White Blood ↣ T.Riddle

3, SNOW ANGEL

CHAPTER THREE • SNOW ANGEL

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THE WEEKS PASSED BY so quickly that Georgia hadn't even begun to do what Dumbledore asked. She'd seen Tom in some classes, but her brain always failed to come up with something to say; she'd just ignored him as usual, as it was easier, and the fear of saying somethig stopped her from saying a word.

It was drawing closer and closer to Christmas, which meant the days were getting shorter and colder, and consquently most of the students found themselves inside their common rooms, tucked up in front of the fire in blankets or sitting at the tables doing homework. It was far too cold in the corridors to spend time milling about down there, and anyway, the students would've rather spent their time in their cosy common rooms with their friends even if it meant they had homework. Whenever she passed a window and caught a glimpse of the snow behind the frost-laden glass, Georgia wished she could find a spell to change the weather. Usually, she didn't mind the cold, but now it was relentless and she felt like she could do with some time outside.

The Hufflepuff common room was usually packed full at this time of year, however no one minded much as it was always filled with warmth and laughing, happy people. The November month was rapidly coming to an end which only meant one thing; December, and December meant Christmas.

On the fifth of December, Georgia was sat on one of the sofas in front of the fire, writing on a piece of parchment. The cushion beneath her sunk, as if someone had sat beside her.

"Potions homework?" sighed a familiar voice. "I need to do mine too."

Georgia could literally hear her rolling her eyes, and turned so she was facing her best friend. "Yes," she sighed, dropping her face onto the parchment with a pained expression, "potions homework. We've had so much recently, and now twelve inches from Slughorn. I need a break."

"I know how you feel," Amy sighed, blowing her dark hair away from her face. "Are you going to Hogsmeade today?" she asked, bending her head sideways to peer at Georgia who was looking at Amy through her hair. Georgia raised her head back up and nodded.

"If you're going, I may as well come too."

"I am - Carrie, Eddie and I are all going together. We decided yesterday while you were in the library, and we didn't see you again," Amy replied. "I'm going to do a bit of Christmas shopping while I'm there."

"Of course I will then! Can't wait - I haven't been to Hogsmeade in so long," said Georgia, imagining the snow-topped cottages, the shop filled with any assortment of sweets, the taste of butterbeer - it'd been too long.

Usually, as no-one signed Georgia's permission slip, all four of them - Georgia, Amy, Eddie and Carrie - slipped into Hogsmeade through one of the many passages hidden around the school, hoping they wouldn't be seen by a teacher. Carrie hated going that way, (she'd never been much of a rule breaker), but it was either because she was in Hufflepuff and wanted to help her friend, or because she didn't want to be alone that she put up with it.

"Shall we go then?" asked Amy, getting up from the sofa. Georgia nodded and placed her feet on the floor, standing up while she folded her potions homework and put it away. "Eddie and Carrie are meeting us at the passageway - they were still at breakfast when I left."

Amy and Georgia made their way down to the tapestry - through the barrel, past the kitchens, through many corridors and up many stairs. Carrie and Eddie were already there and were looking at the tapestry with frustration.