Harry Potter Junior Level:Year Two

Ch. 25

Christmas Vacation

After opening presents with his extended family, Harry enjoys Christmas Day at Black Manor with Sirius. The two have been testing out the new racetrack the Headmaster set up for Harry. Sirius has to bend his knees to sit in the car but manages to wriggle into it. He and Harry have tried many different configurations for the track including Harry's favorite, the figure S with two figure eights on each end making it a continuous looping track.

The Manor is a lonely place for Harry. After four months of having Draco around each day to talk to and play with, he misses him. Using the racetrack on Christmas morning before digging into his favorite breakfast, distracts him temporarily.

"Well, Pup. What do you say we go see what old Father Christmas brought this year?" Sirius asks as Harry finishes his Belgian waffle with strawberries.

"I'm too old to believe in Father Christmas, Dad. I'm ten and a half now. Remember? I've told you this before."

"I do remember. Does that mean I should just take out all the boxes that say 'from Father Christmas'? There must be at least four in there by the tree. I guess I can floo them to the Children's Home in London. I'll go gather them up and do just that. You did say you wanted to give away your gifts not long ago, I recall."

"Umm, no that's all right. I'll open them but we won't pretend they're from Father Christmas, Okay?" Harry says hurriedly. The idea of giving away his gifts is appalling. They've already bought ten gifts for the Children's Home and sent them by floo. He doesn't want to give away more. It's a tradition his Mummy and Daddy James started the year Harry turned five. They would buy gifts equal to Harry's age all along the year and save them for giving to orphans at Christmas.

"What ever you say son. We'll leave the kitchen cleanup for Kreacher just this one time. He enjoys it so, it will be like another gift for him." Sirius replies walking out of the room with Harry right behind him.

The living room is set up as the Christmas room as Sirius has been calling it. There are strings of white lights wrapped around long green fir garlands draped along the walls of the room. The fireplace has a wreath hanging over it and four stockings on the mantel. One each for Harry, Sirius, Kreacher and Dobby. The seven foot tree is the focal point in the room. A blue spruce covered in real fairies that light up in different colors when anyone approaches, red satin balls, clear balls that are magical and show snow scenes continuously and white paper snowflakes Harry, Dobby and Kreacher made the snowflakes together. Harry taught the two elves how to cut the paper into triangles and crescents before unfolding. Dobby was so excited by his first creation he danced around the kitchen much to Harry's amusement and Kreacher's disdain.

"Okay son, sit over there by the tree and let me get my yearly photo." Sirius says summoning a camera from the shelf in the hall closet. "Say 'happy', Harry."

"Happy Harry" Harry says cheekily, with a huge grin as Sirius snaps the picture.

"One more, please. This time stand up by the tree and look at the middle branches. See that white box? Go ahead and open it." Sirius directs aiming the camera.

As soon as Harry opens the box, a palm sized broom begins to grow. Before Harry can speak he's holding a Nimbus 2000.

Turning to Sirius with a look of astonishment, he hears the camera click.

"Dad?"

"Yes Harry?" Sirius replies to his open mouthed child.

"This is a Nimbus 2000! It's not even to come out yet until February! It's brand new and the fastest one they make!"

"I'm glad you recognize it. Severus has connections to someone in the Nimbus factory. He was able to get two before they went on the market. Draco has one also."

"Thank you Dad! This is already my best Christmas and we just started." Harry says throwing his arms around his Dad for a hug.

"Let's get into these boxes, shall we? They won't open themselves unless you want me to charm them to do so. I can if you'd like."

"NO, I want to open them. Which one should I do first?" Harry asks staring at the pile of presents.

"Why don't you start with the gifts from the Weasleys. You have two, one from the whole family and one from Ron. Those are in the green and gold striped paper."

Opening the boxes, Harry smiles at the new jumper Mrs. Weasley has made. This one is dark blue with a row of snowflakes across the chest and cuffs.

"This is a pretty one isn't it Dad?" Harry asks holding it up.

"Yes, she does knit very well. What did Ron send you?"

"A set of gobstones. I don't know how to play though."

"Hmm, well I guess you'll just have to wait until you see him to let him teach you." Sirius replies.

"Yes, I guess so. Dad, I have a gift for you now. Heeeeeeeere it is. A gift from Meeeeeeee." He says handing over the long box.

"Thank you, nuuuuuuuuuttttttterrrrrr." Sirius answers causing Harry to giggle.

Opening the gift, Sirius finds a beautiful oak and silver tipped quill with a small round silver ball attached to the top.

"It's a forever ink dictating quill, Dad. It writes by itself. I already had the man at the stationary store snip it so it's ready to use. Will you try it out?"

Picking up the wrapping paper off the floor, Sirius holds the quill above the paper and commands "Write what I dictate." The quill immediately hovers in the air over the paper. "To my son, this is a very thoughtful and useful gift. I love it, Dad." The quill quickly writes everything he dictated with swirling strokes.

"It works! Oh, the man said if you don't want it to write cal ogre fi just tell it to write normally."

"I believe the word is calligraphy, son. That's kuh lig ruh fee" Sirius pronounces slowly, trying not to smile at Harry's pronunciation. "Thanks for telling me. I think the students would be surprised to have comments written on their essays in calligraphy."

"They'd think you were showing your pureblood side, I guess. I'm glad you like it especially since you paid for it!"

Laughing his bark of a laugh, Sirius says "You take the cake, pup. Your turn to open something. Pick something, anything."

Choosing the largest box, Harry opens it to find a dark blue puffy jacket. Opening another box he finds another jumper, this one in white with wine colored gloves, scarf and toboggan.

"Merlin, Dad. Father Christmas must think I'm headed to Antarctica the way he left so many winter clothes."

"Must have. Open the one in the snowflake design next."

"Ohh! Boots! Thanks Dad! I love boots and these with the furry tops are just what I wanted. We saw them in the store in London but you said we didn't need to buy them, remember?"

"I did say that, I know. I already had those same boots you were drooling over, shrunken in my coat pocket at the time. Really Pup, I wouldn't think you would fall in love so young. Especially with a pair of boots. Oh well, everyone's different." Sirius mock sighs.

"DAD! I didn't fall IN LOVE at all! I wouldn't, didn't, drool over boots!" Harry whines just before wadding up the wrapping paper and throwing it straight at Sirius.

"Good shot, Pup. You need these warm clothes for our ski trip. We'll be in a muggle ski resort so we have to dress the way they do. These clothes will be useful at Hogwarts also. You don't always go around in your uniform."

"Here's another one for you Dad. It's something to use at home. I hope you like it."

"Harry, I like anything and everything you give me. I know I'll like this too. Now stop talking and hand it over! I have paper to rip!" Sirius replies holding out his hands.

"Just what I needed for long nights of grading tests and essays. Now I can sit comfortably and not be at a table. I love the lap desk, Pup. Thank you."

"Let's do the stockings, Dad. Here's yours." Harry says watching eagerly as Sirius pulls out the soap on a rope.

"Hmm, interesting idea. Is it to keep from dropping the soap?"

"I think so. It's scented Dad." Harry tells him trying hard to keep a straight face.

"Is it? Well let me see what scent it is." Sirius replies taking a huge sniff.

"UGGGGHHHH! Phhhhhewwww!" He groans as Harry collapses in giggles from his Dad's expression.

"Okay, you got me good. Where on earth did you find a skunk scented soap?"

"Gambols and Japes. Draco got Uncle Sev a hair gel that turns your hair blue, It washes right out though so it's not permanent."

"That's good that it does or Draco would have permanent red handprints on his backside, I think." Sirius replies sharing a grin with Harry.

While Sirius and Harry are enjoying Christmas day together, Draco is experiencing his first real family Christmas at Snape Manor.

Waking up early, Draco quietly leaves his bedroom to sneak downstairs. When he went to bed there were only the opened family gifts under the tree. He sure hopes there are more this morning. Carrying the gifts he wrapped for his new Dad, he makes his way down the stairs and into the living room. Stopping in the doorway he gasps in delight. There are at least twelve gifts under the tree and all the opened gifts are moved to the wall. Carefully placing his gifts under the tree with the rest, he stands back to admire the tree. His Dad let him decorate it however he wanted to. This is something he still can't quite get his mind around. His Mum never let him touch her trees at Malfoy Manor.

Silently gazing at his decorations, Draco is too mesmerized to notice Severus come into the room.

"Admiring your work, are you?" he asks quietly as he stands next to his son.

"You did an outstanding job, Dragon. The glass balls charmed to glow softly along with the gold and green balls are lovely. You have a good eye for color schemes I believe. I would not have thought a young man your age would be quite as good at putting colors together. The light silver angel hair is a good touch also. Are you ready to begin the day?"

"Thank you, Dad. It's very early. You aren't mad that I came down so soon? Shouldn't I have waited for permission and for a decent hour like ten o'clock?" Draco asks echoing what his Mum used to tell him.

"No, Dragon. I'm not at all upset. I do request we have a light breakfast so I can have some coffee and I'll be all set to dive into the gifts with you." Severus replies steering the boy towards the kitchen.

"What would you like today? I'll fix anything you ask for this morning."

"Anything? Even pancakes with blueberries, whipped cream and syrup?" Draco asks naming something Severus loathes him to eat because of the sugar content.

"Absolutely. One plate of blueberry pancakes with one full sugar bowl equivalent included, coming right up. Now, how about some ham with that? Kippers maybe?"

"No thanks. Just the pancakes and some pumpkin juice too."

"Are we in a P mood today? Pancakes, pumpkin juice, may I suggest pumpernickel bread toast? Potato pie? Parsley snips, perhaps?" Severus asks quirking an eyebrow.

"No Dad, stop being so silly. Potato pie is not a breakfast food. I don't eat parsley snips and pumpernickel bread." Draco answers giggling.

Finished with breakfast and the clean up, it's time for exchanging gifts.

"Well Draco, I am pleased to say I've never had a better Christmas than this one. Having you living with me is the best present I could receive." Severus tells the boy quietly.

"Thanks Dad. I love having you be my Dad and not just my godfather. Here's a present from me. I hope you like it but if you don't we can take it back." Draco answers biting his lip.

"Why would I want to take it back? This is a dictating quill isn't it?" At Draco's nod he says "I think it's a wonderful gift, son. I can use it and not have to write the dreadfuls on all those essays! Thank you son. It's your turn. Open this one." Severus says handing over a long box wrapped in silver paper.

"Art supplies!" Draco exclaims seeing the box full of markers, colored pencils, tempera paint, watercolor paints, brushes and watercolor paper. "Thanks Dad! My supplies you bought me earlier are nearly used up. I needed new ones. Did you know when Harry came the other day, he was afraid to draw on my art wall? He asked Mitzi first as he thought I was lying."

"Well, most children are punished for drawing on anything other than paper, Draco. I can understand his caution. I don't think he believes you lie, it's more he just wanted to have confirmation. Does that make sense to you? Wouldn't you have done the same in his place?"

"Yeah, I guess I would. I wouldn't want to do something that might get me in big trouble either. I didn't think about that."

After all the gifts have been opened and admired, Draco looks at the pile around him. A new thick winter coat, boots, scarves, gloves and hat are for their trip to the ski lodge according to his Dad. The best gift beside the art kit is the new broom he's holding on his lap. He can't believe his Dad actually bought him a Nimbus 2000. Sev doesn't like to fly and is cautious about allowing his son to do much flying. There are books, wizard and muggle games, a new set of dress robes and new trainers too.

"Dad?" Draco asks walking over and waking the man napping in his favorite chair.

"HMMM?"

"I just wanted to tell you something. Thank you Dad. I've never had a Christmas like this. I used to only get clothes for dressing up to be seen. I'd not get anything to play with or just wear for fun. You're the best Dad!"

"I'm happy to know you like your gifts. Why don't you take them to your room and you can mirror call Harry. I'm sure he's anxious to tell you about his Christmas."

"I can't wait to tell him about my books, art supplies and best gift ever, my broom. Will you fly with me later?"

"Yes, let me catch a nap first. I was up late last night helping Father Christmas place all these gifts."

Up in his bedroom, Draco takes his communication mirror from his desk drawer.

"Harry? Harry are you there?"

"Hi Drake! Did you have a fun Christmas? What'd you get?" Harry asks as soon as his face appears in the mirror.

"Winter clothes, boots, books, some muggle and wizard games and a new broom too. He bought me so many gifts, Harry! It's the best Christmas ever!"

"I got alot of the same things you did. Clothes for the trip, books and I got a self inking colored ink quill set. I got a new broom too. What kind did you get?"

"Nimbus 2000! You can use it when you come visit and I'll use my old one." Draco tells him.

"You won't have to do that, Drake. I got a Nimbus 2000 too! Can you believe it? We got the top of the line brooms! Dad said I can't take it to France though. It's a muggle ski resort. I don't know how to ski, do you?"

"Yes, my Da... that is Lucius made me learn when I was six. I can do enough for the Rabbit slopes. You would be in the bunny slopes. That's for the beginners."

"I'm not a baby, Draconis!" Harry replies angrily, using the name Severus uses when he's angry with Draco.

"I never said you were Harrison! Don't get your underwear up your butt!" Draco says back.

"You said I'd be on the baby slope! Up yours Malfoy heir!" Harry answers before he hears "Harrison James Potter Black! Apologize this instant!" His Dad has walked in without Harry even hearing him.

"I am sorry, Draco. I don't want to fight." Harry tells his cousin/ best friend.

"I'm sorry too. I didn't mean to make you mad. Uncle Sirius?"

"Yes Draco?" Sirius asks, with a stern look at Harry.

"Could you look at me in the mirror, please?" Draco asks.

"Yes Draco, what is it?" Sirius asks, taking the mirror from Harry.

"It's my fault Uncle Sirius. Don't be mad at Harry for snapping at me. I started it but I didn't mean too. I said he would be on the bunny slopes for beginners and he thought I said baby. Anybody who is learning to ski is on the bunny slopes. Okay Harry?"

"Okay. I'm not mad anymore. I'll see you tomorrow." Harry answers looking over his Dad's shoulder as Sirius nods and says "We'll see you soon, Draco."

Turning to his remorseful son, Sirius says "Harry, what do you believe those words "up yours" mean? Where did you hear that phrase?"

"I think it means to stuff it. Kind of like saying be quiet. I heard it from some older kids at school. They said it to another kid who was taunting them in the Great Hall. Is it bad? Are you going to spank me? You called me my whole name, that meant you're really mad."

"It is a very rude and vulgar phrase son. I don't ever want to hear of those words coming from your mouth again. It means a little differently than you think but I am not going to explain it. As to your question, no I am not going to punish you. I was more shocked to hear those words from you than mad, son. You weren't aware of how ugly those words are. Just remember I do not EVER want to hear it again. Understood?"

"Yes sir, I'm sorry Dad."

"All is forgiven, Pup. Now, I came to tell you lunch is ready. I fixed hamburgers and chips for us."

"Great! I'm hungry. Let's go eat, Dad." Harry says springing off the bed.

Two days later the boys and their Dads are unpacking in the cabin at the ski resort. The boys want to immediately try out the ski slopes but their idea was vetoed by the adults.

"We are going to unpack and correctly put everything away and then you boys can go out to have fun in the snow. It's too late in the day to be attempting to ski." Severus tells them as they try to rush through unpacking.

"Besides the time, there's one more thing you seem to have forgotten. Harry has to learn to ski. Both of you will be having lessons beginning tomorrow morning so I suggest enjoying your freedom tonight." Sirius adds.

"LESSONS! School lessons? We're on vacation!" He hears from Draco and Harry.

"No, not school lessons. Ski lessons. You will have personal instructors to help you." Sirius replies smiling at their horrified looks over the thought of school.

"But Dad!" Draco whines turning to Sev. "I already know how to ski!"

"Nevertheless you will have them. It's been years since you went skiing and I want you to stay safe." Severus answers.

"NO! I AM NOT A BEGINNER! I don't need lessons!" Draco argues loudly.

"Draconis! You will both have lessons and obey the instructors. Is this clear to you or do we need to have a private talk?" Severus asks sternly. "You know better than to raise your voice to me, son."

"I'm sorry, Dad. Let's go finish unpacking, Harry." Draco replies blinking away the tears that formed in his eyes.

In their shared room, Harry whispers "What is it about lessons that has you so upset? If you already know how to ski then the lessons will be easy for you, right?'

"The last instructor reported on me to Lucius every time I tried and couldn't do something. I got whipped. I'm not wanting to go through it again."

"Whipped? You were only six, you said. What'd he whip you with?"

"His cane. Yeah I was six and scared to try. The instructor made me slide down the bunny slope on skis by pushing me! When I sat down instead of falling, he told Lucius I was not obeying. He beat me. The next day when I had to be with the teacher again, I was so scared I wet my pants. I had to stay wet in the snowpants all day because if Lucius knew, he would have beaten me again." Draco tells him brushing the tears out of his eyes.

"Drake? Uncle Sev is a whole lot nicer than Lucius. He won't beat you for not learning something. You know that, right?" Harry asks.

"He'd maybe not beat me but he might be so disappointed and might punish me for not minding the instructor if I couldn't do it."

"That's silly! Come on, let's go outside in the snow. I want to make snowpeople.

As soon as Draco is clear of the cabin, Harry bends and scoops up a handful of snow. As it hits his cousin in the chest he says "Think fast, Draco!"

"Hit me, will you? All right, this is war! Prepare to die, Black!" Draco calls back forming a snowball.

"Ahhhh you can't hit me! I'm Super Harry who can run faster than a speeding snowb... ooomph." he finishes as he gets a mouthful of snow.

"What's that Super Harry? You like to eat snow? Good, cause here's some more!" Draco calls flinging a double handful at his cousin.

Laughing, the two boys have a snow fight until they are spread eagle on the ground panting.

"That was fun. Let's do snow angels now." Harry pants.

"What's a snow angel?"

"Watch and do what I do." Harry says as he spreads his legs apart and back together and his arms do the same over his head. "Now you have to get up really carefully so you don't mess it up and Waa Laaah! The angel is formed! You try it."

"Ohh, I did it! Look at that. Let's get our Dads out here and see if they can make angels. I'll go get them."

"I'm coming too. I have to use the bathroom and I need to wipe the snow out of my shirt."

"Okay, but don't take long in the loo, I need to go bad." Draco tells him jiggling his knees a little.

"Well, you go first. I can wait a little longer. Not much though, this cold wet snow makes me really need to go so hurry okay?"

"I will. You get the Dads to come outside."

"Dad and Uncle Sev, will you come see our snow angels?" Harry asks as Draco hurries to the bathroom.

"Those are great, son. I haven't made a snow angel in years. How about it Sev? Want to have a go?" Sirius asks flopping down on his back next to Harry's angel.

"Watch me Sev. I'll show you how it's done. You do jumping jacks in the snow like this!" Sirius calls out.

Seeing his Dad flopping his arms and legs up and down causes Harry to giggle. "Ohh, stop Dad. Do it right and don't make me laugh any more. I have to use it so bad I'm about to burst." Harry says bouncing a little.

"Well don't just stand there dancing, go in and use it." Sirius replies.

"I can't. Draco's in there. I told him to hurry but he's taking too long!"

"Go tell him to hurry up, Harry. If he doesn't come out, just go out in the back no one will see." Severus says, eying the boy who is now squeezing his hands into fists.

As Harry rushes inside, Severus says "You know, Sirius, I'm very happy we didn't have to go through the potty training stage. By the time we got them they were out of nappies! That's one blessing I'm thankful for."

"So am I. I remember the times though. Harry was a stubborn youngster and didn't want to try. Lily had to make a magical pot that would sing when he performed. After that it only took two weeks before he was fully out of nappies. He loved that pot and would pour water in it to hear it sing!" Sirius replies laughing along with Sev at the memory.

"I wouldn't share that memory with Harry, If I were you. Both of our boys would be embarrassed to hear such a tale. Have you noticed they are embarrassed much more easily lately? I happened to mention Draco sleeping in footed dragon pajamas when he was a baby and he turned red in the face. I was only sharing a memory with him and no one else was around but it still embarrassed him."

"Yes, I've seen a few of those "Dad! Stop, you're embarrassing me." moments myself. I hate to admit it but our little boys are growing into big kids. They're nearly the age of beginning Hogwarts students of old. We would be getting them ready to attend their first year if the Junior Level didn't exist." Sirius says somewhat sadly.

A few moments later at the sound of a loud argument coming from inside the cabin, Severus says "Well, our two so called big kids are in there about to tear each other apart from the sound of it. I don't believe you need to worry they are growing up too fast. I think they are still little boys from what I'm hearing. Draco just called Harry "a whiny baby" and Harry said he was "a stuck in the mud." I've no idea what a 'stuck in the mud' is do you?"

"He probably said "stick in the mud" and it means not wanting to change how you act or do something new. Let's go break them up and have supper. I'll cook tonight."