Skylar Rogers || 1st Year

Aunt Queenie's Knitted Beanies

Wednesday was bustling, even during mid-November. Potions was only questions on paper and Herbology's all telling differences between different types of creatures. Grandpa's book was really helpful on this one. The only class I was excited about was flying except we needed to wear robes and gloves due to the cold weather. During Astronomy, we got to look through telescopes in order to see constellations. Hopefully, I'd see Neptune or Saturn including the Moon. Better yet study werewolves next term. Perhaps I listened too intently on Brianna's Twilight reading. We had little time before flying class so we practically studied our Potions homework in the Hall. All our textbooks, notebooks and quills were splattered on the table. Must say, this was the busiest minutes of my life. I huffed as I went over a few questions and writing down my answers as part of studying...except Ron was playing cards by himself. I would be doing that if I could remember all the questions for the final exam. Hedwig flew down on one of Harry's books and looked around. I looked at her in awe. Hermione looked at Ron annoyedly. "Look at you. Playing with your cards. Pathetic. We've got final exams coming up soon." She said. He shrugged. "I'm ready. Ask me any question." He said confidently. I low-key snickered and Brianna scoffed. "This ought to be good." She whispered in my ear. Harry smiled amusedly. "Alright. What are the three most crucial ingredients in a forgetfulness potion?" She asked. "I forgot." He answered embarrassingly. We low-key chuckled. "And what might I ask you plan to do when this comes up on the final exam?" She asked. Brianna smirked. Ron sighed. "Copy off you?" He asked sarcastically. "No, you won't. Besides, according to Professor McGonagall we'll be given special quills for which with an anti-cheating spell." She told him. There is an anti-cheating spell? Guess there is one for everything. Ron looked at her in disbelief. "That's insulting! It's like they don't trust us! Dumbledore again!" He complained, putting the card down. Brianna fake gasped. "How mental. To answer your question, the ingredients are lethe river water, mistletoe berries, valerian sprigs." She said, smiling at the last part. Hermione returned the gesture and nodded. "Correct!" She beamed. Harry and I chuckled. Ron stuck his tongue out. From the entrance, we saw Neville hopping with his two legs stuck together without no chains. Some kids were laughing. Who could be so cruel to do that? "Malfoy." Harry low-key growled in Ron's ear. "That explains it." I said annoyedly. Brianna whipped her head at me. "Explains what?" She asked. I hummed in response. "Draco." I told her. Ron sighed. "You have got to start standing up to people Neville." He said. He barely hung onto the table in order to stand straight. "How? I can barely stand at all!" He complained softly. Brianna huffed. "He used a leg-locker curse? Bloody git Malfoy. If I see him, he'll be walking on one leg!" She growled, pulling out her wand. She pointed to his legs and sighed. "Locomoter Liberari." She spoke. Neville's legs released which made him stumble onto the table. Our eyes widened including Hermione's. How did she do that?! He breathed a breath of relief. "Blimey! Thanks!" He said, smiling. She winked while putting her wand away. I looked at her in shock. "How did you do--that?" I managed to say. "Impossible." Ron muttered in disbelief. Brianna giggled. "Guess I've done more studying than I could count." She said. No argue from me. I nodded in agreement and grabbed one of Ron's cards. "What are you doing?" Harry asked confusedly. "Getting some luck before the exam." I said worriedly. Hermione rolled her eyes which made Ron chuckle. If my little sister can break a curse, what chance I got on the test?

We walked back to our room and an owl flew in with package. Brianna's silk-gray owl Tulip. She touched down her bed while squeaking. We shared confusion. "What are these from?" Brianna asked. I smiled. "Don't know. I already sent my Christmas list to Mom." I told her. She chuckled. "Same." She said. A silk pink envelope was tied around Tulip's feet. She untied it and started reading the letter.

Dear my lovely great-nieces,

This time of year is frightfully cold and your Mother must be concerned if you'll catch a flu or fever. Don't worry, Great-Auntie Queenie always thinks of her nieces. Here are some well-knitted beanies I made so you could stay warm during the holidays and classes. Uncle Jacob will probably send a package of sweets to your houses for Christmas. Oh dear Kyle would love that!

Happy Holidays, my loves!

P.S. There's a third beanie for a friend of yours to give!

Aunt Queenie

Our jaws dropped. "Beanies?!" We said in unison. She teared open the package and three beanies were shown. One was creamy white with red-black hollies, second was red with snowflakes all over, third was green and red with a white Pom. We looked at them in shock. "Wow!" We whispered in unison. "Which do we pick?" Hermione asked. In two seconds, we rummaged through the box and grabbed one. Mine was the first, Brianna's the third and Hermione had the second beanie. They're so cute! Brianna sighed happily. "I love Aunt Queenie and Uncle Jacob's presents." She added. I laughed, pulling my broom from underneath. "Let's go. Can't be late." I said. She nodded. I put my beanie behind my pillow and caught up with them.

******

"Fly upwards! Not downwards!" Madam Hooch yelled. We were flying upwards mid-air carefully and around. Brianna looked back to see her distracted by helping Neville before pointing her wand at Malfoy's legs. "Locomotor Mortis." She whispered. His legs binded together, making him fall upside down and wrapped around his levitating broom. Everyone began laughing. Harry chuckled uncontrollably. I facepalmed my forehead and huffed. If she gets detention before exams, I won't be joining her. Hermione's jaw dropped. "Brianna! You could get detention for that!" She whispered/yelled. She still laughed while Malfoy shrieked swinging underneath. "I'm simply doing him a favor. Try not spelling someone from our house." She said, smirking. I playfully rolled my eyes and covered my mouth. "Locomotor Liberari." I whispered. His legs invisibly untied but he flipped himself upwards and breathed a breath of relief. Everyone continued flying about when Madam Hooch walked pass. Brianna crossed her arms and pouted. "Playtime's over." I teased. Hermione chuckled.