Harry Potter and the Order Of the Phoenix [116]
The Dueling Club had also started meeting on a regular basis. Since Harry was the captain, all decisions about the club went through him. After voting for a while, they decided that they would have one more big duel like they had before, only it would include two on two, three on three, and three on one matches. They also decided that, the day after the Quidditch final, they would hold a giant dueling tournament in the Great Hall during dinner for everyone to see.
Since the Christmas holidays were approaching, a list was being set up for students to sign up on, if they wanted to stay at Hogwarts for the vacation. This was the first time Harry had to actually think about whether or not he wanted to go or stay for the holidays, since he and Dudley were friends now. But, when he saw that Ron and Hermione had already signed up to stay, and he remembered the dance with Cho that he had to go to, Harry quickly joined them on the list, along with many other names of people that were staying for the holiday, probably for the dance. As Harry was signing it, he noticed a new flier on the bulletin board.
“Attention all house-elves,” Harry read off the sheet. “During Christmas Day (December 25th) you will all be given the day off from work. Any elf seen working will be given clothes. The day after (December 26th) any and all house elves are invited to come to Professor Dumbledore, and all those who do will be given payment and vacation days for the rest of their career at Hogwarts.”
“What’s that all about?” asked Ron, then he looked at Hermione. “Do you have anything to do with this?” Hermione turned pink, and smiled.
“Well… yes,” she said.
“I thought you said you were through with spew,” said Ron.
“It’s S.P.E.W.,” said Hermione, “and no, I’m not through with it. I talked to Professor Dumbledore about it. At first, I thought the students and the elves could switch places for a day, and we could all see what being a house elf is like. But, he didn’t think anyone would be willing to participate in it, so we compromised to just give them a day off.”
“But, how will the dance work, without the elves?” asked Harry.
“What do you mean?” asked Hermione.
“Well, last year, the elves made all the food, and helped out,” said Harry. “How will we be able to make the dance a success without them?”
“Oh, that’s right,” said Hermione, “Professor Dumbledore said something about that. He said that the teachers will be doing the cooking, and everything the house elves would normally do.”
“Oh man,” said Ron, sounding disappointed.
“What is it?” asked Hermione. “Did you want to do the work?”
“No way,” said Ron. “It’s just that, the only year Snape is not here is the one year I would get to see him in an apron and a chef’s hat.”
The Christmas holidays finally arrived, and Harry could not be happier.
“Finally,” he thought to himself, as he collapsed on his bed. “An entire two weeks without any classes, Animagus lessons, Quidditch practices, or Dueling Club meetings. All there is to do… is sleep.”
“Harry,” came a voice. “Get up!” Harry sat up from his bed, and looked around.
“Why?” he groaned. He saw that Ron was in the room.
“Cho’s outside the portrait of the fat lady, she wants to see you,” he said. Harry immediately jumped out of bed, and ran down the steps to the common room. He shot towards the main entrance, and opened the portrait door.
“Hello Cho,” said Harry.
“Hey Harry,” she replied.
“What is it?”
“We have to go to Hogsmeade,” she said, smiling.
“Um… why?” asked Harry.
“Because we have to…” she looked like she was about to explode, “buy dance clothes!”
“But, Cho,” said Harry. “I already have some… and I’m sure you have some…”
“Oh, yes… but they don’t match…