Christmas Bonus Chapter “It’s Christmas!” Charlotte jumped out of bed and shook Harmony roughly. “Get up!” she squealed. “It’s Christmas!” “It’s like 6am” Harmony whined, pulling the covers over her head. “I’ve got Christmas presents!” Charlotte cheered. Harmony’s face appeared from a pile of covers. “You have what?” Charlotte ran to her bed and pulled a small wrapped package from the mattress. “Open it!” Harmony tore the tiny package open. Inside was a little key attached to a necklace. “What’s this?” she asked. “We have matching ones!” Charlotte beamed, pulling an identical necklace and key from underneath her nightdress. “Aww, thanks Chars,” Harmony hugged her. “But can I go back to bed now?” Charlotte laughed. “Yes.” Harmony pulled the covers back up and went to sleep. It was freezing, it being winter in England. Several hours later, Charlotte woke her and the two girls headed down to the kitchens to clean the pots and pans that cook used to make meals. “Not this again,” Charlotte grouched. “I hate this.” She picked up a pot and started scrubbing it, scowling all the while. Harmony picked up a pot and found it was clean. “Strange.” She said. “That’s the third time this week.” Charlotte picked up another one. “This one’s dirty!” She handed it to Harmony. Harmony looked inside. “No?” Charlotte glanced at it. “It was a minute ago!” she dropped the pot and stared at Harmony. “Maybe we have some fairy godmother watching over us!” “Or maybe we’re cursed,” Harmony laughed, playing along. “Looks like you’re the only cursed one,” Charlotte grinned, and they continued cleaning. Suddenly, the door burst open, and the fat elderly cook marched in. “Matron wants you in the office,” she grouched to Charlotte. Charlotte’s hand flew to her face. “Really? Why?” “Some people here.” Cook said, not offering anything more. “Go now.” Charlotte dropped the pot she was holding and bolted out the door. Harmony followed her, glad for any excuse to leave the pots. “I need a clean dress!” Charlotte squeaked, glancing at her filthy dress. “Here, take my best dress!” Harmony handed Charlotte a green dress and quickly ran a brush through her hair. “Go!” They ran down the stairs. Outside Matron’s door, Charlotte clutched Harmony’s hands. “Wait outside for me, won’t you?” Harmony nodded, and watched with her heart in her mouth as Charlotte walked inside. There was muffled conversation for a while, before she heard an excited squeal, and the sound of people laughing. Then the door opened, and Charlotte came out. “Oh Harmony! What do you think?” she said. “Remember how Mother left a note saying she’d come and get me when she could?” “Yeah?” “She’s here!” Charlotte looked up as a tall woman followed her out. “She came for me.” She hugged her mother. “And on Christmas day too! This is the best Christmas present ever.” “Hello,” the woman smiled. “Come on darling,” she said to Charlotte. “Let’s go.” Charlotte waved cheerfully as they headed outside, while Harmony stood dumbstruck in the hallway. Later, when she was lying in bed, she looked towards Charlotte’s empty bed, and fingered the necklace she was wearing. //It’s not fair,// she thought miserably. //My parents never left me anything. I’m the one in this orphanage that’s always good, a role model. But the tomboy girl gets taken.// She shook her head. //Whatever made my parents leave me?// She clenched her fists. //One day, I’ll find them. I will find out who they are, and why they left me.//
Merry Christmas everybody! It's a bit early for Christmas for some of you, but Merry Christmas anyway! I'm so sorry for the lag in chapters, I've been SO busy recently it's not fun at all. Plus writing six fanfictions is getting it out of me! This week's shoutout goes to @-Ava_Potter- for reminding me I need to release a chapter haha, thanks Ava! Merry Christmas everybody! Stay safe, happy and healthy, have a good day, and don't get too sick eating candy please :) ~Harmony xx