The first week of November 2020 was used strictly for review in classes with no homework assigned. As such, the normal Friday library time was not mandated on Friday, November 6th, 2020. In fact, McGonagall actually ordered the library closed from Friday, November 6th, 2020 through Sunday, November 8th, 2020 under the premise that "Sometimes you need to get away from school and academics and live a little."
Lily was looking forward to doing their first fundraiser for Worthy wands that afternoon. Several guests would be coming to Hogwarts to partake in the much anticipated Having Fun at Lily's Expense Party.
As she had been on Monday, Lily woke Friday morning to a prank on her.
At 5 A.M. Hogwarts time, Lily was suddenly awoken by huge itching sensations all over herself. Next nanosecond Lily felt that she was covered in itching powder and out of the corner of her eye, she saw a man standing in her room a few feet from her bed. This man had clearly pranked Lily by dumping itching powder all over her while she had been sleeping.
Getting herself out of bed, Lily was delighted when she realized who the man was.
'DAD!" squealed Lily happily as she ran up to hug him.
"It's great to see you, Lily," smiled Harry, who then added with a smirk, "I got you good!"
Lily laughed and smiled at Harry and said with a grim, "I can now tell everyone that I got pranked by Harry Potter!"
"You're the only one who can say that honestly. That was the first prank I've ever pulled on anyone," said Harry matter of factly.
"So, have you come to participate in the Having Fun at Lily's Expense Party this afternoon?" Lily asked Harry.
"No," said Harry, "I can't stay because of work obligations but I am going to donate to Worthy Wands today. I don't feel comfortable putting money in the mail, be it in the muggle world or the magical world. Therefore, I am making a quick stop at Hogwarts to make my donation in person. Do you have a collecting tin ready?"
In response, Lily opened her trunk and retrieved a tall hot pink canister with a coin slot opening on the top.
"How much are you hoping to raise today?" Harry asked Lily kindly.
"Well," said Lily with a smile, "I don't really have a set goal. I'm just hoping we can raise a decent amount."
"I'm going to start things with a one hundred galleon donation," replied Harry warmly.
True to his word, Harry proceeded to drop one hundred galleons into Lily's collecting tin.
Lily's eyes watered with gratitude as she accepted Harry's huge donation.
"Dad," said Lily sincerely, "Thank you, very much for your major contribution to Worthy Wands. Your generosity will benefit many underprivileged wizarding children in the years to come."
"Lily," said Harry heartily, "I couldn't be prouder of you for having had the idea for Worthy Wands in the first place and for your continued passion for the charity. I just wish something like Worthy Wands had existed in my time. That's no doubt in mind that Neville's struggles in his early years at Hogwarts were at least partially the function of using a hand me down wand instead of a wand that had chosen him."
"My mission in starting Worthy Wands was to prevent such cases from continuing in the future." said Lily matter of factly.
Harry's face and voice now took on a much more serious tenor and he said "Lily, I have news for you and you're not going to like it."
"Are we moving? Am I being transferred away from Hogwarts?" asked Lily wildly.
"Nothing that major," Harry assured her, "But we're going to have a different type of Christmas this year. Several adults in our circle, including Ginny, are currently away on a cruise and won't be home for Christmas."
"So basically, mom's not going to be home for Christmas?" Lily asked Harry to confirm.
"Dudley and Debra are also with Ginny on that cruise. So is Hermione," explained Harry.
"The only thing I've heard that sounds like it will affect our Christmas is mom being away. Just means Ginny won't be with us this year. I fail to see how Dudley, Debra, and Hermione being away on that cruise affects our Christmas. "
"Devon and Hugo will be staying with us over the Christmas break, including on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day." said Harry matter of factly.
"You know," said Lily thoughtfully, "In the past it meant something to me to be able to spend Christmas with only you, James, Albus, and mom. It was special to me that we kept it within the immediate family. It would be a blatant lie for me to say I wouldn't prefer it stay that way. But you know what, having to share Christmas with Devon and Hugo isn't so bad."
"Lily," said Harry in a polite but clear voice, "I want you to give me your word now that you will make Hugo and Devon feel as welcome as possible at Potter Manor over Christmas. "
"I'll make the Unbreakable Vow with you about that if you'd like," Lily offered Harry.
"No," said Harry firmly, "I wouldn't insult your integrity by asking you for an Unbreakable Vow. I know you're a girl of your word. But I want you to give me that word now."
"Dad," promised, Lily, "I give you my word that I will be warm and welcoming towards Hugo and Devon when they stay at Potter Manor over Christmas. I will treat them as though they were my brothers and I will treat them the same way as I treat you, James, and Albus."
"Thank you, Lily," said Harry gently, "I know this isn't the type of news you wanted sprung on you today but well...…."
"It's okay, dad," said Lily quietly, "I'll make the best of it. It's not the circumstance I'd have chosen but I'll make the best of it and I'll be able to make some new memories of a different kind of kind of Christmas with Devon and Hugo."
"Lily, please understand that Hugo and Devon had no say in this decision. Once their parents decided to take this months long cruise that will keep them away from home at Christmas, Devon and Hugo needed a place to stay for Christmas. Hogwarts is no longer open over Christmas break and Dudley, Debra, and Hermione still feel that Hugo and Devon are a little too young to be left home alone." explained Harry calmly.
"Hugo and Devon are, in my opinion, trustworthy enough to be home alone. But no one should have to spend Christmas lonely. It may be different, but I think Hugo and Devon can help us have a great Christmas," said Lily, ultimately accepting the news that Harry had given her.
"Well, Lily good with the Having Fun at Lily's Expense Party this afternoon. I hope you and your friends have loads of fun and I hope you raise a boatload of money for Worthy Wands."
"Thanks, dad," said Lily warmly, "And thank you again for your very generous donation to Worthy Wands."
