you can hear the sound of the quiet now

[alt_hydra]

The castle's very different when there aren't many people in it.
It's quieter and bigger than ever, and the common room stays tidier for longer.
Instead of eating at the Slytherin table, everyone eats in the same place, one long table in the centre of the room, but still a bit spread out, with Slytherins and Ravenclaws and the other houses on their own sides, but talking more to each other than they usually would at mealtime.
The food seems better, too, I wonder if that's because there are fewer people for the elves to cook for?
A lot of the other children who've stayed behind are people I don't know.
I saw a ginger haired boy, though, he must've have been a Weasley, and then I thought I saw another one, too, but I didn't see all of them.
I wonder why some would stay at the castle and not the others?
Maybe they were ordered to stay, but I wonder why.
Just wondering, not asking.
It was nice to read about the Malfoy party, it was always the best part of the year.
Last year there was a gingerbread house big enough to walk in, and a fountain of hot cocoa to drink from.
I wonder how hard it is to make a fountain of hot cocoa?
I wouldn't mind trying.
Harry, did you notice how many owls have come for Draco?
He hasn't opened any of the parcels yet, though, I'm not sure that he wants to.
Maybe if we said we would help him, he'd open them?
Because it still doesn't feel like Christmas yet at all, and there's only a few days left to feel it.

Comments

[alt_narcissa]

I think perhaps you ought to see if Draco will let you open the parcels, dear, if he won't do it. There's no reason for him to continue in such a sulk.

[alt_sally_anne]

A fountain of hot cocoa sounds wizard. They didn't have one this year but they had a lot of other nift stuff. I wish you'd been able to come, the party would have been more fun with you and Draco and Harry.

[alt_ron]

Hullo, Hydra.

I was just talking with Pansy Parkinson--well, writing back and forth here in the journals, anywiz--and she said I should introduce myself to you.

She said you play chess. Is that right? I like to play, too, and thought maybe, if you'd like, we could play some time. I've got my board in the Great Hall and was thinking I'd go down there now to see if anyone's around who wants to play--since it's nasty outside again and there's not a lot to do in our common room, y'know.

So, anywiz, if you'd like to play sometime, that'd be great.

And, oh yeah, I should have said. I'm Ron Weasley.

[alt_hydra]

Oh, I'm sorry.
I didn't see this until now.
I play chess with my Daddy, I don't know if I'm very good because I think he lets me win.
If you still want to play today I would.

From,
Hydra

[alt_ron]

Hi, Hydra.

We could play today if you wanted. Maybe after lunch? I just like to play, so it's okay if you've only played with your father. It'll be fun.

See you later, maybe.
Ron

[alt_hydra]

Alright, I will find you after lunch.
Or I suppose I'll see you at lunch, since the great hall isn't very full.
Why're you staying at the castle over hols?
If I may ask.

From,
Hydra

[alt_ron]

Well, it's kind of complicated to explain. Why I didn't go home. But we all stayed last year because my parents were visiting my brother, Charlie, at the dragon preserve, and we couldn't all go along there. I kind of like it here when it's almost empty like this and there are no lessons. Anywiz, it's okay.

Yesterday Professor Brutka came and played a game of chess with me, and then I went with him to the owlry because some of the school owls have got colds or something, and he needed to check on them. They seemed all right to me, but I guess maybe it's hard to tell if an owl's caught cold.

[alt_ron]

Happy Christmas, Hydra Lestrange.

It was nift, playing chess yesterday. Thanks for bringing the chocs along.

Oh, and I enjoyed meeting Tully. He seems to like it here, doesn't he?

[alt_hydra]

I got a new hutch for Tully for Christmas, he seems ever so pleased with it.
And some nice sweet hay for him to eat, too.
Thank you for the chess game.
I hope you got nice things for Christmas.

From,
Hydra