Harry Potter and the Twist in Time

Chapter 14: Christmas at The Burrow

Ten year old Harry waited outside the Transfiguration Classroom, for the Second Years to finish class. He'd just got back from school and was going to meet the Weasley twins, so they could plan their Christmas prank. It was December 21st and Harry and the twins planned to make a prank tonight for the last day of term.

The next day Harry was going to The Burrow to spend Christmas there. McGonagall decided that it was alright, considering next year, Harry was starting school at Hogwarts. Also, this year Lupin's 'monthly problem,' fell on the night before Christmas. So, it wouldn't be as much as fun. Harry found that one of the best parts of his birthdays and Christmases was figuring out how to wake Lupin up early, without getting into too much trouble.

A bell rang from somewhere in the castle. Noise erupted from inside the classroom. The door opened emitting the Second Years. Fred and George were the last two to exit.

"Sorry Harry mate," George said, seeing Harry. "Your mother decided that because we popped a Christmas cracker, that we should clean up."

Harry laughed. His 'mother,' Minerva McGonagall, taught Transfiguration and was very strict. She didn't like students mucking about in her class. This meant, the twins spent a lot of time in detentions with her.

"Now," Fred said, grinning and rubbing his hands together, "where is that wonderful book of yours?"

000

Two hours later, found the Wealeys and Harry eating dinner in the Great Hall together with all the other students. Getting the signal of a wink from Harry, the twins waved their wands under the table.

Suddenly everybody was dressed in Santa suits. The students held hands and started singing:

Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
Through the fields we go
Laughing all the way.
Bells on bob-tails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight.

Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh, O
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

The students stood staring at the laughing twins and Harry. They looked murderous. Seeing this, the twins and Harry jumped up and ran out of the Hall. Before they could reach the doors, a loud voice rang out.

"Potter, Weasley and Weasley," McGonagall's voice made them stop in their tracks. "In my office right this minute."

Harry, Fred and George waited outside McGonagall's office. When McGonagall arrived, she looked furious.

Letting them in, McGonagall sat on the other side of the desk. "What were you three think you were doing at dinner time?"

The twins looked stood silently. However, Harry spoke up, "we just thought we'd give a bit of Christmas cheer. After all, it is the last day of term and we won't be here for Christmas."

"And you have to admit, Professor," George piped up bravely, "that is was fun." George looked down and mumbled at the look from McGonagall, "Well…Professor Dumbledore seemed to think so."

"Yeah, well Professor Dumbledore is funny about things like this," McGonagall said sternly. "But just because Dumbledore thinks they are fun, doesn't mean the rest of the school does. So for punishment you two have a week's worth of detention when you get back from holidays. And Harry, you are grounded for a week, which also means, no flying! Now, Fred and George, go back to your dorms and Harry you'd be better be back in our suite when I get there."

Harry and the twins made a dash for the door and kept running until they were two floors above McGonagall's office.

"Well, I don't care what McGonagall says," Fred said smiling. "That was a lot of fun. Did you catch it on film George?"

"Oh yes, I got everything," George grinned. "Although I don't want to know Mum's reaction, when she finds out that we played a prank on the whole school."

"Well, I better get going. If I am not back in time I will probably get a month,s grounding." With that, Harry turned around and headed back to the suite.

000

Harry and the other Weasleys left platform 9¾ to meet Molly, Arthur, Ron and Ginny Weasley who were waiting for them. There were hugs all round.

"Good to see you again, Harry dear. Had a good term?" Molly said, beaming at Harry.

"It was alright, Mrs. Weasley," Harry replied.

"And you two," Molly said pointedly. "What is this I hear about you pranking the entire school to sing some Muggle Christmas song? Wait till we get home!"

The twins and Harry exchanged worried looks. That was never a good sign. They all piled into the Weasley's Ford Anglia. Harry was, as usual, staring at all things Muggle. He loved Muggle things. However, growing up in Hogwarts, and going to school in the only Wizarding village in Europe, he didn't get to see them a lot.

Harry also spent some of the trip talking with Ron. Before he knew it, they had arrived. The Burrow had to be his second favourite place to be. It was full of the unexpected and it was filled with love.

000

Harry was awoken bright and early, on Christmas day, with a joyful Ron leaping onto his bed.

"Merry Christmas, Harry!" Ron said jumping up and down.

Harry put his glasses on and looked around. At the end of his bed was a large pile of presents. Harry's face broke out with a smile. Christmas was one of his favourite days of the year.

Harry excitedly tore the paper off his presents, smiling all the time. From McGonagall, he got some new robes including some dress robes the colour of his eyes. From Lupin, he received a book of activities for special occasions, which he flipped through making plans for pranks. From Dumbledore - the usual lemon drops and some Muggle comic books. From Hagrid, was a small moving model of a Unicorn, made from real Unicorn hair. From Molly Weasley he received the usual knitted jumper and homemade Christmas cake and from Ron a scarf of the Chudley Cannons. From the twins, he got a new book on pranks, one for each day of the year.

Grinning from ear to ear, he pulled on his new jumper and headed down for breakfast. Harry greeted everybody with "Merry Christmas." He found that, apart from Mrs. Weasley, he was the only one downstairs. Pulling out his new comics, Harry started reading.

"I hope those are not more pranks books?" Molly asked, when she saw Harry.

"No, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said not looking up, "they are Muggle comic books. They are quite interesting. And thanks for the jumper."

"That's alright dear," Molly said. "Just don't let Arthur see those comic books. You know how he loves Muggle stuff."

000

Christmas dinner consisted of many of Harry's favourite foods. There were also little Christmas puddings and Harry got a silver sickle inside his. Molly was also able to get a Wizard cracker for everyone. In Harry's cracker was a packet of exploding snap and an admiral's hat.

Feeling full, Harry spent half the afternoon reading his new books. Then he joined the Weasley family for a snowball fight.

Harry headed for bed at the end of the day he was quite happy. It had to be one of his best Christmases.

AN: Sorry that it took so long. I wrote one chapter then decided to squeeze another chapter in before it. So it won't be long before I post the next chapter.