34
Christmas Day
"Harry," Ginny said quietly as she squeezed his hand to wake him.
"Oh," Harry said as he raised his head from the edge of Ginny's bed, "you're awake. Happy Christmas, Ginny."
"Happy Christmas, Harry," Ginny responded with a smile as she raised her hand to caress Harry's cheek as she observed the heavy circles under Harry's eyes. "I thought you said you were just going to stay last night until I fell asleep."
"I meant to, Gin," Harry said with a smile of his own. "I sat here and watched you sleep for a while. After all the time I spent recently watching you suffer the effects of that potion, I just couldn't stop watching how peacefully you were sleeping last night. If I didn't know better I would have thought you didn't have any pain at all."
"But of course you do know better," Ginny said. "Can you still see it? Did it disappear over night?"
"No," Harry said with a smile. "It's still connected to us. I felt the pain leaving you little by little for most of the night."
"Then you already know how little soreness I still feel," Ginny said. "The question is, why can't I see this connection? I feel something, although not as clearly as you seem to."
"I couldn't even begin to guess," Harry replied. "It isn't something I tried to do. That I know of, I don't even have much control of it. I'm certainly not going to try to turn it off."
"Well I should hope not," Ginny said. "It's only the most romantic thing I've ever heard of. There isn't a girl alive who wouldn't love to hear that her boyfriend had made a connection to her like this. We girls are very insecure about our boyfriends feelings normally."
"Then I hope this proves to you just how serious I am when I tell you that I love you," Harry said. "I told you I wanted to be with you forever, but, if this doesn't prove it to you, we'll find out for sure after you open your Christmas present."
Ginny's eyes lit up with anticipation as she asked, "What is it? When do I get to open it?"
"I'm not going to tell you what it is," Harry chuckled. "That would ruin the surprise. Your mum and dad are getting things ready at the Burrow for you to come home later today. I left your present there."
"Well, I guess I can wait just a little longer," Ginny said with a grin. "That is, unless I can pry the information out of Ron before then."
"It wouldn't do you any good to try," Harry said. "He wasn't with me when I bought it, and I haven't told anyone what it is. Besides, Ron won't be around until just before they release you today. He went with Hermione to celebrate Christmas with her parents this morning."
"Don't tell me you made him go with her just to keep me from questioning him," Ginny remarked.
"I didn't have anything to do with it," Harry said. "During the time you've been in here, Ron and Hermione's relationship seems to have intensified a bit. You missed it, and you're in good company. I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I was so concerned with my own feelings about what was happening that I didn't take the time to realize how close they were becoming."
"Well I never would have expected it out of Ron," Ginny said. "Of course I've known for some time about how Hermione feels."
"I really don't think Ron stands a chance of hiding the way he feels from Hermione," Harry laughed. "Not unless he finds a way to stop talking in his sleep. Apparently, he fell asleep on Hermione's shoulder several times in the waiting room. Every time he opened his mouth she heard what he was dreaming."
Ginny smiled at the mental image, and she asked, "Do you think they'll get married some day?"
"Well," Harry replied, "unless they drive each other crazy first, I would say it's a near certainty."
"Do you think we'll get married?" Ginny asked with a sly look.
"I would say that, my dear, is an absolute truth," Harry replied as he felt her emotion swell.
Three hours later, at exactly twelve o'clock, Harry helped Ginny out of her bed and into the wheelchair she would take to the lobby. Her parents stood nearby and watched proudly along with Lupin and Tonks.
"All ready then?" Arthur asked with a smile.
"I think so," Ginny replied as Harry tucked a blanket he had put over her legs in at the sides. "I'm pretty sure I could walk out of here."
"Oh, no you don't," Molly said as she came to her daughter's side. "The healers said you weren't to exert yourself for at least another day. We've made everything ready for you at home. You can sleep downstairs next to the fire, and we can bring you anything you need. All of your brothers are already there waiting for you."
"I don't suppose protesting would do me any good," Ginny said.
"Not in the least," Arthur observed.
"You should know that the media are camped out in the lobby waiting for you to be released," Lupin said.
"We could spare you that," Tonks said, "but…"
"I understand," Ginny said. "They need to put it in the papers that Voldemort failed again. I think I'm about to find out exactly how Harry feels most of the time."
"It isn't so bad," Harry said. "You don't have to say anything. They'll ask questions, but you don't have to answer them. They'll take enough pictures to satisfy their readers."
"Are you all going to stay with me?" Ginny asked.
"McGonagal asked us to protect you during your transfer to the Burrow," Lupin said. "After that we'll be leaving on our own Christmas vacation."
Harry looked at Tonks and noticed a subtle flushing in her cheeks accompanied by an almost imperceptible smile. Harry had noticed Lupin's use of the word vacation instead of vacations. He got the feeling that Jorgen may have paid a visit to Remus during the previous night.
Harry pushed the wheelchair into the hallway, and as Tonks came even with him, he asked, "So, did you get what you asked for, Professor?"
"I'm sure I have no idea what you mean, Harry," Tonks replied with a grin.
Harry smiled back at her as he said, "Oh, of course not. Still, have fun on your vacation."
"I think we will," Tonks said with a wink.
As they emerged from the hallway into the main lobby, the reporters gathered there attempted to surge forward, but they were held back by the spells of a group of around thirty young witches and wizards who stood in the center of the lobby.
"What are all of you doing here?" Harry asked as he pushed Ginny further out and cameras began to flash.
"We're here to escort Ginny home," Cho said as she stepped forward out of the group.
"You don't need to," Tonks said. "That's what we're here for."
"No offense, Professor," Zacharias said as he stepped up beside Cho, "but the last time the aurors tried to protect Ginny they didn't do so well."
"I appreciate the sentiment," Ginny began, "but I don't think it's necessary. I don't want all of you to miss Christmas with your families on my account."
"You're part of the D.A., Ginny," Neville said as he joined the others. "We take care of our own; even on Christmas.
"Besides," Luna began, "as soon as we make sure you're safe at home, we'll go back to our families. There will be plenty of time for celebrating left."
"Well," Harry said, "we had better get on with it then."
Harry leaned over and scooped Ginny up into his arms, much to her surprise. He then carried her, followed by Tonks, Lupin and her parents into the center of the D.A. members. At the sign from Harry, everyone disapparated at once to a flourish of flashes from the reporters cameras.
An hour later, Ginny sat by the fire in the sitting room at the Burrow as she watched her dad open the gift Harry had given him. Arthur unwrapped the package carefully, and as he lifted off the lid, his face lit up with excitement.
"Oh, Harry," Arthur said as he stared at his gift with disbelief and happiness.
"What is it?" Ron asked as he tore his attention away from the box of sweets he had gotten from Hermione.
"An entire series of muggle books," Arthur said, "and they explain everything about muggle technology."
"I don't know if I would go that far," Harry said with a grin. "It's just a series called 'How Things Work'. It explains some of the technology that even most muggles never understand or care to know about. Knowing your curiosity about muggles, I thought it would help you understand them a bit better."
"It's perfect, Harry," Arthur said as he stood up and walked over to hug Harry happily.
"Well it looks as though there is only one present left under the tree," Bill said with a sly grin.
"Don't think you're pulling one over on me, Bill," Ginny said. "I know very well that you and Charlie have been holding that one back time after time even though it was easily accessible from the beginning."
"Oh, Bill," Fleur said with disapproval, "surely you would not 'ave done such a thing."
Billy suddenly looked very much like a child who had been scolded as he replied, "Well it was Charlie's idea."
"Oh no it wasn't," Charlie said in his defense. "I think it was Fred's."
"Honestly," George said, as he looked up from trying on the new jacket Harry had given him, "every time a bit of mischief is afoot, everyone always point the finger at me or George."
"Come on, Fred," Bill said, "fess up. I know that you suggested it. I was there with Charlie when you did it."
"You silly gits," Fred said. "You should be ashamed of yourselves. He's not Fred. I am. Even after all these years you can't tell us apart."
"Wrong, George," Charlie said with a smile. "You can't fool us that easily. Harry gave you both different color jackets. Yours was blue and Fred's was green. We can all plainly see that you are wearing blue."
"Actually," Harry said trying to contain his laughter, "if you wait a few minutes I think you'll see those jackets change color. They're linked together so that they both exchange colors every few minutes. I thought it would suit their personalities."
"I can't believe you did that, mate," Ron said as he laughed. "It was hard enough without the jackets. We may never get them straight again."
"I'm not sure we have them straight now," Hermione said. "It would be just like them to keep us confused with or without the jackets."
"I'm not really interested in telling them apart right now," Ginny said with a smile. "Unless I'm mistaken, the last gift is just waiting for me to open it."
"Well let's see," Charlie said as he picked the gift up and read the card. "It would appear you were right. It is for you. From Harry."
Ginny smiled expectantly as Charlie handed the gift to her. Once it was in her hands, she looked it over carefully admiring the silvery paper.
"I didn't put any self opening spells on it," Harry said with a grin. "You'll have to open it manually."
"I know," Ginny said smiling. "I'm just trying to savor the moment."
"Somehow I think the moment after you open it would be a better moment to savor," Fred observed.
"I do believe you may be on to something, George," George said with a smirk.
"No more of that now," Bill added immediately. "You've made your point."
"We could open it for you if you don't feel up to it, little sister," Charlie said in a tone he had used with her when she was still a small child.
"You just try to get it away from me," Ginny warned. "Don't say I didn't warn you though."
"In that case, I'll just stand over here by Percy where I'll be far out of reach," Charlie said as he made a show of moving closer to Percy.
"Don't expect to get any support from me," Percy said to Charlie. "I'm perfectly willing to let her take as much time as she wants."
"I think we all are," Hermione said. "That is, as long as you hurry and open it. We're all dying to see what it is."
Ginny smiled as she began to carefully peel the paper back to reveal a box underneath which gave no indication of what it might contain. Ginny took a deep breath as she took hold of the lid and lifted it slowly.
"Oh, Harry," Ginny gasped as she saw the ornate silver lid of the music box. "It's beautiful."
Harry watched as Ginny lifted the music box free and everyone voiced their approval of it's beauty. Harry sat nervously though as he knew the moment was quickly approaching when she would open the lid of what he hoped would be a music box.
"Oh," Ginny said softly as she closed her eyes after the lid was opened. "How did you know, Harry? I heard this tune over and over again in my dreams while I was at St. Mungo's."
"Um, what tune?" Arthur asked as he looked as Ginny quizzically.
Ginny opened her eyes and looked at her dad before looking at everyone else to see if they had the same confused expression, and she asked, "Can't any of you hear the music? Surely you can."
"I don't hear anything, Ginny," Hermione replied. "The box is empty."
Ginny looked to Harry and said, "Surely you can hear it, Harry."
"It appears to be working exactly the way Mr. Summerbee said it would," Harry said with a happy smile. "It will only play for your ears, Ginny. The song you hear is me. According to Mr. Summerbee, the box learned what he called my heart song as soon as I touched it. Only a true love would enable you to hear it."
Ginny pulled Harry to her in a heartfelt embrace. Everyone else looked on with smiles, knowing exactly the path ahead for Harry and Ginny. After several seconds, a teary eyed Percy looked down as he wiped his eyes. As he did, he caught sight of something else lying under the Christmas tree.
"That wasn't the last gift, Charlie," Percy said as he knelt down and reached under to pull the package out. "There's one left."
"Really?" Molly asked. "Who is it for? I thought all of the gifts were accounted for."
"It's for Ginny," Percy said as he looked at the label with a quizzical expression.
"Who is it from?" Ron asked seeing the look on Percy's face.
"It just says its from J.K.," Percy replied as he handed the package to Ginny. "Is that one of your D.A. friends?"
"I don't think I know anyone with those initials," Ginny answered as everyone in the room other than Harry tensed reflexively.
"Maybe you should let us take a look at it before you open it just to be on the safe side," Arthur suggested.
"I don't think you have anything to worry about," Harry said with a thoughtful grin. "I know someone with those initials."
Ginny lifted the lid off of the box and gasped again as she lifted the dress up to look at.
"Blimey, Harry," Ron gasped. "That's the dress you wanted to buy for Ginny in Hogsmeade. I thought you said the shop was closed when you got there."
"It was," Harry chuckled.
"Then who gave it to her, Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Sometimes what you get isn't what you ask for," Harry said. "Sometimes what you get is what you really want."
"Exactly what does that mean?" Ron asked.
"Who is J.K.?" Molly asked.
"A friend," Harry responded. "A friend to us all."
Elsewhere in England, Neville Longbottom wrapped his scarf around his neck just as his Uncle Algee walked by and asked, "Off again, Neville?"
"I'm not going far," Neville replied. "I'm just walking down the street. I'll be back soon."
"Hoping to see her?" Algee asked with a smile.
Neville's eyes went wide with shock even as his cheeks flushed, and he said, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't you think it's time to admit that you like her?" Algee asked. "We've all known since you were six years old. Even if you won't tell her, you can at least admit it to your own family."
"I am not hoping to see anyone," Neville said as he buttoned his coat. "I'm just going for a walk."
"Of course," Algee said with a grin.
"Still," Neville said with a small grin of his own as he opened the door, "it would be nice to know that she's all right since she didn't come back to Hogwarts this year."
Algee laughed out loud as Neville closed the door behind him. Neville walked to the street, and turned in the direction of her house. The house he was walking toward was a fair distance down the street, so they weren't exactly neighbors. In his entire life they had never come close to being friends. Neville remembered how his Gran would force him to go with her as she made occasional social calls on the girl's parents. The girl herself had always tolerated his presence, though he got the feeling her parents had instructed her to do so.
After their first year at Hogwarts, Neville stopped accompanying his Gran. Neville tried to tell himself that it was because he was a Gryffindor and she had been sorted into Slytherin. Deep down though, he knew that it was because of feelings for her that had only grown stronger each year. He knew he wouldn't be able to take the embarrassment of her finding out.
Neville was still fifty meters from her house when he heard a loud crashing sound and a scream of distress. Looking up he saw the door to her house open. What he saw next made his hand instinctively reach for his wand.
A masked death eater walked out of her door with another backing out just afterward dragging a struggling girl. The girl hooked a foot on the door frame, but the death eater pulled hard, and even Neville could hear the loud crack as the bone snapped. She screamed again, but the death eater placed his hand over her mouth to shut her up.
The death eaters had expected to walk into and out of the house without challenge, so they were quite surprised when a jet of silver light shot past them narrowly missing its mark. Looking up the street, they spotted a furious Neville running toward them with his wand trained on them. They immediately drew their own wands, but a stunning spell from Neville hit the death eater holding the girl. She fell to the ground in pain as her attacker was laid out beside her.
The lead death eater shot a hex at Neville, but he was quick with a defense as the hex rebounded off to the side against a tree. A quick but well aimed shot from Neville slammed into the death eater's chest and knocked him back and off of his feet. Struggling to catch his breath, and having dropped his wand, the death eater reached over to grab his unconscious companion before disapparating just ahead of another more savage spell from Neville.
"Oh my God!" Neville exclaimed as he dropped to his knees next to the girl on the grass. "Pansy, are you all right?"
"My ankle," Pansy said through gritted teeth. "It's broken."
"I'll take you to St. Mungo's," Neville said.
"No," Pansy said as she attempted to sit up. "Help my mum. She's hurt bad."
"Can you apparate to St. Mungo's on your own?" Neville asked.
"I think so," Pansy replied as she looked at her limp ankle.
"Do it," Neville said. "Once I know you're safely away, I'll go inside and find your mum. I'll get her to St. Mungo's."
"But I…" Pansy began.
"I'm not going to leave you exposed and unprotected here on the grass," Neville interrupted with authority. "The death eaters could come back any time. Now go!"
With one last look of curiosity, Pansy disapparated without another word. Neville scanned the street quickly before heading into the house. It didn't take long for him to find Mrs. Parkinson. She was on the floor in the front room. It looked as though she had been beaten severely. She wasn't moving, but Neville could tell she was still breathing. Within seconds, they were both on their way to St. Mungo's.
"Are you sure I can't come with you, Harry?" Ginny asked as Harry leaned over to kiss her.
"You just got home from the hospital," Harry pointed out. "The healers ordered you to rest. Yes, Ginny. I'm sure you can't come with me. I'll send along your greetings for you though. Besides, it's only a dinner. What trouble could there be?"
Ginny rolled her eyes as she said, " You know I hate it when you say that. You're having dinner with Snape and Draco Malfoy. I would say that is a situation primed for trouble."
"There won't be any trouble," Harry assured her with a smile. "It's Christmas. I can't very well not have dinner with the people staying in my houses."
"Take Ron with you at least," Ginny suggested.
"Not likely,' Harry chuckled. "Ron and Draco would be at each other's throats within an hour. I can handle Draco on my own. Besides, his mother will be there to keep him in line."
"Do you promise you'll come back in the morning?" Ginny asked.
"With the first rays of sunlight," Harry confirmed. "I'll help your mum get breakfast ready before you even wake up."
At St. Mungo's, Pansy lay in a bed as Healer Snagprat moved his wand slowly over her ankle as he said, "That should do it. Try to put some weight on it."
Pansy turned and placed her feet on the floor as she slowly put pressure on the ankle that had been broken. It was still a bit numb, but the earlier pain was gone.
"It seems fine," Pansy said. "It's just a little numb."
"That is to be expected," Snagprat confirmed. "The numbness should wear off in the next few minutes."
"Can I go and see my mum?" Pansy asked with concern.
"Not yet," Snagprat said. "She'll make a full recovery, but another healer is still treating some of her more severe wounds. It shouldn't be much longer."
"Good," Pansy said with relief.
"I'll do the paperwork to get you released," Snagprat said as he gathered up his clipboard and began scribbling on it. "You can wait in the private waiting room. Neville can show you where it is."
"He's still here?" Pansy asked in surprise.
"He's been standing guard outside your door since just after he brought your mum in," Snagprat informed her as he turned to go.
As soon as Snagprat left the room, Neville opened the door and walked in. As soon as he noticed Pansy looking back at him, he immediately looked at the floor, placed his hands in his pockets and began to shuffle his feet uncomfortably.
"Are you okay?" Neville asked without looking at her.
"They fixed my ankle," Pansy replied as he noticed how differently Neville was acting from the way he was earlier at her house.
"Good," Neville said feeling the heat rise in his cheeks.
"I guess I should thank you," Pansy said.
"You don't have to," Neville said as he kicked the floor with his left foot.
"You don't want me to?" Pansy asked as her brow wrinkled.
"Oh… no, its… well…" Neville stammered. "You can if you want, but…"
"Thank you, Neville," Pansy said as she watched his cheeks flush more.
"You're welcome," Neville responded with a brief glance at her before looking away again.
"The healer said you could show me where the waiting room is," Pansy said, changing the course of the conversation.
"Of course," Neville said, thankful he didn't have to deal with the effects any continued gratitude would have on him. "I've spent a lot of time there recently."
"I'll follow you then," Pansy said when she noticed Neville not turning to go.
"Right," Neville said as he turned and opened the door.
A lump swelled in Neville's throat as Pansy walked out of her room behind him and proceeded to advance to a position directly beside him as they walked. Even seeing her in his peripheral vision, Neville found it difficult to concentrate on the route to the waiting room. A minute later, though it seemed like hours to Neville, they arrived at the waiting room. Neville opened the door and let Pansy walk in first.
"You don't have to stay if you don't want," Pansy said as she turned to see the door close behind Neville.
"I don't mind," Neville replied. "I mean… if you don't want me to then…"
"So," Pansy said, "you spent time in this room recently?"
"A fair bit," Neville replied, still refusing to meet her eye. "While Ginny was here."
"Of course," Pansy said. "I should have known that you would be here while one of your D.A. friends was hurt."
"I had a lot of friends here," Neville said as anger swelled up in him and he looked up directly into her eyes. "Ginny was in a hospital room. But there were plenty of other people hurting because of it. I was here for them."
"I didn't mean any offense, Neville," Pansy pointed out. "I was just saying that I should have realized why you were here."
"Oh," Neville said as he softened and looked at the ground again. "Sorry."
"Anyway," Pansy said wondering why Neville only looked at her when he was angry, "I guess I'm lucky you were taking your annual Christmas walk."
"Was I?" Neville asked as he realized he hadn't disguised it very well.
"Of course you were," Pansy said as she began to get frustrated as Neville continued to look everywhere but at her. "Every Christmas you pass my house on your way down the street. Then you pass it again on your way back. Is there someone on the end of the street you go to see?"
"Someone?" Neville asked. "No. Not really."
"My parents thought you might stop at our house to say merry Christmas," Pansy informed him, "but you never did of course. I told them you wouldn't."
"I might have," Neville said defensively as he stared at a painting on the opposite wall.
"But you never did," Pansy stated. "Except for today, you haven't set foot in my house since the year before we went to Hogwarts."
"I didn't think you wanted me there," Neville said as he shifted his gaze to the floor again.
"I never said I did," Pansy quickly. "My parents were the ones who wondered why you stopped coming over with your Gran. Of course, I knew."
"You did?" Neville asked as he looked up in shock.
"How thick do you think I am?" Pansy said as she raised her voice slightly. "Of course I knew. All of you Gryffindors think you're so much better than everyone else. I suppose you couldn't bring yourself to sink so low as to visit a house where a Slytherin lived."
"Oh," Neville said as he exhaled out of relief.
Pansy's forehead creased even more as she too noticed the relief wash over Neville's face. She knew instantly that, whatever his reasons, it was not because she was a Slytherin and he was a Gryffindor.
"Miss Parkinson?" An orderly asked as he walked into the room and broke Pansy's line of thought.
"Yes," Pansy said hopefully.
"Your mum is awake," the orderly stated. "The healer says you can see her for a while now. If you'll just follow me."
Pansy started to follow him, but stopped and turned when she noticed that Neville wasn't moving.
"Aren't you coming?" Pansy asked.
"I don't want to intrude," Neville replied only glancing at her briefly.
"Then don't be rude," Pansy said. "My mum will want to thank you for what you did. You can at least extend her that courtesy."
Neville fell into step behind Pansy as she followed the orderly down the hall, and as they turned into a room, Neville said, "I'll just wait out here for a while. I'll give you some time with your mum first."
Pansy looked at him, but just shrugged as she proceeded through the door. After five minutes, she opened the door and motioned for him to come inside.
"Neville," Mrs. Parkinson said with a smile from her bed. "Pansy tells me we have you to thank for helping us today."
"I was just in the right place at the right time," Neville replied as he walked closer. "Anyone would have done the same."
"I think we both know that is not the case," Mrs. Parkinson said. "Most people see death eaters and run the other way. I'm thankful that you were among the minority today. I don't know what I would have done if they had taken my Pansy away."
"I'm glad I could help," Neville replied. "If you want I'll put the shield charm on your house so death eaters can never come inside again."
"Please do," Mrs. Parkinson said. "I didn't think we would really need it before, but I can see now that I was wrong."
Healer Withers walked through the door and said, "I'm sorry, but I would like my patient to get more rest now. We'll be keeping her here for the next couple of days, so there will be plenty of time for you to visit later."
"I'll come back and see you again tomorrow morning, mum," Pansy said as she held her mothers hand. "Listen to the healer and get some rest."
"I will," Mrs. Parkinson said with a smile as she squeezed her daughter's hand. "Take care of her, Neville."
"Me?" Neville asked in surprise.
"Mum, I don't need anyone to take care of me," Pansy said indignantly.
"I don't want you staying by yourself," Mrs. Parkinson stated. "I know that Neville's Grandmother wouldn't mind keeping an eye on you."
"But, mum…" Pansy began.
"No argument from you, Pansy," Mrs. Parkinson interrupted. "I don't want you in our house alone even if there is a shield on it. Am I clear?"
"I guess," Pansy said with dread in her voice.
"I'll see that she's well taken care of, Mrs. Parkinson," Neville said as Pansy realized that Neville didn't have any trouble looking at her mother when he talked.
"Thank you, Neville," Mrs. Parkinson said as Neville and Pansy turned to go.
Once outside the room, Pansy said, "Well I am not going to stay at your house. I don't care what my mum says. That uncle of yours is just too creepy."
"Do you…" Neville stammered. "Do you have anywhere to stay? Another friend you could stay with?"
"None that come to mind," Pansy said as she leaned against the wall more frustrated than ever that Neville wouldn't look her in the eye. "Most of the friends I had at Hogwarts are either in hiding or already death eaters."
"Well if…" Neville began as he studied his shoes. "If you don't… I… I know somewhere else you might be able to stay."
Narcissa wrapped a cape around herself to cover her new dress as she prepared to enter the floo network, and she said, "I really can't thank you enough, Harry. This was a perfect night. I know Draco has been anxious to get away from the mansion for a while. We both can't thank you enough for the beautiful clothes you gave us for Christmas."
"Well, no one should go without a Christmas," Harry said. "Besides, Dobby tells me you've made some rather large improvements to the Black estate since I was there last. I figure that has to be good for something."
"That house and I have suffered a similar state of neglect," Narcissa said. "Any improvement in the house is sort of an improvement in me."
"Then feel free to make whatever changes you see fit," Harry said with a smile.
"Are you ready to go, Draco?" Narcissa asked as Draco walked into the room carrying his cloak.
"You go ahead," Draco responded. "I want to have a word with Potter."
"Draco," Narcissa said in that motherly way to leave no doubt she was displeased.
"Sorry," Draco said. "I meant, Harry."
"Don't take too long," Narcissa said as she jumped into the fireplace and disappeared in a flash of green flame.
"What did you need to talk to me about, Draco?" Harry asked.
"I still can't figure you out, Potter," Draco said.
"Oh, so we're back to Potter again," Harry observed with a grin. "Very well. What can't you figure out?"
"Why are you doing all of this?" Draco asked. "You have to have some kind of angle. There is something you hope to gain from all of this, but I can't reason what it might be."
"Perhaps you're just trying too hard," Harry suggested. "Suppose there is nothing to find by scratching under the surface. Maybe your mum was in need of help, and I did what I could to help her. Maybe I needed to find Professor Snape, and I brought you back just because I couldn't just leave you behind. Maybe I reunited you with your mum just because I knew it was what she wished for with all her heart."
"And how do you explain the Christmas presents?" Draco asked.
"Need one really explain a Christmas present?" Harry queried. "I guess I'm just sentimental. Soft. Crazy. You see, I really do buy into the idea of what Christmas is supposed to mean."
"And what is that?" Draco asked wondering if he could take Harry seriously.
"You know," Harry replied. "Peace on earth. Good will to my fellow man and all."
"Rubbish," Draco said with a sneer.
"That's your father talking," Harry charged. "I was hoping more of your mum would have rubbed off on you by now."
"Leave my parents out of this," Draco warned. "I still don't know what it was that happened between them. Mum won't tell me no matter how much I try to find out. For all I know it was your fault."
"Actually," Harry admitted, "there may some truth in that. However, if that is the case, then you share as much responsibility for it as I do.
"Me?" Draco asked. "I wasn't even here when it happened."
"Exactly," Harry said. "If you had been then your mum never would have come to me for help."
"I can't believe you're trying to blame me for it," Draco said as he felt the heat in his face rise.
"I'm not blaming anyone other that your father for what he did to your mum," Harry said calmly. "What is done is done. None of us can change it. All we can do is try to pick up the pieces and go on."
"I agree," Snape said from behind them. "We have all put a great deal of effort into working against one another. Perhaps it is time to see what we can accomplish working for the same goals."
"The only goal I'm working for right now is to try and make my mum happy," Draco said as he turned toward the fireplace. "She's waiting for me now."
Draco took a couple of steps toward the fireplace when green flame shot up and Neville stepped out followed by someone none of them expected.
"Pansy?" Draco asked not believing what he saw with his own eyes.
"Draco," Pansy said in as much shock. "Professor Snape. Harry Potter. Where have you taken me to, Neville?"
"What's happened, Neville?" Harry asked knowing that Neville wouldn't have brought her there unless circumstances made it necessary.
"I'm sorry to burst in on you, Harry," Neville said. "I didn't even know you would be here. Death eaters attacked Pansy and her mum. Pansy needs somewhere to stay for a couple of days until her mum is released from St. Mungo's."
"I'm not staying here if Draco is," Pansy said as she fixed Draco to a poison stare.
"He was actually just leaving," Harry said noticing that Draco shriveled a bit as Pansy looked at him.
Without another word, Draco stepped forward and disappeared as his mother had only minutes before.
Once he was gone, Pansy turned her attention to Snape and observed, "You couldn't have been hiding out here the entire time, Professor. Potter didn't have his house built until after you and Draco disappeared."
"Does everyone in Slytherin have to call me by my last name?" Harry asked more to himself than anyone else.
"You would be correct, Miss Parkinson," Snape confirmed. "Mr. Malfoy and I arrived only recently."
"Is it all right with you if she stays here, Harry?" Neville asked.
"I don't mind," Harry said. "I trust your judgment, Neville. You wouldn't have brought her here if she didn't need a safe place to stay. There are no D.A. members here right now, so she can stay in the cupboard under the stairs."
"What?" Pansy started to say in protest.
"Don't worry," Neville said looking at a chair. "Thanks to Hermione, it's quite a bit larger than the one Harry had to sleep in. I'll show you where it is so you can get settled in."
Pansy followed Neville still not believing that she was standing in Harry Potter's house having just popped in on two of the most wanted men in the country. Of course, sleeping in a cupboard, no matter the size, seemed a cruel joke to her. If it wasn't acceptable she would have no choice but to put up with Neville's crazy uncle.
Neville took hold of the handle on the little door under the stairs and opened it; standing aside to allow Pansy to enter first. Once she had ducked inside, she stopped were she stood as her mouth fell open in amazement.
"What do you think?" Neville asked as he stepped in just behind her and closed the door.
"Incredible," Pansy said in awe as she looked around at the chairs and sofas sitting around the fireplace, and the crimson and gold wall coverings.
"I think Hermione really out did herself with this one," Neville observed.
"Is this…" Pansy began.
"The Gryffindor common room at Hogwarts," Neville supplied.
"The real one or a copy?" Pansy asked as she began to slowly move further into the room.
"A copy," Neville answered as he followed her. "Although I have to remind myself of that sometimes. She really is the brightest witch of her age."
"As much as I hate to admit it," Pansy revealed, "I think you might be right."
Neville watched as Pansy sat down in a chair next to the fire, but he turned his gaze on the fire as Pansy looked back up at him.
"I hope you aren't disappointed," Neville said. "I don't have any other place for you to stay besides my house."
"I think I can manage here," Pansy remarked as she surveyed her new surroundings again. "The fire should keep me warm enough if Potter can spare a pillow and a blanket."
"Well you can sleep here if you want," Neville commented with a grin, "but you would be more comfortable in the dorm upstairs."
"You have got to be kidding," Pansy said as she noticed the two sets of stair for the first time. "She squeezed all of Gryffindor House into Potter's cupboard?"
"Well not all of it technically," Neville admitted. "There are only two dorm rooms upstairs. One for the boys, and one for the girls. Each one of them has five beds. I hear that she put some wicked spells on the girls stairs to keep the boys from going up them. As far as I know, no one has been brave enough to test it out."
"Maybe we should make Draco climb them," Pansy said as she looked into the fire and the corners of her mouth dropped into a frown.
Neville glanced over at her to see her expression as he said, "I thought the two of you had been dating."
Pansy whipped her head around to look at Neville a split second before he looked back at the fire, and she said, "Then that makes two of us that were fooled. I don't want to talk about it. Suffice it to say that whatever we were before is over now."
"I didn't mean to upset you," Neville said softly as he examined his right leg as it bounced up and down quickly. "I'll leave you alone if you want."
"So I suppose you're dating Luna Lovegood by now," Pansy remarked as she watched him to see his reaction.
"Luna?" Neville asked in surprise as he willed himself not to look up. "We're just friends."
"Are you sure?" Pansy asked.
"Of course I'm sure," Neville remarked as he stopped his leg and began examining the arm of the chair he was sitting in. "She has a crush on Colin."
"Do you look her in the eye when you talk to her?" Pansy asked as her frustration with Neville's inattentiveness came out of it's own accord.
"I…" Neville said as he shifted uncomfortably but did not look up. "I uhh… I suppose so."
"I thought as much," Pansy said as her frustration began to spill out. "Why won't you look at me, Neville? Is it because I'm a Slytherin, or do you really think I'm so ugly?"
"Ugly?" Neville asked as he looked up in distress and his eyes locked with hers. "No! I don't think that at all."
"Well there has to be something about me you find repulsive," Pansy accused as she willed him not to look away from her again. "In all the years we've known each other you've never looked directly at me for more than a few seconds at a time. I used to think it was just you being weird, but then I noticed that you didn't have a problem looking at anyone else. So what is it, Neville? I'm out of ideas to explain it. If it isn't because I'm ugly then what is it?"
"Please don't make me tell you, Pansy," Neville pleaded as he continued to look in her eyes and see the wetness forming there.
"Damn it, Neville," Pansy yelled as the first tears rolled down her cheeks. "Tell me."
"It…" Neville began as his heart broke to see her tears. "It's because… It's because I don't think you're ugly. I'm afraid to look at you for too long because I'm afraid I won't be able to stop."
"You're lying," Pansy accused as she looked away into the flames of the fire. "I know what I look like. I know I'm not pretty like other girls. You're just telling me what you think I want to hear. You're just like Draco."
"I am nothing like Malfoy," Neville said as he kept his eye on her. "I have never lied to you, Pansy. You've known me since we were little kids. Have you ever known me to lie to you?"
Pansy sat looking at the fire in silence for several long seconds as she thought about Neville's question, and she finally said softly, "No. You haven't."
"Then believe me now," Neville said no longer caring what kind of fool he was making of himself. "I didn't stop coming to your house because I didn't want to come. I stopped because I was afraid I would do or say something that would betray just how much I liked you. I walk down the street every Christmas because I pass your house and know that you're inside it. I dreamed of walking up to your door and telling you everything, but I never had the courage to try. So, no matter what Malfoy or anyone else thinks, I think you're beautiful. I always have."
Pansy sat and looked at the fire, but her tears stopped as Neville explained himself to her. Looking back into her memories of Neville she began to realize that the signs had always been there. The awkward forgetful boy from up the street was the only boy she had ever known who never lied to her, never made fun of the way she looked, and was always nice to her in his own shy way.
Neville sat and looked at Pansy in the insuing silence that followed his confession. The seconds ticked by as the silence endured, and Neville began to realize what he had just done. Feeling the need to get away before he caused any more damage, Neville stood.
"I'm sorry, Pansy," Neville said as he inched away from her and toward the portrait hole. "I never should have said any of that to you. This was already likely the worst Christmas day you've ever had, and I only made it worse. I'll leave you alone now."
Neville turned and walked toward the exit, and Pansy turned her head to see him moving away as she asked, "Are you coming back, Neville? With only Snape and Potter in the house, it would be a comfort to me if I had a friend staying here as well."
"You aren't mad at me?" Neville asked as he turned and looked her in the eye.
"Of course not," Pansy replied with a smile that made Neville's knees buckle slightly. "It's just been a stressful day for me. I'm a bit on edge."
Neville looked at her smile and drank it in as he suddenly realized that neither of them had eaten lately, and he asked, "Are you hungry?"
"Now that you mention it,' Pansy replied, "I'm starving."
"I'll see if Harry has anything we can eat," Neville said. "If you'll wait, I could bring it back here for us to eat."
"I'd like that," Pansy said with another smile.
Neville smiled back at her as he turned and left the room. Pansy watched him go, and thought about how drastically her opinion of Neville had changed. In less than a day, she had gone from not wanting to be anywhere near him to eagerly awaiting his return. The person she had always considered a bumbling fool had been acting as her gallant protector for several hours. The boy she thought couldn't stand the sight of her thought she was beautiful. In the matter of only a few hours, Neville had become perhaps the best real friend she had ever had. She sat back in her chair and thought about how refreshing it would be to end her Christmas with a smile.