Disclaimer: J.K Rowling still owns Harry Potter.
A/N: I am currently working on the next chapters of this story.
For those who are wondering this will continue on as a series (Years 6 and 7 will each have their own stories)
Also, this will be a LONG fic. I know it seems to be jumping ahead rather quickly, but trust me it will slow down.
R/R
Chapter Six: Happy Holidays!
The week before school let out for Christmas holidays, was one of the toughest for the fifth years of Hogwarts. It was the last part of term and all the Professors seemed to realize that their OWLs were in a mere four months. This not only caused stress in the classroom, but there was an increase in homework. Tempers between staff and students flared, and more then one person was reduced to tears by a vicious Professor Snape and sent off to the Hospital Wing for a calming draught.
"You're coming to the Burrow for Holidays, right mate?" Ron asked for probably the tenth time.
"Yes Ron, I've told you like ten times that I am" Harry said, "My Mum and Dad are too, we're doing the Holidays at your house this year" He reassured. Each year the Potters and the Weasleys alternated where Christmas was being held, it was a tradition.
"My Mum and Dad will come on Christmas morning and spend the night and I'll go home with them after that until term starts" Harry explained again.
"Brilliant, should be a good one this year" Ron said, relaxing a bit. He was always worried the Potters wouldn't want to come anymore, especially since his Dad had lost his job at the ministry and was now working at a shop in Diagon Alley. He knew the Malfoys were to blame, despite all the assurances from his parents and he wouldn't rest till they suffered and he knew the best way to do this was through Adrian Malfoy.
"You got all your shopping done then?" Hermione asked, she too would be spending Christmas at the Burrow while her parents back packed through Australia. She was relieved actually, she hated the idea of backpacking, and when her parents had offered going to the Burrow instead, she had jumped at the change.
"Yea I'm all set" Harry said, as Ron nodded. Harry had given Ron some Galleons so that he was able to shop for his friends and family.
"Oi here come Fred and George, wasn't tonight their last detention with Snape before next term?" Harry asked Ron as the weary twins trudged into the Common room.
"Yea, bugger Snape, look at how tired they are" Ron replied his face darkening as the twins immediately disappeared upstairs to sleep. No one knew what Snape was making them do in their detentions, but the twins returned exhausted every night they had one.
"You got your shopping done?" Harry asked Hermione, desperate to change the subject.
"Yup, finished it on our last Hogsmead day, think I got everything" She said with a small smile.
"Sounds good, I can't wait to get home" Ron said with a happy grin as the tension fled from his face.
"Dray have you got everything?" Adrian asked his twin as they finished packing. They were leaving on the Hogwarts Express in a few hours to head home for Christmas and they were doing their last minute check.
"Yup, I'm leaving some stuff here obviously" Draco replied, "You got everything?" He asked his twin.
"Yea I think so" Adrian said, closing his neatly packed trunk, he knew the house elves would deal with it.
"Whose hosting the Christmas Party this year?" Blaise asked, "Ministry" Draco responded, pulling a face.
"Supposed to be some sort of Holiday thing, everyone is going" Pansy piped up, "So none of our families are going to do a specific one, since we'll see each other there" She explained.
"Lovely" Blaise muttered sarcastically, "I hate ministry functions"
"We all do" Adrian said, pulling a face, "But we're all needed there, since we're good Pure Bloods and all" He said, shrugging too slender shoulders.
"Adrian's right, besides it might prove amusing to see who all turns up" Draco said with a malicious grin.
"Weasley wouldn't dare show his face there after his department got closed down" He said, laughing lightly.
"Nah Weasley totally would" Blaise said, "He's to stupid to take the hint"
"We're gonna be late" Pansy muttered a few hours later as she watched Blaise and Adrian try and kill each other via chess.
"Lets go, I can't wait to get home" Blaise said with a small grin.
"You just can't wait to see who your mother married" Draco teased, dodging as his friend mocked punched him.
"You know I can't stand half the men she marries, although they do try to buy my affection which usually makes Christmas pretty awesome" Blaise said, laughing to himself.
"Anyway, you're all coming over to the Manor on the twenty-third right?" Adrian asked, looking at his group of friends.
"Of course, we'll be there" Pansy reassured as they made their way to the carriages and then by extension the train.
"See you on the twenty-third" Draco called to his friends as he and Adrian piled into the limo that would get them to the Manor. Of course Narcissa and Lucius had been unable to pick the boys up, but they had been able to send the car. Of course it was a magic car, which was why the Malfoys used it, they'd never use a Muggle vehicle.
Stretching out in the backseat Adrian stared out the window, watching London fly by with a small sigh.
"I can't wait to get home" He admitted to Draco.
"I know how you feel, I love coming home for Holidays, although the best part was coming home and seeing you" Draco said with a small smile. The twins were incredibly close, like most twins, and long separations were hard on them, especially with Adrian being so sick.
"We kept in touch" Adrian protested, "But I missed you too Dray" He relented, watching as they pulled up to the Manor. The wrought iron gates slowly parted to allow access, sending a few white peacocks that the family kept around the yard running off.
"Finally" Draco drawled, looking at the Manor happily.
"You think Mum's already decorated?" Adrian asked as he hopped out of the car, heading inside briskly, he knew that his things would be taken care of, so he paid them no mind.
"Adrian, Draco" Narcissa's voice rang out as she swept into the large entrance hall. The Manor was divided into three parts. The central part held the family room, dining area, the kitchen was in the basement, much like the one at Hogwarts, library and meeting room. It also held the ball room which was used for family functions or large gatherings. The west wing belonged to Adrian and Draco, they each had a bedroom, a private washroom, their own library and a sitting room. The East wing belonged to Narcissa and Lucius and was much the same as the boys' area, although it held a private study and Lucius' potion lab. Out back of the Manor was a personal Quidditch pitch, a stable and paddocks for horses, and a massive garden which was both a personal area as well as used for entertaining guest. Further back on the property was a mausoleum, which held all the Malfoy ancestors.
"Mum" The twins chorused as they were swept into her arms. Though seemingly cold in public, Narcissa Malfoy loved her children, and behind closed doors was extremely affectionate, the whole family was.
"I missed you" She said, kissing each of their foreheads.
"Missed you too" Adrian said, letting her hug him a little longer. Draco was used to it, seeing as his mother worried about Adrian almost constantly.
"Shall we head to our rooms till dinner then?" Draco asked, knowing their father wouldn't be home from the Ministry until then.
"Sure" Adrian replied, smiling at his twin, "I need to wash up anyway" He wasn't a huge fan of riding the Hogwarts express, it was dirty and loud and filled with rude people.
"Sounds good, see you at dinner Mum" Draco said, before the twins dashed off, much more loose and carefree then they had been at Hogwarts.
Harry, Ron and Hermione arrived at the Burrow to a flurry of movement, colours and excitement.
As usual the entire place reeked of festive cheer, Molly Weasley's cooking and a the smell of gun powder from the twins' experiments.
Stepping into the house Harry was nearly blinded with the festive colours, green and red covered practically everything, and while it clashed horribly with the red hair of the Weasley family, he felt instantly at home.
"Harry darling" Molly said, pulling the boy in for a tight hug, "We're so happy you and your family agreed to come" She murmured into his ear. "We were so afraid you wouldn't, what with Arthur losing his job and all"
"Mrs. Weasley you know that doesn't matter to my family" Harry chide gently as he detached himself from her. "Besides, my Dad would never miss one of your home cooked meals" He said, trying to lighten the mood, which he did as Mrs. Weasley beamed at him. Hugging the rest of the Hogwarts arrivals and pointing out where everyone was sleeping; Harry with Ron in his room, and Hermione with Ginny, as usual, the trio head upstairs to unpack and unwind.
"Everything seems nice Ron" Hermione said, once they were in the privacy of the bedroom. Both she and Harry had known the boy was worried that Christmas wouldn't live up to its usual Weasley standards due to the financial state of the family.
"Yea, I know" Ron said, smiling at his friends. "I was just worried you know?" He murmured.
"Yea we understand" Harry said, stretching out on his usual cot, "But really mate, Christmas isn't about money or buying people stuff, its about being with friends and family. Thats what makes Christmas at your house so great" He pointed out, smiling.
"Thanks Harry" Ron said in a quiet tone, though he was smiling at his friend.
"Don't let it get to you Ron, or Malfoy will win" Hermione said, her voice strong. The last week of classes had been hard on the second youngest Weasley since Malfoy had been particularly nasty, going on and on about poverty filled Christmases and lost jobs.
Ron sighed, nodding his head, "I know 'Mione, not my fault he's a stupid ferret" Ron said, shrugging lightly. "I just know he had something to do with Dad getting fired. The whole department getting closed down and everything, it just reeks of Malfoy influence" Ron stated fiercely, a dangerous gleam in his dark eyes.
"Ron..." Hermione started, her body language clear that she was gearing up for a lecture.
"Hermione" Harry said, shaking his head as the two friends shared a private moment, much to Ron's displeasure. He seethed for a moment, clearly displeased at this display between the raven haired teen and the female counterpart of the Golden Trio. Finally the Ginger haired teen relaxed, letting the momentary jealousy he was feeling disappear. He knew it would be back, it always was, but for now the Christmas spirit, the fact that Hermione wasn't lecturing him and the plan he was coming up with to destroy Malfoy were making him feel rather cheery.