Thank you once again to everybody who reviewed etc. To the person that said Harry cries too much. One he has got a potentially fatal disease that makes him feel very ill, he has been abused so certain situations would bring the memories home, and now that he has a guardian that loves and cares for him, he doesn't feel like he needs to hold back on his emotions as much anymore. As for the way Remus comforts Harry, I think after lacking affection for twelve years that Harry would accept any comfort offered to him. I hope that cleared things up.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Harry woke early on Christmas morning and for a moment wondered where he was, but then he remembered the events of the nights before and his stomach clenched painfully. He forcefully pushed the memories away and sat up in bed, reaching for his glasses; Harry put them on and took a look around the room. Ahh I'm in Remus' quarters.
Harry smiled as he thought of what Remus had done for him over the past four months. He had comforted him, lent an ear when he needed to vent. He had even promised to teach him to defend himself from the dementors.
Harry slowly slid out of bed, shivering when his bare feet touched the cold stone floor. He tiptoed to the adjoining bathroom and taking a towel out of the small cupboard to the left of the bathroom door, started the shower up. After locking the door, Harry started to slowly undress.
He gasped out loud at the sight that met him in the full length mirror on the back of the door. He had lost too much weight in such a short space of time, his ribs jutted out and his hipbone protruded sharply. His skin was pale and was covered in goose pimples. He had a large bruise under his rib.
Shaking his head at his reflection, Harry stepped into the gloriously warm shower and began to wash the stress of yesterday away. Pulling on his clothes, Harry cast a drying charm Hermione had taught him on his hair and exited the bathroom to find Remus sitting on his bed.
"Oh hello Uncle Remus Happy Christmas." Said Harry, slightly surprised.
"Happy Christmas Harry. How are you feeling today?" said Remus, smiling kindly.
"I'm fine thanks." said Harry politely.
But the slightly shifty expression on Harry's face, not to mention the waver in Harry's voice had him concerned.
"Are you sure Harry?" said Remus gently.
Harry nodded and sat down on the bed next to Remus. He shifted closer to him, hoping Remus would get the message. Thankfully he did because he opened his arms and smiled softly.
Harry smiled and rested his head on Remus' shoulder, wrapping his skinny arms around his waist as Remus wrapped his arms around his shoulders. Harry sighed contentedly. He could never get tired of this.
"Are you sure you're alright? Yesterday must have been frightening for you." Harry stiffened in Remus' arms but just shrugged.
"I was a bit shaken up, but I'm fine now." Harry said, pulling away and smiling at Remus.
"Ok if you're sure. Now shall we go and open presents?" said Remus, jumping up and pulling Harry with him.
Harry chuckled and followed Remus out of the room and into the living room. His eyes widened at the sight that met him. Under the beautifully decorated Christmas tree, was a very large pile of brightly wrapped presents.
"All for you." Remus said, chuckling at the expression on Harry's face.
A big grin split Harry's face and Remus had to suppress the urge to hug him to death.
"Well they're not going to open themselves." chuckled Remus.
Smiling sheepishly, Harry sat down near the tree and began to open his presents. From Ron, he had received a large box of chocolate frogs, and a book on Quidditch moves. From Hermione he had received a handsome eagle feather quill, handsome leather bound book with blank pages and by the looks of it a letter.
Smiling to himself, Harry slit the letter open and began to read; watched closely by Remus;
Dear Harry,
I know we are not talking at the moment, but you're still my best friend and wanted to give you your gift. Do you like the book? It's a bit like an enclyopedia. All you do is write what you're looking for and it will recommend the book to read. Cool right?
Anyway, me and Ron just wanted to say how sincerely sorry we are. We never meant to upset you and hate to see you going around the school on your own.
I know you were only trying to protect me and I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. We hope you can accept our apology so that we can be friends again.
Love Ron and Hermione.
Harry's heart lifted considerably as he moved to the rest of the presents. He got his usual knitted jumper from Mrs. Weasley (This one red with the Gryffindor lion on it) along with a large box of mince pies and fudge. He then came to a large box wrapped in golden paper.
Staring suspiciously at Remus, who had a mischievous grin on his face, Harry turned back to the box and opened it slowly. It was a handsome wooden box, about half the size of his school trunk. It had two letters embossed upon it in fancy gold lettering. J & L. Heart hammering, Harry turned to Remus who was watching Harry anxiously.
"Go on open it," smiled Remus.
With shaking hands, Harry did so and happy tears filled his eyes at the contents. Inside was an assortment of photos, letters two small leather boxes, a larger flat box and a large leather bound photo album.
Flipping the lids slowly on the small boxes, Harry let out an involuntary sob at the contents, in the boxes were his mothers and fathers wedding rings. Remus dropped to his knees beside Harry and wrapped an arm around him, giving him support.
"Open the other box", said Remus, squeezing Harry's shoulders gently.
Harry did so and a smile lit up his face at what was inside. It was a fine gold chain, with an oval locket attached to it (Not unlike the one Ron and Hermione had given to him.)
"You can put your parent's wedding rings on there as well." Remus said, pointing to two small hoops on either side of the necklace. "Then you can wear it around your neck, I have charmed them so that only you can take it from around your neck and it has anti theft charms as well."
Tears filled Harry's eyes and he let out a happy little sob.
"Thank you." said Harry hoarsely.
"You're welcome Harry," said Remus gently, enveloping Harry in a warm hug.
"There's one more thing under there." said Remus, pointing to a long thin package underneath the Christmas tree.
Frowning slightly, Remus watched as Harry unwrapped the package and gasped when the wrappings fell away.
"It's a Firebolt!" Harry exclaimed. "But who sent it?"
Remus rummaged through the wrappings but found nothing. Staring suspiciously at the broom, Remus turned to Harry.
"I'm afraid I can't allow you to have this broom until it has been checked for jinxes"
Harry's face fell.
"Why?" he said defensively.
Remus took a deep breath "Because I think it's been sent by Sirius Black.
Harrys stomach plummeted painfully and he felt as if all the air had been sucked out of him.
"Good point." said Harry miserably.
Reluctantly, he handed the broomstick to Remus who smiled reassuringly at him.
"Don't worry Harry, if its jinx free it will be given back as good as new," Remus said kindly.
"I know I understand," said Harry, smiling sincerely at Remus.
Remus ruffled Harry's hair and got to his feet, extending a hand to Harry, he pulled him to his feet and smiled cheerfully at him.
"Right now you young man go and get some breakfast and see your friends, ill clean up here." Remus said, indicating to the big pile of wrapping paper.
"I don't want to leave you on Christmas Day!" exclaimed Harry.
Remus chuckled and ruffled Harry's hair, earning a scowl from Harry.
"I'll be fine, go and see your friends," said Remus, chuckling.
"Okay if you're sure..." said Harry slowly.
Remus smiled and nodded, so Harry left the room, casting one doubtful glance back as he did so.
As he entered the hall it was extremely noisy, a lot of people had come downstairs for the Christmas breakfast as Christmas Day the house elves really went to town.
Making his way over to Gryffindor table, Harry spotted Ron and Hermione at the end and conversing in low whispers. Harry approached them nervously, not sure of what to say to them. But it seemed he didn't need to because as soon as he got within five feet away from them his vision was obscured by a mane of brown frizzy hair.
"Harry! I heard what happened yesterday. Are you alright? Do you need to see Madame Pomfrey? Have they been caught?" said Hermione, very quickly.
"Let the man breathe Hermione," chuckled Ron.
"Listen you guys I just wanted to say;-"
"Don't apologise," said Hermione interrupting and sitting back down, shifting to make room for Harry.
"Yeah mate, were the ones who should be apologising," said Ron, ears turning red, much to the amusement of Harry.
"Why?" said Harry, completely dumbfounded.
"We snapped at you and turned against you when you needed us most and that's just not cool," said Ron, ears a bright red by now.
Harry chuckled "its fine guys, no need to apologise,"
Hermione looked doubtful and Ron looked extremely happy.
"So Harry what did you get for Christmas?" said Ron loudly, talking over Hermione who had just opened her mouth to retort.
"Umm a few books, loads of my parents photos and letters, what you guys got me, a Weasley jumper and umm a Firebolt," said Harry.
Ron who had been taking a long drink of pumpkin juice at the time, choked and sprayed his drink everywhere, much to the disgust of the three first year girls in front of him and Hermione who tutted loudly.
"Honestly Ronald it's just a broomstick," Hermione snapped, rolling her eyes.
"Just a broomstick?" sputtered Ron indignantly "It's the best broom going. Slytherin have no chance," said Ron, rubbing his hands together gleefully.
"Nope Professor Lupin confiscated it, said Sirius Black could have sent it." Harry said glumly, picking at the fruit and porridge that had appeared in front of him.
Rons mouth fell open in horror "But what're you going to use for Quidditch?" said Ron.
Harry shrugged non commitally.
"Shall we have a snowball fight after breakfast?" said Ron, abruptly changing the subject at a glare from Hermione.
"Yeah why not?" said Harry, grinning wickedly.
"Brilliant," said Ron and he whispered to a timid looking second year that was next to him who whispered to the person sitting next to him and so on and so forth.
"Have you just got the whole of Gryffindor involved in a snowball fight?" said Harry incredulously, eyeing Fred and George who were grinning menacingly at him.
"Yep." said Ron, taking a bite of sausage.
Harry chuckled and turned to Hermione who was surveying the two boys with fondness and amusement.
"Are you joining us 'Mione?" said Harry, giving her his best puppy dog eyes.
"Oh why not? It's Christmas," said Hermione, throwing her hands up in the air and smiling at the two boys who both had looks of a disbelieving nature.
After breakfast, they hurried out to the snow covered grounds where the students remaining at Hogwarts over Christmas had a fast paced but very fun snowball fight. They then built igloos and snowmen and charmed snowballs to chase the Slytherins around all day, smacking them in the back of the head.
All in all it had been a very fun morning, Harry, Ron and Hermione were just in the process of building a snow hippogriff when a large barn owl flew over and perched on the hippogriffs nose, causing it to crumble.
"It has a note," said Hermione, taking the note from the owl and stroking it's glossy feathers. It took off at once, sending snow flying everywhere.
"It's for you Harry," said Hermione, handing Harry the letter.
Harry opened the letter and began to read, a small smile appearing on his face.
Harry,
Would you Ron and Hermione want to join me for a hot chocolate in my cabin?
Hagrid
"It's from Hagrid, he wants us to visit him," said Harry, smiling widely.
"Lets go then," said Ron eagerly and the three third years set off at a run towards Hagrids cabin, dodging a rather large snowball aimed at them by Fred.
When they reached the cabin, they knocked loudly and the door was thrown open at once. As soon as they entered, Fang the Boarhound jumped up at them, licking their faces.
"Hi Hagrid Happy Christmas," said Harry, pushing fang off and sinking into a chair, Ron and Hermione followed suit.
"Happy Christmas, got summat fer the three of yer," said Hagrid and he rummaged through his pockets and pulled out three scruffily wrapped parcels.
Harry took his parcel and smiled when he saw that it was a dragon hide wand holster.
"Thank You Hagrid," all three exclaimed.
"Yer' welcome," chuckled Hagrid, plopping three steaming mugs of hot chocolate in front of them.
They spent the rest of their visit discussing Buckbeaks fate, Sirius Black and before Harry abruptly changed the subject; his condition.
As they trudged back up to the castle for the magnificent Christmas dinner, the three chatted amiably, glad to be friends again.
"I'm starving," groaned Ron, dropping into a seat at Gryffindor table and eyeing the empty plates longingly.
Hermione shook her head and rolled her eyes, suddenly the food appeared on the plates and Harry and Ron tucked in right away; Tasty roast turkey, roast parsnips, chipolatas in cranberry sauce followed by a desert of fruit trifle and then Christmas pudding.
Sneaking a glance at the staff table, Harry was happy to see Professor Lupin, chatting animatedly with Professor Dumbledore who was softly chuckling, Professor Lupin seemed to sense his gaze as he looked over at him and smiled, Harry smiled back and gave a small wave.
It was two very full and sleepy boys that shuffled up to Gryffindor tower that night, after a midnight snack of crumpets toasted on the fire, they decided to call it a night.
Harry was surprised when he saw that all of his presents from this morning had already been brought up. Yawning loudly, Harry pulled out his pyjamas and climbed into bed where he fell asleep immediately. All in all it had been the best Christmas ever.
A/N: Just to let you guys know. I might not be able to update for a few weeks as my Mum is going on holiday and taking the laptop with her and then when she gets back I will be going on my own holiday with my best friend and boyfriend.