Gifted

25

"I'll take the dirty clothes down to mum," Ginny said, and picking up the large pile of clothes, disappeared through the door.

"Home sweet home," I said quietly. I glanced over at Bella who was sitting on the bed we would be sharing, staring out one of the many windows. Becca walked over to where Bella was sitting.

"Everything's going to be okay," she said. "Maybe you could come live with Fred and I. Fred was talking about this lovely house out in the country that he bought. We'll be living there starting in a few weeks." Becca looked over at me. "In different rooms, of course," she said.

"So..."

"We want to wait, Aly," she said. "And I see nothing wrong with that."

"I think that's great," I said. I walked over and sat next to Bella.

"What do you think?" Becca asked.

"Well, I'll have to think about it," Bella replied. "My baby brother didn't survive either, so it's just me. My aunt has offered to take me in and now you."

"I understand that it will take awhile," Becca said, smiling. "I just want you to know you will be welcome. I won't be seeing you guys much after Christmas. I quit my job at the Three Broomsticks and I'm getting a job as a Healer at St. Mungo's. That's what I've always wanted to be, but they weren't hiring anyone until now, and I've accepted the job position."

"I want to be Healer," I said. "I really enjoy it. I'll start taking the Healing classes next year, but I really will need to improve in potions. I'm pretty good in Charms and Transfiguration, so other then Potions, I should be fine."

"I like that Healing appeals to you," Becca said. "What about you?" She looked over a Bella.

"I've been thinking a lot lately, about my future," Bella said. "When I was pregnant with the baby, I decided I wanted to stay at home and raise a big family. But, after I lost the baby and Damon and I broke away from each other, I realized I'd like to work at Hogwarts. As a Transfiguration teacher, since that's my best subject. I talked to Professor McGonnagal about it and she said I would make an excellant teacher."

"That's good to hear," Becca said. "I'm glad you guys are already planning for your future. It'll pay off in the end."

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"Aly! Aly, wake up! Aly!"

I slowly opened my eyes, squinting in the sunlight. "

"It's Christmas!" Bella exclaimed, still shaking me. "Becca and Ginny are already up and gone." I yawned and sat up, rubbing my eyes. "Come one," Bella said. "I've already opened mine and thank you for the candy, and the scarf if beautiful."

"No problem," I said, crawling out of bed and walking over to the presents that were at the end of my bed.

I started opening them and I got a new pair of jeans and a book titled: All About Healing from Bella. Candy from Becca. An aburn knitted sweater from mum and and a matching scarf from dad(even though I know mum made both). Fred and George got me a Pygmy Puff from their joke shop(it looked exactlly like Ginny's-Arnold-but it was purple). Ron got me candy. Harry got me a book on transfiguration. Hermione gave me a scedule(it shouting thigs at me and I ended up putting it in the bottom of my trunk). Then there were only three left.

"I've gotten  a lot this year," I said. I picked up the one on the left and saw on the card that it was from Seamus. I opened it.

"Woah!" Bella exclaimed. "It's pretty." There was a medium sized box covered and glowing little stars. I opened it and it started playing a lullaby.

"All I got Seamus was some candy from Honeydukes," I sighed, staring at the music box. I set it down carefully next to me and picked up the one on the right. I saw it was from Neville.

"Haven't you already told him no?" Bella asked.

"Yeah...but we're still friends," I said. I opened it to see two dozen chocolate caouldrons. The same thing he got me the first time we got together. I looked at them for a minute before setting it down and picking up the biggest and heaviest of them all. I moved Ashley-my Pygmy Puff-off the package and tore the wrapping.

Inside was a brand new copy of Hogwarts; A History.

"Omigod," I murmured. "I've wanted my own copy for so long."

"Who's it from?" Bella asked.

I looked trough the wrappings, in the book, but I couldn't find a name anywhere.

"It doesn't say," I replied.

"Well, no matter," Bella said. "We best get ready and head downstairs."

"Right."

I took one last glance at the book sitting at the end of my bed before picking up Ashley and setting her own my bed so I wouldn't lose her while I got dressed.

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Becca's ring to the side ->