Potion's nearly ready. We'll be getting the truth out of him any day now.'

*
At last the term ended, and a silence deep as the snow on the grounds descended on the castle. Harry found it peaceful, rather than gloomy, and enjoyed the fact that he, Hermione, Amelia, and the Weasleys had the run of Gryffindor Tower, which meant they could play Exploding Snap loudly without bothering anyone, and practise duelling in private. Fred, George and Ginny had chosen to stay at school rather than visit Bill in Egypt with Mr and Mrs Weasley. Percy, who disapproved of what he termed their childish behaviour, didn't spend much time in the Gryffindor common room. He had already told them pompously that he was only staying over Christmas because it was his duty as a Prefect to support the teachers during this troubled time.

Christmas morning dawned, cold and white. Harry and Ron, the only ones left in their dormitory, were woken very early by Hermione, who burst in, fully dressed and carrying presents for them both.

'Wake up,' she said loudly, pulling back the curtains at the window.

'Hermione – you're not supposed to be in here,' said Ron, shielding his eyes against the light.

'Neither am I! Get used to it!' Amelia was standing by Hermione fully dressed but looking tired. The bulge in her sweater showed that Sharptooh coiled up sleeping. 

'Merry Christmas to you, too,' said Hermione, throwing him his present. 'I've been up for nearly an hour, adding more lacewings to the Potion. It's ready.'

Harry sat up, suddenly wide awake.

'Are you sure?'

'Positive,' said Hermione, shifting Scabbers the rat so that she could sit down on the end of his four-poster. 'If we're going to do it, I say it should be tonight.'

At that moment, Hedwig swooped into the room, carrying a very small package in her beak.

'Hello,' said Harry happily, as she landed on his bed, 'are you speaking to me again?'

She nibbled his ear in an affectionate sort of way, which was a far better present than the one which she had brought him, which turned out to be from the Dursleys. They had sent Harry a tooth- pick and a note telling him to find out whether he'd be able to stay at Hogwarts for the summer holidays, too.

Amelia ripped the note. 'Your, family's garbage.' Harry smiled. 'They are pieces of shit. You poor bastard. I'm sending them a howler!' Harry was full-on laughing along with Ron and Hermione.