The Castle was buzzing with excitement as the Christmas Holiday was quickly approaching. Time had passed so quickly since my stint in the infirmary. It was quite hard to believe how fast it has all gone by. It felt like only yesterday the school was all decked out in spooky Halloween decorations. Now the school grounds were blanketed in fluffy white snow. Inside the Castle it was decorated to the fullest. There were huge trees throughout the castle all lite up. The smell of pine was everywhere. In the Great Hall there were giant icicles hanging from the ceiling giving a winter wonderland feeling. You would think it was freezing but with all the candles and fires that were lit, there was a nice warm feeling. Well other than the dungeons, they were still cold as all get out.. Thankfully some older students had taught us a warming spell, so life down there was much more comfortable.
Life was going great for me. I felt as if I finally found my place. I didn't want to ever leave. But alas, the time was dwindling down until break would start. The thought of facing my family made me sick, but I kept my cool with trips back down to my abandoned classroom. It became some what of a haven for me. It was my place to be alone with my thoughts. Thankfully, nobody seem to question where I went too.
My friends seemed to be excited to go, unlike me. Al, couldn't wait t go to our Grandparents house for some of Grandma's get home cooking. Jordie, couldn't wait to tell her Mum and sister, everything she had learned. And Scorpius, well, he said he couldn't wait to open his presents. As for me there really was nothing I was looking forward too. I was going to miss my friends and the solitude I had here. Sure I missed my family but the idea of facing my Dad was enough to make me never want to return. My Dad had not had any form of communication with me since he stormed out of the classroom. Not that I minded I was pretty upset at his for the way he acted towards me. In fact, come to think of it, I was upset at my Mum too. She may have not said anything, but she showed that she cared more about my Dad than me, when she ran after him without a word. Two weeks later she sent me a letter giving me excuses after excuses for my Fathers. I wrote her back telling her it was okay. But it really wasn't just didn't want to fight with her. I was already at odds with him. Why make it worst?Al had tried to be supportive through all of this but he really didn't understand. His parents held no resentment of him and his house.
Our cousins had gotten somewhat used to the idea of us being in different houses. Every now and then one of them would walk over to the Slytherin table to say hi and see how we were doing. It was nice to have some family support.
The day before we were to leave home, the four of us found ourselves out in the grounds all bundled up walking in the snow enjoying the slights. Winter has always been my favorite season. I loved being cold and getting warm in jackets and blankets. I absolutely hated the heat.
"So guys, we leave for home tomorrow. I am so excited!" Jordie squealed loudly. She was seriously always loud. "But I am going to miss you lot so much."
"I'm going to miss you too." I told her throwing my arm around her. She leaned her head on my shoulder and I felt something hard and wet hit the back of my head. We turn quickly to see Scorpius and Al laughing hysterically. Both Jordie and I picked up snow, forming them into giant balls we threw them at the boys. They threw back with bigger balls more aggressive. We responded quickly and soon it was a balls to walls snow ball fight.
Jordie and I took refuge behind a snow bank tossing balls whenever we could get a chance with out hit. When the snow stopped flying we got up cautiously and looked around. Al and Scorpius were no where in sight. "Where did they get too?" Jordie asked me. I looked around carefully and shrugged I didn't see them anywhere. I looked back towards the snow bank and saw them trying to sneak up on it to get us. I grabbed Jordie and pointed to them. She smiled wickedly and we both ran to them, jumping on top of them. "WHITE WASH!" She yells before grabbing a handful of snow and smashing it on Al's face. Scorpius and I rolled over laughing as Al and Jordie started to wrestle.
After several minutes the pair decided to call it a truce and we got up and made back up to the castle. We were all soaked from head to toe from our fight and the castle offered a nice warmth as we walked in. There was a sign posted on walls in the entrance hall explaining how to perform a simple drying spell to our clothes. I preformed the spell on the four of us and we all instantly felt a world better.
"Merlin, Rose. I didn't realize how much your hair is like Aunt Hermione." Al said laughing at me.
I ran my hands over my head, my hair had indeed turned into a giant ball of fluff. Great. I pulled a hair tie from over my wrist and tied my hair into a giant bun. "Much better. Thanks Al." He smirked at me in return.
"Al fancy a game of exploding snap?" Scorpius asked.
"Oh, I am so playing winner!" Jordie squealed. The three of us laughed at her and made our way back to the common room. We walked in and the three of them rushed to tables by the couches. I decided to go in our dorm while they started the game. I changed into a pair of comfortable sweats and grabbed a fluffy blanket to curl up with in the couches. Meeps followed me out of the dorm. When we got back to the common room the game was in full swing. Jordie was yelling out the move each of them should do. I gave a chuckle and sat behind my friends on the couch. I placed the blanket over me and Meeps curled up by my feet. This was my favorite kind of way to spend the day. I pulled out my copy of History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot and began to read.
"Really, Rose. It's practically break do you really need to be doing homework right now?" Al asked.
Jordie laughed, "Does it really surprise you? Rose is always trying to do homework."
"Same, here with Scorp. But at least he takes some breaks." Al said.
I looked up at them, "I would like to my work done before we leave school if you don't mind. That way I can enjoy break without having to do any of it then. If you lot were smart you would be doing the same thing."
"But Rose, it's break. It's time to relax. You can do your homework when we get back. We will have plenty of time. Right Scorp?"
Scorpius turn a shade pink, "Well I actually finished all my History of Magic reading last night."
The competition side of me almost got the best of me, it irked me that he finished before me, but I kept my cool to prove my point. "See, Al. Even Scorpius, gets his work done before break."
"Well, Al and I will read our chapters on the train tomorrow. " Jordie said.
"Don't lie, Pink." Scorpius teased. We all broke into to a laugh.
The game resumed and by dinner time Scorpius had named himself Exploding Snap Capitan for being undefeated. I had refused to play instead I finished my reading for History of Magic. Though I did promise them I would play Chess with Scorpius when we all got back from break.
At dinner we sat in our usual spot on the Slytherin table. Professor Mullhull stood up to give a speech before dinner was served. "The first trimester of school done." He allowed time for the cheers of the students to quite down. "Progress reports have been sent to each of your families." He again allowed time for an audible grown from the student body. "Now is time, to relax, drink, eat, and be merry." He smiled at all of us and the room erupted in cheers once again. "I would like to wish you all of you leaving tomorrow a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Now let the feast begin." Magically the food appeared as it always did. I grabbed started filling my plate with pork chops and steamed vegetables. The food here was simple divine. I was really going to miss it these coming weeks.
"See, Rose. Even Mullhull said it was time to relax. If the Headmaster says we should relax then I think we should." Al said smile at me.
Scorpius laughed, "I don't think Mullhull meant for us to neglect our studies."
"Thank you." I tell Scorpius and nodded at me.
"But-" Al started out but Jordie cut him off.
"Oh, just drop it guys." She said looking at all of us. "We have two kinds of people here. The kind that do their work-" She motioned to Scorpius and myself. "And the ones that copy said work." She motioned to Al and herself. We all laughed knowing she was right.
Dinner ended far too soon and we found ourselves in our dorms packing for the morning. I had a sick feeling in my stomach but I tried my best to ignore it. Instead I sat in front of my books trying to decided which ones I needed to take. I was practically stuck on History of Magic, I had finished the assigned reading but didn't know if should bring it for review. "Jordie," I ask.
"Hmm," She replied from deep within her closet.
"Do you think I need to bring History of Magic?"
She stepped out of the closet with all her jeans in hand, "Actually, I was going to ask you about that."
I look at her confused, as she starts to fold her jeans into her trunk, "About what? History of Magic. There no way I can do the reading for you, Jordie."
She snorted and shook her head, pink hairs was going everywhere. "No, no. What I was thinking is we only take half the books we need." I look at her skeptically. "Look if er don;t have all that we need it will be great excuse to meet each other over break."
I smile at her, "That's brilliant." A nice time getting to see Jordie again brought a little light in the dark doom I was feeling for the break.
As soon we both had finished packing our trunks we went to bed, I fell asleep almost as soon as my head him my green silk pillow and fell into a dreamless sleep.
The next morning I woke earlier than usual. I took my shower trying to take as much time as possible hoping to slow down time. I washed every inch of me five times over before stepping of the shower. The girls were all still asleep when I got up so I sat in my bed with the curtains pulled around me. I always loved sitting naked. I grabbed my polish and redid my toes and hands. This time I opted for a bright red color instead of pushing my Dad even more buy wearing green. I heard some girls start to wake and decided I should be getting dressing. I pulled out my wand to put an insta-dry spell on my nails. I had chosen my clothes carefully the night before making sure there were no green in the clothes I brought home. Instead I pulled on a dark gray sweater and jeans. I pulled the curtains and grabbed my converse to put on. Once fully dressed I put my messy, frizzy hair in a bun on the top of my head and waited for Jordie to to be ready. While waiting I thought it was best to start on my Essay for Transfiguration.
"Working on Homework again, Rose?" Tanya said looking as if she just didn't understand me.
I looked up from my work, "Mmhm, I like to get my work out the way."
She stilled looked bemused by me, "I sometimes I think they should have put you in Ravenclaw."
I smiled at her. This was one of the most over used statements I had received from the student body and I was sick of it. "Well, who would carry the 1st year Slytherins GPA if I was in Ravenclaw?" I replied rather sharply.
She chuckled at me. "Guess you are right."
"I usually am." I smiled.
Then Jordie walked in, "You are usually what?" She asked.
"Right." I replied simply. Tanya but her bottom with wide eyes nodding in agreement.
Jordie shook her pink hair, "Don't give a bigger head, Tanya."
"What do you mean bigger head? My head is not big." I spoke.
Both Jordie and Tanya giggled. "Right..." They spoke together.
"Whatever." I said turning back to essay on transfiguring a quill into a needle.
"I am going to jump in the bath. See you girls on the train." Tanya told us before disappearing into the bathroom.
Jordie dressed a lot faster than I had and in no time she was ready to go down for breakfast. I put my almost finished essay into my book bag and we went out to eat. The boys were waiting in the common room as usual. Although, this time they were dressed in Muggle clothing for the train.
At breakfast I could barley eat, my nerves were getting the best of me. I only got a few drinks of pumpkin juice down and a piece of toast. All too soon it was time to go back and get our trunks for our departure. We magically carried them to the Entrance Hall and left them with the others then made our way down to Hogsmead station. Having never been to Hogsmead we had no idea where to go so we just followed some of the older students. I was quite excited to go there actually. I had heard so much about it from my cousins. We walked the long snowy path to the village. The kids walking around us were loud with excitement. I felt a sinking feeling wishing I felt the same. Instead I was nervous and sick to the stomach. The quaint little town looked beautiful covered in snow. It was quite busy with Christmas shoppers. I thought of Christmas shopping with my Mum in Diagon Alley later in the week it made the sick feeling lighten up a bit. Once in Hogsmead it was a short trip to the station where the train was steaming ready to go at any moment. We loaded on and took up an empty compartment. I took Meeps out of his cage once we had all settled in and he curled up on the bench taking a nap. I pulled out a novel I had brought for the ride and began to read. The train started to move a good 30 minutes after, I put my book down giving my eyes a break.
"Almost home. I barely wait." Scorpius said stretching his hands above his head.
I sighed looking out of the window..
"Oh come now, Rose, it won't be that bad. I am sure Uncle Ron has cooled off by now. You know him. He always blows things completely out of propourtion then it all forgotten." Al tried to comfort me.
Scorpius shook his head, "I dunno mate, you were in the infirmary. He was pretty pissed. Walked out and everything."
Al narrowed his eyes, "But you don't know Uncle Ron. He is a hot head. Always blowing things up when they don't work out the way he wanted."
I looked right into Al's eyes. "This was different Al. He wasn't acting like him. He said things he had never said to me before." I could feel tears threating to fall.
"Rose." Al reached over to put a hand on me. I knocked it off and got up from my seat. "I need to go to the bathroom."
"But-" I heard Al try to stop me.
"Let her go." Jordie told him before I exited.
I walked to restroom and pulled out the glass I had nicked from the abandoned classroom, a sense of calm washed over me as the skin broke. I relaxed taking in the feeling. I pressed my head agaist the cool walls of the room until I felt composed enough to go back.
When I got back not much had changed. Meeps was still sleeping on the bench, Al and Jordie were play exploding snap and Scorpius was reading. I sat back in my spot unnoticed by my friends and looked for my book to read. I couldn't seem to find it anywhere. I looked up and Scorpius and noticed he was reading my book. I reached into my bag and pulled out a spare piece of parchment. I crumbled it up into a ball and threw it right at Scorpius head. "'Eh!" Scorpius yelled. Al, Jordie and I couldn't stop laughing. "What was that for?"
"You stole my book." I accused through fits of laughter.
Scorpius smirked, "You could have asked for it back. No need to go chucking things at people."
"I could have," I teased. "But this was more fun. What did you want to read a Muggle book any how?"
"I didn't know it was a Muggle book until I started to read it. I thought it was rather good so I continue." He told me handing the book back.
I shook my head not accepting it. "You can take it with you. Tom Sawyer is one of my favorites."
He brought the book back to him, "Thanks." I smiled at him.
"YES!" Jordie jumped up suddenly whooping in the air. She gave me a mini hard attack and made Meeps hiss at all of us. "Beat that Potter. I beat you three times in a row!"
"Oh you think you are so good?" Malfoy said smirking at her. "Have a go with me, The Exploding Snap, KING!"
"Oh it's on" She replied determined.
I laughed silently at the pair and pulled out some homework that had been assigned to us during break. I concentrated the best I could through the yelling of my friends during the train ride back. Time on the train seemed to go by fast. Isn't that always the case though? You want to slow and it speeds up. You need time to hurry and takes its bloody time. Before we knew it, it was dark outside and we were being notified that we were to arrive in 10 minutes. The sick feeling came back to me as I put Meeps away. I rubbed my arm where I put a new gash calming myself. The train came to screeching halt and kept rubbing, wanting more than anything to sneak of to the bathroom. I didn't though that would seem suspicious.
We walked down the corridors of the train trying to exit, this time staying as a group. When we exited I held my breath scanning the crowd. I thought I was going spew on the spot. I glanced once then twice over until a saw a group of redheads. I turned to Scorpius and Jordie. "Well, this is it."
They both nodded, "Call me over break." Jordie demanded as we hugged goodbye.
"I will. And I'll write you Scorpius." I tell them.
"Don't expect a reply." He smirked at me.
Al sighed, "Alright enough with the mushy mushy. I'll you two when we get back. Come on Rose." I laughed at him and gave a last goodbye before leaving towards our family.
The walk to the redheads seemed horrible long and I could feel my stomach twisting and turning the whole way there. I couldn't aggravate my wound so I was stuck with the feeling. When Al and I reached them I spotted my Mum's brown hair amongst the sea of red. I walked up behind her as she chatted with Aunt Audrey and gave her a tight hug. "Oh!" She squealed turning around. "ROSIE!" She wrapped her arms around me and hugged tightly. I had missed my Mum's hugs. I felt tears threating to fall as breathed in her warm vanilla scent.
"I missed you." I say lost in bushy hair.
She hugged on tighter, "I missed you more. So much more."
"Hey, did you not miss your brother?" My brother Hugo asked with arms folded.
I let go of my Mum and enveloped him into a hug, "Of course I did."
"That's more like it." He replied cheeky. The three of us laughed.
"Where's Dad?" I asked cautiously, realizing for the first time I didn't see him.
Mum sighed, "He and your Uncle Harry are working over time. They think they have lead in their case." I nodded trying to look sad but my insides were jumping for joy. "He felt really bad he couldn't make it Rosie." Sure he did. " He said, he hopes to make it up to you later this week," Well that took me by surprise.
It took me a good half hour to say hello to my family before we left. By the time I was done, I was exhausted. When we walked through the barrier we were immediately blinded by the flashing lights of the press trying to get a glimpse of us on our way home. They would have been on platform if my Uncle Percy had not got a bill passed against it. I never would fully understand what was so interesting about us leaving and going from school. We made our way through the crowded Muggle train station getting even weirder looks than usual from them. I tried my best not to listen tho the questions they were all firing off at me. Soon we made it safely to our car. We hurried to jump in a go. It wasn't long until Mum ditched them.
Mum let out a sigh, "Well that was intense." Hugo and I nodded. Mum looked back in rear view mirror at me, "Rose you look dead tired." I nodded again. "Have a bit of a rest. You can tell me all about School when we get home." I gave a third nod and closed my eyes. I fell asleep quickly and stayed that way for most the hour drive back home. When I woke I could smell burgers and chips. "Oh good, Rosie you are up. We are almost home. We picked up some burgers. Hope you don't mind. Thought it was a bit late to make dinner." My Mum told me.
I shook my head, "No, no burgers are fine with me."
"Great." She smiled back. We arrived home shortly after and I ran to the house with Meeps. It felt some good to be home. I just wanted to run inside. I let Meeps out of cage so me could do his business and waited eagerly for my Mum to unlock the door. When she did, I ran straight into my room and on to bed. I laid my head down but then sprang right up my bed didn't feel like my bed. I jumped out of it and turned on the lights. I was shocked at what I say. My once pink lioness bedding was now exchanged for Emerald green Slytherin sheets. I looked at my walls and where had once held Gryffindor propaganda now had flags of Slytherin pined. I stood with my mouth open wide in surprise.
"Do you like it?" My Mum asked from the door way.
I turned her, nodding with a big smile on my face, "I love it. Thank you Mummy!"
My Mum shook her head, "Don't thank me Rosie. Thank your Dad, he did this." I stared at her with wide eyes not knowing what to day. "Close your mouth Rosie, you are not a cod fish." My Mum teased.
"He really did this Mum?" I asked.
She nodded, "He did. He feels really ashamed of how he acted. Rosie, you know your Dad, he didn't mean it." I nodded solemnly. "Rosie, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive him." I felt tears sting my eyes. Instinctual I grabbed my wrist. It had been too long, there was no pain to ease me.
I didn't know how I felt about it. Deciding it was best for all of us just to put it behind me I told my Mum I would forgive him with a nod. "Of course, Mum. It was probably just shock."
She came forth and gave me a tight hug. "Thank you, Rosie. Come down for dinner before it gets cold."
"Alright, Mum." I gave her a small smile. She left my room with a last look at me. I laid back on my bed in fetal position. I didn't know how I what I thought or how I felt. All I knew I didn't want to leave my bed again.
A/N: Another chapter done. Sorry it took so long for this to come out. Life has been pretty busy. This was originally much longer but I decided to split the chapter into two so you could have a faster update. I don't know when the next chapter will be up I am hoping by Thrus but don't hold me to that.
Anyways you know the drill please review. It makes me want to write and when I want to I get it done faster! I haven't got a lot of them and it makes me sad. Let me know what I have done right or wrong PLEASE!
Love,
Harlow