Holiday at Hogwarts PV Simon Tilia

Astoria listened and was lost in a bit of a thought when Simon was speaking to her about traveling. She usually traveled with her family through the Floo Network and while they were away, her maids would be around the house keeping it in tip-top shape as they were away. "It is quite the easy travel. We use the Floo Network so we don't have to step foot outside our own door. It makes it easy to travel, plus we have been so use to it, the cinder can't even stay attached to our clothing!"

The idea of attending a ball with Simon caught Astoria in a bit of a day dream. She imagined herself, dressed in one of her favorite ballgowns and seeing Simon entering, escorting his parents. She could imagine their father's shaking hands and their mother's gracefully giving each other a hug. She could see Simon dressed in a handsome suit. She could see the two of them dancing the night away. She could see her parents looking fondly as the couple's children smiled and danced to the beat of the music.

Astoria blinked a few times, coming back to reality. One thing about Astoria, she likes to day dream, a lot! "Well, I know we have a scheduled ball coming up in February. We are doing a Valentine's themed celebration so I'm sure after this letter, you and your family may be at the top of the list!" The idea of Simon and his family attending one of her family balls, it gave her goosebumps of excitement!

Suddenly, the two of them were crashed by a couple who were certainly, passionately, involved with each other! They were two Gryffindor students who were enjoying the company of one another in each other's arms. They noticed Simon and Astoria and rushed from the room. Astoria turned back to Simon, looking at him with eyes like Did you just see what I just saw? She gave a giggle, her cheeks blushing red once again.

Simon had filled in about his holiday trips and it turns out, he is staying at Hogwarts? His father would be with his sister in London and his mother would be working at her job with students. It put an odd feeling in her stomach. Astoria had read the letter once again, reviewing what Narcissa, Astoria's mother, had said about her colleague that she worked with and got along very well. Suddenly, she noticed a small side note at the bottom of the letter. "Oh, I just read something..." Astoria added just before he said Since you're leaving for France. "It turns out that I'm not going to France quite yet. My mother mentioned here that, her and my father have sudden business to attend to and they will be traveling to the United States..." She slowly lowered the letter onto the piano and looked at Simon. "Well, I suppose I'll be here for the Christmas holidays instead." Astoria said, trying to hide the bothersome idea. Her parents gone on Christmas and she unable to go see her family?

@Simon Tilia

When Astoria talked about the Floo Powder network Simon nodded.

"That's what I love about magic", he said with a smile.

Astoria seemed to be thinking deeply about something as he reflected on whether he had attended any balls with Ministry officials. It was as if she heard what he said, but her mind was elsewhere. When she finally woke from her thoughts she said:

"Well, I know we have a scheduled ball coming up in February. We are doing a Valentine's themed celebration so I'm sure after this letter, you and your family may be at the top of the list!"

Valentine's Day? Simon usually celebrated Valentine's Day with his family. They would go out on a nice restaurant and order a tree-course meal before coming back and having a movie night or such. He liked the idea of doing something else, something new, on Valentine's Day, although he wondered a bit nervously what such a ball would be like or include, considering the theme.

So, Astoria was going to stay at Hogwarts. At first, he felt a bit sad, thinking that they would be separated on Sunday, and sorry for Astoria, that she was going to be one of few students staying behind. Then he got an idea...

“Really? Well…” This was his chance, but somehow, he clammed up. He knew what he wanted to ask but he was quickly trying to decide whether it was appropriate or not. “Maybe… if you want, I mean… you can come stay with us for a couple of days? Until your parents get back. I'm sure my parents would love that! Unless you wanna stay here of course... That’s completely fine too!” He really hoped that she would say yes though...

@Astoria Middleton

The idea of Astoria's parents being gone for Christmas broke her heart. Christmas was Astoria's favorite time of the year and it was a holiday that she held very dear to her. The idea that her parents would be in another country shattered her, and it's not like she could ask since it was her father's department. That was the downside of the Department of Mysteries, anything and everything that Matthias Middleton had to do was in secrecy. Narcissa, on the other hand, was going to be accompanying him. It had to have been an emergency because the letter that she had didn't even explain what she was doing as well. Perhaps, being in the Magical Department of Law Enforcement, they had to tag team. Maybe there were dark wizards wreaking havoc and, since the UK and the US had strong ties to one another, the British Ministry of Magic could be sending their best representatives.

She turned away, as her eyes began to water up but she didn't want Simon to see. She blinked a few times, her throat drying up and knotting up. Her face began to turn red again, she was going to let it all go but that wouldn't be fair to do in front of Simon. He shouldn't have to see her like this.

Astoria took a deep breath, in and out of her nose. Simon had replied and she was waiting for some sort of sympathy from him. Astoria had expected him to say something like I'm sure you will have fun here though or he would say something along the lines of Don't worry, there will be plenty of things you could do to entertain yourself but then again, Simon wouldn't be like that. Instead, she paused for a moment.

"Me? You...would like me..." Astoria began, trying to process what he was asking and clearing her throat from the news she had received. Did he really ask her to spend a couple of days with him and his family?! Astoria? Spending the holidays with the Tilia family? "That is very kind of you, Simon." Astoria replied, "Are you sure? The last thing that I would want do is intrude on anything during your family holidays. Thank you Simon, I would love to join you and your family for the holidays." Astoria curled her lips in, she wanted to jump and hug him.

@Simon Tilia

Musical inspiration: Definitely Unexpected

"Me? You...would like me... That is very kind of you, Simon. Are you sure? The last thing that I would want do is intrude on anything during your family holidays. Thank you Simon, I would love to join you and your family for the holidays."

Simon's heart skipped a beat. She said yes.

"You're not intruding! I'm not asking just to be kind or anything. I want you to go with me. I love my family and all, but the thought of being away from Hogwarts for weeks... I would miss trashing the Trophy Room or run around in secret passages. Of course, we won't be able to do all that sort of stuff in our house perhaps –" He chuckled. "– but the thought of having you there makes the Christmas holidays seem more fun and less lonely", he said with a smile.

Now all they needed was an OK from their parents but he was sure that his parents would love the thought of having a guest over for Christmas. Most likely, Astoria's parents would not have any objections, because who would not want their child to have somewhere to spend Christmas Eve?

"I'm sure you will love it there, Astoria! We're gonna have so much fun. I'll show you our library and my dad's mysterious artifacts from his travels", said Simon. "And you'll get to meet my big sister when she's coming from London. I'm sure she's gonna love having a girl in the house for once, except for mom... And you'll get to see my room. We also have a grand piano. Maybe we could play and sing together? But we should probably send an owl to our parents right away to make the arrangements then. Do you have quills and parchment?"

@Astoria Middleton

Astoria laughed happily, the memory of their trophy room adventure always brought a smile to her face even though it required her to confront some of her fears. Simon clearly had an attachment to his parents and his sister. She couldn't relate to the sibling idea of it but she could to her parents. Astoria loved her parents, but she came to the conclusion at a young age that her parents had very demanding jobs. If it wasn't for them, she wouldn't have had the opportunities to enjoy the talents that she was blessed to have.

The idea that Simon genuinely wanted Astoria to join him on their holiday break made her see him in a different light. And to think he was so considerate that no one should be alone on Christmas! "You certainly have that right, no one should be alone on Christmas!" Nothing, absolutely nothing, could be better than spending the holidays with Simon!

Astoria was filled in by how much fun that the two of them would have together. She would get to see his father's library and the artifacts that he had collected throughout his travels! She would have a chance to meet his sister as well! Deep down, Astoria always wanted a sibling, a sister specifically. She would hope that she could make a good impression on her! "I would adore that! And getting to visit and meet your parents as well!" Astoria smiled brightly, it was as if there was a dream that was coming true! To add icing onto the cake, Simon had informed her that they would even have the chance to sing and play with the grand piano! "We must dance as well! I love to dance! You can't play and sing, you have to dance as well!" Astoria said. She enjoyed dancing greatly but she was best with the waltz, clearly because of all the balls at her home.

Asked for a quill and parchment, she reached into her bag and pulled out a piece of parchment for him and gave him a quill, it was deep blue like Ravenclaw's colors. "Here you are, I'll send my parents a letter as well. I know they will be happy with this!" She pulled out a quill that had a lavender color to it as well as parchment. Do you think Hoax could deliver my letter to my parents as well? I'll give him an extra treat for his troubles!"

@Simon Tilia

"You certainly have that right, no one should be alone on Christmas!"

"Of course not! We'll take good care of you, I promise", said Simon, smiling.

He knew that Astoria probably wished that she could be with her parents instead, especially since neither of them had met their parents for a long time. But that made him all the more determined that they would make her feel right at home. His parents was very hospitable, so that was not going to be an issue, he thought. He was more nervous about how his sister would react and behave. After all, he had never brought a girl to his house before.

When Astoria suggested dancing, Simon laughed a little. "Okay, well... I'm not really used to dancing, to be honest... My parents dance sometimes, but mostly to jazz." Does she mean that we should be dancing? The thought of dancing in front of his family made him feel a bit embarrassed, but maybe Astoria could teach him. After all, if he was going to attend one of her family's balls in the future, he might as well learn how to dance now.

"Of course he can", said Simon. "You needn't worry. He'd probably be happy to, but I guess a treat would speed him up a little." He chuckled, before putting the quill to the parchment and writing the letter to his parents.

@Astoria Middleton

Astoria felt reassured that she would be taken care of while away with Simon and his family. Of course she would! His father was a colleague of her mother and they had a very professional relationship. Writing her letter, Simon had mentioned that he didn't really dance too much and neither do his parents. She waved her hand, "Well, we are certainly going to change that! Don't worry, I'll help you practice and teach you some steps! They won't watch us so you don't have to worry!" Dancing can be a beautiful form of art but it requires a lot of vulnerability from the dancer themself as well as any partners. She would make sure to introduce him to dancing slowly and comfortably.

Signing her name, Astoria folded her letter. "Well, either way, he's going to get an extra treat. He's a wonderful owl!" To think, she was going to spend Christmas with Simon and his family! She couldn't wait to rush off to the common room and prepare packing!



The next morning, Astoria went to the Great Hall to see Simon for breakfast. It was a beautiful, winter morning. Hogwarts was getting quiet and quiet but Astoria paid no mind to this, she was just ready to visit with Simon. She had hoped that her parents would send her a letter so that she could hear whether they gave permission or not. She kept her fingers crossed.

Astoria approached Simon, sitting beside him. "Did I miss the post? Has anything arrived for us yet?" she asked, nudging him lightly in the arm. She had that same blushing smile again.

@Simon Tilia

"No, not yet. You're being early. The morning post hasn't arrived yet. Are you excited?", he asked with a smile and started loading breakfast on his empty plate; toasted bread, scrambled eggs, fried bacon, fresh fruit salad, a cinnamon bun and a big glass of orange juice. "How did you sleep by the way?"

As they started eating to the soothing crackling of the fireplace and murmur of the dozy chattering students, screeches interrupted them when the owls came flying with the morning post. But Hoax was nowhere to be found. After a while, Simon got worried that he had not arrived yet. Fewer and fewer owls showed up.

"Maybe they haven't replied yet", said Simon and shrugged his shoulders, looking at Astoria.

But then he spotted him. Hoax was the very last owl to enter the Great Hall and he looked quite exhausted. He landed in front of them on the table and delivered two letters: one from his parents, and one from Astoria's. Simon's heart started pounding in his chest.

"Hey there, boy!", said Simon and petted Hoax on his head. "Good job. Here, have some bacon. You must be hungry after such a long flight!" He chuckled before turning to Astoria again. "Okay... Moment of truth."

He handed her the letter from her parents before opening his.

@Astoria Middleton

The owl post hadn't arrived yet and Astoria started to help herself to some breakfast with Simon. He asked her if she was excited and she replied with pure joy, "Oh yes I am! To think, I figured I would be stuck here during my favorite holiday of the year but instead, I get to spend it with you!" Well, spending it with his family as well, but just the idea of spending time with Simon in general made her feel as if it was to be nothing but joy. "What about you? Are you excited?"

Astoria began helping herself to some sausages and eggs, a green apple (she loved them since they were very sour), some toast with a spread of strawberry jelly, and bacon. Astoria wasn't a big breakfast fan, but since she didn't get a lot of sleep last night, she needed to eat something to keep her energy up. Simon had asked how she slept and to be honest, she didn't. "I couldn't sleep at all. In fact, I already went ahead and started to pack! I gathered my clothing, my fairytale book, and I'm bringing my lyre too. I'm leaving a lot of things behind. I'll have only two suitcases." Hopefully two suitcases wouldn't be too much. She was only going away for break but she only packed the necessities. She packed her clothing, night gowns, and shoes and socks in one suitcase and in the other was some of her personal items like her lyre to play and her fairytale book to read before bed. These fairytales weren't children's versions, they were Muggle stories by Muggle writers like Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen as well as some Wizarding world fairytales. "How about you? Did you sleep well last night?"

Suddenly, the owls began to swarm the hall and it was honestly a magical feeling. Seeing owls of different breeds soaring through the rays of the sun, covered in snowflakes, it was like stars were shooting around the hall. Simon flagged his owl, Hoax, and the owl came soaring to them. She smiled at him. "Hello there Hoax. Thank you for delivering my letter!" Astoria said, talking to Simon's companion as if the owl was a human. Simon gave him a piece of bacon for his flight, Astoria gave him her treat before his flight last night.

Her letter was handed to her and she put it to her chest and looked at Simon. "Let's hope they say yes..." Astoria said breathless. She turned the letter over and opened the seal of the envelope. Unfolding it, she read the letter. It was from her mother. Astoria's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. She looked at Simon, "Simon, look at this!" She pointed to the section of the letter...



@Simon Tilia

Musical inspiration for reading the letters: Dream Kitchen

"What about you? Are you excited?"

"Yeah, I am", he said. "I'm sure it'll be fine." But what if they don't approve, for some reason? That would be the biggest disappointment ever...

It appeared as if Astoria could not sleep last night either. He thought it was very ambitious of her to start packing so soon, since they had not yet got the approval from their parents. She must be very excited about going, he thought and smiled to himself.

"Yeah, eventually I was able to put myself to sleep". The truth was that he had lay awake for a long time, too excited to sleep, trying to imagine what it was going to be like.

With trembling fingers he opened the envelope, unfolded the decorated letter from his mother and read. To his relief, his parents approved, just as he had thought. Then Astoria opened her mouth:

"Simon, look at this!"

As he read the letter from Astoria's parents it was like reality hit him right in the forehead. This was actually happening. Astoria was going to stay with him over Christmas. A lot of thoughts was going through his mind. Did he clean his room properly before he left? What was she going to think of it, of their house, of his parents?

Simon held out his letter for Astoria. "And look at this... That's settled then. We're leaving together tomorrow", he said with a growing smile on his lips.

Simon's letter:

Reducio

After having some of Simon's bacon, Hoax left for the Owlery to get some rest. As the breakfast proceeded there was a shift in their mood. He would never have guessed that Astoria had not got enough sleep considering the level of energy and excitement between them. Simon was probably more talkative than usual. Then Simon came to think about something Astoria said last night... About wanting to dance. That was not something Simon was used to but he did not want to seem boring or cowardly, so he came up with an idea.

"Hey, Astoria... I was thinking... maybe you can show me how to... you know, dance... before we leave tomorrow. That would get us something to do to fill the time as well. Perhaps if we meet in the Ballroom again tonight?"

@Astoria Middleton