CHAPTER 69 Semester Holiday

A/N: If you want to donate or read up to 35 chapters ahead, you can visit my p-a-t-r-e-on/kurowashi 

If you see grammar errors, please let me know so I can fix them. I'm always open to constructive criticism. 

I would like it if you guys left some reviews.

Thank you for your good words and support.

------

CHAPTER 69 Semester Holiday

Elmi could see the sadness in Harry's actions, so he approached him and said, "Harry, do you have any plans for the semester holiday?"

Harry shook his head bitterly, "I don't have any plans. I probably have to go back home."

Elimi had already guessed that and said, "Would you like to come with me? Daphne, Zabini, and Tracy are going to meet up at Daphne's house and have some fun."

Elmi's invitation caught Harry off guard, his expression shifting from despondent to surprised. Whenever Harry felt alone and in despair, Elmi would appear and offer him a light when he felt alone while living with Dursleys. Elmi and his mother were the people who offered him some warmth. 

When he spent a few months in Elmi's home, he learned the meaning of being welcomed. He gravely disappointed Elmi when they confronted Quirrell, and since then, Elmi hasn't really talked with him like he used to. An occasional greeting and asking for well-being were the entire conversation between them.

He didn't blame Elmi; everything he had said to Harry was true. Since then, Harry has decided to voice his opinion if something doesn't feel right with him. He wasn't going to make the same kind of mistake ever again.

"That's really kind of you, Elmi," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of hesitation. "But I wouldn't want to intrude on your plans. Besides, I'm not sure if it's a good idea for me to be away from the Dursleys for too long. They already didn't want to send me to Hogwarts. They might use this as an excuse and never send me back."

Elmi shook his head, his gaze sincere as he reached out to clasp Harry's shoulder reassuringly. "you wouldn't be intruding, Harry. We'd love to have you with us, and I'm sure Daphne wouldn't mind at all." Elmi shrugged his shoulders and said, "...And as for the Dursleys, Don't worry about that. We can always threaten them with my mother, and you could threaten to turn them into toads if they prevent you from returning."

"But we cannot perform magic outside of Hogwarts without adult supervision." 

Elmi's eyes shined with mischief and said, "Ye, but they don't know that, do they? If you use that bluff only in time of absolute need, they would certainly back down."

Harry considered Elmi's words. Perhaps spending the holiday with friends was exactly what he needed to lift his spirits and forge new memories untainted by the shadows of his past. "Alright, Elmi," Harry finally relented, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I'll come with you. Thank you."

Elmi nodded, "Okay, then, first, we need to go meet with Dursleys and get your permission to spend the holiday with us. After that, we will go to my house for a day or so, and then we will meet up with others at Daphne's."

....

As the semester came to a close and the holiday break loomed a few days away, Elmi found himself grappling with conflicting emotions. His mother, a prominent figure in the wizarding world, had been called away on urgent diplomatic business to Egypt. While Elmi understood the importance of her duties, he couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment that she wouldn't be there to spend the holidays with him. 

Despite his initial disappointment, Elmi resolved to make the most of his time at Hogwarts during the break. After all, he had developed strong bonds with his fellow Slytherins. That is why he made plans with them.

Although Elmi possessed the soul of an adult, a part of him relished the chance to simply be a child again. He found joy in the simple pleasures of childhood, whether it was engaging in spirited conversations with his peers, exploring the grounds of Hogwarts, or indulging in the occasional prank or mischief.

He enjoyed spending time with intelligent children his own age. He had no idea why, but it felt right. Perhaps it was due to him possessing a child's brain, which affected him and his behavior. He enjoyed his quality conversations with Snape and talking about deep magical theory or morals, but he didn't find casting a curse of the bogies to disturb a boring magical history lesson beneath him either. Somedays, it felt like he was not able to decide if he was a grown-up or a child.

...

A magnificent scarlet steam engine chugged along the tracks as it approached the Hogsmeade Station. Just behind the treeline, steam billowed in the distance, signaling the imminent arrival of the iconic scarlet train that would whisk them away to their homes for the semester holiday. 

Students at Hogwarts bustled with excitement as they prepared to board the Hogwarts Express. The platform at Hogsmeade Station buzzed with activity as students came in one after another. Of course, it was not as packed as Kingsroad Station since not everyone was going home for the holidays. A small portion of the students had permission to stay at school for the holiday.

Elmi, accompanied by Daphne, Zabini, and Tracey, made their way through the throngs of students, their belongings in tow. Her Highness Byakko didn't like to stay in a cage, so she was on top of Elmi's shoulders like a fur coat. "Get off me, Byakko! You have to walk if you don't want to go into the cage."

Elmi tried to shoo her off, but he received a lashing for his insolence. Byakko started to hit Elmi's face, but this time, he was angry, so he lifted her from the nape of her neck and held her just enough distance away from his face.

"Enough! Stop being naughty, or I will leave you here." She turned her face away, like she was saying she would not listen to him, and then started to lash out, but her legs were not long enough to reach him. Elmi smiled smugly since she couldn't reach him, but seeing it was not working, Byakko lashed out with her tail and slapped Elmi's face like a whip. "Awww!"

Elmi could swear this cat was showing him an evil smile because she was able to come out on top. "That's it! I am going to turn you into a weasel or a rat."

Elmi reached for his wand, and Byakko panicked. She felt Elmi was going to do something to him, but she managed to get out of his grip and hide between his luggage. Daphne laughed and said, "Will you stop fighting with your cat?"

Elmi said, "I swear that cat knows everything she does. Sometimes I really wonder if she is a Maledictus." It was impossible to know if it was a Maledictus or a pure-blood kneazle other than waiting for a kneazles natural life span to end to see if she would continue to live or not. His eyes wouldn't be a help since a kneazle was a magical animal and would have mana on their body like a Maledictus would.

They got in and entered into one of the big compartments. The train compartment was cozy and inviting, with warm lighting casting a soft glow on the wood-paneled walls. Cushioned seats lined each side, offering a comfortable spot for every one of them. 

Above, luggage racks awaited trunks and bags' storage while a window framed scenes of the bustling platform outside. They put their belongings neatly on the overhead, sat on the plush seating, and started chatting.