by DrT - Sahits

Chapter VII
Harry hosted a buffet dinner in an unused classroom Christmas Eve. Everyone who had come to the
dance practices had been invited, and Dobby and Winky had had a grand time cleaning the
classroom, preparing and serving the food, and even cleaning up afterwards.
The party broke up around 10:00 (for there had been dancing for several hours after most of the
food had disappeared), and everyone went to bed, thinking good thoughts for the holidays.
Luna woke up early, wondering what the day would bring, wondering if her feet would stop hurting
before the Ball (she had danced every dance the night before, nearly all with Justin, and her shoes
had been a bit tight), and wondering how Christmas at Hogwarts might differ from Christmas at
home. She hoped her father would not be sad.
"What's the matter, Lovegood?" one of her dorm mates whispered. Only three of the six Third year
Ravenclaws had stayed.
Luna considered. Shirley had always treated Luna with strict neutrality, unwilling to help her but
she had never participated in the hazing. "I was just hoping Daddy isn't too lonely without me," she
said, as usual opting for honest openness.
"Where's your mother?"
"Oh, she died years ago," Luna said.
"Sorry, I didn't know," Shirley replied, a bit ashamed that she hadn't known after sharing a room
with the girl for two and a half years.
"Thank you." Luna looked at the small pile of presents at the bottom of her bed. "Do we open these
now, or wait for everyone to be awake?"
"Since it isn't even Seven, we should visit the bog and then you should let me wake Marlo up,"
Shirley said, getting out of bed. "The other years can decide for themselves."
"I'm up, I'm up," Marlo said, still not moving.
"Are you coming to the Ball tonight?" Luna asked.
"No," Shirley answered. "I'm here because my parents are in Nepal and Tibet, helping with the
winter yeti observations. I am helping Creevey, though."
"I'm going," Marlo said.
"Well, you two can talk," Shirley said, "I'm peeing and then opening presents."
"Happy Christmas, Mister Harry," Dobby said to his employer, who was in the lotus position,
floating three inches above his mattress.
"Good morning, Dobby," Harry said very softly, floating down to the bed. "There are presents for
you and Winky, and remember, under the contracts, we can give you clothing."
"Dobby knows, but Winky might not like it," Dobby hesitatingly pointed out.
"I know. We're giving her some material, so she can make whatever kind of covering she likes."
"That is being a good idea, Mister Harry. Dobby took the liberty of making you something."
"Thank you Dobby. Shall I open it now, or with my other presents?"