Harry Potter and the Second Chance

Chapter Nine - Christmas!

More than a month had passed, and the four of us had spent every free moment we had in the library, looking for any trace of a Nicholas Flamel. We'd spent more time inside than out. Soon it was Christmas, and I was excited to go home and see my family. Until Hogger came.

"El, come look at this!" Tim said.

Dear Cassandra, Eleanor, and Timothy,

We're terribly sorry, but do to a problem in the Ministry your mother, Seth, and I have to travel during the winter holidays. We love you and will see you in the summer!

Love, Dad

"This is terrible!" Cass exclaimed.

"I was hoping to see them before summer." Tim agreed, nodding.

"I was too, but I suppose it can't be helped." I said. "Seth's a lucky little bugger."

"Yeah! I've never gotten to leave Europe." Tim said.

---

That afternoon, Harry, Ron, and I stayed in the great hall. The boys were playing a game of wizard chess, which I didn't understand. But, then again, I didn't understand Muggle chess, either.

"Knight to E-5." Ron spoke, and the corresponding piece moved.

Harry smiled slyly. "Queen to E-5." The Queen piece picked up her throne and smashed the Knight with it.

"That's barbaric!" Hermione exclaimed. She had just entered the great hall, lugging her trunk behind her.

"That's wizard chess." Ron eyes her luggage. "I see you've packed."

"I see you haven't."

"Change of plans. My parents are going to Romania to visit my brother, Charlie." Ron explained.

"What about you, Eleanor?" Hermione asked me.

"My parents had to go out of country for Ministry business." I told them.

"Well then, you two can help Harry in the library." She said.

"Hermione, we've read the entire library! Twice!" I exclaimed.

"Not the Restricted Section. Happy Christmas!" She waved at us and dragged her trunk away.

"I think we've had a bad influence on her." Ron said.

---

"Harry! Ron! Wake up!" I shouted up the stairs. A couple minutes later, the door produced to tired, messily dressed boys.

"Bloody hell, Eleanor. I was sleeping!" Ron said, rubbing his eyes.

"Happy Christmas!" I yelled, and their faces lit up.

"Happy Christmas, Eleanor, Ron!" Harry replied. And then he saw the pile of packages under the tree. "Who are all of those for?"

"Us, of course!" I answered. They both ran over and started sorting through the pile of gifts.

"My mum's sent me another maroon jumper." Ron said. "I don't have the heart to tell her that I hate maroon. Hey, Harry, she's sent one for you too! And you, El!"

We spent the morning tearing into packages and tasting various treats, most of which my parents had sent from America.

"Wait, there's one more." I said, noticing a box stuffed deep under the tree. "It's for you, Harry."

"Me?" He took the package and looked at it.

"What're you waiting for, mate? Go on, open it!" Ron urged.