MERRRRRRRRRRRY CHRISTMAS!
The wind was drifting across the Black Lake, soothing him. The sunshine filled his body and soul with warmth. It was one of those perfect autumn days. It was Hermione's birthday, but she made him promise not to fuss or tell anyone about it. She should have known better than to think he'd listen to her plea.
"What are you doing?"
Harry sat perfectly still: hands resting on his knees, legs folded beneath him, back straight, chin parallel to the ground, eyes closed, mouth closed and mind open. He breathed in deeply and allowed his mind to trickle gently through each fragrance as it came to him. Green grass, the breeze over the Black Lake and...
"Radisson?"
Asphodel. Harry ignored the voice and all outward interruptions, even when the voice lowered in volume and drew closer.
"Harry?"
That was until he said Harry's first name. It came out rather soft, breathless and concerned; the smile tugged on Harry's lips as he opened one eye to look at the boy crouching across from him. "Shhh…" Severus snorted and sat across from him. Harry closed his eyes again and spoke low, intimately, "I'm meditating."
Harry could hear the other boy shuffling about. Severus bumped against Harry's knee and mumbled, "Sorry."
He opened the one eye again and grinned openly as Severus struggled to position his body in a similar fashion. Harry's smile grew when Severus finally asked, "Why are we meditating?"
"I'm meditating to clear my mind, not sure why you are."
"Because you are."
"Hmm…" Harry closed his eye again, "Do you remember that potions professor I mentioned the first time we met?"
"The one that yelled till he was blue in the face?"
Harry chuckled, "That's him."
"Hmm, what about him?"
"He said one of the best introduction speeches ever spoken to a potions class."
"Oh?"
"Mhmm…" Harry sighed wistfully and recited his favorite part of Snape's opening speech. His voice unintentionally dropped in both tone and cadence as he mimicked the future sound of Professor Snape's tenor voice. "I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame, brew glory and even put a stopper in death."
"Hmm…" Severus hummed softly, "Profound."
Harry opened his eyes and watched Severus for a moment. "They say he was the best potions master around. Personally I thought he was a horrid professor; he has a brilliant mind, but hates kids. I never understood why he ended up teaching."
Severus stared at him and tilted his head. "You've apparently given this some thought."
"Not back then. I just hated him, but you've managed to change my mind about people. You taught me that sometimes you have to look past the color of their House tie and see who is really in there." Harry didn't mean to say it. He was just so relaxed and Severus was easy to talk to. He shrugged when Severus didn't respond.
Now things were awkward. Harry closed his eyes again to pretend he was meditating. Any thoughts of actually meditating were quickly dashed because of the stunned look on Severus' face. You'd have thought Harry stunned or hexed the boy. "Today is my sister's birthday. I'm going to pay a visit to the kitchen. Want to help me search for it?"
Harry opened his eyes when he got no response and sighed softly, noting he was alone. "I guess not."
"Remus, my friend," Harry grinned, "just the man I'm looking for."
"Erm," Remus took a step back, "should I be worried?"
"Always, but that's not exactly the point at the moment. Do you know where I can get lots of food and drinks?"
Harry came to a stop beside Remus on the Grand Staircase. Remus nodded, "Yeah, the kitchens. It's not far away. Why?"
"Always wanting all the details," Harry chuckled. "It's for Hermione's birthday today. She's never had a real birthday, what with it always landing on a school day. I just convinced the others to throw her a party. Sirius is somehow distracting her while James and Peter are setting up the decorations and making sure that everyone knows about it."
"She's never had a real party?"
Harry laughed, delighted, "That's exactly what the others said. Now, are you going to help?"
Remus started walking quickly down the hallway, "Come on, this way."
Following happily, Harry blinked a few times when he saw a painting of fruit. The other boy rose a single finger and dragged it down a green pear. It giggled and a doorknob appeared.
Giving Harry a grin, Remus opened the door and the smaller boy gasped.
It was like the Grand Hall. It was huge. House-elves - at least they looked like Dobby - were running about, but one turned to them and pointed.
"Sirs!"
Immediately large bat eyes were turned on them. All the little beings grew louder and drew closer to the two boys.
"What cans we get you?"
"Are you hungry?"
"Thirsty?"
"Do you wants to sit?"
Harry was just staring wide-eyed at them, unable to move. After a wave of his hand Remus said, "How do you feel about doing a mini-feast and a cake for a birthday party?"
The relative quiet there was suddenly erupted again and all the little bodies were moving around frantically. The first one to see them was still standing in front of them.
"Where do sirs want the food and drinks?"
"Gryffindor Tower common room, if you will, Dipper."
"Yes, sir!"
Remus grabbed Harry's elbow and lead him out of the room. "Now lets help James and Peter."
Laughing, Harry stumbled onto the moving staircase and nearly collided into Hermione. "Hermione! Where you headed?"
"Gryffindor Tower, I left my bag up there."
Behind her, Sirius was waving his arms frantically and shaking his head. Harry had no idea how to keep her away. Once her mind was made up she wouldn't be swayed, "Eer..."
"Oh, I guess this isn't the best time to ask you for some help," Remus mumbled, bringing a hand to the back of his head.
"What?" Hermione looked over at Remus, a small smile in place. "I can help?"
"Yeah, I was looking up Polyjuice Potion and part of the brewing isn't very clear. I was wondering if between the two of us if we can figure it out." Remus gave her a small smile. "I can't ask these two or James and Peter, they would get too bored."
"Oi!" Harry and Sirius complained, Sirius glaring over Hermione's shoulders.
Giggling, Hermione nodded. "You're right. I can get my bag afterwards." She skipped up to Remus and hooked her arm through his. She waved at the other two. "See you in a bit!"
As the two were walking away, Remus gave the remaining Marauders a very discreet thumbs up and Harry let out sigh of relief, "That was close."
Once the two scholars were out of sight, Sirius and Harry looked at each other, grinned, and raced up the stairs to Gryffindor Tower.
"Remus, you didn't need any help at all. The book wasn't even in the Restricted Section," Hermione laughed, standing in front of the Fat Lady. "Flibbertigibbet." Upon receiving the password the Fat Lady's portrait swung open.
"Sure I did," Remus smiled at Hermione. Before she entered the portrait hole, he asked, "Hermione, do you trust me?"
She stared at him for a moment before smiling, "Of course."
"Ok, go ahead and enter, but don't be too surprised when something happens."
"Ok?" But she didn't move, she just continued to stare at Remus.
"Go on. I thought you trust me."
Hermione giggled and turned. She entered the portrait hole slowly, unsure of what Remus was going to do. Before she could crawl out of the hole and focus on the Common Room, something covered her eyes. Hermione let out a tiny squeak of surprise.
A hand touched hers and she gave a tiny jolt. "Hey, Mine. Glad you could make it."
"James, if you don't help me down, so help me I'll-"
"Stop worrying, we're here to rescue you!" Sirius' voice was loud and right in her ear. She would have groaned, but multiple pair of hands had a hold on her and gently pulled her from the portrait hole to place her feet safely on the floor.
Then she was spinning and she couldn't stop her arms from flailing about. "Jeez, if you don't stop flailing you'll poke someone in the eye." Peter's voice came from... somewhere; she couldn't rightly tell where as she was still spinning.
"Don't make her sick, Harry." Remus chuckled.
Everything stopped moving and Hermione had to work at not falling over. "Alright, you can take the blindfold off."
Harry's voice was soft and gentle. Slowly she removed the blindfold and gasped at what she saw.
"SURPRISE!"
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
"MERRRRRRRRRRRY CHRISTMAS!"
There were many more out roars of different kinds, but Hermione was cracking up. She had to bend over to clutch her stomach. Tears were rolling down her eyes as Harry rubbed her back.
When she finally got herself under control she straightened up and looked at everyone, a fond smile in place. She looked over her shoulder at Harry, "Why'd you tell them?"
"You can't keep anything from the Marauders."
It didn't seem as if Harry even had to answer. Hermione faced the other four who stood side by side with huge grins plastered on their faces, and as one they said, "Happy Birthday, Hermione."
She couldn't stop smiling for the rest of the night.
