A/N So I've had this idea for awhile but I never knew how I would make it work. I think I finally sorted it all out so it can finally be posted! Yay! If you want some more Christmas fics I have 25 one-shots currently in the making. Oh yeah and just in case...I don't own Harry Potter...even though I wish I did.

Chapter 1: The Note

Harry sat silently in his car. The radio played softly behind Harry as he watched his girlfriend of three years unlock the keys to her flat. The snow glistened on the ground causing the moon to reflect off of the piled snow. Ginny twisted the doorknob and opened the door to her flat. She glanced back at Harry and gave him a slight wave. Harry nodded and started up the car again pulling slowly away from her street. Feeling lonely in the silence, Harry turned up the radio. With it being only a few weeks away Christmas, Christmas music began blaring from the speakers.

"They're singing Deck the Halls. But it's not like Christmas at all," it sang.

Harry sighed and became engulfed in his thoughts. It didn't feel like Christmas. Usually Christmas was one of the things Harry looked forward to most, but this year he found it hard to be excited. Perhaps it was because he was getting older and the spirit of Christmas was leaving him. Perhaps it was because he had to work for most of the month. Or perhaps it had something to do with the hole in Harry's heart. He felt lonely.

Every night he came home to a silent home. No one was there to greet him or ask him how his day went. Most nights he sat in the solitude of his own home. Most nights he sat with his one thoughts with no one to talk to. Ginny was usually traveling with her Quidditch team so Harry didn't get to go on dates with her very often. Ever since Ron and Hermione got back together things had been different between their relationship. No longer did the three of them do things together after work. Instead Harry was left in situations like this, listening to the car radio outside of his flat consumed in his own thoughts.

Harry imagined what it would be like to have his own family to come home to. His wife would greet him at the door and little ones would tug on his coat begging for attention. It was something that Harry had longed for yet he knew it was nowhere close to happening. Ginny was in no place to have children. Quidditch consumed most of her time and the prospect of marrying had never crossed her mind.

Harry snapped out of his thoughts and exited the car. He walked up to the door of his flat and began digging in his pockets for keys. It was his idea for him and his friends to get flats in the muggle world. It kept them hidden from the gossip-hungry journalists who found enjoyment in creating scandalous articles about their love lives.

As Harry unlocked the door he suddenly became aware of how tired he was. Envisioning his bed as he threw his coat on the nearest chair he walked into kitchen only to hear cooing.

Harry walked over begrudgingly to the source of the sound only to see an outline of an owl sitting on his kitchen table. Harry flipped on the light and began untying the letter wrapped around the owls foot. He recognized the owl. It was golden brown but had silver specks scattered across it's feathers. It belonged to the Auror Department. "What the bloody hell do they need at this hour?" Harry muttered as he glanced at his watch. A quarter to midnight.

Harry fed the owl and watched it fly off in the winter night. He unrolled the parchment and began deciphering the scribbled words. "Harry, there's something here you may want to take a look at. It involves Hermione and Ginny." Harry recognized the handwriting as Ron's. Knowing that Ron did not fool around when it came to his sister and girlfriend, Harry threw his coat back on apparated to the Auror Department.

Harry had graduated from the Auror program two years ago and was assigned to be partners with none other than Draco Malfoy. At first it had been a rough start. Draco and Harry had a difficult time getting past their differences, but eventually they became friends. Last year, Ron completed his Auror training and was put with Draco and Harry. Sadly, Ron and Draco had a much more difficult time overcoming their differences.

As soon as Harry got to the department he heard Ron and Draco arguing from the office. "You expect me to believe that ruddy pink paper?" He heard Draco snap.

"I'm just telling you what I know." Harry walked into their office and saw Ron sitting with his feet propped up on the desk. "Ahhh Harry. There you are. How nice of you to show." He sipped coffee from his mug. Something told Harry he was not in the best of moods.

"Draco, I'm surprised to see you here." Harry noted Draco glaring at Ron.

Draco rolled his eyes. "I was informed that an important letter was addressed to me. I didn't know it would be a bloody Valentine."

"Don't you dare even blame this on me. I didn't force you to come did I?" Ron rolled his eyes. He help up a pink paper and Harry took it from him.

"Where have they all gone? Brunette, Red and Blonde. Here one second and gone the next, so follow the clues...follow the text."

Harry stopped. "So let me guess, you think that Hermione and Ginny are the brunette and red?"

"Read the rest of it." Ron insisted.

"They are hidden by the Weasley home, in a tall hill that stands alone."

"What the hell is this?" Harry said irritably.

Ron shrugged. "It just flew in about a half hour ago. Addressed to all three of us."

"I just dropped Ginny off at her flat no longer than a half hour ago." Harry threw the paper on the desk. "Someone's bluffing us."

Ron scowled. "I don't think so."

"You're buying this?" Harry asked.

"I went to see Hermione around 11:30 and she wasn't there. I searched her whole flat. Where else could she be?" Ron spoke grimly.

"Ahh she was at my house for a nice shag. Sorry about that mate." Draco said wryly. Ron smacked him in the face.

"This is serious Malfoy."

"So you think that Granger and Red are being held captive somewhere?" Draco asked with little interest.

"If this is any help to the puzzle, the letter came in this." Ron said sliding over a white envelope with pink writing.

"A quest for true love?" Draco mocked. "What is this? Some sort of game? I gave up my beauty sleep for this."

"Yeah well it wasn't doing you any good anyways." Ron spat.

"If it's addressed to all three of us that means there's still one girl that is apparently lost." Harry pointed out.

"So Draco, got any girls in your life?" Ron grinned.

Draco pondered this question and finally grinned. "Not unless your girlfriend last night."

"Will you cut it out?" Ron leaned over to strangle him and Harry was forced to intervene.

"Draco, it wasn't even funny the first time." Harry spoke sternly.

Draco rolled his eyes. "This is rubbish. This could easily be a trap to lure us to our own death."

"I'm with Draco on this one. I'm not buying it." Harry spoke.

"Of course you do." Ron said rubbing his temples with his index finger. "Hermione just took a midnight stroll then?"

"Look mate, she could just be at her parents. She stays there quite often." Harry pointed out.

"Fine." Ron sighed. "But if she's not back by tomorrow morning I'm following this damn clue."

"Can I go home now?" Draco whined.

"Please." Ron intoned. He remained still with his hands still resting on his temples and his eyes stayed shut. Draco didn't waste another second and left.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked his best friend.

"Just tired." He whispered.

Harry looked at him and knew this was not the case. "What were you doing in the office so late?"

"I had a row with Hermione earlier." Ron sighed.

Harry found himself shaking his head. "What for?"

"We were both stressed tonight and I suggested something I shouldn't have." He explained.

"Ron," Harry started.

"I know. I went back to apologize and she was gone." Ron choked. "What if I never get the chance?"

"You will Ron." Harry sighed.

"How can you be so sure?" Ron asked.

Harry shrugged, "I'm not really. I just cling onto hope."