Alohomora

8) Home For Christmas

Before i knew it, my first term at Hogwarts was over. Harry and Ron were staying at school for Christmas whilst Hermione and I were going home. After giving each other our presents early, and saying our goodbyes, Hermione and I made our way down to the train. 

We had a compartment to ourselves. "im kind of sad about going home, i can't wait to see my family, but im really going to miss Hogwarts" sighed Hermione, taking one last look at the castle as the train pulled out of the station. "I know what you mean, i love it here, well everything except Snape"i said, making Hermione giggle. "yes, i wish we could use magic though because i really want to keep practicing, i need to perfect Wingardium Leviosa!" she replied. "Hermione, you don't need to perfect anything, you're the best in our year!" Hermiones cheeks went pink. "thank you, but i still don't want to fall behind!" "there aren't any lessons over christmas anyway, besides in Transfiguration you've already moved on to turning the match into a needle then into paperclip, nobody else has got that far". Hermiones cheeks went pinker still. "hey, did you finish reading Hogwarts:A History?"she asked, changing the subject. "yes, i can't believe about whats in the forbidden forest!"i cried. "i know!" replied Hermione, as she reached deep into her bag and pulled out the book, then moving to sit next to me. She flicked throught the pages until she found the one she wanted. "i am staying well away"she said as she pointed to a photo of a Centaur. The rest of the journey was spent going through the book, talking about things we wanted to see and do, such as find all the secret passageways.

As the train came to a halt, we jumped up and grabbed our belongings. Doors were opening and students were streaming out onto the platform, finding their families. We got onto the platform and hugged goodbye as we spotted our parents. Mine were stood with the Malfoys, Draco was already there. He gave me a smile as my mother pulled me into a tight hug. "oh sweetie, we've missed you so much, we can't wait to hear about it!" my mother said. Our parents lead us past the crowd, through the wall to the muggle station. Then we walked to the Leaky Cauldron for a drink before we used Floo Power from there to get home. 

The Leaky Cauldron was quite full of families. Narcissa, Draco, my mother and me went and found a table in the corner whilst Lucius and my father went to get us drinks. We piled our cases behind us. When our dads arrived back, with a butterbeer for me, Narcissa spoke. "So, you both finally started your Hogwarts adventure together how has it been so far?" she asked smiling. Draco was about to reply when Lucius cut accross him. "i cant imagine its been quite as you imagined, with Ruby here being sorted into Gryffindor"he spoke with a smirk on his face. I took a large gulp of butterbeer. "not exactly, but we have classes together, Ruby is really great at Charms" Draco replied, giving me a shy look. "must take after her mum" said my Dad, smiling. "its a real shame you're in Gryffindor though Ruby, i don't see why you are, you're a pureblood from an ancient family, Slytherin was sure to be your house" said Lucius. My father gave him a frosty look. "well, our little girl is brave and isn't that what Gryffindors are?"replied my father. "not all of them, what about Pettigrew"laughed Lucius. The atmosphere changed and we left not too long after. As i took some floo powder in my hand, Draco whispered. "im sorry about my father, just ignore him, promise me we can see each other this holiday?i've missed you". I nodded before Lucius grabbed him by the cloak and pulled him away. I steped into the dusty fireplace, put my hand out spoke very clearly "Allen Manor" as the powder fell through my fingers.

A minute later, i was home. I stepped out of the fireplace to see my mum and made way for my father to come through after me. My mother motioned for me to sit down as she went through to the kitchen. My father arrived seconds later, dusting himself down and muttering under his breath. He sat down opposite me and so did my mother when she returned with a box of Every Flavour beans in her hand. She passed the beans to me and i suddenly felt very nervous. Lucius had made it seem like a bad thing that i had been sorted into Gryffindor, what if my parents thought the same?But my dad answered the question immediately. "don't listen to Lucius, yes we weren't expecting you to be in Gryffindor, but thats a fine house to be apart of, i hope he hasn't told Draco any stories to make him stay away from you". I didn't say anything. "he hasn't been ignoring you has he?" asked my mother, sounding concerned. "well, yes, but we don't have all the same lessons, and we don't get much time to talk anymore"i said, defending Draco, although inside it hurt that he decided to put a house rivalry infront of our friendship. "but ive made new friends"i said, trying to change the subject. My parents smiled. "Hermione Granger, she is muggleborn but she is the best in our year, she is just like me, we both love reading and always study together, Seamus Finnigan, he makes me laugh and his friend Dean Thomas, Neville Longbottom who is really kind and i help him with his homework, Ron Weasley, who loves Every Flavour beans almost as much as I do and well, Harry Potter" My parents stared. "the boy who lived?" asked my father quietly. I nodded. "well, we are happy for you Ruby" he said, still looking at my mum. I took this as i time to leave.

I put my trunk in the study as i didn't really need to unpack anything and then went up to my room. I let Petal out of her cage and watched her fly around the garden. Falling back onto my bed i drifted off to sleep. I drempt that i was being sorted again, but i was placed in Slytherin. Draco was cheering and hugged me as i sat down at the table. "Ruby, this is it!"he said, as someone started tapping a goblet on the table. But the tapping wasn't in my dream. I rolled over to see an owl at my window i instantly recognised as Dracos. Petal was perched on the branch opposite watching him. I opened the window and took the parchment from his beak and he flew away. I unscrolled it.

"Dear Ruby,

I'm really sorry again about my father, and for the way i have acted. My mother made me realise how  silly i was being. Our houses shouldn't get in the way. You're my best friend and i'd rather spend my time with you than the other Slytherins. Will you come over on Christmas Eve? i've really missed you!

Draco"