Disclaimer: I don't own either D&D or Harry Potter

AN: Made Edits, if I miss any let me know.

Now, one would figure that after showing off the ability to summon spirits of lost loved ones Harry would be hounded by questions.

And you would be right!

But to make matters easy on young Harry, the only one with questions that weren't easily deflected was the esteemed Headmaster, Dumbledore. Now apparently summoning dead spirits was viewed as a possible sign of "being dark". Which essentially meant that Dumbledore was now worried about the context in which Harry learned that ritual, and if it was something sinister in nature.

So the two sat in Dumbledore's office, having a back and forth.

"I must ask again Harry, who taught you that ritual?" The old man pleaded.

"And I'll say it again. The Bard, he doesn't go by any name you would know, and hell, I don't know his real name." Harry explained as he leaned back in a chair, eating a pear, like the cool cat he was. This was true, Harry did not know The Bard's real name, as I don't give it out, and the ones I do are fakes. In my mind it matters very little who the storyteller is, so long as the story is good.

"You have spent years with this Bard and he had never given you his name?"

"Look, I never said he was a good parental figure, he himself knows he isn't, he's just a great teacher. It's all I need really. Besides, I feel like if I ever did find out his real name it would not live up to they hype." It wouldn't, Harry was smart to know this.

"...Anyways The Bard's teaching you potentially dark magic Harry. The Ministry does not look kindly on prospective dark wizards." Dumbledore warned.

"Well good thing I'm a bloody Bard then isn't? Can be as dark as I want, so long as it is whimsical and musical."

"I would not suggest doing so Harry, the cost of doing so is often great."

"Oh yea it is, I got a story for this. So there was this guy in China, some Triad boss or whatever, who paid The Bard shit load of money to give him magic powers. The Bard figured why not, but pulled a fast one on the guy. He gave him power over fire, enough to destroy all his enemies, but what he didn't tell him was that every time he used it, he ripped away a chunk of his life. Anyways he was dead two weeks later, and only 59 people died! Was a new record in all honesty." Harry said as he took another bite. Dumbledore was face palming as he felt his point was being ignored.

"Look Harry, my point is.." Dumbledore was cut off when Harry spoke next.

"You want to learn it? Will that get you to drop this thing? It's not a dark ritual, but do note this one only works on one soul. It's why I've still yet to meet dad." Harry explained/offered.

"...It would help me confirm that you are not dark if you taught me this ritual." Dumbledore was accepting his bribe. Necromancy kids, next to Transmutation as the best bribery school of magic.

"One thing though before we do this, I'm going to need a favor." Harry was now doing what we call in the criminal world, extorting. Thing was, it worked like a charm.

"Oh? And what favor would that be?"

"So Yule is approaching and well…..something is going to come with it, something that I need to be ready to fight. Previous years The Bard has done the fighting but he's not here. In order to do so though I'm going to need to bring in a lot of….contraband." Harry explained.

"What is this something, might I ask? And if you are bringing anything dangerous into this school, I do need to know."

"Krampus." Albus blinked, not expecting that answer.

"I'm sorry…...but Krampus?"

"Yup, white, Germanic in origin, demon assistant of good ole St. Nick? Krampus. He is one pissed off spirit let me tell you that. We had to literally throw him into Hell last time. Quite fun, save for the demon ladies going for my soul…..and other things but I was ok with that."

"Hold on Harry. You're telling me that come Yule, Krampus will be coming for you inside of Hogwarts?" Apparently Dumbledore's hearing was going at his old age.

"Oh boy will he. See when Krampus comes, it's not like the old stories with a sack and a stick, oh no he rains down on you like a holy ghost of Christmas fury. It would be awesome if it wasn't directed at me." Harry further elaborated.

"...Should I be worried about the other students?"

"Uhh….unless they have been naughty then no, then again I'm it's target for reasons you don't need to worry about. But don't worry too much Headmaster, The Bard is sending me things to combat it. When it comes for him, it won't stand a chance, but me? Sadly less so." Harry was cocky, but he knew he couldn't take on a spirit of Christmas without help.

"...I guess I have no choice but to agree, can't have any of my students being killed by vengeful holiday spirits."

"Now you're getting it! So here's what you do…" Harry spent the next several hours explaining to Dumbledore how the ritual was done, what materials were needed, and how to find the soul of the person you were looking for.

Upon returning to his dorm later than usual he found an angry Daphne and Tracey awaiting him. It seemed to be normal these days.

"You have some explaining to do!" Tracey yelled.

"...About?"

"That entire ghost thing!"

"I'm pretty sure the word magic summed it up quite well."

"That wasn't an answer though, it was an excuse for not giving one." She responded. Harry winked and snapped his fingers at her while snapping back with his own comment.

"Name of the game sweetie, name of the game."

"Harry! Please tell us something!" Tracey stomped her foot and practically begged. Harry looked at Daphne, who had chosen to let Tracey do the talking, and then back at his raven haired beauty.

"...Ok, I'll say this. You'll both get something I have picked up from my journeys for Christmas. Now sure it's not what I know magically, but I think you'll like it."

"Were you not going to get us something before?"

"Oh I was, probably just a stuffed animal or something, but since you girls are clearly upset I figure I should bribe you a bit more." Both girls nodded at that, as really what was a Christmas present between potential lovers other than a bribe?

"What are you going to give us?" Daphne asked with haste. While she was now always weary of Harry's motives, she was excited at receiving something from an adventure. Though knowing him it was probably something dirty.

"Jesus Christ, it is November, you can wait." Both girls attempted to coerce the information out of him, but alas the puppy dog eyes would not work twice!

Biding both girls goodnight with a kiss on the hand each, Harry returned to his dorm and ran through a mental map of Hogwarts. He would have this place be a fortress come Yule break, which started on December 22.

xxxXXXXxxx

So, Yule break came around and guess what Harry had yet to do?

If guessed turn Hogwarts into a fortress, you were correct. Sure it was already a castle, but such a thing was trivial for Krampus. The white goat demon would not have trouble getting past the Wards or the barriers. It was an anthropomorphic personification of a holiday, there isn't a magic that mortals can cast to top it. Fey, Celestials, Fiends, Dragons, and Undead? Sure, but not mortals.

But what Harry did have was a mostly empty castle, as most of the staff and students had gone home to be with their families. He had not informed his friends about Krampus, as he didn't want to cause panic to those who wouldn't be around. As it turns out though, only Tonks stayed of his friend group, her mother having gone off on vacation with her father.

Sure that seemed rather mean, but it meant she could spend more time with the person she was now considering her Best Friend, despite his eccentric tendencies. Like his just now informing her of a Christmas demon coming after him. "Just another one of Harry's antics", is not what she said, instead she chose this.

"I swear by Merlin's beard Harry, after we survive this thing, I am going to tie you down until you tell me everything I need to be aware of that is a threat to my life when I'm around you!" While she had a valid point, unfortunately for Tonks there was a weakness in her sentence.

"If you're tying me down my safe word is osteoporosis." He said with a grin. Tonks smacked the side of his head and then tilted her head in confusion.

"Why?"

"Can you think of any point during sex when that word would be brought up other than needing it?"

"...No, but still that's what colors are for man. Like mine is lilac." Tonks covered her mouth but it was too late. The largest grin Harry had ever had was on his face as now had some great material against his friend. Though torment would come later, right now both were awaiting a message from The Bard containing all the things Harry would need.

Hedwig arrived moments later with an average sized parcel in her grips. Giving the owl a treat Harry then removed the letter from the top and gave it to Tonks as he opened the package.

Curiosity got the best of her as she opened it and tried to read what her friends mentor said. It would have been the first time she heard something from him directly and not through Harry's stories.

"Uhhh...Harry, is this what that spell you cast on the fake letters we give to my ex does?" She asked as she handed him the letter.

"No, that's just…...Russian, mixed with Japanese, I see some Italian….there's German….ok, he was drunk when writing this." Harry concluded as The Bard had no less than 7 languages mixed and matched on the letter. In my defense…...I had a shit load of vodka in me when I wrote that. Like enough that my blood alcohol levels could have acted like Basilisk venom. But hey when the Pixie Queen of the Rhine challenges you to a drinking contest, you go big or go home.

"Can you make out what it says?"

"Uh…'Listen here you little shite, I'm sending you a bunch of crap cause some fucking goat thing is coming for your ass. There is also some of the gifts you asked for your friends, by the way how are you? Did the ghost bitch visit you? Ah who gives a shit. So that German goat demon fuck is gonna gunning for ya real hard this time, it's quite pissed about being tossed into Hell last time. Anyways I got some Pixies to deal with now so I'll see you…..whenever the fuck I see you next. Sincerely, The Bard' well, not the nicest of letters, but at least he still is functioning."

"I can have trouble speaking another language sober, this guy does 7 drunk? Well he's….talented to say the least." Tonks thought of the most neutral thing she could say about her friends teacher.

Harry only nodded as opened the medium sized, similar to a jewelry container. wooden box and shuffled around through it. He stopped rigged though and slowly looked over to Tonks and instructed her thus.

"Tonks, I want you to reach behind my head and grab what's on it."

"Harry I don't see anything on you."

"I know, it's invisible. But I want you to reach around and grab behind my head." He spoke similarly to animal trainers when instructing people on how to approach an animal. Tonks reached her hand out slowly until it was near the back of Harry's neck. Though it was touching nothing, she could feel scales on her fingers. Reacting quickly, Tonks grabbed the invisible object as it began to squirm.

A Violet, house cat sized, dragon like creature with butterfly wings appeared in her hands, cackling as it was amused with the temporary panic it caused.

"Is this a Faerie Dragon!?" She asked excitedly. Looking more closely at the creature she could see the amusement in its eyes as flicked out its tongue like a snake.

"Indeed it is. This one in particular has been a long time friend. Tonks this is Chivers." Harry introduced the two.

"Chivers? The hell kinda name is that?" The dragon, now named Chivers, let out a bunch of low rasping guttural sounds as it spoke in Draconic. Harry in turn let out more words of the language of dragons as it turned it's head and eyed up Tonks.

"Apparently he reminded The Bard of another friend's bowling ball sized cat named Chivers, so he named it after the cat. Now look, Chivers is used to people so as long as you can keep up the entertainment and make sure it has food, you'll be fine. Watch out though cause he can shapeshift. Cheeky bugger one time turned into a tiger in the middle of Sydney, right mess that was." Harry instructed/warned. Tonks was immediately distracted by her new friends was she let the dragon climb around her arms and perch itself on her shoulder.

"Oh Harry, this is the best present ever!" She grabbed Harry and pulled him into a hug, not minding where Harry's face was located. Harry figured if this was his thanks he should probably get more people gifts.

Letting Harry go after a few seconds, Tonks watched what Harry brought out of the box that seemingly had no bottom to it. She didn't think too much of it since wizards had similar enchantments, instead she found the contents more interesting. Several things in the box were presents for Harry and the other friends in the group, while the rest was to prepare for the evil holiday spirit.

A large box set of wooden toy soldiers and cannons.

A tome of spells that Harry explained were above a level he could cast on his own.

A red Christmas stocking filled with marbles that had a blasting spell inscribed on them.

And finally, a lot slabs of metal with orange arcane writing on them. As a complete package it seemed that they formed some kind of large knight statue.

"What's that?" She inquired as she scratched Chivers under the chin. The violet creature had taken a liking to the purple haired witch it seemed.

"Bob."

"...Bob?" She felt like this was one of those things that should be a much larger deal than Harry was going to make it out to be.

"He's an Iron Golem that someone outfitted with fire enchantments. Makes him really useful when dealing with ice oriented monsters. Not much of a talker though." Harry said as he informed Tonks on where they needed to put the pieces of Bob and how they connected to one another. After an hour or so, Bob stood to his full 30 foot height in the opening courtyard. Tonks and Harry eyed the Golem as he now stood diligently, awaiting Krampus.

"When you said contraband, I had figured you meant muggle firearms, given your unstated history with such things. Though I do admit, a Golem of that size would be a nice addition to the castle. Perhaps after this Krampus ordeal is resolved I might persuade you to loaning it to Hogwarts." The voice of Dumbledore came from the doorway. Tonks was now nervously trying to explain what was going on, but was stopped by their Headmaster.

"I am aware of the situation Nymphadora, as luck would have it though the castle is mostly empty this year. Only Mr. Weasley, Miss Bones, and Miss Chang are the other students here." The polite tone of the Headmaster was enough to get Tonks to not be as nervous, though the fact her dragon had gone invisible and was no longer on her was concerning.

"Uhhh, you might want to let them in on what's going down. I figure at the very least we can throw them at this bastard as cannon fodder."

"Harry…."

"Kidding! Just kidding, not like they would be able to hold him off anyways. Oh, an important thing I forgot to bring up, it's hide is immune to most spells, hence my need for the book." Harry informed holding up the tome.

"How resistant we talking?" Tonks asked. She was trying to discreetly look around for Chivers, but it was rather difficult when the bloody thing was invisible. Little did they know that it was in the process of changing one Headmaster's grey beard rainbow.

"Given past years experiences? Uh the Blasting Marbles I have, which can blow a hole through a steel vault door, just kinda tickle it."

"...Oh." Tonks now wished that it was just another troll that she had to deal with.

"Ah don't worry too much, I'm sure between a Bard, one of the greatest wizards ever, you, and the other chumps, we'll do fine." Harry said positively. Dumbledore was about to speak when he noticed his beard was now a brilliant rainbow of colors. The sudden change caught the old man off guard as he looked around for the culprit. The snickering of an invisible Chivers was all the clue Harry needed to piece together what happened.

"And how could I forget Chivers." Harry pointed to the now visible fey on Tonks's shoulder.

"...Is that a fey?" Dumbledore's question caught Harry off guard as he didn't expect the Headmaster to be aware of such creatures. Upon noticing the look the old man gave a smile.

"I am not as ignorant to such things as you had expected Harry. After all, The Forbidden Forest is home to a great many of the Fey. Though this is my first time seeing one this close."

"Huh…..I'll make a note of that for later. Now, we should probably grab the others. After all, victory lies in preparation."

xxxXXXXxxx

Two hours later in the Great Hall, a gathering of wizards, witches, and a single bard met to discuss how to fend off Krampus.

The two students Harry had not met before were one Susan Bones, a lovely red haired Hufflepuff girl, and one Cho Chang, an Asian Ravenclaw who was absolutely stunning in Harry's eyes. He made a point of introducing himself to both girls the right way.

"It is truly a crime against humanity that I was not made aware of two marvelous beauties such as yourselves sooner. It is a very good honor to meet you, and you may call me Harry. Should either of you girls ever need anything feel free to ask, I am very accommodating." Harry said, charm oozing from his voice.

The two girls had only heard rumors about Slytherin's Bard, ranging from he's just a cocky first year to holy shit this kid could fight off an army of cyborg were-ninjas and win without a scratch. But one thing that was in agreeance amongst everyone…..he was always the best dressed.

But since both Susan and Cho had never been exposed to Harry in person, his charming attitude and charisma was super effective on them. Neither girl had the cunning or the icy attitudes of his Slytherin friends, nor Tonks's exposure to Harry's ways. As such both blushed full on red at what he said. Harry's large smirk showed that he was going to continue, that was until Tonks swatted him in the back of the head.

"Demon fight first, seduction later." She said firmly, Chivers nodding in agreement.

"I am very good at multitasking, as such I shall be fending off the demon, and charming these divine young ladies." Harry spoke with extreme confidence. At the word 'demon' Susan, Cho, and Ron now seemed more concerned with why they were here.

"Wait. Demon? What's going on?" Susan asked, riffed with concern. Dumbledore gave her his best kind old man look and addressed the students in a far more kind way then Harry would have.

"It would appear that a dark spirit is coming this Yule. I am very sorry you all have to be involved with this, but it would be safer for you to know what was happening than to be ignorant." The three gave each other very horrified looks. Fighting a dark spirit was not how they wanted to spend their break. Dumbledore explained that they would need to help fight, but that Harry had experience against this beast, and tools to make the job easier.

"Don't worry though, I've bested it in the past, and I'm sure that together we can do so again." Harry was now taking the role of charismatic leader.

"Didn't you have to throw it into Hell last time?" Tonks spoke up.

"The smackdown I laid upon it was akin to the tortures of Hell, yes." Harry again spoke with extreme confidence.

"That's not-*oof*." Tonks was cut off as Harry pulled her down and whispered in her ear.

"I am trying to be inspiring and not let the others panic. If they think that I've already solidly beaten Krampus we won't have to deal with them panicking. Plus I look amazing in front of Cho and Susan right now. So please just go along with it?" Harry said softly and then released his friend.

"Oh, of course Harry! I do so fondly remember you telling me the story of how you vanquished the dreaded demon!" Tonks overacted placing her hands across her heart. Despite her lack of acting skills the three other first year students seemed to buy the story and looked to Harry for guidance. As well they should.

"So you'll be there to help us through this Harry?" Cho asked with wide eyes of astonishment. She had been skeptical about the stories surrounding Harry, but having the Headmaster and a 7th year back him up was all the validation she need to believe everything she had heard. The smile he gave her melted her heart as spoke again.

"Of course Cho, I won't let anything happen to you. You have my word."

"What about me?" Ron asked worriedly. He didn't want to be left to the demon, and though he hated to admit it, he needed Harry's help.

"You Ron? Why you'll be with me baiting in the demon so the others can prepare." Harry told the redhead boy.

"I AM!?" Ron was not a fan of this plan, not in the slightest. But being a bard, Harry had the astounding power to make people believe in themselves and allow them to conquer mountains. Sure in this case that mountain was a nigh invulnerable anthropomorphic goat demon, but in the great words of Marvin Gaye "Ain't no mountain high enough".

"Sure, after all, that duel we had proved you have far more power than most." Harry said as all eyes turned to Ron. He didn't know what Harry was going on about, he remembered getting his ass humiliated with an apple.

"Oh yes it's true. Ron here fought with the strength and fury of 20 wizards, it was simply remarkable. Had it not been for my experience he surely would have won." Harry again said and followed by mouthing 'Go with it'.

"Oh…..uh right. Yeah, I nearly had Harry but he pulled a fast one on me. Next time though you won't get so lucky snake." Ron at least was a slightly better actor than Tonks, which wasn't saying much. But it was enough to further inspire the group to be ready for this confrontation.

Harry laid out a plan involving him and Ron being in the far east wing of the castle where Krampus would then come for them. The two would bait it into the main courtyard where Bob stood and then those two would duke it out. In case Bob failed they would then retreat to the Great Hall where the entire toy army would be setup to run distraction as Dumbledore would read a banishment ritual from the book and send away the demon.

Cho and Susan would meet up with the two in the courtyard after they set up the army with Tonks and would run support for Bob with Ron and Harry. If it came down to having the confrontation in the Great Hall, the six of them would blast Krampus with spells and marbles until the ritual was complete.

"I have a question Harry. Umm I'm not very good at spells yet, at least casting under pressure, are you sure you want me on support for ummm...bob?" Susan asked rather dejectedly. Having none of that slight self loathing Harry grabbed Susan's arms and looked her in the eyes.

"Susan, I have no doubt in my mind that when the time comes, and you are witnessing a fight between a 3 story golem and a holiday spirit, you'll be brilliant." Over joyed with Harry's confidence in her, Susan smiled and nodded her head. She could do this! She wouldn't let Harry down!

"Tonks! I need to grab somethings from my dorm, care to join me?" He asked her as he left the Great Hall. Dumbledore was busy with the others explaining more advanced spells for them to be ready to fight. See? Having a demon show up is good for rapid education! As the duo made their way to the dungeon, Tonks spoke up.

"You don't really believe the others will be of help do you?" She genuinely wondered.

"Nope! Not on their own at least."

"Then why give them such high hopes for what they can do? I know confidence is important, but too much can get them killed. Especially if this thing is as dangerous as you say!"

"Because, them having that amount of confidence is vital for them to actual stay and fight, and I said they were useless on their own. Lucky for them I'm here." Harry said smugly.

"You're the reason this is happening in the first place!"

"Hahahaha I know, isn't it great?"

"Great isn't a word I would use to describe this Harry."

"Oh pssh, you got an invisible dragon out of this deal, one I recall you saying was the best gift ever."

"So I am receiving Chivers as an apology for this mess?"

"Uhh plus you are a great friend and I figured it would get me one step closer to sweeping you off your feet. Why, did it work?"

"...A little." Tonks said with a slight blush.

"That's all I need. Anyways remember that box I used with the troll?" Harry asked as they entered the Slytherin Common Room.

"Yea, why? Are we going to fight the demon with disco?"

"I wish, but sadly disco is not useful against Krampus. What is though is the Nutcracker Ballet." Harry said as he called forth the box again with Accio.

"Are you serious?"

"Very much so, only issue with that song though is that it removes our ability to talk. But it does give us a massive boost in power, and activates the toy army." Harry explained as he turned to his friend and smiled. Tonks nodded and the squinted her eyes in confusion.

"If you could summon the box why did you need me here?" She asked. Harry pointed up in the doorway they stood in to some hanging mistletoe.

"I figured if Krampus kills me I might as well enjoy the two days I have left." He said. Tonks gave him a playful push with a blush on her face. Seeing his massive grin and the clear amusement in his eyes though she ultimately relented.

"Fine, but if you do die on me, know that I will find a way to bring you back so I can kill you for doing that to me in the first place." She said before she locked lips with Harry.

Despite the impending doom that was the arrival of Krampus, both Harry and Tonks felt a sense of peace and joy as they stood together under the mistletoe.