Author's Note: Hello all, wow what a year this has been, sorry for the long delay life happens, not much I can do about it. I have a solid plot set ahead for the story that I think will be enjoyable. After this one, the chapters should be longer. Onward and upward as they say. Also from this point on in the story, Dan and Emily will be the names of Hermione's parents.
Harry awoke in his quiet room Christmas morning, he stretched his hands above his head with a groan. Sitting up he rubbed his eyes and looked out the window. It was still dark outside but he could see the snow falling on the already covered streets. The glow from the street lamps gave the scene a storybook glow and Harry sighed, he was glad to be home but he missed Hogwarts already. Stepping out of bed he had another big stretch and opened up Hedwig's cage.
"Hey girl," he said patting her head. "Fancy a little time outside?" He asked her. She hoo'ed in response. She really was a remarkable bird. Harry opened his window for enough time to let her outside and quickly shut it again. "Man it's cold out there." He said rubbing his arms. Looking at the time it was only 5:30 AM, but he felt wide awake. He decided to throw on some shorts and a tee shirt and do a quick workout. Luckily at some point, while he was at Hogwarts Uncle V got a treadmill and weight set. So he made his way to the basement.
Time flew by as it always does when Harry is doing something physical, and before he had tired himself out he could hear some movement upstairs. Taking the treadmill to a stop he wiped the sweat from his face and slung the towel over his shoulder making his way upstairs. "Hey Uncle V!" Harry said with excitement. "It's Christmas!"
"That it is Harry," Vernon said with a chuckle and a smile. The smell of coffee was strong, freshly brewed. Harry didn't really need any but he loved the smell and the taste, caffeine had never really affected him like it did other people, he figured it was because of the whole wizard thing he had going for him. Pouring himself a cup he looked at Vernon. "When is everyone arriving?" He asked.
"In time Harry," Vernon said hiding a smile. Harry caught the look though.
"Hey, you're hiding something!" Harry said with squinted eyes taking a sip of his coffee. Harry gasped, breathing in and out quickly holding his throat. "Too hot!" He said in a little bit of pain. Vernon laughed out loud at this. "Of course I am hiding something, it's Christmas! And oh the coffee is hot by the way." He said with a smirk.
"Not funny!" Harry said looking betrayed. At that moment there was a loud shout of "It's Christmas," which was followed closely by someone thundering down the stairs. "Harry it's Christmas!" Dudley yelled as he blew into the kitchen. "Hey Duds, yea it is, what ya get me?" Harry asked trying to be nonchalant. "Oh, it's not much just... Wait a minute, you almost got me!" Dudley said quickly with a big smile on his face.
"Can't blame me for tryin," Harry said with a shrug. Wiping the remnants of sweat from his workout off his face. "Well, I'm gonna pop in the shower."
"When are we going to open presents Dad!" Dudley asked performing his best puppy dog eyed look.
"Soon enough Duders," Vernon said pushing his chair back and standing up. "Head on upstairs and get dressed, we'll open em soon enough."
Dudley looked at his father oddly. "Dressed? It's Christmas, we always wear PJs." He said a perplexed.
"Well not this year Duders, just go get dressed, and let Harry know too," Vernon said making his way out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
Dudley ran upstairs after his Dad, passing the hallway bathroom he yelled, "Harry Dad's being weird, he wants us to get dressed." Harry barely heard Dudley through the sound of the shower and called back. "Like normal day clothes?"
"I don't know, lemme ask," Dudley called back. "Dad, normal clothes?"
"Yea but with a jumper," Vernon yelled back from his and Petunia's room. More quietly he said, "Do you think they will like this?" Petunia turned around almost fully dressed. "Oh I don't think they will ever forget this, I'm glad the Grangers are on board." She said slipping on a light pink sweater with MERRY CHRISTMAS printed in big white letters on the front.
"With a jumper Harry," Dudley called out.
"Weird Okay," Harry called back after turning off the shower.
Before long the boys were downstairs standing in front of the tree looking for the presents. When Petunia and Vernon strolled down to meet them they were bombarded with. "Where are the presents!"
"Oh don't worry come here you too," Petunia said with a smile as Vernon walked over to the tree with them. The boys started to protest but their words stopped as the fireplace suddenly began growing until it was almost touching the ceiling. Where there was no fire before blazed an oddly flickering green blaze, and from it they saw the largest man they knew waltz right out as if it was an everyday thing, walking through fireplaces.
"Hagrid!" The boys yelled in unison, both zipping to him in an instant and jumping on the large man. "Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas boys! My Dudley look how tall you are getting!" Hagrid bellowed.
"4 cm this year so far!" Dudley said proudly.
"I can see, keep that up and you'll be as tall as me!" Hagrid laughed. Turning to the adults. "Ready?"
"Ready." They said together.
"Alright kids step on in the fire there and say…"
"When are they going to be here!" Hermione said almost whining.
"Won't be long now dear. Just be patient." Emma said.
Before long the fireplace flared up and out stepped Harry and Dudley, Hermione shrieked "Harry! Jumping out of her chair and grabbing him in a massive hug! Harry laughed as the brown-haired missile crashed into him. "Hello, Hermione! I've missed you too." He said, and he had, they had not seen each other since the train ride home. Breaking off the hug with Harry, Hermione turned and grabbed Dudley in a hug as well. "Dudley look how tall you've gotten!" Hermione said after breaking the hug with Dudley. Sheepishly he said, "Yea 4 cm this year." Hermione smiled and grabbed Harry's hand, "come on you too, you have to see this." She said as she started to drag Harry to another room. As they were exiting the fire roared again and out stepped Petunia and Vernon, followed a moment later by Hagrid.
Hermione dragged Harry along through a quick passageway, Dudley quick on their heels. She used her free hand to open a massive door and quickly went through. When they crossed the threshold the three just stopped. Harry gasped as he looked around. Hermione watched his face to see his reaction, she had already seen the whole place. Her face a little flush with excitement, wearing a grin so large the sides of her mouth hurt. "Wow, this is amazing Hermione!" Harry exclaimed a look of pure joy spread on his face. "Whoooa!" Dudley yelled and took off running around the room to look at everything closer.
The room was all green and red, with dark hardwood floor, a large roaring fire in the fireplace, which was adorned with stockings embroidered with their names. Next to the fireplace was the furniture a deep red color and looked soft enough to sleep on. The ceiling was decked out in Christmas decoration, hanging snowflakes and even a large Santa and reindeer hung above it all. In the corner next to a gigantic window standing tall and proud was the largest Christmas tree Harry had ever seen, covered in decorations and stringed white lights. But what was underneath the tree was what really got them all excited. A massive pile of presents accompanied the tree, and Dudley wasn't sure he had ever seen anything so glorious. Harry took it all in and laughed, a genuine laugh, he was so surprised by all of this, it was so much to take in. "Look at all this Hermione! I have never seen anything like it!" Harry exclaimed. "Oh Harry just wait, you must see this!" Still holding his hand Hermione dragged harry over to the window. "Just look out there!"
Harry couldn't believe his eyes. They were on a mountain. Covered in snow, it was just early enough that the sun was just over the horizon shining brightly on the winter landscape, it was unbelievable, the way the sun hit the snow made the whole world look as if it were sparkling. "This is incredible." Harry finally said with finality.
"Alright everyone who is ready for gifts!" Vernon said merrily as the adults walked into the room.
"Oh, we are we are!" The kids said excitedly.
"Well you guys get to sorting, once everyone has their piles then we will start opening," Dan said draping his arm around his wife.
That got the kids moving. In no time the presents were sorted and wrapping paper was flying everywhere. Though the number of presents was large, it was mostly clothes, much to the chagrin of the children, though they were growing and it is needed. Hermione and Harry got a good number of new athletic clothing both for cold and warm weather. While Dudley also received some athletic clothing mostly he got everyday clothes, as he was not as dedicated to running as the other two were. After the normal gifts were all through the special ones came out, the ones from the children to each other. Hermione and Harry split the cost and got Dudley a couple new games to play on his gaming console. Harry got Hermione a never-ending quill for those long nights writing papers at school. Hermione got Harry a book, Potions through the ages. "I know you love potions, and Snape is a git so I hope you like it." She said quietly. "I love it, thank you Hermione," Harry replied with a beaming smile. Dudley got them both coupons for one book at Flourish and Blotts. "I looked around but all the books seemed overwhelming, so I just got you this, so you guys can pick out your own," Dudley said lamely feeling disappointed in his coupons. "Duds, this is awesome, I know just the one to get!" Harry said, "Yea me too!" Hermione said with a smile. "Really?" Dudley asked surprised. "Yea! Thanks, Duds," They both said.
Hagrid made some sweets for everyone, and those always went over well, when the big guy made food that wasn't for him, he made it perfect. "Oh and Harry, Hermione, I took care of our little friend, if you know what I mean," Hagrid said to them as he handed them their gifts.
"Really Hagrid? What happened?" Hermione asked genuinely curious.
"Well, that little redhead Weasley came up to me before the train left and told me he would get in touch with his brother and he would sort it out," Hagrid said grabbing his beard and pulling on it. Looking a little teary-eyed, "I'm gonna miss em." He choked up a little at the end.
"Oh Hagrid, don't worry, he will be happy to be with other dragons," Harry said, trying to console the giant.
"Dragons?" Dudley said in surprise, "Dragons are real?" He finished wide-eyed.
"Oh yeah," Harry said laughing, "I'll tell ya all about this later."
"You better!" Dudley said.
"Alright everyone let's clean up all the paper everywhere and then we are going to step into another room, we have one last surprise for all of you," Emily said beaming at the children.
After they finished cleaning up the wrapping paper the families picked up and moved into another room. "What's this?" Hermione asked her parents as they walked in and saw a bunch of winter weather gear.
"This my dear is ski gear, we are going skiing!" Emily said smiling.
"Yes! That is awesome!' Dudley said loudly, the adults laughed as the children hurriedly put on their snow gear. After everyone was ready they took a short stroll towards the Ski lodge. After renting their appropriate equipment the fun began.
Harry couldn't remember the last time he had this much fun. It didn't take him long to find his balance, after a few spills he started looking like a natural, Dudley, on the other hand, could not stop falling.
"Ya gotta do it like this Duds," Harry called out laughing as Dudley fell once again.
Vernon turned to Petunia and said, "It's because he grew so much this year, he is not used to it yet." Petunia agreed. "You too can head on down we will be right behind you." She said to Harry and Hermione.
They needed no further prodding and immediately took off down the slope. It wasn't the adult slopes but it was still pretty sharp and they picked up speed fast! Harry was laughing the whole way down, and Hermione was slightly behind him, he could hear her laughing as well. They zipped down the slope zig-zagging around and having a great time. They took the ride back up multiple times until finally, Dan called out, "Last run guys! We have a great dinner just about ready!" Dan wasn't much of a skier and neither was his wife, so they stayed back and relaxed watching the group have fun, and checked on the food as it cooked.
Harry was going faster than he ever had, zooming down the slope, he could really get behind this skiing thing, it also made him wonder about Quidditch, if he was having this much fun zooming around then he figured he might like to play. Who knew he would have this much fun! As he came to the end of the run he slowed down and came to a stop and started looking around, just enjoying the view, it was getting late and the sun was setting, sending colors throughout the sky, it was beautiful. He smiled to himself. And just as he was turning around he heard, "Harry look out!" But it was too late, a blur slammed into him and they went tumbling for a bit. They came to a stop and he realized it was Hermione who had run into him, he laughed and she beamed. At some point during their tumbling they had both lost their headgear, he looked up at Hermione, her cheeks pink with the cold, he could see her breath in the air and he smiled. Before he had time to react. She swooped down and kissed him on his cheek. "Merry Christmas!" She said. "Merry Christmas Hermione." He responded with a smile.
The families and one giant enjoyed a fantastic Christmas feast together and all too soon they were saying their goodbyes. It was a fantastic day. Hermione gave Harry one last hug before he stepped into the fire, his family going before him. "See you on the train, Harry!" She said looking both happy and sad at the same time. He smiled and hugged her back, "won't be long now, I can't wait to get back." He responded, "Me either." She said as she broke the hug and Harry smiled at her one last time before stepping into the flames.
Dan and Emily shared a knowing look and shook their heads.
That night as Harry was stepping into his room, he turned and shut the door, opened the window to let Hedwig in and slipped into his PJs. 'What an awesome day.' He thought, he was disapointed that Daphnee did not end up coming, but he was not surprised, as he stepped towards the bed he felt something under his foot. Confused he grabbed it, it was another gift. Upon unwrapping it he found a cloth inside, it felt impossibly smooth to the touch, and he wasn't sure what it was, he shrugged and slung it around himself like a cape, did a quick flourish and turned around. He gasped as he looked into the mirror. All he could see was his head! "Whoa! Cool!" He said. After playing around with it for a bit he folded it up nicely and set it on the wrapping paper it had come in. Laying down in bed he could not think how his life could get any better.
Little did he know, horrible things were on the horizon.
Author's note: thanks to everyone who has reviewed, and thanks to all the readers, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!