Chapter 10

AT THE DINNER TABLE

The next day, the Potter family was getting ready for the Weasley family's arrival. Ron, Hermione, Rose, and Hugo were going to arrive at the house to have Christmas Eve dinner. Albus and James had spent most of the day trying to tidy up the house. It wasn't fair! The only thing Lily had to do was lay out milk and cookies for Father Christmas, and she had to do that at night! Ginny had been preparing food all day. The house was filled with the smell of turkey, chicken, and other sorts of Christmas delights. Ginny was still busing preparing food when Ron and Hermione entered the house.

"Hello Harry," Hermione said while carrying a few presents.

"Hey Hermione, Ron," Harry said looking at Ron.

His arms were piled high with presents. He set them down by the tree while Lily was jumping for joy.

"Did you get me something special Ron?"

Ron smiled at Lily. His head was sweating and his hair was a mess. Hermione patted Lily's head and looked disapprovingly at Ron.

"They can't be that heavy!"

Suddenly, Ginny came in the room. She didn't look much better. Since she had been in the kitchen all day, her hair was also sweaty.

"Are you ready to eat," she said smiling at Hermione.

Hermione and Ron nodded.

"Where are Hugo and Rose," Albus asked.

Then, his question was answered. Rose and Hugo came in. Rose was shaking from head to toe, while Hugo began taking off his gloves.

"Let's eat," Ron said already heading toward the dining room.

The dinner table was pretty quiet. Everyone was busy stuffing their faces with mouthwatering goodies. Albus sat quietly after finishing his food. He began to think about Voldemort. For some strange reason, random ideas about Voldemort kept popping into his brain.

"Albus." Harry said.

Albus's thoughts ended as he looked at his father.

"It's time to open presents."

Albus's heart leaped. What did he get for Christmas?

All the kids sat down around the tree as Ron and Ginny passed out the presents.

"No way," Albus heard Hugo say.

Hugo had already opened his first present. It was a fourteen inch unicorn hair wand.

"This is just what I wanted," Hugo said hugging the present box to his chest.

Albus opened one of his presents. It was Quidditch trading cards with the Chudley Cannons. He knew it was from Ron because the Cannons were his favorite team. Even though Albus didn't care much for Quidditch, he thanked Ron anyway and placed the cards by his side. Then, there he heard a high pitched scream. As he looked around, he saw that the scream came from Lily.

"A Hogwarts robe," she said.

Albus went into shock. He just then realized that Lily would be starting school next year.

After opening all of his presents, Albus stared at them. He had received Quidditch cards, Christmas candy, a quill set, and some books from Hermione that he would never open. It seemed everyone else had gotten a special gift. Hugo got his wand. Lily got her robe, and James got a new broom. When everyone had left the room, Albus stayed looking at his cards.

"Al."

Albus turned and saw his father standing behind him.

"Can you reach behind the tree for me? I think there's another present back there."

Albus crawled around the tree and pulled a box out from behind it. It was poorly wrapped with a satin ribbon tied around it. Before Albus handed Harry that package, he noticed that his name was on it. Harry nodded toward him, and Albus began to open the package. Albus looked at the gift. It seemed to look like a blanket. Harry bent down toward Albus and told him something so that no one else could hear.

"That's my invisibility cloak."

Albus's eyes widened. He threw the cloak over himself so that only his head could be seen. Harry laughed. Albus felt compelled to hug him, and did just that. He hugged his father so tightly that Harry let out a grunt.

"Thank you Dad."

Harry smiled.

"You're welcome."