The Barry Johnson Walter Series Book One: The Beginning

Chapter 14: Tragedy Before Christmas

Chapter 14: Tragedy Before Christmas

Barry was couldn't wait until Christmas break. He wanted to ask his parents about Lord Binned and that if they had really defeated him. Barry believed Corey but he just wanted to hear about it from them.

As the weeks of November came Barry heard less and less from his parents. To make it worse he was having his same nightmare over and over again. That’s why he was glad when the last day of term came. After the lessons had finished that day, he headed right to the dormitory and packed his trunk full of his things.

Barry head the dormitory door open and then closed but he didn’t look up as he continued to pack his trunk. “You seem to be packing your things rather quickly,” John said.

“He's probably excited to get home,” Peter said. “Right Barry?”

“Yea I cant wait to get home,” Barry said as he finished packing his trunk. “What about you two?” he asked to sound polite.

“I can't wait either,” Peter said. “Christmas is the best time of the year.”

“I hear you,” John said as he slapped his friend on the back.

Later on at dinner that night in the Great Hall Barry rushed though his dinner and left the Great Hall early. As he was walking up the Grand Staircase he almost walked into Professor Brakenbury. Barry took a step back and apologized.

“Sorry Professor,” Barry said. “I didn't see you.”

“It's quite all right Barry,” Brakenbury said. “I can see that you have a lot on your mind. Would you care to talk about it?”

Barry had to stop and think for a minute. Could he really ask the Headmaster about something like this? Would he even know anything about it? That was what Barry had to think about. He finally made his decision.

“Thanks, but no thanks Professor,” Barry said. Not only was Barry worrying about talking to his parents, he was also worried that the dream he was having was about Lord Binned and his parents was real.

“Don't worry I'm sure your parents are fine,” Brakenbury said as he looked Barry in the eyes and said this.

“I know,” Barry lied, before walking away. He made his way for the common room and sat in front of the fireplace. It was still to early for him to go to bed, so he sat where he would be most comfortable.

After dinner everyone returned to the common room. Alec, Ginny, Adriana, Alice and Corey all sat down around Barry. He smiled at them as they warmed up to the fire.

“Is something wrong?” Adriana asked after a few minutes of silence.

“No I just cant wait to get home tomorrow,” Barry said telling the truth, but keeping the reason hidden.

“It just seemed like- never mind,” she said.

After a few hours of sitting by the fireplace and talking Barry, Alec and Corey all went back to their dormitory as did Ginny, Adriana and Alice. The three changed into their pyjamas and got into their beds. One by one they all started drifting off into a comfortable sleep.

Barry awoke the next morning with a jolt. It took him a few seconds to realize that he was shaking. He had the nightmare that's been haunting for a while now. He ignored the feeling that he had, realizing that all it was, was a nightmare and nothing more.\

He then realized that everyone in the dormitory was already up and getting dressed. He looked at his watch, it was a quarter passed eight. The train to London would leave at eleven o'clock and would get to London at about six o'clock. He quickly dressed and followed Alec and Corey to the Great Hall. Ginny, Adriana, Alice, Sam and Tim were all already eating breakfast.

Barry just smiled as he sat down. He, Alec and Corey all began to eat.

By the time they were done eating it was nine thirty. The carriages to Zarcurnville would be leaving soon so Barry and his pals all went up to their dormitories and got their and carried them back downstairs and outside to an empty carriage. Sam and Tim went off and got their own carriage with a friend.

After they got to Zarcurnville Barry, Alec, Ginny, Adriana, Alice and Corey got out of the carriage and loaded their trunks into an empty compartment. There was still twenty minutes before the train was due to leave, so Barry was standing outside the compartment next to the train.

Midler saw Barry standing alone so he approached him. He was wearing an evil grin on his face that made Barry want to vomit. “What do you want?” Barry asked before Midler could say anything.

“I just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas, your going to need it,” he said and walked off. Barry was about to say something when his Alec stuck his head out the compartment door.

“Hurry up, the trains about to leave,” Alec said. Barry didn’t give it a second thought, he jumped in the compartment and just as he did the whistle on the train blew. Barry closed the door and then the train started to move.

“What did Midler want?” Ginny asked as she looked out the compartment window.

“Just being himself,” Barr said not sure if he should tell them about the comment that he had made. “He told me to have a merry Christmas and that I was going to need it.”

Everyone in the compartment gasped. “Why would he say that?” Alice asked, her dreamily voice, sounding serious.  

“I dunno,” Barry said but it was probably nothing he said as he looked at Alec.

The rest of the train ride was spent by everyone talking about what they were going to be doing over the winter break. Barry just looked out the compartment window at all the snow covered fields and mountains. The snow was something that Barry enjoyed to look at and enjoyed playing in, which he planned to do when he got home.

The train ride seemed to go on forever and Barry was glad when it finally stopped in London. He grabbed his trunks, bade Corey, Adriana and Alice a good Christmas and stepped off the train. Barry looked around until he saw Mr. and Mrs. Walter. He was surprised to see that they weren’t alone. Romulus, Tonks, Amy, Jeremy and Bill were all there. They all wore weird faces as Barry, Alec and Ginny approached.

Barry had a gut wrenching feeling as he stopped in front of them. “What's wrong?” he asked, not wanting to hear what was about to be said.

Nobody said anything fore a minute. “It's your parents,” Romulus said.

“You mean, they’re-they're dead?” Barry asked as tears came out of his eyes.

“How could you possible know already?” Mr. Walter asked as tears poured out of her eyes.

“This is something we should talk about at home,” Mr. Walter said as he put Barry. Alex and Ginny's trunks on a cart.

“What’s wrong?” Sam and Tim asked as they approached.

“My-my parents are dead,” Barry whispered.

“Are you all serious?” Sam asked. The looks on everyone’s faces pretty much answered his question.

“But how?” Tim asked.

“We'll talk about this at home,” Romulus said as bystanders started staring.

“Then lets go,” Mr. Walter said as he led the way to the barrier.