Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by J.K. Rowling; various publishers including, but not limited to, Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books; and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
A/N: Thanks to everyone who reads! Also, I hope to go back through and clean up the German useage in this story. For those of you who want to know what was said in Latin - I'll post the translation once I find the book I got it out of (honestly though, they were flirting. Do you really want to know?)
Chapter Twelve: Holiday Planning
During the second week of November, several parcels arrived, much to the delight of the Gryffindor first year boys. Even Hermione became enthusiastic when the boys told her about starting a band. She told them, "I've always wanted to learn an instrument, but with Mum and Dad's work schedules, I never got the chance." Harry promised to let her sit in on the keyboard lessons with Neville.
Ron and Neville took to their music lessons with a will that Hermione wryly noted they should save for their homework. This earned her a good-natured ribbing about her own lack of skill, which she took at face-value. It was odd for her though; she'd never really had friends before, but by the time Harry took off for Thanksgiving dinner with his family, she wondered how she'd ever gotten along without them.
Thanksgiving at the Brewer house was a quiet affair, filled with stories from his folks about their childhoods and stories from Remus and Sirius about the many pranks the Marauders pulled throughout their tenure at Hogwarts. Harry, in exchange, told everyone the full story of the Halloween Troll Incident and all about his first quidditch game. It was against Slytherin, and Harry regaled them with a play-by-play, holding off until the very end to reveal how he'd managed to snatch the snitch right out from under the Slytherin seeker's nose. During the dinner, Harry also found out that the surprise mentioned in one of his mom's letters – forgotten until she mentioned it over pumpkin pie – was that she and Jim were expecting another addition to the Brewer family in late June. Harry was happy for his parents, and only a little jealous. A.J. spent Friday night at the Brewer house, and Harry and she traded spells that they'd learned. They even got a couple of nifty pranking charms from Sirius and Remus – of course, the older wizards only consented to teach them when Harry's parents weren't in the room. Harry returned to Hogwarts on Sunday afternoon. Since he hadn't been gone that long, jet-lag was minimal, as was the homework he'd missed.
As November drew to a close and December began, Harry started going through the catalogs in the library, picking out Yule gifts for everybody. He selected a kit of magical paints – the kind used to make wizarding portraits – for Dean, since he loved drawing and painting almost as much as messing around with music. He got Ron a book of songs for the guitar – the book actually played the song before going into the how-to of playing it yourself. When he was looking for something for Seamus, he noticed that though one had to be twenty-one to drink in the US and eighteen to drink in Britain, there was no posted age requirement to order a microbrewery kit. He grinned when he added it to the order form, recalling the numerous times Seamus had managed to make his goblet explode in the Great Hall, trying to turn his juice into something with more 'kick'. Neville would be receiving a pocket herbology guide that detailed the more rare plants as Harry was sure that his friend already knew all the common ones. For the twins, Harry ordered a mixed selection of muggle pranks and practical jokes as well as a whole case of multicolored Silly String. For his dad, he ordered a new bow for his fiddle and some resin. Dave would be getting a Braves jersey, and his mom would be getting a book on very simple magical herbal remedies that muggles could brew - the book had been written for squibs. He ordered a leather-bound volume of the collected works of Shakespeare for A.J. and a thick plush blanket for Nana. For Remus, he selected a stylish, gold, self-inking quill and a packet of parchment and envelopes. After getting the chance to meet and talk with his godfather, Sirius had joined in with writing letters to Harry. Harry was even treated to a display of his animagus transformation during Thanksgiving weekend. So when he saw the little stone figurine of a black dog that closely resembled Sirius' animagus form, Harry couldn't resist ordering it for him.
Hermione, though, was proving singularly hard to shop for. Harry knew she liked to study and read quite a bit, but other than that he wasn't sure what she enjoyed. He didn't want to get her a book; he had no idea what she already owned. It was three days before the start of the winter holidays when he saw her shivering her way through the hallways. Harry grinned and managed to bribe the twins into cornering her and getting some vital information for him. While George bombarded her with questions about how she thought two particular transfigurations would interact – 'Because McGonagall keeps telling everyone how you're a natural in her class,' – Fred snuck up behind her and checked the tag in the back of her robe. It cost Harry a future round of butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks, but he felt it was well worth it. He ordered Hermione a copy of her cloak that had permanent warming charms.
On the day before everyone was due to leave for the holidays, Harry noticed that Percy, Fred, George, and Ron signed up to stay at the school. "What's up, y'all? Though ya were goin' back to the Burrow for hols?"
"Change of plan," George said.
"Mum and Dad are going to Romania to visit our brother, Charlie," Fred finished.
Harry frowned before snapping his fingers as an idea hit. "I know! What if y'all came to my place for the holidays? I know Mom an' Dad won't mind. You, too, Percy."
"I really don't think –" Percy started, but Harry interrupted him.
"Silencio, por favor, mi hombre. Look, I'm sorry for what I said that first day before we took the train, but you were really bein' bossy. I understand you don't approve of rule-breakin', and with Gred and Forge as brothers, I can't say as I blame ya none. But, ya know, ya really need ta learn to loosen up a bit. Ben Franklin said it best, 'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.'"
Percy shook his head, "It's not that… Well, it is, but that wasn't what I was going to say. I just meant that Christmas is a time for family."
Harry grinned, "But, Percy, aren't friends the family you choose? That's what Dad always says." To the collected astonishment of Ron and the twins, Percy looked thoughtful. "Tell ya what, Perce, I'll make ya a deal. Iffen I promise not to deliberately get into trouble for the rest of the year, you'll agree to this little scheme of mine, an' try ta have fun while we're back home."
Percy thought about this for several minutes. Fred and George were mercifully silent during the entire process. Finally, Percy spoke. "You mean to say you will voluntarily leave the Slytherins alone? Not sneak off the grounds? Stop encouraging the twin terrors?"
Harry nodded solemnly, though how Percy knew about his trip to Hogsmeade he had no idea. "You've got my word on that. An' ya know my word is unbreakable – don't wanna get kicked outta the Scouts, after all." He grinned at the fifth year prefect.
Percy offered his hand, "You have yourself a deal – though I doubt that Mum and Dad will be so easy to convince."
Harry shook Percy's hand, smiling. "Oh, I dunno 'bout that. Mom can be pretty persuasive when she wants ta be."
Harry hurried to the headmaster's office to floo home. When he explained the situation, his mom smiled like she knew something he didn't, and said, "I'm sure we can find room for your friends, luz." Albus, for his part, was twinkling madly in the background the entire time. When Harry finished talking with his mom, the headmaster flooed Molly Weasley for Harry.
"Albus! This is a surprise. What have the twins done now?" Molly asked, answering the call.
"Good day, Molly. Please set your mind at ease – Fred and George are not the purpose behind my call today; I have someone else who wanted to speak with you," the headmaster replied before turning the call over to Harry.
"Howdy, ma'am. I'm a friend of Ron and the twins. My name's Harry Brewer," Harry smiled charmingly at the redheaded matron of the Weasley clan.
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Brewer," Molly replied. "Ron has written me about you."
"Hope it weren't nothin' too bad," Harry said.
Molly shook her head, "No. I understand you're responsible for Ron's interest in music?"
Harry nodded, "Yeah. I been teachin' him the guitar when we're not studyin' for class."
"Thank you for that, dear. I had wanted to make sure all my children were versed in an instrument, but with life being what it is, I never had the chance."
"Don't mention it, it's my pleasure," Harry replied. "To get down ta brass tacks, ma'am, I was callin' ta ask y'all a favor."
Molly chuckled a little at Harry's muggle turn of phrase. "And what can I do for you, Mr. Brewer?"
"Harry, please, ma'am. I learned that you an' Mr. Weasley will be goin' ta Romania ta visit y'all's son, Charlie, that right?"
Molly nodded, "That's correct. We will be taking our daughter, Ginerva, with us as well."
"That means Ron, Fred, George, and Percy will all hafta stay here over the hols, though."
"Yes, Harry. My husband was called to lecture on muggle technology at a conference not far from where Charlie works and we couldn't pass up the opportunity to see Charlie. I am wondering where you're going with this, though."
Harry grinned, "I just got done talkin' with Mom, an' she said that the boys are all welcome at our place over the hols. That is, if you agree."
"According to Ron's letters, your family lives in the States, is that right?" Molly asked, frowning a little at the thought of her sons being so far away.
Harry nodded, "That's right, ma'am. We live in southern Iowa."
"I don't know about this," Molly said, obviously ill-at-ease.
"How 'bout I give y'all Mom's floo address, so's y'all can talk with her 'bout it?" Harry offered.
"Perhaps that would be best," Molly acknowledged.
Harry scribbled the address down and slid it through the floo. "It's six hours earlier there, so you'll wanna call soon. Mom'll be leavin' for her store in about an hour."
"Thank you, Harry. I'll do just that," Molly replied, taking the slip of parchment. "I'll call in a few hours to let you know my decision."
"Thankee kindly, ma'am," Harry smiled again. "Iffen I don't get another chance, I hope you have a happy holiday."
"You as well, Harry."
The call ended and Harry thanked Dumbledore for the use of the floo. Before he was about to leave, Albus said, "You are not quite how I'd imagined you would be, Mr. Brewer."
Harry stopped and turned to face the headmaster. Though he knew the man was inherently a good soul, Harry had never gotten over the feeling that he wasn't quite as open or honest as the image he projected. "How'd ya imagine me, sir?"
Albus shook his head, "I'm not sure… Less self-assured, perhaps. A touch more childlike."
Harry chuckled, "Why's that, sir?"
"Most eleven year-old boys wouldn't think to offer up their home to not only their friends, but a family member of their friends' with whom they hadn't gotten along in the past."
Harry shrugged, "I don't really hold nothin' against Percy. He's a little stuck on rules, an' spends too much time studyin', but ev'ryone has their faults. We struck a deal – if he an' the rest of the Weasleys are allowed to stay at my place for the hols, an' he tries ta have fun while we're there, I'll not deliberately break any more rules. I'm hopin' he can unbend a little. If he don't learn that, he's gonna end up workin' himself ta death."
"That is what I mean, Harry," Albus said, gesturing for Harry to take a seat. "You're uncommonly mature for your age."
"Mayhap it's 'cause Mom never really treated me like a kid growin' up. Or 'cause my best friend is two years older than me. Or 'cause of somethin' in my genetics. Who knows? I'm just me, sir, an' I don't know no other way ta be."
Albus nodded thoughtfully, "How are your occlumency lessons with Professor Snape?"
Harry sighed, "They ain't goin' all that well. Just when I think I got it, finally, my brain kicks in again and I lose my concentration."
"Perhaps all you need is some more practice," Albus opened a jar of peanut brittle and offered it to Harry. Harry took a piece and crunched on it. "And your other classes?"
"You don't expect me ta believe you don't get progress reports from the teachers, do ya?" Harry grinned.
"I do get reports, Harry, but I was wondering about your personal view of the classes."
"Well… I don't much like History of Magic. Can't stay awake. I always found it kinda funny that a subject that should be really excitin' – what with all the wars an' battles an' whatnot – gets boiled down 'til it's completely dull. It ain't just Professor Binns, it's all the history books I've ever read; they all make history so dry an' boring, though Binns does make it worse. Doesn't he know how to change his tone of voice?"
Albus laughed heartily. He knew the downsides to all his professors, and, had Binns not been a tenured employee when he took over as headmaster, he would have replaced the professor long ago. "What of your other classes? I know you take top marks in Defense, as well as Potions. I have to admit your standing in Professor Snape's class was surprising."
Harry shrugged again. "DADA is one of those classes where I don't seem to hafta study all that much, an' a lot of it is common sense. Potions ain't all that different than cooking or helpin' Mom with the stuff for the store. The hardest part is rememberin' all the ingredients, but if I read about them, I'll remember. Dunno why, but iffen I read somethin', it tends ta stick in my head forever. I may not 'member where I read it, or when, but the info stays with me. That's prob'ly why I got skipped a couple of grades in elementary school."
"Likely," Albus replied. "What of your other lessons?"
"Well… The one I have the hardest time with is Charms, even though it's my favorite class. It's hard, but I think that's why I like it. Professor Flitwick is a really good teacher, too. He always explains ev'rythin' before we do it, an' makes sure we understand what we're tryin' ta do.
"I don't much see the need for Transfiguration, though it's easy enough. I mean, it even says in our books that transfigured items are never as good as the real thing, so why not just use the real thing? I can see how it'd come in handy in a pinch, like if you find yourself needin' a pair of scissors or a bucket temp'rarily, but I can't really picture that many times you'd need or want to transfigure a beetle into a button or an animal into a water glass."
"I suppose I can understand your point of view, Harry, but it is a useful skill to have. If you become proficient enough at transfiguring, you can work it into magical duels. For example, how effective would your opponent's dueling be if he suddenly found that his robes were made of stone? Or that his feet had suddenly sunk into a floor turned into mud?"
"Hmm… Never really thought of it like that before," Harry admitted. "I will say that turnin' into an animal sounds really cool, though."
"Ah, yes, the animagus transformation. Tell me, Harry, if you could pick any animal to turn into, what would it be?"
Harry thought for a few minutes, "Well… I really like flyin', be it on a broom or in my plane, but I dunno if I'd wanna be a bird. Most birds aren't really all that smart, an' Sirius told me that you think like your animal form when you're in that form, for the most part. Likewise, I don't think I'd wanna be a bug. I'd be too afraid of someone squishin' me accidentally. I wouldn't wanna be a fish or anythin' that had ta breathe water 'cause it wouldn't really be all that useful. I also wouldn't wanna be nothin' that was too big to fit in a house, like a horse or bull… So, I s'pose I'd wanna be somthin' small, but not too small, that was smart an' quick. Not a cat, though. Never really liked cats all that much."
Albus chuckled and offered the jar of peanut brittle again. "Well-reasoned, Harry," he said.
"Can I ask you somethin', sir?"
"Certainly."
"Are you an animagus like Sirius and Professor McGonagall?"
The headmaster smiled, "Yes, Harry, I am."
"What's your form?"
"I'm sure if you thought about it long enough, you would be able to uncover that," he replied.
Harry crunched his brittle thoughtfully for a few minutes, but had his train of thought interrupted by a chime from the floo. Albus got to his feet and answered it. It was Molly Weasley, calling to say that she'd talked with Aurilia and her husband, and had decided to give her permission for her children to stay with the Brewers for the holiday break.
When Harry went to leave to bring the good news to his friends, Albus stopped him, "I do hope we get the chance to chat again in the future, Harry."
Harry smiled, "Me too, sir." Some of his apprehension about the headmaster had dissipated with their conversation. He still felt that Dumbledore was holding out on him, but he figured he'd be more likely to get that hidden information if he and the headmaster were on friendly terms.
A/N2: The actual scene wherein Harry and Sirius meet for the first time was cut because I felt it way too syrupy after the last chapter. If you really want to read it, I'll post it into Bonus Features when I'm done posting this book.
In looking through my notes while working on Year Four, I have discovered that I've not yet named Harry's band. Anyone want to give it a shot? Small note on this - Hermione is doing the music thing as something to do, she's not a full-time member of the band.
