Time for my second Christmas story in this little batch...
Frost had fallen over the Hogwarts grounds, giving the entire campus the feel of almost a vast iceberg, albeit one with trees and buildings inexplicably sticking up from beyond the immediate surface.
It was really quite peaceful.
There were bound to be some people who didn't appreciate the wintry weather, though, and that person came in the form of Ron.
"Why the bloody hell does it have to be so cold during the winter?" Ron grumbled, rubbing his un-mittened hands together in an effort to warm them up. He, Harry, and Hermione were walking out to Care of Magical Creatures class, which was (regrettably) still outdoors.
Hagrid's giant blood obviously helped him ward off the cold.
"If you would wear your mittens like any sane person would," Hermione retorted, "maybe you wouldn't be so cold."
"I told you, I left them in my room. Though, a more accurate statement would be that I couldn't find them this morning-"
"No doubt you couldn't! Your area is an absolute pigsty, from what I hear-"
"Oh, and just because yours is absolutely perfect, like you..."
They continued on like this until they came to Hagrid's hut, then they had to hush up because they were late to class ("No thanks to Ronald," was Hermione's comment).
"...this year," Hagrid was saying. "Just because, well, I figured you all would want a bit of a change from the normal humdrum of Christmas."
The three settled in by the back of the group, waving at Neville, who was already returning the gesture.
"Now that we've got everyone in agreement-"
"Um, sir," Harry began, raising his hand tentatively, "what exactly are you referring to?"
"Ah right, I forgot you three came in late. Well, Harry, this year, our class is doing a Secret Santa game. Basically, that's where we draw names and we give a gift to someone in the class. You don't tell them who you are, though, 'til after all the gifts have been given.
"This time, though, we're doing it differently. We aren't going to limit it to just our classmates, though if you want to choose one of them, you're certainly most welcome to. I'm going to allow you to pick anyone in the school, to give your Secret Santa gift to. Plus, I've already extended the offer to my other classes, so maybe you'll get something from them, as well as your fellow classmates."
Apparently, the rest of the class had already agreed to do it, because no further word was mentioned about it. Instead, Hagrid just launched right into the lesson. At least they would not have to worry about the cold- they were working with the Blast-Ended Skrewts that day...
---
After much thought, Harry had figured out what he'd wanted to get his Secret Santa for Christmas. There had been a visit to Hogsmeade not too long beforehand, and he'd found just the thing for his person.
Now, he thought as he snuck down the hallway to place the gift under their House's Christmas tree, all I have to do is wait...
---
Christmas morning came with a sudden urgency, and Harry awoke almost before everyone else. Neville was already awake, though he was always up before everyone else. He certainly didn't expect Ron to be up, either...
When he came down to the Christmas tree, though, he was surprised to see that his initial estimate had been wrong, and that almost the entire House was already awake- Ron included.
When Ron saw him, he lit up, and motioned for Harry to come down.
"You got one," he mouthed.
Harry was puzzled. "Got one, what?"
"A Secret Santa gift, silly," Hermione replied.
Harry was even more puzzled now; he certainly hadn't expected to get something. The Dursley's had long since stopped sending him presents, and he couldn't think of anyone else who had to actually send it in via the owl mail service...
Someone picked up Harry's present and tossed it to him; he caught it, and looked down at it.
"No gift tag..." he muttered, "so no way to tell who it's from."
He ripped the wrapping off, and was quite surprised as to what he found.
"it's a necklace..." Harry whispered.
"Yeah, but look what it's got on it," Ron said, pointing down. "It's a Golden Snitch."
Indeed, there was a mini-sized Snitch dangling from the center of the chain. Harry looked over at Ron, but before he could even get a word out, Ron spoke up: "And no, I did not get it for you. I just saw it when you took it out."
The rest of the present-opening commenced, and Harry got quite a few other things, but in all honesty... he liked his necklace the best.
Not that he would actually admit that to anyone...
---
Later on that morning, all the students gathered in the Great Hall for breakfast. Before Harry could enter, though, someone tapped on his shoulder. He turned around, and smiled.
"Hello, Luna."
Indeed, Luna was standing behind him, her usual serene smile gracing her lovely face.
"Hello, Harry. Did you have a good night?"
Harry nodded. "Do you want to see what I got today?" He showed her the necklace, allowing it to glitter in the incoming sunlight.
"It looks lovely," Luna commented.
"I agree, I really like it." He slipped it around his neck and almost effortlessly clasped it shut.
"What did you get, Luna?" he asked.
In response, Luna took out a snowglobe, complete with a snowman in the front yard of the house- a house that looked oddly rook-shaped...
"It's perfect. I think the house looks quite like my own, don't you think?"
"I do," Harry replied. "Any idea on who you think gave it to you?"
Luna almost didn't respond, but then she said, "I have an idea of who I want it to be."
"Who?"
Luna leaned in and planted a kiss on Harry's cheek, before turning around to leave. As she did, she called out to him: "You guess!"
Yup, that's it. Hope you liked it!!!