The Christmas holidays were drawing closer and Oliver Wood was dreading every second of it. While his three friends were going back to their loving families he was either going to be stuck in Gryffindor Tower with Percy and his twin brothers or stuck going home for one of his family's horrid reunion Yule Balls.
Oliver was ready to brace himself for the worst. He had already received a letter from his parents saying they were going on vacation. It was technically for work, but he knew better than to say anything besides 'you two deserved it!' The one consolation was that they promised something big for the summer. However two of his friends had left early and he doubt Cedric would be staying.
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Marcus had received some good news. Well to him it was good news at least. His grandfather had finally died. He had changed after his most recent stroke. Marcus may have not like the man, but he did not wish death on anyone. HE liked his grandmother for she was always nice to him.
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Dear Marcus,
I am sorry we have not been on the best of terms the last few years. I wish I could have done more, but was afraid to stick up for you against your grandfather. I know that you probably will not forgive me I have some news for you. I know how much you disliked your grandfather. He passed away a few days ago. The funeral is this week. If you wish to come home early to attend it please send a reply. If not I understand and will not hold it against you. The man you met was not the man I fell in love with those many years ago.
Your Grandmother
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Marcus had left quietly. But had entrusted Oliver with gifts for Katie, Cedric, and himself. Marcus knew there was something wrong with Oliver, but failed to act on his intuition due to everything he already had on his plate.
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Katie had left a few days later. Her brother Kent was back on leave from his quidditch team. Katie loved her brother and vice versa. They got along well and always ended up having a blast together. Their father did not approve of Kent's profession and always voiced his opinion. She was going home for her brother's sake. She hated being around her father more than her brother (for he had "learned from his mistakes" and had begun trying to reform Katie after Kent made the fateful decision, but she rebelled and refused to give in to her father's demands and her mother refused to back her husband on this causing great tension within the family.
She wished Cedric and Oliver a Happy Christmas before leaving. She was going to a friendly Christmas match between England and Italy in Rome so her parents picked her up early. She was excited to see her brother but felt guilty for leaving Oliver. She did leave a note for her favorite Gryffindor:
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Dear Ollie,
I am sorry I had to leave so suddenly, but Kent just sent free tickets to the Christmas match between Italy and England in Rome for my parents and myself. I hope you enjoy yourself. I will make it up to you during another holiday. I am sorry had to abandon you but I might not have another chance to see Kent for a while. You can open your first gift now. It's from Kent.
(opens first box)
Kent knows how much you love Puddlemere so he got one of his friends on the National Team, the keeper and your hero, to have him and the rest of Puddlemere to sign one of his actual jerseys for you. I know it's not the same as having me there, Kent and I apologize.
Love,
Katie
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As hard as Oliver tried, he couldn't be mad at Katie. Her brother Kent had gone out of his way to get a signed jersey for him. And it wasn't any jersey! It was Aidan Leary's (Puddlemere and England's National's keeper) jersey from his last match. And it was signed by both teams! He wanted Katie to be happy and enjoy her time with her brother, but deep down felt jealous of her.
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Cedric on the other hand had something planned for Oliver… He had received a letter from his mother the other day and was ready to give Oliver the surprise of his life (well the first one to come hopefully!)
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Dear Cedric,
I think it would be a wonderful idea to invite Oliver over for Christmas Break. I used to be good friends with his father. We were in the same year in Hufflepuff. His mother is a good woman. She was in Slytherin, but has a really good heart. Your father isn't too keen on his mother, but got along with Oakley (Oliver's father) for he got us together. I am sure he wouldn't mind having one of your friends over.
I am personally glad you are finally bringing a friend home. At least you can't complain that you were bored during the Ball because you had no one to talk to. You two better behave though. No funny business! Oliver's parents mean well, but with their job it is hard to get any time off. Unspeakables do classified work and they have been there longer than your father has been with the Ministry. I however despised his grandparents.
I know it is not polite to talk rudely of other people, but the Wood's (Oliver's grandparents) make most Slytherins look like friendly little bunnies. They have done most of the Oliver's upbringing and most of the Wood family has been in Ravenclaw…that is about when I lost touch with Oakley. I guess the strain of work and his parents' opinion on his only child may have gotten to him.
I don't know if you remember it, but you two used to play together when you were younger. It will be nice to have another child…well young man to take care of. Oakley means well. You don't have to tell Oliver right away. Just inform Professor McGonagall that he is coming home with you. I think it would be better to spring it on him last minute. That way he has no way to decline!
At least your father will be happy you can get some quidditch training done even if it is with "the enemy." I still can't believe that Oliver's grandparents would refuse to let him come home. Oakley told me his going on holiday with just his wife. I feel Oliver is angry his parents aren't taking him, but he knows this is the first vacation they have taken in a while.
I probably should have not said as much as I have done. I hope when you show this to Oliver he isn't too offended. I mean well but sometimes I cannot seem to stop the gossip. I don't need to lose Oakley as a friend so once again Oliver is welcome to stay with us. I fear it is not going to be as good as if it was his own family, but it is much better than him staying with that wretched Percy Weasley. Arthur and Molly are good people as are the children, I personally enjoy those twins, but I don't fathom how Oliver can stand sharing a dorm with him, though I have been told you two have been seen together frequently lately. Is there something you wish to not share with your dear old mother?
I can't believe my Cedric has grown up so much. And you are brining home a fourth year too! My Cedric is already planning for his future by making friends in other houses and other years. I really mean no silly business Cedric Evan Diggory!
It's just going to be the three of us and Oliver this year. Most of the relatives have decided to go to France but your father and I thought you would rather have a longer holiday during the summer. Bring your appetites!
I will see you two soon! And be sure to tell Oliver he is free to come over in the future if my baby boy wants him to!
I will see you two at King's Cross. I am sure you will get on the team next year! I have heard Oliver is quite the KEEPER! Maybe he can teach you a THING or TWO! I think your father would enjoy you two practicing on the pitch. I know he expects a lot of you but he means well Ced.
So Honey, I will see you soon. And Oliver dear it will be great to see you again. It seems like just yesterday you were feeding my baby boy!
Love,
Mum
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Cedric was ready to pee in his pants when he read the letter. He was also ready to kill his mother for all of the things she was implying about Oliver and himself. Cedric was running like a mad man from his dorm to Oliver's. He had lucked out when he spotted Alicia Spinnet coming out of the dorm.
"Hey Cedric. Oliver's up in his room moping. I hope you can cheer him up!"
"Will do milady!" Cedric replied with a bow which made Alicia blush and giggle.
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Cedric knocked on the door before opening it. The room was fairly empty. The other boys were already packed and heading for the train. Percy Weasley was the only "other Gryffindor boy in their year" staying for the holiday. However he was not in the room at the time.
"Hullo Oliver!"
"Aye Ced what are you doing here?"
"Oh I have something to show you!"
"I don't think anything you could do would cheer me up" Oliver said with a frown.
Cedric had enough of Oliver moping so he proceeded to pounce on top of Oliver and shove the letter in front of Oliver's face.
'0. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2…..1….' Cedric thought to himself
"Cedric, I don't know what to say!"
"Ollie yes would be the proper thing!"
"I will get you back for this little man. Look at the time… help me pack! We don't have much time until the train leaves!"
With a quick flick of his wand all of Oliver's things were packed neatly into his trunk.
"You need to teach me that sometime Cedric."
"You will have to Teach me other things first!"
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And with that the two made their way to carriages that would bring them to the station before they embarked on the train ride back to London. Oliver's Christmas was beginning to brighten up and the Four would soon learn that innocence does not last forever…
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Sorry y'all. The original chapter 32 got lost. And then I messed up my computer so I lost the second version I did. I promise I will refer back to Halloween! I am sorry I skipped over it so quickly but I thought the holidays would be more important. I am trying my best to update. I am going to be working 5-6 days a week until I go back to school at the end of the month so I will do my best for a new chapter.
Meanwhile enjoy the revised versions of the first few chapters. I have already done the first third of the story over again and added about ten thousand words to the story! I hope you enjoyed this.
I will finish the winter holidays soon enough… tell me what you think about the death of Marcus' father, Katie's brother, etc…
I love peoples thoughts on my story! I wrote only about 1800 words for this chapter. I am a little disappointed but my wrist hurts now after redoing 4 chapters today!
-Keeper