December arrived, bringing with it more snow and a positive avalanche of homework for the fifth years. Ron and Hermione's prefect duties also became more and more onerous as Christmas approached.
They were called upon to supervise the decoration of the castle ("You try putting up tinsel when Peeves has got the other end and is trying to strangle you with it," said Ron), to watch over first and second years spending their break times inside because of the bitter cold ("And they're cheeky little snot rags, you know, we definitely weren't that rude when we were in first year," said Ron), and to patrol the corridors in shifts with Filch, who suspected that the holiday spirit might show itself in an outbreak of wizard duels ("He's got dung for brains, that one," said Ron furiously).
They were so busy that Hermione had stopped knitting elf hats and was fretting that she was down to her last three.
"All those poor elves I haven't set free yet, having to stay over during Christmas because there aren't enough hats!" She said, "Allie, can't you maybe do some? Or - or give me those socks you made, and I'll make you some new ones when I have time..."
"First of all, those socks are what y'all are getting for Christmas. Second of all, I'll only knit hats if you finish my History of Magic essay," said Allison, gesturing at the parchment in front of her.
Hermione sighed and sank further into the cushions of the sofa.
Allie was looking forward to the holidays, not only because of a break from all the homework but also because her mum had written that she had managed to get a few days off of work so she could be home for Christmas - well, not home, they would spend the holidays with the Weasleys as always. On the downside, they had to pause the D.A. meetings as nearly everybody would be spending the time with their families.
Hermione was going skiing with her parents, something that greatly amused Ron, who had never before heard of Muggles strapping narrow strips of wood to their feet to slide down mountains. Meanwhile Harry's mood had turned somewhat bitter and jealous until Ron said, in response to Harry asking them how they were going to get home for Christmas, "But you're coming too! Didn't I say? Mum wrote and told me to invite you weeks ago!"
It was the afternoon of their last D.A. meeting, and Allison had just stowed away some of the books she would not be needing anymore in the following two days, when someone knocked onto the door of the girls' dorm.
"Yeah?" she called, shoving her trunk back underneath her bed with her foot.
The door opened and Allison saw a glimpse of dark hair before something small came flying at her- reflexively, she raised her arm and caught what turned out to be toffee wrapped in golden, shiny paper.
"What the -" she began, but another toffee came soaring at her, and again, she caught it.
Finally, the door opened further, revealing Alicia, a bag of toffees in her hand, Katie, smiling happily, and Angelina, watching her with narrow eyes.
"That was good," Katie said.
"It was alright..." said Angelina.
"I think she can do it," Alicia said. "Weasley said she can."
"Sorry, do you maybe wanna explain why you are attacking me with sweets?" Allison asked, confusedly looking back and forth between them.
"Have you got a broom? The ones from the school are pretty shit, and the prices go up around Christmas if you had to buy one," Angelina said.
"Wha- yes. Well, at home," answered Allison. "But what do you need my broom for?"
"We don't need your broom, we need you on your broom!" Katie explained excitedly. "It was Ron's idea, he says you can play Quidditch, and because Harry's banned, we need a new Seeker."
YOU ARE READING
WE'LL TAKE ON THE WORLD ; h.j.p.
Fanfic─ "i won't let go with you by my side, the calm, the storm we'll face it all." She had read about love all her life. Never had she imagined she would ever experience it herself, especially with dark forces rising to power and a war approaching fast...
