Reborn - A Harry Potter Fanfiction

i.xiv chapter fourteen

Winter, 1991; Christmas Morning

Christmas was coming to Hogwarts. One morning in mid-December, Ember woke to find the school covered in several feet of soft, powdery, white snow. From her window, she could see the lake had frozen over and the trees were now buried under a blanket of white. Naturally, she'd bundled up in her warmest jumpers and fluffy socks before bursting outside to go play. Fred and George had joined her, and even allowed her to take part in a prank: Project enchant snowballs to follow and hit the back of Professor Quirrel's turban for the whole day. It was incredible.

Ember swiftly decided she loved the winter. The years before it had been a nightmare, but now looking at Hogwarts coated in the frost and snow, it was too beautiful not to. That didn't mean she'd forgotten her past horrors; it was during this time her thoughts often drifted back to the children's home and all the girls that were still there, freezing and at the mercy of the Hammonds. Hagrid only knew half the story, and there were events from her childhood that she would never relive or utter to anyone. She would take those nightmares to her grave. She distracted herself with her friends, delighting in the simple moments where they'd drink hot chocolate by the lake, or laugh with the girls in the dormitory and simply have fun in their company.

Ember often found herself in the library, endlessly searching through rows and rows of books to find anything that might relate to Nicholas Flammel. But no such luck.

"I do feel sorry" Malfoy started, whilst slowly wandering up the great hall, "for all those people who have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because they're not wanted at home."

Ember who'd previously been taking a nice nap with her head on the table, turned to look up to see Malfoy smirking at both herself and Harry.

"And I feel sorry for your parents who'll have to see your face during the Christmas break" she snapped, before lying back on the table. She'd be glad for the couple of weeks without that brat walking the halls. Ron, Harry and Hermione who'd been keeping her company's faces were ecstatic, as they all laughed when Malfoy turned bright red. Turning red seemed to be a usual occurrence for Malfoy at the minute, for ever since Slytherin lost the quidditch match, he'd seemed to become extra...difficult. That of course resulted in Ember snapping back, silencing him and causing the scarlet shade to flood his face. She was used to bullies and Malfoy was no different.

Ember smiled to herself as she saw Malfoy stalk away in a strop, hopefully for the last time of the year. Whilst Harry and Ron got back to their game of wizard's chess. Hermione, who was beside her was busy checking off her list, making sure she'd got everything in typical Hermione fashion.

"Haven't you been through that list about twenty times already?" She asked, raising a curious eyebrow.

"I have to be sure" Hermione mumbled between her teeth. "Okay...I think that's it."

Ember giggled, shaking her head. She loved Hermione and all her ways. Hermione meanwhile, pushed back her hair, satisfied that she'd got everything before throwing her scarf around her neck and tightening her cloak.

"Right, suppose I better be off" she sighed and Ember jumped to her feet. The four of them had just been sitting in the great hall until it was time to go, but now that time had arrived, Ember felt an overwhelming sense of sadness. She was going to miss this girl.

"You four promise you'll keep looking for information on Nicholas Flammel" Hermione said before bringing Ember in for a hug.

"Promise" the boys grumbled as they too got to their feet. Ember echoed their response, whilst pulling her friend in tighter.