Beta: Demos - Too much 'queries and asks type of thing' and don't explain how things work when you already explained them earlier [the wireless in a previous chapter].
Original release date: 8/10/14
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the Harry Potter world or any other world, and only own my own thoughts based on my own creativity. The mirror calling idea was attempted by Harry to Sirius after he died, and I'm only using it in a more prominent manner and am not calling it the product of my own imagination.
Chapter Fourteen – Christmas Break
"Ron, what are your plans for the break?" queries Neville.
"Mum and dad are headed to Romania to visit Charlie, so Hogwarts I suppose." replies Ron.
"Ron, you and the rest of your family could stay at my house over the break, if you all want" invites Harry.
Ron says, "Sounds good, but I doubt it would work out."
Fred and George walk by muttering, "...it would probably be something the Marauders would do..."
An idea forms in Harry's mind and calls out, "Fred, George, interested in coming to my house for the break?"
"We'll pass" replies George.
A smile creeps across Harry's face and calls out once more, "what if you could meet two of the Marauders?"
The twins exchange looks and casually stroll over, each placing a hand on Harry's shoulders, "You wouldn't be trying to prank us, would you?"
Shaking his head, Harry replies, Moony and Padfoot are my surrogate family."
Fred and George's eyes widen in surprise, before recovering quickly, "By chance do you know how to get in contact with Prongs or Wormtail?"
"Wormtail was right under your noses for many years, although you two might know him as Scabbers the rat."
Not even blinking, the twins stand stock still before replying, "What do you mean?"
"Scabbers is an animagus, Peter Pettigrew, and his nickname is Wormtail. Go ask Ron if you don't believe me."
The twins turn around when Harry drops the bombshell on them, "And Prongs was my father, before he was killed by Voldemort."
"So we could learn from two of the master pranksters, correct?" asks Fred, turning around to face Harry.
"I figure Padfoot wouldn't mind giving you a pointer or five" grins Harry.
"Harry", interrupts Ron, "mind if I borrow Hedwig to owl mum?"
Looking at the twins, Harry replies, "why not all three of you send a letter to your mum with Hedwig?"
"Thanks, Harry" choruses Fred, George, and Ron.
/*elsewhere in the common room*/
"Neville?" asks Hermione.
"Mmm?"
"Can you give me some ideas for a Christmas gift for Harry? Despite spending so much time with you and Harry, I'm afraid that I haven't got the faintest clue what he likes, unlike you."
Smiling, Neville replies, "Harry likes strategy stuff, like games, books, etc, fiction books, and stuff based around the musical genre of metal, although he also really likes Jazz."
"Thanks, Neville."
"No problem."
Pausing, Hermione asks, "Do you know if Harry has Sun Tzu's, The Art of War?"
"Yes, he does. He is very proud of his copy. Although, there is an album that he is looking for..."
/*a couple of days later*/
Sitting down to an early morning breakfast, Molly and Arthur Weasley enjoy the relative quietness when a snow white owl swoops into the kitchen. Taking off the three letters attached, Molly begins to read, reading them over and over before wordlessly passing them across the table to Arthur.
After Arthur puts down the last of the letters and Molly asks quietly, "What should we do?"
Pushing aside his empty plate, Arthur replies, "I think they should go. Other than Percy studying for his O.W.L.'s, I don't see why not."
Frowning, Molly states, "I'm going to talk with Sirius and Remus about this."
Arthur nods his head in agreement, before gathering a pinch of Floo powder and disappearing to the ministry in a flash of green flames.
"Ginny, can you come down here please?"
"Ok mum!" shouts Ginny.
"Ginny, I need to go into Diagon Alley, and you're coming too. Now, hurry up so we can go."
A few minutes later Mrs. Weasley and Ginny arrive in Diagon Alley, and make their way to the Marauders Emporium. Entering, a bell rings causing Sirius and Remus to turn around and face the newcomers.
"Ah, Molly, and of course young Ginny. How may we help you?" asks Sirius.
Narrowing her eyes ever so slightly, Mrs. Weasley replies, "We've come to talk about Harry's invitation to take in Ron, Fred, and George over the Christmas break, after he found out that Arthur and I are going to Romania for Christmas."
Smiling, Sirius says, "Ah, yes. Harry did mention that a few nights ago. Would you like to take us up on the offer?"
"Percy should stay at Hogwarts for his O.W.L's, so he won't be able to make it. But what about Ginny? Would she be welcome too?" queries Mrs. Weasley.
"She is welcome to stay as well. We have another girl coming over for some Christmas festivities, so she wouldn't be alone the entire time" replies Remus.
Mrs. Weasley opens her mouth to speak when Ginny interrupts, "Mum, let me go, please. It's got to be better than Aunt Muriel's."
Sighing, Mrs. Weasley asks, "And you two will be able to get them from the train station?"
"Yes, we'll pick them up and take them all back to our place. Don't worry about a thing, Molly. Just enjoy your trip" says Remus.
"Remus, how do you suppose we are to get young Ginny here if she isn't at Hogwarts yet?" queries Sirius, smirking.
"Well, I can apparate to the Burrow and pick her up right before you all leave. How does that sound, Molly?"
Exhaling loudly, Mrs. Weasley nods her head before replying, "Arthur and I are leaving in a week, so about this time in a week?"
"Sounds good with me" comes Remus.
"Well then, it looks like I need to write a few letters to the boys about the arrangements—" begins Mrs. Weasley.
"Nonsense, if you'll just hold on, I'm sure Harry can get at least Ron to talk with you right now" states Sirius, pulling out his mirror and calling for Harry. Seconds later, Harry's face appears in the mirror and Sirius says, "Harry, is Ron available? His mother needs to speak with him."
"Yeah, hold on."
A few seconds of a pause ensue, before Ron's face appears, and Sirius hands the mirror to Mrs. Weasley.
Looking taken back, Ron says, "Oh, er, hi mum."
Jumping right in, Mrs. Weasley replies, "Ron dear, please inform the twins that you three are to get on the train to go to the, err," before looking at Sirius who replies, "The Marauders Secret Base of Secretness", resulting with Remus face palming and shaking his head, with Mrs. Weasley turning back to Ron and continuing, "well, just go home with Harry."
"Ok, mum."
"Love you Ronnie" calls out Mrs. Weasley before Ron's face blanches and the mirror goes dark.
"You know, if you two sold this in the store, you two would sell thousands" comes Mrs. Weasley.
"That's our plan, but not yet, we need some more testing" replies Remus.
"Alright. Well, see you in a week then" calls out Mrs. Weasley, leaving the store.
/*in the Gryffindor Common Room*/
"Fred, George, we're going home with Harry over the break!" exclaims Ron.
Confused, Fred shouts across the room, "When did you get a letter from mum?"
"She told me through Harry's mirror!"
"You're joking…right?" replies George
"Nope."
/*a week later*/
"I'm out to grab Ginny!" shouts Remus, exiting the store.
Sirius enters from the back room, wiping his hands on a towel, before throwing it haphazardly onto space beside the register. Grabbing his receiver, Sirius turns on some music, and a few button pushes later, Deep Purple's song, Burn, begins playing. Just a few minutes or so into the song, Remus and Ginny enter the store, clearly unnoticed by Sirius, who is on top of a table, head banging and playing an air guitar.
"SIRIUS!" shouts Remus over the music, resulting in Sirius in stopping too suddenly, causing him to stumble and hit the floor.
A few seconds later Sirius pops up from the floor and dusts himself off. Spotting Ginny, Sirius walks over to her, holding his hand out and says, "Hello Miss Ginny, I'm Sirius Black, but you can call me Sirius, although I'm far from being such."
Laughing, Ginny shakes Sirius's hand, before asking, "What were you listening to before you were interrupted?"
"I was listening to my PPMP or Personal Portable Music Player, although the name, needs to be revised. Way too long of a name."
"How does it work?" queries Ginny.
Sirius explains how it works and Ginny exclaims, "That's awesome!"
"Thanks, but without Remus's help, it wouldn't have made it to where it is now. So, Ginny, we'll be hanging around here until it's time to pick up Harry and your brothers. That is, unless you want to sit in our house with just Kreacher, our house elf, for company" states Sirius.
Shaking her head, Ginny replies, "I'd rather stay here."
"Well, you can explore the store, take my music player and listen to it in the back, or whatever, as long as you aren't creating a mess" says Sirius.
Smiling, Ginny takes wordlessly around the store, examining items, asking questions, before taking Sirius's music player to the back. Despite it being the week before Christmas, just a handful of people entered the store, perusing the wares for possible last minute gifts for the relatives.
Around lunch time, Director Bones appears, and Sirius at once offers his arm to her, when Ginny appears out of the back, a grin on her face, "I have an idea for a new name for the music player, the Personal Wireless."
Remus adopts a look of contemplation before smiling and replying, "That sounds great. Short and more wizarding folk would understand it with the new name than before. What do you think, Sirius, Amelia?"
"I say we get some lunch then decide on the name change" states Sirius, stomach growling audibly.
Amelia laughs before chiming in, "I agree, then I must head to Hogwarts for an inspection of the wards."
Locking up the store, the quartet go off to lunch at the Leaky Cauldron.
/*at Hogsmeade Station*/
With snow flying around wildly, the students clamber onto the train, desperate for the warm compartments to enjoy on their journey back to London. As Neville, Harry, Hermione, and Ron settle into a compartment when two girls, one blonde and the other a redhead appear in the doorway.
"Uh, hi, Harry. My auntie told me that I'd be spending the first half of Christmas break with you and so I came to find you, so we can get off together", states the redhead, fluttering her eyelashes.
"Hello Susan. Please, take a seat anywhere" replies, Harry.
Susan sits down beside Harry, with the unnamed blonde haired girl sitting down across from Susan, and beside Hermione.
"Oh, everyone, this is Hannah Abbott, and I'm Susan Bones" introduces Susan.
As if given an invisible cue, Harry says, "Susan, Hannah, this is Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, and Ron Weasley."
Continuing, Harry says, "Seeing as Susan and Hannah have joined us, I'd like to invite you two to the New Year's Eve get together that occurs at my house every year. We were just talking about what we should do."
"Will there be food?" queries Hannah.
"Yes, a mix of magical and non-magical food, like pizza, doughnuts, butterbeer, soda, etc" replies Harry.
"What activities will occur?" asks Susan.
Looking at Ron and Neville, Harry replies, "We are thinking of getting a small Quidditch game going, as some of the Weasleys will be there, like the twins, Ron, and of course their sister, Ginny, Neville and his family, and Sirius wouldn't say no to playing."
Susan opens her mouth when a drawling voice appears out of thin air, "Such a shame, to see more respectable families associating with the wrong kind. Bones, Abbott, you two should know better."
Turning slowly to the door, everyone sees none other Draco Malfoy standing in the door, with his two pseudo bodyguards standing still.
"Now Draco, you shouldn't spout such nonsense in front of ladies" retorts Harry.
"It's not nonsense if it's true" fires back Draco.
Snorting, Neville replies, "And yet Hermione got the top score in all of first year, and she's muggle born. Your argument doesn't hold any water."
Draco opens his mouth to reply when he is thrown across the hall into the wall, with the door to the compartment being closed, locked, and then a privacy charm erected.
Everyone but Neville turns to Harry, still sitting down, but wand drawn, eyes widen in surprise.
"How did you manage that, Harry?" queries Hermione.
"He was holding his own against Malfoy and Goyle at the top of the Astronomy Tower earlier this term. I only stepped in when a professor got too close, and we disappeared" replies Neville, nonchantly.
"You went, despite my warning?!" exclaims Hermione.
Trading a look, Harry and Neville both reply at the same time, "Yes."
"Ugh, boys" says Hermione crossing her arms.
Susan and Hannah remain surprised at the mention of the duel, and Susan asks, "Are you ok, Harry?"
Laughing, Harry replies, "Yes, I'm perfectly fine. He barely left a scratch on me. Anyways, where were we? Right, talking about potential activities for New Years Eve. We'll have some fireworks, but for the most part it's just hanging out, talking, eating food, and counting down the time until midnight."
"Will there be dancing under the moon?" asks Hannah.
"Well, we could do that if you want" replies Harry.
"Harry, will there be anything sugar free at the party?" asks Hermione quietly.
Smiling, Neville replies, "You can bring something along, or I'm sure my mum could whip up a few things like that."
"Why would you want sugar free?" asks Hannah.
"My parents are dentists, and sugar can cause cavities and such" replies Hermione.
"Dentists?" choruses Hannah and Susan.
"They look at people's teeth and check on the health of them" states Hermione.
On and on the conversation continues, until Hermione looks out the window and spots an ever nearing London. Quickly the girls exit to change in the nearby bathroom and the boys change into something less formal than Hogwarts robes. In no time the train pulls into the station, and the student populace makes a mass exodus from the train.
Walking towards the outskirts of the platform, away from the train, Harry spots the dynamic duo that make up his family, Sirius and Remus.
"Harry, over hereee!" shouts Sirius.
Making his way over, the Weasley twins make their appearance, one on each side of Harry, as they gather around Sirius and Remus.
"Geez, Sirius, I know you enjoy having Harry and Neville around, but to adopt four Weasleys and then a couple of girls. Are you sure you can handle four girls?" teases Alice.
"Mum, this is Hermione Granger, Susan Bones, Hannah—" begins Neville, before Alice interrupts, "I was kidding, I know who they are. I went to school with some of their parents and work with Susan's aunt.
"I think my parents are waiting for me" states Hermione.
"Right, I think we need to get Miss Hermione across the barrier to reunite her with her family" replies Remus.
Crossing over the barrier, introductions are made, before Hermione asks her parents, "Can I attend Harry's New Years Eve party?"
Mr. Granger looks over at Remus, who replies, "Don't worry Mr. Granger, Sirius and I will be monitoring the youngsters, alongside others such as Lady Longbottom."
Inhaling slowly, Mr. and Mrs. Granger hold a quick and silent conversation with their eyes before Mr. Granger replies, "Yes, Hermione can go."
/*back at Hogwarts*/
"Director Bones, I assume you are ready to inspect the wards?" inquiries Dumbledore in a neutral tone.
"Yes, and I brought some specialists from the Ministry to do the inspections and to take notes" replies Director Bones.
With a look of confusion on his face, Dumbledore asks, "Take notes? Why would they need to take notes?"
"So they can convene and discuss areas that need improvement and what should be done to buff the wards."
Stroking his beard, Dumbledore replies, "I see. That does make sense."
Heading down to the entrance gates, Dumbledore and Director Bones take a walk around the snowy grounds, watching as a pair of warders poke and prod at the wards, scratching out notes in the frosty air.
/*later that evening*/
Standing up, Sirius raises a crystal goblet and speaks, "Here's to our guests, and more importantly friends here this fine evening and for Christmas."
Everyone raises their glasses for the toast, and then proceeds to dig in. After everyone has finished eating, Remus stands up and says, "After a wonderful meal, I think it is that time of night for us all to turn in—"
"Pfft, it's the break, let them stay up a little later than normal, relax, and such. Don't you remember our days of Hogwarts?" points out Sirius.
Sighing, Remus smiles and replies, "You're right. Those were the days. Just don't set anything on fire, please."
Everyone breaks away from the table, either gathering in pairs or going off by themselves, probably to sleep. Cleaning up, Sirius, Remus, and Kreacher work quietly, clearing off the dishes, cleaning the dishes, putting the extra food into the refrigerator, until it can be eaten at a later time.
The next day everyone awakens at differing times, just relaxing, until lunch time.
"So, is there anyone who needs to go out for any last minute gift shopping?" queries Remus during the shared lunch meal.
No one speaks and with that Sirius asks, "So, we're here, and we have a Quidditch pitch, library for those of you who'd like to read for pleasure, or for those who'd like to advance their knowledge, an archery range, and a movie/tv room, if anyone would like to watch something."
A few opt to do some archery, some to reading, and most lounging about, talking. A few days of this when at dinner one day, Sirius reminds everyone, "Tomorrow is Christmas, so get to bed nice and early, as our day will start early with gifts for everyone!"
The next morning begins quietly with Sirius, Remus, and Kreacher preparing the main meal, setting the table with the finest cutlery, the nicest goblets and plates, with plentiful amounts of tea and even a pot or two of the muggle delicacy, coffee.
Sitting down in a couple of chairs just outside of the living room, but at the foot of the stairs leading up to the bedrooms, Sirius and Remus sit back, and drink their drinks slowly, Sirius with his coffee as black as his name, and a cup of tea for Remus.
"Do you think they will be expecting what they see?" asks Remus over his cup.
Pausing for a few moments, Sirius replies, "Well, some might be surprised, but you know how we over do things some times."
"Should we wake them or wait until our new guests arrive?" inquiries Remus.
Smirking as much as he could at the early seven am time, Sirius replies, "I think it might be better to wake them up first, and then let the guests in."
"How should we awaken them?" continues Sirius.
Snorting, Remus replies, "Do you have our newest device ready for a round of testing?"
Laughing quietly, Sirius says, "I wouldn't want to miss this opportunity."
Remus smiles and puts in ear plugs, with Sirius doing the same, before reaching into a pocket in his robes, pulling out a cylindrical can, shaking it, before tossing it over the banister onto the second story, right where the bedrooms are. Mere seconds after hitting the ground, an ear piercing sound reverberates throughout the house, with an array of doors opening suddenly, with fingers in their ears. As suddenly as the noise starts, it ends, followed by a small explosion. Spotting the murderous looks in the eyes of the kids coming down the stairs, Sirius and Remus exchange a smile, and high five each other, before pulling out their ear plugs.
"What was that?!" exclaims Harry.
Smiling ear to ear, Sirius replies, "Just our newest way to wake up sleepy kids like yourselves."
Groaning, Harry asks, "Is there any more coffee, or did you drink it all this time?" when a piping hot cup of coffee appears out of nowhere and instinctively Harry grabs it, and downs half in a single gulp.
"So what now?" inquires Susan.
"Presents!" exclaims Sirius gleefully.
Everyone other than Sirius and Remus groans, but follow after the supposed adults into the living room, where lights appear, and mounds of presents all across the room, each with a transfigured piece of wood with each individuals name, stating whose pile was whose.
The twins look at their piles [side by side of course] and each see a large wooden crate with the following words on them, "The Marauders Emporium Prank Crates".
Dumbfounded, the twins turn to Sirius and Remus and Fred asks, "Prank crates?"
Sirius grins from ear to ear and replies, "Yes, a nice collection of our pranking merchandise, all sorted out. Even with our newest product, 'Dial-a-Decoy'."
"Dial-a-Decoy?" asks George, confused.
Smiling, Remus replies, "Remember the way we woke you all up this morning? That's one of them."
Fred and George exchange devious looks, before rubbing their hands together in a potential plotting way.
"By the way, Fred, George, there are manuals in those trunks, with how to use each of the items, all separated out in small compartments in the trunk. Use the prank crates well" says Sirius, giving them a barely noticeable wink.
Ron looks at his pile and sees a mound of chocolate frogs, Chudley Cannon memorabilia, including a book, a Personal Wireless, and a piece of parchment. Unfurling the parchment, Ron quickly reads it, turns pale, and asks, "An owl? You want to get me an owl because Scabbers wasn't really a rat?"
Nodding his head, Remus replies, "Yes, because Pettigrew was Scabbers, and without us intervening, you'd still have him as a rat."
"Thanks" replies Ron, before jumping backwards onto his pile of chocolate frogs, beginning to devour them by the handful.
Ginny looks over her pile, sees some Holyhead Harpies memorabilia, one of the newly christened Personal Wireless devices, alongside the pile of sweets, before running to Sirius, Remus, and Harry, giving them hugs, "Thanks!"
Susan turns to her pile of gifts, collecting the books scattered amongst them, and a Personal Wireless, smiling with happiness, saying, "Thanks, just being around this many friends makes it all the better."
Standing up, Sirius announces, "To our guests and friends, or everyone other than Harry, you all are also welcome to select a few items from our inventory in addition to what you've received here."
Before anyone can respond, an owl flies in, laden with a large package. Untying the package from the owl, Remus announces, "And here we have some Weasley sweaters", before passing the sweaters out.
Everyone begins to open their gifts, looking at them at every angle, seeing how they work, when a loud but not overwhelming chiming sound echoes through the house, before the sound of people talking is heard. Seconds later everyone in the house comes face to face with the Longbottoms, arms laden down with more gifts.
"It looks like we are just a tad late, or perhaps early, depending on how you see it" calls out Alice.
Neville carries his load of wrapped gifts into the room, unceremoniously dumps them onto the floor, and then passes them out to their new owner. While doing that, Hedwig flies into the room, with a motley collection of gifts in Hermione's handwriting, with gifts to everyone, including Susan.
Some time later, after everyone had opened their gifts, Sirius announces, "Alright everyone, we've got the Christmas dinner ready for everyone who'd like to eat now. If you want to pass, you're on your own."
Jumping up in excitement, Harry, Neville, Fred, George, and of course Ron race to the table, all prepared to devour all off the food available.
"Now now, it isn't a race to the table, especially when you'll have to wait for everyone else" announces Amelia, smiling from a nearby doorway.
"AUNTIE!" shouts Susan, running and hugging Amelia.
From behind Amelia steps an untamable mess of brunette hair, squealing, alongside two adults.
"Neville! Harry! Ron!" shouts Hermione hugging each in turn, before hugging Ginny and Susan.
"Hermione, how did you get here?" inquires Neville.
"Oh, Director Bones stopped by and apparated us here" replies Hermione, smiling and bouncing up and down.
"Alright, now that all of our guests are here, let's sit down to a wonderfully prepared meal" announces Remus.
After much food and conversation later, the meal ends, everyone with a full stomach. Slowly everyone breaks away from the table, all but three. Picking up dishes, Sirius and Remus turn towards the kitchen when Harry says, "Sirius, Remus, I need to talk with you."
Setting down the dishes, Sirius pulls out a recently vacated chair and asks, "Alright, what's on your mind, Pronglet?"
"Well, it's about the time that Draco and I had the duel. Neville and I were running, err, headed back to the tower when we hid in a room. We escaped detection, but we found a three headed dog, standing on a trapdoor. Do you know anything about three headed dogs or why one was there, on the third floor corridor?"
Sirius and Remus turn and look at each other, before Remus suggests, "Perhaps we should get Amelia involved. She might know something."
Minutes later, Director Bones sits facing Harry and Neville, parchment in front of her, quill at the ready.
"Let's begin, shall we? December 25th, 1991, Director Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. In question, safety of students and potentially staff at Hogwarts. Sources, two concerned students…" begins Director Bones.
An hour later, Director Bones rolls up the parchment from where she had been taking notes, and magically seals it.
"Thank you, Harry, Neville, for trusting me with this information. I'm not certain what can be done with it, but I can at least make an inquiry as to why a potential life threatening entity is in the castle" states Amelia.
/*December 31st, 1991*/
Guests start to arrive around noon, and soon Remus shouts, "Take your Quidditch gear and just go outside! I don't want you all to continue playing inside!"
Trooping outside, the eager Quidditch players congregate with Sirius standing in front of the players.
"Let's decide on some team captains to pick and choose the teams. Who wants to be a captain?" announces Sirius.
Seeing no one step forward or announce that they'd like to be captain, Harry steps forward and announces, "I'll be a captain if no one else wants to be one."
Emboldened by Harry's action, Ginny steps forward and announces, "I'll be team captain too."
"Now Ginny, you pick first" states Sirius.
"I'll take George" says Ginny.
A look of deep concentration and calculation crosses Harry's face before he calls out, "I'll have Fred on my team."
Smiling as if a secret plan was about to be revealed, Ginny says, "Sirius, as keeper."
She's got a good and calculating mind, that Ginny. Smart move taking someone who knows my moves, thinks Harry to himself.
"Then I'll take Neville to be my keeper" replies Harry.
Looking at Ron, the last player, Sirius suggests, "Why don't we see if Susan or Hannah wish to join us?"
"Sounds like a very promising game. I'll referee the match, if no one has any complaints" calls out Remus, entering the grounds.
Susan and Hannah enter the grounds right after Remus, planning to watch the game, when Sirius calls out, "Oi, Susan, Hannah, either one of you two interested in being a chaser in the game?"
Susan calls back, "Who's team would I be on?"
"Probably Harry's, as it is Ginny's pick for her team" replies Sirius.
"Then I'll join on Harry's team" states Susan, skipping over to Harry's side, fluttering her eyelashes at Harry.
"So, this is how the game will go; Sirius and Neville as keepers, one beater per team with only one bludger in play, no seekers, and the rest are chasers. Seeing as there isn't a seeker to end the game, we will play for two twenty minute sessions, with roughly a fifteen minute break between halves. Everyone agree?" calls out Remus.
Everyone nods their agreement, and Remus blows a whistle, starting the game.
"Susan, you're doing well, but stay tighter on your broom" half shouts, half encourages Harry.
Twenty minutes later the score stands at Ginny's team – 190, Harry's team – 130.
/*locker room with Harry's team*/
"Alright team, we've done well this game. Let's keep it up and give it one hundred and twenty five percent" encourages Harry.
/*in the locker room with Ginny's team*/
"We're doing great. We're winning, but we need to keep up our scoring, and win!" exclaims Ginny.
/*beginning the second half*/
Hearing the whistle, the two teams get on their brooms and get back into the air. Seeing Sirius in front of the center hoop, Harry takes possession of the quaffle, corkscrews, then feints right, left, then throws through the right, scoring a goal. Just as Susan is about to throw the quaffle, Remus blows his whistle, ending the game.
"And Ginny's team wins, 300 to Harry's 290" announces Remus to the few spectators with applause.
After the players shower, everyone goes back into the house to enjoy food and mingle at their leisure. As the time nears closer and closer to midnight, the party goers replace their drinks with champagne, ready to toast each other in the new year. 10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1..New Years, with those with significant others kissing each other before taking a sip of their champagne.
Author note: Once again, thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, etc, I do appreciate it. And thank you all for waiting during the time it has taken for me to finish this chapter. I wanted to have a fairly simple name for the music player, when it finally hit me on what to call it. Hopefully no one was too attached to the old name.