The next few months went by slowly for Katie. She missed Sean so much. They wrote to each other and that did help but she couldn't wait for Christmas to come again. Christmas always brought Sean. At the beginning of November Katie received a letter from Mrs. Sullivan. Mrs Sullivan had never written to her. When she opened the letter she found an invitation. It was an invitation to come for a visit. When she read this she went running to her mother. Mommy look what I got she said showing her mother the invitation. Can I go she asked? Of course you can said her mother. When do they want you to arrive asked her mother? It says here that the date of arrival is either the 25th or the 26th which ever is best according to you said Katie. I guess if we have plans for Christmas day then I can go on Boxing Day like usual. I am so excited. I get to stay over. Well I think it would be best if you went on the 26th as I think your grandparents will want to see you on Christmas day as it will most likely the last time for a while said her mother. Alright I will write back and tell her that I will be coming on the 26th. Thank you so much mommy said Katie hugging her mother.
She wrote back that same day.
Dear Mom:
I am so excited to come for a stay at Christmas. I have talked to my mommy and she said that I can come on the 26th. She thinks that my grandparents will want to see me on Christmas as it will be the last one I will be spending in Canada. I can't wait to see all of you.
Miss you
Katie
Katie addressed the envelope and put it in the pile of mail to be sent.
When Sean received a letter from his mother telling him what she had done he was so happy. He knew that Katie would be coming to visit at Christmas, she always did but this would be a longer visit. He really had missed her after his visit in the summer. The first few days when he woke up he expected to see Katie laying close by in her bed. When he didn't see this he would be a little sad. He knew he was not alone in that as he knew that Katie too was sad with him going home. Now he had something to look forward to. Christmas with his Katie. Now what to get for her he thought.
Christmas came at last for Katie. It had seemed to take so long to get there. She did indeed spend Christmas day with her father's family. They had decided to have a large family dinner. All the family was there all the aunts and uncles and cousins. Most of the cousins did not know about the fact that Katie and her family were witches and wizards. Their parents did not think it wise to tell them. The parents had decided that if any of the children started to show signs of being magical then they would discuss it but if not nothing needed to be said. So Katie was not able to tell any of her cousins about the school she was going to the next year. All they knew was that she was going to a boarding school and very excusive one and that her parents were moving back to England for her to be able to do this.
Some of them thought this was very selfish of her. They agreed with her brother that it wasn't fair to uproot the whole family just for her. She knew that they did not understand. She tried to explain that she was going to the same school that her parents had gone to when they were her age. Tried to say that it was a family tradition for the children to go to this school. She was asked why her brother Bill had not gone to this school? He didn't want to said Katie.
It was decided that there would be no more talk about Hogwarts. The family enjoyed a very nice meal with all the things that Katie liked. She got lots of nice presents from her aunts and uncles also from her grandparents. They at least understood something's about Hogwarts.
When they all got home Katie went to her room and made sure that everything was packed that she was going to need for her visit to Sean's. She gave her parents a kiss and told them that she had to get to bed as she had to get up really early in the morning to go to Sean's. She got into bed and tried to sleep. She was so excited that she couldn't sleep she just laid there for the longest time. When she did fall asleep she woke with start as she thought she had slept in. she hadn't it had only been about an hour since she fell asleep. Katie got up and packed all the last minute things into her suitcase so she wouldn't have to do it in the morning. By the time she was done it was five o'clock and she was leaving for Sean's at six so she decided not to go back to bed and just got dressed. She had her coat and boots on when she went to her parent's bedroom door and knocked. What is it asked her mother when she woke up? Mommy I am leaving soon and I need you to shrink the bag of presents for me so that I can put them in my pocket said Katie. Alright sweetie I will be there in a minute she said.
In a minute her mother arrived in her room with her wand in hand. Where are the presents she asked? Right over there said Katie pointing at a bag in the corner of her room. Reducio said her mother and the bag shrunk to the size of note card. Thank mommy said Katie. You are welcome said her mother. Now do you have everything you need she asked? Yes mommy I do. I have my suitcase and my purse. In my purse I have the money you gave me and a nice thank you card that I can leave when I come home. That is a very nice idea said her mother. I drew the card myself said Katie. I hope they like it she said. I am sure that they will said her mother.
Now I know I don't need to tell you to be good and mind Mrs. Sullivan. And remember to eat what is put in front of you. Except turnip said Katie laughing yes except turnip said her mother. You know what I mean when I say that don't you she asked? Yes mommy you mean not to say I don't like something if I have never tried it. I should try what ever it is and if I don't like I don't have to eat it. Exactly said her mother. You look very nice this morning said her mother. I am wearing my second best dress. I wore my best dress yesterday. Well you had best be off now said her mother. I love you she said. I love you too mommy. I will see you in a few days said Katie and then she was gone.
She arrived as usual on the front lawn of the Sullivan house. This will be the last time I will come to Sean's for Christmas this way she thought. Next year I can take the floo. Katie walked up the steps to the front door and knocked. All she heard next were running feet and some one calling out I'll get it. Then the door was pulled open and there was Sean. Katie he called out as he pulled her into a hug. I have missed you he said. Katie hugged Sean back just as hard. I missed you too she said. Sean put her down and led her into the house. He took her coat and helped her with her boots.
Did you have a good Christmas asked Sean? Yes we had a big family Christmas. All the family was there all my cousins and aunts and uncles. My cousins were kind of mean to me because they think I am being selfish asking everyone to move so that I can go to school. But I decided not to pay any attention to them as they do not know anything about Hogwarts. They don't even know that I am a witch. They don't said Sean? No my aunts and uncles decided not to tell them.
How was your Christmas asked Katie? It was the usual very quiet. It gets like that when you don't have much family said Sean. My mom is an only child and dad's brother lives in The States. It is just us said Sean. Well let's get on with our tradition he said showing her to the living room. They stood in the door way and Katie looked up. Hey no mistletoe she said. Sean just laughed. He led her further into the room and then stopped. Look up he said. Katie did and there it was mistletoe. We decided to trick you he said smiling. Oh no mistletoe she said smiling. Sean leaned down and gave her a kiss. This was not the usual Christmas kiss; a peck on the lips this was a really good kiss like the one he gave her in the summer. Happy Christmas he said. Merry Christmas said Katie kissing him back.
Just then Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan came into the room. Merry Christmas said Katie as she ran to give them each a hug. Thank you so much for inviting me to stay for a few days said Katie. I really appreciate it. I will be able to spend lots of time with Sean now before he goes back to school. This will be the last year that I will be coming here like I do usually said Katie. Next year I can come by floo. Maybe next year Sean can come to me she said? You never know said Mrs. Sullivan. If so you will have to come to visit me at least. I would miss our Christmas visits she said. You have a deal said Katie smiling.
Now lets get started said Mr. Sullivan. We have presents to open. Speaking of presents I need someone to put my bag of presents back to normal size said Katie. She pulled out the bag from her pocket. Here it is she said. I can do that said Mr. Sullivan. He took out his wand and did the spell to bring the items back to normal size. Engorgio and the bag returned to its original size. That is better said Katie.
They sat around and opened all of their gifts. After presents were opened they sat and had hot chocolate and shortbread. I will have to come for a Christmas visit said Katie I would miss having my hot chocolate and shortbread. They all laughed. After a while Sean could notice that Katie looked a little tired. Are you tired he asked Katie? No I am fine she said but shortly after that when he looked over at her she had her head tipped over on her shoulder.
Ok let's go he said. Go where asked Katie? It is time for a nap. We have to have our Christmas nap and cuddle. Alright said Katie not fighting it too hard. I will nap and cuddle with you if you really want to she said. We will be having our traditional Christmas nap and cuddle now said Sean to his parents. Please wake us for dinner. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan just started to laugh. It wouldn't be Christmas unless the two of you had your nap said Mrs. Sullivan.
Sean and Katie went to the front door to pick up Katie's suitcase only to find that it was not there. Twinkle must have taken it up to the guest room said Sean. We should just name it Katie's room as you are the only one who ever sleeps there said Sean. It is appropriate as it is the bigger room and as you know my parents love you more than me. They do not said Katie. I think they do said Sean. Didn't you hear mom she was not upset at not spending Christmas with me if I went to visit you next year no she was upset that she would not see you. Sean you know that is not true your mom loves you so much and I know she loves you more than she loves me.
Just before they got to Katie's room Sean told her that he would be in in a minute. I have to get changed into my pajamas. You get changed and I will meet you in there. Alright said Katie. She went into the room to find that all of her things had been put away. She went to the dresser and found a pair of pajamas and put them on. Just as she finished there was a knock on the door. Are you decent called out Sean? Yes come in said Katie. Sean did.
When he saw Katie standing there he was amazed. She had on a very pretty pair of pink flannel pajamas but for some reason she looked so different. She was so pretty. Katie you are beautiful he said. Katie just blushed. I am not said Katie. Yes sweetie you are. I don't know if I like the idea of you going to Hogwarts next year now. Why asked Katie? Because all the boys will want to be your boyfriend and you will forget about little old me. Katie just laughed. You are the only boy who thinks I am beautiful no other boys will be interested in me don't you worry. I think the only reason you think I am beautiful is that I got to you early before you saw really pretty girls and I bewitched you into thinking that I am pretty.
Sean laughed. I don't think so said Sean. I know for a fact that you are beautiful and I can bring in witnesses to testify to this fact. Who asked Katie? Mom and dad they think you are beautiful too. They don't count you have influenced them to believe this and I too have worked my magic on them. They both laughed after this.
Seriously, Katie you are very beautiful. You get more beautiful every time I see you. Really asked Katie? Yes really. You need a better class of person around you. You need people who can see you as you are a beautiful person. You have the double package. You are beautiful and brilliant. That must be the reason that those girls at school are so jealous of you. Katie just smiled at him. If you say so said Katie.
Lets get to our nap said Sean. Jump in said Sean and Katie climbed into her bed and laid down. Sean slid in beside her and they settled down for their nap. If we are going for tradition said Katie I need to sleep on your shoulder she said. Alright said Sean here you are he said putting out his arm so that Katie could cuddle up beside him and lay on his shoulder. There we are he said when she was settled and he had his arm wrapped around her shoulder. All nice and comfy.
Katie closed her eyes and let herself float towards sleep when she heard Sean whispering to her. You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. How did I get so lucky to have found you? I wish you were older but you are perfect just the way you are. He said all of this as he thought she was already asleep. After he spoke he kissed her on the forehead and said. I love you my beautiful Katie. Katie just smiled and drifted off to sleep.
When they woke up it was almost time for dinner. They put on their robes and slippers and made their way downstairs to find that Mrs. Sullivan was just about to come and get them. Dinner will be ready in a minute she said. They ate dinner and talked about all that had been happening in each other's lives. Katie told them about all that was going on at school and how she was not teased anymore. Yes they don't tease me they just ignore me now. I don't mind as I will be gone at the end of the year. Sean told of all that was happening at school. About how some of the students have been petrified and that they don't know who is doing it. Finding this out upset Sean's parents. It is ok unfortunately the only people being hurt are muggle borns. So I am safe.
After dinner they sat and talked for a little while longer and listened to the Wizarding Wireless. They were playing all kinds of Christmas songs that were popular within the Wizarding world as Katie had never heard them before.
Soon it was time to go to bed. Sean and Katie walked upstairs and headed off towards their rooms. Are you going to stay with me asked Katie hopefully? No sweetie I don't think that would be a good idea. Sean could see that Katie was disappointed. Alright said Katie and she gave Sean a kiss on the cheek. Good night she said and headed off towards her room. I guess I do have to grow up she thought Sean can't be staying with me to keep the monsters away anymore. I am ten years old I should be able to handle sleeping in this room alone.
Katie climbed into bed and curled up with her Teddy and Emily Ann her's and Sean's "daughter". Emily Ann is the doll that Sean had won for Katie back when she was seven and had thought that if you kissed a boy you would "get a baby". Emily Ann is her baby. She soon drifted off to sleep.
Shortly afterwards she heard Sean in her room. Katie wake up sweetie he said. What is it she asked? Come with me he said. He leaned over and had her put her arms around his neck and her legs around his stomach. Where are we going she asked? To my room he said. Why she asked? I have a feeling that you need to be there he said. He carried her to his room and laid her down on one side of the bed and got in on the other. There you are now we can sleep he said. Katie went back to sleep quickly.
The next morning when Katie woke up she was surprised to find that she was sleeping in Sean's bed. Oh no did I come and crawl in here last night? I had better get back to my bed before he realizes what I did she thought. As she was trying to get out of the bed Sean woke up. Where are you going he asked? I am so sorry I don't even remember coming in here last night I will just go back to my bed. Katie you didn't come in here last night he said. I brought you in here; I had a bad feeling so I went and brought you in here. It is not your fault. Really she said. Yes if anyone is to blame it is me. I just had this feeling that you needed to be here and not in that room. So lets just go back to sleep.
A little while later Mrs. Sullivan arrived in Sean's room to find the two of them cuddled up sleeping. When she came in Sean woke up. What is she doing in here asked his mother? I thought I told you that it would not be a good idea to encourage this. You did mom he said quietly but I had a feeling that this is where she needed to be so I went and got her and brought her here. You brought her here when she asked? Last night a couple of hours after we went to bed. I woke up and had a bad feeling so I went and got her. It was so sweet this morning she thought she had come on her own and wanted to get back to her room before she was noticed. Just then Katie woke up. Good morning she said before she opened her eyes. Good morning said both Sean and Mrs. Sullivan. When she heard Mrs. Sullivan's voice she opened her eyes in alarm. Hi she said to Mrs. Sullivan. Hello Katie how did you sleep she asked? I slept so well. I am sorry I know I am not supposed to be here but …. It is ok said Mrs. Sullivan Sean explained everything. Oh he did said Katie. Yes he did. It is time for breakfast so the both of you up, I will be expecting you downstairs in a couple of minutes. Alright they both said as they started to get out of the bed. Are you in trouble asked Katie? No I don't think so said Sean.
I am going to go to my room and get my slippers and robe I will be right back. When she got to the room she found that it was very cold in there. She put on her slippers and robe and went back to Sean's room to find him.
Sean it is cold in my room. Why would it be so cold in there she asked? I don't know said Sean. Let me see what the problem may be. He went to her room and found that it was very cold. Oh it is freezing in here. It is a good thing that you weren't in here last night you would have been so cold. We should tell dad about this he may need to get someone in to fix it.
They went downstairs and spoke with Mr. Sullivan who went up to Katie's room to check some things. He then went downstairs and checked the furnace. There it is he said. The vent to that room was switched off. It must have been me last night I was putting some things away. I am so sorry Katie. It is ok said Katie Sean came in the middle of the night and brought me to his room for the night. How did you know he asked Sean? I don't know I just had a feeling. Now that I recall it was chilly in there when I went to get her.
Well all has been fixed and I will try to be more careful in the future said Mr. Sullivan. They ate breakfast and afterwards Mrs. Sullivan asked them what they were going to do? I don't know said Sean. We could go to the library or we could go to the park he said. I don't think the park is a good idea said Mrs. Sullivan. Why asked Sean? It snowed last night Sean. The park will be full of snow. It snowed said Katie? How much did is snow she asked? I don't know about two or three centimetres said Mrs. Sullivan.
That is nothing said Katie. That is what we could do said Katie we could shovel the snow and then we could make a snowman or snow angels. Alright said Sean. Do we have a shovel he asked his father? Yes we do but I will have to transfigure another one if Katie wants to help. Yes I do said Katie. You don't need to do the path from the gate to the house I can do that myself very quickly but I can't use magic to get rid of the snow on the sidewalk said Mr. Sullivan. If you could do that I would love it. That is what we will do said Katie.
Sean and Katie got dressed in their warm clothes and out they went to shovel the snow. It didn't take a long time with the two of them working. Once they were done they stood there for a minute. I know said Katie. What asked Sean? We should go and do Mrs. Smith's driveway. She is older and it would be a nice thing to do. Alright said Sean and they walked over to Mrs. Smith's house.
When they go there they just started to shovel all the snow and before they knew it the job was done. Just as they finished Mrs. Smith came out to see them. Oh you dears she said. Let me give you something for doing that she said reaching for her purse. No Mrs. Smith you don't need to pay us said Sean. Oh but I must give you something she said. How about some hot chocolate and shortbread? That sounds nice said Katie. Alright then you two come on in and I will make the hot chocolate for you.
They went in and sat down. Soon after Mrs. Smith came along with the hot chocolate and a plate of homemade shortbread. This is very kind of you said Sean. It is nothing it was very kind of you to come and shovel the snow. It was Katie's idea in the first place said Sean. Well Katie I would like to thank you again for thinking of me. You are welcome said Katie. My mommy always tells me that it is important to help each other. Especially people who are older.
That is very good advice said Mrs. Smith. Your mother is a very wise and kind person I can just tell she said. Yes she is said Katie. My mommy is a doctor so she is always taking care of someone said Katie.
Once they were finished with their hot chocolate Sean and Katie excused themselves and went back home. As they were walking Sean looked at Katie. She had a big smile on her face. You feel really good about doing that don't you he said. Yes I do I helped someone. That makes me feel really good.
When they got back home they both decided to try and build a snowman on the lawn. It took some time but once they were finished it looked really good. We build these at school but it is a lot easier as we use magic to do it said Sean. It was fun building the snowman said Katie. I like doing this but I don't usually have anyone to help me. I am glad that we did this she said. So am I said Sean seeing her smile.
When they got in side the house Mrs. Sullivan found them as they were taking off their coats. I hear you were wondering the neighbourhood doing good deeds she said. We shovelled Mrs. Smith's driveway said Katie. Yes I heard she was very impressed said Mrs. Sullivan. She sent over a note for me saying what a wonderful thing you two had done. She also sent a note for your mom to read said Mrs. Sullivan. I am going to put it in your suitcase and I want you to give it to your mom when you get home alright Katie. Yes I will said Katie.
The rest of the visit went by very quickly and before they knew it it was time for Katie to go home. Katie was a little sad but Sean gave her a big hug and told her that it would only be six months and she would be living in England and they could visit all the time. I will even be able to visit you at home. I know she said excitedly. We will have so much fun. We will be able to go to Diagon Alley and get all my school supplies it will be fun I really want to see Diagon Alley. I have a picture of it in my head and I wonder if it really looks like that she said. Well you will know soon said Sean. He hugged her again and gave her a kiss and off she went back home.
10