Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter characters.
West of Here
Chapter Fourteen: Gifts from the heart
Christmas morning dawned cool and bright and the castle was filled with the sounds of celebration as if the entire world was holding its breath in the hopes of a peaceful holiday without the threat of more war and death.
Harry ate a hearty, albeit late, having slept in until late. His appetite could put Ron's to shame as he ate with gusto, seemingly oblivious to the celebrating around him though he did return the occasional pleasantry when prompted. He seemed focused or more properly-driven as he plowed through his food as if he were fueling up for a planned expenditure that would require a great deal of energy.
Harry appeared indifferent to the wary glances of the female population that favored walking around him at what they considered a safe distance. The Locuta were suspiciously absent from the mid-day celebrating as they were currently guarding the castle grounds per Harry's request, eager to make amends for his past treatment by their tribe as a whole.
Finally full and satisfied, Harry rose and searched out the first of several individuals to which he'd planned for a special holiday surprise.
He knocked gently at the door he was unceremoniously dispatched from only last evening, bracing himself for the unpleasant reaction his presence would have on the resident within.
The door opened a crack, but upon seeing the caller's identity it slammed closed in his face without even so much as an accompanying scathing acknowledgement.
He sighed wearily as it was both more and less that what he'd expected. He would have expected a verbal comeuppance that would have left his ears ringing through Boxing Day at the very least.
He waited a bit to give the occupant a chance to cool down before knocking softly again. In truth, he was hoping she'd think he'd left and that someone else was currently entreating her. His gambit paid off as the professor opened her door just a tad more trustfully, giving him the opportunity to slam his booted foot in the jam to keep from having the door barred in his face once again.
A brief struggle ensued before the professor gave up and opened the door.
She glared challengingly as she offered a scathing…."Am I to have no peace even on Christmas from your sordid antics, Mr. Potter?" his named rolled off her lips distastefully in a formal manner that spoke volumes for just how welcome his presence currently was.
He winced at the cool rebuff. "I come in peace." He tried to reassure, holding his hands up in a show of sincerity which she harrumphed suspiciously to before suggesting rather impolitely to…
"You're about to leave in pieces if you think to embarrass me again with more of your disturbing pranks at my expense?" The threat was backed up by her opening the door fully, revealing that her other hand held her wand at the ready.
Harry smirked appreciatively as he would have expected nothing less from such a formidable witch.
"I've come to make amends and offer a peace offering in keeping with the spirit of the holiday." He emphasized the word spirit meaningfully though she didn't catch on to the reference.
"If you think I'm about to let you into my private quarters so that you can cause more mayhem than you've got another thing coming, Mr. Potter." She warned him, fingering her wand suggestively.
Harry smirked again. He couldn't blame her as he wouldn't trust himself either if the tables were turned.
"I ask…" he paused in his response to plead her forbearance. "I plead with you to give me a last chance. Can you find it in your heart to give me a the one opportunity to prove my troth? I know someone who's dying to meet you and I sort of promised that I'd arrange a visit this Christmas." he suggested, emphasizing the word dying this time.
"I can't imagine who as all my remaining friends are currently residing within the safety of the castle and what family I had has long since passed…Ah!"
Minerva McGonagal's reply was cut off by a gasp of surprise as Harry hand shot out and clamped around her forearm and the world around them blurred out of focus.
She had the sense of moving an immense distance without having taken a single step. The two emerged in a snow swept park with young couples skating on a frozen pond or walking arm in arm along cobbled sidewalks as a gentle snow swirled around them.
The first thing Minerva McGonagal registered was that she felt pleasantly warm despite the weather, the second thing was….
"T-This is where…?" she began, her aged eyes goggling in sudden recognition.
"Hello, my love." A warm male voice greeted from the side.
Minerva's head swiveled around like a bolt of lightning. "Edgar?"
The man nodded to his wife that it was indeed him. "Do you remember this place?" he asked pointedly.
Minerva nodded, not daring to trust her voice as her much older eyes drank in the sight of her deceased husband standing before her young and strong in the park and timeline when he first proposed to her so many years ago. Edgar had perished in the war with Grindlewald, barely a handful of years after they were married. They had hoped to start a family once the war was over, but fate had squelched those happy plans as Edgar had died during the final battle of that horrific war.
"Thank you, Harry." Edgar acknowledged her all but forgotten companion's efforts in their behalf.
"My pleasure." Harry tipped his hat. "I'll give you as long as I can, Merry Christmas."
Minerva never registered the warm kiss Harry had pressed to her cheek, before he departed to give the couple their privacy, her full attention remained riveted on the longed for vision of the man standing before her.
Finally her legs found the strength and she all but flew into the waiting arms of her beloved husband, finding them as warm and inviting as she'd ever remembered. Tears of joy fell from eyes as she peppered his smiling face with soft kisses as he murmured reassurances that he was really here and that she wasn't dreaming as she feared. They shared a few precious hours sharing kisses and gentle reassuring touches as they reminisced before Harry returned and apologized that it was time for he and Minerva to depart. The couple shared a last, passionate kiss of farewell, before her husband passed a tearful Minerva into Harry's keeping.
The world blurred around them and Minerva found herself standing back in the doorway of her private quarters, the clock on the hallway wall only registering a few minutes later than previous.
"I'm sorry I couldn't give you more time." Harry apologized, thinking her tears were those of sadness and regret.
His fears were dispelled when the professor pulled him into a rib cracking hug, murmuring a heartfelt. "You've given me a gift beyond priceless, Harry. I shall never forget this immense kindness, never." she promised sincerely, her eyes shimmered with happy tears barely held in check.
Harry eventually pulled back, extraditing himself from her grasp with a lopsided grin. "I have a feeling that sentiment will be forgotten the next time I show up unannounced during one of your showers."
"Why you nasty little…!" she swatted angrily at the man who beat a hasty retreat his laugh echoing back to her as he fled the area, ducking and weaving to avoid the several hexes aimed at his backside.
Once he'd made the safety of rounding the corner out of sight, he sighed in relief. "Some people just don't do holidays, I recon?"
With that thought in mind he made a trip down to the dungeon office of Severus Snape. A quick pound at the door and Snape's sneering visage appeared in the cracked open door. He hadn't really expected the potion master to be any less cautious than McGonagal, but at least she had good reason. His trepidation was fostered by years of well-earned animosity toward all students, save Slytherins, in general.
He was reaping a lifestyle of caution and suspicion that he had sown by his own uncaring actions to the contrary.
"Merry Christmas" Harry announced holding out his hand in a trusting, let bygones be bygones fashion.
Though initially shocked, Severus Snape cautiously took the man's hand thinking the holiday spirit had addled his once nemesis' wits.
The world blurred around the two and Severus found himself now locked in the gaze of the green eyes that haunted his every waking moment, preying on his insecurities and heightening his self-loathing over a moment of jealous impulsivity that had destroyed three lives, one of which he had cared about more than the rest of the entire world's all together.
Harry left Snape in the care of his mother's spirit, agreeing that despite any misgivings he harbored, it was past time to let the man know some measure of peace as his many years of risking his life in spying for the Order had long since paid for his past transgressions.
Harry chuckled darkly at the irony that maybe Christmas was indeed the season of forgiveness as it was proclaimed.
His own thoughts received more proof to the pudding when he returned an hour later to find Snape being comforted in the arms of his own mother while Harry's mother looked on fondly a respectful distance away. He sidled up next to his mother, murmuring a soft Merry Christmas in greeting, not wishing to disturb the serenity of the scene before them.
His mother turned toward him and with teary eyes proclaimed, "I can never thank you enough for giving him,.. giving us this opportunity to make amends."
That said, she kissed her only son softly, reverently on the forehead murmuring a gentle "Merry Christmas" of her own in return. After a quiet moment or two, Harry asked something he always wandered…
"Do you guys have like a Christmas dinner or anything, I mean.. do you even eat?"
Lily nodded; as she watched Snape and his mother say their goodbyes. "I'm making all of your Dad's favorites.
Harry snorted at that. "Can't be much of a cook, skinny as he is?"
Lily cast he son a sideways knowing glance as she quipped in return." Your dad wasn't skinny because of my cooking, Harry." Lily suggested pointedly with a leer.
"Áchhh, Gaa..!" Harry dry heaved. "Oh lordy,.. I can't get the image outta my head…."
He shot his smugly grinning mother a look of disgust as he stumbled away hurriedly to collect Snape while Lily silently congratulated herself on finally getting a one up on her smart aleck son.
Harry haltingly ate a lighter lunch than he'd planned, still not trusting his stomach. Despite her trepidation, Hermione noted her friend's sudden loss of appetite and in a moment of compassion, she threw caution to the wind and asked after his welfare.
"Are you alright, Harry?"she pressed in concern.
Harry shook his head as he pushed back from the table. "I..I'm all crawly inside. I think maybe I better go see Madam Pomfrey?"
That admonition alone had alarm bells going off in Hermione's head. The fact that Harry Potter was actually seeking medical help was beyond telling in the severity of the situation. Hermione instantly appeared at his side shouldering his weight and guiding him from the Great Hall as quickly as was prudent without over taxing her friend as onlookers whispered worriedly in their passing.
They hadn't made it halfway to the stair case when the world blurred and Hermione gasped in surprise, thinking they'd somehow stepped into another dimension as the world seemed to turn grey around her before the landscape began to fade into being and she recognized her parent's home shimmering into a new reality around her.
"What in the world….?"
"Merry Christmas Hermione, luv" a voice, she'd thought she would never hear again, announced.
Hermione barely registered Harry seemingly recovered and stepping away as she turned to find her dead parents waiting expectantly for her arrival at the foyer of their home.
"Mum…? " she gasped in disbelief as her rational minds tried to explain away this phenomena.
"Daddy!" she crowed delightedly as she ran into her parent's outstretched arms forgetting all logic and silently thanking any greater power with an ear to listen for this unbelievable gift. Harry spared a moment to appreciate the reunion, Hermione's mother catching his eye briefly to mouth a silent thank you, to which he tipped his hat in acknowledgement before leaving to arrange his next planned reunions.
Harry collected Hermione, who was beside herself to say the least. Hermione's dad passed his sobbing daughter to Harry who immediately latched onto him like a lifeline. She never registered their return to the land of the living. She was so overcome by her emotions and Harry was so clearly at a loss on how to comfort her that he immediately passed her on to her concerned friends, shrugging helplessly by way of an explanation as to reason for her state.
He wanted to take a moment to relax and catch his wind, but Hermione's breakdown and the reason thereof would undoubtedly spread like fiendfyre, which allowed him little if any time to present his surprise to the next three parties he'd planned to reunite with lost family .
With that in mind and knowing Hermione's emotional state would soon alert the Weasley matriarch , Harry set off to collect Mr. and Mrs. Weasly before Molly could go into full protective "mother bear" mode. He arrived at the Gryffindor-Head boy suite that housed the Weasley parents and knocked gently on the frame of Godric Gryffindor, himself, sadly not a magical painting as he would greatly enjoy a conversation with his original head of house.
Molly answered the door, immediately grabbing him up in a rib cracking hug in greeting. Mr. Weasley was close on her heels patting their seventh son's shoulder affectionately.
Finally allowed a moment to breath; he quickly removed his hat and apologized for his manners. "Sorry,.. I just wanted to wish you two a Merry Christmas and with that in mind I have a surprise for you."
Molly's face blanched slightly. "I'm sorry, Harry but with the war and everything, Arthur and I have had no opportunity to get any of the children gifts this year and with poor Charlie and Percy…oh…" Molly broke down snuffling softly, Arthur reached around her shoulder and pulled her against himself supportively until she quieted while Harry watched on.
"I was expecting anything, but this isn't that sort of gift." He soothed trying to allay their discomfort.
"W-What then?" Molly snuffled softly as she struggled to pull herself back together.
"Do you both trust me?" Harry asked gently, but with a note of uncertainty.
"Of course we do." Arthur immediately responded without a second thought, his wife nodding her agreement along with him.
Harry held out a hand to each. "Then take my hands as there's a fair few people who are eager to see you."
"But who could possibly…?" Molly began to question, but the world blurred around her and she found herself and her husband standing in front of the Burrow, only it wasn't bitter cold out but actually quite comfortable despite the snowy landscape.
"Mother?" a too polite voice asked from behind with a "Dad?" from a deeper and all too familiar second voice inquiring right after.
"Percy! Charlie!" Molly shrieked extending her arms as she ran latch on to her two dead sons.
Arthur held back, planting his hand on Harry's shoulder gratefully as he stammered his thanks.
Harry nodded, instructing almost apologetically that… "I can't hold the both of you here for very long, but I'll give you all the time I can."
"It'll be enough,.. even if just this moment,.. it'll be enough, H-Harry." Mr. Weasley cajoled gratefully, his voice catching before he joined his wife and two sons.
The drain on his magic and strength was greater than even Harry could sustain as he'd never spirited so many across in a single day, let alone hold four together on this side. For him alone the expenditure was barely noticeable, but the strain increased exponentially with every soul he added to the equation.
Despite his waning reserves, he took it upon himself to do the thing one, or in this case-two, better.
He returned about twenty minutes later with a pair of identical, if more mature, twins in tow.
"Is this a private party?"
"Or can anyone join in?" his twin added in the same unique version of twin speak that the Weasley twins were noted for.
"Fabian…Gideon?!" Molly shrieked excitedly grabbing up her twin brothers in a crushing hug as the two brothers laughed heartily.
Arthur had barely had a chance to pump his brother-in-law's hands in greeting before a sweating and trembling Harry was forced to intervene.
"I'm sorry, but I.. I c-can't hold us here any l-longer."he tremulously apologized.
A concerned Molly immediately forgot all else and grabbed up Harry, who smiled wanly trying to reassure the woman whilst her husband hugged his two son's a last fond good bye.
Harry began to shake from the strain and the landscape shook and shimmered around them as Molly held out her hand beckoning her husband. "Come Arthur." she demanded worriedly, her concern over Harry's wellbeing taking priority.
Arthur joined them, but Molly was able to get out a last "Be good-all of you" before Harry released his hold on the spirit world. She never got to see both her sons, and brothers, roll their eyes at her admonishment.
They found themselves back in the Gryffindor Head Boy suite. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had barely registered their return when Harry fell to one knee and emptied his stomach on the floor of their room.
Mrs. Weasley's wand was in her hand in a trice and she vanished the sick with a mother's experienced disregard before turning all her attention on her exhausted charge.
Harry immediately waved off her concern, mumbling out Snape's name and a request for pepper ups and nutrient potions. Arthur immediately left to see to the potion master's assistance as Molly worriedly shouldered Harry into a squashy armchair by the fire.
She began fussing over him, much to his chagrin which she dispelled with a firm if kind lecture. "There's no shame in being cared for when you're ill, Harry. That's what friends and family's do for each other. It's as much for our sake as it is for yours." She softly placed a hand over his perspiring forehead, gentling it down to his cheek where she held his uncertain gaze. "Let yourself be loved, Harry, because there are so many who truly wish to do so."
Molly's breath caught in her throat and she would remember this moment to her dying day as one of the most tender and poignant she had ever beheld. His face was literally a collage of heartrending emotions before a single tear rolled down from his eye, wetting the back of her hand as she held his face reassuringly and bent down to plant a soft kiss on his forehead.
"What you did for Arthur and I today will never, ever be forgotten. No mother could ask for a more treasured gift from their child, but you overdue Harry, you always have and I'll not have you risking yourself in such a fashion again. No mother worth her salt would ever sacrifice one child's wellbeing for another and that's just what you almost did today."
Harry began to lull, but came round when Arthur barged back in not with just a few potions, but the potion master himself and half his stock cradled in his arms. In a surprise show of concern, Severus immediately ran his wand over Harry, while Mrs. Weasley, gently, if firmly held him down by a shoulder allowing him to proceed unfettered by Harry's legendary stubbornness.
Snape clicked his tongue in disapproval whilst mumbling incredulously, "Magical and physical exhaustion, no surprise there." He immediately pushed a nutrient and strengthening potion toward Harry which Molly Weasly grabbed up before he could even think to refuse the offer, making him drink the foul concoctions which he did without the slightest hesitation in a rare show of trust on Snape's part as he never sniffed before swallowing to satisfy himself that what he was ingesting was genuine.
"I n-need a couple of pepper up potions to get me back on my f-feet." Harry asked tiredly, hating the way his voice broke with the effort.
"Certainly not." Snape scoffed. "What you need is rest and a lot of it." He lectured.
"B-But it's C-Christmas… Luna and the head m-master..?" He pleaded as if that explained everything, and it did, at least to Molly Weasley. She didn't know about Albus' particular circumstances, only that he had a sister who died very young and his mother soon after. Luna though? Luna had lost her beloved mother and she understood with a gasp what Harry intended, inferring from her own priceless gift of only minutes ago that he was going to reunite mother and daughter.
Knowing him only too well, she beseeched of the balking potion master. "Perhaps a few hours of rest, just to regain his strength enough so he can make a short trip or two, but just quick ones?" she chided her charge sternly, to which he gratefully nodded his agreement.
Snape caught the inference in Molly's lecture, knowing what Harry yet intended and his stance softened dramatically, his eyes suspiciously moist for one so jaded.
"Maybe a half dreamless sleep potion?" he suggested, proffering the vial toward Mrs. Weasley, though Harry reached out to collect the vial before she could. With a grateful nod to the potion master; he drank the potion without complaint or hesitation. Harry immediately drifted off and Molly levitated him to their bed and covered him with a thick comforter, tucking him in with a fond and well-practiced ease of one who'd done so on countless occasions for others.
Mr. Weasley notice Snape's intense reaction to Harry's intentions and hesitantly took a chance to compare notes as it were.
"He took us to see our sons and Molly deceased brothers." He stated bluntly, adding.."I take it by your reaction he did something similar for you, Severus?" Half expecting the potion master to sneer at most or at the very least bluster a feigned ignorance of Arthur's inquiry, Mr. Weasley was warmly surprised by the man's candor in return.
"He gave me something I've never known." Snape returned with no little awe in his voice.
"What's that?" Arthur asked intrigued.
"Peace of mind." Snape replied, sighing gratefully as Arthur smiled on at that thought.
Harry slept through the early afternoon and woke in time to struggle upward and make his way haltingly to the Great Hall where he proceeded to wolf down half the snacks from mid-day's tea. His voracious appetite could make even Ron blush in embarrassment.
Once, finally satiated, Harry immediately went off in search of Luna before others could petition him for assistance as undoubtedly the uniqueness of his Christmas gifts were the talk of the castle by now. It wasn't that he didn't want to help everyone and anyone reach some form of resolution in their personal lives and losses; it was just that he had only so much magical energy to spare and that he was giving precedence to those closest to him, that and honoring requests specifically made previously from those on the other side.
Luna's mother ached to reconnect with her wounded child and Harry would move heaven and earth to make it so for both their sakes.
Luna, as all the rest of his once closest friends, was very precious to him.
He found Luna enjoying a bit of time with Ginny and Neville, good company to be sure.
A quiet hush of anticipation fell over the threesome on his approach, each hoping and perhaps even dreading that Harry was seeking them out as word had spread like wildfire and everyone knew about Harry's exceptional Christmas gifts.
Neville and Ginny held their breath, save Luna, of course. She knew as she always did why he'd come and who he'd in particular he'd come to offer it to.
Harry offered Ginny and Neville a wan smile of near apology as he was sure that Ginny would appreciate seeing her brothers as much as her parents did their sons. Just as Neville might appreciate seeing his parents whole again, as they had died when Voldemort took over St. Mungo's and purged the hospital of those he deemed a waste of effort.
Neville's parents had asked after their son, when last he'd had an unguarded moment to spare on the other side. He was saddened to deny them, but he knew he was stretching his limits dangerously so already. They understood, of course, the dead were all just that-understanding, but still, he wished he could give more, especially for a friend as steadfast and loyal as Neville.
He held out a slightly tremulous hand to Luna, who took it with a bit of concern etched in her otherwise aloof countenance, reassured slightly by a shrug of non-concern from Harry and a murmured…. "Don't worry over me, it'll pass in short order, always does." To Ginny, he offered a simple greeting of "Merry Christmas" which she immediately returned along with a heartfelt expression of gratitude for what he'd done in behalf of her parents this morning.
Harry nodded his appreciation before telling Neville. "Merry Christmas, Neville… from both of them." He expressed pointedly.
Neville's face shot up at that, hardly daring to hope.
"That… and well… your mother she… " Harry broke off stammering in embarrassment as he pulled off his Stetson and, before he could change his mind, he blushingly gave Neville a peck on the head, per his mother's request.
Neville blushed and thanked his friend and before Harry good get out of reach, he found his Gryffindor courage and kissed Harry on the cheek asking him to return the favor, whilst Ginny giggled next to the two.
Harry scowled at Ginny, both for her response and to warn her off before making the same overtures. He made to leave and grumbled something about being "stuck playing cupid" as he collected a smiling Luna and escorted her down the hallway, neither hearing the gasp from their two friends as they faded from existence before their eyes.
"Wow" Ginny commented in awe to which Neville added, "That goes for most things Harry Potter related, past or present."
Ginny nodded her head in agreement to that sentiment as both still stared at the spot where their two friends stepped into the afterlife.
Luna's visit was something she would relish to her dying day when it would become a matter of indifference as she would be reunited with her loved ones eternally thereafter. Mother and daughter shared all the things a mother and daughter should in the short time that Harry had provided them, along with tender touches and heartfelt kisses that warmed each other's very souls well enough to sustain them until they were reunited in future. Luna's mother told her daughter how very proud she was of her and of her choice in Neville as her future husband. She also took a few last hurried moments to pass along a request from the dead, just as the rest of those Harry had ferried across during today's holiday had been advised.
That message was simple, but heartfelt: to trust and honor him always, for Harry was as much a gift to the dead as he was the living. He was for them a light in the darkness. He was for the world- a message of hope. It went without saying that they collectively wished he could be protected at any and all times, but for Harry- that was impossible. Harry lived a dangerous lifestyle that he embraced and neither would he readily accept any help to lessen said risk, nor would he cease in his endeavors.
Luna's mother's eyes went out of focus just like her daughters were want to do, as the spirit looked off into the distance as if seeing Harry from afar.
Her voice took on a hollow, serious tone when next she spoke, belying her vacant expression.
"He is a hard man, Luna. He lives a hard life, too hard by half. A prouder nor more stubborn male of the species you will never find, but for all that there is a kindness and generosity of spirit that is breathtaking in its magnitude. Case in point: he is literally killing himself today to provide a privileged few this rarest of opportunities."
Luna gasped in worry for her friend and was about to turn and call out into the ether for Harry, but her mother held her fast and shushed her daughter.
"He will return shortly and he would deny any discomfort or weariness whether it was written on his face or not. Proud, remember?" her mother scoffed, to which Luna nodded her understanding.
"Love him, Luna. You and all of your many wonderful friends... love him. He is easy to love despite all his outrageous antics and harsh bluster. He has done far too long without and he thinks he's forgotten how, but none with that sort of courage know anything but." Luna was nodding agreement with her mother when Harry stepped out of the void and apologetically informed them that he and Luna needed to depart.
He marveled a last time at how alike mother and daughter were when they said their goodbyes. Luna was the younger image of her mother, but for all that her mother had the same timeless, impish quality that Luna possessed. Surprising him, Luna's mother grasped his arm when she passed over her precious daughter to his keeping.
Her pale blue eyes were moist with unshed tears as she gratefully thanked for his priceless gift.
"I have no words that can adequately express the depth of my profound thanks, Harry Potter."
Harry patted her hand with his empty one. "You just did and a nicer Christmas gift I couldn't ask for myself than the happiness I see within the two of you. Merry Christmas, ma'am." Harry tipped his hat and started to leave, before mother blurted out a last.
"Take care of my Luna, please?"
Harry grinned knowingly, before allaying her worries. "More than likely it'll be the other way around, but I'll keep an eye out until she's properly hitched, after that Neville's stuck with the little sprite, lord help him."
Both mother and daughter giggled at the truth in that statement as Harry and Luna returned to the castle, mere moments from the time when he and Luna first vanished.
"Did you forget something?" Ginny asked at seeing her two friend's abrupt return, but Neville could tell by the look of contentment on his fiancé's face that something wonderful had already transpired. Luna burst into a quick summary of the wonderful adventure she'd just been on.
Taking it as a good time for his departure, Harry staggered slightly on leaving, but quickly righted himself, fending off a worried grasping from Luna and murmuring a quick and falsely reassuring "Loose boot heel, is all."
The worried look exchanged between Luna and the others when his back was turned spoke volumes in that they knew he was pushing himself beyond his limits and much as it was appreciated, they would rather he not risk himself.
Harry made his way quietly down to the dungeon office of the resident potion master. The man immediately answered his door, sans his usual billowing robes, wearing a very comfortable looking fisherman's wool sweater, grey slacks, slippers and a sifter of brandy swirling in his grasp.
"I,…I'm sorry,.." Harry began sheepishly forgetting the day. "to disturb you holiday relaxation, please excuse me." He made to depart, but Severus stopped him with a concerned grasp to the younger man's forearm, halting his departure.
"No, please come in, ." the potion master invited without his usual sneering abruptness, surprising the both of them by his politeness where Harry Potter was concerned.
The reason for that was quite simple: Harry's gift had affected the spiteful, reclusive man, and had affected him profoundly so.
Severus poured his visitor a drink of the brandy without asking first, commenting rather politely apologetic that, "It's nothing special, but still pleasantly satisfying and warms the spirit."
Harry gratefully accepted the glass passed to him, surprised even further when Severus offered a toast.
"Your health and the holiday, sir."
After a sip and a nod from Harry in gratitude, Severus took the initiative. "Now then, I assume it is your health that warrants this unexpected, but still not unwanted visit this fine Christmas day?"
Harry nodded, appreciating the man's candor. "I need two pepper ups and a strengthening potion."
"What you need is rest." The man chastised pointedly in return before acquiescing reluctantly. "But since you'll proceed undaunted and heedless of my recommendation, the requested potions it is."
He excused himself and went into his private office, returning momentarily with the requested potions.
He made a last weary pitch as he handed over the medicine in that; "Your mother will not thank me for this." Harry paused, his first of the potions poised at his lips as he pulled a disgruntled face.
"That was a low blow." He scoffed.
Severus nodded his agreement. "I know, but Lilly said I'm to utilize any means necessary if it gets you to take better care of yourself."
Harry snorted at that before downing his first potion. "Enlisted you to be my new nursemaid did she?"
"No, your new godfather." He returned bluntly, pulling a grin of his own when Harry coughed and sputtered, nearly bringing up the potion he'd just downed.
"S-Sirius okay with that?" he stammered between coughing jags.
"It was his idea, and with your father's blessing I might add." The potion master returned with a curled lip of predatory anticipation like a lion descending on a fresh kill.
"To bastard, marauders." Harry saluted in toast before downing the last of his brandy, Severus doing the same, embracing the sentiment with a grin of amusement at the younger man's expense.
He waited until Harry was half way through his third potion before reiterating. "It wasn't just a prank as they were all quite Sirus about me taking on this sacred responsibility."
Ack..gaaaa.. phhhthwooo!" Harry coughed and sputtered before spitting out the remains of the strengthening potion. He threw Severus Snape a filthy look in parting before beating a hasty retreat.
Harry didn't get far in his frenzied flight from the potion master's suite before a strange sound halted him in his tracks. It took him a moment before he was able to discern the strange sound as it was something not before heard within the walls of the castle: Snape's booming laughter.
A shudder of revulsion later and Harry redoubled his efforts to get as far away from Snape as possible, now for very different reasons than those of previous.
It was nearing suppertime when Harry arrived at the Headmaster's office wondering just what the man occupied his time what with the limited classes they were running for the few underage refugees occupying the castle during Voldemort's siege of Great Britain. What he expected was the headmaster to be pouring through some obscure tomes of lost magic, what he found was the man relaxing by the fire with a glass of port and reading the Dickens' classic of "A Christmas Carol".
"Ah, Harry…" he tipped his glass in greeting, eyes twinkling merrily. "I always read a "Christmas Carol" this time of year, though my favorite by far is still "A tale of two cities", of Dickens' wonderful classics."
"I thought I'd find you pouring over some lost magical lore or some such." Harry vented his surprise.
"Everyone seems to think that way, yes. In my youth I delved deep into such pursuits, but as one grows older and wiser, the charms of a warm fire and a favorite story are hard to pass up compared to a drafty library and technical journals that strain the eyes and cloud the mind. They all pale however to entertaining with good friends on a quiet snowy night."
Harry nodded. "Are we good friends then, ya think? We were once, I thought, but we started out on shaky ground this last time around."
Albus sighed regretfully, though his eyes still sparkled no less invitingly. "Alas, I was too set in my misguided ways and antiquated notions of chivalry from a by gone age. I've come to realize, as all wizened old fools should, the error of my ways. When I fought my war with Grindlewald I did so more ruthlessly than I allowed myself to remember. No quarter was given in our final duel and none was wanted, for that matter. Wars are a harsh, nasty business that are best dealt with by cool precision, rather than outdated ideals of honor and fair play. There is no honor to be had on a battlefield, only death and plenty of it lest all you hold dear comes to ruin. My time has passed; this war is for younger, more cunning men that are more equal to the task. I can but offer a word or two of advice and help if and when I can to ease the load, the rest I leave into your more than capable hands as I quickly came to learn by your solid example. I am humbled by the man you've become Harry." At this Harry watched stunned to speechlessness by the Headmaster's compliment as the headmaster saluted him with his glass before draining its contents.
"I..I don't know what to say?" Harry returned at a loss.
"Say what you came to say, or should I say, do what you've come here to do." The headmaster suggested with a slight look of apprehension, his fingers brushing over the book in his lap poignantly as he considered his choice in reading material for its subconscious connotations.
"You know why I'm here then?" Harry surmised.
Dumbledore smiled knowingly, if not sadly as he referenced his reading material. "I was just thinking of the irony of my choice in reading material this evening. I cannot help but empathize with Ebenezer Scrooge when he addresses the ghost of Christmas yet to come by proclaiming: "Dear specter I fear you most of all". Like Scrooge I both fear why you have come and who you intend to take me to see, but like the ghost of Christmas yet to come,.. "I know you are here to do me good, so lead on good spirit." That said, Dumbledore extended his aged hand toward Harry who took it and the world blurred around them.
Albus and Harry emerged in front of a cobbled pathway that led to a pale yellow cottage nestled amongst oak trees with squirrels scrabbling about in search of nuts as birds sang down happily from the branches overhead.
"My…home…?" Albus Dumbledore gasped reverently as his eyes drank in his childhood home. "T-This is where I grew up. Where my…"
A call from the door, as it opened, silenced him to shocked surprise. "Albus?" a woman's voice called out.
"M-Mum…?" Albus started moving toward the beckoning door that a tall blonde woman and a younger, even lovelier version of herself stepped through onto the stoop beckoning him with open arms.
"Anya!" Albus cried out excitedly, recognizing his younger sister, the three collapsing against the stair railing, locked in a three way hug of tears and murmured heartfelt exclamations of longing.
Harry nodded to the tall woman as she chanced a look over her son's head and smiled brilliantly in gratitude. Feeling melancholic he went off for a brief visit to his own mother while he had the chance, hoping to sample her cooking and not find her and his father otherwise engaged..
Both mothers were exceedingly grateful for the opportunity as they imparted such to their sons many times. Harry couldn't remember his first Christmas with his parents, though however brief this one was, it still was among the best he would ever remember from this day forward.
A few sparse hours later, Harry and Albus returned to the dying embers of his office fire, feeling more warm than either had ever felt prior despite the chill creeping in from the cold castle stonework around them.
Dumbledore looked fifty years younger, which was still old for even a wizard, but on him he wore the look well; the image of one at peace with himself. The hug of gratitude he pulled Harry into could rival one of Molly Weasley's on her best day.
As suppertime had barely begun, much to Dumbledore's pleasure at the time difference, each escorted the other happily to the Great Hall to enjoy a meal with good friends.
Knowing Harry and the fact that he'd spent the entire day bringing peace and closure to several friends and not taking a moment for himself, he reminded him that… "Just a reminder that Ms. Bell will undoubtedly be dining with us this evening and well…"
Harry snapped his fingers as he pulled a face. "Katie?! I completely forgot. Damn it all, I didn't even think about a present or…"
"People most want to hear heartfelt admonitions on such occasion's rather than all the baubles in the world, young Harry."
Harry shot his once mentor a sideways glance. "Is this some of that advice you mentioned?"
Albus nodded. "That and I find that women, no matter the age, always appreciate flowers." With that Albus conjured a stunning bouquet of red and white roses mixed with greens and holly which he present to his young friend.
"Does this mean we're going steady?" Harry chirruped to which they both snickered, though Albus added. "Alas, even a man of my years would remiss if I didn't point out that I thought I could do better." Both guffawed at that.
Once their laughter died down Harry thanked the man for his thoughtfulness. "Thanks, you're a life saver."
Albus shrugged indifferently before suggesting… "You might add a sprig of mistletoe or two to the mix? If memory serves that wouldn't hurt to break the ice, so to speak."
"I like the advisory role." Harry complimented, before adding appreciatively. "Make sure you stay around a long while to keep up the good work."
"It shall be my pleasure, young Harry." Albus bowed cordially in acceptance of the request.
The two entered the Hall, mindful of the way that conversations quieted and all eyes found them, before someone started and the rest soon were clapping uproariously to which each man called out a "Merry Christmas" in greeting.
Harry marched up to the Gryffindor table shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries as he made his way toward a practically glowing Katie Bell who was wearing a fur trimmed Red robe in honor of the holiday, Her dark tresses adorned with greenery that looked suspiciously like… mistletoe?
Harry arrived and presented Katie with the rose bouquet. "It's not much but I..mmphhhh!" Whatever else he was going to say was muffled by Katie grabbing him up in a searing kiss that had the Hall whistling and cat calling around them excitedly.
When Katie final y broke off the kiss, Harry stumbled and fell heavily onto the bench beside her, staring vacantly with glazed eyes while Katie smacked her lips in satisfaction and returned to her meal with a smug expression pasted on her face as the crowd around the whole laughed heartily at their antic, the female contingent loudest of all.
The couple was occasionally glimpsed walking arm in arm and chatting quietly between them that night. Every once in a while they would sneak a kiss or two when they mistakenly thought they were being discreet, but of course, the whole castle was watching with bated breath, each kiss shared spread like wild fire from one common room's gossip center to the next, and one professor's private floo to the next, as well. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled at an all-time high that night and each time his floo flared with a new tidbit he saluted the happy couple with a tip of his glass. He couldn't recall the last time he'd drank so much in one evening.
The next several days found Harry busying himself around the castle grounds, though what exactly he was doing no one, not even Remus, could say for sure. He would disappear and reappear at intervals, marking off distances with careful measured steps and marking different spots on the ground and nearby trees and stones.
When a brave soul would now and again ask what he was about, his usual response was that he was planning a party for the New Year.
He politely begged off all offers of assistance claiming he had plenty of time to spare.
A/N: Special thanks to my beta-Jenifer. Up next is the big showdown! MK-One