Christmastide
The Slytherin common room was crowded that afternoon with excited students chatting about their plans for the holidays. Harry listened quietly, a small grin on his face and chuckled along when appropriate. The holiday break was coming and Harry would stay at Hogwarts per his request. A gift in and of itself to himself, one he intended to enjoy fully. No Dursleys, no chores, no staying in a locked room with no supper when Dudley didn't get his way. Harry wanted to postpone going back to that house for as long as humanly possible.
"What are you so pleased about, Potter?" Draco's nasally voice reached him and Harry sighed softly, his grin slipped away quickly.
The trouble with Draco cornering him in the common room for these verbal assaults was that Harry must react or be viewed as weak. Weakness in a Slytherin was not acceptable and if you were deemed weak others would quickly pounce as a predator does with its prey. Unfortunately for Harry, he was still learning this art of verbal banter but he just might surprise the boy. Harry leaned back in his chair, one arm draped over the back, a slow smirk spread across his face. The look he achieved caused Draco's eyebrow to nudge higher, yet his features remained aloof. Now if only Harry could tame that racing heart of his, he'd be okay. Harry resisted wiping the sweat from his palms. "I'm pleased to be surrounded by friends, Malfoy. A concept I'm sure you're familiar with. The difference between you and me stems from my friends choosing to hang out with me of their own free will."
Draco's eyes narrowed at the hanging innuendo that he paid or coerced Goyle and Crabbe to pal around with him; it left a bad taste in the boy's mouth as his lip curled into his customary sneer. "At least I get to go home for the Holidays, Potter. Unlike you, I have parents that love me."
"My parents? You couldn't come back with something more original than my parents?" Harry hid the hurt, smothering it behind a mask of indifference. Tsking, Harry stood and started to walk towards the common room door, stopping shoulder to shoulder with Draco first. "I expected so much more from you."
Blaise smirked at Draco before asking, "Library again, Potter?"
Harry paused at the exit, "Naturally. Granger is expecting me. I'll see you at dinner."
Making it out the door this time, Harry didn't stop until he was around the corner and a fair distance away from the Slytherin common room entrance. Then and only then did he let his breath escape in a deep sigh. Harry leaned against the wall, closed his eyes and breathed slowly to calm his racing heart. That quip about his parents had hurt, but he would never let Draco know that. "Trouble, Mr. Potter?"
Harry jumped in surprise, pushing away from the wall. "Sorry, Professor. I didn't see you coming."
Folding his arms across his chest, an odd glint flashed in Snape's eyes before they narrowed. His eyebrow rose while he waited for the boy to continue. Harry appeared to smooth his robes, only he was drying his palms and took a steadying breath before speaking, "Sir, there is no trouble. I'm on my way to the library."
"To see your 'girlfriend', I suppose." The unyielding look from Snape had Harry's stomach squirming and he swallowed hard trying not to blush.
"Yes, I will be meeting Miss Granger." Harry frowned for a moment, "Is that a problem, sir?"
"There are times I swear you are your father's child and then…" Professor Snape shook his head as if clearing a thought. "Move along, Mr. Potter."
Snape walked away - his robe billowing in his wake - and Harry watched in fascination unsure of what to make of that encounter. Snape was almost… civil. Scratching his head, Harry continued on to the library where Hermione was sitting at a table surrounded by a mountain of books.
"Hi," Harry said as he slid into a chair across from her
"Oh, Harry." Hermione dropped her shoulders in slumped defeat. "I've looked at every book in here with the exception of the ones in the Restricted Section and I can't find him anywhere."
"How do we get to those books?" Harry glanced towards the back of the library, missing the look of disbelief from Hermione.
"I can't, Harry. Not without a note from a professor." Their eyes met and her resolve was strengthened. "We'll figure out something."
Harry grinned at her. Realizing there wasn't much more they could do at the library; Harry pushed his chair back stepping away from the desk. "Care to go for a walk?"
"Sure, where to?"
Harry guided her through the castle towards the Entrance Hall, "Have you met Hagrid?"
"Other than seeing him on the grounds after our first night, no… Is he a friend of yours?"
"Yes, Hagrid is a friend of mine." Harry playfully nudged her when Hermione's eyes widened in surprise. "I do have friends other than you, Jason and Blaise."
"Well I figured, but Hagrid? That…" Hermione shook her head, "I guess nothing you say should surprise me."
Harry laughed. "Hagrid is the one who introduced me to Diagon Alley. He took me to Gringotts. I told you that story."
"Oh… right." Hermione blushed and smiled her thanks when he held the door open for her.
"Hagrid bought Hedwig that day, gave her to me for my birthday." Harry continued as they strolled along the grounds on their way to Hagrid's hut. "He's the one who mentioned Flamel and I have a feeling he knows about that hound."
"The three headed, slobbering menace guarding the trapdoor?" Hermione sounded almost in awe of the beast. She hadn't met the monster so her curiosity was peaked.
Harry nodded, "The same."
Hermione worried her bottom lip in concentration before shaking her head not seeing the connection that was obvious to Harry. "Why do you think Hagrid will know about it?"
"Hagrid is the most logical choice. He has a thing for large creatures. Wait until you meet Fang." Harry grinned when she shuddered. "Fang is a big coward; he's large and slobbery but only one head."
The two stood before Hagrid's hut waiting for him to answer. "Hagrid, I hear you in there." Hermione fidgeted, stuffing her hands in her pockets trying to keep warm in the brisk December air. Harry knocked again, "C'mon, Hagrid, it's freezing out here."
After another long moment, Hagrid opened the door but didn't step back to allow them entry. "Listen, 'Arry. I canna-"
"I know about the three headed dog." Harry interrupted gaining Hagrid's attention.
Hagrid's bushy eyebrows furrowed forming one large furry brown line across his forehead. "Fluffy? 'Ow d' ya know about Fluffy?"
"Fluffy?" Hermione stared at Hagrid with wide eyes of surprise. "What kind of person names a three headed beast, Fluffy?"
"I do, o' course, 'e is mine after all." Hagrid's frown deepened, "And 'ow do you know about Fluffy?"
"Lucky, I guess." Harry weighed his words, "Hagrid, what is Fluffy guarding?"
Hagrid's back went stiff, eyes widened as if remembering something important. "Sorry, 'Arry. Hogwarts business, as I toldja, I canna-"
"Talk about it. Right, I remember. Hagrid, Professor Snape tried to get past Fluffy to get at whatever it is he's guarding." Harry decided to show a bit more of his hand. He might as well, seeing how being coy was still new to him and he really wanted answers.
"Wha?" Hagrid bristled, "Tha's crazy talk, 'Arry. Professor Snape is one of th' staff tha' is guarding th'-"
"Yes?" Harry prompted. "What are they guarding, Hagrid?"
Hagrid shook his head, backing into his hut, "Nothin', I didna say nothin'!"
With the door firmly closed in their faces, the two made their way back towards the castle. Harry shoved his hands into his pants pockets, looking up at the clock tower as they strolled towards the entrance. "The more we learn, the more questions I have."
Hermione rubbed her arms absently, biting her lip and glanced towards Harry. "If we find the connection between Nicolas Flamel and Hogwarts, we'll have a better idea what was in that vault, why Fluffy is guarding it and maybe figure out why Professor Snape wants it so desperately that he's willing to take on a Cerberus."
Unfortunately, when the holiday break rolled around, they had learned nothing new. Before Hermione left for London Harry promised to continue the research which he had yet to do. Harry relaxed in the nearly empty Great Hall with Ron instead of stepping foot in the library. "Why do you suppose the lighting in your common room is so green?"
Harry moved his queen's rook to capture Ron's pawn nodding towards a far window, "Overheard someone mentioning the window being enchanted. Also heard it's because we're in a dungeon below water level and the creatures in the lake give off that glow. Honestly, I don't know and not sure I really care."
"Well it's creepy," Ron shivered, making his move and Harry smirked at him.
"I guess it can be at first, but you get used to it." Ron scoffed, unconvinced. The two were playing a rousing game of Wizard's chess. For the first time since learning to play, Harry was holding his own and not losing miserably. "You're just sore because I'm finally getting the hang of this game."
Ron snorted and made his last move, "Checkmate."
"Bloody hell," Harry laughed, "Maybe I'm not."
Clearing the pieces, the board was reset and Harry paused to think out his first move. Ron sat back, scratching his belly with a bemused grin. "I'm glad Mum and Dad went to Romania this year. Don't get me wrong, I love my family, it's just rather nice to do what I want instead of chores for two weeks."
Harry simply nodded, holding onto any comment or retort that sprung to mind. Harry didn't talk about his home life with Blaise or Jason who were his friends; he was not about to say something to Ron. "No chores sound good to me, too."
A few days of sleeping in, losing games of Wizard's chess against the Weasleys or Jason, lazy leisure walks, and yes a single brief visit to the library - or at least to the library door to peer inside so he wouldn't have to lie to Hermione - and Harry was happier than he'd ever been. He fumbled groggily for his glasses before he could coax his eyes to open.
For long, quiet minutes Harry simply stared happily at the ceiling. He probably would have lain like that for hours if his stomach hadn't decided that it would very much like food in the near future. Harry sat up, flinging his blankets off of him and grunted as his feet hit the cold stone floor. Girding up his strength to continue on with his morning, Harry noted Jason's empty bed with a brief curiosity as to where he was off to so early that morning.
With a small shiver that crept up his spine, Harry took a few ginger steps across the stone floor towards the door with the intent of heading to the loo when he spotted something odd that stopped him in his tracks. With his head canted to the side, Harry stared in surprise at the small pile of gifts at the foot of his bed. He idly asked the room, "I have presents?"
He'd never gotten presents before. Harry wondered if they were truly meant for him. Ron was the only one he had told his little secret to in a moment of weakness. He still wasn't sure why he said it, but it was out before he could stop it. 'I won't be getting any presents. The Dursleys aren't big on gifts.' Gifts for Harry anyhow, Dudley would have a mountain of gifts that he counted each time and heaven forbid they were short a gift from the last year.
Running fingers through his mop of hair, Harry's eyes skimmed the parcels and he decided to start with the one on top. Plucking the package, he read the plain brown wrapping with Hagrid's messy writing. The gifts really were for him! A grin split his face when he got the package unwrapped to reveal the small wooden hand carved flute. Turning it over in his hands, his heart warmed by the thoughtful gift. Hagrid must have made it for him. Blowing it softly Harry wasn't entirely surprised that it sounded like an owl.
Folding the paper and setting it aside with the flute, he found another small gift, this time with a note. Harry stared blankly at it for a moment more shocked than upset and read the note again… and again… turning it over as if he was confused… which he was. The note was from Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia with a fifty-pence piece taped to it. "Hmmm..."
Harry took a slow deep breath and ran his fingers through his mop of hair again. Staring at the fifty-pence in his hand, Harry simply didn't know what to think of it or why they had felt the need to send him something. They'd never gone out of their way to do a thoughtful thing for him before. Why now? What changed? Harry's hand closed around the coin and he sighed. Appearances… naturally…
The Dursleys had sent him the coin in order to look as if they cared; appearances were everything to them.
"How very Slytherin of them." Harry once again told the empty room.
Tossing the coin aside, Harry refused to allow their 'gift' to bring down his spirits.
Looking at the lumpy package next he pulled it closer and set it on his lap. Turning over the package with care, Harry noticed there was no note nor was there any writing on the paper. Tearing the paper back carefully, Harry found a hand knit sweater and a large box of homemade fudge. He held the sweater to his chest and marveled that someone would think that much of him… to take the time… the effort… in order to make such a thoughtful gift just for him. Harry ran his hand along the thick emerald green sweater, enjoying how soft it was and rubbed the sleeve along his cheek, not bothering to hide the shimmering tears threatening to fall.
Opening the large box of homemade fudge, Harry carefully took a small piece and took a bite. His heart leapt at the rush of flavor and his grin was back, broader than before. Harry had to make himself stop eating the fudge after his third piece, reminding himself that he had two more packages waiting for his attention.
One package was chocolate - a box of chocolate frogs from Hermione - and the last was another mystery more compelling than the homemade goodness.
"What…" Harry gasped and caught the card as it slipped out of the glistening fabric of the cloak. Setting the card on the bed, Harry tentatively ran his fingers over the cloth. Harry hopped up and allowed the end of the cloak to slide to the floor. The material was shimmering in the dim light of his dorm room and soft as rain. He slipped it over his shoulders and let out a croak of surprise.
Practically stumbling to the mirror, Harry stared in disbelief at his reflection. Harry's body, from the shoulders down, was gone. Only his head was floating in the mirror. His grin widened. Harry lifted it over his head and noted that his image vanished completely from the mirror. "Wicked."
The dorm room opened, causing Harry to jump in surprise. With his heart hammering in his chest, he watched Jason cross the room and stop to stare at Harry's bed. With damp hair, a towel over a shoulder and only a pair of pants on it was obvious where Jason had been. Jason walked to Harry's bed to run a hand over the hand knit sweater before turning back to his own area to dress.
"Vaisey."
Jason let out a croak of surprise, spinning on the spot. "P-Potter?" With a hand to his chest, eyes wide he looked around questioningly. "What the-"
Harry dropped his cloak around his shoulders and grinned mischievously. "Happy Christmas!"
"Bloody hell!" Jason stared wide eyed, reaching out to where Harry was standing and grabbed hold of what should be air, only to be touching Harry's shoulder. "How…"
Harry opened his cloak to show his pajama clad body before closing it again becoming once more a floating head. "It's a cloak. Fabulous magic."
Jason grinned, "An invisibility cloak. These cloaks are rare and wickedly expensive. I've only heard of them, this is the first time I've ever seen one."
Harry lifted the cloak over his head and his image vanished completely. "Best gift ever."
"Who sent this to you?" Jason reached out before him, swinging his hand back and forth, seemingly talking to the empty room.
Turning back to his bed, Harry grabbed the card and reads the loopy elegant script.
Your father left this in my possession before he died. It is time it was returned to you.
Use it well.
A Very Merry Christmas to you.
Without realizing it, Harry had allowed the cloak to slip from his shoulders and it was currently pooled around his feet on the floor. He sat on his bed, staring blankly at the far wall.
"What's wrong?" Jason took a seat on Harry's bed beside him, taking the card from the other boy's fingers before it fell unnoticed from his grip. Jason read the note and quirked an eyebrow.
Harry stood, carefully folded the cloak and placed it back in the box, setting it aside as if he was afraid to touch it. "Do you think it really my father's and if so who did he let borrow it and why did they return it now? Why wait until now to give it to me?"
"I don't know. But you should hide it, Harry. Don't let anyone know you have it. If Flint, Pucey or Malfoy find out about it…" Jason shuddered and shook his head.
"Crabbe and Goyle, too." Harry sat beside Jason and gently touched the cloak. "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure." Jason turned and faced Harry waiting for him to ask his question.
"What do you think of Nott?" Harry avoided looking at Jason when he asked, simply stroking the soft shimmering material of the invisibility cloak.
"He's okay. Quiet, keeps to himself mostly." Jason grabbed Harry's box of homemade fudge and took a piece before continuing. "How much do you know about your scar and how you got it?"
Harry turned to face Jason suddenly feeling anxious and excited to hear what the boy had to say. "Hagrid told me that Vol-"
"Whoa. You mean You-Know-Who or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, but that's kinda long." Jason finished the piece of fudge and stared at Harry's scar. "You-Know-Who came to kill you and your parents, only you didn't die. It's how you ended up with that scar and the nickname-"
"The Boy-Who-Lived," Harry interrupted and rubbed his scar, deep in thought. "Hagrid says no one knows why Vol-" Jason flinched and Harry stopped himself. "Sorry, You-Know-Who came to our house. Nothing explains why it happened. I still don't get why he wanted to kill me and my parents."
"No one knows, and if they do, no one is talking." Jason paused for a moment and continued. "So you were asking about Nott. Have you ever heard of Death-Eaters?"
Harry sat up and leaned closer, his palms instantly sweating and his heart raced all because Jason's voice dropped to almost a whisper of fear when he said 'Death-Eaters'. "No, what is that?"
Jason took a calming breath before continuing. "They worked for You-Know-Who. Dark wizards each one of them and some of their children are in this very House."
He thought his heart would stop, Harry trembled at the reality and suddenly he was very weary of everyone in Slytherin House. "That's why so many hate me."
"And why so many of the other Houses like you." Jason nodded. "Look, Potter, it isn't my place to tell you what to do, but if you're not sure about someone, like Nott, just be careful."
"What about you and Zabini?" Harry was almost afraid to hear Jason's response.
"Zabini's a purist, but not one of You-Know-Who's followers as far as I can tell. Me? I don't care about blood status. I'm a half-blood." Jason shrugged and pushed away from Harry's bed. "I'm starving. Let's go get some breakfast."
edited 9/26/2016
