Disclaimer: I enjoy writing, but it is a pass time that I get nothing for. Most of this stuff belongs to JK Rowling, and what little bit came from my mind isn't worth starting a career over.

Chap 35: Merry Christmas Harry (Part I).

Harry entered the dinning hall in high spirits. "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good morning!" he proclaimed upon entering.

"Someone's in a good mood today. The question is: is that because it's Christmas? Or because he was able to sleep in till 11 for a change?" asked Remus jokingly.

"Happy Christmas to you too Harry." replied Tonks, ignoring her boyfriend's attempt at humour.

Admitting his defeat, Remus chose to let his failed attempt at humour die. "What are your plans for the day, cub?" he then inquired.

"Well...Now that I've washed every last grain of sand out of my hair, I'll be heading over to Hogwarts to visit Dobby and Winky, then I'm off to the Weasleys' for breakfast. Man I love this mansion. I still have about seven hours to kill before I have to be at the Weasleys, which gives me time do do some reading."

In retaliation to the washroom prank that Harry pulled on the two of them yesterday, Remus had rigged his showerhead to start pouring out sand midway through his shower. Harry hadn't been overly impressed, though he could appreciate a good prank, and this one wasn't bad.

"Reading? On Christmas day? Well...at least you enjoyed your shower this morning." said a grinning Tonks.

"I probably would have liked it a lot more had I not been rinsing my mouth out at the time, but what can you do." Harry admitted to the laughing of the other two.

"Do you two have any special plans today?" asked Harry, suggestively raising his eyebrows repeatedly.

Tonks shook her head, but Harry caught Remus' blush before trying to shake his head in the negative as well.

"Just a quick trip to my parents for lunch, and then back here for dinner with you." said Tonks. "I'm draggin Remus along so he doesn't spend the day alone."

"I'm sure convincing him to spend time with you was tough." Harry said sarcastically with a wink.

"Harder then you'd think." muttered Tonks dejectiedly.

"I'm more then happy to spend time with you...I just didn't really wanted to meet your parents." Remus admitted with a slight cringe.

"You've already met them!" said an exasperated Tonks, "I don't see what the issue is here."

"I met them BEFORE we started seeing each other. I'm just worried about what they'll say." admitted Remus.

"We already know that they like you. What's the problem?"

It was obvious to Harry that this wasn't the first time they had discussed this particualr topic.

"Well, first of all I'm almost a decade older then you, and if I had a daughter, I honestly don't know how wild I'd be about that myself. Not to mention the little problem I have once a month. That was enough to drive my own parents away! I cringe to think how yours will react." admitted the graying marauder, trying to hold back the onslaught of emotions that that statment brought with it.

Tonks now saw the root of the problem. It wasn't the age, it was the werewolf. It was the fact that most people had never stuck with him after they found out, and the few that had were now dead. She placed a soothing hand on his arm.

"Remus, I don't care about any of that, and they wont either. If they do, then I'll just tell them what to do with their opinion. It wouldn't be the first time." she said with a small smile which he returned.

Harry, who had been watching the scene play out, decided to show his support too, and placed his hand on the wolf's sagging shoulder. "You're a good man, Moony. Despite your curse, you have many friends, and people who accept you for who you are, not what you are. Just ask any student at Hogwarts and they'll tell you that you're still the best DADA professor they've ever had, and that's not just because of what you taught, but how you taught." assured Harry.

"Thanks guys." said Remus as he pulled Tonks into a hug.

"Let's lift this somber mood. I vote we exchange presents now." Harry decreed with childish enthusiasm which brought a smile to the face of the two adults present.

Harry promptly picked up a wrapped parcel from under the tree that they had set up in the dining hall and handed it to Tonks, "Here you go." he said with a smile.

Tonks tore into the box with the excitement of a first year. When she lifted the lid she gasped, "Nice!" she exclaimed in both disbelieve as she pulled out a pair of dragon hide combat style boots. They were a dark brown, and resembled scaled leather.

"Thanks Harry! These are amazing! They don't match any of my evening gowns, but I think I might be able to fit them in to my overly conservative wardrobe." she said cheekily.

"That doesn't really surprise me, but I know for a fact that they'll match this." Harry replied with a grin as he picked up another gift and handed it to her.

She had a slightly confused look on her face, but took the package anyways, and opened it. Inside, she found a matching battle robe and dueling gloves.

"Harry! I can't accept all this. This is way too much." said Tonks.

Remus, who had been watching the woman he loved act like a 10 year old, and enjoying the show, spoke up, "Tonks, I'm pretty sure Harry's doing this for you because he cares. He has more then enough money to afford it, trust me. If I were you I'd accept this gift in the spirit it was given: concern for your well being, and love."

Harry smiled, "Listen to the man. He knows what he's talking about every now and then." Which earned him a soft punch in the shoulder from the werewolf.

"Fine." a defeated, but very happy, Tonks conceded before pulling Harry into a hug, "Thanks Harry."

"You're welcome. Now, follow me." Harry said as he started to move towards the door.

"Not so fast mister. You have to open your first." Remus called.

"Oh. I forgot about that part." admitted Harry with a sheepish grin as he was handed a large bag by Tonks.

Harry opened the gift bag and saw a wide array of shirts that could only have been bought by the metamorph. There were shirts from the Screaming Banshees, the Weird Sisters, the Horn Tails, and even Cloak and Dagger. Under the shirt was a pair of ripped jeans and five wireless cubes.

Wireless cubes were along the same lines as muggle CDs. These small cubes could be inserted into any Wizarding Wireless and play the information magically stored there on. Each cube had the symbol of the band engraved on them so that the owner could tell which cube was which.

"I figured that if you were gonna wear the gear, you should know the music." Tonks explained with a smile.

"Thanks Tonks." he said honestly.

"And here's mine. Happy Christmas Harry." said Remus as he handed him the present.

Harry opened it to reveal a brand new Wizarding Wireless. "Thanks Moony."

"I hope you enjoy it."

"Alright, now it's your turn Moony. Follow me."

Harry led them to one of the unused bedrooms, and stopped in front of a very ornate armoire.

"Happy Christmas Moony."

Remus opened the armoire and was startled by what he saw within. There were 12 new outfits of good quality and make, three sets of battle robes, one of which matched Tonks, 3 pairs of boots and two sets of very formal robes.

"Harry! This is too much...Oh never mind. Thanks cub." said the werewolf as he pulled his young charge into a strong embrace.

"You're welcome." Then turning to Tonks, Harry spoke, "I almost forgot. As you can see, Remus has some very nice robes. I dont' know exactly where he's gonna wear them to," Harry said suggestfully, " but I know he'll need an escort, so this is for you as well." finished the young man as he handed her an envelope.

Inside, Tonks found a gift certificate for an undisclosed amount at Madam Malkins.

"That should be enough for two sets of formal robes. I would have bought them for you myself, however I know better then to get in the way of a girl and her shopping." Harry teased.

"You got that right!" Remus agreed.

Tonks ended up smacking them both playfully in retaliation, before all three made their way out of the room.

An hour later, Harry entered the kitchen where Stewy was getting things ready for the feast that Harry and his guests would be having Christmas evening. It wouldn't be taking place til the next night in the trunk, but Stewy wanted to make sure that he had everything prepared.

"Stewy? Would you please accompany me?" Harry asked.

"Of course Harry." replied Stewy before casting a quick cooling charm on all the food that was spread out over the counter so that it would keep until he returned, and turned back towards his master.

"Thank you. Please take my hand." Harry instructed, extending his hand to the elf.

Stewy took it, and they were instantly transported to Godric's office in Hogwarts.

With a wave of his hand, Harry conjured a small table and four small matching chairs.

"Would you please take a seat Stewy?"

With a nod, Stewy sat in the chair closest to the one he thought his master would choose.

"Dobby? Winky?" Harry called.

A moment later, two elves appeared with small poofs.

"HARRY POTTER! It is being so good to see you Harry Potter. Happy Christmas!" exclaimed an excited Dobby as he pulled out a small package from his colourful shirt.

"Thank you Dobby, and a Happy Christmas to you too." Hary responded with a smile. Then turning to the other elf, who had remained quiet since her arrival, he said, "And a very happy Christmas to you too Winky."

The small elf just smiled and curtsied.

Harry then addressed both of them, "Would you mind joining Stewy and I for tea? I have a few things I would like to talk to you all about."

The both nodded enthusiastically and sat themselves, as did Harry. Firstly Harry opened his present from Dobby to find a pair of mismatching, yet very colourful socks with house elf faces on one, and what appeared to be the face of a wizard with messy black hair.

"Thank you Dobby. They're great." Harry said with a smile, causing Dobby to beam.

"Now, the reason I have asked you to join me today is three fold. First of all, I'd like to know if you three would be willing to sit with me and talk to me about what it's like to be a house elf from each or your points of view." he said before explaining his reasons, "Stewy, you are an elf who has served a family who you care for, they have treated you well, and you like what you do.

"Winky, I don't want to make assumptions on how your last master treated you, it's not my place, but the fact that you were let go for no succeeding in illegally hiding his son from the proper justices leaves me to believe you weren't treated with much respect. I'd like to talk to you about what it's like to be a house elf who has been given clothes against her will.

"And Dobby, I know that you were treated poorly by your last master, and that you wanted your freedom, so I would like to talk to you about what it's like to finally be free after wishing for it for so long. If none of you want to do this, I'll understand and wont force you." he explained, looking at Stewy in particular as he was the elf currently in his employ, "But I think that what I can learn from this will help house elves everywhere. I hope that when people who own house elves read it, that they begin to understand your people a little bit better, and are able to then treat you the way you want to be treated. Will you do it?" Harry asked.

"HARRY POTTER IS THE GREATEST WIZARD OF ALL TIME. HE IS CARING FOR ALL OF THE HOUSE ELFS AND WANTING TO MAKE THEM ALL HAPPY! DOBBY IS PROUD TO BE ABLE TO HELP SUCH A NOBLE, KIND, CARING, AND COMPASSIONATE WIZARD LIKE HARRY POTTER!" the small elf scream as he launched himself over the table to embrace Harry.

Harry only chuckled, shook his head and patted the elf on the back, "It's not my idea actually. It was Stewys."

"Stewy does not remember saying anything about this to Harry Potter, sir. Why is Harry saying that it is Stewy's idea?" Stewy asked.

"Because, Stewy, it was you who pointed out that I didn't understand you, and you were right. The problem is that no wizard or witch has ever taken the time to try, and have only been imposing their beliefs and wants onto you without your consent. Both good at bad for that matter. Masters like the Malfoys who abuse you, or people thinking their doing a good thing, like Hermione, to help you. But the truth is neither really know what you want." Harry explained as Dobby took his seat again.

"Harry Potter wants Winky to help? But Winky is a bad elf. Winky does not deserve to help." she said quietly, not making eye contact.

Harry put a comforting hand on Winky's shoulder and tried to explain again, "Winky, I don't think you are a bad elf, and to tell you the truth, I don't even know why you think you are. I can guess, but that's the best I can do. Humans don't understand many things about your kind, but I want to, and for that I need your help. For example, is there anyway that you can stop being a bad elf?" Harry asked honestly.

Winky looked up at the young man, "There is a way that Winky can get her honour back. Winky would have to find a new master and bond with him, and work for him for one year without being bad again, and then Winky would be a good elf again. But no one ever wants to take in a bad elf, so the bad elf is usually staying a bad elf until the day they are dead." she explained.

"That is good to know Winky. See? I had no idea. Your answer actually brings me to our second order of business with you today." he said with a smile, taking his hand of the should of the elf and sitting back in his chair comfortably, "I have ask the Headmaster, and have gotten his permission, to offer you two jobs...working for me."

"HARRY POTTER WANTS DOBBY TO WORK FOR HIM. IT IS BEING A GREAT HONOUR..." Dobby started his praise even louder then the last time, but now, Harry was ready for it, and quickly cast a wandless silencing charm on him.

"I'm sorry for that Dobby," he said with a smile, "But you're getting a little too loud for such an early hour of the morning." explained Harry.

It was, after all, only about 4:30 am at Hogwarts where they were currently meeting. Harry had talked to Stewy a few nights prior to find out elves sleeping patterns so that he could visit them when they weren't overly busy, but still awake. Apparently, an elf only needs approximately four hours sleep a night, so they frequently went to sleep about midnight, or 1 am, depending on their master's schedule, and awoke at 4 or 5 to prepare for the day. At Hogwarts, however, since most of the cleaning took place at night, the elves worked in two shifts. Half slept from midnight til 4, and were in charge of preparing breakfast, and the other half slept from 6 to 10, to get up in time to help with lunch. It was an interesting schedule.

As a result, Harry decided to show up at 4:30 that morning, cause then, no matter what shift Dobby and Winky were on, they'd be up, and probably not too busy as it would either be at the tale end of their shift, or right at the beginning. Not to mention it was the middle of the Christmas holidays, and there wasn't much to do.

"It is your choice, and I assure you that you would each have different tasks to accomplish so you will always have soemthing to do. Dobby, I know that you like your freedom, and I would never ask you to give that up, so I'm willing to pay you twice as much as what you're making here at Hogwarts to come and work for me. What do you say?" Harry told him, before taking off the silencing charm to let Dobby answer.

"Dobby accepts! Dobby is being honoured to be working for Harry Potter sir." the elf proclaimed.

Then, turning to Winky, "For you, Winky, I would like you to ask you to become one of my house elves, and bind yourself to me for one year. After which time, we'll sit down and talk again and decide what you would like to do. Do you accept?"

With tears forming in her eyes, "But Winky is a bad elf. Winky doesn't deserve to work for Harry Potter."

"Winky, You made one mistake, and I would like to give you a chance to make up for it. As I said, if after a year things aren't going well and you want to leave, then we will discuss our arrangement. If you feel you still don't want to work with me, I will release you, but if you like it, then we'll talk about extending your service. Would you like that?"

Winky, with tears flowing rather freely, nodded her head in the affirmative. Harry knew by looking at her that this was the best Christmas present anyone could have ever given her.

"Excellent!" Harry then reached into his sleeve and pulled out his wand, "I have two spells. The first I will cast on you, Dobby is to loosely bind you to me, not permanently, and can be severed at any time by either party. It will allow you to hear me when I call, no matter where I am, and allow you to come directly to my side if I desire it."

Dobby nodded in agreement, and Harry silently cast the spell. Dobby felt the bond strengthen between himself and his master. Unbeknownst to Harry, Dobby was already bound to Harry with the elven equvilent of a life debt, as it had been Harry who saved him from that wretched home he served before. This new binding only made it more official, and Dobby couldn't be happier.

Turning to Winky, Harry spoke again, "And for you, my friend, I will cast the traditional binding spell. If I may?"

Winky wiped her teary eyes, stood up and then straightened her dress as best she could. She then nodded to her new master to show her readiness.

Harry then cast the binding spell silently, but still with his wand, binding Winky to him and his line for as long as she lives unless she was released from service.

After he concluded, Harry then took out two packages.

"The third reason I'm here, which was actually dependant you your acceptance of the second, was to give you your new uniforms." he told them, handing them to his two newest employees.

Dobby looked slightly down hearted at first at finding out that he'd have a uniform and could no longer chose his own clothes to where, but when saw his new uniform, all his worried fled as he saw the rainbow coloured jacket and mismatching socks.

"Those socks aren't part of the uniform, but I thought you might like them when I saw them." Harry told him, "I don't care what else you where, but that jacket, that has the Potter crest on it, is your uniform and you must wear it when working."

Winky had opened parcel and had now removed her uniform from the package. It was similar to Stewy's in colour and style, but clearly appeared to be a robe for a female.

"Do you like it?" asked Harry tentatively.

Winky looked up with new tears in her eyes, "It is being perfect, Master. Winky does not deserve..."

Harry held up his hand and spoke, "Nonsense! You are an elf of house Potter, and you will be dressed accordingly. Understood?" asked Harry sternly, but with a smile, "And I would prefer it if you called me Harry, or Harry Potter, but I will not be upset if you forget from time to time."

Winky smiled back and nodded, hugging her new uniform close to her body.

"Good. Now, we must talk duties. Stewy, your main responsibility will be to maintain and keep Potter Mansion. Winky, your responsibility is to keep and maintain the Marauder Mansion at 12 Grimmauld place. You are to keep it clean, and cook for whomever is there. As it is currently the head quarters of the order of the phoenix there are always people coming and going, so you will have the most work to do." he told her, causing her to smile brightly in anticipation, "Dobby, you are to be my personal house elf. If I need anything, I will call you, at formal functions, you will be the head server. But most of all, you three are my friends. If you ever have any questions or suggestions, please come and ask me." Harry assured them with an inviting smile.

"Most importantly though, is that you are NOT to punish yourself. Ever. If you have done something that you think deserves punishment, you are to come to me and we will talk about it. Understood?"

All three nodded.

"Good. Now, you start today, and for your first task, you are to go to Potter Mansion, as soon as you have collected your things here, settle in, and Stewy will then give you a full tour of both Potter Mansion and Marauder Mansion so that you can get an idea of what will need to be done. The rest of the day you will spend together having a merry Christmas. Tomorrow help Stewy with Christmas dinner, which you will be joining us for, and then the day after you can start your standard usual tasks."

The three of them didn't look to happy about that. Harry realized that resting was against their nature, and decided on a compromise.

"Alright, how bout this: Today you can do whatever you like. If that is cleaning, then clean, cooking then cook, but tomorrow in the mansion, you spent as a family. Do things together, and talk with each other while you prepare the dinner and then that night you will join us for dinner and spent at least some of your time with us in conversation. Is that better?"

The three nodded, much happier with that.

Harry spend the next hour talking and discussing some of the things they would have to do. He found that when they sat and talked, they like talking about work, and task that they not only already accomplished, but looked forward to doing. For example, Winky was talking about how she looked forward to being able to have her own home to dust once again. Harry couldn't relate, but he was starting to understand.

After their chit-chat, Harry bid them a good day, and then made his way to his next destination.

Harry soon appeared in the fireplace in the Weasley home. He had only taken one step towards the kitchen, wondering why it was so quiet, when Mrs. Weasley entered the room.

"Happy Christmas Harry dear. You're here early." she commented, "Everyone should start coming down in an hour or so.

Harry looked down at his watch, "Are you telling me Ron's not up yet? It's Christmas!"

"Oh, the kids never get up before 8 on Christmas day. We used to wake them early to get through the presents before breakfast, but then it became such a hassle that we decided to open the presents after breakfast." she explained.

"It's 7am! He's been waking me up at 6 every Christmas that I'm known him!" he said, shaking his head in disbelief, "I'll be right back, Mrs. Weasley. Ron has some explaining to do."

Harry slipped into his kneazle form as soon as he was out of sight, and stealthfully mad his way to Ron's room. He saw that it was closed, and remembered how bad it squeaked, so he silently flashed to the other side of the barrier, never changing out if his Kneazle form.

On the bed, the snoring lump that was Ronald Weasley was slumbering peacefully, completely unaware of the rude awakening he was about to receive.

'Oh Ron. Pay back is always so amusing.' Harry thought to himself before slipping back into his human form and getting to work.

It took Harry a good 10 minutes to finish preparing his prank, but now that it was ready to be sprung, he realized that it was way to good for him to be the only one to enjoy it, so he flashed downstairs.

"Mrs. Weasley?"

"Yes Harry dear?" she responded without looking up from the bowl she was mixing.

"I was wondering if you'd like to come and watch what I have planned for Ron to pay him back for all his early Christmas morning wake ups." he asked.

Mrs. Weasley, who hadn't been part of a good prank since the summer when she helped the boys with their plans for Dean, was quite anxious to see what her all but adopted son was capable of.

"I'd love to Harry. Let's go." she answered, as she made her way to the stairs.

"Wait a second Mrs. Weasley. We can't warn him. I'll bring us up. You have to promise not to make a sound, and I promise I'll explain how I did it after we get him. Ok?" he asked, holding his hand out to her.

Harry saw the lack of hesitation in her eyes as she promptly reached out and took his hand. She had always been so supportive, and he wondered if she knew how much it meant to him.

"Thank you." he whispered.

"Nonsense Harry dear, I love watching a good prank." she said smiling.

"No...thank you for trusting me. You've always been such a great support. I don't know if I ever told you how much I appreciate it, or how much it meant to me to see you there during my first task...as my family." Harry told her.

Her eyes watered for this poor boy who had become a son to in everyway but blood, "Harry, you're as much a part of this family as Ron is. Now come on. We better get up there before he wakes up and ruins it."

Harry nodded with a grin on his face and flashed both of them to Ron's room.

Smiling wildly, Harry yelled, "RON! GET UP QUICK! UMBRIDGE IS COMING!"

"Umbridge!" a started, half asleep, Ron excalimed before he threw his covers of and quickly lifted his head hitting the bull's eye hovering above him, which release the first spell.

Reeling from the pain in his fore head after hitting the metal bullseye, he groaned loudly and dropped his head back down into what used to be his pillow, which had been turned into a large cream pie. Hitting the cream pie, however triggered the next in the series of spells.

With the Bull's eye now gone, the bed shot up, much like a muggle hide-a-bed and stopping when it became vertical. Unfortunately, the occupant of the bed, who had been screaming since the unexpected movement began, kept on going thanks to momentum, and ended up landing face first in a large bathtub of molasses. He tried to get up, but ended up slipping in the goopy substance, and landing on his back. He finally succeeded and stood in the tub staring daggers at his best friend and mother who were holding each other up from laughing so hard.

The screaming had woken people, and Ginny arrived just in time to see Ron try to lunge at Harry, but instead trip over the booby trap that had been planted outside of the tub, dropping a generous supply of icing sugar on the sticky boy followed by one small cherry which landed, and stayed, on his whip creamed head.

Thinking it was now truly over, he never though to look for the port key towel that Harry had laid on the floor in front of him, so just as Ron was about to throttle Harry, he disappeared.

It was Christmas morning at the Granger home, and as with every Christmas morning, the girls had woken up and ran into their parents room, dragged them out of bed and down to the living room to open their presents.

They started with their stockings and then moved on to the bigger items. All three girls had been enjoying their time with their parents, and had been about half way though opening their presents when a seething, icing sugared form of the young Ronald Weasley with a cherry on top appeared in the middle of their living room.

Quickly taking in his surroundings, Ron went form angry to thoroughly embarrassed in half a heart beat. He was, after all, only wearing boxers, whip cream, molasses, icing sugar and a cherry.

He tried in vain to cover up, but to no avail. He quickly gave up, smiled sheepishly and waved before he disappeared once again, leaving a mortified Hermione, a hysterical Athena and Demeter and two extremely confused dentists in his wake.

Mrs. Weasley had been laughing too hard to notice that her son was no longer in the room, but Ginny, who was laughing quite heartily herself, did.

"Where'd he go?" the young redhead asked.

"Oh, he'll be back soon enough. I just sent him somewhere that should frighten him utterly and completely if he figures out werhe he is." Harry said slyly.

"What?" asked a shocked Mrs. Weasley finally noticing Ron's absence, "Where did you send him?"

"To Hermione's." Harry said with an evil grin.

"HARRY! YOU DIDN'T!" cried Ginny, before breaking down into gales of uncontrollable laughter.

"You bring him back here at once young man! Using an illegal portkey in a prank, and sending him to his girlfriends covered in...wearing..." but that's about as far as Mrs. Weasley got before she too broke down and started laughing again in full force.

Harry was about to explain that they wouldn't have to wait long, but before he could, Ron could be heard yelling from the kitchen.

"POTTER YOU'RE A DEAD MAN! YOU'LL SOON BE THE BOY-WHO-LIVED-TO-BE-KILLED-BY-HIS-PRANKED-FRIEND!"

Harry, who had been doing quite well up until now, lost his composure as well, and started laughing as he heard Ron, who had been in the process of running up the stairs, slip and land hard, before falling down several molasses covered steps.

When Ron finally did make it back to his room, he saw not only Harry, his parents and Ginny, but it would appear that the twins had arrived in the mean time and even his dad had come to see what all the commotion was about.

"Harry..." asked Fred seeing the condition their little brother was in when he entered the room.

"...Did you do this?" finished George with a look of admiration.

Ron, not caring who was present, lunged at Harry, intent on paying him back for this morning's prank.

Harry was doing his best to escape his dusty, slippery friend, while Ginny and Molly explained to the twins and Arthur the fullness of the prank. By the end of a very detailed explination, the two trouble makers and their father were laughing as much at the story as at watching Ron slip and slide around the room chasing Harry.

Harry, not wanting to get caught, decided that he trusted those people present enough to use some of his powers to evade his pursuer, and flashed to the other side of the room.

"THAT'S CHEATING!" yelled Ron as he pointed a dripping, accusing finger at the boy across the room.

"But we're even now." Harry answered.

Ron didn't wait for an explanation as to what Harry meant by this and went after his best mate again only to grasp at thin air and fall flat on his face, as Harry had flashed, once again, to the other side of the room.

"How do you figure." grumbled a furious Ron, as he pulled himself up off the floor.

"For the last five years you've been waking me up at an ungodly hour EVERY Christmas morning, and now I find out that you never get up early on Christmas, and you were only using it as an excuse to attack me one morning a year. Think of this as payback for that. I think we're even." Harry explained.

Ron paused slightly and grinned before scowling again, "Had you stopped at the icing sugar I would have agreed with you...but THEN you sent me to Hermione's, AND THEY WERE ALL AWAKE IN THE LIVING ROOM OPENING THEIR PRESENTS, WITH THEIR PARENTS!"

"Oh my." muttered his mother before she started laughing again.

Actually, she wasn't the only one. Everyone in the room, save Ron, were now keeled over and laughing violently at the though of a molasses covered Ron with a cherry on top standing in front of his girlfriend and her parents.

"Oh...(laugh)...poor Hermione!...(laugh)" weezed out Ginny.

"...She's never...(laugh)...gonna be able to live this down!" finished Harry.

At this point, even Ron was laughing, thinking about his poor girlfriend and the abuse her two sisters, Athena especially, were probably subjecting her to at this very moment.

Seeing his friend laughing, Harry thought this would be a good time for a peace offering, so he waved his hand and wandlessly cleaned Ron up.

"Sorry mate, I really didn't think any of them would be down this early. It was more to worry you about where you were. Hermione had told me wear she lived other day so that I could show up for lunch today without any problems. So I flashed over their this morning really early to make sure I had gotten the co-ordinates right. I really am sorry about that." Harry admitted.

"Sorry?..." started Fred.

"...Why would you be sorry?" finished George.

"That was brilliant!" exclaimed both of them in unison.

"Harry?" asked a now concerned looking Arthur Weasley, "Was that a portkey? Cause if it was, the ministry can trace it, and you'll probably be in a lot of trouble. Not to mention all the apparating you;ve been doing."

Harry smiled, "That was an untraceable, timed, return portkey. I found it in one of the old book I have in my library. It used to be used by spies to gain information. They are untraceable by any means, but their draw back is that they only last for 30 seconds. So don't worry, no one knows I've done this." Harry assured them, and they all seemed to calm at his words.

"And as for the apparating, I haven't apparated once today." Harry told them. Seeing the confused looks on all but two of the Weasley's present, Harry explained, "I trust you all enough that I will tell you, but you must all promise that this will stay bewteen us. Do I have your word?"

Mr. Weasley hesitantly nodded in agreement, not liking to promise anything without knowing the facts behind it, but not seeing any other choice. The twins and Mrs. Weasley nodded in agrement as well, though with much less hesitation.

"It's one of my animagus' abilities." he admitted, "Some of the others are being able to lift much more then my weight, healing tears, and a darn good singing voice. he told them with a grin."

"Harry?" started Mr. Weasley, "are you saying taht you're a..."

Before Arthur could finish his sentence, however, Harry had transformed into a beautiful...

"PHOENIX!" cried Mrs. Weasley and her twin boys in unison.

Harry then let out a few notes, bringing smiles to everyone present. They probably would have all stayed there too, had Mrs. Weasley not decided to get them all moving.

"Well then, I guess it's breakfast time, them presents. Everyone downstairs!" exclaimed Mrs. Weasley as she shooed all but Harry and Ron out of the room.

"You know we're far from even right?" asked Ron as he pulled on a pair of pants.

"I figured as much." the now human Harry agreed with a grin, "But it was totally worth it. The only problem is that I have a feeling I'm gonna have to make an apology or two this afternoon when I head over there now."

"THAT might be worth watching." chuckled Ron as he patted his friend on the back and dragged him downstairs.

AN: Thanks again for reading and keep the reviews-a-comin!

Farfumsane