined them for breakfast. Their favorite topic of conversation: dueling.

Since Lily had to do prefect duties, Ally was left alone in Gryffindor tower. She grew bored most of the times and contented herself by exploring the castle. For no matter how many times she ventured out of the common room, she always found a new passage way or a new room that she had never seen before. The castle seemed endless. Her favorite room, so far, was a room that changed appearance every time you stepped on the rug in the middle. It was a nifty spot, so she made sure to memorize the location.

Sometimes, after dinner, when the castle was mainly full of sleeping occupants, Ally would duel with Lily and Severus. She still hadn't won a duel with Severus, but she had bested Lily half the times, and she was improving. Once, she almost managed to disarm Severus, but the cluck struck nine o' clock and they had to leave for bed before she could manage it.

Unfortunately for Lily and Ally, Madam Pince had decided to stay over for the holidays, and was watching Ally and her friends like a hawk whenever they entered the library. Most of the time, they were the only students in the library, so it was impossible to even glance at the restricted section.

'Twas the night before Christmas...

(A/N Wait... that's been used before...)

On Christmas Eve, Ally and Lily helped Hagrid decorate the Great Hall for the next day. A few hours later, Ally went to bed with her thoughts full of dancing Christmas lights and tinsel.

The next morning, Lily and her woke up and ran down the common room. The house elves had already placed their presents beneath a large tree that was adorned in Gryffindor colored decorations.

"Happy Christmas!" Lily shouted and threw Ally a present. Together, they dug through their pile of presents.

Ally opened her present from her uncle first. She undid the ribbon and tore open the card on the top.

Al,

How are you? After that little mess up on Halloween, I decided that I had to make it up to you somehow. Hope you like the present!

Love,

Uncle David

Ally folded the note back up and placed it on her bed. She undid the paper surrounding a long, thin box. As she the top, she practically rolled her eyes at how corny her uncle could be. Ally picked up the heart locket and opened the clasp. The inside had two pictures in it, one was Ally and her Uncle at Bonham, dancing, and the other picture was of Ally and her cousin.

Could he get anymore sappy? She tied the necklace around her neck with a smile.

Ally went through her other presents. Lily had given her a green, poofy, quill that supposedly wrote down what the professor was saying, so she'd never have to take notes again. She had gotten a large box of candy from Remus, with a note that said 'Thanks for understanding. You sent me loads candy, so here's some for you'

James sent her 'Quidditch through the Ages" and Ally decided to read. I'll write sarcastic comments on the side. Sam sent her a rare galleon with Godric Gryffindor on the first side and on the flip side was Rowena Ravenclaw. The note from Sam said to flip it over; when Ally did the faces had changed to Salazar Slytherin and Helga Hufflepuff. Ally flipped it again and Dumbledore and McGonagall were on the coin. That'll keep me busy during History of Magic; it must be terribly obvious to my friends that I was bored. The last present was from Sirius, it was a blue watch. She fastened it onto her wrist and it flashed the words "Time to thank Sirius for such a fine gift." Ally giggled and promised to thank him when he got back.

Ally stopped to look over at what Lily had gotten.

"What is that?" Ally exclaimed at the gift Lily had gotten.

"It's a furball," Lily said cryptically, "Three guesses who it's from."

"Not—"

"The one and only Potter."

A small pink furball was jumping on her bed and squealing with delight. For such a small thing, it was jumping so high, a few more inches and it could have touched the ceiling. Ally couldn't distinguish it in any way, shape, or form. It had no markings, and no face, as far as she could tell, it was a pink and furry ball that was humming now as it bounced from Lily's bed to Ally's.

"I thought those were yellowish..." Ally asked.

"We were studying how to change an animal's colors last week in transfiguration, remember," Lily said somberly, watching it spin in the air as it jumped, "He must have picked it up."

"How can you be so sad?" Ally picked up the pink furry ball and tossed it in the air, "It's so cute!"

Lily sighed.

"But it's from him." she whined, "its soooo cute and it's from him."

"He doesn't have to know you like the gift." Ally shrugged, "Don't say anything, and just keep it."

"I can't do that!" Lily cried, "That would be mean and I'd feel like I was in debt! What am I going to do?"

"Well..." Ally tossed the pink furball to her, "Dunno."

"Some help you are," Lily scowled and put the furball in her pocket.

Ally looked at the time on her watch, "I'm hungry, how 'bout you?" it said. Ally jumped up and grabbed Lily by the arm.

"Come on, let's go down to the Great Hall for breakfast." she said and, without giving her time to reply, they left the house dormitories.

The Great Hall was decorated accordingly. They paid the decorations no mind though, since they had helped put them up. Besides, Ally didn't want to think about the time Flitwick had tried to levitate a golden angel to the top of a huge tree. It had come crashing to the floor when Flitwick was distracted by a fly, and landed a mere two feet away from a shocked Ally.

Ally shuddered and took her seat across from Sam and next to Lily. They loaded their plates up after the food magically appeared in front of them.

Sam watched a range of emotions pass over Lily's face while they were eating and decided to throw Ally a confused look.

"Oh," Ally said, realizing what Sam was hinting at,"She's just mad because she got a present from James that she actually likes. It's driving her mad; I think it's in serious danger."

"It?" Sam asked warily.

"Puffskein."

"Pardon?"
"It's a furball." Ally said loudly.

"Is it a cat or something, it's not a dog is it?" Sam asked.

"No, literally," Ally pulled the furball out of Lily's pocket before she could protest; "It's a furball."

The furball looked around and jumped into a bowl of pudding.

"Oh." Sam said, with her eyebrows raised, "I thought you meant—"

"It's alright." Ally said.

"So what's the problem with this..." she pointed at the pink fluffy ball floating in the pudding, "Furball."

"It's from him." Lily crossed her arms.

"Who?"

"Him." Lily said again.

"This isn't a 'furball' thing again is it?" Sam asked Ally.

"No," Ally was helping herself to some juice, "It's a Potter thing."

"Oooh," Sam said and nodded her head wisely, "But I still don't get what the big deal is."

"The big deal is," Lily snapped, "That I loath Potter, and now he sent this cute little furball," she pointed at the pink thing rolling around the pancakes, "And I actually like this gift, so I feel obligated to thank him and I really, really do not want to thank Potter for anything."

"Let's go to our dormitory and talk there," Ally said quickly, sensing another 'disturbance', "Sam, are you coming with?"

"Are you guys really serious about that?" Sam asked.

"Sure," Ally shrugged, "Why not, it's the holidays."

"Awesome!" Sam jumped up, "I have to go get your presents first! Where should I meet you two?"

"Do you know where the portrait of the Fat Lady is?" Ally asked, standing.

"Of course!" Sam snapped her fingers, "It's rumored that's where Gryffindors have their common room. You're always seen walking to and from there."

"See you there!" Ally grabbed the furball, pulled Lily out of her seat and they walked back to the Fat Lady.

"I know!" Lily clapped her hands, Ally could have sworn she saw a light turn on over her head, "I'll just thank him casually. Walk right by him saying 'Thanks for the gift!' That's it, it's no big deal. Right?"

Ally didn't reply; she didn't need to because they were already at the portrait of the Fat lady.

"Well!" said the Fat Lady, "What are you waiting for? There's no one around."

"We're waiting for a friend." was all Ally said.

Soon, Sam came running up the stairs carrying tow boxes wrapped in Christmas paper.

"Sorry I took so long," she panted, "It's a long way from—"

"Form the west tower?" Ally said wisely, "Ravenclaws aren't the only ones who notice was certain houses are seen milling around."

Sam blushed and nodded, "So what does this portrait do?"

"Well I'm a marvelous singer, I play a fine game of chess, and my classmates voted me most likely to—"

"Fortis Fossor." Lily said.

"I can play piano and violin, I was once in a string ensemble—"

"Fortis Fossor." Lily and Ally said in unison.

"My mother always told me I had a knack for the medical arts, in fact I have a painting in Mungo's—"

"FORTIS FOSSOR!" they yelled.

"ALRIGHT!" yelled the Fat Lady, "For once I thought people would actually be interested in my life, not getting into the bloody dormitory!"

She huffed and swung forward as Sam gasped. Ally and Lily climbed into the Gryffindor common room. Sam followed quickly after them and jumped when the portrait closed behind her with a 'bang!'

They all settled in on the couches in front of a roaring fire. Sam looked around curiously.

"This isn't like the Ravenclaw dormitories. It's much cozier, everything in our common room is blue and black, and our ceiling is different... We have a planetarium for a ceiling." Sam looked around with growing curiosity.

Lily explained the charms on the decorations. She pointed out the bulletin board and showed Sam the girls' dormitories. Sam thought their room was amusing. Then they settled down on the couches again and Sam watched Ally and Lily play a game of Pria's wizard's chess.

Finally, after growing bored of playing chess, Ally nudged Sam in the arm.

"I believe you mentioned some sort of presents?" she smiled.

"Oh, yeah!" Sam shoved the two boxes into their arms. Lily undid hers first while Sam was talking to them, "I thought you guys would like these!"

Ally undid hers, the first time she saw her present, and she was tempted to ask Sam what she was thinking of. Then she noticed the note attached and read it first.

AL,

This is paper that is unreadable to anyone who isn't you, me, or Lily. You can charm it to fit a couple more people in.

So, no, I didn't just get you parchment.

Sam

Ally looked at the parchment with happiness, now she wouldn't have to worry about anyone reading their notes. Ally looked at what Lily had gotten. To everyone absolute surprise... it was... a book.

"Didn't see that one coming," Ally pointed to the book, "I swear she would've made a great Ravenclaw."

"Maybe, I don't think they'd get along very well." Sam said thoughtfully, "What do you think Lily?"

Silence.

"Lily!"

A few mumbled words escaped from her mouth and Ally and Sam leaned closer.

"What was that?"

"Meh."

The two girls burst out into laughter and toppled over. Lily looked up from her book and watched the other girls with interest.

"What's so funny?"

Ally and Sam were gasping for breath, and looking up at Lily's confused face only made them start a fresh fit of laughter.

Finally, Ally and Sam calmed down, and Lily put away her book. Ally grabbed the pink furball she had left on the chess set and tossed it to Lily, who tossed it to Sam, who tossed it to Ally and over again. The furball gave a squeal of happiness every time it was thrown in the air.

Eventually the furball fell asleep while they were tossing it around and they grew tired of throwing a lifeless ball of fur around.

Ally sat down next to Sam and Lily and they played violent game of exploding snap that turned into a game of poker, a muggle game that Lily taught them.

Once they were finished playing games, they lay down on the rug in front of the fire and caught up with everything that had been happening outside of school.

"This Vernon fellow I was talking about to Ally," Lily said to them while chewing on a candy cane, "He sends these really sappy love notes to Petunia! It's so funny! Mum says Petunia is really serious about him..."

Ally zoned out on whatever Lily's sister's newest infatuation was. When Lily mentioned notes, Ally felt like she was forgetting something. Did I leave a note laying someone for someone to find. Did I forget to read a note...? It was something important, but she couldn't figure out what it was. She thought of Frank and his remembrall and stifled a laugh.

Searching through her mind, she reviewed the last few days. Riddle, Potter versus Lily, Remus... something to do with Remus... The letter!

Ally jumped up from where she was lying down and raced up the girl's dormitories steps.

"Hey, Al! Where are you going!" she heard Lily say, Ally ignored her and rummaged through her things. She searched her trunk, her back pack, Lily's things, her bed... nothing. Where did I put that letter! She spotted her robe and prayed the letter was in there. She checked the left pocket... nothing. The right pocket she felt a piece of parchment and pulled out what was easily recognized as Remus' writing.

Yes! She thought triumphantly and ran down the stairs again. Holding the letter like a trophy she handed it to Sam.

"I forgot this!" she said, "It's from Remus, he wanted us to give this to you."

"Oh right!" Lily said and smacked herself on the forehead, "And to think, I would have given up a Potter free week because we forgot."

Ally watched Sam's reaction as she broke the seal on the letter and read quickly through it. Ally looked over at Lily who was also observing Sam with growing curiosity. The letter was relatively short, or at least from what Ally could tell, but Sam was a Ravenclaw, and Ravenclaws always read things carefully and precisely, making sure not to miss any information. Once Sam finished reading the letter twice she folded it up and stashed it in her pocket.

"Well..." Lily said slowly, "What... does it say?"

"What does what say?" Sam said innocently.

"The letter!" Ally cried.

"It says..." Sam whispered.

Ally and Lily leaned forward with growing anticipation.

"It says... none of your business." Sam stood up, "And now I think your watch is saying it's time for dinner."

Sam strode out of the Gryffindor common room with one last look around, leaving a shocked Lily and Ally lying on the floor. Ally looked down at her watch.

"It really does say it's time for dinner, you know."

Christmas Dinner...

The House Elves in the Kitchen had truly outdone them selves for this Christmas feast. That's the only thing you could call it, a feast. With enough food to feed fifteen Hogwartses, Ally and Lily were full before dessert came along. What remained of the school all sat on one crowded house table in the middle of the hall.

The most fun part of the Christmas dinner was when Slughorn stood up, drunk, and decided to belt out the Hogwarts School song. Oddly enough, the staff joined in on singing, as well as the rest of the students. Ally was delighted to see the ghosts join them during the song. Nearly Headless Nick conducted his ghostly brethren.

When the song was complete the hall burst out into clapping. Slughorn stood and bowed, tipsily, and sat down next to Professor McGonagall, who kissed him on the cheek. He blushed.

Professor Dumbledore bid them all a fond good night and left the Hall to no doubt sleep off whatever mead he had been drinking. Ally and Lily stayed behind and waited for the hall to thin out. When it did Lily pulled out her wand and aimed for Slughorn.

A ribbon of red light escaped from her wand and slowly revolved, unnoticed, around Slughorn as he exited the hall.

"What did you do!" Ally asked when they were back in the common room, sipping hot cocoa in front of the fire, and away from any prying ears.

"A small charm I invented one day when I was mad a potter," she said, sipping her cocoa, with a smile tugging at her lips, "I planned on using it on Potter one day, if he ever really ticked me off. But this seemed like such a better idea; hopefully he won't drink so recklessly after this."

"But..." Ally said, "What does it do?"

"Let's just say," Lily said evilly, "That Slughorn will have a new perspective."

"Alright, then, what are we going to do about Riddle?" Ally put down her cup and set her jaw, "We've been avoiding planning this for long enough."

"You're right," Lily set down her cup too, "If we really want to get all those books—"

"Information on Riddle."

"—Then we need to have a solid plan."

The rest of the night they went over possible routes and charms that they could use to their advantage. After several long hours, the two Gryffindors retired to their beds in high spirits.

The next day at breakfast, Dumbledore stood silently and the school directed their attention to him, his unmistakable blue eyes twinkling with unspoken laughter.

"I'm sad to inform you, my staff and my students," he paused to look at them, though Ally suspected he was stifling laughter, "That our dear Potions Master Slughorn has been stricken by terrible misfortune. I'm afraid that he will be staying in the hospital the next several days before break ends."

He moved to sit down, but an older student, probably from the slug club, shouted out.

"What's wrong with him?"

"Our poor Professor..." he paused for a dramatic affect, "Has been struck by Dwarf Flu."

A few collective gasps issued from a group of Hufflepuffs.

"No he hasn't," Lily muttered to Ally, "That's what my charm makes it look like, right now he's up in the hospital about three feet tall."

"Talk about a new perspective."