Harry and Isabella Potter & the Philosopher's Stone

Chapter 10 - Christmas [Part I]

Christmas was near and the whole school was already covered with coats of snow. The lake was already solid and Fred and George Weasley were punished for bewitching several snowballs which followed Professor Quirrel around and keeps on bouncing to the back of his turban. Hermes, Mad-Eye's barn owl, made it here through the stormy sky.

Everyone couldn't wait for the Holidays to start. The whole school had become icy and cool wind rattles among the windows. Potions were a bit mess, really. Since Professor Snape's classes were held down the dungeons, it was chilly down there so we - or should I say I - have to wear double clothes so I wouldn't have cold. Above all of it, everything seem to be normal.

"I feel so sorry about someone here," said Blaise Zabini during our Potions class, "because he have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because he's not wanted at home." He was looking over my brother, Harry, as he spoke. As usual, his overweighted minions - Crabbe and Goyle - chuckled. Of course, Harry ignored them, but I don't. Lucky Hermione hadn't let me punch that ungrateful jerk. I swear i'm gonna kill him if I face him alone. Anyways, Zabini had been even more unpleasant than ever  since the Quidditch match. He was disgusted that Slytherin haven't won the match over Gryffindor and tried to get everyone laughing at how Harry and Draco will be replace with much better and older Chasers. Other than that, he didn't say anything about me.

When he realised that no one found him funny, he kept on taunting Harry about staying with the crazy Dursleys and Draco, saying that his father doesn't care about him anymore. One time, I hexed Zabini with the Curse of Boogies and everyone does find that funny, even the other Slytherins. Then one time, the Weasley twins made Zabini's hair red and gold - Gryffindor colors - and made it temporary for a week.

Harry, Draco, Ron and his brothers, and I are staying over Christmas. And guess what, my friends from Slytherin - Tracey Davis and Daphne Greengrass - are staying too! Great, because we're the only girls staying for Christmas. Hermione will be home and so does Parvati.

When we left the dungeons, there was a large fir tree blocking our way. Two enormous feet were sticking out of the bottom of the tree and a loud puffing sound came. We realised the feet belongs to Hagrid. "Hi, Hagrid, any help you might need?" I ask, sounding more innocent.

"Nah, I'm all right. Thanks." came Hagrid's reply, "Tell yeh what, come with me an' see the Great Hall." The four of us nodded and followed Hagrid and his tree off to the Great Hall where Professors McGonagall and Flitwick were busy decorating.  "There you are, Hagrid. The last tree - put it in the far corner, would you?" 

The hall looked spectacular. Festoons of holly and mistletoe are hanging in the walls, and no less than twelve towering Christmas trees stood around the room, some sparkling with tiny icicles, some glittering with hundreds of candles.

"So," Hagrid huffed once he was finished with the last tree Professor McGonagall was talking about. "How many days you got left until yer holidays?" he asked.

"One," said Hermione. "And that reminds me - Harry, Ron, Draco, and Izzy. We've got half an hour before lunch, we should be in the library."

"Yeah, you're right," I said as I tear my eyes away from Professor Flitwick, who had golden bubbles blossoming out of his wand and was trailing them over the branches of the new tree.

"The library?" asked Hagrid as he follows us out of the hall. "Just before the holidays? Bit keen, aren't yeh?"

"Oh, don't worry Hagrid. We're not working." Draco told him brightly. "Ever since you mentioned Nicholas Flamel we've been trying to find out who he is."

"YOU WHAT?!" Hagrid looked shocked. "The five of you, listen to me - I've told yeh - drop it. It's nothin' to you what that dog's guardin'."

 I laughed. "Kay, Hagrid. Whatever you say..." I said and we all left.

*****

I woke up early the next morning, only to see several gifts resting down my feet. I smiled. I got up to my feet and slowly opened the gifts one by one. I got a green hand-made sweater with a huge I in the middle from Mrs. Weasley, a dozen of candies from Hermione, and a lovely red silk scarf from Parvati.

There was a small hoot and I realised it was from a brown barn owl resting at the window. It was holding a small letter in its feet.

I immediately caught the beautiful owl and took the letter from it. It made a small hoot again and I started petting it. I was surprised when it didn't fly away once I've gotten the letter from it.

Minutes have past and the little owl hasn't left yet so I decided to open the letter, thinking that it would leave once I read it. The letter says:

Happy Christmas, Izzy!

I know you've always wanted an owl since you were eight, so I thought this would be the perfect time to get you one.

Name her whatever you want, Iz. I hope you like her! Oh, and by the way, i'll be coming there to give you your other gift and talk to Albus. See you later, Izzy dear...

Love,

Mad-Eye

I started squealing hysterically and quickly hugged my new owl. That's why she isn't leaving. She's mine! I've gotten an owl for Christmas.

After I changed my nightgown into a purple dress, I decided to name my owl Nascha - It means owl in Navajo language - and get down for breakfast.

When I went downstairs, I saw that Draco was already there too. He was wearing a red sweatshirt and black pants. He look extremely adorable in the suit.

He greeted me a happy Christmas and handed me a small parcel.

"What's this, Dray?" I asked.

"Oh, I don't know." he said then chuckled. "I just found it under the Christmas tree over there." He pointed to the tree inside the Common Room.

I nodded and gave him my gift that I told Maddy to buy for Christmas. It's a special charm bracelet. Long story short, but it's a valuable one.

He thanked me and handed another parcel, which is bigger than the other one. "That's my gift." he said with the brightest of smile.

I smiled back and said thank you. "I'll open the both of it later. I'm starving, you know." I joked.

He laughed. "Yeah, I guess. The others are there already. They've been up a few hours earlier."

This time, I laughed. "Okay, okay. Let's go."