His Goodwitch

Chapter 12: Middleton, meeting the Russell family and celebrating the holidays

Third Person point of view

The week and a half remaining of term flew by and it had all been arranged, Ron, Percy, Harry, Fred and George, plus Hermione and her parents were all staying a Grey House over the Christmas break. During the remaining time of term, Hogwarts was transformed for the holidays in several ways. Suits of Armour were enchanted to sing Christmas Carols whenever someone walks past. Tinsel, holly and lights were wrapped around staircase banisters. Bunches of mistletoe hung around, even making some people try and trap others underneath so they can kiss them. Especially among the older students. Ghosts were singing carols. The Great Hall gained twelve Christmas trees that Hagrid brought in decorated in all sorts of decorations and even real life fairies that were the size of one's thumb. The Gryffindor common room also received the same treatment as the Great Hall but with only one Christmas tree. Portraits along the corridors were humming Christmas tunes throughout the halls.

And the best thing in Harry's and Ron's opinion during the last week of school the weather got so bad with a wailing blizzard that Herbology was cancelled that week, meaning the first years Gryffindors only had Defence and Astronomy on Tuesday. Leaving only potions and history of magic on Fridays, giving them more time to search for Flamel in the library. Despite the continuous search between lessons and homework, the four friends didn't find anything on Flamel, so they resigned themselves to resuming the search after the holidays were over.

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Lizzie's point of view

Once we arrived back at Kings Cross station and we had changed out of our robes, everyone grabbed their stuff. "Come on, Let us hurry. Grace told me in her last letter that my family will be waiting with Hermione's parents on the other side of the barrier" I explained stepping off the train and making my way to the barrier through the crowed. Unfortunately, we were delayed slightly as a wizened old wizard stood at the barrier, only allowing students to go in groups of two or three in order to not attract muggle attention, creating a jostling line of kids wanting to get back to the muggle world to greet their families. Eventually it was their turn, Harry, Hermione and I went first before the Weasley joined us on the other side.

True to her word, there stood my sister Grace with my Mum, Dad, Lorrie and Brandon. I was so excited that I yelled "Mum, Dad, Grace, Lorrie, Brandon" before running into their outstretched arms for a family group hug. Once we had pulled back slightly from the family group hug, I started to introduce my friends "Guys these are my friends. Lorrie and Grace you already know Hermione. This is Harry, Fred, George, Ron and Percy. Everyone, this is my family. My Mum Cassie Nightingale, my Dad Jake Russell, my older sisters Grace and Lorrie. Finally, my older brother Brandon" I introduced them to each other pointing to the person that matched the name.

I noticed two people were missing though Grandpa and Tara. "Hey Mum, where's Tara and Grandpa? I thought they would've come" I enquired concerned. "Well your Grandpa volunteered to watch the house, while we came and collected you guys. He'll be waiting for us when we arrive at Grey House" explained Mum. "Similar story with Tara, she offered to watch Mum's shop. She'll be back at Grey House by the time we arrive" explained Brandon. "Oh ok" I said understandingly, as it was quite hard sometimes for my Mum to get away running and owning two businesses. Dad even faces similar problems with his work as a police officer.

"Oh everyone, this is my mum Jean and my Dad Alexander. Mum and Dad these are my friends Hermione introduced. "Pleasure to meet you all" said Hermione's Mum smiling brightly at us while adding "Shall we get a move on, it's going to be a long trip". "Please call me Alex everyone" instructed Hermione's father. "Yes good idea. Brandon and Jake could you please help the others load their trunks onto the carts to take them to the mini bus we hired to get here that will take us to the airport" requested Mum. With that Dad and Brandon managed to get everyone's trunks on carts, despite Percy and the twins protesting but in the end only those with pets carried their animal cages while everyone else was pushing a trolley.