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HP Chapter 56: A Third-Year Christmas
🕑 Added 2025-08-26 14:00:16 +0000 UTCAs dinner approached, Fanny sat at the long table, glancing repeatedly over at the Gryffindor table, but Ron, Harry, and Hermione still hadn’t arrived.
“Fanny, you’re being really obvious,” Anne said, flipping through a book without even lifting her head.
“But… why haven’t they come yet? Do you think Harry said something to them? I can’t even imagine what he must be feeling after hearing that… Surely he’s not thinking of going after Black for revenge, right? That’s way too dangerous, Black killed twelve Muggles and a wizard by himself! He wouldn’t really do that… would he, Anne?”
Anne turned to another page and answered without looking up, “What would you do if it were you who heard something like that?”
“I…” Fanny furrowed her brow, thinking. “I don’t know... But I think I’d want revenge too, even if I wasn’t strong enough…”
“So, if Harry did want revenge, it wouldn’t be that surprising,” Anne replied, glancing at the time and closing her book. She slid it into her bag, it was nearly dinner.
Fanny looked up toward the staff table, where Dumbledore sat in the center. She said confidently, “Even if Black did come back to the castle, I believe Headmaster Dumbledore would catch him. He’d never let one of his students fall into danger!”
“Mm, probably,” Anne replied as she reached out and levitated a bowl of vegetable stew from a distance.
“They’re here, Anne! I heard from Hermione that all three of them are staying at Hogwarts over the holidays!”
“Oh, that’s good. Harry could definitely use some company…” Anne said, biting into a piece of bread. Another thought crossed her mind, Buckbeak’s situation might be reaching a verdict soon.
“Too bad I have to go home for Christmas,” Fanny said with a sigh.
Hearing the disappointment in her voice, Anne set down her fork and knife, her tone serious. “Fanny, this is something Harry has to get through on his own. Friends can help, but in the end, it’s up to him.”
Fanny looked startled. “Anne, you don’t mean you want him to go after Black for revenge, do you?”
Anne glanced back at the Gryffindor table. Harry sat there, silently eating, not saying a word. She murmured, “Maybe… maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad choice for him.”
Fanny’s eyes widened even more. She leaned in closer to Anne and said, “That really doesn’t sound like you… it’s way too dangerous.”
Anne tilted her head to avoid Fanny’s face and casually picked up her fork and knife again. “It’s not like I would be going on the adventure. And, just a reminder, based on the way your parents reacted when we met them last time, I don’t think they’d be thrilled about a Slytherin getting involved in any kind of reckless escapade.”
Fanny shivered slightly at the reminder and instinctively pulled her shoulders in.
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After dinner, Anne and Fanny headed to the second floor of the library, to the magical history section. Fred and George were already there, practically vibrating with excitement as they clutched a box.
“Anne, you’ll never guess how much we made this time!”
“She really won’t, look at this!” They opened the box to reveal piles of Galleons and Sickles.
Fanny stepped closer, eyes wide. “This is all ours?”
Anne reached into the box and scooped up a handful of coins, letting them slip through her fingers with a satisfying clink. “Honeydukes already paid out?”
“All two weeks’ worth of stocks sold out!”
“Mr. and Mrs. Flume paid us last night~ Going forward, payouts will be monthly, like you suggested.”
Anne smiled in satisfaction. “Nice. I assume you’ve already totaled the earnings?”
Fred and George grinned and chimed in together, “One hundred sixty-two Galleons and eight Sickles!”
Anne turned to Fanny with a playful smile. “So, what are you going to do with your twenty Galleons?”
Fanny blinked. “Wait, why do I have any?”
“You helped design the badge. Of course you get a cut. Though you don’t really need the money... how about investing it in Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes?”
“Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes is brilliant!”
“It’ll definitely have a storefront in Diagon Alley someday!” the twins said eagerly.
Fanny beamed. “Absolutely! I wouldn’t know what to do with the money anyway.”
“Perfect!” The twins cheered. It was clear they were thrilled to have more funding.
Anne pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill. “Excellent. A new shareholder. We can use this opportunity to sketch out the shop’s structure and future dividend plan. Who knows, this little step might become a giant leap someday.”
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With Hermione, Harry, and Ron staying at Hogwarts for the holidays, Anne enjoyed a rare peaceful journey on the Hogwarts Express. The ride was so relaxing she nearly overslept, thankfully, a kind Ravenclaw student woke her up just in time. She thanked them warmly, grabbed her trunk, and got off the train with a bounce in her step.
Waiting at the station were Aaron and Diana. As expected, Diana greeted Anne with a big hug and a polite kiss on the cheek, while Aaron smoothly took her trunk and walked with them out of the station.
“By the way, Diana, Aaron, I brought something for you two!” Anne announced as soon as they got into the car. She reached into her pocket and pulled out two pretty gift pouches filled with the eleven unique candies she’d created.
“What’s this?” Diana asked curiously as she took hers.
“Hehe, there's a little instruction card inside. They’re candies I bought from Hogsmeade, super fun ones!” Anne explained. She caught the subtle glance Aaron gave Diana when she mentioned Hogsmeade. Anne chuckled to herself, he was clearly still annoyed that Diana had filled out the guardian signature section on Anne’s permission form without telling him.
“Are we spending Christmas in France this year?” Anne asked.
“Of course! Christmas in Paris is magical, lights on the Champs-Élysées, holiday markets all over the city… You’re going to love it!” Diana said as she ruffled Anne’s hair.
Anne’s eyes lit up. “That sounds amazing! I had no idea there were so many Christmas events in France, I can’t wait!”
Diana laughed. “And there’ll be so much good food. I’ve already told Manda, our house-elf, to prepare a proper feast. Besides the must-haves like sea urchin roe, braised venison, and roast chicken, there’ll be seared foie gras with port wine, smoked salmon, oysters, shrimp, steak…”
Anne cheered aloud, but quickly remembered they were in a car and kept herself from bouncing off the seat.
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The next day, the three of them flew from London to Paris. Over the next week, Diana and Aaron spent lots of quality time with Anne. She guessed it was partly due to the Boggart incident and the Dementors showing up during the Quidditch match, though they never said anything directly.
One day while shopping for clothes with Diana, Anne asked a question that had been on her mind for a while.
“Diana, I’ve always wondered, is it just British wizards who dress so… oddly? I mean, in Diagon Alley, their outfits are all over the place, but French wizards seem way more stylish.”
Diana chuckled. “Well, French wizards, and those from southern European countries like Italy, do tend to be more fashion-conscious. Wizards from other places… not so much.” She glanced meaningfully at Aaron, who was waiting outside the boutique.
Anne followed her gaze. Aaron stood there in a tailored suit, his hair neatly styled, looking like a perfect British gentleman.
“But he didn’t dress all that weird the first time I met him,” Anne said, tilting her head thoughtfully. “At least, not compared to some of the people I saw in Diagon Alley…”
“That’s probably because he grew up in France,” Diana said with a smile. “The wizarding world here had an influence on him. Plus, he’s got a lot of cousins in France.”
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In the second half of the holiday, Anne still made time to visit Vegas’ bistro to try new dishes and discuss recipes with him.
Even with the heavy pile of third-year homework, Anne carved out time for her true love, the piano. She spent hours practicing classics from famous composers and occasionally attended piano concerts. That peaceful, artistic rhythm made her feel truly content.
Of course, she didn’t forget about her piano teacher, Mr. Arx. His whole family was delighted to have her visit over the holidays.
But one morning, Aaron brought her a piece of news that Anne had already been expecting.
“I read something troubling, Hagrid might be in trouble,” Aaron said as he flipped through letters. “Anne, you know that winged beast Hagrid keeps?”
Anne was munching on breakfast, wrapped in blankets to fight off the French winter chill. “You mean Buckbeak?”
Aaron scanned the letter again and nodded. “Yeah, that’s the name. Apparently it really injured that Malfoy boy during class?”
“Mm-hm. It was Hagrid’s first class, and he brought out the Hippogriff right away. Malfoy was being obnoxious, so… yeah. Did the Ministry issue anything?”
“First class?! Hagrid went all-in, huh... Well, the Ministry is letting the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures handle it. Not good,” Aaron said, frowning. “That committee is full of nasty types, I don’t like dealing with them.”
Anne sighed. “Lucius Malfoy probably stirred things up behind the scenes…”
“If that’s the case, Hagrid might be lucky just to keep his job,” Aaron muttered, scanning the rest of the letter. “Yep… says here Dumbledore’s the one vouching for him.”
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A/N: Transitional chapter~
