Into The Light (Golden Trio Era) {2}

December's Here

December brought more expected snow and the foursome's homework didn't let up in the slightest. Before the holidays is always stressful, especially for fifth years. Mikayla soon became aware of more Prefect duties that thankfully she avoided, like supervising the decoration of the castle.

"You try putting up tinsel when Peeves has got the other end and is trying to strangle you with it," Ron complained.

They also had to watch over the first and second year students who were staying at Hogwarts for the holidays;

to which Ron replied, "And they're cheeky little snotrags, you know, we definitely weren't that rude when we were in first year," to Harry.

Ron was most upset about having to patrol the corridors with Filch, who was paranoid about wizard duels happening in the middle of the 'holiday manic'. For once, Hermione was overwhelmed. She was so busy with her work and duties that she got behind on knitting for the elves who she wasn't even freeing, thanks to Dobby. "All those poor elves I haven't set free yet, having to stay over during Christmas because there aren't enough hats!" Every time she gave an exasperated sigh on the subject or glanced worriedly at her knitting needles Mikayla shot Harry a glare for refusing to tell her that Dobby is taking all of the clothing she's making. Harry would just bend farther over his History of Magic essay every time she did, she could tell he wasn't enjoying the holidays at the castle for once. The ban from Quidditch wasn't helping his mood either, some days he would wake up with the urge to march out on the Quidditch field and play, but then it dawns on him that his broom is now chained up in Umbridge's office and he has a lifetime ban.

There wasn't much to look forward to at Hogwarts anymore, they still had D.A. of course, but with the threat that Umbridge would find out any moment. Mikayla was equally as nervous as she was supportive. On the subject of holiday plans, Hermione began to tell them of skiing, which Ron and Mikayla had never heard of before. Even when living in a world full of magic, there was something off-putting about muggles strapping pieces of wood to their feet and sliding down a mountain. It wasn't until they verbally told Harry he was invited to the Burrow that he actually seemed happy

"You were supposed to tell him over a month ago, Ron! Look, you've made him miserable!" Mikayla scolded him.

After they told him though, he seemed to have a whole new attitude, less mopey and full of dread since he would have something to do and have company now. The last D.A. meeting before the holidays would be much more enjoyable now that their teacher was in a better mood. When Mikayla arrived, Harry was already beaming up at the brightly lit and heavily decorated room. "Did you do all this?" She asked, dropping her cloak and bag down against a wall. "No, Dobby did." he shook his head and smiled. Luna had already arrived and was wandering around the back of the room gazing up at the high walls. Soon after, Alicia, and Katie bounded in looking chilled and out of breath. "Well, we've replaced you." Alicia said plainly, setting her things down by Mikayla's. "Replaced me?" Harry repeated. "She means she got a temporary replacement for seeker, Alicia, don't' be so blunt. And try to think that we'll get the ban lifted." Mikayla reassured him. "Who?" Harry asked, an eyebrow raised. "Ginny. She got replacements for all of you." Harry looked at Alicia in question, as if to ask how well she played. "She's pretty good, actually. Nothing on you, of course." She answered his look, but shot back a nasty one as she continued. "But seeing as we can't have you..." "Who else, then?" he asked, looking appalled that she insinuated his ban was more of a choice then a punishment. "And Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper's our new beaters.. They're awful, but compared to everyone else who turned up..." Alicia said halfheartedly. "They were the best out of the tryouts." Once more people had arrived they were able to be distracted from Alicia's glares and start the meeting.

"Okay," Harry started nervously, trying to get everyone's attention. "I thought this evening we should just go over the things we've done so far, because it's the last meeting before the holidays and there's no point starting anything new right before a three-week break-" "We're not doing anything new?" said Zacharias Smith in a hushed voice that everyone could still hear. "If I'd known that, I wouldn't have come..." "We're all really sorry Harry and Mikayla didn't tell you, then." Fred said loudly, equally annoyed as Mikayla. A couple people sniggered or laughed, Mikayla shot a smirk at Zacharias, who was trying to make himself look small in the back of the group. "We can practice in pairs," Harry said, putting his hands together. "We'll start with the Impediment Jinx, just for ten minutes, then we can get out the cushions and try stunning again." Mikayla paired Neville up with a girl she convinced to join last meeting, and everyone else grouped together quietly. The first time around, Mikayla froze Harry, then he got her once, and each time the victor would get to stare aimlessly until the other unfroze. Knowing Mikayla knew the material well, the pair soon split up to walk around the room and make sure everyone was doing alright. Neville seemed nervous, but Ron gave him a few encouraging shouts in between trials.

After ten minutes had passed, cushions were laid all over the floor and they started stunning again with very little space, they had only half the group stun at a time while the others watched. Hermione and Mikayla stunned each other a few times, ending in a tie, which they congratulate one another on. At the end of the hour, Harry had them stop. He looked at all of us, beaming with pride. "You're getting really good, when we get back from the holidays we can start doing some of the big stuff- maybe even Patronuses." There was a murmur of excitement throughout the room. People began to say their farewells and head off in groups of twos and threes toward their common rooms. They called out "Merry Christmas!" to Harry and Mikayla as they left. As people were filtering out at their own pace, Mikayla picked up the cushions and stacked them neatly in piles. Ron, Hermione and Mikayla started to head back to the common room, once they notice Cho standing at the mirrored wall with all of there notices hanging on it, leaving Harry alone with her. Ron and Mikayla resumed their discussion about skiing with Hermione during their journey.
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"Well... how was it?" Ron questioned Harry after he told them what happened with Cho after everyone left. The foursome sat close to the fire, Hermione and Ron on the sofa whilst Mikayla and Harry sat on the ground. "Wet." Mikayla chuckled lightly at the description. "I mean she was sort of crying." Ron grows a smirk on his face, "That bad at it are yea?" Mikayla faced palmed, as Hermione defended Harry's kiss ability and that Cho spends most of her time crying these days. "Well don't you understand how she must be feeling?" Mikayla spoke up they all looked at her, "She was in love with Cedric, tried to convince him to dump me and date her. Clearly she's feeling sad about Cedric, confused about liking Harry, and Guilty about kissing him, conflicted because Umbridge is threatening to sack her mum in the Ministry and frighten of failing her O.W.Ls because she's so worried about everything else." Mikayla spoke, "Wait she liked Cedric?" Mikayla nodded to Ron's question, "They were flirting before fourth year but then Cedric stopped after the World Cup." Mikayla's cheeks burned bright red as Hermione smiled, "He stopped flirting with Cho after he met you." Mikayla nodded. "Still, one person can't feel all that." Ron interrupted what was about to begin a girlie conversation, "They'd explode." Hermione turned to look at him, "Just because you've got the emotional range of a teaspoon." Hermione clapped back, the foursome shared goofy smiles before bursting out in laughter.