Golden Girl; 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓦𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓵𝓮𝔂

Third Year: The Coldest Days Make for The Warmest Nights

A couple days later after dinner, a few stray owls who had battled their way through the dark stormy skies swooped down delivering late packages and letters from that morning. Poor Gerald was huffing and puffing as he crashed onto the table covered with snow and soaked all the way through.

"Gerald!" Bambi jumped, brushing the snow off of him, and hurriedly untying the letter so he could rest. She picked him up and settled him under her arm in her wool cloak to warm up.

December 5th

Bambi dear,

Merry Early Christmas! I know it will be a much later date when you actually receive this, maybe actual Christmas. The school took such good care of Gerald that I thought I'd send him straight back to you with a reply to your last letter.

I'm sorry I couldn't give you good answers to the questions you've asked me. I know reading a description of how I saw your mother is different than seeing her for yourself. One day we'll talk my dear, but that day is not today. Please don't let your Professor alter how you see your mother. One day there will be an answer for every question you hold.

I know you've asked me about the Winter Holidays, but I don't see how we can make this Christmas work together. I won't have time for celebrating, unfortunately, so even if you did happen to come down to India, it wouldn't be a very festive time. I hope you have a wonderful Holiday in the castle. You'll have to tell me all about it.

Oh, and I loved the frog spawn soap. I've decided to keep a few as pets... unfortunately, Gerald got to some last night.

All my love,

Dad

P.S. - Dumbledore has assured me that he will watch over your presents until Christmas morning, so I've sent your gifts to him instead of with Gerald.

"Darn," One of the twins had also just gotten a letter, "Mum and Dad are taking Ginny to Romania to visit Charlie for Christmas."

"What?" Ron pulled the letter from Fred's hand, "So that means we have to stay here?"

"It's not going to be too bad, Ronikins. You'll get to spend lots of time with your dear older brothers," George grinned.

Professor McGonagall walked around the table with a clipboard and quill in her arms, "If I could have a moment of your attention, students. I have here a signup sheet to account for those who will be staying at Hogwarts over Winter break. If you do not have plans to return home during that time, kindly raise your hand as I pass by and we will get you signed up,"

"I'm staying too Ron," Harry's hand had shot up through the air far before Professor McGonagall had finished her sentence. "There's no chance I'm going back to my Aunt and Uncle if I get a say in it!" He took the quill and signed his name at the top.

Bambi raised her hand, a bit bummed that she didn't have a say in it. She had always spent Holidays with her Dad.

"George Weasley... Mr. Frederick Gideon Weasley, Older Brother and First Born Twin to Mr. George Fabian Weasley- You didn't have to put your full name and title, Mr. Weasley." Professor McGonagall looked down at Fred. "Alright, that's all of your family accounted for," She said with an approving nod, after reading off Ron and Percy's names after his. "Alright, Miss Hargroves?" She handed the signup sheet to Bambi who signed it.

"Why are you staying, Bambi?" Asked Harry curiously. "I thought you'd want to be with your Dad traveling around,"

"He's practically unreachable right now. All his letters are coming in about two weeks after the date written," She pointed to the date on top of her last letter. "Even if he did agree, it'd be too late by the time I got to India," She shrugged.