Truth's And Lie's

Family and Secrets

As December rolled in you started to dread having to go into the dungeon for potions class “Why does it have to be so cold down here?” You muttered to yourself making Draco scoff, turning to him as he rested his head on his propped up hand. “Stop complaining. Just pull your robes over your lap and you'll be fine.” He whispered while following the instructions on the board. Rolling your eyes “You don't think I haven't done that? Unlike you I don't hide in a cold dark hole all day after classes.” You remarked tucking your legs closer under your cloak, finishing your notes. Feeling his glare you just rolled your eyes and turned to Harry and Hermione. Catching their attention “I hate sitting next to him!” You mouthed gesturing to the blond next to you making them nod in agreement. Scurrying up the stairs as fast as you could after class, you rubbed your arms “Why can't we get a class with a fireplace in it?” You asked making you friends either laugh or shake their heads. “Why don't you just sneak a blanket in under your robes?” Seamus asked as you all walked through the halls “I plan to. I can't stand how cold it is down there.” You said starting to walk backwards to talk better to them. “So what are you guys doing for the winter break? I'm heading home for my families yearly reunion.” You said periodically looking behind yourself to make sure you wouldn't run into anyone as you all walked outside. “Me and my brothers are going home too, unless my parents go and visit my brother.” Ron said looking at you and the others nodding as Neville scratched the back of his head “I'm going to visit my mom and dad, I haven't seen them in a while.” He said looking down a bit sadly. As you were about to cheer him up you bumped into someone. Turning quickly “Oh sorry I didn't mean to run into you!” You said seeing Professor Quirrell “N-not to w-worry (F-first/Name). No h-harm d-done.” He said just as a snowball hit the back of his head making the skittish man yelp and turn quickly to see who threw it. Looking around as well you saw a few floating snowballs a few feet away. “I think a couple of boys are playing a  prank on you, Professor.” You said pointing at the Bewitched snow just as another one came flying. Pulling out his wand just in time, Quirrell broke the spell on the balled up snow making them fall. Hearing disappointed groaning everyone turned to see the twins, giggling when the Gryffindor's groaned for the loss of points you waved at McGonagall as you walked to the library to study for an upcoming test. Packing your luggage you smiled thinking about getting too see your family during the holiday break before jumping around the room “I get to see my family! I get to see my family!” Making Susan giggle “It's only been what? Three and a half months since you came to Hogwarts? Nearly every day you get letters from them.” She said opening your nightstand drawer showing all the letters and pictures you've gotten. “That's not what I meant! My whole family is coming to our house this year so I get to see all my aunts, uncles, cousins, and my grandparents! I haven't seen them since last year in Whales!” You said jumping onto your overly stuffed suitcase making it close as Hannah walked in smiling at you “Have fun seeing your family and I promise to take good care of Bobbie during the holidays so you don't have to worry about him.” She said going over to the cage to pet the small garble thought the bars. “Thank you Hannah, it means a lot that you're willing to take care of him. He hasn't been feeling all that will.” You said hugging her as she smiled. Walking out of your room and smiling at everyone in the common room, you where now grinning after the 15 minute goodbyes and happy holidays, you left and went to say goodbye to a couple of friends who wouldn't be going home. Seeing Hermione talking to Harry and Ron you walked up only hearing the end of her sentence. -barbaric!” “What's barbaric?” You asked wanting to know when Ron looked up smugly “She’s talking about wizard's chess. I see you two packed.” He said looking at both of your luggages. “See you haven't.” Hermione snapped as Harry rolled his eyes. “Change of plans. My parents decided to go to Romania to visit my brother, Charlie. He's studying dragons there!” He said making you sit down “Really! That's so cool, can you get me a dragon's scale?” You asked when Hermione put her hands on her hips “Good. You can help Harry, then. He's going to go to the library for information on Nicholas Flamel.” She said looking at Harry who looked away “We've looked a hundred times!” Ron said not wanting to go through trying to find the guy in the thousands of books. "Not in the restricted section...Happy Christmas.” She said leaving the stunned boys as you looked at them. “Oh dear lord what did your two do to her?” You asked looking between them. “I think we've had a bad influence on her.” Ron said looking at the table, sighing and standing up “You better find a way around Filch so she doesn't bite your heads off. And I'll see you guys after the holidays.” You said waving at them as you left. On the train back home you've been kicking your feet happily as you watched the scenery pass by out the window when you felt a small tickle behind your ear making you giggle “Where are we going? Isss it a warm plasss?” Triton asked as you looked at the tiny snake slithering on your shoulder. “We’re going to my house for the holidays.” You said booping him on the nose. “Why didn't you bring the gerbil.” He asked crawling onto your hand. “He doesn't like to travel and some of my younger cousins are too rough with him. Plus sadly I think he won't be around much longer, he hasn't been as active as he normally is for a while. And I wanted you to meet my family, they may be wild and rowdy at first but you'll love them.” You said petting his head as he nodded going into your sleeve as you leaned back to take a small nap. Gabbing your luggage you sprinted off the train and to the meeting spot for your family, grinning wildly you threw yourself into your dad's back nearly knocking him over “I MISSED YOU!” You squealed letting go to hug your mom and little brother. As you were pulling away from Allen he noticed Triton peeking out of the collar of your shirt “Is that a snake?! Can I hold him? Is he mean? Will he bite me?” Your brother asked firing off question after question making you giggle. “Yes he is a snake. I'll have to ask him. No he's really nice, and he hasn't bitten me so far so I guess it's a no.” You answered him as Triton moved closer to flick his tongue out then slither on top of Allen's outstretched hand to meet the Burnett boy, making your mother gasp and grab onto your father's arm “Oh my...(First/Name) honey where did you get that snake?” She asked looking at the ringneck coiling itself around her son's wrist. Looking up at her with a happy grin “I found Triton at school! The poor guy was near death, freezing in a bush after his owner abandoned him.” You said looking back at the black serpent who was enjoying your brothers attention so far. Kneeling down to at a look the said snake “I’ve never seen this bread before?” Your Dad asked looking over the red and black snake as Triton flicked out his tongue looking back at him. “Oh that's because he's from America! Triton loves talking about his homeland. Whenever he gets to bored while I'm doing my homework he'll just go on and on about it.” You said as he hissed in disagreement “I didn't go on and on! I jusst kind of sspoke for maybe one to two hourss…maybe three at mossst!” He said turning to hide in you brothers sleeve making him giggle at the ticklish feeling. Turning to you a little concerned now. “Wait you can talk to him? How long have you been able to talk to animals?” He asked glancing at your mother then at you. A little confused about their worried looks your smile slowly turned to a frown as you slightly shrank away. Just as a loud squeal caught everyone's attention. “(First/Name)! Allen, my adorable little munchkins!” Your Aunt yelled scooping you up into a tight hug making you grin again “Auntie Lu! Your going to squish us!” Allen yelled trying to get away from the raven haired women as you laughed while she hugged the life out of the two of you. Being put down Allen immediately hid behind your mother as you hugged her around the waist “It's good to see you! Where's Ashley and Lauren are they with Uncle John?” You asked looking behind your aunt to try and spot your two favorite cousins. Making Lucia roll her eyes just as her daughter's broke through the crowd. Quickly letting go to run and jump into the girls “YOUR HERE! YOUR HERE! WE’RE GOING TO HAVE SO MUCH FUN!” You squealed as they giggled nodding their heads and hugging you back in a group hug. “Hey, I'm a chopper liver? Where's my munchkins at with my hug?” Your uncle asked putting down the bags he was carrying and opened his arms making both you and your brother tackle him with a hug. Hearing a small hiss you pulled your brother away quickly. “You have to be careful! You still have Triton with you!” You yelled lifting his sleeve to let the snake out and quickly wrap onto your hand “Never let your brother hold me again.” He said going under your sleeve to coil around your wrist as your cousins scream and making both your aunt and uncle gasp taking a step back. “You got you eleven year old daughter a snake?!” Lucia said moving her daughters back while looking at your parents in shock. “They didn't get him for me a friend at my school gave him to me! And don't worry auntie Triton is really nice he won't hurt anyone I promise!” You said looking at her trying to help take the heat off of your parents as Lauren slowly walked over and lifted your sleeve to peek at the snake who looked absolutely snug wrapped up  in himself and looking back at her. “He doesn't look that scary. He’s actually really cute! Hi there snakey I'm Lauren! And that's my older sister Ashley, it nice to meet you.” She said using a finger to lightly pet his head making him flick his tongue out. Giggling as Ashley and you brother pulled your sleeve up more to look at the red and black snake, you didn't notice your uncle walk over to your parents. “So you really weren't lying? This is just another reason to tell her now rather than later and risk her not forgiving you for lying to her, her whole life, (Father's/Name).” He whispered looking back at the group of kids fawning over the ringneck snake.