Redamancy (d.m)

Chapter twelve-happy christmas

I decided it would be best to keep my encounter with Draco to myself, at least for a while. I knew how much Harry, Ron, and Hermione hated him and I didn't fancy imagining how they would react to the news. I understood, I mean I was supposed to hate him too, and I did. I hate him. He's arrogant and cocky and stubborn and I hate him.

But did I?

The answer, I decided during a trip to hagrid's hut, was yes

Dear Mr. Hagrid,
Further to our inquiry into the attack by a Hippogriff on a student in your class, we have accepted the assurances of Professor Dumbledore that you bear no responsibility for the regrettable incident.. However, we must register our concern about the Hippogriff in question. We have decided to uphold the official complaint of Mr. Lucius Malfoy, and this matter will therefore be taken to the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures. The hearing will take place on April 20th, and we ask you to present yourself and your Hippogriff at the Committee's offices in London on that date. In the meantime, the Hippogriff should be kept tethered and isolated.

Leaving the hut and heading back to the castle to help my friends win Buckbeak's case, I felt only anger for Malfoy, boiling with rage as I remembered that he and his idiot father were the reason an innocent animal was in danger. I had let him kiss me, when I stopped Cedric, what was wrong with me? Cedric was by far the better choice, when it came down to the two. He was sweet and considerate and smart, forming a sort of yin and yang in comparison to Malfoy. Not to mention, he's made his feelings perfectly clear to me, telling me he had feelings for me, but would wait until I was ready. While Malfoy liked to play games, calling me a murderer then kissing me. And after an exhausting day of helping with Buckbeak's case and wrapping and sending all my gifts, I went to bed feeling quite exhausted

On Christmas morning, I woke up earlier than usual and ran into Hermione's dorm,throwing a pillow at her and waking her up. The two of up rush up to the boys dormitories, hauling along our presents so we could open them together, and quietly cracked open the dorm door, revealing a fast asleep Harry and Ron. I shot Hermione a mischievous glance, silently delivering my plan. She nodded, and made her way over the Ron's bed, while I stood next to Harry's.

"Three..." I whispered, counting down with my fingers, "two...ONE!"
I jumped onto Harry's bed while Hermione pounced on Ron's and started jumping up and down frantically, screaming at the boys to wake up
"Bloody hell, 'Mione, (y/n), what time is it?"
"It's only seven in the morning" Harry added, rubbing his eyes and putting on his glasses
"It's Christmas, Harry! We've got to open our presents!"

He laughed defeatedly, and slid off his bed to join me, Hermione, and Ron sitting cross legged on the floor, Ron holding a deep red knitted sweater in his hands, engraved with a large letter "R".

"Another sweater from mum" he said, "maroon again"

I was surprised to receive an almost identical sweater to Ron and Harry's though mine adorned a golden "(y/f/i)" and came with a little note that said

To (y/n),
Happy Christmas!
Ron's written all about you in his letters, so it was only fitting you received a sweater just like the rest of his friends.
You are invited to stay with us during the summer if you like, any friend of Ron is always welcome at the Burrow!

Best wishes,
Molly Weasley

I smiled at the kindness of a woman I had never even met, pulling the cozy sweater over my oversized tee, and noticed Harry reaching for my gift.

"Why's it so large, (y/n)?" Ron questioned, noticing my name on Harry's parcel
"You'll see" I said simply

Harry tore off the wrapping paper to reveal the brand new firebolt, and his jaw dropped as he looked at the polished broomstick, his name engraved at the handle. He looked at up me in awe and said

"(Y/n), you didn't, I can't accept this"
"Sure you can, and you will"
"This must've cost a fortune, I'll pay you back, (y/n)"
"Don't be ridiculous, Harry, you don't pay someone back for a Christmas gift. Besides, it'll make catching the snitch far easier and I would very much like to win my next game" I argued, while I had been ecstatic at a permanent offer as gryffindor chaser, it meant I had to train a lot harder in order to ensure I win the next game and redeem myself.

Having realised I had made up my mind, Harry hugged me tightly and excitedly examined the broom with Ron, while I opened the rest of my presents with Hermione. My eyes falling on a rather small package wrapped in sparkling white paper, I turned over the tag to see it was from Cedric. Smiling, I tore off the paper to reveal a small bottle of blueberry and vanilla perfume. I was momentarily taken aback. Tearing open the letter that was attached to it, I read

Dear (y/n),

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas
Things just aren't the same without you around.
I do hope you like your gift, I saw it while out Christmas shopping, and I remembered you briefly mentioned your love for blueberries

Can't wait to see you again after break

Yours,
Cedric

"I can't believe he remembered..." I whispered to myself, opening the top of the perfume bottle and breathed in the comforting scent.
"Oh that smells delicious, who's it from?" Hermione asked
"Er, Cedric," I said hesitantly, checking to make sure the boys were still engrossed in Harry's new broom, thankfully they were
"No way, (y/n), that's so sweet!" Hermione gasped, smiling brightly
"I told him once about how much I liked blueberries, but i didn't think he cared enough to listen"
"Oh please, he's listen to you even if you were reciting the history of tax fraud" Hermione replied, and I laughed.

I made my way through many packages of chocolate and honey dukes sweets, as well as a particularly enjoyable basket of zonko's products from the twins, and a dazzling yet simple diamond necklace from Bellatrix. Crookshanks provided a great distraction, once again on a quest to find scabbers.

"GET-HIM-OUT-OF-HERE" Ron bellowed, roughly throwing the cat across the room after it had jumped onto Ron, clawing at his shirt pocket where scabbers lay terrified.
"Awfully long life that rat has lived, don't you think?" I remarked, ignoring the glare Ron shot in my direction, "I mean, he's not looking too good, is he"

I wasn't wrong, Scabbers was covered in bald patches, and his once overweight form had slimmed down a surprising amount. Sure, Ron, stress. Totally.