A POTTER, LUPIN, BLACK, DELMHAR, WEASLEY, VESSER, POMFREY KIND OF CHRISTMAS
Revised: October 31, 2013
Saturday December the 21st the students at Hogwarts went off to do their Christmas shopping. Although shops were closed here and there Harry was able to buy all he wanted for his friends and family. He even took in pride more so this year the shopping for he had an extra person to shop for- his baby brother. That night Harry made sure he had his trunk packed and was more ready than ever to go back home for three weeks. As much as he loved being at school he could not say no to the place he was actually welcomed and loved.
The next day students were all boarding up on the Hogwarts Express back home. Harry wanted to just floo home like he usually did whenever he needed his braces tightened but Remus insisted half the excitement of the winter holiday was the preparation and ride back home. Harry was dozing off in his seat on the train when he felt someone shake his shoulder. Hermione was beaming at him.
"The train is slowing down! We'll be home soon!" she said.
Grinning Harry went to put away his book and cats in their baskets (much to Weinki's displeasure) and made sure he was bundled up. Before he knew it the train had come to a complete stop and he was looking out onto the famous Platform 9 ¾. He scrambled out and met up with Helena, Sirius, Cayden, Tonks, the Grangers, and the Weasleys. Everyone happily greeted one another when their kids got off.
"It's so late, are you sure it's okay to bring him?" Harry asked Helena, indicating a baby who was wrapped in a thick blanket over her chest.
"I am his mother and Healer Harry," Helena smiled.
"Right how could I forget?"
"How are you kiddo?" Sirius cried and hugged his godson.
"Sirius, you see me every month!"
"Oh Harry dear! You are looking healthier than ever before!" Molly Weasley said joyously as she kissed his cheek.
"You really are looking wonderful honey, it's great to know you no longer need to take any potions," Emma Granger was saying.
"Been looking after my daughter all right?" Daniel winked at Harry as he slung an arm over him.
"Of course," Harry said causing Hermione turn pink.
"See? Told you it's better to take the long train ride home than just floo there," Remus smirked at Harry.
It took a while for everyone to stop greeting each other so enthusiastically. Finally before everyone was to head off Molly asked, "So we're going to throw our Christmas celebration at the Vesser house?"
Remus nodded. "We talked it over with everyone and it seems like the consensus to hold it there as they will have room for all of us."
"So tell me exactly how we're going to do Christmas, I keep getting confused," Sirius asked his friend, arms crossed.
"For the tenth time, we are all going to go celebrate Christmas at the Vesser's, Julie Vesser was Lily's best friend and we have been keeping in contact for almost two years now. Everyone will arrive at the house around 8 AM where we will all have breakfast and open our presents for each other. All of our families will be there including Tonks and Poppy. We will stay the majority of the day at the house and whoever wants to stay for Christmas dinner will certainly be able to. After lunch is when we can all go back home if we have other arrangements with friends and family. We all know that Molly, Julie, and Harry here will take care of all the cooking and baking. I think that's it," Remus finished.
"And we will open all our personal gifts when we go back home, correct Remus?" Daniel asked the werewolf.
Remus nodded. Satisfied with their Christmas plans everyone began to disperse, of course the Blacks and Grangers were left together for Harry and Hermione had to make their good-bye last longest. Cayden then hiccupped and began to fuss. Helena sighed.
"Really you two, you'll see each other again in a few days. We should really get home; it's already almost 10:30. Have you had something to eat recently?" Helena asked Harry.
Harry was grinning at Hermione. "Just some bread, I didn't want to make a mess on the train trying to eat soup and that's all they had that I was allowed to eat."
"Well we have leftover pasta at home, we should go, Cayden's getting restless," Helena said looking impatient.
"Are you sure you guys don't have any plans then on Christmas?" Sirius asked Daniel and Emma.
"Oh no, when we heard about this grand Christmas get-together at the Vessers we wanted to attend," Emma smiled.
"Yeah, I already had plans to celebrate with my brother Lee on Christmas Eve and Emma's family are off doing their own thing. We can't wait to be in a house of wizards," Daniel said, arm around his wife.
"But even after we open gifts and eat at the house, you sure you don't want to go back home?" Sirius asked.
"Really, we'd love to attend. Besides, I don't think we can keep these two away from each other on Christmas," Daniel smirked at his daughter and Harry.
"Dad!" Hermione said embarrassed although she and Harry giggled.
"You'll be spending all day with us though," Sirius went on.
The plan was that the Grangers would go to Number thirty-one after the celebration at the Vesser household.
"He wants you to come, don't listen to him," Remus told the two.
Harry and Hermione finally let go of each other- promising they would keep in touch by e-mail until Christmas and they were finally off home. Harry sighed as Cayden did not quiet down the whole ride there. Sirius who was in the back seat with his two sons smiled at his oldest.
"Gotta get used to his crying again I'm afraid," he noted.
"Can't wait," Harry said sarcastically.
They finally drove up to the icy path of Number thirty-one Owl Post Lane and as soon as Harry stepped into the warm house he smiled- he was home. After a quick meal of left-over spaghetti Harry fell fast asleep in his bed. The next day Helena awoke Harry with a surprising announcement, they were going to have a professional photo of him, Cayden, Sirius, Remus, and herself taken for Christmas cards to their friends and family. Although Harry felt it was a little rushed and maybe something that should be done next year or when and if Sirius and Helena ever married, he had no choice but to follow along. Before they were to drive to this professional photographer Remus pulled Harry aside.
"I know you might be uncomfortable with the idea cub but I don't want you to act disappointed the whole day all right?" he whispered.
"I wasn't and I won't. Helena is Sirius' girlfriend and the mother of my godfather's son so no matter what, we will be family," Harry said feeling cheesy saying anything like this.
The wizard photographer took several shots of the Black/Lupin/Delmhar family and when they were finished they picked out their favorites and duplicated them, left a small Christmas message and sent them off by owl to their friends and family. They spent time walking around Muggle London for a couple hours after for lunch and shopping before going back home.
The next day was Christmas Eve, and to simplify things the Black/Lupin/Delmhar family decided to stay the night at the Vesser home. They had all packed up their gifts and food and such and went off to the large home of Lily's best friend, Julie. As soon as Harry stepped foot inside the home his leg was attacked by small arms. He looked down and saw Jacob Vesser, Julie's youngest child who looked up to Harry like a hero.
"Hawwy! Hawwy! Hawwy! You came!" Jacob was screeching excitedly.
"Hey there Jake, how are you?" Harry smiled and lifted the boy in his arms.
"I'm fine! I gots a new toy! It's a flyin' hippog'iff! They're my favorite amminal, didja know that? I also got a new haircut by Mummy las' week. Can you tell? I also painted a picture of you yesserday, it's on my door. You have funny things on your teeth- didja know that? They're right there," Jacob said pointing to Harry's braces.
Harry smiled. "Yes, I know."
"Stop bugging him with your nonsense, he doesn't care," the oldest child, Tommy said coming forward.
"Not this again you guys," Harry exasperated to the other Vesser children who all liked to cause trouble and tease their youngest brother.
"Harry dear, how are you?" smiled Julie Vesser, hugging him.
"Fine, you?"
"Well things have been a little crazy but nothing I'm not used to. Why don't you go and drop off those gifts you brought in under the tree all right? Have you guys had lunch yet?" Julie asked around.
"Oh yes, we didn't want to put that burden on you," Helena said, passing Cayden over to Julie who wanted to hold him.
"It wouldn't have been any trouble but if you're sure. We do have leftovers if you want any and I made little cakes to snack on and have tea boiling at the moment."
After eating a bit of chocolate cake and tea Harry was taken up to Jacob's room where he excitedly showed him his new flying hippogriff toy and the picture he drew of Harry. Harry raised a brow- it was more like a blob of colors and one very large scar scribbled on but he nodded and pretended to enjoy it. Jacob also took in the liberty of showing Harry things Harry had already seen last time he was here before asking Harry to read him a book about a magical giraffe who saves his friends from an evil wizard. As Harry did this he felt a little guilty that he was up here bonding with Jacob and not bonding with Cayden, his own brother, even if he was only five months. Luckily Julie seemed to have read his mind and came up the stairs and told the young boy it was time for a nap and Harry gratefully went downstairs. Cayden however was asleep as well, inside a sort of cushioned baby swing so Harry spent the time in the playroom with the two oldest children.
It was apparent that Christmas could not come soon enough that night before bed. All the children were running around excited- Harry one of them. He spent the night chasing after Tommy, Mirian, Adam, and Jacob around the house, even after everyone was dressed in their pajamas and it was past their bedtime.
"Get him! He was the one who stole the sorcerer's lucky hat!" Tommy cried pointing to Harry.
Mirian, Adam, and Jacob all piled on top of Harry in front of the stairs.
"Argh! No! No! Stop!" Harry cried as he felt three bodies land on him.
"We know you have it! We saw you take it!" Mirian called.
"What will you do if I don't give it to you hmm?" Harry challenged.
"Tickle attack!" Adam announced and soon four sets of hands were tickling Harry all over.
"Argh! Stop it! I mean it! All right! All right! Damn, here!" Harry gasped, pulling out an old wizard's hat they found in the house and throwing it on the floor.
"Yaaaa!" the children cried and Tommy picked it up, causing Mirian and Adam to run after him with it.
Jacob was still trying to tickle Harry but Harry easily held him back. "I don't think so you," the teen said. Jacob giggled.
"Right children- off to bed! Enough of this!" Julie finally called.
It took a little while later before she got her kids off to bed. Since the house only had five bedrooms and there were five extra people sleeping there that night, not everyone would be sleeping where they usually would. Jacob and Mirian still had their rooms to themselves but Adam had to sleep in Tommy's that night- luckily he already had a bunk bed and Remus would be taking Adam's where the bed was magically lengthened to fit him. Harry and Cayden were going to share the guest room and this left Sirius and Helena downstairs on the large pull-out sofa bed that was the size of a double bed.
Remus was now looking at Harry with an amused look on his face.
"What?" Harry asked, catching his breath.
"Oh nothing in particular," he said wisely. "Just been observing."
"Observing what?"
Remus' smile grew. "You seem to be really good with kids."
Harry's brows shot up as he stood. "What? No way, I was just having fun with them."
"I know but they were really enjoying it. Wouldn't you say so Padfoot?" Remus turned to Sirius who was sitting on the sofa.
"Oh yeah," Sirius agreed getting up as he held onto a smiling Cayden.
"What? But I was just running around with them, it doesn't mean I'm good with kids," Harry stated.
"That's exactly what it means. Not every person, especially a teen, would happily play with kids younger than themselves. You were chasing each other and playing games all evening and they really seemed to enjoy it," Remus said.
"Even Cayden here seemed to get a kick out of watching you, is that right buddy? Hm?" Sirius said smiling down at his son.
"Yes well…" Harry didn't know what to say. "I mean- well…"
"That Jacob boy seems to take a particular shine to you," Remus went on. "And you respond back."
"Well what am I supposed to do? Ignore him? He's three. Besides, he looks at me as some sort of hero and I hate that," Harry growled.
"Nonetheless, it's good to know in a few year's time you will be doing the same thing with Cayden here," Sirius said then handed the baby over to Harry. "I reckon it's time for us all to get ready for the night. You take Cayden upstairs right and get ready yourselves. Helena's the one with the wand so she can set up Cayden's make-shift crib."
Harry said good-night to his guardians then headed upstairs with Cayden in his arms. Harry had to hold the baby with one arm as he brushed his teeth that night for he couldn't leave him on the sink, toilet, tub, or floor of the bathroom then went into the guest room and waited for Helena. Harry amused his brother for a bit by allowing him to play with his fingers which seemed to be the little boy's fascination.
Helena arrived in the room around fifteen minutes later with the baby bag and her wand. She took out a small box labeled Collapse a Crib from the bag, then took out what seemed to be a wooden frame then enlarged it, and it became a make-shift crib, complete with mattress and blankets already inside. She set it in the middle of the room before taking Cayden from Harry, changed him into a red sleeper and changing his nappy before kissing him and placing him inside the portable crib along with a new favorite toy of his-a stuffed black cat. She then turned to Harry.
"Too old to be tucked in then?" she asked with a half-smile.
"Think so, but maybe just for tonight…" Harry replied.
She pulled up his blankets as well after he lay down then took off his glasses and kissed his temple before turning off the lamp. "Sleep tight then boys." She was about to shut the door before she looked back at Harry. "Are you sure you'll be all right sleeping in the same room as Cayden?"
"Yeah," Harry said.
"You won't mind if he wakes in the middle of the night?"
"He slept pretty well last night and you said so yourself he's been getting into a sleeping pattern lately so, we'll see," Harry shrugged.
"All right then. See you on Christmas," she winked then shut the door.
Harry was thankfully not bothered by his baby brother that night. Besides waking up at 2:30 A.M. with some slight whimpering (which Harry was able to rock him for ten minutes before he fell asleep again) all was calm and quiet.
Julie came by and woke Harry up at seven in the morning because she needed his help with the giant breakfast they were going to be making for the guests. Cayden felt Harry wake so he decided it was time for him to wake too and Harry brought him downstairs with him. Since the living room wasn't far from the kitchen Sirius and Helena woke up not long after the sounds of pots and pans were heard feet away.
"Do you know when everyone is going to arrive?" Harry asked the dark-haired woman who was busy frying bacon.
"Well they will all be arriving after eight I believe. Breakfast will be before nine then, we need everyone to settle in a bit and get their gifts under the tree of course," she said, already sounding winded.
"Are you sure you want so many people in your house? What with my family, the Grangers, The Weasleys, Madam Pomfrey, Tonks… that's what? Twenty-one people," Harry said looking surprised.
"I know but it seems as if everyone wanted a great big Christmas celebration this year and believe me, twenty-one is not the highest number of people who we had over. Can you hand me the eggs?"
Harry passed her a bowl of eggs and she began to crack them over the stove. At 7:30 the first guest arrived. The sound of a knock was on the door and Remus went to answer it. It was Tonks, dressed in a long deep purple coat, her hair spiked and vividly red for the season. She shivered as she stepped inside.
"Hello Tonks," Remus beamed.
"How are you? Goodness is it freezing outside. So where is everyone?" she looked around.
"Asleep, but Harry is in the kitchen."
Harry smiled when he saw his beloved 'aunt'. They hugged.
"How are you doing short stuff? Look at you, you finally seem to be looking sixteen," Tonks smiled and ruffled his hair.
"I know, and that's not the only way I know I've been growing," Harry said wisely.
Tonks winked and greeted Julie. At around eight there was a sound of a car outside the house and seconds later the doorbell was ringing. Harry knew who it had to be for they were the only ones who arrived by car and opened the door to reveal Daniel, Emma, and Hermione Granger, ladled with gifts and also shivering from the cold. Although he only just saw them a few nights ago at the Hogwarts Express he still gave each of them a hug and kissed Hermione. Since she was not too gifted in the kitchen Hermione opted to play with Cayden in the living room. By this time the Vesser children were up as the more people who showed up the louder the house became. Ten minutes after the Grangers, Molly Weasley showed up to help out Harry and Julie in the kitchen before one by one Arthur, Ron, Fred, George, and Ginny appeared. The last guest to arrive was Poppy and soon the house was buzzing with kids and adults alike, all in a very holiday mood. By nine sharp Harry, Julie, and Molly had all successfully moved the dishes to the large dining room table across the kitchen and called everyone over to eat.
It was almost a mad dash as everyone went over to choose which seat they wanted to sit in. Remus ended up next to Tonks and Arthur, Harry of course sat next to Hermione, and Poppy was next to him on his right; Helena was at the end of the table so she could place Cayden in his favorite bouncy seat and keep an eye on him. All twenty-one guests (minus one baby) ate the pancakes, eggs, bacon, toast, and fruit with gusto and conversation broke out.
"Mummy, when are we gonna open presents?" Adam kept whining to his mother.
"After we eat dear for the last time," Julie told the boy.
"I really hope you aren't too intimidated by us wizards," Will Vesser was telling Daniel with a smile.
"Oh no, it's perfectly okay. My family is close with Harry and his guardians now so we're used to it," Daniel said back.
"What is a Muggle Christmas like then?" Arthur was asking Emma.
"Well it's the same pretty much as this," she was struggling to find something to say that was different about it.
"-and her name is Emily and she's mighty fine," George was telling Ginny with a wink.
"But she's a Muggle, isn't that weird?" Ginny said.
"Remus, you look so dashing this morning, who'd have guessed?" Tonks said amusedly to the werewolf.
"Oh c'mon now," Remus said waving a hand and blushing.
"Oh wow is this good," Sirius was saying, mouth full of food.
"Sirius!" Helena hissed. "How is that supposed to be a good example for our son?"
"Oh please Hella, he's only five months," Sirius passed off.
"I promise! I promise!" Harry was saying in defense to Hermione who looked less-than-happy with him.
"-because if I find out you bought me more gifts this year than I did to you, you are going to regret it."
"We said we'd only give each other a few things this year and I stuck by it, geez," Harry said. "Besides, we aren't going to open the gifts our families gave for each other until tonight at my house remember?"
"We aren't? Damn, I can't wait that long to see what you got me," Sirius whined to his girlfriend.
"Well you're going to have to, it's something from your list so you'll be happy," Helena said smartly.
Breakfast was over an hour or so later and by this time the Vesser children were far more restless than ever before.
"We've never had to wait this long before, if we don't get to open anything in the next five minutes than I'm going to lock myself in my room," Tommy said to his mother, arms crossed.
"We just ate Tommy, you can wait. Christmas is about spending time with friends and family, not about presents."
"It's about presents!" Mirian said.
Finally around ten minutes later everyone else was getting excited about the gifts so they decided to gather around the large Christmas tree in the first sitting room that boasted very tall windows where they could see frost settling outside.
"Remember everyone, if there are any gifts you would rather open later with your own family then you don't have to open them right now," Julie announced.
"Why bring them then?" Tommy whispered to his sister and they snickered.
This meant that Harry was only going to open things the Weasleys, Vessers, and Poppy gave him but he didn't mind, he could wait for the big haul from his guardians tonight. Each child was given a gift first- including the teenagers and Cayden- although Sirius decided to open his first gift for him. At once they all opened a gift and of course the Vesser children cried out in happiness at theirs while Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny were a bit calmer. Even Sirius was almost as happy as the youngest at his son's first Christmas gift.
"Wow, thank-you so much Julie, he'll love this," Sirius said as he opened a stuffed elephant.
"Thanks a lot Julie," Harry said holding up his gift- which was the same for his friends as well, a hand-made ornament to hang on the tree, each sporting something the teens were into. Harry had a dragon ornament, Hermione a stack of books, Ron a Chudley Cannons emblem, and Ginny a bouquet of wild flowers.
"You're welcome kids, I like to make little things like that in my spare time," Julie smiled.
Time went by and soon Harry had opened several other things including a box of new items from Fred and George's new joke shop, Weasleys Wizard Wheezes, a plate of cookies and a chocolate cake from Molly, and even something from Ginny, causing him to look a little embarrassed and uncomfortable.
"Er, thanks," Harry said to her as he unwrapped a pair of knitted mittens.
"Mum's been teaching me how to knit and this is the first thing I was able to complete," Ginny pointed out with a smile.
Harry smiled, trying to show his gratitude in the least uneasy way as possible then set them in his small pile of gifts. The other gifts Harry received were a Wizard's Guide to Wizard's Chess from Ron, a fancy box of sweets from Tonks, and lastly, a small Refill of Broom Care items from Poppy.
"This doesn't mean I want to see you doing anything dangerous," she warned, looking stern.
"Of course not, thanks," Harry smiled.
The guests all had a large lunch and as the hours went by people began to leave. The Black/Lupin/Delmhar family and the Grangers were the only ones left. They said their thanks to the Vessers then Harry hopped inside the Granger car for the hour long drive to his house while Sirius, Remus and Helena, (with Cayden) drove off in Helena's small red car.
"I hope you had a good time today," Harry told Daniel and Emma on the ride home.
"We did. I think as the months go by we are getting more and more accustomed to your world," Daniel said.
"You may do things differently in the wizarding world but that doesn't mean we can't be friends," Emma said.
"Unfortunately that's not how everyone thinks," Harry growled.
"Is this about your other friend? Ron?" Daniel asked, eyes looking in the mirror behind to the kids.
"What? Oh no, he's fine now that I'm close to you guys. I just mean, well, other wizards in general. They aren't as open to accepting everyone."
"I told you about it after second year, remember Dad?" Hermione said.
"Oh, those Slytherin people?"
"Well, a bit yes but the majority of wizards born into wizarding families think like that too."
"Hmm," Daniel hummed. "Well I know I enjoy myself around the magical world now and I'm sure that's a good thing."
"You must like it if you're hanging with my family all day," Harry commented.
"Well I like your family Harry. We're all getting to know each other better aren't we?" an idea popped into Daniel's head. "Say, why don't you all come over to our New Year's Eve party this year? We had you over last year Harry but if your guardians want to join then we would really welcome them."
Harry smiled. "Yeah, I think they would like to come over."
"Wow, a whole year ago we had our first New Year's Kiss," Hermione said stroking Harry's arm.
"I know, and we'll soon make it a tradition. I'm going to bring along a camera again so we can take a picture of our second New Year's kiss," Harry was smiling.
Soon they pulled up into the driveway of Number 31 Owl Post Lane. It was already dark outside and snow was lightly falling. Harry helped carry the rest of the Grangers gifts into the house and set it under the tree in the sitting room corner. Harry immediately put up his new ornament from Julie onto the tree then admired the six foot plant for a bit before turning to Hermione who again, was holding Cayden.
"You sure do like him don't you?" Harry said looking semi-amused.
"I do. Since it's been some years since I was around a baby and now there is a new one to hold and love well, I've forgotten how wonderful they are," Hermione smiled as she allowed the baby to suck her finger. "Do you want to hold him?"
"What? No, I don't need to."
"But you'll look so cute with your Christmas outfit!" Hermione smiled.
"Who? Him or me?" Harry raised a brow.
Hermione looked at Harry who was dressed in a red and green striped jumper and Cayden who was dressed in a candy-cane outfit Sirius and Remus both agreed mirrored the one Harry wore on his first Christmas sixteen years ago.
"Well both of you of course."
"I would love to stay and see you bonding with my brother but I need to get dinner on now. I'm the only one in this house apart from Remus who knows how to not burn the place down."
Hermione nodded and Harry went inside the kitchen for a late start on dinner. At around 7 PM dinner was on. A nice fat juicy turkey sat proudly on the dining room table surrounded by potatoes in three varieties, a big bowl of veggies, a basket of rolls, and cider for all. After they rested a bit and chatted they decided to finally open their remaining gifts. Helena came round with a camera and Cayden in her arms and sat down next to her boyfriend on the sofa. Remus pulled out his wand and floated some chairs over near the Christmas tree and he took a seat on one as did Daniel and Emma.
"Should all the kids open a gift first again?" Daniel smiled.
Sirius looked upset but tried not to let it show. He was one who lived for celebrations and holidays.
"Yes," Remus stated as he looked at his friend.
Harry pulled out a gift from Remus, Hermione from her parents and Helena one for Cayden. They opened it at once, Harry excited because he didn't leave as big of a list as last year so he didn't know what was in all these boxes.
"Thanks, this is great," Harry smiled as he unwrapped a new snow cap with the Kenmare Kestrels logo on it and immediately put it over his hair.
"Hey, it looks to have the same shade of green as your eyes," Daniel noted as he watched the shamrock on the cap dance around.
"Thanks Dad!" Hermione exclaimed and hugged her father after she opened a brand-new blue bathrobe with her name sewn on the pocket.
"No problem, Crookshanks has only done enough damage to your old one."
"Adults next!" Sirius said and passed out a gift to Remus, Helena, Daniel, Emma and himself. He smiled as he opened a book called The Idiots' Guide to Easy Defense from Remus.
"Not saying you are an idiot but you do need to relearn some elementary things since the summer," Remus shrugged.
Daniel opened a gift which contained a new tie and Emma new earrings from her husband.
"Just the ones I wanted," she said kissing him.
Soon gifts were passed out at random and everyone was happily digging in. Harry smiled when he unwrapped a set of new towels that had a fancy H on it in red, gold, blue and green from Helena.
"You should have your own set of towels when your new bathroom is completed," she said.
"No way!" Daniel laughed as he opened the box that Harry had given him. It was his own set of wizard's chess.
"I figured you might like something magical that you could control. You don't have to be a wizard to move the pieces, you just have to tell them where to go," Harry pointed out.
"Thanks a lot lad, this is brilliant," Daniel gave him a great pat on the shoulder.
Sirius smiled when he opened a gift from Helena. It was brand new blue slippers with a fancy gold S on the toe. "Thanks dear," he kissed her.
Harry opened a book from Helena next called: The Daily Prophet's Best Word Searches in the Part 50 Years.
"I only see you do those whenever you're home," Helena smiled.
"Thanks, it's a great way to pass time," Harry nodded.
"Thank-you so much dear," Emma said and kissed her husband after unwrapping a book about ancient Greece.
The whole time Cayden was looking around with interest and began to laugh every time he saw the paper flying.
"How precious!" Hermione cooed and kissed his cheek. Cayden was now currently sucking on yet another new stuffed animal- this one a camel.
"He has enough animals to coat the floor in his room!" Helena exclaimed.
Other gifts Harry received included a mouse pad for his computer with the Kenmare Kestrel emblem on it from a tiny shop that sold wizard-themed Muggle items, more sweets, a new scarf and to his horror from Sirius- a bottle of rich-scented cologne.
"I'm sure Hermione will find Athletic Wizard Mist very enticing," Sirius winked.
Both Harry and Hermione turned deep pink.
"Er, thanks," was all Harry could manage to say.
Emma smiled when she unwrapped her next gift which was from Harry, it was a fancy bath set from a wizard shop in Hogsmeade with witch-inspired scents. "Thank-you dear, this looks wonderful."
Harry didn't receive as many gifts as he did last year but it didn't matter one moment because in ways, this Christmas was better than last year's. He had the best time last year with just Remus and Sirius but this year he was spending it with his girlfriend as well and her parents, and two new members of his family, his Healer and his baby brother. Among the other gifts Harry received were a nice new coat from Helena, refills on his Broom Candy maker, a few CDs from Metallica, Nirvana, Green Day, and the Wizard band Dragon's Fire, a Chinese Fireball shaped pillow from his guardians, a new parchment book, two more cookbooks, a Wizard's First Shaving Kit from Sirius as he was now growing hair faster than ever, a Green Day poster for his room, a fancy new quill, and a book of brand-new photos and facts on the Kenmare Kestrels. All that was left was the gift exchange between Harry and Hermione for they wanted to be the last ones to give each other gifts. They were about to hand them over when Sirius halted.
"Wait! We totally forgot to do something!" he called.
"What?" Remus said puzzled as he bit into a large chocolate pecan bar.
"Stockings! We hung them by the fire and they are filled and we never even looked at them since we got home!"
Sirius was right, indeed there were five stockings- plus three more which were the Grangers, hanging neatly and lonely by the fire, all filled with goodies. Sirius strode over to the fire to take them down and handed them out to everyone and everyone dug in. Helena dumped out several new baby items in Cayden's red stocking which included jars of baby food, a new outfit, a tiny pair of socks, and chewy toys.
"We have to thank Father Christmas for this don't we sweetie?" Helena kissed her son's plump cheek causing him to squeal with happiness.
Harry dumped out his stocking's contents and smiled and what he saw. A gift card for ten galleons at Quality Quidditch Supplies, another card for Honeyduke's, a new pack of socks, yet even more candy, and a special pack of tools to help him floss and clean his teeth for his braces.
"Ahh, I should write a letter thanking Father Christmas too," Harry said eyes wide and voice false.
"You should, I think he knew that could come in handy," winked Daniel, just as sarcastic as Harry.
"I can't wait any longer! I want to exchange gifts," Hermione smiled after everyone was finished and she placed on a dab of new lotion on her hands that was in her stocking.
"Me too," Harry agreed and together they each handed one another three gifts.
"You'll really like what I got you," Hermione noted as Harry began to tear off the pretty red paper with dancing Santa hats on it of his first present.
"Aw, Hermione thanks," Harry said happily as he unwrapped the flat box and found a Simpsons T-shirt.
"I saw it when we were doing last minute shopping with my parents the day after we got back from school."
Harry kissed her. "It's perfect, I love it." On it was a picture of the whole Simpson family all trying to choke each other. "Now you open one."
Hermione opened a book called: Witches in the Workforce, a Guide to Today's Careers by Gretchen Goqual. "Thank-you, this looks wonderful!" she beamed.
Hermione's other two gifts from him were a set of expensive quills and a beautiful gold locket. "Oh Harry…" she gasped as she opened it from the velvet box.
"Look inside," Harry urged her.
Hermione popped open the locket and saw a little moving picture of herself and Harry smiling and laughing in the snow last Christmas and on the other side of the locket were the words 'I love you not only for what you are, but for who I am when I am with you' scripted and engraved. Her eyes sparkled with tears and she attacked him with her lips.
"Oh Harry it's beautiful!"
"I want you to always have this with you all right? I don't care how cheesy I sound saying it but I really want you to keep this near you always, just to remind you you're never alone," Harry told her looking serious.
"Of course," she nodded.
The other two gifts Hermione gave Harry was a Simpson's calendar and something called The Sports Collector's Ultimate Album which was a large three ring binder with several different things going on.
"It is what it says," Hermione pointed out when Harry looked a little confused. "You can place all your sport-related items in it. It comes in three sections which I already started for you. I put in Quidditch obviously, and Cricket, and Football since I know you like those ones and my dad has been talking to you about the other two. Anyway, each section is reserved for all your items and things relating to the sports. It holds all your programs and schedules for each sport as well as collector cards and any other thing relating to it. I started you on each section with a pack of trading cards, see?" Hermione said quickly like she usually did when she explained something. She pointed out ten cards in the Quidditch, Cricket, and Football section of the album, all with moving pictures of players on his favorite teams.
"How- but"- Harry struggled to say.
"There are always a few wizards in the stands of Muggle sports and games taking pictures and recapping events for those wizards who enjoy Muggle sports so they can sell some wizard-themed items for Muggle sports. That's why the Cricket and Football cards can move," Hermione said, reading his mind as usual. "So, do you like it?" she asked hesitantly.
Harry's eyes were still a bit wide as he looked down at the flashy red binder that boasted The Sport's Collector's Ultimate Album in gold letters and several different balls were moving around on the cover from both wizard and Muggle sports. "Hermione, this is just"-
"Wicked," Daniel chimed in.
Harry beamed. "Yeah, that."
"You really think so? I didn't want to get you just some ordinary gift, I wanted something different that not everyone has and"-
Harry kissed her. "Really, this is so cool. I mean, it's so me. I love it, thank-you so much."
Sirius got up and stretched and announced they should all settle down now. Harry brought out dessert then, a delicious rich plum cake decorated with powdered sugar, berries, and holly leaves and everyone dug in, drinking hot chocolate and resting by the roaring fire. Once Remus noticed the kids were starting to fall asleep, at least the boys were, he knew it was time for bed.
"We should get going defiantly," Emma yawned as she stood as well.
"Suppose so, I hate driving when it's dark out," Daniel rubbed his eyes.
"It's already dark," Emma reminded her husband.
"I know."
"I'll drive home then."
"I'll help you gather all your things for the car," Remus said.
"Oh it's no bother," Emma smiled.
"Really, allow me." Remus pulled out his wand and gave it a wave. Soon all the gifts were piled on top of each other in a neat column, then he opened the door, and sent them into the boot of the Granger car.
The Grangers went around and said good-bye to the Black/Lupin/Delmhar family. Emma gave Harry a kiss and Daniel gave him a 'man hug' before they went out.
"Was I falling asleep on you?" Harry asked Hermione tiredly as he rubbed at his eyes as they stood by the front door.
Hermione smiled. "A little bit, but it's okay."
"I'm sorry, I just feel really tired all of a sudden."
Hermione kissed his lips. "Thanks again for everything Harry, especially the locket." She held it from her neck.
"It was no problem, thanks to you too," Harry grinned.
They hugged each other before Hermione took a step down from the front steps. "I'll be sure to call you in the next couple days with more information on the New Year's Eve party all right?"
"Looking forward to that day," Harry waved a hand in farewell and shut the door after the Granger car drove off.
"It's 10 o'clock, time for bed," Helena said and Cayden began to cry as she stood with him in her arms.
"It's only ten? Why do I feel so worn-out?" Harry asked looking around.
"Hot chocolate does that to you, plus it's been a pretty long day," Remus said. "I'm pretty tired myself."
Harry dressed in checkered lounge pants and a long-sleeved shirt and got ready for bed. He couldn't wait to get to sleep, his head was pounding slightly and his eyes were heavy. He said good-night to his guardians and Helena, thanked them for his gifts and fell straight asleep with Sabrina purring on his hip like some heating pad; Harry didn't even seem to notice Cayden was still crying away.
Holidays always are wonderful to read and write, even if they aren't the greatest memories for Harry.
Magical love: Rose
