For once I am on time. Now that Halloween has past it's time for some Christmas joy. Christmas at the Weasley's will indeed be one good time. Christmas will most likely be three or four chapters, similar to Halloween. I have so many ideas that they all can't fit in one chapter. I hope you like this chapter along with the rest. -Aislynn
The next month passed slowly for Albus but he liked it that way. As the weather grew colder more and more students began to crowd the Common Room. Albus found himself spending more time in the library. Along with Scorpius, and occasionally David, they would meet up with Rose and Willow and do their homework together.
Willow and Albus could still read each other's minds. Albus talked to her during class and she talked to him during her chores. No one ever thought twice as they both had blank looks on their faces. Albus liked it this way. He liked having someone to talk to about certain things.
The spirits hadn't been seen since Halloween. Albus always watched the forest to make sure he didn't catch a sight of any of them. Things had calmed down since Halloween. His father wrote often, usually making sure nothing else had happened. Rose and Scorpius still challenged each other in class, it always ended in a tie. James and his friends often played pranks, while that Edwards girl scolded them for it. Things were back to normal.
That is what worried Albus. In a place where normal wasn't known, things were never normal. Albus was always looking behind his back and looking for something strange to happen. Nothing ever did. Albus didn't think too much of it and often brushed it aside.
It was the day before Christmas Break. Albus and his friends were all in the library trying to get as much work done before break. Willow was being tutored by Rose. "Pictures don't move in the Muggle World?" Willow said in shock.
Rose shook her head. "No they don't. I've seen many pictures of mother before she came to Hogwarts. They don't even blink." Rose said astonished.
"Fascinating." Willow said with a look of curiosity on her face.
"You sound just like our Grandfather." Albus said. "He loves everything about Muggles."
"Muggles do have some strange customs." Rose said as she closed the dusty book. "Well that's enough for today." Rose put the book back on the shelf where she had found it. Scorpius had fallen asleep as he was writing his History of Magic paper. When Rose came back she gave him a look. "To think that he and I are of the same intelligence. All he does is sleep all day." Rose scoffed.
She picked up one of her heavy books and dropped it on the table. Scorpius shot up and looked around. "I'm up! I'm up!" When he saw Rose glaring at him, he rolled his eyes. He stretched and yawned. "I swear giving homework over Christmas Break should be illegal." Scorpius said.
"You and me both." Albus yawned and rolled up his scroll and stuffed it in his bag.
"So what are you three doing over break?" Scorpius asked.
"Mother said she would take me to an underground library just for Wizards." Rose said with pride. "I've heard there are books there that are thousands of years old."
"Only you would go to a library over break." Albus joked. Rose stuck her tongue out at him and put more books away.
"Dad and Uncle Ron are going to take James, Hugo, and I to a Quidditch game." Albus said.
"Father said something similar to that. Maybe we'll see each other there." Scorpius said.
"That'll be a sight to behold." Albus joked. He turned to Willow how had been silent. "What about you Willow?"
"I'll be staying here over Christmas Break." Willow said with a small smile. "I do every year."
Albus frowned. "You won't be going to the Christmas Party at Grandma and Grandpa Weasley's house?" Ever since all the children had been married Albus' grandparents threw a huge Christmas party for them all to come to. If you didn't come Grandma would not speak to you for a month.
Willow shook her head. "No. Daddy doesn't want to be a bother." She looked down at her hands in her lap.
"But Hagrid is never a bother. I'll tell Grandma Weasley. She'll insist you and Hagrid join us."
"Oh Albus you don't have to-"
Albus raised a hand. "I insist. Oh and Scorpius," Albus reached into his bag and pulled out a small note. "Here is my address. If you wish to write me this is where I'll be."
Scorpius nodded his head and stuffed the note in his pocket. "I'll be sure to remember that when I pack tonight."
Rose returned and picked up her bag. 'We should be heading back to our common rooms. Curfew is soon." They all stood up and left the library. They made it to the Grand staircase. Willow said goodbye and headed outside toward Hagrid's hut.
The next day, after breakfast, the students climbed onto the carriages and headed toward Hogsmeade Station. David, Rose, Scorpius, and Albus all sat in one carriage and talked about their plans for break. Albus hid Alfred in his robes as they left the castle. When they made it to Hogsmeade Station, Albus saw Hagrid saying farewell to the students. Willow stood next to him and waved to the few people who said goodbye to her.
Rose ran up and gave Willow a huge hug. "Oh Willow, I'll miss you." Willow laughed and hugged Rose back. "I'll miss you too, Rose." Rose pulled back and held her hands. "Be sure to write to me whenever you can." Willow nodded.
"Are you sure you can't go with us Willow?" Albus said with a frown.
Willow nodded. "I still have chores and studies to do here."
"Well," Hagrid said as he listened in on the children. "you can go on the train ride with them."
Willow looked up at him in confusion. "What?"
Hagrid smiled and patted her head. "I have some business in London and I was going to leave tonight. You can ride with them on the train and I'll meet you at King's Cross Station when the train arrives."
Willow smiled even wider. "Oh thank you Daddy!" Willow yelled. Rose yelled in excitement as well. Albus and Scorpius smiled as they headed onto the train. "Let's get an open carriage before they are all taken." David hung back and talked with the girls as Albus and Scorpius looked for an open carriage.
They found one toward the back of the carriage and hopped in. Albus and Scorpius took the window seats as the others filed into the car. Albus let Alfred out. Alfred climbed onto the top shelf and fell asleep. The train took off right on time and they watched as it began to snow outside.
"Oh Willow this is just perfect." Rose said amiably to Willow. "Have you ever been on the train before?"
"Daddy says I once snuck on as a baby and rode with the prefects but I don't remember."
"Well did you know that this train was built in…"Rose began to ramble on facts as Willow and David listened to her intently. Albus pulled out a wizard chess board and laid it on the windowsill. The whole ride to King's Cross station consisted of Albus and Scorpius playing five games of wizard's chess and Rose stated random facts about the train. Willow pipped in a few times when asked a question and David was too busy reading a book on Qudditch. Alfred slept the whole train ride.
When they neared the station Albus saw Scorpius sink slowly in his seat. Albus put the game away and stared at Scorpius. "Your father doesn't know we are friends does her?" Albus asked.
"Of course not. If he knew, he'd pull me out of Hogwarts faster that you can say Hogsmeade. Besides its none of his business who I'm friends with." But as Scorpius said this he sunk even lower in his seat. Albus sighed.
"We'll leave first. Give us a minute then you can leave then." Scorpius gave him a nod. "Thanks."
"No problem. If my father didn't already know I'd be doing the same as you right now." The train came slowly to a hault. Albus grabbed Alfred gently and placed him on his shoulders. They all said goodbye to Scopius and headed left the train. David saw his parents and quickly waved goodbye and headed toward them. Rose, Albus, and Willow stood off to the side and kept an eyes out for theirs.
"Albus!" Albus looked up and saw his family heading toward him. Everyone was there; Uncle Ron, Aunt Hermione, Mum, Dad, Lily, Hugo, and James. His mother hugged him tightly and kissed him on the cheek. "You must have grown a foot since I last saw you/" She ruffled Albus' hair.
"Only an inch Mum." Albus said with a smile.
Rose's parents were giving her hugs and kisses. Willow stood behind them and watched with a happy gleam in her eyes. Ginny noticed Willow standing there and smiled warmly. "Why Willow is that you?" Ginny went up and hugged the girl. "I haven't seen you since you were a little baby." Ginny looked at her. "You've shrunk since I last saw you." She gave out a laugh that made Willow laugh along. Willow looked around for Hagrid.
"Have you seen my father?" Willow asked politely.
"Didn't you hear?" Ginny said. "You'll be staying with us over Christmas Break." Willow's eyes widened in delight.
"Really?" She jumped up in excitement.
Harry nodded his head. "Hagrid said you need to spend some time outside of Hogwarts. You'll be sharing a room with Lily over Christmas Break. Hagrid be going to the Weasley's Christmas Party as well."
Rose hugged Willow tightly. "This is wonderful. I promise I'll visit you as often as I can."
"Well kids let's get going." Aunt Hermione said. "We'll be having dinner at Grandpa and Grandma's house tonight."
The adults walked ahead as the three children followed them. "Welcome to a Weasley Christmas." Albus joked as the three children followed the adults.