Disclaimer: I can honestly say that after looking at my poor bank balance I do not own any of the characters that you see and recognise here from either Harry Potter or The Labyrinth, I am just having a little fun with them all

Chapter Twenty-Five – Holidays are coming…

Instead of heading straight back to his dorm to finish packing, all classes had finished the day before to give the students time to get ready to leave, Jared went to the dis-used classroom near to Hufflepuff house that he had sorted out for meditation.

It had taken him two day work, between attending lessons, studying and spending time with his friends but finally he had thoroughly cleaned the room. He had used his knowledge of the location for the kitchens to obtain the necessary cleaning equipment so that he could do it by hand.

The windows now had a clean sparkle to them, there was no dust on any surface and the flag stones had been thoroughly scrubbed. The small fireplace at the very back of the room had also been scrubbed clean of the ancient ash that it was crusted with and the black fire guard was scoured and polished. Finally he had moved all of the chairs and desks in the room to one side and neatly stacked them together.

Once all of that was done he had then consulted with Professor Flitwick on the best ways to cleanse the room of all magical influence. After his own brief inspection of the room Flitwick had been delighted with the work Jared had done to clean it and been more than happy aid in the cleansing of it. When they were done he had even asked if Prince Jared would mind if he joined him sometimes for meditation as it was something he had learned long ago when training and naturally it had always helped him concentrate more, especially when trying to lean a particularly tricky new spell or movement with his weapons.

It was something else he had given up when he had become a teacher, along with his days on the duelling circuit, Jared had happily agreed to share the room with his Professor.

Flitwick had set up one ward on the room to prevent any listening spells or devices from being planted inside as well as a second ward on the door that password protected it, he and Jared had then decided on a password together. Unlike a normal spoken password they had decided to set it to only react to a goblin made coin that Flitwick had provided, they each had one and it had to be pressed to the keyhole to unlock the ward and the door. To ensure no one could take the coin off them and use them Flitwick had also keyed the wards to his and Jared's magical signature.

They knew the Headmaster would detect the ward once it was set up so Flitwick had made sure to talk to McGonagall about it and she had given him written permission for it as a result of an official request by a student for a private place to meditate, she backdated the forms and had Jared fill them out, all of which was within her authority as the Deputy Headmistress and in the past was always something that would have been dealt with by the Deputy and not the Headmaster anyway. The Headmaster would be unable to say anything about it, especially as it was also a space that Flitwick would be using as well.

Now after his meeting with the Headmaster Jared headed there and settled down to at least an hour's meditation to regain the sense of peace in his mind that he had lost. When he was sure he had regained it he came out of his meditative trance and spent a little time cleaning and straightening the room, then he headed back to his dorm to pack the last of the things he was taking home.

He was soon finished and headed back down to the common room, there he found the other first years relaxing in some comfy chairs having finished their own packing but he soon had them persuaded to wrap up warm and head out for one last snowball fight. Ever since the first flakes had begun to fall Jared had been fascinated and slightly obsessed with the snow, something that had amused all of his friends.

They had laughed at him and the excited way he had bounced around the common room from window to window watching it fall like a little child, it was the most childlike they had ever seen him, the mature polite Prince they all knew had disappeared. It was Susan that had managed to ask through her own tears of laughter "Don't you get snow in your Kingdom?"

Jared had shaken his head and bounced to another window as he replied, "It's really more of a hot dessert Kingdom, it can get pretty chilly but never cold enough for Snow. My Stepmum is from America and she told us about snow and the fun it could be but we never got it. I didn't realise it was so beautiful." He had then spun around and to their amusement begged them to go out and play in it.

Even the older students couldn't help grinning at the sight and hadn't been able to resist his begging, it had resulted in a massive snowball fight that included all members of Hufflepuff, although by the end most of the Gryffindor's and Ravenclaw's had joined in too, even a few members of Slytherin House had gotten involved, although it was only the ones from the Sunday study sessions the first years had.

When they had all eventually started to return back inside the students had found three very amused heads of houses watching them before they directed them all in to the Great Hall where they had ordered the house-elves to serve Hot Chocolate and Gingerbread biscuits to the students to help warm them up.

Ever since then if he wasn't in lesson, studying or training with Flitwick Jared would try and get everyone to go and play out in the snow and if no one would he just shrugged and went out on his own and built snowmen.

The early morning training sessions had also moved inside now because of the snow, they met up in the entrance hall and did the warm up exercises there before going for a jog around the castle. Fred and George Weasley had sat down with Jared and a map to try and work out the best route especially as they seemed to know where all of the secret passage ways were.

They had been really surprised when they got joined by McGonagall and she had helped them plan the route too, making sure it was one that wouldn't cause any trouble to any other students that may be around, not likely with how early they worked out but it was still better to plan for it just in case.

Another reason for meeting up with the twins was to discuss the possibility of a new prank but with the head of Gryffindor's arrival they had to re-arrange that meeting, the next day all three had discreetly gone to the seventh floor and spent an hour and a half in the hidden office, Jared had managed to find out that it was in fact Rowena Ravenclaw's private office by this point. They had made plans for a Christmas prank that would be pulled while most of the students were away, as such it was aimed at the teachers but a few cameras strategically placed would make sure the students didn't miss out.

The following morning after the Headmasters attempt to stop him leaving saw all of the first years sitting in the Great Hall chatting excitedly about plans they had for over the Christmas holidays, again the only one not talking much about their own plans was Jared, he had vaguely explained to the others why he wouldn't know until he returned home so they knew not to push him too hard for details.

Soon enough they had all eaten and after collecting their trunks headed for the carriages that would take them down to the station, before climbing in Jared surprised most of them by stepping to the front and appearing to pat something that wasn't there.

"Hey Jared what are you doing?" Justin asked him curiously, Jared glanced over his shoulder and saw the others looking at him with bemused expressions, although Susan appeared to be a bit pale and wide eyed, clearly she could see the creatures too.

Jared gave them a small smile, "I'm just thanking these beautiful creatures for pulling the carriage for us. Hop in and I'll explain as we head down to the station." They gave a shrug and got in no one wanted to hang about and risk missing the train, he moved to join them and soon they were moving off.

"You guys can't see them but Hogwarts has its own herd of Thestrals. They are horse like creatures but have what appears to be a thinner skin because you can see the skeleton through it but is actually very tough and wings that look similar to a bats. The thing about Thestrals is that you can only see them if you have seen death." The others all sat in silence for a few moments as they considered this, Jared glanced at Susan but didn't ask what had led to her seeing them, it was considered a rude thing to ask due to how private the reply could be.

Finally Megan quietly said, "I guess after your parents, your birth parents I mean that explains why you can see them."

Jared didn't feel like correcting her, after all how could a fifteen month old baby truly comprehend that they had seen death, no it wasn't his birth parents dying that gave him the ability to see the Thestrals but that didn't mean he wanted to talk about something that private, so he didn't say anything and let them come to their own conclusions instead.

The rest of the journey was in silence and remained that way until they were about 10 minutes in to the journey on the train and Jared's invite to a game of exploding snap broke them all out of it and they started to have a fun trip back to London.

xx

In London Jareth was stood on the magical side of the platform waiting for the train to arrive, he had kept back to the shadows wanting to avoid all the other parents waiting for their own children. He had been called away by a wish the day before but with no run of the Labyrinth, it seemed to be getting rarer and rarer for a run to occur these days, as such he was still in a dark mood and didn't really feel like being nice with the mortals.

It seems he was not to get his own wish as he was approached by a tall blonde man, he stopped just short of where he stood and gave a short shallow bow of his head, "Good day, may I ask am I addressing the father of Prince Jared?"

Jareth forced himself to keep his face neutral, he didn't return the bow, which he had found rather insulting given how shallow it had been and in a bored voice simply stated "I am" before looking away from the man hoping he would take the rather obvious hint and leave, unfortunately that was not to be.

"I am Lucius Malfoy your Majesty, our boys are in the same year at Hogwarts. I hope you will forgive me my presumption but every year we hold a ball at Malfoy Manor to celebrate Christmas and I wish to personally extend an invitation to you and your family." He held out a small white rectangle and the way he held himself and the small smile tugging at his lips told Jareth that the blonde expected nothing else but for him to take the invite and agree to attend immediately.

Through his work at the bank Jareth knew that the Malfoy family was currently considered one of the richest and most influential families in Britain's wizarding world, the goblins had even heard that he was pushing to be called a Lord and have the family status moved from a magical house to a Noble and Most Ancient one but the records office was managing to resist them due to the technical requirements needed to for the change in status that the Malfoy family were still at least two generations away from meeting to even be called an Ancient house let alone a Noble one.

Jareth was more than aware of how inaccurate the assumption made by the wizarding world was as he knew exactly how much the Malfoy's had and who was far richer but chose not to broadcast it as they did. Without even looking back at the man, instead choosing to look around at the other people on the station and noticing Madam Longbottom off to one side clearly watching them he said in the same bored voice, "We already have engagements we cannot break."

The smug look on Lucius's face disappeared and a look of anger began to glimmer in his eyes at the dismissive way he was being spoken to, he forced himself to give a small humourless smile "You would of course be welcome to drop by during the evening even if you could not stay for long."

Jareth finally turned and glared at him and Lucius took a step back as terror shot through him at the sight of the hard cold eyes being turned on him. They seemed to look right through him to his very soul, "I have given you my answer now leave." The voice was as cold and hard as the eyes. Lucius gave a very quick short shallow bow and without a word left, the feeling of fear continued to grip him as he hurried back across the platform and reminded him of the days of his master.

It was another five minutes before the train arrived, during that time Jareth remained at the back of the platform in the half shadows, he only moved out of them when heard the whistle of the train beginning to arrive, then he moved over to where he had seen Madam Longbottom off to the side.

He stopped just short of her and gave a short bow to her which she returned by giving a slightly deeper bow of respect to him, "Your Majesty, I trust you are well?"

He gave her a small tight smile, "I am, though some unfortunate duties I was required to attend to unexpectedly yesterday have I admit left me a little intolerant to some of the idiots populating the platform today. " She gave him a grim look of understanding and without saying anything quite obviously glanced over at Malfoy showing that she had seen the exchange even if she had not heard what had been said. "I trust you are too, I take it you are here to pick up Neville? Jared has written to us of the friendship they have found in each other." He politely asked, his smile starting to turn a little warmer, clearly he preferred talking to her.

She returned his smile, "I too am well thank you sire, and Neville has written of their friendship too it has helped comfort my old heart that he has found someone to confide in, he did not have an easy life growing up." A look of shame crossed her face, "I admit I was too harsh on the boy, blinded by attempting to make him more like my son, but recently I have come to realise my error."

Jareth was about to reply but just then the train pulled in to the station with a puff of steam and a final loud piercing whistle. Moments after it had stopped doors were opening and laughing chattering students were pouring out, cries of welcome were being shouted along with names and family titles such as mum, dad, aunt, uncle or cousin.

Jared rushed over a huge smile on his face as he stopped just short of his father and gave a hasty bow to him, "Your Majesty, father it is good to see you."

Jareth finally broke out into a genuine full smile, "And you little one, who are your friends?" he gave a small bow of his head in the direction of the few people behind Jared.

Turning so that his father could see them properly, but making sure not to turn his back on him either Jared said, "Sire please allow me to introduce to you some of my friends, Miss Hermione Granger," as he indicated each friend and said their name they bobbed a little curtsey or a short bow, "Miss Susan Bones, Mr Neville Longbottom and Mr Justin Finch-Fletchley." Most of his other friends had already met their relatives off the train and headed home.

Jareth inclined his head at each one, "Greetings, I trust you all had a pleasant journey." He got nods and murmurs of agreement from them all and the girls had a faint blush as they did theirs. "I hope you all have a merry Christmas but if you will excuse us Jared and I must be getting back."

He gave a final nod in Madam Longbottom's direction and Jared quickly gave a hasty goodbye to everyone, he had noticed the shadow in his father's eyes and knew he only got that after a failed or no-run of the Labyrinth and explained the rush in leaving as normally his father would spend the time in his office away from others, not picking his son up from a busy train station filled with irritating mortals.

They both remained silent as Jareth took them outside and into the waiting black Rolls Royce, in the car he finally wrapped an arm around Jared and pulled him close to give him the hug he had wanted to do since laying eyes on him, "I have missed you little one." He admitted quietly into his son's hair.

Jared returned the hug with equal ferocity, "And I you father." They stayed like that for some time and before they knew it they were outside the Leaky Cauldron. Jareth then had Jared cast his own glamour using his own Fae magic to make sure he had not forgotten how to, once he was happy with it he cast his own glamour, it was necessary to ensure they were not recognised not that anyone would know who he was but he didn't want anyone to remember the look of the person seen escorting Harry Potter should they see through Jared's glamour, he knew there was no way they would see through his glamour.

Jareth had used his own Fae magic at the station to shrink Jared's trunk and place in it his jacket pocket. When they had reached bank and were away from the eyes of the general wizarding world Jareth handed the shrunken trunk to a pair of Goblin warriors un-shrunk it and told them, "Have both the trunk and everything in it checked for any kind of tracking or listening charms. Once any present have been removed send it on to the castle."

Jared thought about protesting against having the goblins going through his personal things but decided against it, after all he wouldn't put it past Dumbledore to try something like that and the safety of the Kingdom, the castle and his family came before any personal feelings of embarrassment he would have. He and his father then headed further into the bank to the special room for travel to the Underground and home.

xxxx

A/N Take a cyber-cookie from this big plate of them if you know where the title of this chapter came from *presents plate of cookies*

I also couldn't resist bringing out the childlike side of Harry/Jared with the snow, after all he is only eleven and who didn't love playing in the snow at that age.

OK I would now like to address some things I have had through some reviews from one very rude person so to those of you that have been lovely and loyal readers I apologies for the really long A/N that is to follow.

First of all I do not appreciate being shouted at when sent a review and yes writing in Caps when you clearly know where the key on your keyboard is to turn it off is called shouting. If my fic angers you then stop reading, there is no excuse for shouting at someone just because you do not like something being written.

This is Fanfiction what is written is my opinion and my thoughts on something, if you don't agree then don't read it there is no excuse for bad and rude behaviour like this, and to tack on a 'please note I am not religious' after invoking the name of someone from the bible to make your point only highlights how much of an idiot you are. I am religious, a catholic in fact and while swearing in the name of Moses didn't bother me this added note did as you made it sound offensive to be religious and was quite insulting to me. If you don't know the author you really shouldn't make comments like that if you don't want to offend someone.

Secondly I clearly say in the summary that there will be Weasley bashing in this fic, not Ron or Ginny but Weasley bashing so again don't go shouting at me because I attacked one you happen to like after clearly being warned. I will tell you now that my opinions of the Weasley's are as follows:

Arthur – He's a decent guy, bit of a wet blanket most of the time but I think he has a core of steel rarely seen.

Molly – Can't stand her, clearly thinks she always knows best and will not to listen to others, also either easily manipulated or happy to let others be manipulated (See below point for explanation)

Bill – No opinion as not really known.

Charlie – Same as Bill an unknown.

Percy – Complete prat not really well liked but necessary as someone needs to do all the paperwork in the world (Been there in that position myself)

Fred and George – Well liked but can have a tendency to go too far with pranks so could do with a talk about bullying and lines that shouldn't be crossed.

Ron – Can't stand him, lazy and bigoted in the extreme (Not all bigotry is for evil can go to the extreme in the other way.) Expects everything to be given to him without having to do any of the work for it.

Ginny – Fan girl, spoiled brat and far too obsessive and clearly thinks she deserves whatever she wants regardless of other peoples thoughts including those that she wants (Harry).

Now I like the Harry Potter books, I wouldn't write HP Fic if I didn't but anyone with half a brain can tell that JK, as good as she was had several huge plot holes through all of the books, it's what we fans use and take advantage of to write our fanfics after all. So with that in line:

Firstly in the books Harry has been kept from the wizarding world on purpose by Dumbledore, if that is so then how in the name of all that exists does everyone know exactly what he looks like on sight when no one has actually seen him before! Are you telling me that it is completely impossible for anyone else to have a scar on their forehead that can lead to mistaken identity? Yet everyone knows what he looks like so well that they mob him.

I live in England out national sport is Football (Soccer in America) it is constantly everywhere on TV, in newspapers even on advertising boards in some places but if any of the footballers from any of the most famous teams like Manchester United walked past me on the street I wouldn't recognise them, just because someone is well known and famous does not automatically mean they are recognisable to everyone no matter what they are famous for, even hero's!

I bring this up because this rude reviewer said that Ollivander should have immediately recognised him. I never wrote that he did or didn't only that he recognised the Goblin King so naturally he was polite to one who was clearly being treated and even named by the King as his son, even if he recognised him as Harry Potter he was still with a King, had been introduced as a prince and as such got treated in the correct manner, or would you like to be face to face with a King and rudely say to him "Of course I know he's half human I can see it's Harry Potter in front of me." Say that and see how long you stay 1) in business and 2) in the presence of the very people you have just insulted, especially when two of them are full Fae.

Secondly JK created one of the biggest plot holes for the first book when she did this next one. Molly has attended Hogwarts herself for seven years, she has then proceeded to send five children there and is about to send the sixth, she even comments on sending her seventh child there the following year so again in the name of all that exists how does she get away with asking at the top of her voice what the platform number is and comments on all the 'muggles' in the station (not in that order) without causing attention from said 'muggles' or the Ministry and not have the whole thing stink of a set up for Harry! If you like Molly fine just don't expect all us to like her when she is clearly happy for an innocent eleven year to be so badly manipulated.

Finally I would like to ask the very rude reviewer that caused this A/N just what is wrong with Hufflepuff? Or are you as bigoted and prejudiced as the rest of the wizarding world? You call them all weaklings but JK never actually told us anything about most of the characters in that house other than some names, and I would hardly call the niece of the head of the DMLE who is also raising her weak.

They are the house known for hard work and loyalty and last time I checked they are qualities that should be valued. Only those who are falling into the prejudiced and bigoted thinking of the wizarding world believe that they are a weak house, it's the same mentality that thinks all Slytherin's are evil, just because you value cunning and ambition does not make you evil.

Hard work, loyalty, ambition and cunning are qualities most peoples need to get at least semi decent positions in businesses or even government offices, not all government employees are evil politicians (Again someone needs to do the paperwork and it tends to be the admin workers but even they have quite a bit of competition for getting to be the workers to the senior members of the company/government office).

But even putting the prejudiced aside, their symbol is a badger, have you ever learned anything about these animals because if you did you would know they are not weak animals but can be quite ferocious predators if they need to be, mostly they will eat earth worms, fruit and other little bits they can get but if necessary they will also go for new born rabbits, voles, hedgehogs and moles, not to mention they have sharp teeth and claws which if used in a fight can be very lethal and deadly.

Rant over. Again sorry if you have been one of the lovely and loyal readers of my fic, to all you I have nothing but gratitude but this one reviewer just really got me worked up with their stupidity and I felt I had to say something.

Keep writing and have fun

V.