Chapter 10: A very Sirius Christmas

Christmas day dawned bright and cold. The Burrow had been dusted in a light snow, which was quite unusual for the region in early winter. Harry lay in a deep sleep, dreaming a strange dream. He was on the quidditch pitch, racing someone. He looked back and saw that it was Ginny. He put on a burst of speed and started to pull away again, only to have her gain on him. It was exhilarating. Just as he was about to catch up again he heard a voice from the ground, a high squeaky voice yell "AVARDA KADAVRA" and a flash of green light missed him and hit Ginny square in the chest. Harry's eyes grew wide as he flew towards her "GINNY NOOOOOOOOO! GINNY DON'T DIE, NOOOOOOOO!" With a blast his broom was blasted out from under him and he started to plummet to the earth when he felt something grab hold of his arms and shake him.

Harry opened his eyes to see Ginny's brown eyes staring at him, her brow furrowed in concern. Harry's face pajamas were soaked in sweat as he struggled to catch his breath.

"Harry, thank goodness, you were having a nightmare. Calm down, we're all okay, I'm safe," Ginny said.

Harry sat for a moment. The dream troubled him for two reasons. Firstly that Pettigrew had been in it murdering one of his friends. Secondly, that he was dreaming of Ginny. Harry had of course, started noticing girls. He was quite attracted to Cho Chang, the Ravenclaw seeker, but he didn't really know her at all. He also was quite well aware of Angelina, Alicia and Katie, his Quidditch teammates. They had always teased him playfully, and when he was eleven it was positively mortifying. Now at thirteen he was all to aware of their charms. But to dream of Ginny? She was his friend and Ron's sister. Harry looked up at her. She was indeed very pretty. Her hair was fiery red and had a cute splash of freckles across her nose and cheeks, and large brown eyes that he could look at for hours. But then again, she's Ron's sister. Harry pushed that out of his mind.

It's okay Ginny, it was just a dream. Dreamed Pettigrew, well it's not important. I'm sorry to have woken you, maybe I can get your dad to put a silencing charm on the door so I don't wake you."

"It's fine Harry, I'm glad I heard you so I could help. You've helped me a lot with my dreams and memories, it's nice to be able to help you. Happy Christmas Harry."

"Happy Christmas Ginny."

"You best get up, Ron will be up soon and you're going to want to get there before he eats and wants to open presents. I'll see you downstairs."

As Ginny left he couldn't help but notice that her dressing gown hung down as she stood up, giving him an accidental view of her developing cleavage, bearing evidence that she had done some growing up since the summer. Harry was glad she turned and left the room, as he had blush starting to come up his neck, and he felt some stirrings in his lower regions that required him to think about Snape for a few minutes before he put on some clothes and left for the sitting room.

Harry made his way to the kitchen and greeted Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and took a seat next to Ginny across from Percy, who was reading a letter he had apparently received this morning or the night before. Ron soon joined Harry on his other side, and the twins came down last. After a delicious full English breakfast (I swear you boys grow overnight, eat up Harry, you're still far too skinny) they went into the sitting room to open presents.

Harry had gotten Arthur a box full of electronic bits and preices as well as a book on electronics that he had gotten from Maplin. Arthur's eyes lit up and he thanked Harry profusely and started examining the pieces, to which Molly gave a concerned look. This was short lived as she opened Harry's gift to her, a magical cookbook stand, complete with splatter proof charms that kept the pages of cook books from being stained, and an attached bookmark that was charmed to keep the pages from blowing. For the twins he had gotten them a book on Muggle sleight of hand, for Percy a new quill and ink bottle set, for Ron keeper gloves (you'll need these next year mate) which he was very happy to receive, and lastly for Ginny he had gotten her a pair of emerald earrings.

"Oh Harry," Ginny exclaimed, "you shouldn't have."

"is there something wrong with them? I asked Sirius what I should get you and he said earrings were a good choice. They're silver mind you, not too expensive, and I thought emrald would go good with your hair."

"oh no they are wonderful, I just wasn't expecting jewelry." Said Ginny, still taken aback by Harry's gift.

"Neither was I," said Molly with a dangerous look in her eyes, "I'm going to have to have a talk with your godfather when he comes by tomorrow. Oh nothing to worry about Harry, it's just a very grown up present for a twelve year old and something one usually gets for a special someone. Were it any boy but you I would be concerned, though they are quite lovely. I suppose I will need to pierce your ears Ginny, don't worry there is a spell for it, it won't hurt.

Harry was mortified. He didn't know that jewelry was something you didn't get for a girl you weren't dating, of course he never thought to buy jewelry for Hermione, but then she was easy to shop for, just look for the thickest book in the bookshop. Harry looked at Ron who seemed to be silently fuming and the twins who were openly laughing. Arthur cleared his throat.

"well then Harry, it's a lovely gift, now lets get back to opening presents, shall we."

Harry gave Arthur a grateful look as he started to open his own presents. From Arthur and Molly he got a Weasley jumper, a box of fudge and a hand for the family clock, which touched Harry greatly. From the twins he got a box of fireworks, from Percy a spell checking quill, from Ron a box of sweets and from Ginny he received a small box which contained a worn looking brass compass with a lid that opens.

"It's charmed." Ginny said, "I wanted to get you something nice, but I don't have, well…anyway I had mum get this and I charmed it, spent some extra lessons with Flitwick to get it to work, it not only shows you north, but you can tap the inside of the lid with your wand and it will tell you what village or county you are in, so you can always find your way home to us."

"Ginny," said Harry, "I love it, thank you so much! It's wonderful." Ginny blushed scarlet.

After presents Ron cornered Harry while Ginny was helping prepare lunch.

"Harry, where are you getting off buying Ginny Jewelry, the amulet was one thing but earrings? Do you fancy her?"

Harry stared speechlessly at Ron before deciding to show some Gryffindor courage. "I don't know Ron…I mean, we're both quite young, but there is something about her. Would it bother you if I fancied her?"

Ron was silent for a moment. "I guess not, I mean, I don't like the idea of her dating anyone, but you're my best mate and you're the bloody boy who lived. Who better to date my sister. Are you going to ask her out?"

"Not anytime soon Ron, I don't think your Mum would like it if Ginny was dating before she was a teenager, besides what would I do on a date? I don't know anything about girls. Maybe I should talk to Sirius. Please don't say anything to Fred or George, or anyone for that matter. I'm not sure what I'm feeling, lets just leave it that I think she's a close friend."

"Alright Harry, but if you break her heart I'm going to break your skull"

"That's fair."

The rest of Christmas day was spent lounging about. There wasn't enough snow to have a snowball fight the likes of which they could have had at Hogwarts, so much of the day was spent playing chess, listening to the wireless or reading. The next day Harry came down for breakfast to find Hermione sitting at the breakfast table talking with Ginny.

"Hello Hermione, when did you get in?"

"Late last night, my parents are going on a cruise. They planned to go while I was still at school but it got cancelled and they found out about three days ago that they had an opportunity to go on the 26th. They had to quite early this morning to the airport to make it to Miami in time to board, only just got a plane ticket in time. As I was going to come here anyway, I used the floo to ask Mrs. Weasley if I could come last night so I could have a lie in, did you know we hooked up our fire to the floo? Anyway if I had come today I would have had to get here at five o'clock in the morning, and that would be rather inconvenient. Mr. Weasley was kind enough to come and use magic to get my bad and presents here, it was ever so kind of him, I am dreadfully sorry for the inconvenience and…"

"Bloody Hell, you're here already?!" Ron said as he walked down the stairs.

Hermione raised an eyebrow, "Is that a problem Ronald?"

"No, of course not, I mean, I was expecting you around lunch time," stammered Ron, who had obviously been caught wrong footed by Hermione's sudden appearance at the breakfast table.

"Her parents had to go on a trip, come on down Ron, have a seat, we're having eggs and bacon for breakfast, and there are scones at the table," said Molly as she bustled around the kitchen fixing plates for Ron and Harry.

Harry and Ron took seats at the table and chatted about the afternoons festivities. A quidditch game was called for, but they were having a difficult time convincing Hermione or Percy to join so they had even teams. After breakfast Hermione gave out her presents. Soon enough it was time for lunch. Harry was anxious to see Sirius again and also wanted to talk to Professor Lupin. At a quarter past noon the fire glowed green and out came Sirius, Professor Lupin and Tonks.

"Sorry we're a bit late Molly," said Sirius with a grin. "My dear cousin here tripped on her way to the fire and ran into the dish cupboard. We spent the last quarter hour repairing all of Andi's dishes.

"It's not my fault," Tonks protested, "you stopped moving forwards,"

"Yes, to get the floo powder, something or someone was distracting you." Sirius said with a grin, looking at Remus

"I don't know what you're talking about?" said Tonks, starting to blush slightly. Remus was blushing even brighter.

"Mrs .Weasley, thank you for having us over for lunch and dinner," said Remus, trying to shift the topic of conversation away from Tonks infatuation with him. If he were honest with himself, he knew he found her attractive, but she was far too young for him, and he was a werewolf. She deserved better.

"Not at all, and call me Molly. My children have told me so much about you." Replied Molly.

"Indeed mother," said Percy, puffing out his chest and looking as pompous as ever, "I am glad we have a professor who knows the subject well. Not that I foresee needing it, but I was quite worried about getting my DADA N.E.W.T., the last two years were dreadful."

"Hello Molly," said Tonks.

Molly turned to her, "Tonks, lovely to see you again, I haven't seen you scene, well, since Charley left for Romania. How are you dear, do you still keep in touch with Charlie?"

"I'm doing just fine Molly, I just finished my auror training last year, I'm now a full fledged auror. I still write to Charlie now and then, but we are just friends. Charlie, well you know how he is about his dragons, he needs someone who cares about them as much as he does. As for me, well, I like older men anyway," Tonks then shot Remus a look that Harry thought was similar to the kind of look a lioness would give to a zebra.

Sirius gave a bark of a laugh and walked over to give Harry a rough hug. "how ya doing pup, Happy Christmas. And where's Ginny, there you are, Happy Christmas."

The seven Weasleys and five guests sat down at the crowded table for a nice lunch after which Sirius opened his small case that had three locks. "I've got presents for the lot of you. Mind I don't know what most of you want or need, but Harry talked about each of you so I think you'll all like them." He then opened the first lock and took out several items. For Hermione he had gotten a book on Arithmancy that he said came from the Black family library, for Percy a copy of Ministry for Magic procedures and rules (Percy was touched). He then gave a single book to Fred and George, who looked puzzled as the books had no writing on the pages. "I think you boys would like this", he told them in a low voice while Molly was chatting with Tonks. "It has a secret, lets just say it's a present from Moony and Padfoot.

The twins looked at Sirius. "You know them? What about Prongs and Wormtail?"

"Oh I know all the Marauders quite well. Please do not speak of Wormtail, that rat, but as for Prongs, well he is past sadly, though you know Prongslet."

"Don't call me that Padfoot!" said Harry sternly to his godfather.

Fred and George looked at Harry, then at Sirius. "you're Padfoot, and Harry is Prongslet?" Harry grumbled about being called Prongslet again, but the twins went on,

"This means," said Fred, "That Harry's dad must have been Prongs, and Wormtail the rat was Pettigrew,"

"And, Lupin is Moony?"

"Ah yes, do try to remember I was quite young and I tired my best to help keep Sirius and James out of serious mischief." Said Lupin, smiling softly.

"That book I gave you is the notes from our work on the map and on various, shall we say, creative recreational activities," Said Sirius, "Use it well."

"Just don't mention it in front of me! I am still your teacher," exclaimed Lupin.

Sirius then turned back to his case and opened the second lock and pulled out a cage covered in a purple cover.

"For you Ron. In a way it's my fault you are now without a pet, so I decieded to get you one in recompense."

Ron was taken aback as he removed the cover with a trembling hand and saw the long earned owl that lay inside. "You mean it, my own owl?" asked Ron, who could hardly believe his luck.

"I mean it Ron, and I'm happy to do it. Now for Harry and Ginny, the two who I owe my freedom to, if it wasn't for you two I would still be in Azkaban." Sirius said as he opened the last lock and pulled not one, but two firebolt brooms from inside. Harry was speechless, his own firebolt! Ginny looked at Sirius with wide eyes and then at her mother.

"Sirius," said Molly, "I appriate the thought but we can't accept this, it's too much."

"Please Molly, I want to do this, if Ginny hadn't noticed the rat on the map I would still be rotting in Azkaban, it's the least I could do. Believe me I can afford it, even without my family fortune, the ministry's apology money would be enough."

Ginny looked at her mother and then to her father, with a pleading look in her eyes. Arthur put a hand on Molly's shoulder, "Thank you Sirius, it is most generous."

Harry was still looking at his broom, and noticed Ron was looking longingly at it as well, then Harry remembered Ron didn't have a broom. "Ron mate, with this I don't need my Nimbus 2000. I know you don't like hand me downs, but if you want it it's yours."

Ron spluttered and tried to speak for a moment before he could coax the words out. "Harry, really? Thanks!" Ron looked genuinely excited, which was a good thing, as Harry knew how sensitive Ron could be about money.

After lunch Harry, Ron, the twins, Ginny, Sirius, Remus and Tonks decided to play quidditch. Harry, Ron, Ginny and Remus formed one team, while Fred and George, Sirius and Tonks the other. Ron and George were keepers, the rest Seekers and they played for hours. The firebolt was everything Harry could have ever wanted in a broom. It accelerated quickly, made hairpin turns quickly, he even practiced some dives and was very pleased. Ron's keeping was better than it had been, though when Fred would make a shot he tended to get nervous. Tonks kept trying to knock Remus off his broom, and Harry was sure she was doing it just to make Remus blush when she ran into him, Remus was looking quite flushed at the contact. Harry though was most distracted by Ginny. Racing on her firebolt, she looked like a blur of red ad she took shot after shot on the hoop. As there was only one hoop per side, George should have had an easier time. But either the broom or it's rider made George look like he was standing still. Harry wanted Ginny and couldn't help notice how pretty she was when she was flying. After three hours of quidditch they came back down to rest a bit before dinner. They were just sitting down for dessert when the fireplace blazed green and Kingsley Shaklebolt's head took shape in the fire.

"Hello Arthur, is Auror Tonks still there? Her mother said she would be here."

"Yes Kingsley, she is here, shall I fetch her?

"Please"

Arthur walked into the dining area and got Tonks who headed over to the fire. After a few minutes she returned looking anxious.

"I have to go, thank you Arthur, Molly, for the dinner and the company. I was just called into the ministry. Peter Pettigrew has escaped.

Cliffhanger!

Sorry for the long looooooooong delay, work has been busy as has home, and I had some writters block.

Sorry, but the owl is not pigdwigeon. I can't see a free and able to freely shop Sirius getting the owl in the first place, and I want to work it out to where Ron won't be quite as insufferable forth year, simply because I will try to punch my computer if I write him as whiney as he was in the books.