Rowan Haywood

Book 1: Chapter 14 - My Biggest Desire

Christmas was coming. One morning in mid-December, Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow. The lake froze solid and the Weasley twins were punished for bewitching several snowballs so that they followed Quirrell around, bouncing off the back of his turban. The few owls that managed to battle their way through the stormy sky to deliver mail had to be nursed back to health by Hagrid before they could fly off again.
　　
No one could wait for the holidays to start. While the Gryffindor common room and the Great Hall had roaring fires, the drafty corridors had become icy and a bitter wind rattled the windows in the classrooms. Worst of all were Professor Snape's classes down in the dungeons, where their breath rose in a mist before them and they kept as close as possible to their hot cauldrons.

"I do feel so sorry," said Draco Malfoy, one Potions class, "for all those people who have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because they're not wanted at home."

He was looking over at Harry as he spoke. Crabbe and Goyle chuckled. Harry, who was measuring out powdered spine of lionfish, ignored them.

"At least I'm not a spoiled brat." I retorted.
"Y-you! My father will hear about this!" Draco said while pointing his finger at me.
"You know, it's rude to point at people."

Malfoy had been even more unpleasant than usual since the Quidditch match. Disgusted that the Slytherins had lost, he had tried to get everyone laughing at how a wide-mouthed tree frog would be replacing Harry as Seeker next and that I would probably break 20 bones in the game. Then he'd realized that nobody found this funny, because they were all so impressed at the way Harry and I had managed to stay on our bucking broomsticks. So Malfoy, jealous and angry, had gone back to taunting Harry about having no proper family and me, of how I was a outsider(I was born in the United States, Texas, while my parents were in vacation). I moved to New York when I was 5 and came to England before going to Hogwarts.

It was true that Harry wasn't going back to Privet Drive for Christmas. Professor McGonagall had come around the week before, making a list of students who would be staying for the holidays, and Harry had signed up at once, but the Weasley's were also going to stay back because they were going to visit Charlie. I was also going to stay in Hogwarts because 1. I don't want to see my moms being lovely dovey in front of me. 2. Why not? And 3. It's too much of a hassle.

Although it's almost time for the holiday break, Hermione's been to the library more time then even she would regularly with Harry and Ron.

"You will keep looking while I'm away, won't you?" said Hermione. "And send me an owl if you find anything."
"Find what?" I asked, startling them.
"Why are you here?" Ron nervously asked.
"What are YOU, talking about?"
"Uh, I, I was, oh! I was talking to Ron and Hermione about something I lost."

I gave them a "Do-you-seriously-think-that-I-would-fall-for-that" look.

"Ha, I didn't want to do this, but if you don't tell me, then I would tell Snape." I sighed.
"No you wouldn't."
"Yes I would."
"3,2,1-'
"Wait! I'll tell you about it if you don't, so don't tell Snape!" Harry interrupted, surprising Ron and Hermione.

"...So, that's why you were whispering among yourselves."
"So, you won't tell Snape?" they asked, hoping that I wouldn't.
"I'll ask him if he's the one who did it." I answered.
"WHY? Didn't you say tha-"
"It's because I'm on good terms with Snape."

The three of them were flabbergasted.

"No way, when?" Ron asked in disblieve.
"It's a secret." I said, placing my finger in front of my mouth and winking.
"Besides, I kind of get why he's so horrible to the people around him, especially you, Harry, although it's wrong."
"Why?" Harry asked, curious.
"That's a secret that I can't tell you, yet."

I left after, leaving them to guess.

When I woke up on Christmas, I didn't expect myself to have a pile of presents right beside my bed.

A large box of Chocolate Frogs(my favorites) from Hermione, a Lava red Weasley sweater with homemade fudge(delicious) made by Mrs.Weasley, a copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander and a copy of Advanced Potion-Making by Libatius Borage from mom. Too-hard treacle fudge that Hagrid made, Cauldron Cakes that Cho gave me(I was actually a bit surprised but also delighted. Although we've only met 2 times, I somehow got a gift from her), and A small bunny pin wearing Quibbler's Spectrespecs made by Luna herself. My favorite was the red and black acoustic guitar that mother bought for me, which I immediately tried out.

I got ready and went down to the Great Hall, but never in my 10 year life have I saw A hundred fat, roast turkeys; mountains of roast and boiled potatoes; platters of chipolatas; tureens of buttered peas, silver boats of thick, rich gravy and cranberry sauce -- and stacks of wizard crackers every few feet along the table in front of me.

Harry pulled a wizard cracker with Fred and it didn't just bang, it went off with a blast like a cannon and engulfed them all in a cloud of blue smoke, while from the inside exploded a rear admiral's hat and several live, white mice. Up at the High Table, Dumbledore had swapped his pointed wizard's hat for a flowered bonnet, and was chuckling merrily at a joke Professor Flitwick had just read him.
　　
Flaming Christmas puddings followed the turkey. Percy nearly broke his teeth on a silver sickle embedded in his slice. I watched Hagrid getting redder and redder in the face as he called for more wine, finally kissing Professor McGonagall on the cheek, who, to my amazement, giggled and blushed, her top hat lopsided.

That afternoon, I played with Harry and the Weasley's in a snowball fight before going back to our common room for warmth. I also watched how Harry broke his new Wizard Chess because of how many times Ron had won, in which I laughed.

After a meal of turkey sandwiches, crumpets, trifle, and Christmas cake, everyone felt too full and sleepy to do much before bed except sit and watch Percy chase Fred and George all over Gryffindor tower because they'd stolen his prefect badge.

"You could have woken me up," said Ron, crossly.
"You can come tonight, I'm going back, I want to show you the mirror.
"I'd like to see your mom and dad," Ron said eagerly.
"And I want to see all your family, all the Weasleys, you'll be able to show me your other brothers and everyone."
"You can see them any old time," said Ron. "Just come round my house this summer. Anyway, maybe it only shows dead people. Shame about not finding Flamel, though. Have some bacon or something, why aren't you eating anything?"
　　
I listened to the both of them talking about the mirror and Harry agreed to let me go.

"It's here -- just here -- yes!"

We pushed the door open. Harry dropped the cloak from around his shoulders and ran to the mirror.

　　
"See?" Harry whispered.
"I can't see anything."
"Look! Look at them all... there are loads of them...."
"I can only see you."
"Look in it properly, go on, stand where I am."
　　
Ron, though, was staring transfixed at his image.
　　
"Look at me!" he said.
"Can you see all your family standing around you?"
"No -- I'm alone -- but I'm different -- I look older -- and I'm head boy!"
"What?"
"I am -- I'm wearing the badge like Bill used to -- and I'm holding the house cup and the Quidditch cup -- I'm Quidditch captain, too.
　
Ron tore his eyes away from this splendid sight to look excitedly at me and Harry.
　　
"Do you think this mirror shows the future?"
"No, I don't think so."
"Can I see?"
"...Fine..."

As Ron moved, I looked into the mirror. I saw myself, with my family and friends, saving the world, and doing everything I love, going on adventures, etc.

"How can it? All my family are dead -- let me have another look --" I heard Harry talking to Ron.
"You had it to yourself all last night, give me a bit more time."
"You're only holding the Quidditch cup, what's interesting about that? I want to see my parents."
"Don't push me --"
　　
A sudden noise outside in the corridor put an end to their discussion. They hadn't realized how loudly they had been talking(I was the smart, ok. They were the ones who talked too loudly, not me).
　　
"Quick!"
　
Ron threw the cloak back over us as the luminous eyes of Mrs. Norris came round the door. Ron and Harry stood quite still, both thinking the same thing -- did the cloak work on cats? After what seemed an age, she turned and left.
　　
"This isn't safe -- she might have gone for Filch, I bet she heard us. Come on."
　　
And Ron pulled Harry and I out of the room.