Golden Girl Gone "Bad" (fem!Harry Potter)

Chapter 11

Summary:

Previously: Tea with Hagrid, Quidditch matches, and parties.

Coming up: Yule at Neville's and the Yule ball
Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text
The months passed so quickly, that Yule actually surprised her. Emmelia wasn't really used to celebrating Yule, or any holiday for that matter, but she really was shocked when Neville of all people asked her to go over to his manor of the holidays.

"Yule?" Hermione asked, not understanding.

Pansy gave a dramatic sigh, "Sometimes I forget how different muggles are these days. We don't celebrate Christmas in wizarding Britain. Well, most purebloods don't. Yule-- its is a lot like Christmas, but it's a Pagan holiday. We're celebrating the Winter Solstice instead of the Birth of Christ or whatever. Some celebrate in a way as close as possible to how they believe Ancient Germanic pagans observed the tradition. Most of the time it's celebrated with a meal and gift giving. Oh! And the burning of the Yule log."

"Oh. Do wizards celebrate all the Pagan holidays?"

"Yes! We do!" Pansy seems genuinely excited that anyone was finally taking an interest in her holidays, "Midwinter, that's the other name for Yule, Imbolc, the Vernal Equinox, Beltan, Midsummer, we also call it Litha, Lammas, the Autumnal equinox , Samhain. That one's on halloween."

Where Pansy was excited, Daphne was annoyed, "Were supposed to," She cleared her throat mockingly, "honor and celebrate the seasons and cycles of life. That's a direct quote from my mother by the way." Pansy glared at her, but she continued, "Oh come on Pans, I'm only joking. I really do like the idea of our holidays, but you know how mother and father are about them. It's exhausting. The rituals are very nice though, it's a shame we can't do them here yet."

"Yeah, it is. But don't call me Pans."

"Anyway," Emmelia finally saud, "Neville? You asked if I could go to your house- or manor- for Christ- Yule, I mean?"

Neville's gave her a huge, uncharacteristic grin, "Oh yes! I asked Grandmother if you're allowed to come over for the holidays, and she agreed! I wasn't sure if I was gonna ask you, but I realized that you would be all alone here if you didn't come over to one of our manors. Daphne, Pansy, and Hermione are all going back home too. Still, you can't stay for the entire break, only some of it. Family rituals and all that.

"Thanks, Neville." She said, smiling sweetly at her friend.

Pansy interrupted, "You get to go to the Malfoy's Yule party too, which will be fun. Draco will be there, but he's not going back for the holidays, Lord Malfoy is picking him up the day before and then dropping him off the day after. Daphne and I will be there too. It's probably the biggest event of the season. Great for making connections."

"Anyway Emmy, can you go? I mean, you don't have to go if you don't want to of course, it's just- I thought- never mind it was stupid to ask. You probably want to go back to your Aunt and Uncle." Neville suddenly seemed to grow more shy, much to Emmelia's worry.

"Neville, darling, of course I'll go with you. I'd rather snap my wand them voluntarily go back there with no reason . And while I love Hogwarts very much, I think a visit to your manor will be much more fun and interesting."

"Really? Oh great! I wasn't sure. I'll send an owl to Grandmother right away." The shy boy made his way to the stairs and up the tower to the owlery without a glance back in their direction.

"He forgot to mention that you need to put your name down on the list for people leaving Hogwarts." With that dry comment out of the way, Pansy and Daphne made to follow Emmelia back to their common room, waving goodbye to a thoughtful looking Hermione in their secret classroom.