Pitching In
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 04-26-03 11:34

Ginny gets up early Sunday to find Harry already awake and cooking breakfast for everyone. Not bothering to hide her surprise, she comments, "I didn't know you could cook."

Harry grins sheepishly. "I used to have to help with breakfast a lot at the Dursleys. Other meals sometimes as well."

Ginny nods while reaching for an apron. "What can I do to help?"

~~~

A short while later, Ron and Sirius, both still looking half asleep, stagger into the kitchen, asking at the same time, "What smells so good?"

Ginny curses silently to herself as they enter. Could their timing be any worse? She and Harry had been having fun as they made the meal and Ginny had finally gotten comfortable enough to ask Harry to be her date to the wedding.

Once the meal is over and the kitchen all tidy again, everyone bundles up against the cold. The four of them trudge through the snow to the school. Both the boys carry their brooms and Harry carries a brown paper wrapped parcel tied up with simple string. A very overjoyed looking Viktor meets them just inside the school gates and together the small group heads to the pitch.

The morning is spent with Viktor helping both Ron and Harry improve their Quidditch game. Even Ginny and Sirius, using a couple of Hogwarts brooms, get into the act. Dobby, having learned his favorite people were on the grounds, kept up enthusiastic applause from the sidelines and also provided steaming hot drinks and snacks to keep everyone fortified against the cold.

Hours later, after the school brooms are put away and the mugs and trays returned to Hogwarts' kitchen, Sirius, Ron, Harry, and Ginny prepare to head back to town for lunch at The Spinning Horn. Sirius invites Dobby and then with a grin turns to Viktor, "You are of course invited too, Viktor."

Ginny exchanges a puzzled look with her brother. Everyone knows it's not safe for Viktor to leave the grounds. The Bulgarian ministry has people keeping watch to take him back into protective custody, not to mention who of Koyla's followers might be lurking around. That's when they find out what Harry had wrapped in the brown package.

Viktor unties the string and shoves the paper aside to pick up the item. He grins broadly as he shakes out Harry's invisibility cloak. As he dons it, he tells the Weasleys and Dobby, "Harry and Sirius inwited me for Christmas dinner and offered me ze use of ze cloak zo I could attend. Ven ve decided to get together here today, zey let me be knowing zey would bring the cloak vit them."

Ginny, thinking even more highly of Harry, links arms with him and her brother, smiling widely as they all troop down to Hogsmeade. She'll ask Harry to be her wedding date when she and Ron leave tonight. Yep, that's just what she'll do!

Disappointing News
 Author: Isolde
Date: 04-26-03 12:15

Isolde woke up on Sunday morning and sprang out of bed, happy to be home again and in her very own room. While having four other roommates had its moments, especially when they consisted of people like Azaelia and Alexis, it was nice to have some alone time every now and again. As Isolde prepared for her day, she thought back to the Hogwarts Express and the events and conversations that had occurred during the trip home.

Yesterday's train ride had been loads of fun -- the tickle fest, the seemingly never-ending supply of sweets -- it was the perfect way to start the winter break! The only thing that had Isolde a little down was the fact that she would be separated from her beloved Pyrrhus until sometime after his return to England. One day in the future, they'd hit the white beaches of some exotic island for a romantic getaway. Isolde knew they'd be together forever; they were the most perfect match.

Back in the present, Isolde ran a brush through her hair as she stared at her reflection in the mirror behind her dresser. She set the brush down and pulled her long blonde hair into a ponytail and then halfway through the rubber band again, forming a very sloppy bun. When she finished, she walked out of her room and swiftly strode down the stairs, meeting her parents at the breakfast table.

Mrs. Farnon looked up when Isolde entered the room and slid into her chair and said, "Good morning, Isolde. We have some important news to share with you...it's about Azaelia."

"What is it? What's wrong?" Isolde asked, nearly toppling her glass of pumpkin juice.

Mrs. Farnon shook her head calmly and replied, "Nothing is the matter, Isolde. I received an owl from your aunt this morning and it seems that after a long talk last night with Azaelia, she has decided to pull your cousin from Hogwarts."

Isolde frowned. "But why?"

"Azaelia's been feeling a little depressed lately," Mrs. Farnon answered. "You mentioned that you thought she hasn't been feeling like herself recently. There's been a lot on her mind and she doesn't quite know how to handle it all. Her parents feel it best to take her away for a little while. You understand, don't you?"

"I think so," Isolde said solemnly. "I wonder why she couldn't talk to me about how she was feeling. I'm her cousin, I would have understood everything." "I know, Isolde. I know," Mrs. Farnon said, and she exchanged a worried glance with her husband. "There's more to your aunt's news, I'm afraid." She paused, allowing Isolde a few seconds to absorb everything.

"Your uncle is transferring to the Chilean Ministry of Magic, which means that Azaelia is moving to Chile."

"When?"

"After Christmas."

Isolde frowned. "Will I get to see her before she goes?"

"Yes, of course," Mrs. Farnon said. "She's coming to our house on Christmas Eve and will spend the night with us."

"Good, I'm glad," Isolde replied quietly. She had the feeling that this was going to be the worst Christmas ever.

Christmas Delights
Author: Chance Morgan Lovell
Date: 04-26-03 18:03

Waking up the first morning of being home was always a nice feeling. It was good to be home. I loved being at Hogwarts but I missed being home too. I missed my family, I can't say I missed my friends in the Muggle world because I never really had any, I was different than the other kids my age and I guess that freaked them out or something. I laughed at the thought...if they only knew the truth.

"Chance, darlin' come down here would ya?" my mum hollered at me from the bottom of the stairs in our old house. "I want to make some more Christmas cookies and I would like ya to help me if you would."

"Yes, mum I am coming..." I said with a yawn. Getting up I grab my clothes and run into the bathroom and grab a quick shower and get dressed.

"Chance! What is taking you so long?" Mum hollered again.

"Alright, alright, I am here. Let's get those cookies done." I smiled at her from the top of the stairs.

The smell of warm sugar cookies filled the house, Mum was busy decorating them using a little magic. I just had to giggle to myself hoping no one would pop by unannounced and see her doing that. Oh and the explaining we would have over that one. But all was good for now and Mum and I continued to make cookies and various other Christmas delights all day...oh and let's not forget our singing Christmas Carols and driving Dad mad.

Sudden Chill
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 04-26-03 22:37

While Julian lounges on Briar's couch reading the thick Sunday edition of The Daily Prophet, she sits leaning against that same couch, crosslegged, and with wrapping paper, scissors, a roll of spell-o-tape, and a stack of items beside her, some wrapped, some still in need of it. Reaching for her mug of spiced cider, Briar realizes it's empty. As she stands and stretches, she taps Julian on the knee.

"Ready for some lunch? It's past time. Won't take me but a tick to whip up something. We could invite Chyler and Lysander to join us if they've not yet eaten. Or would you prefer to go out?"

Julian takes Briar by the hand and pulls her down on top of his chest. "How about we stay in, just the two of us?"

Briar nods, grins, kisses Jules on the nose and then gets up to put lunch together. A short while later, after a lunch of cheese soup with toasted croutons on top, the two resume their earlier positions in Briar's living room. Briar reaches for one of the items to wrap and mutters to herself, "Oh, this paper won't work, I need something wedding-ish."

As she gets up to find more appropriate paper, Julian glances up from the newspaper with a scowl. "You bought the Weasel a wedding present?"

Her voice laced with a warning, Briar doesn't turn around as she responds, "Julian, you know I don't like it when use that word when referring to Bill or Charlie. And yes, of course I got Charlie and Helena a gift. When one attends a wedding, one either sends a gift beforehand or takes it to the wedding. I've not sent one yet and with the wedding in slightly more than a week, I thought we would take it personally.

By this time Briar has the wrapping she wants and is seated once more. She turns to look at Julian long enough to say, a touch of hurt evident in her tone, "You promised you'd go with me so don't pull an attitude now. You were given the option not to go and you made a big production of letting me know that despite the Weasley's not being your favorite people, you know how important this is to me so you couldn't be happier to escort me."

Briar can tell it's an effort for Julian not to roll his eyes at her. Instead he tartly replies, "I said I'd take you and I will. I just didn't realize there would be a gift for him involved though I should have."

With a snap of the paper, Julian goes back to reading and Briar to wrapping but in her mind, the cozy little atmosphere has been replaced by a decidedly cold one.

London at Christmas...
Author: Annie Paul
Date: 04-27-03 06:06

It was so good to be home. My friends from Miss Conner's greeted me when I arrived at the house and we had so many stories to tell each other. "What's the school like, where do you sleep, are there any ghosts or monsters?"

I answered the questions as best as I could and had fun. "Annie, your school sounds like so much fun. I wish I could enroll there. Miss Conner's has become such a drag since you left," Carrie Richards said and I sighed. "I do have my problems there as well but some of the professors there are very helpful."

"Hey Annie, show us some magic," Robin said and the others squealed with delight. I bit my lower lip. "I can't. There's a rule that under-aged witches and wizards cannot perform magic in this world." The girls moaned. "But I can show you some of the books I got and my owl."

We went to my room and had so much fun going over my books and feeding Morgana that time passed and my mum called for us. "Annie, girls, supper."

Red Lanterns
Author: Captain Electron
Date: 04-27-03 08:29

The crowds on Grafton Street were unbelievable, but Electron was enjoying it all the same, weaving around people while trying not to slip on the red paving stones, slick with rain. Luckily for him it had stopped raining now, and it was starting to get dark, so that the red lanterns hanging all the way along the street were more visible against their wreathed green supports. He was grinning like a little kid as he joined the throng outside Brown Thomas staring in at the amazing display in the window. It was different every year, and he always came in around now wondering what they'd come up with this time. He walked sideways along the massive windows, taking it all in, and as it came to an end he almost fell over a young lad standing against the wall, strumming on his guitar. Now that he was beside him, he could hear the music, but before it had been drowned out by the carols coming from the shop.

Electron fished in his pocket for a few coins to drop in the lad's guitar case, just avoiding giving him a Sickle by mistake, and the lad looked up in appreciation. As he did, there was a sign of sudden recognition, but Electron grinned at him and was gone, lost in the crowds again. Moving on up the street... until he saw Thorntons, and then he dived through the people, squeezing in through the queue at the cash desk and the bored-looking security guard, and he was in a chocolate heaven. Chocolate! in the shapes of plum pudding and other Christmas treats. Electron decided to buy the last of his Christmas presents in here. Most things were done, because Dublin was great this close to Christmas, but an absolute nightmare if you were actually looking for a last-minute, specific gift. It could get very annoying, very quickly. Electron was just here to enjoy himself, mostly, and pick up some extras.

Having battled the queues, Electron emerged with his hands full of bags and set off again, past two little boys busking, one singing "Fields of Athenry" at the top of his voice, the other accompanying, rather shakily, on the tin whistle, and over puddles painted red by the light from the lanterns above...

Dining Out in Helsinki
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 04-27-03 13:46

From the shadowed corner table where they sit in disguise, Radinka slightly inclines her head towards the entrance of the restaurant where a small group of men and woman are entering.

"Zere. You are seeing you, no?"

Lucius gives a small nod, a viscious grin slashing across his face. Just as Radinka has said. Karkaroff hiding out in Finland. Using an alias, he got a job as a private tutor and every Sunday comes to this little out of the way spot to dine with the friends he's made since coming to Helsinki.

Approval sparkles in Lucius's eyes as he meets Radinka's gaze. "Well done. The master will be pleased to know you have not failed him."

Lucius makes a toast with his companion then as he raises his wine glass to his lips, he softly murmurs, "Enjoy this Christmas, Karkaroff, for it shall be your last."

Santa Jet's Little Helper
Author: Jet
Date: 04-27-03 17:48

Jet presses his thumb on the mouse's tail, chastising it to hold still. "Be a good little Hufflepuff, Jude, and stop squirming. I won't hurt you. Much more."

The mouse angrily squeaks at Jet, who simply cackles and continues what he's doing. The mouse, normally known as the second year Hufflepuff Jude Fairchild, glares up his tormentor then turns and tries to bite Jet's finger. Swearing loudly, Jet hits Jude-mouse with the stun spell Stupify then tsks over the now inert form. Jet talks aloud as he finishes his preparations.

"Jude, Jude, Jude. You can't say I didn't warn you. Even before I turned you into a mouse I told you that you would cooperate no matter what I had to do to gain it. What a stroke of luck it was that we bumped into each other just as I was on my way to sneak some food. I'd been lamenting all morning the lack of a proper test subject. You help me out and I return you back to normal. I'll use a strong Obliviate spell and you won't remember a thing. Which of course makes it all the easier for me to lure you into helping again."

As an almost maniacal laughter fills the room, Jet fleetingly thinks it's a good thing he put a sound-proofing spell on the walls months ago.

Christmas Invitation
Author: Blossom
Date: 04-27-03 19:50

Blossom sits beside Fred and across from George at the pizza place where Fred and Blossom had had their first date. Already holding hands with Fred, Blossom reaches across the table and squeezes George's hand. "You're both sure it's all right? Your parents won't mind having me for Christmas dinner?"

The twins eerily speak as one, "Mum wants you there!"

Fred adds, "More importantly, I want you there."

George pipes in with, "Ginny and Ron are dying to meet you."

"Mum's a great cook. But there's so many of us you'll be lucky to get a helping of anything."

"You're nutty enough that you'll fit right in."

"We'll hang a stocking for you. Fill it with coal of course."

"Mum will make you a jumper like she does for everyone else. You'll look as bad as the rest of us."

Fred and George do their tag team talking routine until Blossom is laughing so hard her eyes glisten with moisture. She holds her hands up in mock surrender. "I'll come. I'll come."

Fred reaches out and regains his hold of Blossom's hand. "Brilliant! I'll be sure and save us a spot behind the tree for making out when no one's looking!"

Blossom, whose sides were hurting from already laughing so much tonight, is very glad that the pizza comes about then and that the boys are so hungry they dig right in. She definately needs a break!

Going Home
Author: Ron Weasley
 Date: 04-27-03 20:10

As Ron shoves a sock into his bag, Ginny remarks from the doorway, "We've been here only two days, Ron. How did you manage to scatter your things all over the place and make such a mess?"

Not wanting to admit he'd tossed everything around when having the sudden notion that he'd forgotten to pack the earrings that are to be Ginny's Christmas present, Ron just shrugs instead and says nonchalantly, "Oh, you know us boys, Ginny. Bloody slobs the lot of us. Well, all of us except Percy that is."

Ginny giggles even as she replies, "All too true! Need any help? My things already downstairs. We're just waiting on you."

Ron shakes his head, "Thanks but all done now. Only thing left to do is to leave Harry's and Sirius's presents under their tree." Ron silently adds, "And Hermione's present still to give since I never had a moment alone with her all week!"

Ron picks up his bag and together he and Ginny walk down the stairs, discussing how chaotic things are likely to be at home with wedding preparations going in full swing. After heartful thanks to both Harry and Sirius, and reassurance from Harry that yes, he'll definitely be at Charlie's wedding, the Weasley siblings one at a time throw Floo Powder into the fireplace and after calling out, "The Burrow!" each loudly vanishes from Sirius's house, leaving the man wondering why the mention of the wedding had both Harry and Ginny blushing brightly enough to make Ron laugh.