Author's note: Don't get too used to a pretty relaxing chapter, because the next one will be back to drama. Thank you for all your reviews, and keep reviewing! Just a reminder, in case I haven't said it enough times, Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling and no copyright infringement is intended. Prepare for fluff!

Chapter 14: Christmas

Harry enjoyed staying with Albus. Initially he worried about being a burden and suggested many times that he would be just fine in the tower but Albus firmly stated that he was not a burden and would certainly not be returning to the tower for at least a few months. Once Harry settled down, he realized Albus was always willing to listen and offer advice, often in ways that allowed him to come to his own conclusions. Albus also had a way of sensing when Harry was upset or needing to talk but did not know how to ask. It had been confirmed that the teachers were leaving any and all of Harry's punishments to the Headmaster for the time being, though Professor McGonagall didn't quite understand why she was not allowed to punish him like any other student, especially if she caught him in a wrongdoing. Professor Snape had just snorted and commented about her missing every meeting in the education series about recognizing self-harming students and how to help and guide them. That resulted in a shouted lecture in a crowded hallway, which Professor Snape wished he could forget. The woman's Scottish accent gained the attention of all the students walking by and many stopped to see what was going on.

Harry continued meeting with both Healer Rose and Professor Snape. The healer challenged him to find an activity to keep his hands busy and calm his mind. She suggested knitting, to which Harry refused, and drawing. Harry decided to try drawing, since journaling certainly was not helping.

Christmas came quickly, bringing excited staff and students along with it. Filch and Snape, however, didn't seem to be look forward to Christmas at all, or at least not in the eyes of the students. Truth be told, Filch and Snape were more than excited. Filch was excited to have a break from the students, and Snape was excited for it to be quieter in the castle.

Harry woke up Christmas morning to find a stack of presents at the front of his bed. He was shocked. He had never gotten any Christmas presents!

"Happy Christmas!" Albus' voice called from the door. Harry quickly got dressed and went to the door.

"Morning," he said to Albus. Albus looked taken aback. Harry didn't seem excited at all.

"What's wrong Harry?" he asked.

"I don't need presents," Harry said, pointing to the pile of presents. "I've never gotten any before, so why now?"

Albus pulled him into a hug. "Because you deserve presents," he said quietly. "Now come on! Today is Christmas! Let's get into the Christmas Spirit!" Harry smiled. Albus always knew how to make him feel better. Albus picked up a present that was very thin. "This is from me," he said, "Open it!"

Harry was shocked. Albus got him a present? "You didn't have to," he started, but Albus shushed him. Harry opened the present and gasped. It was a cloak, but a very thin one.

"Your father left this with me before he died," Albus said. "I thought you would like it. It would help you stay out of trouble a bit easier, not that I want you out after curfew."

Harry pulled the cloak over his head. He looked at himself, or where he thought he should be but his body was invisible!

"It is an invisibility cloak," said Albus cheerfully. "Now, come out of that cloak so I can see you again."

Harry smiled and took off the cloak. Harry opened the rest of his presents, including gifts from Ron and Hermione, Hagrid, another gift from Albus, and a sweater from Mrs. Weasley, Ron's mother. Professor Snape even gifted him a drawing pad with a set of pencils.

Harry ate a peaceful dinner with the staff. Seeing as most of the other students were gone that holiday, he was allowed to sit with the staff at the staff table. Albus entertained them all with terrible dad jokes. Harry chuckled while Professor Snape rolled his eyes.

After dinner, Harry sat on the sofa with Albus, each sipping a mug of hot cocoa and gazing at the decorated tree. "I want to talk to you," Harry said after a long silence.

"About?" Albus asked.

"I want to thank you for the best Christmas I've ever had," Harry said. "And I have a present for you." Albus looked surprised but eager.

"It's not something that you can unwrap," Harry continued. "I just want to tell you how much I love you. You are the only person in this school who could go to the Dursleys and survive it almost like it was nothing. You are the only person who could be my guardian without the Ministry of Magic trying to take me away. You're the only guardian I can imagine having, and you've been hear for me this whole time, even if sometimes I think that you hate me. Thank you for being my guardian. It's the best thing that's happened to me." Harry put his arms around Albus and hugged him. Albus hugged him back.

"Thank you Harry," said Albus. "I'm glad that I could be here for you and take care of you. Happy Christmas Harry."

"Happy Christmas Albus," harry said.