From friends to this -Year six (re-uploaded) Book 1/4

Chapter 29

Christmas morning at Hogwarts finally arrived. The night before had been a frantic gathering of jewellery and dress robes, everyone anxious to make sure they had everything for the Yule ball.
Ciara and Tara had gotten theirs altered and delivered to them and they now hung on their wardrobes.

They had woken up to a pile of presents at the end of each of their beds. From her parents, Tara received a new charm for the bracelet she owned that matched her sisters as well as a hand warmer. From her sister she received a charms handbook, for practice and a hair clip that Dora said she could wear for the ball. As for the Weasleys, she received a hand knit sweater, an annual custom.

The Hufflepuff common room was a cosy scene of festive cheer when the sixth year girls walked out of their dormitory and down the stairs. Gift giving happening left and right, secret Santa was well underway between many friend groups. On the notice board hung many a Christmas wishes and tinsel.

Tara had arranged to meet the twins and Lee in the entrance hall that morning but she had time to spare before then. So she plopped herself down on a sofa, next to James and Cedric who both greeted her cheerily.

"Merry Christmas, Tara." James grinned.

"You too, mate," she replied, smiling a little seeing a hair tie on his wrist. It was Ciara's, she always loved a little sparkle on her hair ties and a couple days ago she had 'misplaced' her pink and gold one. The same one that now sat on James's wrist.

"Get anything nice?" Cedric asked, taking out a small paper bag.

"Mum and Dad got me some nice stuff." Tara answered, "You?"

"Yeah, Dad got me a snitch." Cedric told her, "My old one got lost." He held the bag out to her, "Here, Happy Christmas."

Tara took it, "You didn't have to, we agreed we didn't have to." She gave him a grateful look before opening it.

"I know but just because I didn't have to doesn't mean I was not going to." Cedric said with a laugh.

Tara took out a wooden keychain, with the number five engraved on it. She held it up, "Thanks, Cedric." She hugged him quickly, "You're the best. I love it."

"Well it's your quidditch number and you always say it's your favorite number too." He explained, a sparkle in his eye, "So it was easy really, you're the one who gave me the idea to give everyone their jersey number."

Tara smirked, "I mean that much to you then?"

Cedric chuckled, "call it what you want."

When Tara had padded her way to the entrance hall, she was immediately almost winded when someone tackled her into a tight hug.

"Merlin, Jordan!" Fred laughed from behind him, "You're gonna kill the girl."

Tara patted Lee on the back, using the last of the little amount of breath she had in her lunch's to laugh lightly at her friend's never dying enthusiasm.

"Merry Christmas!" Lee told her, letting go and smiling widely.

"You too, Lee." Tara chuckled.

"Did you get a Weasley jumper this year?" Fred asked, quietly, seeing as Lee didn't.

Tara nodded, "Yeah, why?"

"Just wondering," he shrugged, "You know mum loves making them for you."

Tara had gotten a Weasley jumper every single year since she was eleven. Mrs. Weasley had made one for her after hearing about her home situation at the time and the year after she had made it to celebrate her adoption. After that Tara had gotten one every Christmas