Chapter 19: CHRISTMAS

Albus had waited weeks since the last FAME club meeting for the day of Christmas, his favorite holiday. Finally, to get a weeks' break from Hogwarts, and everything that has to do with it, like the overwhelmingly big loads of homework and homework, scratching quills, detentions....

Albus had also been worried about the fact that his father had not written to him for long, and it made Albus insecure to know that.

Finally, Albus rose up from the warmth of his bed, the first rays of Christmas sun peeking through the snowy clouds. Borthwick was safe in his cage now, happy and energetic as usual (Naomi had insisted and insisted and Albus finally let her soften, brush, and remake Borthwick's fur so it looked beautifully clean and fluffy).

Albus jumped out of bed and energetically, a smile on his face, and looked out of the Dormitory windows. It was a beautiful sight, snow covered the Hogwarts grounds heavily, the evergreen trees were coated with snow, more falling on, and a few owls were swooping here and there, carrying gifts and extra mistletoe for the hallways.

Andrew was already up, tearing through his presents. Albus saw presents at the foot of his bed, too, and smiled. He picked up the first present. It was from his dad. 

Albus ripped open the package. Inside was an object. It seemed to have blended in to its surroundings. Then, there was a card. Albus read it:

Merry Christmas! Come home for Christmas, okay? The gift is an invisibility cloak... thought it might come in use. Bring some friends when you come. 

From Dad

Albus felt the object. It felt silky. "What's that?" Andrew asked. Albus shrugged and draped the cloak over himself and looked at himself in the mirror. The spots the cloak covered were invisible. "Whoa," Andrew awed and touched the cloak. His finger became invisible.

Andrew looked at the note. "You'll bring me, right Albus?" Andrew asked. Albus nodded, "Sure."

Albus opened the next present. It was from his mum.

Dear Albus,

Merry Christmas, dear, and thank you for the wonderful note you sent me. Merry Christmas.

The present was a Gryffindor Badge, polished greatly.

The next present was from Naomi. It was a golden Quill and lots of Every Flavor Beans and chocolate frogs. "I got the same thing!" Andrew said as he opened his gift. The next gift was from Aubrey, melt-in-your-mouth chocolates and popping pops. Andrew had gotten it, too. Finally was Andrew's gift. It was a lucky charm, four popping pops, (they REALLY pop), and lots of chocolate frogs and melt-in-your-mouths, and a golden quill. "Thanks," Albus said. 

"Oh!" Andrew said when he opened his present. Albus had given him a badge, polished, with a very mysterious but beautiful pattern engraved on it that spelled Andrew's name, a silver quill and ink, and a whole lot of chocolate frogs and popping pops, and a large bag of gummy worms that wriggled in their bag.

"Amazing, Albus, thanks!" Andrew said, staring at the badge. "Thank you," Albus replied. 

Christmas was turning just as Albus hoped. There was no classes that day at McGonagall's request.

The children were allowed outside in the snow-covered grass. Albus, Naomi, and Andrew were hurrying outside just then when Scorpius arrived.

"Oh, come on, Malfoy, haven't you got another thing to do other than bug us everywhere we go?" Andrew groaned. 

"And haven't you got anything else to do except always cross paths with me?" Malfoy asked, and Snow sneered. 

"Can't you just disappear, Malfoy?" Naomi asked.

"Why, Maxwell, the same question goes to you." Snow sneered.

"If you'll excuse me," Albus cut in, "It is Christmas, which means we lot don't happen to have any time to spare for your silly little arguments. So if you'll excuse us-"

Albus, Naomi, and Andrew ignored the Malfoy trio and went straight on ahead. 

"Why does that git have to appear all over the place?" Naomi muttered under her breath. "It's a big mystery, isn't it?" Albus asked. 

"Oh, Hello, Albus!" 

Albus looked to see his cousin, Rose, hurrying down with her friend, Isabella Littledale, by her side. Rose smiled at Naomi and Andrew.

"I liked your gift," Rose said, "and James said he loved his prank wands and all... but really, Albus do you really think you should be giving him that?"

"Oh, he'll manage," Albus smiled. 

"And you must be Albus's friends," Rose turned to Naomi and Andrew, "I'm Rose Weasley. Albus's cousin. And this, as you must know her," rose turned to Isabella, "Is Isabella Littledale. She prefers Izzy, of course."

Isabella waved.

Then, Rose and Isabella left and Albus continued on until he and his friends were finally out in the snow. 

After a while, James, Archie Wyatt, and Alfie Poe came to say hello to Albus, Naomi, and Andrew. "We loved your gifts," they all said at once.

Finally, there came the Christmas feast. The Great Hall's candles were decorated with green ribbon, and mistletoe hung at the corners. The front desk was filled with teachers as usual, McGonagall seated at the Headmistress's seat, chin up. 

Finally, when all was seated, McGonagall got up.

"Hello, all students of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry," McGonagall continued, "And I am sure you were all on your best behavior so far in the school year," McGonagall glanced at a couple of girls who were trying to stick extra-sticky fake gum on Teddy Lupin's hair (Teddy kept shuffling in his seat), and then continued, "And we are quite aware of the fact of the few catastrophes that have happened so far in the year. This feast is a sign that our year is drawing to a close, close end, and that should be news to all out last year students," McGonagall smiled, "Let the feast begin."

It was phenomenal. Thousands of birds filed into the room, each carrying a packet of food. The birds dropped the food off and the food placed itself perfectly on the table. Then, all the birds spiraled in the air like a flock and exited. The crowd oohed.

Albus, Naomi, Andrew, and everyone else ate the food with great hunger, gulping down the pumpkin juice. Andrew showed no hesitation whatsoever to eat as much as he could, taking another tart from the plates.

After the feast, all the kids that were going to their houses for Christmas were lead to the Hogwarts station with packed trunks. 

Naomi had decided to stay with her mum instead of with Albus.

The best Christmas ever came to an end.