ITW,H - Chapter 120 - Winter Break (1) (Patreon)

Sorry for the late post! Finally got it done.

(Word Count: 1,751)

Time passed and soon it was already time for Winter Break. The last morning before they boarded the train was louder than usual. Today, everyone was up early for breakfast. Everyone in the Great Hall seemed to be talking over everyone else, discussing potential presents, travel plans, and complaining about how much homework the professors had given them despite it being Christmas break. 

Harry was looking forward to getting home. He loved Hogwarts, but he had missed his family. Remus had long since moved out of Grimmauld place, but he would be coming over for most of the break. Dora would be having her own break from the auror academy, so he'll get to see her again. It had been too long. Unfortunately, her winter break was much shorter than his. He got two weeks off, she only got one.

Hermione sat next to him on one side, with Neville on the other. Ron, Seamus, Dean were across from them. All of them would be returning home for the winter break. In Canon, Ron and Hermione had stayed at Hogwarts for this year's break in order to finish brewing the polyjuice potion. Incidentally, Draco had also stayed at Hogwarts this year in canon, wanting to figure out who was the heir of Slytherin. That wasn't needed this time around, so they were all heading home.

“What are your plans for the holidays, Harry?” Hermione asked. She knew he was heading home as well, but she wanted to know about any plans he had while there. “Aside from the Christmas party you invited us to, that is.”

“Well, we're having yet another Christmas party the day after. This time it will be more political, with the Malfoys coming over, along with the Bones, Neville and Daphne will be there, and some other families. Some are not so friendly. Then the day after that, there's the ministry's yule ball,” Harry sighed. These parties were in the three days leading up to Christmas, with the Ministry’s Yule Ball being held on Christmas Eve. “But sometime during the break I'm hoping to invite you and everyone else to get another game of DnD going.”

“OH! Yeah, that was fun! We should definitely plan that!” Hermione smiled, recalling the fun game they played.

Ron perked up, “That game of pretending to be fighting a bunch of monsters? Ginny wouldn't shut up about it! It sounds fun. Can I join next time?”

Harry grinned, “Sure. I think you would make a great barbarian.”

Ron scrunched his nose, “Why not play as a wizard? That's what I am.”

Harry sighed. Everyone wanted to stay as a wizard. “The game is about role playing as someone else. We don't always have to play as a wizard.”

“I think I want to play as a druid next time. Those were the nature wizards, right?” Neville asked.

“Yeah, they use nature magic and can turn into various animals, like an animagus but better,” Harry said.

The conversation continued on among the group of friends and they made plans to meet up the day after Christmas at either Harry's or Neville's place. Neville had to check in with his grandmother to see if they could come over. If not, then it would be at Harry's. Soon it was time to board the Hogwarts Express. They all left to gather their things, though most of it was already packed up into their trunks last night and the house elves had already loaded them up onto the train, there were still the personal effects they wanted to carry personally.

They rode out on the carriages to the train, and found their own compartment for the journey home.

~ ITW,H ~

By the time the Hogwarts Express pulled into King’s Cross, Harry was ready to get off the train. The ride had been pleasant, he usually enjoyed the time with his friends, but after several hours in a compartment, he started to debate if it was worth it or not. He desperately wanted to stretch his legs. Spending hours in a large library filled with books was one thing, spending hours in a small compartment was another. Maybe he needed to pick up the habit of popping into other compartments so he could get some steps in. 

The corridor filled almost immediately with students carrying bags and calling to friends farther down the train. Harry waited while Hermione adjusted the strap of her satchel, then followed her onto the platform with Neville, Ron, Ginny, and Luna close behind.

King’s Cross was crowded with parents searching for their children. Harry spotted Mrs. Weasley first, waving both arms to get Ron’s attention, with Mr. Weasley standing beside her.

“There they are,” Ron said. He and Ginny hurried toward his parents, and Harry followed at a slower pace with the others.

“Ron! Ginny!” Mrs. Weasley pulled them both into a hug. Then she turned to Harry. “And how are you, dear?” She smiled at him. This time there was a bit of awkwardness around it, but he didn't sense any of the residual defensiveness from last time. She seemed to have cooled off during the last few months since he'd seen her, and now she felt a bit guilty for how she had reacted.

“Doing well, Mrs. Weasley. It’s good to see you again,” Harry said with a polite nod. To be honest, while Mrs. Weasley was a good woman, she was a bit of an overprotective mother. While that was precisely what the original Harry needed, he himself didn't need that and sometimes found it a bit grating. Especially when that overprotectiveness was pointed against him. Still, he couldn't dislike her.

“It’s good to see you too.” She looked him over as though checking he had eaten properly since she last saw him. “You’ll have to come by during the holidays.”

“I’d like that,” Harry said. “I’ll see you at the party, at least.”

“Oh, we’ll be there,” Mrs. Weasley said. “You tell Sirius we’re looking forward to it.”

Harry promised he would, then stepped aside so she could fuss over Fred and George, who had appeared behind Ginny. They immediately began insisting that neither of them had done anything to warrant the look she was giving them.

Harry saw Luna run away and cheerfully leapt into the arms of her mother, Pandora. Harry went to greet her. “Hello, Mrs. Lovegood!”

Still hugging her daughter, and between showering her face with kisses, Pandora gave Harry a smile. When she finally had her fill of kissing Luna's face, she greeted him back, though she was still hugging onto Luna from behind. “Harry! It's good to see you. So sorry, we received your invitation for the christmas party, but we won't be able to make it. We're going up to Norway for the entire break.”

“We’re going to see the northern lights!” Luna said, luxuriating in her mom's hug. “Mum says that when they’re especially bright, it can reveal a gateway to somewhere truly magical. We're going to find out whether it's true!”

Pandora smiled. “We’ve packed enough warm clothes to stay out all night, though Xenophilius insists he’s already found the perfect place to watch them.”

“He has,” Luna said confidently. “He marked it on a map and everything.”

“That sounds like fun! Luna, you’ll have to tell me all about it when you get back,” Harry smiled.

“I will. If we find something, I’ll draw it for you,” Luna said.

A little farther along the platform, Neville had found his grandmother. Mrs. Longbottom took Neville’s face in both hands to inspect him.

“Grandmother, I’m fine,” Neville protested.

“I can see that for myself,” she said. She released him and looked to Harry, who had come over to say hello. “Mr. Potter.”

“Mrs. Longbottom. I hope we’ll see you and Neville over the break.”

“You shall,” she replied. “Give Lord Black our best wishes.”

Neville gave Harry a grateful smile as his grandmother turned to ask after his classes. Harry waved to him, then looked around for Hermione.

She had already found Emma and Dan. Emma was hugging her while Dan stood beside them holding her bag, and Hermione was talking quickly enough that Harry doubted either of her parents had managed to ask a question yet.

Harry started toward them, but someone caught him around the shoulders from behind.

“Found you!”

“Sirius!” Harry turned and hugged him.

“So, how's my second favorite godson?” Sirius asked.

“Second favorite?” Harry asked with mock betrayal. “I'm your only godson! How can I fall to second place? Did you adopt someone without me knowing?”

Sirius sighed wistfully. “No, but in my heart of hearts, Kevin McCallister has taken first place.”

“Kevin McCallister?” Harry asked incredulously. “The boy from Home Alone?”

“Exactly! He defended a house from burglars with toys and household supplies. Imagine what he could do with a wand!” Sirius gleamed.

“He’d probably bring the whole house down,” Harry scoffed.

“Exactly,” Sirius said proudly. “That’s the sort of initiative I look for in a godson.”

Harry gave him a wounded look. “Fine. Next time someone breaks into Grimmauld Place, I’ll use convoluted traps instead of magic.”

“There’s my favourite godson.” Sirius pulled him into a hug. “You were always going to win me back.”

Together they went over to the Grangers. Dan spotted them first and raised a hand in greeting.

“Harry! Good journey?”

“It was great! Hello, Emma,” Harry said.

Emma hugged him as soon as Hermione let her go. “It’s lovely to see you, Harry. We're looking forward to the Christmas Party.” 

“So am I,” Hermione said. She turned to Harry. “I’ll see you there?”

“Of course. Have a good break until then.”

“You too.” Hermione gave him one last hug before stepping back beside her parents.

Harry and Sirius said goodbye to the Grangers, then made their way toward the wizarding exit, meant for those leaving via apparition. The Grangers left for the barrier to King's Cross. Harry glanced back once and saw Hermione waving to him through the crowd. He waved back before she disappeared from sight.

“Ready to go home?” Sirius asked.

“Definitely,” Harry said. “What’s Tripsy making for dinner? I'm starving.”

Sirius grinned. “She's been cooking in the kitchen all day today. She's got a whole feast prepared.”

Harry groaned, both in mild dismay and hunger. “I’m going to eat too much these coming weeks, aren't I?”

“That,” Sirius said, putting a hand on Harry’s shoulder as they walked, “is what Christmas break is for.”