Hey everybody! Sorry it's been a few months since I've updated! I've been really busy. I wanted to get this up before Christmas, but it's definitely NOT my best writing ever. Still, hope you like it!

Chapter 7: Not Too Late

November soon turned into December, and the weather showed it. The sky turned white with the clouds' constant covering. The students were not able to enjoy the outdoors for long without the cold, harsh wind blowing in their faces and forcing them inside. A few times in December, the students would wake up to find a few inches of thick, soft snow. They would enjoy a few snowball fights before class or the wind sent them back in. The weather didn't keep the students from attending the Quidditch matches. Susanna would get into the games, wishing she could be on the broom flying through the air. Hermione was always on alert and watched for Snape during the matches, even though it was harder with the winter weather.

The weather did not stop the professors from piling the homework on the students, even though the term's end was coming closer. Susanna and Hermione would sometimes spend their meals and free times finishing the work. Susanna would stay up late just to finish the work and occasionally falling asleep in the common room. Her opinions of the classes had not really changed since the beginning of the year, and she was doing well in them though they were a challenge.

Susanna was currently sitting in the Gryffindor common room, late at night on Christmas Eve. She was curled up in the chair next to the fireplace, enjoying the quiet atmosphere of the empty room. Trying to keep from falling asleep, Susanna opened her journal and continued writing.

Dear Journal,

I know I should be asleep since it's 11:30 pm, but I just wanted to enjoy the quiet common room. I am the only girl left in the dormitory since everyone else went home, even Hermione. Mrs. Forester didn't say if I was allowed to come home or not, so I just assumed I'm not. So, I get to spend Christmas here by myself. Hermione told me stories of how legendary Hogwarts' Christmases were. I'm so excited! Hagrid's already put up amazing decorations, I can't wait to see the rest! This will probably be just like any birthday and Christmas though, but without any presents. Mrs. Forester only gave me a small amount of money to go get myself something before I left but I can't get anything with muggle money. But she won't send me anything since I'm not at Angel Care. She didn't when my birthday was a few weeks ago. It does actually make some sense since she doesn't know where I'm going to school, or that I'm a witch. Oh well, at least I don't have to deal with her over Christmas! I wish Hermione was here; at least I would have someone to talk to. Well, I'm really tired, so I'm going to sleep.

Susanna Gates

The twelve-year-old girl shut her journal tight and rubbed her eyes, trying to keep awake enough to go up the staircase. Her ligaments felt like jelly as she dragged herself to the dormitory. Staring at the empty room, Susanna felt a pang of loneliness. She pushed it away, turned the heat up a little bit, and crawled into the bed. Once she turned the light off, the Gryffindor girl fell into a deep, calm sleep.

(The next morning)

"Do you think we should go wake her up?" Susanna heard a male voice asked near the dormitory door. She sighed before slowly opening her eyes. Sitting up in the bed, Susanna stretched her arms out before realizing what day it was.

"I don't know, Susanna will probably come down eventually. The presents will still be there," another voice said. She realized it was Ron and Harry who were talking. Her ears perked up when she figured out the last part of Ron's statement. I have presents? Susanna questioned in her mind. Still half asleep, Susanna grudgingly got of her bed, placed an old Manchester United sweatshirt on top of her shirt, and walked down the stairs. Harry and Ron were sitting on top of the sofa, still in their pajamas. Presents were unwrapped underneath the medium sized Christmas tree, and some were still perfectly neat and unopened. Outside the window, gentle snow was falling on the ground, adding to the Christmas image.

"Happy Christmas!" Susanna spoke, alerting the two boys to her presence. The two sharply turned toward her, not expecting her to be down so soon.

"Happy Christmas," the two boys returned her greeting. Susanna noticed Harry was slipping something behind his back, as if he was trying to keep it a secret.

"Susanna, there are presents for you under the tree," Harry informed after he quit fidgeting with the bag. Susanna's mind went whirling, wondering who in the Wizarding world would send her presents. She quickly walked over to the tree, seeing a box in silver wrapping tied with a black ribbon. Bending down to the floor, Susanna saw a note next tucked in underneath the ribbon. Looking at the note, her eyes widened when she recognized the handwriting.

Dear Susanna,

Hello! You're probably wondering how this present got to Hogwarts. And how I know you're at Hogwarts when you never mentioned the name of the school you are going to. I will answer your questions when you come back after the end of the term. I enjoyed Hogwarts when I was a student there, and I imagine your liking it too. Since you're not at Angel Care, I felt you deserved a present for Christmas. And since I missed your birthday, there's a little something extra for it, too. I hope it's not too late. I do miss your visits! Happy Christmas and have a wonderful year at Hogwarts!

With Love,

Mrs. Dewberry

Confusion filled Susanna's mind, along with tons and tons of questions. Since she had no way contacting Mrs. Dewberry, her questions and hopefully answers would have to wait until June. She placed the note next to her and the present in her lap. She stared at the present, unsure of where to start. Susanna drove her nail across the wrapper, letting out a ripping noise. Within a few seconds, the wrapping paper was off and revealed a 1985 'Peaches and Cream' Barbie doll. Her jaw dropped at the sight, surprised Mrs. Dewberry remembered the thing she wanted when she was six-years-old. The doll still looked like it was in perfect condition though it had been years since she first saw it.

Fighting back tears, Susanna placed the doll on the carpet when she saw another small box wrapped in gold paper at the bottom of the box. She quickly tore the paper off, and again her jaw dropped. Inside the small white box was a single strand, silver butterfly necklace. It was so simple, but elegant at the same time. Only if I had a way to talk to her, Susanna complained to herself as she slowly hooked the necklace around her neck.

"Best Christmas yet!" Susanna quietly shouted to herself, still keeping the smile on her face.

(Later That Day)

Susanna walked with a bounce in her step to the Great Hall for Christmas Lunch. She had spent the morning reading her fairytale book again, wrapped up in her bed next to the heater. When the clock neared lunchtime, Susanna quickly changed into a blue sweater, jeans, and neatly brushed her hair into waves, wanting to not look like a slob. The corridor was unusually empty and quiet, and Susanna couldn't help but laugh when her stomach echoed through the hall. The enticing smell of lunch urged the girl faster into the hall, shocked at the change.

The Great Hall was covered in Christmas decorations ranging from wreaths to holly to bells to Santas to snowflakes. The gigantic, completely covered with tinsel and ornaments tree was standing on the platform where the teachers usually sat. What surprised her most was the four house tables were gone and replaced with a single table in the center of the room. Everyone left in the castle sat at the table with no visible separation of the houses, except that the students weren't really intermingling with the other houses. As like most meals, the table was already covered with delicious Christmas food on silver and gold plates. Susanna stood close to the table, unsure of where to sit.

"There's a seat next to me if you want to sit somewhere," a voice close to her spoke. Susanna quickly turned around to see a girl about a year older than her with dark brown hair with small, fuchsia pink streaks in the front, round hazel green eyes, and just a little taller than her sitting nearby. She wasn't wearing her school robes, so she couldn't tell which house she belonged to. The girl didn't seem like someone who would be playing a prank on her like Pansy Parkinson.

"Sure," Susanna responded before sat down in front of the girl. "Thanks. I didn't know where I was going to sit."

"It's fine, it's nice to have someone to talk to when everyone else went home," the girl said before eating again. Once she took a drink, the girl looked at Susanna with a curious look. "So, what's your name?"

"Susanna Gates," she answered, moving her food around her plate with her fork. "And yours?"

"Margie de Ghent," the girl told, moving a pink streak out of her face. "Aren't you in Gryffindor? And a first year? I think I remember you from the Sorting Ceremony."

"Yes," Susanna replied, "to both your questions. What house are you in?"

"Ravenclaw," Margie said, taking a bite of the fruit, "second year. How do you like it so far?" Susanna was glad someone was talking to her, instead of sitting by herself.

"I hope I don't sound too dorky, but I love it here. It's so much better than my home. The classes are fantastic, minus a few, and I love being a witch. I didn't know I was one until a few months ago," Susanna exclaimed, excitement in her voice.

Margie noticed her new friend's face light up when she began talking about Hogwarts. "So, you're a muggleborn?" Margie asked, hoping she didn't high and mighty like some Slytherins she knew. The Ravenclaw noticed Susanna's face fell at her question.

"I don't really know," Susanna softly spoke, trying not to seem upset. "I live at an orphanage, and I don't know who my parents are. They could be magic, I don't know."

Margie couldn't help but feel guilt for asking, rubbing the back of her neck. "Sorry, shouldn't have asked?"

"Oh, no, no, no, it's fine. I'm not mad at you. It's okay to ask me," Susanna corrected, hoping she hadn't already jeopardized her new friendship. "So, do you like Potions?"

"No way!" Margie responded, a smile now on her face. "Professor Snape is awful!" Susanna laughed as the two girls continued talking about anything under the sun.

For the rest of the Christmas holiday, Susanna and Margie spent the time together when they could, glad they made a new friend.

Glad you made it down here! Definitely not my best writing ever, but I'm in a hurry to uploaded other things since I haven't in a while. Click on the review button and tell me what you thought, just no flames. See you next time on whatever I upload! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!