Harry Potter and the Twist of Time
Chapter 10: Christmas at Hogwarts
Christmas Eve
Lupin and McGonagall were decorating McGonagall's rooms for Christmas. Harry was being more of hindrance than a help. While Lupin was trying to get the tree up, Harry was playing with the ornaments. He liked the way they sparkled.
Harry, now almost seventeen months, was now a happy baby boy – well, as happy as can be, considering he was still missing his parents. However, Harry was starting to settle down. He enjoyed meeting everybody at the school. Like all children everywhere, Harry was looking forward to his first Christmas with Lupin and McGonagall.
Harry picked up an ornament shaped like a dog. "Pafoo," he cried.
Lupin turned around quickly, whacking his head against a branch. Sirius Black, also know as Padfoot, was never mentioned among themselves. Sirius Black was sentenced to life in prison for the deaths of Lily, James and Peter, as well as twelve other Muggles. Since no one ever mentioned Black, it was assumed that Harry had forgotten him.
"Pafoo," Harry repeated again, holding up the ornament to Lupin.
Bending down in front of Harry, he looked at the ornament. "Yeah, cub," Lupin said quietly, "it does look like Padfoot." Getting up Lupin said, "you want to put the star on top Harry?"
"Yay!" Harry said clapping his hands. Harry picked up the big star that glowed in different colours.
Lifting Harry, Lupin held him up to the top of the tree so that Harry could put the star on top. "There we go," Lupin said throwing Harry into the air and catching him again. Harry giggled in delight
"Well I am glad you two are having fun," McGonagall said looking around from behind the tree. "Now let's put the rest of the decorations up."
An half an hour later, they stood all back. The tree looked beautiful. It was lit up with real live faeries. Harry was amazed with the faeries and was playing with them. The tree was also decorated with fake snow, so that it glistened in the light. McGonagall and Lupin sat back watching Harry play with the faeries.
"I think it is time to put someone to bed," McGonagall said bending down in front of Harry, "Come on Harry, time for bed."
"No!" yelled Harry.
"Santa won't come until all good little boys are asleep, Harry," Lupin said with a smile. "Are you a good boy Harry?"
"Yes!" But Harry had a stubborn lip.
"Then it's time for bed, Harry," Remus said picking Harry up.
Remus tucked Harry in, and then returned to the lounge area. He went into a closet and pulled out several wrapped presents. They couldn't put the presents under the tree earlier, because Harry would get into them. After putting all the presents under the tree Lupin and McGonagall each had eggnog and then called it a night.
000
5am
Lupin was woken by something getting up onto his bed. It could be only one person. He and McGonagall could never figure out how Harry got out of his cot.
"Chrissie," chirped Harry into Lupin's ear.
Lupin turned over to face Harry. "Harry its 5am," Lupin groaned. Harry stuck out his bottom lip. "OK, OK," grumbled Lupin, "Get into bed with me."
Two hours later, there was a soft knock on the door. After getting no answer, McGonagall opened the door and looked in. She saw Lupin and Harry curled up in a ball together on the bed.
She smiled and said, "Don't you two make a lovely couple?"
"Oh, be quiet," Lupin mumbled from the bed. "Harry decided to make a wake up call at 5am. Next Christmas you have him."
McGonagall laughed. She sat down on the bed next to a mop of black hair, "Harry," she said quietly, "It's Christmas."
Harry sat up excitedly, "Chrissie" he yelled, holding up his arms to be carried. McGonagall picked him up and carried Harry into the lounge area. She put him down in front of his presents, next to tree. Harry started tearing excitedly into his presents.
"You'd think his life depended on those presents being open," Lupin commented from behind them.
McGonagall laughed, "He is almost a toddler. Everything is exciting to him," she said looking at Harry, "But he does seem more interested in unwrapping the presents, than what he got."
There was a flash of light behind her and McGonagall turned around to find that Lupin had taken a picture. Lupin walked over and bent down over the pile of presents and handed one to McGonagall.
"This is for you, Minerva," Lupin said with a smile.
McGonagall carefully opened the small package. Inside it was necklace made of gold. It had a pendant of a tabby cat, whose eyes sparkled in the light. "It's beautiful Remus," McGonagall exclaimed, "where did you get it?"
"I saw it in a shop in Diagon Alley, last time we were there," Lupin said smiling, "I thought that it would suit you."
"Here, I bought you something too," McGonagall also reached under the tree, to retrieve a large present. "It is something I hope you will enjoy."
Lupin blushed. "You didn't have to," he mumbled.
"Well since you got me something, I guessed I should get you something," McGonagall replied. "Open it."
Lupin opened the parcel to reveal a heavy bound book titled; 'Defence Against the Dark Art: How to Defend Against the Worst Evil in the World.' Lupin flicked through it. It had all the latest defence spells and pictures of what the spells did.
"Wow," Lupin exclaimed, "this looks great."
Harry came over, obviously having finished opening all of his presents. In one hand, was a teddy that sang Christmas carols. In the other hand, was a book on Muggle fairy tales from Dumbledore. He handed the book to Lupin.
"You want me to read this to you?" Lupin asked Harry.
Harry clapped his hand. Lupin picked Harry up and went over to the couch. Settling down with Harry on his lap, he started reading.
McGonagall watched with contentedly. Harry was very intelligent for his age. He picked up language skills a lot quicker then most children his age. Harry also loved books, especially, when he was being read to, by either Lupin or Dumbledore. He was also fascinated by the fact Wizarding pictures moved.
McGonagall and Lupin spoiled Harry a lot this Christmas. That was to be expected as it was Harry's first Christmas with them. Apart from the teddy and the book, Harry had received many more books, including some from the Muggle Stores. Harry seemed to love Muggle fairy tales the most. Harry also received lots of toys. Most of these were charmed to do different sort of things. There was also box of Christmas cookies for him. They decided no lollies this year, because he was too young.
000
By Christmas dinner time, Harry was all excited. They joined the rest of the school in the Great Hall for dinner. Putting Harry in his high chair, Lupin and McGonagall sat down for their meal. In the front them, sat a pile of Wizarding crackers.
McGonagall picked one up and held it out to Lupin, "Come on, Remus, let's have some fun," she said with a smile, "It's Christmas after all."
Lupin pulled the other end of the cracker and with a noise that sounded like a gun shot. Out popped a Wizard's hat, a joke and three live white mice. Harry squealed at seeing the white mice. Harry tried to get to them but was held back by his high chair. Lupin, seeing Harry's delight, conjured up a cage to hold one of the mice.
"And what are you going to do with that mouse?" McGonagall asked wearily.
"Keep it for Harry, of course," Lupin said smiling. "It gives him something to play with."
McGonagall groaned, "Yeah, but why a mouse? The only mice I like are the ones I use for transfiguration."
"Yeah well, we will keep this one out of your way," Lupin said handing Harry a bowl of Christmas pudding that appeared in front of him.
000
Later, back in McGonagall's suite, Harry played with his new toys. He loved the blocks he received that turned different colours at a touch. It was also charmed so they wouldn't fall down. Lupin read his new book from McGonagall and McGonagall was listening to carols on the Wizard wireless radio.
There was a knock on the portrait door.
"Come in," McGonagall called out.
Dumbledore entered. "Morning Minerva, Lupin and, of course, little Harry. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas."
"Alby!" Harry squealed with delight. Then, holding up the cage with the white mouse he said, "Mousie."
Dumbledore smiled his eyes twinkling. "You got a mouse for Christmas did you Harry? I need to talk to your guardians Harry so I will talk to you later."
Harry nodded and turned back to his blocks.
"What is it Albus?" McGonagall asked. "Is there something wrong?"
"I just got an owl last night," Dumbledore sighed. "Apparently Vernon Dursley is making a lot of fuss. He is telling people that there are 'freaks' out there that think they can do anything to 'normal' people. He is trying to appeal his sentence, while Petunia Dursley is doing everything she can to get their son, Dudley, back. The Statute of Secrecy department," Dumbledore continued, "is having trouble covering them up."
"Why don't they just modify their memories?" Lupin asked.
"Because," Dumbledore replied, "they, well, Petunia already knew about magic. Under Wizarding law, they don't usually modify their memories. Anyway, you sign these papers. It puts all legal rights of Harry over to you two. This leaves the Dursleys no relationship rights to him whatsoever. That way we can say that they are no longer having any rights in the Wizarding community. So, there is no reason we can't modify their memories!"
"Great!" Lupin exclaimed. "Where are the papers? We will sign them now."
With that Dumbledore pulled out the piece of parchment. After it was all signed Dumbledore got up to leave.
"I won't disturb your Christmas anymore," Dumbledore announced, "Merry Christmas."
A short time later, McGonagall put Harry to bed. Not long afterwards Lupin and McGonagall went to bed, wishing each other a 'goodnight.
AN: Sorry for not putting chapter up sooner. Had some computer problems and lost the half of the chapter I had already typed up. Hope you enjoy.