Holidays

It was just before dinner. Harry, Jason and Blaise were making their way up from the dungeons when they heard him. "Flobberworms!" Ron's voice carried across the Entrance Hall. He said the word with such loathing disgust that the three Slytherins paused to grin at each other. Hagrid had been forcing his students to care for the meek creatures ever since the incident between the Hippogriff and Draco. The three Slytherins overheard many students complain about how boring classes were now. "I don't see why anyone even cares about Flobberworms. Useless, disgusting-"

"Ah, Weasley, showing your ignorance." Harry tsked at Ron as the three Slytherins joined the three Gryffindors. The teens turned when they heard Harry speak. Harry nodded once at Neville and Seamus. Neville gave a small grin in return. Seamus just stood there looking confused.

Ron dropped his school bag at his feet and squared his shoulders, Neville shoved his hands in his pockets and Seamus scratched his head, watching and listening intently. Ron's face was an expression of wary-distrust, "What would you know, Potter? You don't even take the class."

Jason smirked at Ron, the Gryffindor teen was becoming more annoyed by the second, if his expression was any indication. Blaise scoffed, "Any first year could tell you that Flobberworms, while not exactly exciting creatures, are rather essential: not only as a food source, but for their mucus as a potion ingredient."

Neville wrinkled his nose and nodded, "I've seen them serve those Flobberworm fritter things at dinner sometimes. Disgusting, but I guess some folks eat them or why would they keep making them?"

Ron quickly frowned at Neville and turned his attention back to the Slytherin teens. Harry grinned at Neville. "Ya, well-"

"Crookshanks!" Hermione came running down the stairs, crying out after the streak of orange fluff that pounced at Ron's school bag, claws out and hissing.

"Scabbers!" Ron quickly scooped up his bag. The fluff of orange half-cat was still clinging to the teen's school bag, swiping inside with a determined paw.

The others watched in surprise, but the profanity that flowed from Ron and the angst filled sob from Hermione broke the odd hold the scene had on the bystanding boys. Blaise quickly plucked Crookshanks from the bag as Seamus tried to swat the cat away, effectively knocking Ron's bag from his hands.

Ron lunged when Scabbers made a dash for freedom and zig zagged his way across the Entrance Hall, but only made it as far as the tall House hourglasses before turning around and finding sanctuary in a nearby alcove. The ginger haired boy scrambled across the floor, crying out for his pet rat before managing to grab him by his tail. "Look at what your evil cat is doing to my poor rat."

Hermione cooed to her cat now that he was safe once again and Ron glared daggers of venomous death. The young witch was not buying into the 'evil cat/poor rat' routine. "He's just doing what comes naturally, Ron. I keep telling you that. Crookshanks is a cat, they hunt rats!"

"Scabbers is shaking like a leaf, he's lost weight, the poor thing is ill." Ron snatched up his school bag and dropped Scabbers inside it. "Just keep your cat away from my rat, Granger."

Ron and Seamus took the marble stairs and Neville stayed with the others, watching them walk away. "So if you don't have the class," Neville peered at the Slytherins, "how do you know all that stuff about Flobberworms?"

Hermione perked up, eyes wide with excitement. "Oh, did you know that Flobberworm mucus is used to thicken potions and it is one of the vital ingredients to a Wiggenweld Potion?"

Jason laughed and motioned towards the Ravenclaw, "That is how we know."

She blinked in confusion when all four boys laughed, Blaise handed the cat back to her and Hermione tilted her head to rub her cheek against Crookshanks fur, "Well it's true."

Holidays were coming soon. The December chill was heavy in the air with a blanket of lovely white snow covering the grounds. The air was frigid and windy, piercing through cloaks to chill students to the bone. The excitement of the approaching season refused to be dampened by the arctic temperature. Festive decorations graced the Great Hall with the large, customary twelve decorated trees.

That year, as he had every year so far, Harry would stay at Hogwarts for the holiday break. His friends weren't happy with his decision as they were all scheduled to go home that year. The boys had 'words' to discuss their differences of opinion over the dangers Harry's life would, or could, be in without them around. To which Harry waved off as minimal risk as long as he stayed within Hogwarts castle.

When the list was hung on the board in the Entrance Hall, Harry immediately signed up to stay at the castle over the holiday break. Jason gave him an odd, strained look, but didn't rehash their latest 'discussion' over that very subject. Harry smiled reassuringly at his friend when a familiar voice chattered behind him followed by echoed agreement by her two Housemates, "I swear it's colder this year."

Grinning, Harry held his arms open for her and Hermione eased into his embrace gratefully. He was more than willing to wrap his arms around a shivering Hermione. However, he had to yelp as her cold hands were being warmed against his back because he could feel the chill of her limbs through his cotton uniform shirt. Padma and Hermione giggled at his reaction. Sarah sniffed and hitched her bag on her shoulder. Harry shuddered at the sudden chill that ran down his spine, "And here I thought I was the only one having trouble with warming charms."

Hermione pressed her cold nose to Harry's neck for warmth. "We just came in from Herbology."

Harry rubbed her back in hopes of generating heat for her. "I'm sure there will be some tea or hot chocolate at lunch."

"Potter!" Blaise motioned them over.

Harry, Hermione, Jason, Padma and Sarah walked towards the Great Hall. "What's up, Zabini?"

"I heard back from Mother. You've been cleared to come home with me for the holiday break." Blaise folded his arms as if daring Harry to argue with him.

As the words formed, Harry was interrupted before he could voice them. "I'm sure I warned you before, Harry. You really should be wary of Nargles," Luna's sing-song voice suddenly spoke up behind them. When the six looked her way she raised a single finger as she addressed them. "You never know when they'll steal something from you, something that you'll have need of later."

Blaise stared at Luna, Jason and Harry glanced at her feet to see if she was wearing shoes as their last encounter came back to them and the three Ravenclaw girls gasped in unison. Hermione blushed deeply, clutched the front of Harry's shirt and buried her face in his chest. It was Padma that giggled and pointed out the mistletoe hanging directly over Harry and Hermione. "Nargle infested, no doubt." A statement that Luna fully agreed with.

Harry blushed at their predicament. His heart raced as he stared down at the top of Hermione's head. The huff from Sara barely registered with him when he suddenly realized he couldn't pull it off. He couldn't kiss Hermione like that. He whispered to his best friend, "Hermione," Harry's breath tickled Hermione and she shivered. Hermione lifted her head and blinked at him. "Our first kiss won't be in front of half the school." Harry grinned and kissed the corner of her mouth before moving her away from the mistletoe.

Walking through Diagon Alley, Harry and Blaise glanced in many store windows. The stores were extremely busy with shoppers huddled to keep warm while hustling from shop to shop. Mrs. Zabini kept a courteous distance from the two boys, but was never too far behind them. Harry never had a chance to buy presents for friends before so he was often seen pressing against windows like an excited child, pointing at merchandise within the shops.

They had just left Quality Quidditch Supplies where Harry bought new gloves for Jason and a new broom for himself. With one more gift to buy, he was suddenly at a loss. "But she likes books."

"You got her a book for her birthday."

"She picked it out."

"So you don't want to get her the same type of gift for Christmastide."

Exasperated, Harry enunciated each word with distinction. "But she likes books!"

"Mother, please explain this to him." Instead of responding to her beloved son, Mrs. Zabini simply smiled and kept quiet. Blaise threw his hands up in defeat. "Listen, Potter. Granger is your girlfriend and as such she isn't going to want something as impersonal as a book. Every so often you will want to get her something... girly and frivolous."

Harry blinked as Mrs. Zabini laughed, "Yes, we truly love girly and frivolous gifts."

"You aren't helping, Mother."

Mrs. Zabini waved off her son's concerns and turned her attention to the boy who needed advice. "Contrary to his lacking vocabulary, Blaise is remarkably close. We females like gifts that are feminine - not girly - and well thought out with a personal touch, never frivolous."

Shoulders rounded, Harry shoved his hands in his pockets and frowned, "Now I'm even more lost."

"What does Miss Granger like?"

"Reading, learning, her cat..." Harry suddenly stopped and practically pressed his nose to the glass of the shop's window. "How about that?"

Mrs. Zabini stopped beside Harry and looked at what the boy gestured at. She tilted her head at the silver bracelet with thin links and three small dangling cat charms. She gave Harry's shoulder a gentle squeeze and smiled at him. "Lovely."

Harry sat quietly staring at the hungry flames in the hearth, mesmerized by the flickering heat. He didn't hear much of what was going on around him, only the thoughts churning in his mind.

"Goodness, Mr. Potter, whatever it is weighing on your mind must be quite troublesome."

He jumped at the touch of her hand on his shoulder, her words barely penetrating his thoughts. Harry blinked up at Mrs. Zabini and he blushed deeply, "I'm sorry. I was just..." He sighed heavily and turned back to the flames. "It's not important."

Mrs. Zabini hummed softly, sat back and patted the sofa beside her. "Hmmm, come sit with me here. There are questions that need answers. I may not have all of your answers you seek, but I will tell you what I can."

Harry pushed off the floor and sat on the couch as instructed shooting a grateful glance at his host. "Thanks, but it's Christmas. I'm sure you'd rather-"

"Nonsense, I offered. Now ask your questions."

She looked so relaxed and poised while Harry was frazzled and nervously running his fingers through his hair again. "It's just something that was told to me shortly before the holidays. It makes no sense really. I've tried not to think about it, but it's all so... confusing."

"What were you told?"

"Friends overheard teachers talking with the Minister for Magic at the Three Broomsticks."

"Reliable friends?"

"Yes'm, ones I'd trust with my life." Harry waited until she nodded before he continued. "They were talking about Sirius Black," Harry's hands were clasped in front of him, fingers intertwined nervously, knuckles white, "that he was my father's friend. They trusted him enough to make him my godfather only to be betrayed by the man."

Harry sat back on the couch, his head back, eyes closed as he continued, "The story is he told Vol-" Harry stopped when he heard the sharp inhale of breath beside him, "Sorry, Black told You-Know-Who where to find my parents. Then killed their other friend, Pettigrew." Harry looked at Mrs. Zabini at that point. "Which is even more odd since I've seen Pettigrew's name as being someone walking around the castle."

Mrs. Zabini's eyes widened, "Pettigrew? Mousy little boy, brown hair, rather slow witted? He followed those boys around constantly and idolized Sirius and your father. I found him rather creepy. He would leer at me when he thought no one was looking." She shuddered for emphasis. "What are your questions?"

"Is it true... what they said. Was Sirius Black really so close with my father?"

"He was. All seven years those boys were inseparable. There were four of them: James Potter, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew and Remus Lupin." Harry's head whipped around, eyes wide, mouth gaping only no sound managed to escape him. Mrs. Zabini used a single finger to tap his chin, effectively closing his mouth. "Yes, your new Defense teacher. Blaise said he started this year. Oddly convenient, makes one wonder if that wasn't Dumbledore's plan to lure Black out. Although, if what you say is true and Pettigrew is somehow still alive, that drastically changes things."

"I think I need to speak with Professor Lupin."

"Indeed you do." Mrs. Zabini suddenly smiled, changing the subject quite thoroughly, "This summer, you and Mr. Vaisey will join my son in ballroom dance classes."

Harry blinked and shook his head slowly, "I'm sorry, what?"

She laughed and patted his hand. "It will be fun, you'll see."

Edited 10/13/2016