Summer Holiday

Chapter 41

The morning air was crisp as snow fell for the first time this winter. It felt appropriate the first snowfall would fall on the day of Hogsmeade. Sophie threw on her warmest sweater she owned, a large brown and red sweater Sirius and Remus had sent her with the note:

Stay warm. See you soon

-Padfoot and Moony

Receiving a gift partway through the school year put Sophie in a wonderful mood. That was her first gift. The sweater was rather ugly, but she didn't mind. She threw on a coat and a scarf and tucked her wand into the waistband of her jeans.

"Ready?" She asked Cho.

"You look warm." Cho giggled as she eyed Sophie.

"It's cold out. It's snowing." Sophie replied.

Cho smiled and put her coat on. "Let's go."

The two girls exited their dorm and began their walk down to the courtyard. Students were excitedly chatting and waiting in the courtyard to head down to Hogsmeade. Due to the war, this was the first trip for the school year, and quite possibly the last. McGonagall stood on the stone steps with a large list reading off names of students approved for the trip. Sophie and Cho stood huddled together discussing which shops they wanted to visit first.

"We need to go to the Three Broomsticks first. I'm dying for a warm beverage." Cho shivered.

"I told you it's cold." Sophie gloated.

"Hey Sophie." A voice spoke as it approached the two girls.

Sophie turned around to see Harry Potter.

"Hi Harry." Sophie smiled at him.

"Cho." Harry smiled and nodded in Cho's direction.

"Hi Harry." Cho replied.

"Heading to Hogsmeade?" Sophie asked.

"Yeah, just waiting for Ron and Hermione. Probably off arguing somewhere." Harry laughed to himself. "Mind if I walk with you two?"

"Not at all." Sophie smiled.

The three students began their journey down to Hogsmeade. The snow continued to fall and shone a beautiful bright white along their pathway.

"Excited for Christmas?" Sophie asked Harry.

"Yes. I'm spending it with Ron's family this year."

"Sounds lovely." Sophie looked at Cho who had been silent since Harry joined them.

"What are you doing for the holiday?" Harry asked in return.

"Probably just spend it with family." Sophie couldn't go into as much detail as she would've liked. Harry knew she was living with Sirius, but Cho was still in the dark.

They continued walking until they arrived at the Three Broomsticks. All three of them stomped their feet free of snow as they entered.

Harry touched Sophie's elbow and leaned in. "How's the tutoring going?" He asked quietly.

Sophie had forgotten she dismissed Harry's suspicions about Draco giving her a hard time by lying and saying she was tutoring him. She almost gave away the lie, but quickly recovered. "Fine Harry." She smiled at him.

He pulled back and smiled. "Thanks for the company. I'll see you around." Harry waved and grinned, he left the girls and joined Ron and Hermione who were already seated at a table.

"What was that about?" Cho asked carefully watching Harry walk away.

"Ah. Nothing. Don't worry about it." Sophie dismissed.