1 ONE LAST TIME FOR CHRISTMAS
BY: HP'SGRL
A/n: ok, I'm still working on this other story, but it's Christmas, and I really want to write a festive fic! So, I'm gonna write a short Christmas story whilst I think of more ideas for the other.. tell me if it sucks.
Disclaimer: I own nothing! Stay out of the Garden!
Christmas at Hogwarts was by-far Harry's favorite time of the year. Not only was he at Hogwarts, he was away from the Dursleys, and he could enjoy the spirit of the holidays. It was Harry's final year at his favorite school, and therefore also his final Christmas there. He really wanted this last one to be special. Harry was sitting in the common room waiting for someone to come down and talk with him; the room was surprisingly empty since the Christmas feast had just ended, and it was the night before break started. He sat staring at the fire place and listening to its soft crackling and smelling the scented air as it washed over him. At peace with his own thoughts he didn't hear Ron come downstairs, and sit on the sofa adjacent to his chair.
"Harry!" Ron shouted, making Harry jump slightly, and jerk his head over to his friend.
"Sorry Ron, I was just thinking. What were you going to say?" Harry asked feeling guilty for ignoring him.
"Like I couldn't tell that you were thinking, you were making more smoke than the damn fireplace! Anyways, bad news pal, I've got to go home for Christmas." He said sadly.
"What! But our plans, it's our last year here I thought we were going to do some serious rule breaking!" Harry complained.
"I know, I was very upset when I found out, but I have to go to my cousins wedding. He's getting married for the third time, this time in Australia." He explained duly, "Thanks to him, I've been to Brazil, Jamaica, and now Australia. I'm sorry. I tried to get out of it, but you know Mum." Ron sighed.
Harry did know Ron's Mum all too well, and was kind of surprised he wasn't invited himself. Only this summer Mrs. Weasley deemed Harry an honorary Weasley. He stared at the fire in disbelief.
"Well at least Hermione will be here so you're not alone." Ron said encouragingly. "Mind you I don't want to find out you and her were kissing under the mistletoe whilst I was away and could not see for myself!" He laughed. Harry blushed. Last year and especially over the summer Harry found himself attracted to Hermione in a way that he thought wasn't possible when he was younger. Harry was sure Ron would've flipped out when Harry let it slip that he had feelings for Hermione, but now Ron had Sara. She was a pretty, athletic, and smart Ravenclaw girl, in the same year as the three. Harry was glad that Ron found someone for himself, that liked him for who he was, and not who they wanted him to be. At times, Harry felt a bit jealous because Ron had someone to confide to emotionally, while Harry had chosen to remain single through his life at school. Indeed it seemed one day Ron and Sara might tie the knot, but Ron won't go so far as to claim that.
"Is Sara going?" Harry asked, and Ron's face tinged pink.
"No, actually, she's spending Christmas in France with her parents and grandparents. She wanted me to go with her. But that's not gonna happen now.." He glared at the fire. They were both staring at the fire when a light figure joined Ron on the couch. Hermione sat down, and rested a head on Ron's shoulder. Harry felt twinge of jealousy, but dismissed it. He knew that she was just playing.
"Hi guys." She said gloomily, " Sorry Ron, I found out from Ginny you two are going away for Christmas." She patted his hand softly, "I guess that leaves just me and Harry to mess around this break?" She stopped patting Ron's hand, and thought about what she just said.
"Really?" Ron inquired.
"What will that consist of?" Harry said, smiling, wondering how his friend would explain herself out of this, and thinking about how much he'd really like to "mess around" with her.
"You know what I mean, it wasn't supposed to sound like that. You guys." Hermione said recovering badly as her blush receded. Ron gave Harry a 'SCORE' look, which Harry smirked back.
"I'm going to the library, you two are such perverts." Hermione said huffily.
"Better hurry then, seeing as there is only two hours till it closes." Ron said sarcastically.
"Yeah, I hope you have a good Christmas too." Hermione snapped, then hugged Ron and practically ran out the door.
"Jealous, Harry? I mean, no hug for you." Ron said joyously.
"Shut up, Ron." He smiled, "Come on, I'll give you a hand packing."
"Can't wait for me to leave- so you can have Hermione all to yourself!!" He laughed, as Harry chased him to their dormitory.
++++++++++++++
The next morning Harry woke up suddenly. It was like someone opened his eyes for him. He sat up and put his glasses on. He rarely felt so refreshed in the morning. He untied the curtains around his four-poster bed and looked around the room. It was lightly snowing outside and the sky was bright white. Its light filled the entire room, allowing Harry to see that everyone was gone. He looked at his watch. No wonder why he was so refreshed, lunch was about to start in ten minuets! Harry couldn't think of how he could've slept in like that. Why didn't Ron wake him up, but then he remembered that the two were up very late talking and laughing while packing Ron's trunk. He looked at his friend's empty bed; Harry didn't even get to wish Ron a merry Christmas. He sighed and grabbed some jeans and an old t-shirt and left to take a quick shower.
As he entered the Great Hall for some lunch, he looked up at the staff table. There were only a few teachers eating lunch right now, and Dumbledore wasn't one of them. Harry sat down next to Hermione, and looked up and down the barren table.
"I can't believe how many people left Hogwarts for Christmas." He stated, as he grabbed a bowl of chowder.
"Well, I was beginning to think you had gone too. You certainly got a lot of sleep last night." She said looking at Harry. He shifted slightly, leaning close to her, as if someone from another planet would try and listen to what he was going to say next. He breathed her sweet, smell in, and almost forgot what he was going to say.
"I'm going to need it, for tonight I take on one of the greatest challenges and pranks ever to be bestowed upon Hogwarts." He beamed at her as he pulled away. Hermione looked shocked.
"Harry! As Headboy you should be setting a good example for all the little kids! I can't believe you'd do something so stupid and risk your position of authority and respect, for some silly prank!" She hissed. Harry's smile faded. He really didn't want her to think he was misusing his powers, but he'd promised Ron that he'd go through with it, it's not like he asked to Headboy anyways.
"Hermione, don't be angry with me. You don't even know what it is, trust me, no one will get hurt!" He tried to sound sincere, but the plan was too good, and he couldn't help but smile.
"Harry, if you do this I swear I won't talk to you for the rest of the vacation." She crossed her arms and frowned. Harry definitely didn't want that to happen, but his damn promiss. He'd just have to do it a night when she wasn't with him.
"Fine." He said in a defeated sort of voice. 'Fine, I won't mention Victor Krum around you ever again.' he thought slyly. They ate the rest of their lunch in silence as the snow continued to fall lightly from the sky. Together they walked back to the common room, and Hermione began working on her homework almost instantly. Harry on the other hand retrieved his Broomstick Servicing Kit and Firebolt, and took them downstairs to clean his favorite broom. As he polished the identification number on the broomstick Harry watched Hermione bite her lower lip in concentration. His stomach did a little jig inside of him and Harry had an urge to go over to her and pick her up, hug her tight, kiss her soft inviting lips, and tell her that he cared for her in such a way, that it made his heart ache when she wasn't near. But then he thought how she didn't care for him like he did for her, and he looked out the window, it wasn't healthy to be obsessed with a person when they didn't return the feelings. Perhaps he could make her see him differently over the vacation, Harry thought mischievously. He stole another glance at her, but she was looking at him this time, and he quickly looked back down at his broom and scrubbed a little harder on the already gleaming I.D. number.
"Harry, I saw that. What do you want?" Hermione smiled at him. Harry wanted her but he said instead,
"Nothing, I was, just thinking." Harry said, feeling like a great big idiot.
"Thinking about?" Hermione pressed, turning around in her chair to look at him better.
"Thinking about," Harry panicked, "I was, -er, thinking, about, uh"
"You were thinking, we've established that." She teased. Harry blushed, 'why does she have this effect on me?' he thought angrily.
"I was thinking about why you never fly on a broom any more." Harry thought he recovered gracefully. Hermione gave a look like she knew he wasn't really thinking about that, but then said
"Well, I was never really good at it, and it's not like I have a broom of my own to practice on." She said, eyeing him suspiciously. "Why were you thinking about that?"
"My broom is right here," He looked at it fondly, "I think it's probably the best thing you can do in this world, and you're my friend and I wanted to know why you don't like flying." He gazed up at her, connecting eyes, and losing all train of thought. She looked out the window, shaking her head slowly and said,
"It's dark out already." The loss of eye contact felt like a stab in the back. Harry looked out the window too. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve. Harry was excited, he finally started to enjoy getting worthy presents for once in his life, and he couldn't wait to see Hermione's face when she got his gift. Harry thought long and hard about what to give her, and he decided he was going to give it to her later Eve night. It was more romantic, Ron told Harry when he bought the gift while on their last Hogsmeade trip. It was a small silver necklace, and it had a tear shaped jade stone attached to it. The merchant who sold it to Harry said it was in fact a tear from a Ridgeback dragon, but Harry doubted that. What was special about it, to him, and he hoped her too, was a small engraving behind it. It read, 'to the friend who shares my heart and soul'. Harry was informed that the engraving had been there since it was created long ago and given to the princess of elves, by a wizard gone mad, from the love he never had in return. He was also told that only a person who returns the feelings would be able to read it. Harry felt he identified with the story, and hoped that Hermione would really love it, and read it too. He looked at his watch, time was flying by today, it was dinner. He stood up and stretched. He scratched his messed up hair and headed upstairs with his stuff. Upon returning he found Hermione starched out lazily upon the couch. He crept up beside her and tickled her. She jumped a squealed.
"Harry!" She tried to tickle him back, but she couldn't, she was laughing too hard.
"Please, stop!" She screamed in laughter, and Harry stopped. Grinning broadly, he let her get up and adjust her clothes and hair. Wiping a tear from under her eye. Harry laughed, and she came after him.
"When I get my hands on you!" She continued, out the portrait hole, following Harry to the Great Hall. Hermione was just about to catch him when they stopped altogether. Harry nearly ran over Professor Snape.
"Potter! There is no running in the castle, you reckless fool. Do you think because hardly anyone is here you can run around causing a muck, acting as if you own the place?" He snarled.
"No sir, I was just, I'm very hungry, sir." Harry looked Snape straight in the eyes. They stared at each other for a bit, and then Snape growled,
"10 points from Gryffindor for reckless rule breaking, you're the Headboy Harry, perhaps you should familiarize yourself with your handbook." With that he turned around and headed up to the staff table. Nearly all the teachers were up there, and each was having their own conversation. Harry and Hermione walked stubbornly to their table. A couple Slytherins snickered, as they passed. Harry wasn't happy at all, Snape could make anyone's lighthearted mistake seem like they murdered someone of royalty. Harry hated him. He sighed, and Hermione said,
"Sorry Harry."
"Why, it's certainly not your fault that he's a bastard." She gasped.
"Harry, just because Snape isn't fair, doesn't give you the right to call him such horrible names, what if a first year heard what you said, you know how impressionable they really are."
"Hermione, when will you stop defending him? I mean, he's just a terrible to you, as me. Well, maybe not as often as me, but just a terrible. Remember when your teeth were shot by that enlarging spell, and he said he 'saw no difference'?" Harry asked exasperated. She looked as if the memory was a painful one, and Harry felt bad for reminding her.
"Yes I do Harry, but he's a teacher, he's a human. It's only human not to like someone." She tried to explain rationally.
"My point exactly," Harry continued. "if I hate him, then I have a right to express those feelings, and if calling him a bastard is how I do it. Then I guess that's how I'll do it." With that he started putting some mashed potatoes on his plate, and on Hermione's.
"You've been spending way too much time with Ron, your starting to sound like him." She laughed to herself.
"What's that supposed to mean?" He said, a little more defensively than expected.
"Nothing." Hermione proclaimed, sipping from her goblet, looking annoyed and frustrated. They ate in silence for a bit, then Harry said
"Sorry about being a pain, I mean, Snape just really pisses me off sometimes." She smiled at him warmly, and replied
"That's ok, Harry. If it makes you feel any better Snape really pisses me off too." They laughed and finished dinner, chatting lightly about nothing in particular.
BY: HP'SGRL
A/n: ok, I'm still working on this other story, but it's Christmas, and I really want to write a festive fic! So, I'm gonna write a short Christmas story whilst I think of more ideas for the other.. tell me if it sucks.
Disclaimer: I own nothing! Stay out of the Garden!
Christmas at Hogwarts was by-far Harry's favorite time of the year. Not only was he at Hogwarts, he was away from the Dursleys, and he could enjoy the spirit of the holidays. It was Harry's final year at his favorite school, and therefore also his final Christmas there. He really wanted this last one to be special. Harry was sitting in the common room waiting for someone to come down and talk with him; the room was surprisingly empty since the Christmas feast had just ended, and it was the night before break started. He sat staring at the fire place and listening to its soft crackling and smelling the scented air as it washed over him. At peace with his own thoughts he didn't hear Ron come downstairs, and sit on the sofa adjacent to his chair.
"Harry!" Ron shouted, making Harry jump slightly, and jerk his head over to his friend.
"Sorry Ron, I was just thinking. What were you going to say?" Harry asked feeling guilty for ignoring him.
"Like I couldn't tell that you were thinking, you were making more smoke than the damn fireplace! Anyways, bad news pal, I've got to go home for Christmas." He said sadly.
"What! But our plans, it's our last year here I thought we were going to do some serious rule breaking!" Harry complained.
"I know, I was very upset when I found out, but I have to go to my cousins wedding. He's getting married for the third time, this time in Australia." He explained duly, "Thanks to him, I've been to Brazil, Jamaica, and now Australia. I'm sorry. I tried to get out of it, but you know Mum." Ron sighed.
Harry did know Ron's Mum all too well, and was kind of surprised he wasn't invited himself. Only this summer Mrs. Weasley deemed Harry an honorary Weasley. He stared at the fire in disbelief.
"Well at least Hermione will be here so you're not alone." Ron said encouragingly. "Mind you I don't want to find out you and her were kissing under the mistletoe whilst I was away and could not see for myself!" He laughed. Harry blushed. Last year and especially over the summer Harry found himself attracted to Hermione in a way that he thought wasn't possible when he was younger. Harry was sure Ron would've flipped out when Harry let it slip that he had feelings for Hermione, but now Ron had Sara. She was a pretty, athletic, and smart Ravenclaw girl, in the same year as the three. Harry was glad that Ron found someone for himself, that liked him for who he was, and not who they wanted him to be. At times, Harry felt a bit jealous because Ron had someone to confide to emotionally, while Harry had chosen to remain single through his life at school. Indeed it seemed one day Ron and Sara might tie the knot, but Ron won't go so far as to claim that.
"Is Sara going?" Harry asked, and Ron's face tinged pink.
"No, actually, she's spending Christmas in France with her parents and grandparents. She wanted me to go with her. But that's not gonna happen now.." He glared at the fire. They were both staring at the fire when a light figure joined Ron on the couch. Hermione sat down, and rested a head on Ron's shoulder. Harry felt twinge of jealousy, but dismissed it. He knew that she was just playing.
"Hi guys." She said gloomily, " Sorry Ron, I found out from Ginny you two are going away for Christmas." She patted his hand softly, "I guess that leaves just me and Harry to mess around this break?" She stopped patting Ron's hand, and thought about what she just said.
"Really?" Ron inquired.
"What will that consist of?" Harry said, smiling, wondering how his friend would explain herself out of this, and thinking about how much he'd really like to "mess around" with her.
"You know what I mean, it wasn't supposed to sound like that. You guys." Hermione said recovering badly as her blush receded. Ron gave Harry a 'SCORE' look, which Harry smirked back.
"I'm going to the library, you two are such perverts." Hermione said huffily.
"Better hurry then, seeing as there is only two hours till it closes." Ron said sarcastically.
"Yeah, I hope you have a good Christmas too." Hermione snapped, then hugged Ron and practically ran out the door.
"Jealous, Harry? I mean, no hug for you." Ron said joyously.
"Shut up, Ron." He smiled, "Come on, I'll give you a hand packing."
"Can't wait for me to leave- so you can have Hermione all to yourself!!" He laughed, as Harry chased him to their dormitory.
++++++++++++++
The next morning Harry woke up suddenly. It was like someone opened his eyes for him. He sat up and put his glasses on. He rarely felt so refreshed in the morning. He untied the curtains around his four-poster bed and looked around the room. It was lightly snowing outside and the sky was bright white. Its light filled the entire room, allowing Harry to see that everyone was gone. He looked at his watch. No wonder why he was so refreshed, lunch was about to start in ten minuets! Harry couldn't think of how he could've slept in like that. Why didn't Ron wake him up, but then he remembered that the two were up very late talking and laughing while packing Ron's trunk. He looked at his friend's empty bed; Harry didn't even get to wish Ron a merry Christmas. He sighed and grabbed some jeans and an old t-shirt and left to take a quick shower.
As he entered the Great Hall for some lunch, he looked up at the staff table. There were only a few teachers eating lunch right now, and Dumbledore wasn't one of them. Harry sat down next to Hermione, and looked up and down the barren table.
"I can't believe how many people left Hogwarts for Christmas." He stated, as he grabbed a bowl of chowder.
"Well, I was beginning to think you had gone too. You certainly got a lot of sleep last night." She said looking at Harry. He shifted slightly, leaning close to her, as if someone from another planet would try and listen to what he was going to say next. He breathed her sweet, smell in, and almost forgot what he was going to say.
"I'm going to need it, for tonight I take on one of the greatest challenges and pranks ever to be bestowed upon Hogwarts." He beamed at her as he pulled away. Hermione looked shocked.
"Harry! As Headboy you should be setting a good example for all the little kids! I can't believe you'd do something so stupid and risk your position of authority and respect, for some silly prank!" She hissed. Harry's smile faded. He really didn't want her to think he was misusing his powers, but he'd promised Ron that he'd go through with it, it's not like he asked to Headboy anyways.
"Hermione, don't be angry with me. You don't even know what it is, trust me, no one will get hurt!" He tried to sound sincere, but the plan was too good, and he couldn't help but smile.
"Harry, if you do this I swear I won't talk to you for the rest of the vacation." She crossed her arms and frowned. Harry definitely didn't want that to happen, but his damn promiss. He'd just have to do it a night when she wasn't with him.
"Fine." He said in a defeated sort of voice. 'Fine, I won't mention Victor Krum around you ever again.' he thought slyly. They ate the rest of their lunch in silence as the snow continued to fall lightly from the sky. Together they walked back to the common room, and Hermione began working on her homework almost instantly. Harry on the other hand retrieved his Broomstick Servicing Kit and Firebolt, and took them downstairs to clean his favorite broom. As he polished the identification number on the broomstick Harry watched Hermione bite her lower lip in concentration. His stomach did a little jig inside of him and Harry had an urge to go over to her and pick her up, hug her tight, kiss her soft inviting lips, and tell her that he cared for her in such a way, that it made his heart ache when she wasn't near. But then he thought how she didn't care for him like he did for her, and he looked out the window, it wasn't healthy to be obsessed with a person when they didn't return the feelings. Perhaps he could make her see him differently over the vacation, Harry thought mischievously. He stole another glance at her, but she was looking at him this time, and he quickly looked back down at his broom and scrubbed a little harder on the already gleaming I.D. number.
"Harry, I saw that. What do you want?" Hermione smiled at him. Harry wanted her but he said instead,
"Nothing, I was, just thinking." Harry said, feeling like a great big idiot.
"Thinking about?" Hermione pressed, turning around in her chair to look at him better.
"Thinking about," Harry panicked, "I was, -er, thinking, about, uh"
"You were thinking, we've established that." She teased. Harry blushed, 'why does she have this effect on me?' he thought angrily.
"I was thinking about why you never fly on a broom any more." Harry thought he recovered gracefully. Hermione gave a look like she knew he wasn't really thinking about that, but then said
"Well, I was never really good at it, and it's not like I have a broom of my own to practice on." She said, eyeing him suspiciously. "Why were you thinking about that?"
"My broom is right here," He looked at it fondly, "I think it's probably the best thing you can do in this world, and you're my friend and I wanted to know why you don't like flying." He gazed up at her, connecting eyes, and losing all train of thought. She looked out the window, shaking her head slowly and said,
"It's dark out already." The loss of eye contact felt like a stab in the back. Harry looked out the window too. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve. Harry was excited, he finally started to enjoy getting worthy presents for once in his life, and he couldn't wait to see Hermione's face when she got his gift. Harry thought long and hard about what to give her, and he decided he was going to give it to her later Eve night. It was more romantic, Ron told Harry when he bought the gift while on their last Hogsmeade trip. It was a small silver necklace, and it had a tear shaped jade stone attached to it. The merchant who sold it to Harry said it was in fact a tear from a Ridgeback dragon, but Harry doubted that. What was special about it, to him, and he hoped her too, was a small engraving behind it. It read, 'to the friend who shares my heart and soul'. Harry was informed that the engraving had been there since it was created long ago and given to the princess of elves, by a wizard gone mad, from the love he never had in return. He was also told that only a person who returns the feelings would be able to read it. Harry felt he identified with the story, and hoped that Hermione would really love it, and read it too. He looked at his watch, time was flying by today, it was dinner. He stood up and stretched. He scratched his messed up hair and headed upstairs with his stuff. Upon returning he found Hermione starched out lazily upon the couch. He crept up beside her and tickled her. She jumped a squealed.
"Harry!" She tried to tickle him back, but she couldn't, she was laughing too hard.
"Please, stop!" She screamed in laughter, and Harry stopped. Grinning broadly, he let her get up and adjust her clothes and hair. Wiping a tear from under her eye. Harry laughed, and she came after him.
"When I get my hands on you!" She continued, out the portrait hole, following Harry to the Great Hall. Hermione was just about to catch him when they stopped altogether. Harry nearly ran over Professor Snape.
"Potter! There is no running in the castle, you reckless fool. Do you think because hardly anyone is here you can run around causing a muck, acting as if you own the place?" He snarled.
"No sir, I was just, I'm very hungry, sir." Harry looked Snape straight in the eyes. They stared at each other for a bit, and then Snape growled,
"10 points from Gryffindor for reckless rule breaking, you're the Headboy Harry, perhaps you should familiarize yourself with your handbook." With that he turned around and headed up to the staff table. Nearly all the teachers were up there, and each was having their own conversation. Harry and Hermione walked stubbornly to their table. A couple Slytherins snickered, as they passed. Harry wasn't happy at all, Snape could make anyone's lighthearted mistake seem like they murdered someone of royalty. Harry hated him. He sighed, and Hermione said,
"Sorry Harry."
"Why, it's certainly not your fault that he's a bastard." She gasped.
"Harry, just because Snape isn't fair, doesn't give you the right to call him such horrible names, what if a first year heard what you said, you know how impressionable they really are."
"Hermione, when will you stop defending him? I mean, he's just a terrible to you, as me. Well, maybe not as often as me, but just a terrible. Remember when your teeth were shot by that enlarging spell, and he said he 'saw no difference'?" Harry asked exasperated. She looked as if the memory was a painful one, and Harry felt bad for reminding her.
"Yes I do Harry, but he's a teacher, he's a human. It's only human not to like someone." She tried to explain rationally.
"My point exactly," Harry continued. "if I hate him, then I have a right to express those feelings, and if calling him a bastard is how I do it. Then I guess that's how I'll do it." With that he started putting some mashed potatoes on his plate, and on Hermione's.
"You've been spending way too much time with Ron, your starting to sound like him." She laughed to herself.
"What's that supposed to mean?" He said, a little more defensively than expected.
"Nothing." Hermione proclaimed, sipping from her goblet, looking annoyed and frustrated. They ate in silence for a bit, then Harry said
"Sorry about being a pain, I mean, Snape just really pisses me off sometimes." She smiled at him warmly, and replied
"That's ok, Harry. If it makes you feel any better Snape really pisses me off too." They laughed and finished dinner, chatting lightly about nothing in particular.