Harry Potter's sister ~~~ Fanfiction

Are the presents safe? part 77

They had several hours before it was time for Christmas Dinner, so they grabbed a light brunch in the Great Hall then played exploding snap until their stomach's had settled, after which Demelza and Emma tried their new swimsuits along with Harry in the Water World variant of the Room of Requirement.

"Well there aren't many people who can say they went swimming on Christmas Day." Said Demelza.

"Though technically this isn't swimming, it's just messing about in water." Said Emma. "We haven't done proper swimming since Yorkshire."

"That can easily be rearranged." Said Harry. "I say we put it on the other side of the changing rooms."

"Sure." Said Emma. "But not today. Today is a day for fun and joy, not exercise."

"Are you going to get dressed at all?" said Demelza as she pulled a shirt on.

They were in the girl's changing room area and Emma was standing in front of a mirror reflecting herself. She hadn't changed out of her wet swimwear yet, though she had lifted the lower part of her tank above her midsection.

"Sorry." Said Emma.

"What is it?" asked Demelza.

"I'm skinny." Said Emma.

"I know, you make us all jealous." Said Demelza thoughtlessly.

"But it's horrible. Sometimes, if I don't eat enough I can see my ribcage push against my stomach skin." Said Emma.

"Oh sorry, this is because of…"

"Yeah, it's because I grew up malnourished." Said Emma. "I had hoped, now that I've started growing, I'd grow a bit more outwards."

Demelza sniggered.

"Not that kind of outwards." Snapped Emma.

"Sorry, but seriously, we're all envious of your body. Well except Luna, she said we should all just accept that we all look fine and not worry." Said Demelza.

"That sounds like Luna. I'm envious of Hermione, she is 14 now, give us two more years…"

"One and a bit for me." Said Demelza. "Harry's right you are the baby of our group."

Emma glared at Demelza.

"We still love you."

Emma sighed. "Why can't we stop focusing on our problems?"

"Our problems are part of who we are, nothing can change that. But when we confront them, they can drive us, change us and make us better people. I think on the whole we're better and happier people than we could otherwise have been." Said Demelza.

"When did you get so philosophical?"

"When you got all philosophical and started helping me." Said Demelza. "You've help make me who I am and I'm grateful for it. Now shut up and strip."

Emma snorted. "You're a little eager to see me naked Robins, I must say I'm flattered."

Harry, Emma and Demelza dropped their swimsuits off at the laundry hampers in Gryffindor Tower then proceeded down to the Great Hall. On arrival they found that the four House tables had all been removed and the staff table had been moved into the centre of the hall. Professor Dumbledore was in his usual seat and Professors Flitwick, Sprout, McGonagall, Snape and Lupin had taken various seats around him and on the opposite side of the table the other three students, two nervous looking First Years – a boy from Hufflepuff and a girl from Ravenclaw – as well as a sullen looking Fifth Year Slytherin Girl.