December came not too long after the
Quidditch match between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. During Charms, Professor
Flitwick held them back after class to get the names of the students who will
be staying for the holidays. The class started chattering excitedly about their
holiday plans.
“We are going to Paris for Christmas. We
hardly stay around London during Christmas.” Mandy announced loudly.
“Who is she talking to?” Terry smirked,
“With only one follower left does not make her a princess anymore.”
“Don’t say that, Terry.” Su stopped Terry.
“Don’t say that, Terry.” Su stopped Terry.
“It’s the truth,” Terry defended. “Glad you
came around, Su. Glad that you came and joined us. We lead a more practical
life than someone who lives in her bubble of imagination.” Terry sneered at
Mandy.
Mandy’s response towards Terry was
interrupted by Professor Flitwick, “Since every one of you will be heading home
for the holidays, I wish all of you happy holidays and be prepared for exams.”
Professor Flitwick chirped.
Flitwick’s words flushed the Ravenclaw’s
holiday mood like a huge pail of water putting out the Ravenclaw’s fire of
excitement. He realized most of the Ravenclaws’ faces changed from excited to
anxious, “No need to panic. I believe my Ravenclaws are going to do just fine.”
He chirped, “Now, hop over to your next class.”
“What will you be doing during Christmas
holidays, Su? “ Janet asked while shoving all her quills and parchment into her
bag.
“Oh, my family actually hardly celebrates
Christmas back in China but we will be in London this year and maybe just
follow what everybody does,” Su replied excitedly, this is her first Christmas
in London.
“You know what; you can come over to my
house during Christmas,” Lisa suggested, “And you too, Janet. Christmas at my
place would usually be just the four of us celebrating; it would be great if I
can have my friends to celebrate together. Since Lee (Leon Turpin) might not be
joining us due to his shift at St. Mungo’s. How’s that?”
“That sounds like fun,” Janet replied, “I
will have to ask my parents first though but it should be fine.”
“Me too. I have never celebrated Christmas
with friends before.” Su replied happily too forgetting that she almost had a
nervous breakdown when Professor Flitwick mentioned about exams ten minutes
ago. Although she has appeared to be more comfortable with the English language
but she is still lack of confindence.
It was not long before mid-December has
arrived and Janet was already happily back at home helping her mother get ready
for Christmas.
“We will be going to the Macmillan’s for
dinner on Christmas eve. That was what we used to do when we were in contact
with the wizarding world,” Emily told Janet while decorating the fireplace with
colourful Christmas stockings.
“That sounds great! That means we are going
to Ernie’s house?” Janet squealed while hanging ornaments on their Christmas tree.
“I have never been to a fully magical household before.”
“So when would you like to go visit Anna?
Are you going to spend the day with her during Christmas like how you used to?”
David asked as he came into the house after hanging the Christmas lights.
Although David and Emily had their wands back, they were still used to the
muggle way of Christmas decoration, which is using electricity instead of the
lighting charm since David has been quite good in handling wires after years of
practice and accidentally shocking himself, “We did mention to her that you
will be coming home for Christmas. I assume that you will be spending it with
her like how you usually would?”
“Oh, no,” Janet moaned.
“What’s wrong?” David asked.
“I forgot that I have promised Lisa that I
will be going to her place for Christmas, I can’t be at two places at once and
I don’t want to miss either one.”
“Oh dear! I forgot about that too,” David
exclaimed, smacking his forehead.
“We will work something out. There are two
more weeks till Christmas.” Emily said to comfort Janet.
“But I have to go see Anna or else she
might think that I have forgotten about her and chose my new friends over her
but I can’t break my promise with Lisa.” Janet whined.
“You don’t have to spend the whole day at
one place. There are 24 hours on Christmas day. You want some biscuits?” Emily
tried distracting her daughter, “I just baked some for a taste test. If it is
good, I shall bake more for Christmas.
“But…”
“No buts, I am sure that we will be able to
work something out,” Emily cuts her daughter off, “Besides, Christmas is the
time of joy. Who knows, things might just fall into place nicely on that day.”
After dinner, Janet stayed in her room
staring at her computer screen, focusing on her online messenger’s contact list
which shows that Anna is online and available. However, Janet could not gather
enough courage to nudge her for a conversation because she was still worried
that Anna might not respond how Janet hoped she’d respond since Anna did not
react positively when she told her the truth about herself. Judging by that
incident which she walked out on Janet, there might still be a chance that she
was still mad at Janet for not going to Queen Anne's with her.
