Harry Potter and the Power of Emotions

Chapter 16: Where to stay?

Harry had thought it strange that the Slytherins had been so quiet during his lesson. No sneered remarks, no unexpected curses hitting him from behind. But still, it had been his first real lesson with them. Maybe they were just waiting to see whether he managed to slip up all by himself.

But then he remembered Malfoy's worst fear. Harry smiled at the recollection of Draco Malfoy, the amazing bouncing ferret. If only he could use it on him. What if he could give Malfoy a detention worth of clearing up the ravage made by a lose Niffler and some lose ferrets...

The next day Harry asked McGonagall about Transfiguring something into a ferret.

"You have to say Mustela while pointing your wand at the thing you want to transfigure. Why do you need that spell?" asked McGonagall.

"Er..."

"Has it anything to do with the fake Moody turning Draco Malfoy into a ferret?" said McGonagall with a cunning eye.

"It has, but I won't turn him into a ferret. I just want something nifty for if I give him a detention... let him catch lose ferrets or something."

And then, somehow, someway, McGonagall smiled at him.

***

Due to the excitement, Harry totally forgot about Christmas. He only remembered that it was coming when he got two letters asking whether he could stay for Christmas at their house. The first was from Mrs. Weasley, and the second was from Mr. Lovegood.

Harry'd like to meet Luna's father. He'd liked to meet the man that made Luna into what she was now, the girl he loved. But he wasn't too sure that Dumbledore would approve, so Harry decided to ask him as soon as he had time to spare.

So at the end of the day, he went to Dumbledore's office, still not knowing how he was going to phrase his sentence.

"Please, do come in," said Dumbledore.

Harry opened the door and looked at Dumbledore. He was sitting behind his desk, reading what looked like the Evening Prophet.

"Professor," began Harry, "I'm sorry to disturb you, but I got a letter this morning from Mr. Lovegood. He asked me if I could stay there for Christmas. Can I? May I?"

Harry said this all very quickly, as though it wasn't as hard to say as when he would say it slower.

"You can and you may," said Dumbledore, and chuckled slightly. "Isaac Lovegood is a good publisher, if what eccentric. And he likes to joke, but he has been helpful to the Order, at least by publishing those interviews of yours. And if it's not going too well... there are always Order members on the other side of town at the Weasleys."

"I forgot... they both live in Ottery St. Catchpole, do they?" said Harry smiling.

"Indeed, they do," said Dumbledore with a definite tone in his voice.

The conversation was over.

***

When Harry got back to the Gryffindor Common Room he dashed upstairs to get some pieces of parchment and his quill.

When he finally sat down he came to a problem. How on earth could he tell Mrs. Weasley politely that he would be spending Christmas at the Lovegoods? Maybe she'd understand if he explained that Luna was his girlfriend and promised to visit them...with Luna of course.

Finally he wrote:

Mrs. Weasley,

I'm sorry, but I will not spend Christmas at the Burrow this time. I'm going to spend Christmas at the house of my girlfriend: Luna Lovegood. I do like you all very much, but, this is our first Christmas together, and I hope that you understand that I want to spend Christmas with her.

Luna and I could come and visit you, since they only live on the other side of town...

Harry

He looked at it carefully and found it to be quite polite. So that meant there was only one letter left to write-- what would he tell Mr. Lovegood. He wanted to make a good impression on him, as he was Luna's dad.

Mr. Lovegood,

I've asked Dumbledore, and he thinks is safe for me to spend Christmas at your house. So, I guess I'll see you at the first day of the Holidays.

Harry Potter

Harry was content with the letter, although it was rather short. He still couldn't believe it, he was really going to spend Christmas with Luna and her father. Her father couldn't be much worse than Fred and George, could he?