I AM BACK, BABY!

'Yeah, we heard-' Kate started.
'You start screaming-' Leyla continued.
'Then you ran out of the room!' both twins finished dramatically. Lindsey thought for a moment on the best way to tell them, before starting slowly.
'I had a dream, then I woke up and the room was burned, and you guys were all cowering in the corner. Then you all turned into-Well, then I actually woke up and I was on fire...' Lindsey whispered, deliberately failing to mention them all turning into Dennis. They all noticed the cut off, but decided not to pursue it. Holly, Nat and the twins bounded forward and hugged her, muttering slightly about it not being fair to her. Dennis stepped forward and put a hand on her arm, smiling. The other boys stayed back, looking awkward. Lindsey noticed this and stepped back, smiling at them.
'Don't worry, I'm fine. Come on, we'd best get back.' Lindsey said, saving the boys from the situation. They smiled gratefully at her and they all looked at Dennis.


'Right, we know our way back to the common room, so take a bit of potion and run!' Dennis shouted over the sound of people rushing around to grab the potion. When they were all invisible, they left quietly and ran back, which didn't take long, as their common room was on the same floor as the Room of Requirement.
'Bubotuber Pus!' Dennis said to the Fat Lady.
'Who's there!?' she demanded, swinging open. They climbed in and bade each other farewells, before leaving for their own dorms.


A couple of weeks later, the girls ran to the great hall, all feeling very excited.
It was nearing to Christmas!
Lindsey's parents had to leave at Christmas for work, so Lindsey was to be left at Hogwarts. This made her a bit sad, but she didn't mind much. It was just that this would be her first Christmas without her parents, and she would have nobody else at Hogwarts, as her friends were all going home.
Harry and Lindsey had become firm friends, despite the age difference, but, hey, it was only eight years of a difference. She was able to have a laugh with Harry, which is what she liked to do. It distracted her from the fact that she was a freak. Her mentoring was going well and she could now produce a shield without having to tweak it in her mind! Hilee came whenever she called and she was delighted with this, as he also seemed to like her.


When she sat down to eat with the girls, she sighed slightly, looking around at the great hall, a constant reminder of the closeness of Christmas. Then the owls flew in, and Lindsey continued to eat, knowing full well she wouldn't be getting any letters. She was used to it by now.
This is why she was pleasantly surprised when a black owl with white specks flew in front of her and gave her a letter.
'Sirius?' Lindsey gasped. Harry had told her about his owl, Sirius! She knew it was him! She gave Sirius a little plate of rice and took the letter from his foot, before starting to read.


Dear Lindsey,
How are you? I'm great, Ginny and I have been at the beach! I was chatting to Mrs Weasley about you, she was curious as to what I was doing each week, and she asked what you were doing at Christmas. When I told her you were staying at Hogwarts, she insisted that you come to stay with them at the Burrow! She says she wants you to stay so she can get to know you better, as I've told her a lot about you. I've already written to your parents, and they've said yes, so now we only need your permission.
I'd like to introduce you to Ginny, Ron and Hermione!
Hoping to get a reply soon!
Harry


‘Oh my gosh! Guys! Harry’s invited me to the Burrow!’ Lindsey gushed. The girls all grinned and squealed.
‘You’re gonna have so much fun!’ Holly said, beaming. Lindsey nodded, knowing that this was an understatement. She might not have met the Weasleys before, but she had heard enough about them to know that they were good people. Then a sudden thought struck her.
‘Oh, gosh, what should I get all of the Weasleys for Christmas?’ she groaned, thinking about what they’d like. She had no clue whatsoever, really, apart from little ideas that were circling in her head.
‘Did I hear you wondering about presents?’ someone called, and Lindsey smiled as Dennis took a seat opposite her, grinning.


‘Yup, I’ve got all of you guys’ presents, but I’ve been invited to the Burrow for the holidays!’ Lindsey beamed, before seeing that normal glint in Dennis’s eyes disappear.
‘Great!’ he said, sounding a bit muffled as if he were gritting his teeth. He shook his head, as if regaining his composure and smiled again. ‘I can help you with presents!’ he said, nodding.
‘How?’ Lindsey asked, cocking her head to one side. How could Dennis help her? She just hoped he could help, that would take some things off her mind…
‘Well, write me a list, and I’ll get it from Hogsmeade for you!’ Dennis smiled, before being strangled by a hug from Lindsey, who had just leant across the table.
‘Thank you, Dennis!’ she beamed, before letting go of him and sitting back, laughing at Dennis’s flushed face. ‘Now, do any of you have some ink? I need to write a reply! Maybe Sirius can deliver one to my parents to say thank you!’ she said, looking around at them all.
‘I have some!’ Nat grinning, putting her hand in her pocket and pulling out some ink, passing it to Lindsey.
‘Thanks!’ Lindsey smiled, as she took some parchment and a quill from her own pockets, and started to write a reply.