Christmas was near. And it's the time of the year for Hogwarts students to go home to celebrate Yule with their family. Quite a few students stayed behind instead of going home, Harry and the Weasleys were one of them.
" Tell me if anything interesting happens here. ", Anastasia told the twins and Lee who were helping her take her luggage downstairs outside of Hogwarts.
Anastasia is one of the people that will be going home. She's rather excited to do so as she was owled by her father that her ' relatives ' will be visiting at the 30th of December for their family's Yule Ball and also because she was invited to stay over at the Malfoy Manor after that.
" Of cooourssee. ", Said George. " We'll tell you every single detail of whatever interesting thing will happen here.
Anastasia smiled contently.
Finally, they were able to reach the large wooden ships awaiting for them. There were six in total. Some are already filled by students and are ready to leave.
Fred handed the luggage back to the girl, which isn't really a lot but they still insisted on helping her get them out, joking about how she'll just end up tripping and falling down the stairs. " See you after Yule, then? "
" Yep. Have fun. "
" Have fun, Ana! ", said Lee.
Anastasia smiled at the three and waved them goodbye before dragging her luggage further inside the ship. As she walked around the ship, trying to find her compartment, she was greeted by Pansy and Draco.
" Ana! ", The both yelled as they ran over to her side.
" Hey! It's nice that we ended up in the same ship. ", Anastasia said.
Pansy and Draco awkwardly looked at each other. " Not without action in the background... ", Pansy whispered.
" What's your compartment number? ", Draco asked, trying to change the subject.
" Oh, it's 37. "
" That's at the second floor. I passed by it earlier when I looked for my compartment. We'll take you there. ", Said Draco.
The compartment was simple but nice. The room and furnitures were made out of wood just like the rest of the ship. There were two windows with the view of the outside. There was a bed that wouldn't even be used by them because of the very short distance that they'll ' travel '.
" Why do we even need to use these ships to go back to the train station? It looks like we're about to go on a 3 week long journey overseas. It'll probably only take us five minutes to reach it. Ten if the ship will move very slowly in order for us to enjoy the ride. ", said Anastasia.
Draco let out a snort at that. " You're not wrong but whatever. It looks cool anyways. "
The three sat on the bed as the ship began to sail away. They talked about their studies, the connections the were able to create with other people (Anastasia stayed quiet at that), the meals, and their homeworks.
Pansy was brushing her short hair as they spoke. " I've already finished halfway through my essay about the basic spells. I'll just finish it tomorrow. I've already completed two out of six of our homeworks. "
Draco clicked his tongue. " Tch. Only two? I've already finished three plus the essay. "
Anastasia felt embarrassed once more. She haven't even started on any of them yet. She'll just do an all nighter later and tomorrow to finish all of her homeworks.
" Right. ", Draco said suddenly. " Don't forget that you two are invited to stay at our Manor after the Glasswaters' Yule Ball. And ugh... Nott will be there too, unfortunately. My parents still thinks we're friends with him. "
The two girls didn't know how to react at that.
" Hmm.. ", Anastasia hummed. " I think it's best that we don't ignore him. After all, our families have been very beneficial to each other. I reckon it won't end well if we suddenly started giving him the cold shoulder. "
As much as Draco and Pansy wanted to disagree, the blue-eyed girl was correct. The Notts' influence and business has helped the three's family reputation to rise even more.
Draco sighed. " So what? Are we just gonna let him give you the cold shoulder while we can't even do that to him? "
" I guess so. It's really the only choice we have unless we want to break off our family's ties with the Notts. ", Said Anastasia as she combed her hair neatly. But it was also because she still stubbornly wants to talk to him and be on friendly terms with him. Though she won't tell that to her friends.
The two can only groan in annoyance.
" By the way. ", said Pansy. " Why do you keep hanging out with those Weasley twins and their Jordan friend? "
Anastasia looked at her on confusion. Isn't it obvious already? " They're my friends Pansy, of course I'll always be with them. "
" We are your friends too though. Even before you befriended those three. ", Draco said with a hint of annoyance.
" Well, yes but I'm in the same house as them. It's online natural that I'll end up being with them most of the time as we literally stay in the same dorm house. Besides, I thought you're already fine with them, Draco? "
Draco rolled his eyes. " Who says I am? I merely forced myself to tolerate their presence back last year because I didn't want to cause trouble on your welcome party. "
Anastasia felt both thankful and exhausted. What's with some pureblood families disliking the Weasleys? " What did they even do to you? You hated them even in your first meeting for no reason. "
" Except there is a reason. ", Draco refuted. " Father told me that the Weasleys are blood-traitors. They show fascination to mudbloods and muggles. Isn't that horrific? "
" Draco! What you said is horrific! ", Anastasia yelled.
Pansy, who was about to agree at Draco's comment, decided to stay quiet after her friend's outburst.
" I've always wondered from the start why pureblood ideals are like this but never spoke up about it but now that you're the one saying this is just- these things you say about muggles don't make you a better person, Draco. I know you're smart enough to understand that. ", Anastasia gripped the pillow in her lap tightly as she voiced out the words she's been holding. Truly, these ideals just makes her feel uncomfortable. Disgusted would be something she'd refer to what she's feeling but it's a very strong word.
The two Slytherins stayed quiet for a minute. They looked around the room uncomfortably, unsure of what to say and do. They were just following what their parents made them believe. After all, aren't parents always correct?
Finally, Draco sighed and turned his gaze back to the girl clutching the pillow on her lap. " Sorry... ", He said.
Pansy awkwardly faked a cough. " Ummm.. I apologize too. Though I didn't voice it out, I actually have the same views for mud- muggles as Draco. "
Anastasia can only sigh in exhaustion. " Whatever. It's not me you should be apologize to anyway. I just don't like pureblood ideals is all. "
The two Slytherins silently nodded at her words.
[<>]
It did take them 10 minutes to reach the train station. The ships moved way too slow.
The young wizards and witches stepped out of the ships and walked towards the train, eager to go home. Anastasia, Draco, and Pansy felt the same. They got inside an empty cabin and waited for the train to arrive their destination, the conversation earlier now forgotten.
The three split up once they've reached platform 9¾. Their guardians waited for them there.
Anastasia excitedly ran towards her father and Aranel while dragging her luggage along with her. " Father! Ary! ", she exclaimed happily once she has reached them.
Aranel went ahead to pat the girl's head while the head of the house stood awkwardly by the side. " Mr. Glasswater bought you some gifts along our way. He's very excited to see you again, but doesn't know how to act as you can see. ", she said, whispering the last part.
The two giggled at that, making the little girl's father feel even more awkward.
Finally, the three went back to the Glasswater Manor. There was a feast prepared there for the young lady's arrival.
" The rest of the family will arrive here tomorrow and will stay until December 31. For now, get some rest. I feel that you'll be stressed by them tomorrow. "
Anastasia nodded at that. But she still secretly pulled an all nighter in order to study and answer half of her homeworks.
The next day was the same. The Glasswaters arrived around nine in the morning. Anastasia greeted them and led them around the manor before finally going back in her room to study. At lunch, she went out of her room and ate with the rest of her family and chatting with her cousins about their life in France.
" Why don't you have a French accent though? ", Anastasia asked them.
" Silly girl, we are raised here in London but studied in France. We do have a French accent but it's not really our accent. We only use it when talking to the noble wizards in France. The last people of our family that spoke in a French Accent was your father's great, great, great grandfather. ", one of her cousins, Lyam explained, adding a dry chuckle to his explanation at the end of it.
" Oh. ", Anastasia felt embarrassed once more.
" How are your connections at school, Ana? Or if you don't understand what I mean then it's friends. ", another cousin, Sévère, asked.
" Well, erm... I'm still friends with Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson... And Theodore Nott. I also have new friend's which are Fred Weasley, George Weasley, and Lee Jordan. "
Her cousins looked at her expectantly for a bit before frowning. " That's... All? "
Anastasia nodded hesitantly.
After that, she felt her cousins little interests on her slip away. They began to speak in groups, making her feel distanced. After that, she decided to just go back to studying so she won't need to pull an all nighter.
She politely excused herself before making her way out of the garden's pavilion. She ignored the uncomfortable gazes that seemed to be judging her as she walked away.
Her family, definitely aren't explicitly rude. But they are implicitly judging her.
But thanks to her leaving early, she was able to finish all of her homeworks. She even asked Lexter to check if what she answered were all correct. She has a few mistakes. Thankfully, Lexter helped her correct them.
After that, she wrote a simple letter to her friends.
___
Draco,
How's your winter break? I heard from Lexter that your family will be hosting a family Yule Ball too. I hope you'll have fun there! Don't forget to socialize with your relatives. :)
-Ana.
___
Pansy,
How is it in Russia? I heard winters can get colder than usual there. I hope you brought thick warm coats with you. Stay safe and have fun!
-Ana.
___
Fred,
Hello Fred! Has anything interesting been happened in Hogwarts lately? I'm so excited to hear what's going on there! What kinds of pranks have you been doing with George and Lee? I hope it'll end up nice! :) I can't wait to go back to school again! Have fun there, Fred. (つ✧ω✧)つ
-Ana.
___
George,
Hey Georgie. How is it in Hogwarts so far? Is it nice to spend Christmas there? How are those three? The golden trio, I mean. I hope they aren't doing anything reckless. Have fun in your stay there!
-Ana.
___
Lee,
Lee! I just got the book you were asking for! Lexter found it pretty quick and was happy to give it to someone. Anyways, how are the twins? I hope they're not doing anything too mischievous. I hope you're enjoying your Christmas break with your family!
-Ana.
___
Anastasia smiled contently once she has finished writing them all before glancing hesitantly at the extra blank letter on her table. After a few seconds of thinking, she finally grabbed it and began writing.
Theo,
Hello Theo! I just wanted to check up on you. How's your time with your family? I hope you're getting along with them well. Draco told me you'll also be staying over at their manor at December 31. Other than that, have fun and spend time with your relatives. I'll see you soon.
-Ana.
Finally, Anastasia sighed in relief. She picked up the letters before going towards Lexter's office and handed the letters to his owl.