Emaline Goode: The Raven Of Ilvermorny: A Secrets Of The Gordian Knot prequel

Chapter 11 - Home

When Emaline and her teammates arrived at the celebration party, which was in full swing, in the Ravenclaw Common Room, the scene was one of bedlam. Everyone was clapping and cheering for their heroes, like those who were victorious in the field of battle. There was a barrel of Butterbeer brought up from The Three Broomsticks, and loud music. The room was adorned with blue and silver banners and streamers and everyone was dancing. She was greeted with shouts of congratulations. "Hey, Emaline!" Maureen Malarkey said, "Great game today! Congratulations! You've made Ravenclaw proud!"

"Thank you, Maureen!" Emaline responded as she grabbed a glass of Butterbeer.
"I've also heard rumors," Maureen continued.
"Of what?" she said.
"That you were leaving school next week."
"What?"
"Are you leaving Hogwarts?" Maureen yelled loudly.
The music stopped suddenly. Everyone was looking right at Emaline.
Emaline snickered. "No. I am not leaving the school forever," she replied, "I'm going away for the week. I'm going back home to Oregon. For Thanksgiving. But I will be back the week after." Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Terry Boot turned the radio back on. Everyone continued dancing.
"You almost gave us a heart attack there, Emaline," said Penelope Clearwater, who sat down with Emaline. "It almost sounded like you said you were leaving Hogwarts for good."
"I'm not. I love it here," Emaline reassured.

"Good," Patricia Stimpson said, "We love having you around." They both got back up to dance. The party lasted all night. When it was over, the Common Room looked like a tornado had run through with it. There was trash everywhere and people were sleeping on the couches and the floor. Among those sleeping on the ground were Emaline and Tulip. Someone took out a wand and said: "Scourgify!" The room began to slowly, but surely, clean itself up. Emaline and her friends got up and went to the Great Hall for breakfast. A fresh layer of snow blanketed the castle from top to bottom. As she went to breakfast, she received congratulations everywhere she went for yesterday's rousing victory versus Hufflepuff. But the rumors that she was leaving had already spread throughout Hogwarts. People were also whispering. She knew full well that it wasn't true. "Hi, Emaline!" said Penny, "Good morning!"

"Good morning," Penny sat down in front of her. She was with her little sister.
"Brilliant game yesterday. I also heard you're leaving Hogwarts. Is that true?"

"It's just for the week. I'm returning to the United States for Thanksgiving."
Penny breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear," she said, "Everyone here at Hogwarts already likes you too much for you to leave. Rumors around here spread around like Dragon Pox. And what's Thanksgiving? You have to tell me."

"It's held in the last week of November. We also celebrate it, like No-Majs. It's basically a feast where the entire family gets together. Everyone just sits at the table, eats, and argues. And there's also turkey and mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, roast beef, gravy, ham, vegetables, green bean casserole, stuffing, and so on. And for dessert, we have stuff like pumpkin pie, cake, apple pie, and pecan pie. And I come from a very large, very Irish Catholic family. So everyone comes over."
"You gotta stop right there, Emaline," Penny said, "You're already making me hungry." They both chuckled.
"Good morning, Ms. Goode," said Professor McGonagall, who walked over to where the girls were sitting.

"Good morning, Professor," Emaline replied.
"I'm pleased to inform you that you have been excused for the week. I believe that this coming Thursday is Thanksgiving for you, am I correct?"
"Uh...yes, ma'am," she said. "So, what's gonna happen?"
"You will be woken up at 8 in the morning and head to the school entrance. Hagrid will be waiting for you and he will escort you to the portal at Honeyduke's Sweet Shop. Be expected to get some homework."
"I can handle that."
"And I also wish to convey a message from Professor Dumbledore. He hopes that you enjoy your holiday."
"Once again, thank you. I also have a request: I want to bring Tulip Karasu with me on my vacation."
"Granted!" said McGonagall. Emaline had a surprised look on her face.