Christmas at the Burrow

To the Burrow!

Bill had called Lana and Barnaby to meet him in the hall later that evening, as he had something to tell them.

"Hey, Billy." Lana smiled as they met the older boy, sitting next to him.

"Hey, guys. There's something I need to tell you about the trip." Bill said, looking quite serious.

"What's wrong?" Barnaby asked.

"The train's been shut down because of this blizzard that hit recently."

"What?!"

"A blizzard?! But yesterday it was barely snowing!" Lana exclaimed.

"Yeah, and at this rate, it doesn't look like they'll be able to clear the tracks in time for our train." he sighed.

"There's got to be some other way to get to the Burrow..." Lana started.

"What about the Floo Network? We could take that, right?" Barnaby added.

"Nah, mate. The Floo Network's been shut down. I read an article about it in the Dailey Prophet. Apparently a suspected Death Eater has been using it to escape Aurors, so the Ministry closed it down temporarily. It was why I planned on taking the train in the first place." Bill explained.

When Bill mentioned 'Death Eaters', Barnaby held Lana's hand. Lana looked at him and she knew he was worried that it could be either one of his parents. She stroked her thumb over his knuckles soothingly, and he squeezed her hand in response.

"What about brooms? We could fly there..." Lana suggested.

"It'd be far in the best weather, let alone a blizzard like this. Trust me, I'm disappointed too. I really miss my family and wanted more than anything to spend Christmas with them. But it looks like we're stranded at Hogwarts for Christmas. I've even sent an owl ahead letting mum and dad know not to expect us." Bill sighed sadly.

Lana placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. She felt terrible for Bill. She knew how much he missed his family after being away from home for so long.

"How could that've happened overnight?" Lana frowned in thought.

"I don't know, maybe someone botched a snowfall spell or something." Barnaby suggested, as Merula walked past their table. She heard what he said and looked down at the ground awkwardly.

"Wait..." Lana said, "Barnaby might be right. Did you see that look Merula gave? I saw her in the courtyard yesterday and it looked like she was trying to cast a spell."

"I mean, it is something Merula would do, isn't it?" Bill asked.

"We better ask her if it was her."

Lana got up to walk to the Slytherin table, Barnaby following behind her, as they approached Merula.

"To what do I owe the displeasure, Riviera?" Merula asked.

"Did you cause this blizzard?" Barnaby asked.

"What's it to you?" Merula spat.

"We're not trying to point fingers, Merula, we just want you to tell the truth. Nobody can use the trains, which means we can't leave Hogwarts with Bill to go home for Christmas." Lana explained.

"So what if I did cause the blizzard? You all seem fine." Merula shrugged.

"Merula, please." Lana begged, "If you caused the blizzard you have to know how to stop it."

"I don't! Fine, yeah, it was me. But I honestly don't know how to stop it." Merula said angrily.

"How's that possible?" Barnaby frowned.