Darkest Before the Hope • Harry Potter ❥ Terence Higgs

12: Research and Parties

One morning in mid-December, Hogwarts was covered in several feet of snow. The lake had frozen solid and Cassia found out that the Weasley twins were punished for bewitching several snowballs to bounce off of the back of Quirrell's turban.

The few owls that managed to make their way through the stormy sky had to be nursed back to health by Hagrid.

Cassia knew that she won't be welcomed back on Number 4 for Christmas, so when Professor Sprout handed out a list wondering which students were going to stay behind, Cassia signed it as quickly as possible when it was passed to her.

Cassia couldn't wait for the holidays to start, although she wished it was summer so her allergies could go away. She was fine in the common room, especially with its nice, roaring fireplace. The drafty corridors and Snape's classroom down in the dungeons was reigning hell on her allergies.

Malfoy seemed to have been in a fouler mood than usual because, in Potions, he said, "I do feel so sorry for all those people who have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because they're not wanted at home."

Cassia didn't need to look up to know that he was looking at her and Harry. Crabbe and Goyle chuckled. Harry ignored them as he measured out powdered spine of lionfish. Cassia was stirring the potion and had to stop so she can sneeze and blow her nose on the handkerchief that Terence had given her.

Cassia didn't care about Malfoy's taunt, because she had Harry. He was plenty of family for her.

Ron and his brothers were staying behind because their parents were going to visit Charlie in Romania.

However, Lily and Sally-Anne were going home for the holidays, so Cassia was going to be left alone in the dormitory. It was even more saddening because Terence was going home, too, along with Adrian Pucey, who Cassia still hasn't met yet. The only thing that Cassia was looking forward to, was the midnight feast that she, Lily, and Sally-Anne planned. They had planned to go to the kitchen at night the night before Lily and Sally-Anne left, take some food to take back to the dormitory to have a small party. They just had to find out how to get into the kitchen first.

After class, they left to head to the Great Hall, however they stopped in their tracks.

"Is it just me, or is there a large fir tree blocking the corridor?" Sally-Anne asked.

"No, there is a tree blocking the corridor," Cassia said.

"I think that tree has feet," Lily said, pointing.

The tree was also puffing.

Ron stuck his head through some branches, "Hi, Hagrid, want any help?"

"Nah, I'm all right," replied Hagrid, "thanks, Ron."

"Would you mind moving out of the way?" Malfoy drawled from behind them. "Are you trying to earn some extra money, Weasley? Hoping to be gamekeeper yourself when you leave Hogwarts, I suppose—that hut of Hagrid's must seem like a palace compared to what your family's used to."

Ron and Cassia both dived at Malfoy, causing Lily and Sally-Anne to grab at Cassia.

"Weasley! Potter!" shouted Snape.

Ron had grabbed the front of Malfoy's robes and Cassia had grabbed a fistful of Malfoy's hair. Lily had grabbed the back of Cassia's robes and Sally-Anne had a hold on Cassia's arm.

It was probably a sight to behold.

Ron let go of Malfoy's robes and Cassia reluctantly let go of Malfoy's hair.

"He was provoked, Professor Snape," said Hagrid, sticking his face out from behind the tree. "Malfoy was insultin' his family."

"Be that as it may, fighting is against Hogwarts rules, Hagrid," replied Snapek. "Five points from Gryffindor, Weasley, and be grateful it isn't more." He looked at Cassia, and seemed to size her up. "Ten points from Hufflepuff, since you weren't 'provoked'. Move along, all of you."