Chapter 11: Happy Christmas

Harry woke up to a storm of hits. Ron was nearly on top of him swinging his white cased pillow on Harry's face.

"Merlin, wake up!"

"Why!?" yelled Harry half asleep.

"It's Christmas!" Ron pushed him excitedly.

Harry mumbled and stood up. He looked over at the wall clock and it was 12:00 exact. Ron really didn't miss a Christmas. Harry was dragged by Ron downstairs where Hermione was standing next to a Christmas tree that had appeared out of nowhere and was holding two small bags in her hand. Ron ran to fetch a nearby cloth and swung it at Harry. Harry unfolded it and looked at the piece of clothing. It was a red velvet sweater with a laid back hood and dread like patterns on it. He looked at the tag and saw that it said "property of James Potter". He looked up to see Ron's shining eyes.

"Happy Christmas Harry" said Ron.

Harry gave him a hug. "How did you get this?"

"McGonagall sort of helped, but I do not reveal my secrets" said Ron. Harry searched for something in his shirt pocket and handed it to Ron. Ron opened his palm to see the Snitch. It was polished and spotless, its crystal like wings flapping and in the middle it had "Ronald" engraved. Ron looked at Harry with excitement.

"It's…mine?" he asked. Harry nodded. "And when we go to Hogsmeade you can buy as many chocolate frogs you want, it's on me, I had no idea what to gift you"

Ron opened his mouth in a gape. "This is why you're my best mate, its perfect" he said as he squeaked.

"Ok, ok you're acting as if I'm not here" said Hermione. Harry smiled and handed her a black box. She opened it and smiled as her eyes got shiny. She held the present inside up to view it better. It was a silver wrist watch and inside the circle was a picture that you could see clearly or all three of them.

She raised her head and smiled through tears. She slammed herself into Harry and hugged him tight.

Ron was holding a yellow and orange bird and a black and grey jacket.

"What type of bird is that?" asked Harry.

"It's a rare species, I'm not even sure myself, me and Ron saw that bird together before we were….you know"

"Hermione is such a romantic" said Ron.

Harry laughed and looked up as he felt something a bit heavy place itself on his hands. It was a rectangular box with a black thick blanket over it. Inside something was moving. He raised his eyebrows at Hermione.

"Go on, open it, and before you judge I have a very good reason for gifting you that"

Harry smiled and took off the blanket. His eyes widened as he saw a small bird, oh so he thought, read and dark blue with green tips raise its head. A phoenix.

"Hermione how did you-?"

"Diagon Alley has them for purchase now" Hermione spoke as she held her hand up.

"But it must of cost a lot"

"Not at all, I have secrets too Harry"

Harry rolled his eyes. "You and Ron are meant to be"

All three of them laughed and Harry ran his fingers over the Phoenix's head.

"I'm going to name it Albus"

All three of them talked for a bit and Hermione had her hands over the watch Harry gave her which was now on her wrist. She told Harry she wanted to give him the phoenix because she remembered when he told her that the phoenix tears can heal and how it saved him in second year. She always though Harry would need help, even in the Muggle world he could be on a suicide mission without even knowing.

With all the chatter there was a lot of yawning and so all three of them settled for sleeping in the living room. Harry closed his eyes as he saw the Christmas tree disappear.

"Ron where did you put my wand?" asked Hermione. They were rushing because in less than 25 minutes the students left for Hogsmeade.

"I didn't have it" said Ron.

Hermione threw her hands up. "you were using it in the night on the bird I gave you, I saw you"

Ron swallowed. " Pygge has nothing to do with this"

Hermione laughed. "Pigey?"

"No, it's pronounced 'pie-G' , stop making fun of him"

"Same thing I just said" argued Hermione.

Ron held a finger up. "No"

"Where's Harry?" asked Hermione.

Ron shrugged his shoulders.

"Never thought these wimps would be so happy to go to Hogsmeade"

Harry gave Draco a look.

"Ok, these students-, no , I like wimps better".

Harry elbowed him as he looked outside through the window. They were in the platform in front of the clock tower looking out into the courtyard. The glass of the window was cracking with ice and Harry watched people throw snow at each other and ran towards their teachers holding up permission forms, luckily returning 7th years were old enough and didn't need one. Harry was lost for a moment looking at the sky, it was clear and beautiful and it looked like ice itself.

Harry handed something to Draco and the blonde raised his eyebrows.

"Happy Christmas" said Harry.

Draco looked down at the vial of liquid luck in his hand and shook his head at Harry.

"You won this".

"No, we won this" said Harry. "I won once and I enjoyed it, I want to give this one to you"

Draco smiled. "I think I'm lucky already"

Harry blushed and looked into Draco's eyes. They were facing each other In front of the long window. Harry leaned into Draco and kissed him, a kiss that wasn't long but wasn't short either. Draco wrapped his arms around him.

"Shake it when I leave" said Harry.

"Which I think is now" said Draco pointing outside to where Hermione was fixing her hat with Ron.

Harry smiled and kissed Draco again. Harry backed away and both of their hands lost each other as Harry went down the stairs of the clock tower platform. Draco watched as Harry ran towards Ron and Hermione and they walked together towards McGonagall.

Draco smiled as he backed away from the window and shook the liquid luck. He stood mesmerized for a second as images came to life in front of him. A spell. He saw images of him and Harry, at The black's house, their first night at the house, the day before leaving to Hogwarts and every scene of every moment they spent together. He smiled as he clutched at his ring. The colors shined bright through the gaps in his fingers. As the images went away he saw writing in cursive that disappeared instantly but Draco saw what it said clearly.

"I love you too Harry" he said into the silence.