To change the future

PS-13

Christmas was coming. One morning in mid-December, Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow. The lake froze solid and the Weasley twins were punished for bewitching several snowballs so that they followed Quirrell around, bouncing off the back of his turban.

Jason, Harry, Theo, Ron, Daphne, Hermione and Blaise all froze and stared at the book before bursting out in laughter. Everyone stares at them in confusion as they hold on to each other "I forgot about that." Jason snickers as the twins look confused "Why are you guys laughing? It was funny sure but do you guys know something we don't?" Fred asks. "You'll find out at the end of the book." Jason says and motions Sirius to continue.

The few owls that managed to battle their way through the stormy sky to deliver mail had to be nursed back to health by Hagrid before they could fly off again.
　　No one could wait for the holidays to start. While the Gryffindor common room and the Great Hall had roaring fires, the drafty corridors had become icy and a bitter wind rattled the windows in the classrooms. Worst of all were Professor Snape's classes down in the dungeons, where their breath rose in a mist before them and they kept as close as possible to their hot cauldrons.
　　"I do feel so sorry," said Draco Malfoy, one Potions class, "for all those people who have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because they're not wanted at home."

Sirius and Remus growl at the book. Toni growls at it to, getting confused looks from the people closest to her. "Spoiled brat." Clint mutters.

　He was looking over at Harry as he spoke. Crabbe and Goyle chuckled. Harry, who was measuring out powdered spine of lionfish, ignored them. Malfoy had been even more unpleasant than usual since the Quidditch match. Disgusted that the Slytherins had lost, he had tried to get everyone laughing at how a wide-mouthed tree frog would be replacing Harry as Seeker next. Then he'd realized that nobody found this funny, because they were all so impressed at the way Harry had managed to stay on his bucking broomstick. So Malfoy, jealous and angry, had gone back to taunting Harry about having no proper family. As a result of this Jason had gone back to punching Malfoy several times a day.
　　It was true that Harry and Jason weren't going back to Privet Drive for Christmas. Professor McGonagall had come around the week before, making a list of students who would be staying for the holidays, and they had signed up at once. They didn't feel sorry for themselves at all; this would probably be the best Christmas they'd ever had. Ron and his brothers were staying, too, because Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were going to Romania to visit Charlie. Theo, Blaise and Daphne were all going home though.

Jason and Harry smile at the Weasleys in gratitude though Toni had a sad look on her face. Peter, Harley, Rhodey and Pepper noticed but she signaled she would tell them later.

　When they left the dungeons at the end of Potions they ran into Jason who had just finished his classes and then they found a large fir tree blocking the corridor ahead. Two enormous feet sticking out at the bottom and a loud puffing sound told them that Hagrid was behind it.
　　"Hi, Hagrid, want any help?" Ron asked, sticking his head through the branches.
　　"Nah, I'm all right, thanks, Ron."
　　"Would you mind moving out of the way?" came Malfoys cold drawl 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."

"Words cannot express how much I hate him." Jason mutters to Harry who nods.

Ron and Jason dived at Malfoy just as Snape came up the stairs.
　　"WEASLEY! POTTER!"
　　Ron let go of the front of Malfoy's robes.
　　"They was provoked, Professor Snape," said Hagrid, sticking his huge hairy face out from behind the tree. "Malfoy was insultin' Ron's family."
　　"Be that as it may, fighting is against Hogwarts rules, Hagrid, and Mr. Potter is known to assault Malfoy on more than one occasion" said Snape silkily. "Five points from Gryffindor, Weasley, and five points from Ravenclaw, Potter, and be grateful it isn't more. Move along, all of you."