Albus shivered. He pulled his coat tighter around him and adjusted his scarf. He walked down Hogsmeade looking at all the Christmas decorations. There were splashes of green and red, flashes of Christmas lights, and the smell of peppermint. It was two days before Christmas and the Potter family was making their annual visit for presents. They all split off into different directions but were strictly told not to leave Hogsmeade. They had their coins which would beep if they left the little wizard town. They were also a way of communication for the family of five. The coins had been adapted from the DA, Dumbledore's Army, coins from the Wizard War. Albus shoved his hands into his pockets as another gust of wind blew past. He'd already bought or made his presents ahead of time, like he did every year. The trip was mostly for James and Albus's dad, Harry. James was a procrastinator and Harry was usually too busy with missions to stop for Christmas shopping. Albus had already stopped in the Three Broomsticks and gotten a butterbeer. Now he wished he'd asked for a peppermint hot chocolate to go. It was freezing. But Albus liked this weather. It was crisp and cold but Albus loved the feeling of happiness Christmas brought. The exchange of presents, the company of family, and, of course, the food.

Albus looked around and scowled, annoyed. His glasses had fogged up again. Whenever he was facing the wind and breathed out his mouth, the hot air would be pushed back into his face and fogg up his glasses. He wished his mother or Aunt Hermione were here to put a spell on his glasses so that would stop. Of course, he knew the spell but he was ten so therefore underage and not allowed to use magic. However, that didn't stop him from reading all of his brother's Hogwarts books. He'd read them all at least twice. His dad didn't understand where he got his love of reading because it certainly wasn't from him. His mother read occasionally, but not as devoutly as Albus. Albus loved the books. The information was right at your fingertips, you just had to read it. No test or trial, just read. Albus loved the fact that he knew more than his brother did, even though his brother teased him to no end about being a book worm and biggest-nerd-of-the-wizarding-world. He absolutely cherished the moments when he corrected his dad or mum. His dad got this surprised, proud sort of expression and mum just out right beamed. However, on occasion they got annoyed because he was only ten and he knew more than the-boy-who-lived and his wife. Lily would make him recite love stories and poems to her when Albus was gone away at school. She'd also politely sit and listen to him rant about a new idea he had even though she was bored out of her mind.

Albus sighed and turned his back to the wind. He was facing a small fountain that water gurgled out of. Albus was amazed it hadn't frozen yet. He was gazing at the sparkling water when a figure stepped into his vision. It was a girl that looked about Albus' age and she was holding a violin that was too big for her. She had frizzy blond hair that seemed to shine in the moonlight and warm chocolate brown eyes. She wore baggy pants and a sweatshirt that was three sizes too large. She had thin fingerless gloves and a pair of holey converse on. She raised the violin to her chin, adjusting it accordingly, and took a deep breath. The sound that followed was breathtaking. Albus didn't know what song it was but it sounded like it had a life of its own. To him, it sounded like a moonlit night when two friends meet for the first time. As the song continued it felt like the two friends grew older and louder with the music. It was a soft, elegant, and powerful song. Albus stood in the middle of the street enchanted. It sung of a warm fire, family gathered around, and a love between the two friends. It also sung of snow. And at that moment, snow began to softly fall. The snowflakes seemed to dance with the music, swirling around the girl and the violin. The girl was smiling softly with her eyes closed, like she was remembering a sweet memory. The song ended in a long, elegant, haunting note. Albus knew he should clap or do something, but all he could do was stare in amazement at the girl.

"Hey! You there! Get down from there!" A gruff voice shouted. Albus jumped at the sound and turned to look at the source of the voice. A big burly man shuffled out of one of the shops and shouted, "We don't want your kind around here! Go away!" Albus turned back to the fountain, confused. The girl was gone. He ran up to the fountain and circled it several times. The man seemed just as confused as Albus and went back inside. Albus looked around once more and saw a beanie lying on the ground. He concluded it must be the girl's but she was nowhere to be found. He sat the hat down on the fountain's edge and turned to walk away. He felt compelled to give something to the girl for her enchanting music. He placed all of his money that was supposed to be for Christmas presents into the hat. He smiled, satisfied with his good deed. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw movement. His head whipped in the direction of the disturbance and he stared into the eyes of a golden retriever. It had warm chocolate eyes that seemed really familiar. The dog looked cold, dirty, and skinny. Mud was caked around it's paws and into some of its fur. But those eyes, where had he seen them before? It was on the tip of his tongue when he felt something in his pocket grow warm. He pulled out the coin and read: We're done. Meet at the Three Broomsticks. Albus sighed and looked back at the dog. It was still staring at him with its head tilted to the side in a question.

"Merry Christmas," Albus said and waved to the dog. He started walking back to the Three Broomsticks. He heard a bark behind him and he turned to see the dog sitting by the fountain wagging its tail. Albus sighed and waved goodbye. That was the beginning of Albus Severus Potter's many Merry Christmas's.