A/N: Okay so I feel really bad that I haven't updated in so long on this! I've written and published other stuff but I feel like I've neglected this story. I've had the worst case of writer's block on it and it took almost a month to even write this chapter (which I feel bad is so short). I need some help. I want more to add to their Christmas break and stuff but I can't think of anything! Please help! If you have any ideas, please review in this chapter or PM me. I can't promise I'll use all of the ideas that come my way (if any) but just having something to work with would be a great help! Thank you so much! :)
Disclaimer: Nothing is mine. No matter how much I wish it were.
Again, sorry it's so short but I hope you enjoy!
November passed and December arrived, bringing with it chilly, snow dusted mornings. Hank was thankful for his fur as he trudged down the hill to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. He absently tapped a branch, letting the snow it held cascade down to the ground. A passive poet at heart, Hank loved the serenity that snow brought. The peaceful morning was ruined however, when the students arrived, grumbling about the cold. Hank sighed and sat back on his haunches as the third years gathered around him. Their grumbles quieted and Hank smiled round at them, "Well. Pretty cold huh?" Grumbled replies. Hank smiled again, "Come now this lesson won't be so bad. It'll be fun." One of the Slytherins scoffed, "What could possibly be fun about standing in the cold for half an hour?" Hank smiled again, "'Pleasure and action make the hours seem short.'" Bill Weasley raised his hand, "Is that another Shakespeare quote?" Hank nodded, "Yes Bill." He looked around at the shivering students before him and nodded towards the castle, "Today, class will be inside." A cheer rose from the freezing students as they trudged back towards the castle.
Hank stood in front of a roaring fire in a spare classroom, watching the students unbundle and join him. "So. Shakespeare." A Gryffindor girl raised her hand, "I've heard of him. But who was he really? Didn't he write Romeo and Juliet?" Hank nodded, "Yes he did. He also wrote Hamlet and Macbeth. But they weren't all entirely his own stories. Shakespeare took old classics and made them his own, new stories. Yes?" He pointed to the girl who had previously held up her hand and was now doing it again. "Didn't he write Midsummer Night's Dream?" Hank nodded, "A wonderful story." He glanced around at the ring of face's that didn't look even remotely bored, surprisingly. "Would you like to hear an excerpt?" He wasn't really expecting them to want to hear it but they all nodded their heads, even the Slytherins. Hank smiled and began to quote the classic, enjoying the attention he'd never gotten at Bayville High.
Logan leaned back a little more, risking tipping the back of his chair onto the two back legs and adjusting his feet on his desk. His arms were clasped securely behind his head. Kitty raised her hand, "So are we, like, going to do anything before the break?" Logan cocked an eyebrow, "The break that's tomorrow?" She nodded. Logan looked up at the ceiling, "I'm thinking we have a real-life exercise. It'll be just like training." Everyone familiar with Logan's training sessions groaned and he smirked, putting his feet down and getting up. "Come on."
He led them to the big oak doors leading to the courtyard and pushed them open. The bright snow was almost blinding and several whispers rippled through the children but Logan quelled them with a look. He gestured to the unblemished landscape behind him, "I expect a good pile." he pointed to his feet and then crossed his arms and looked at the kids. Confused faces met him, but Kitty, Kurt, and Jean were beaming. She pulled the blue-elf to the front and translated for the rest of the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws, "We have to make snowballs!" Instantaneously the children scattered and began packing snow in their un-gloved hands, ignoring the cold. Logan had them stop when the pile was about as big as Hagrid's dog Fang, and then used his wand to levitate them behind them as they walked. (He was beside himself because the spell had worked.)
Mystique heard the same quiet knock and the same hiss of her name, sighing and finally deciding to acknowledge it, slipping into the hall. She was met with Logan. "Don't you have a class?" He nodded toward the end of the hall, "I told them to wait. Want to help with something?" She crossed her arms, "It depends on whether my health and sanity are in danger." He thought for a moment, "I think you'll be fine." She followed him to the end of the hall, jaw dropping at the floating snowballs above the children's heads. Logan smirked, "Are you going to help?" She nodded and rubbed her palms together, "Oh yes."
They crept through the corridors and to the topmost stairwell, staring down at the many, many staircases below. Right on time, classes ended and they filled with students and teachers alike, all on their way to lunch. Logan turned to his students, "We're under attack and you have your ammo. You know what to do." Kitty saluted and grabbed a floating snowball, hurling it down as a warning shot. Several heads looked up and all-hell broke loose. The kids hurled snowballs down to their victims below and Logan managed to sock Filch in the eye with one. Mystique landed one on Storm's head and then Hank's, pumping her fist triumphantly. Logan took aim and lobbed it at a certain greasy-haired potion's master, barking out a laugh when it hit it's target. Oh they were in so much trouble, but it was totally worth it.
"...Have never in my life been assaulted like that….. thought it was clear that horseplay was not allowed…. suspension… maybe expulsion…." Logan had a hard time listening and keeping a straight face as Filch stammered on and on, his ugly cat snaking around his legs. Logan growled at it and Mrs. Norris hissed, arching her back. He smirked. Dumbledore listened with polite indifference, finally holding up a hand to stop the caretaker's lecture, "I am sorry Mr. Filch, for the attack to your head. If it is really a terrible ailment you may see Madam Pomfrey and perhaps she can assist you. As for the clean up it is really not that big a concern. It is after all, only water." Filch stammered and stuttered but then left, cursing and muttering under his breath. Mystique almost lost it as the door closed but managed to clap her hands over her mouth. Dumbledore chuckled, "Laughter is not a sin, Ms. Darkholme." He turned to Logan, eyes sparkling, "I gathered from your students that that was a demonstration on how to defend oneself using the elements?"
Logan's thoughts flashed to a certain red-headed telepath, the only one who would have been able to come up with such a convincing excuse. A "thank-you" flashed in his mind and it was responded with her own, "you're welcome." He smirked and nodded to Dumbledore who chuckled again, "Well I believe it was successful. Thank goodness the Christmas break is tomorrow hmm? Do you plan on staying?" Logan shrugged, "I don't know. That's Chuck's call." Dumbledore's eyes grew stern but then softened, "Your decisions are your own, Logan." Logan nodded, "I'm staying." "Me too," Mystique added and the old headmaster smiled again, "I am glad to hear it." He nodded to the door and both mutants turned to leave, "I am rather glad you are getting along." Logan scowled as well as Mystique and both tried to exit at once. Mystique managed to shove past him but her smug smile was replaced with sticking her tongue out when he lightly shoved her down the stairs.
Kitty hugged Tonks goodbye as she boarded the train. She waved even after it was gone and then turned and walked back over to Hagrid who was going to take her back. "Kitty right? I'm Hagrid. But you know tha'. So you can walk through stuff." She nodded as they walked, a spring in her step, "Yup. It's like, really cool sometimes. Like getting away from Filch." Hagrid chuckled, "Somethin' wrong with tha' man. Shouldn' work at a place filled with children if ya can' stand children. So you and the others stayin' fer Christmas?" She nodded, "I'm so excited! My first Christmas in a magic castle!" Hagrid ruffled her hair with his large hand, "Well yer in fer a treat. Dumbledore always makes Christmas at Hogwarts extra special."
Along with the X-Men, Wanda, Pietro, and Mystique stayed for Christmas. With no classes, the children spent most of their time outside playing in the snow while the adults decorated for the season. The large tree that went up in the hall was almost twenty-feet tall and as Professor Flitwick hung ornaments with his wand, Logan was really glad it was in the castle and not outside anymore. He'd gone with Hagrid and Hank to find the perfect Christmas tree and they had traveled deep into the Forbidden Forest to find the perfect tree. Logan was happy with any old tree but unfortunately they'd been accompanied by Rogue, who really wanted the perfect tree. Kurt popping in to join them not ten minutes later didn't help either.
"Hagrid how far are we going?" Rogue asked. The large man smiled, eyes crinkling in the corners, "I saw it when I came in here before. Perfect tree. Jus' a little farther." He'd said that every time she'd asked in the last five minutes, which had been about twenty times. A rustling sounded near them and even with the blanket of snow and the leafless trees it was impossible to tell what had made the noise. Hagrid motioned them toward him with his hand, "Keep close now." A figure appeared before them and Kurt popped backward in surprise, almost landing on Logan again. Hagrid stepped forward, "Hullo Bane. Jus' goin' ter get a tree. Fer the holidays. We'll leave soon." The figure stepped into the light, narrowing his eyes and stomping his hooves. His tail flicked irritably and his hand clutched the bow at his side. A centaur. Bane frowned, "Very well Hagrid. There are foals with you. You may go, this time. I will not be so generous next time." Hagrid nodded as the centaur turned and picked his way silently through the trees, "Thank ya' Bane. Stupid show pony. Centaurs are crazy. Mostly talk in riddles. Not interested in us er anythin' tha's not in the sky. Think they can read the stars," he muttered. Logan bit back a laugh and Hank nodded, fascinated. Kurt regained his balance and stuck close to Hagrid's grand form, nearly knocking into him when he abruptly stopped, "There it is! Told yer it was perfect!"
It was the perfect tree and Hagrid felled it, carrying it a majority of the way while Hank and Logan held the back branches off the snow. The large man dropped it suddenly, nodding forwards, "Seems we've taken a wrong turn." Twigs snapping and the crunch of snow sounded. Hagrid squared his broad shoulders and turned to them, waving his hands at them, "Best you go back ter the castle." Kurt didn't need telling twice, grabbing Rogue's robe and teleporting away.
Hank and Logan stayed with Hagrid as the larger man crept forward. He pushed a large, snow-laden branch out of the way and frowned behind his beard. The forest was silent but then it was broken by the soft thud of footsteps. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight… All in perfect order, one after the other, as if what was walking towards them had eight legs. A large, bulky object came up in front of hagrid who stumbled back. He let out a breath and chuckled, "Aragog you silly thing. Scared me half ter death." The thing bowed as though ashamed, "I'm sorry Hagrid." It's voice was deep and then it made an odd clicking noise, "You have humans with you." Hagrid grew stern, "They're not fer eaten. They're friends. I'll bring ya some food soon." He turned to Logan and Hank, "This is Aragog. Aragog, this here's Logan an' Hank." The thing came forward and then both Hank and Logan could see what it was.
Eight long, hairy legs unfurled and held the body of Aragog up. He was bigger than a car and stared at them through many, many eyes. Some of them looked foggy, as though he had trouble seeing out of them. He made an odd clicking noise that they saw came from large pincers. Aragog bent his legs slightly as though bowing to them, "You will not be harmed." Hank opened and closed his mouth several times. Logan remained frozen. Hagrid stepped forward and pat Aragog on his massive head, "What're you doin' out here? Knew we was close but thought there was a bit o' distance still." Aragog gave a small nod, "Mosag desired something to eat. None of my children have found anything therefore I went myself." Hagrid nodded and turned to his companions, "Mosag is Aragog's wife. Found her meself. They got loads a children. But they won't harm yeh. Long as yer withe me." He pat Aragog on the head again, "Must be going. Gotta get this tree up ter the castle." Aragog stepped forward and lifted the tree in two of his massive arms, setting it on his back, "Allow me Hagrid." Hagrid smiled, "Can' thank you enough." Aragog nodded, "Anything for a friend."
They began trekking back to through the woods and Hagrid told them all about how he'd gotten Aragog when he was an egg, from a traveller. "Seemed real keen to be rid o' him. Can' imagine why. No better friend than a acromantula. Loyal as a dog. 'Specially Aragog here." they reached the edge of the forest and Aragog set the tree down. "I dare not go farther than this. Farewell Hagrid, friends of Hagrid. Be warned should you come in these woods alone, I cannot deny my family fresh meat." He turned and disappeared through the snowy trees. Hagrid snorted, "Bluffin'." He picked up the tree and began trudging up to the castle. Hank looked to Logan, finally finding his voice, "Sp-spider. Giant. Spider." Logan nodded and began to follow Hagrid, "Mmhmm. We don't mention this to anyone." Hank came to walk next to him, "Couldn't agree more."
Logan shuddered slightly at the memory and watched Professor Flitwick continue with the ornaments. Well mostly he was enjoying watching him trying to teach Storm and Mystique to use their wands to help. He snorted when Mystique tripped into the tree, knocking Storm down as she did. It shouldn't have been funny but it really was.
Logan almost had a heart attack when Hagrid told them twelve trees were put in the Great Hall but then relaxed when he saw they were already there(they'd been up since before the break) and he just hadn't noticed. Christmas day came relatively fast and on that morning, it felt like they were still in the X-Mansion. It started out the same anyway. The kids woke up the adults (with the help of Kitty and Kurt to get passed the locked doors for the specific reason of maybe sleeping in), and then they opened presents faster than humanly(or mutantly) possible(before the adults had even made coffee, let alone drink it) from parents and friends and family and each always got a present courtesy of the elder X-Men. Kitty always attacked Logan with a hug and he'd once told Hank they could get her socks and she'd still act like it was tickets to Disney. Of course there was usually even less kids because they went to their own families for the holidays but it was still the same. Then the kids bundled up as quick as they could and went outside to play in the snow. And normally they'd talk Hank and sometimes Logan into having a snowball fight.
But this year was different because Wanda, Pietro, and Mystique were there, and both children were welcomed with open arms into the festivities while Mystique sulked. She was never any fun this way which was why Logan was not too happy to be the one to give her her present. Especially when she scoffed at it, "I don't want your pity present." Logan thrust it at her, "I didn't get you this. I don't even know what it is. So open it or burn it for all I care. Storm insisted." He didn't understand why women always got so mushy around the holidays. It was just like any other day. Sort of. He left her presence and returned to watching the kids open their presents just as Kitty opened the socks the adults had gotten her. Logan's idea. And he was given an enthusiastic hug just as he'd predicted. Hank pulled him aside, "You're not allowed to pick the presents anymore." Logan smirked, "Bingo."
The children played in the snow until at least five o'clock that night and came in cold, wet, and tired. But Professor X had been told by Dumbledore that they had to meet in the Great Hall so there would be no resting yet. The Great Hall was just as impressive as it was before but the four house tables and staff table had been replaced by one long table with many chairs around it. The X-Men, Maximoff children, and Mystique sank into chairs and were soon joined by Dumbledore, McGonagall, Flitwick, Snape, and some of the other teachers. Dumbledore folded his napkin across his lap, "I thought with so few people the large tables would be pointless." He nodded to the large crackers on their plates. "Go ahead. These are always my favorite." Everyone opened theirs with a crack like a gunshot. Confetti shot from all corners of the table and the children excitedly reached in to pull out the paper hat and small trinket inside. Instead, they found wizard hats, bonnets, and top hats as well as chess sets, non-explodable balloons and… "Mice!" Storm practically jumped out of her chair but she settled for putting a hand over her heart and gasping as several white mice scurried across the table, onto the floor, and out the door. Dumbledore smiled, waved his hands and the covers on the dishes vanished, "Enjoy."
The feasts at Hogwarts, even though every night, never grew old and the holiday feasts were always so much more elaborate. The Christmas feast had turkey, potatoes, sandwiches, crumpets, trifle, and Christmas cake. Almost halfway through, they were joined by the weirdest person the newcomers had ever met, and that was saying something. She had large, thick glasses that made her eyes enormous, a shawl draped around her long dress, as many bracelets as her wrist allowed, and frizzy hair. She spoke in a soft, slow voice, "Sorry I am late. The Sight told me I should be down here, with you." Dumbledore conjured up a chair and the woman sat down next to Snape, who looked none too pleased that she was there. "Oh yes, you must be the new students and teachers. Pleasure, pleasure. My name is Professor Trelawney I am the Divination teacher. I hope you children will come to my class when possible?" Kitty began to nod but Logan lightly kicked her foot. She turned it into a shrug. Trelawney seemed not to have noticed. She looked to Professor X, "You have a rather dim aura. Something terrible is going to happen to you in the near future. Perhaps you should allow me to read your future in tea leaves." He looked entertained and opened his mouth to speak but McGonagall beat him to it, "Oh please nothing will happen to him. He's at Hogwarts and there's no place safer. Did you come to eat with us or play fortune teller?" Trelawney stiffened and her voice lost it's whimsical edge for the rest of the meal.
As they returned to their rooms with full stomachs, Kitty came up beside Logan, "Why'd you stop me from saying I'd take Divination?" He shrugged, "Cause whatever it was sounded weird and that woman weirded me out." McGonagall came up behind him, "Divination is seeing into the future. Predicting it. Sybill Trelawney believes she possesses the Sight but I've never met anyone less 'possessed' by it. It's the most impractical field of magic. Trust me; you do not want to take a class with that woman." Logan nodded to Kitty, "Exactly my point."
A/N: Okay so p.s. I've been told my paragraphs are sometimes really long and it's hard to follow and I'm trying to work on that. I hope this was better than previous. What'd you guys think of Aragog? I just felt he needed to make an appearance since they were in the Forbidden Forest. Again, sorry for the shortness. But I hope you enjoyed! And don't forget the ideas! Pretty please with a chocolate frog on top!