Spending Christmas at Hogwarts
Over my past few years at Hogwarts, I’ve been able to go home for Christmas. This year, unfortunately, I don’t get to go home. It’s not all bad, though. The castle has so many beautiful Christmas decorations out. The Hogwarts ghosts have taken to caroling through the corridors, and they’ve mastered making Christmas carols sound spooky. It has been snowing all week and it’s always easy to start a snowball fight.
Today, I’m writing this from my favorite booth in the Hog’s Head. I had a craving for a nice hot butterbeer. Headmaster Dumbledore granted us an extra Hogsmeade day in honor of the holidays. Most Hogwarts students prefer to go to the Three Broomsticks for their butterbeer, but I prefer the Hog’s Head. It’s a lot quieter and I can always get my favorite booth. I hate fighting for tables. Aberforth is always fun to talk to. He has hundreds of interesting stories. In my opinion, this is the best spot in town to relax with a nice drink.
I’m looking forward to going back to the Slytherin common room. I have it all to myself tonight. Only four Slytherins stayed at Hogwarts for Christmas this year. Me and three second years. I’m planning on kicking them out and taking over the common room for the night. I’ll wrap myself up in a warm blanket in front of the fireplace and spend my evening drinking hot chocolate and reading. Spending Christmas with my family is wonderful, but sometimes spending it by yourself is great too. There are no expectations or plans. I can just spend the day doing whatever I want whenever I feel like.
I miss my family and my pets a lot. I really wish that I could have made the trip home, but looking out of the window at the Hog’s Head and seeing the castle makes me feel like I am home in a way. I’ve spent most of my life at Hogwarts. I’ve met most of my friends because of Hogwarts. Without it, I have no idea who I would be right now.
My advice to other witches and wizards who are unable to make it home for Christmas is to make the day about you. Spend it doing whatever makes you happy. Be with friends or spend time alone. Whatever makes you happy.
Are you spending Christmas away from your family this year? What are your plans for the day?
