The Next Generation - Harry Potter

Hogwarts In Winter

Albus

It was in December and Professor Mcgonagall was passing around a list of people that would be staying at Hogwarts for Christmas. I was going to spend it at our house and Rose and Hugo would be coming too. I had already packed my trunk (stuffed all of my robes over a layer of broken quills and random bits of parchment) as the Hogwarts Express left tomorrow morning. The air was freezing and thick with anticipation. Hogwarts at Christmas was quite spectacular: The Great Hall was filled with its usual twelve Christmas trees, covered in everything from flickering candles to non-melting icicles; Peeves the ancient poltergeist sported a pointy Father Christmas' hat and a stream of glittering tinsel; and the coats of armour sung Christmas carols when passed in the corridors.

The next day, I wound my Slytherin scarf around my neck and carried my trunk to the carriages. We trundled through the wrought iron gate, past the snow-topped stone pig statues and quickly boarded the scarlet steam train. We watched the scenery rapidly disappear out of the misty windows - the trees and lakes were no more than coloured blurs. I said my final goodbye to Scorpius as the train ground to a halt and we clambered off.

I knocked on the door and shook snow out of my damp hair. I barely had to wait a second before Lily opened the door and squealed with delight, "Hello Albus!" She hugged me round my waist as mum and dad came through the door way. The hug between me and dad was slightly awkward as things hadn't been too good between us lately (he obviously wasn't expecting me to be in Slytherin).

I spent the next few days in my room (mum kicked me out of the kitchen every time I wanted some food).