Chapter 8 – Christmas


It was Christmas Eve. Everyone was sitting in the common room chatting. Nikki was having a row with Harry, Ron and Hermione.

"I have told you. We are not going to try and find out what's under that trapdoor. We're already in a lot of trouble as it is. First, nearly getting killed by that three-headed dog thatHagrid calls 'Fluffy' and then almost pulverized by a twelve-foot troll at Halloween. Please can you just forget about it?"

"Nikki it's obvious that there's something being kept hidden under that door,and it must be something really important or Fluffy wouldn't be guarding it." said Hermione.

"Hermione's right."

"Oh shut up Ron."

"I bet you it's that package Hagrid got from Gringotts." said Harry.

"It doesn't matter what it is because it has nothing to do with us. I can't believe out ofall people you are actually on their side and not mine Hermione. I thought you didn't wantto die or worse get expelled."

"I don't. I'm not saying we go and get past Fluffy and then take the thing there hiding, but just find out what it is."
"Look everyone is gone. I think we should go to sleep." said Ron.

"Yeah. You coming Nikki?" said Harry while he, Ron and Hermione stood up.

"I'm going to stay here for a while. You guys go. I'll see you in the morning. Night."

"Night." said Harry.

Nikki went to go and stand in front of the window. Tears were coming out of her eyes while she stared at the night sky.

"Hey Nikki."

Nikki quickly wiped away her tears and turned around.

"Oh hey Fred. What are you doing up so late?" she said trying to smile.

"I was going to ask you the same thing. Anyway are you Ok?" he said looking worried.

"I'm fine Fred. Don't worry." Nikki said while she turned around to stare out at the night sky.

Fred came behind Nikki and embracedher in a tight friendly hug.

"Do you really think I'mthat thick? Now tell me what's really wrong? he said giving her a little squeeze.

"Alright, but promise me you won't tell anyone."

"I won't. Not even George."

"Thanks. It's just that I'ma bit worried about Ron, Hermione and especially Harry because we keep getting into dangerous situations and I'm scared. I don't want anyone I know to ever get hurt and if it's one of my best friends,then that's even worse." she started to cry again. She never did that in front of anyone, but she could trust Fred.

"Hey. Its okay, I understand you really care about everyone, but don't worry they'll take care of themselves. Trust me." he gave her a kiss on her left cheek.

"Okay if you say so. I trust you." she gave him a kiss on his right cheek. Fred was still hugging her tightly.

"Do you want to sit down for a while and then we'll go upstairs to bed?"

"Alright then."

Fred ledher to the window sill, still not letting go of her and sat down. Both of them just gazed outside at the stars until Nikki finally spoke.

"Sometimes I just look out and try and find my mum and dad among all those stars, but I never seem to succeed."

"You've got Mrs Coliandris and her two sons Tom and Jack. If you still feel alone then you've always got my family, Harry, Hermione and me."

"Tom's mum is really nice and so is everyone else, but it will never be anything like having my own parents and I think Harry feels the same way."

"We both look seriously sleepy right now."

"Yeah. Come on let's go back to our dormitories and go to bed. Night Fred."

"Night Nikki."

*~*~*~*

Christmas was finally here and just like her birthday, Nikki got lots of presents from everyone, even Draco gave her a box of Chocolate Frogs with a little note.

Nikki,

Merry Christmas and hopefully a Happy New Year. I just wanted to apologize for what happened on your birthday. I never wanted you to get angry or embarrassed in any way. So sorry about that. Is it ok if we're just acquaintances? I hope you like chocolate frogs.

Draco

"Talk about pathetic." Nikki said to herself before going down to see Harry, Ron and Hermione, but mostly Fred.

"Merry Christmas Ron and you too Harry. That is so like Draco to put Fire whisky in those chocolate frogs or I'm just going mad because all I can see is Harry's head. Why can't I see his body?"

"Someone gave me an invisibility cloak for Christmas, but they didn't put theirname on it. All it says is Use it well." said Harry.

"Okay now that's cool."

Nikki's day went really well and everyone was in such a good mood. She just hoped Harry, Ron and Hermione would forget about the trapdoor, but she doubted it.