Chapter Fifty-Six

The final week before the Christmas break was a strange time for the Filch brothers. Archibald found himself having to say a few goodbyes to his professors and his peers all week. The Ravenclaw female prefect Emma Bagnold gave him a slightly longer hug than most they noticed. His dormmates and best friends had tried to convince him to stay longer but knew eventually there was no use as he didn't want to 'stay shackled to the confines of the rules of Hogwarts'. He was reminded he still wouldn't be allowed to use magic for another year and a bit but he didn't seem to mind this too much despite it's limitations. Archibald had already packed up most of his suitcase by Friday. His father wasn't best pleased but he figured out a while ago that Archibald wouldn't take one of the fancy jobs. The fifth-year potions class found itself greeted by a smug Archibald for one final time on this particular morning. Slughorn giving him a glare as they learned about a babbling beverage. Walburga and Lucretia Black were listening with their usual sterness. Archibald too for once as he had one last thing he wanted to do before Sunday. His friend (Linus Greenwood) knew what this was as he agreed to help him with the babbling beverage, knowing how inept he was.

"I trust all of you...excluding Filch...To make this perfect. As far as fifth-year level goes, this is as basic as it gets in this year and exam" Slughorn explained.

Archibald giving him an eye roll as he took the last insult quietly. He would have the last laugh anyhow. Linus whispering everything in Archibald's ear as he copied him step-by step with the potions books open. Walburga was concentrating too much on her own much to Archibald's benefit. She hunched over with her eyes looking between her book and her cauldron. The classrooms always got more quiet as the students got older. The older Filch gave a small smile as his potion began to turn into the colour it was suppose to. Twenty minutes or so and the potions on the desks began to turn red as Slughorn went around each table to check. He looked down on Archibald's and raised an eyebrow in surprise. Linus however was the wizard who should get the credit of having done two perfect babbling beverages in one lesson.

"Very good...All of you have done very good. Each house will get ten points each as fair is fair" Slughorn announced with a smile.

The rest of the lesson consisted of writing down the instructions and uses. Slughorn kept his head down during this portion of the lesson as he did some marking on the first-year's homework. Which gave Archibald his opportunity as he took out a small flask and with Linus' help. Scooped some of the babbling beverage into it until it was filled to the brim and he thus sealed it, placing it quickly back in his robe pocket. He thus finished his final bit of written potions work. Soon it was all over and Slughorn dismissed the class. Archibald and Linus sneaked a look, Linus was passed over the flask while Archibald got up to try and distract Slughorn. He got up and purposefully knocked over his cauldron with the intention of making him come over.

"Filch! A clumsy so and so until the end!" Slughorn shouted with a hint of jest as he walked over.

"I leave as I entered, Sir" Archibald responded with a smile.

Linus poured the potion into the potion master's cup of tea while he dealt with the mess. The teenager walking out with one last glance towards his friend as his job was now done. Archibald was about to make himself scarce too until his professor began to talk again.

"I hope you don't look back at me too harshly, Archie. I was only strict on you because you needed it. Remember your first year? You were a young scallywag even then, always making your little broomstick fly around my class. Can I just ask you what you plan to do now?" Slughorn asked in a much kinder voice than he usually gives him.

"Quidditch. Player, commentator or referee; one of the three"

"I should have known. Though since you are joining us now in the real world...I advice you to take care. Don't get involved in the war if you can help it, it's a nasty business. Too many young men like yourself think you can take on the world but so many of you die before your other friends even graduate"

"I don't intend on joining, Sir"

"I would hope not. It's dangerous times...Please don't get caught in the crossfire. In either war. Muggle or wizarding...Good luck, Archibald" Slughorn spoke as he put his hand out as a peace offering.

Archibald took it as he shook his hand but this made him think twice. Perhaps he shouldn't let him drink the tea despite how funny it would be to see him babbling on and on. He pulled apart and was apart to make his leave but he could't leave him now without warning him.

"Oh, Sir...I wouldn't drink your tea. I put babbling beverage in it" Archibald informed him as he watched the professor walk back behind his desk.

"Did you really? Well thank you for telling me...I would scold you but there's not much point now. Goodbye" Slughorn responded with a small wink.

Archibald gave a small nervous smile before finally leaving. Slughorn pouring the tea onto the ground.

...

Dear Father and Mother,

I know you're unhappy with me and I have a cheek to ask anything right now. Nonetheless as it is the Christmas season. Can we invite Lucy Norris around for Christmas? You liked her last Easter and I think Argus deserves a treat. Much more than I do. He's been an awfully vile caretaker's assistant this year, just as Oakleigh Burton wanted.

Much Love, Archibald

This was the letter he sent to the Filch household eariler in the week. He was beginning to give up hope on a reply when it came down to him for supper that night. He grabbed it as an owl dropped it onto his table. His friends half-surprised it wasn't a howler. He opened it and his father had responded, he was giving him a brief lecture on how he's possibly the worst Ravenclaw Hogwarts has ever known. "Yada yada" Archibald muttered to himself as he read through this small paragraph before coming across the answer he hoped for Despite all this, Miss Norris may come if she wishes whch made him give a smile. He excused himself as he wandered to the Hufflepuff table.

"Oh my goodness" Lucy responded as he gave her this unexpected news.

"I know I should have asked you and Argus but I didn't want to get your hopes up if the answer was a no. Father says you can come to our awful family Christmas this year...Oh I can't wait for you meet great-aunt Eleanor. A lovely lady if you're a troll and hungry" Archibald teased as he leaned against her stool.

"Does Argus know?"

"No. I'm going to tell the moody git when I see him and I don't expect a thank you from him. He'll complain about it until Sunday and then suddenly pretend he's not bothered while hiding a smile"

"It's the one power he has, Archibald"

"I don't doubt it, Lucy. It's just a pain when you have to live with him...Anyhow, I haven't got long left to enjoy the castle. Bye girls" Archibald spoke as he finally looked towards Ruth, Victoria and Poppy.

The other girls gave a small wave to him before looking back upon their suppers (which was lemon pie tonight). So Lucy was spending another holiday with the Filch family. She was becoming quite accustomed to them now. Easter was only the start it seemed as less than seven months later, she would be back there. Ruth was most vocal to Lucy when it came to criticism. Her friends blame her 'Slytherin roots' for her being so upfront and on occasions, snide.

"What is the Filch household like, Lucy?" Ruth questioned once Archibald was out of earshot and sight.

"Very cozy and very quaint. It's all wooden and a bit crooked on the outside but once you get in. You feel the warmth from the fire" Lucy answered wistfully.

"Is it small?"

"It's about the same size as my house really. Two bedrooms, a bathroom, a sitting room and a kitchen except they have a much larger hallway. Bigger enough for a Ravenclaw carpet and bookshelf"

"Oh. Sounds much smaller than mine...We have a large manor-house in our family from generations past. Malfoy Manor is much grander no doubt but ours has been around for almost as long-" Ruth paused however as she could see her other two friends sniggering to each other as she asked..."What's so amusing now?"

"You Ruth, you're amusing; You can take the witch out of the Slytherin house but you can't take the Slytherin house out of the witch" Poppy told her as she finished her plate.

"I'm only saying to her what a grand house we have. I know you two wouldn't understand with your muggle street homes. I wish for Lucy to know that the Filch house isn't the be-all and end-all of wizarding houses"

"I would love to see your home, Ruth. It sounds wonderful" Lucy insisted.

"Don't feed her ego, Luce" Poppy further teased.

"Well it's nice somebody is" Ruth teased back.

...

The happy atmosphere lasted right through to the following morning. Students excitedly getting ready for Hogsmeade. For most of the third-years, this was the very first time they ever stood foot in the village. The snow was falling on this December Saturday morning as the first and second-years watched on with envy as their older peers began walking towards the exit. There was one third-year however who had chose to stay put as Eileen Prince remained sitting on the Slytherin table in the great hall with her slightly younger peers, not wishing to go anywhere a certain group of lads is going. Argus was the other teenager not going as he mopped the hallway looking fed up. He doesn't get the perks of the students or the staff. Lucy forced her other friends to break apart from the others for a moment as she approached him.

"Cheer up Argus. You'll have plenty of fun soon...Just think that by Sunday night, it be me, you and Archibald at your parents" Lucy reminded him.

"And the rest of the family" Argus grunted back.

"It will be fine"

"As fine as a cave's floor"

"Look, I'll bring you back something from Honeydukes. Alright?"

Argus just gave a nod before resuming mopping. Lucy being gently dragged backwards by her friends as they resumed the walk to Hogsmeade out of the castle. The snow hitting her face on exiting. She pulled her hood up and put on her gloves as she felt the cold air on her skin. Her hat placed in her pocket as that wasn't warm enough for the cold Scottish air outside. Ruth as always had the thickest piece of clothing, including some thick gloves made with the fur of sea otters. Lucy looked at her own dragon hide gloves from the second-hand shop and thought they suddenly looked thin. Though all three of her girlfriends always had slightly nicer thing she noticed. No doubt they have more money for this trip too. Her smallest bit of envy though was soon erased as her eyes feasted on the village which was lit up for Christmas. The snow covering the floor and the buildings in a thick layer as Lucy had to keep picking up her feet and shaking the snow from them. The Riddle gang a short way ahead all with their hoods up, Tom seemed to like the hood better than the hat they are forced to wear during school hours. The gang walked past the shops and the pub, they followed Tom up the hill and stood at the top. Watching the students down below. Lucy and her friends (like most people) were happily going into the shops or the pub. Honeydukes was the first one they entered, a colourful sweets shop with all kinds from 'chocolate frogs' to 'fudge flies'. Lucy had a few coins as she scanned the shelves. Picking out some treacle fudges for Argus and some cauldron cakes for herself. Her friends picking up their own treats, incuding something which read 'Pixie Dust Sherbert' and 'Blood Lollipops' to match. Lucy felt her mouth salivating. She placed her own items on the counter, giving much younger looking Ambrosius Flume the right amount of change.

"Just these please" Ruth spoke up from behind Lucy as she placed about five boxes of different sweets and chocolates on the counter.

"And a bag" Flume responded with slight jest as he got out a brown paper bag from under the counter.

Flume placed her sweets and chocolates into the bag. Taking her money with a friendly smile. The four witches gave him a smile back before departing, Lucy was led towards the pub 'The Three Broomsticks'. She's only been in there briefly before when she used the fireplace to get to the Filch household. Ruth ordered four butterbeers as she collected money from her friends, Lucy having to give the rest of her spendings away. Thus holding the four friends made their way to one of the tables with the butterbeers. Removing their robes as they relaxed in the warm atmosphere with their warmed up butterbeers. Lucy taking her first sip and finding it quite nice. Ruth placing her brown paper bag of treats underneath the table.

"To the Christmas break" Ruth began as she put up her tankard.

"To the Christmas break!"

The three girls spoke back as they clinked their tankards.

...

TBC