Christmas

As Christmas neared Harry's problems were multiplied. He had received a life long ban from Umbridge. If that wasn't enough, she had also set her eyes on Hagrid . Harry guessed correctly that Umbridge wanted to throw Hagrid out of the teaching position. The only thing he really looked forward to were the DA meetings. He went into the last DA meeting before the holidays kick started. Dobby had decorated the Room of Requirement. Harry could even see mistletoes in the room which were infected by nargles as claimed by Luna.

As he directed the students to do the Impediment Jinx and stunning spell, he felt proud that most of them had improved beyond recognition. When he passed Cho she beamed at him; he resisted the temptation to walk past her several more times.

At the end of an hour, Harry called a halt. The group began to disperse after wishing merry Christmas to each other. Ron and Hermione left before he did; he hung back a little, because Cho was still there and he was hoping to receive a ʹMerry Christmasʹ from her.

But he didn't expect her to start crying over Cedric the moment they were alone. Harry wanted to run out of the room as he watched her helplessly. Her eyes were puffy and tears were running down her face. Harry felt thoroughly miserable. Heʹd have been so pleased with just a ʹMerry Christmasʹ.

ʹMistletoe,ʹ said Cho quietly, pointing at the ceiling over his head.

ʹYeah,ʹ said Harry. His mouth was very dry. ʹItʹs probably full of Nargles, though.ʹ

ʹWhat are Nargles?ʹ

ʹNo idea,ʹ said Harry.

ʹI really like you, Harry.ʹ

Harry was stunned. He was unable to move when Cho came closer to him. She leaned in and they kissed. Harry could taste her tears as she kissed him. After a few moments, Cho pulled back and to his horror, more tears started flowing from her eyes. She was practically sobbing. Where was Hermione when he needed her, Harry thought desperately. He had never been good with emotional stuff. She leaned into his shoulders and cried. Harry could feel the tears on his chest. What was he supposed to do? Harry tried to think what Hermione will do in a similar situation.

Not coming up with any answers he settled to awkwardly pat her on the back. He hoped she would stop crying. After a long moment, he heard a hearty sniff and Cho wiped her eyes on her handkerchief.

"I am sorry, Harry. I didn't want to cry"

"Its ok." Of course not ok. But Harry didn't tell that

"Merry Christmas Harry" Said Cho as she prepared to leave the room

"Merry Christmas Cho"

As Harry lie awake in his bed he was still in a state of shock. Cho Chang had kissed him and then cried all over him. Hermione's explanation regarding the same made him understand Cho but didn't make it any less complicated. She obviously still had feelings for Cedric. He felt emotionally drained after watching her cry. The worst part was that he wanted to run. He couldn't handle her tears. But he couldn't run. Could he? He had kissed her

This won't be the first time you are running after kissing someone. Said the mad Harry in his head. Harry groaned. Of all days, the voice of madness had to be awakened now. Stella's face flashed across his mind. Would she be angry? Why would she? She was too busy hanging out with Nott to notice anything else. Harry felt acid rising in him.

As Harry replayed the kiss in his mind, a faint smile formed on his face. It wasn't that bad. Yes it was wet and he would have preferred if she had enjoyed it without tears. But maybe that will happen later. He found himself comparing it with the kiss in the train. That was different. He had lost control. He had pushed himself against Stella as he let her explore his mouth. She had tasted like chocolate not tears, Harry thought bitterly. Why the better kisser had to be the Death eater spawn? Harry closed his eyes trying to think about Cho only. But unfortunately thinking about Cho reminded him about Cedric's death and her tears

Harry was sitting with Ron on Christmas day at Grimmauld place. He was feeling better after talking with Ginny. Atleast he knew he had not been possessed by Voldemort to attack Mr. Weasley. He was happy that Mr. Weasley seemed out of danger. Sirius was in a jovial mood singing carols. But Harry still was disturbed. He remembered the hatred he felt for Dumbledore. He had wanted to attack him. The feeling had left him unnerved. Moreover everyone around him seemed to think he shouldn't look into voldemort's mind. He had argued back to them that Mr. Weasley was alive because he saw him attacked. But nobody seemed to care.

Harry sighed. This was why he hadn't told anyone about his recent vision. He had seen Voldemort torture Lucius malfoy. To be honest, it was Harry who was torturing malfoy in his dream. He had been filled with rage as he tortured malfoy. The cries of the man enraged him further. In the dream Harry had considered torturing him into insanity for his mistake. An unforgivable curse for the unforgivable mistake. Lucius had used his diary without his permission. The fool. Harry was brimming with rage for several days before calming down. Harry was having difficulty separating himself from Voldemort. Harry felt what he felt. The hatred, the rage, the enjoyment in causing pain . Maybe he needed to shut down the visions to keep his sanity.

The vision on Malfoy had pushed his mind back to Estella. He was worried .Was she alright? Harry wanted to share his concerns with someone but he didn't think anyone would understand his concern for the death eater's daughter.

On Christmas day, Harry along with the Weasleys left for St Mungo to visit Mr. Weasley. He was recovering quickly and Harry felt even happier. As they wandered around the hospital , Harry and the Weasleys ran into Neville's family. The Weasleys and Hermione were still discussing about What happened to the Longbottom family when Harry saw a girl walking past him.

She had slowed down as she saw him almost as though she recognized him. And then she walked away heading to the Magical Damage Control Section. Harry felt as though he knew her. The face was familiar and she looked as if she recognized him. But he was Harry Potter. Everyone knew him. But then something clicked. The girl hadn't looked at his scar like everyone. She had recognized him without the scar check. Giving in on his instinct he wheeled around to follow the girl giving his friends the excuse of talking to Neville alone.

" Meet us at the top floor then Harry" Shouted Hermione as Harry made his way to follow the girl.

He looked around in the Magical Damage control section. There were no beds but several potions stacked on the shelves. He saw a door to the cabin of healer Fedforte. He saw another room labeled Isolation chamber. He wondered what that was. Just as he was about to enter the room, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

He turned around to see a girl with curly black hair and blue eyes glaring at him. Her lips thinned.

"What are you doing here?" She asked menacingly.

"I could ask you the same furball" He replied. He had taken a chance. He wasn't entirely sure whether it was her. All the features were quite different from the original Blonde girl with silver eyes. But Harry felt he was right. The way she walked, the way she held her head high, the annoyance in her eyes when she saw him, the faint lotus fragrance, Yes everything matched.

Harry waited for her reply. He saw her eyes widen in shock as she gaped at him. Her reaction was enough for him to confirm his suspicion

After a long moment she said "None of your business Potter"

He raised an eyebrow and looked around. She seemed to have come empty handed other than her small purse with pearl beads on it. He assumed that she might have visited Healer Fedforte whose cabin was nearby.

"Why are you alone? " asked Harry curiously. "Where is your father?"

Is he dead?Harry wanted to ask but bit back the question. He couldn't help but wonder whether Malfoy will be able to survive voldemort's wrath.

Estella seemed to be taken aback by the question. She seemed to be pondering whether to answer it. "Father is not well. Draco came with me. He has gone to visit his friend from Drumstag who has checked in for a Spell Damage"

"Are you alright?" Harry asked her. She had come to visit the healer using glamour charms. Harry wondered why she didn't want to be seen in this section.

"of course. I came to check my blood. The strength potion seems to wear off quickly. I needed a change of medicine. I think I lost too much blood serving detentions" Replied Estella evenly.

Harry felt she was hiding something from him. But he didn't press. He looked at her. She looked healthier than what he saw at school.

"So Potter, What are you doing here?" Asked Estella

"I came to see Mr. Weasley. He suffered from an injury while working" said Harry cautiously

Estella seemed not to pay attention. She was looking around as though she feared getting caught with him.

"Ok then . I will just " Said Harry. She obviously was not interested in talking to him

Just as he turned, Estella caught his wrist. Harry turned to find her smiling at him. It was a genuine smile that he rarely saw on her face. Usually she smirked.

"Merry Christmas Harry" Said Estella as she pulled him into a hug

"Merry Christmas Stella" Harry wished back. She beamed at him and left the room.

Suddenly Harry wished every day was Christmas