Chapter Thirty-Three

A couple of Hufflepuff muggle-born girls were sitting in Lucy's dormitory. As they watched as the female cat Cinders was giving birth to a litter of kittens in her basket. The cat Mr Filch was fast asleep on the bed, blissfully unaware he had even gave his female mate kittens. Lucy was left with the problem as her friend Victoria Abbott didn't want to take Cinders home while she could give birth any day now. 20th December turned out to be the day. The girls watching as each kitten was born in the basket as they talked about how to deal with the matter now. Lucy knew she would have to write to Victoria to let her know.

"Lucy. You're a granny. How do you feel?" one of the fifth-year girls joked.

Making Lucy playfully hit her with her pointed hat. She promised two of these cats to Argus and Orford. The two boys would get first dibs. The kittens were mostly dust-coloured with yellow eyes. Though Fiona Appleton also begged for one (the mother of the future Gilderoy Lockhart) as a cat would be a nice "addition to her overall look".

"Well they aren't the nicest colour, are they? Nor are they kneazles. What's the point of them?" one of the third-year girls asked.

"That's not very nice" Lucy replied casually.

"Sorry. I'm a bit bored...Anyone fancy going out to see if the lake is iced up enough?" the same third-girl questioned.

A chorus of "Yes!" came from the other girls as they began to get up. Lucy though insisted she had to stay behind to make sure everything goes smoothly. As much as she did want to go outside, she didn't want to risk leaving Cinders and the kittens alone. They just told her to suit herself before making their way out and into the common room to put on their winter cloaks.

"Looks like it's just us" Lucy muttered to the cats (but mostly just to herself).

Professor Burbage was heard saying hello to the girls as she made her way in. She heard about Hufflepuff's latest arrivals. Lucy standing up to attention as her 'Head of House' entered. Charity looking down at the kittens as she gave Cinders a quick pat on the head.

"How long has it been?" Charity asked Lucy with a smile.

"Hours. She's only just began giving birth now...I didn't know it would take so long" Lucy replied.

"Like us humans then"

"What? It takes women hours to give birth?" Lucy exclaimed in a surprised naivety which is only afforded to the youth.

Charity giving a chuckle at her question. As she just gave a nod, making Lucy's eyes widen. That sounds dreadful she thought. Lucy pushed that thought out of her head quickly as she began to explain that she promised a kitten to Argus, Orford and Fiona each. As they asked first.

"Sounds like a very good idea. Might be nice for Argus to have a cat on his night shift" Charity said softly.

"Yes. He said he needs another set of eyes anyhow but it has to be a girl. He wants a girl cat"

"Why a girl cat?"

"Because he wants to call her after me"

"Oh I see! Well that will teach you, Lucy. Are you looking forward to the feast? It won't be quite as grand as years gone by but it will still be the best meal of the year" Charity assured her.

"Of cause. I miss my family though but I understand" Lucy told her with a sigh.

"I imagine. Well as your 'Head of House', know I'm always here if you need to talk about that"

"Thank you, Professor"

Charity giving another smile. Excusing herself as Lucy was doing a fine job on her own of looking over the kittens. Leaving the girl alone again as she began to wander around the room. The snow was still falling outside the window as she looked outside, wishing she was at home with her family.

...

"Stupid family having to come here and take our food" Argus muttered under his breath.

His family were on their way much to his regret. He found himself standing at the door with Archibald. His mother having cleaned the house several times this week in case one speck of dust remained. It was bad enough having a squib for a son, without a messy house too. His mother in question Lilac Filch was looking out the window. Their father Bard Filch was standing at the other window as he smoked on a pipe.

"Not long now...It's nearly darker enough for them to fly over" Bard mentioned.

"Why are we waiting then if they haven't even began flying? This time last year, we waited near the damn door for three hours" Archibald complained.

"Don't swear in front of your brother or mother!" Bard shouted.

Argus looked up suddenly as he was mentioned indirectly. A rare thing nowadays indeed. Archibald just rolled his eyes before crossing his arms, his father looking back out the window. The older of the Filch brothers was about to make his exit but his father's stern stare made him stand back still. So as they did every year since Archibald and Argus can remember. Their parents made them wait until their feet ached. The outside was too dark to see anything by now and so they were relying on sound.

"They are here! They are here!" Bard announced as he stepped away from the window.

The sound of thudding outside and chatter could now be heard. The Filch brothers looked as unexcited as they did three hours. Archibald just looked at his father as if to say "And?".

"Eggnog!" Lilac muttered loudly to herself as she dashed towards the small kitchen.

She began to pour said eggnog into the huge goblet placed on the table. She got out smaller goblets and began to place them besides it. Bard making himself look slightly more presentable as he straightened his hat and robes. Doing the same for his sons as if they were six years old again. Archibald slapping his hand away as he sorted himself out. Argus only let him do as it meant a small bit of attention as his father pulled his hat up slightly.

"Right, backs straight boys and step away from the entrance of the door" Bard told them.

"I didn't know the Minister for Magic was coming" Archibald muttered sarcastically to his brother.

Argus giving a small smile in response as he stepped away from the door. The Filch couple eagerly awaiting for the sound of the door knocking now. Footsteps came closer and before long, that much awaited knock was heard. Bard breathing in as he waited a few moments before opening the door. Six members of the Filch family stood outside as the grandparents, uncle and great-aunt entered. Bard greeting his mother, mother-in-law and aunt with kisses on their cheeks. They all entered with happy smiles and broomsticks. Their eyes going towards Archibald, the pride and joy of the household.

"Hello my sweetie" Granny Filch cooed as she gave him a hug as if he was a little boy (and not the teenage lad he actually was).

"Hello granny" Archibald replied politely.

The few other members of the family who showed up were led by a nervous Lilac towards the eggnog. The now elderly great-aunt Eleanor clearly turned her nose up at her niece-in-law and her squib great-nephew Argus. She didn't remove her gloves as she took a goblet from Lilac's hand. She walked towards her nephew Bard with a smile as she began...

"Oh it's so difficult nowadays for me to fly. I'm very drowsy from it all. May I have a bed for tonight? I'm too exhausted to get out my tent tonight" Eleanor paused before removing her shoes and added..."My feet are sore"

"Yes of cause-" Bard though felt himself being interrupted.

"You can have my bedroom, auntie" Archibald informed her quickly.

He knew she was just going to take Argus' otherwise. That's what the farce was really all about. She gave a surprised expression as she drank the rest of her eggnog before stating...

"I don't expect you to give your bedroom up for me. The squib will do it, he's use to living in dingy places. I can't imagine the Hogwarts caretaker's office is much to look at"

"It's fine. Use mine. I like staying on the couch" Archibald argued in a firmer voice.

"What a sweet boy he is, sis! Please do take him on his offer. Besides, you don't know where the squib's been" Granny Filch spoke from the kitchen.

"Bat" Archibald muttered under his breath.

Great-aunt Eleanor just put her hand up in defeat. She would take Archibald's bedroom instead. Getting out a small pouch bag from her robe pocket, she told him to lead her up. Her oldest great-nephew doing just that as she followed him upstairs towards his bedroom. Argus looking at the family members left and getting ignored like always.

"Granny. Do you want any help?" Argus asked her.

Though she pretended as if she didn't hear. Making him just sigh as he walked past them all and upstairs. He could hear his brother talking to their great-aunt about his bedroom. He went into his own bedroom and shut the door as he returned to his desk. Dozens of letters from Lucy were laid upon one another, he missed her so. His best friend she was. He doesn't think he wants to bother leaving Hogwarts for the break next time.

...

A couple more days passed and Lucy woke up as she heard excited shouting. She woke up in her empty dormitory. She suddenly recalled what day it was as she made her way up and slipped into her slippers. At the end of her bed laid a couple of gifts and cards. Christmas was finally here. She bent down with a smile as she began to open them. Her mother has sent her a muggle book called 'Peter and Wendy' by J. M. Barrie, a packet of Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles and a pair of socks. The other gift she got was from her wealthy pure-blood friend Ruth Fisk. It was a Hufflepuff scarf ( a lovely thought as Lucy hadn't got anything with her own house on it besides her uniform). She also got a couple of cards but none were from Argus much to her disappointment. Though he doesn't really think about her much unless he's in an awful mood (that's the impression he gave her and everyone else). Lucy left her things as she went downstairs to see what everyone else had got. A lot of the students were holding up new winter cloaks, books or writing equipment.

"Merry Christmas" Lucy spoke to the students.

Getting the same back as they began asking her what she got. One of the boys was holding up a new broomstick with pride. Hogwarts was very cheerful in almost every common room. Though in the Slytherin dormitory laid a boy on his own as Tom Riddle laid in his bed. To him, it was just another day; nothing special. Slughorn had left him some presents like he did last year (due to him feeling sorry for him). Tom opened these gifts to find books on advanced potions and advanced charms. The other thing he got was his own broomstick. Which he didn't have much use for as he rarely used a broomstick but he supposed Slughorn just thought it was because didn't want to be seen on a school one. Tom dropped the broomstick and just got straight into the more useful presents; the books. Further down in the castle in the staff room were some happy staff members exchanging gifts with one another. Slughorn was already on the mead.

"I hope Tom likes his broomstick. It's a Cleansweep Three...there only two years old. Good enough for a nearly thirteen year old boy, don't you think?" Slughorn asked his fellow staff members.

"Yes but will he ride it?" Dumbledore questioned.

"Yes. What boy doesn't want to ride one?"

This question made Albus turn away. The boy he just got one for one maybe, has Tom ever even been to a quidditch match? Charity Burbage was thinking the same thing. The other professors quickly began to talk to one another again as Slughorn glared them down slightly.

"I was wondering about the new pupil we have in September next year. The half-giant. Is he getting his own room?" Professor Merrythought asked.

"His own bed, chair and desk. Not room" Headmaster Dippet answered.

"I can't imagine he's going to be very good at anything" Slughorn admitted.

"Give the boy a chance. He hasn't even made it here yet...I'm sure Rubeus Hagrid will have the same amount of skills as any other first-year. His father is very happy he's got in" Dumbledore explained.

Though this was in doubt very much. They didn't think a half-giant would be as skilled as just a normal human wizard or witch. They were concerned he would break a lot of things as well. Professor Jacks was concerned of him breaking the school broomstick. He would be a spectacle to the other students, he would tower over everyone. The boy may not have a chance.

"He's going to break the stool when he sits down!" Merrythought exclaimed.

"The stool?" Dumbledore questioned.

"The stool in which all the students sit down on to be on sorted"

"Oh...That stool. Well Headmaster Dippet had made sure that the stool will be replaced by a large chair for him. So you need not worry. Young Mr Hagrid will no doubt be mocked by his peers, so please; let us at least show him kindness" Albus suggested.

"I will treat him as I do any other pupil. That's all I can promise you but if he's bad in my class, he's bad in my class" Merrythought responded.

"That's all he will want too I'm sure. To be treated the same...Now let's enjoy today and worry about that later" Albus finished.

...

TBC