Disclaimer:
There once was a student named 'Sane
Far fum it, though some would exclaim.
No money he made
Nor fame was he paid
To share the strange things in his brain.
During breakfast, where Ron could be seen avoiding the whip cream topping for the waffles Mrs. Weasley had made, the last of the Weasley's arrived.
Bill and Charlie couldn't keep from laughing at their little brother, as the twins and Ginny took it upon themselves to recount, in great detail, the events of that morning. Ron was not amused.
After everyone had eaten, and the laughter had died down, the group made their way into the living room.
As per their yearly tradition, Bill made his way over to the tree and started to randomly hand out presents. As a person received one, they opened it, and squeals of delight, and exclamations of happiness could me heard from different people at different times as they tore into the gifts they had received.
"Ha ha, Ginny." Ron said sarcastically as he held up a wand polishing kit. Harry and Ginny burst into laughter and were forced to recount the events that took place in the Great Hall earlier that year.
"What is this? Pick on Ron day?" he yelled in mock frustration over the laugher that had engulfed the room.
Ginny had gotten a couple of muggle diaries from Bill and had smiled and thanked him. Harry was surprised, but she explained that she had always kept a diary, and she wasn't about to let Tom ruin something like that for her. The only thing she had changed about her habit, was that she now only used muggle ones, and when at school she cast locking charms on them and made them password protected.
Ron had gotten a new Cannons poster from Bill, which he was over the moon about.
"It's a post signing poster. The player on it has yet to be announced publicly, they've released her team merchandise to start a stir about wanting to know who she is."
Ron's mouth was still agape and it was obvious that he recognized the person.
"Who is it Ron?" asked a now curious Harry.
"It's Angelina! She's a CANON!" Ron said in awe and disbelief as he turned the poster around for all to see.
"And she didn't..." started surprised Fred
"...tell us?" ended and equally shocked George.
"She wouldn't have." explained Charlie. "She's not aloud to mention it to anyone until it's announced officially. It's part of her wizarding contract with the team."
Bill then explained to a confused Harry that a wizarding contract is much like a wizarding oath, though slightly less severe in its punishment, and on a much small scale.
'So basically like the contract I got everyone in the DA to sign?' Harry asked Ginny mentally.
Exactly. She responded.
Harry had hid all of his at the back early that morning before anyone was up. Ginny noted the look of anticipation on his face as the pile began to dwindle, and Bill got closer to the back of the stack.
"Whatcha got there Harry?" asked Ginny, trying to figure out why he was so excited.
Harry held up his green Weasley jumper with a radiant smile.
"It's just a jumper from mum." said Ron, a piece of his old, dense self shining through for a moment. To his credit, he did look guilty after he said it, but before he could apologize, Harry spoke.
"No Ron. It's not just a jumper. This was my first ever Christmas present. And every year I look forward to it." then he turned to Mrs. Weasley, "Thank you so much. It's the little things like this that was talking about this morning." Then he got up and gave her a hug of thanks.
The reference to that mornings conversation was lost on everyone present except Molly herself, who was trying very hard not to cry. 'He's had such a hard life.' she thought as she hugged him tightly, 'I just hope he's happy now.'
He is. Much, much happier. A small voice in her head assured her.
She looked around to see if she could find the source, but only saw all of her children, and her husband smiling at her.
Harry sat down again as Bill finally got to the bottom of the pile.
"What are these?" he asked, noticing the similar wrapping paper,
"Let me see." said Ron as he got up and made his way over. "That's Harry's writing." he stated, as he shot him an accusatory glare.
"Ya, but before you open them, I want you to promise something." he said. "You can't get mad, or complain. I'm giving these gifts cause I care about you, and I wanted you to have them. Most of them are practical and could very well save your life, so please, for me, just take them in the spirit they are given." he asked, using Remus' words.
Most of them looked at Harry rather apprehensively, aside from the twins and Ginny who agreed right away. Eventually, all of them did too, even Ron, who despite his recently improved personality, still had some personal poverty issues to work through, though definitely not as many as before.
The first two identical packages were for Mr. & Mrs. Weasley.
As they opened them, Harry explained, "I know that you're both in the Order, and I want you to have these to make me feel better knowing that you are as well protected as possible when you're out there."
Mr. Weasley had opened his first, and pulled out its contents for all to see: a set of black battle robe with a large Weasley crest covering the heart.
"They'll protect you from most curses and hexes. Their charmed to be light weight and have a wand holster in each sleeve. I'm sure I'm talking for everyone in the room when I say we want you to come back from every battle, and if I can actually use some of what Sirius left me to help accomplish that, them I'll be damned if I don't." said Harry.
"Thank you Harry." said an almost speechless Arthur, "They're magnificent. Thank you very much." Not sure what to say after that, he smiled, and kept silent, watching his teary eyed wife.
"Thank you so much Harry dear. We promise we'll be as careful as possible." She said. She wanted to protest at the cost, but hearing his explanation, and knowing that it was the memory of Sirius that inspired him to do this, she decided that sometimes one needs to swallow their pride and accept help.
Next was Charlie, who also received a set of battle robes, though these had a more practical, every day cut to them, and did not display the Weasley crest.
"I figured you could use them for your classes as well as fighting. They're fire, acid, water and stain resistant, durable to both magic and muscle, lightweight and flexible. Ideal for handling Hippogriffs or Death eaters." grinned Harry, having purposely sounded like a bad wireless advertisement.
"Thanks Harry." said Charlie, before turning to watch Bill open his.
Bill's were much smaller, and there were two of them. One was definitely a book, and the other was about the size of two bars of soap end to end. Wanting to get the book out of the way first, thinking it would be the less impressive of the two presents, he peeled the paper away and almost dropped the book out of shock after reading the title.
"Where...where did you get this?" asked a dumbfounded Bill.
The title read, "Current Wards and Protective Spells to Guard Thy Keep." The title, of course, was a tad misleading, since current was, at the time the book was written, over 500 years ago.
"This book is amazing!" Bill said as he leafed through it. "It was said to be lost. There were only 50 copies made, and the last one was thought to be lost over 100 years ago. Where did you get it!"
Harry laughed, "It was part of my inheritance. I saw it, and thought you might like it, so I had a copy made. Sorry, but you only get a copy." he grinned. He hadn't lied, Potter mansion, after all, was part of his inheritance. If they wanted to think it was part of his Black inheritance, he wasn't going to correct them.
"Thanks Harry!" he said, continuing to leaf through the book.
"What about the other one?" Harry said as he motioned at the smaller of the two gifts, "The book doesn't count. It was something I would have given you anyways since it didn't cost me a knut."
Bill picked up the smaller package, which he had completely forgotten about, and opened it. Inside were a pair of gold rimmed half spectacles. "But I don't need glasses Harry."
"Put them on and look around." Harry told him.
Seeing no harm in trying, he did as he was told. Once on his face, however, he nearly fell out of his chair as the room around him lit up in a myriad of colours.
Chuckling at his reaction, Harry explained, "They're magical specs much like Professor Dumbledore's, but I didn't tell you that. They allow you to see magical auras and enchantments on objects or people. This includes invisible objects, permanent wards, curses, hexes and a big long list of other things. I was told the different colours represent the kind of enchantment to a certain extent, and thought they might be helpful in recognizing some of the wards that were on some of the tombs in Egypt that had been giving you and your crew so many problems. I know you're not working there anymore, and doubt they'll be much help in...ahem... 'teaching people English', but if you ever do go back out, you'll be a step ahead."
Bill blushed slightly at Harry's joke, as the rest of the group chuckled at him. What had started out as english lessons, had become a full fledged relationship a few months ago, but it was still a source of amusement for everyone.
Bill, who was now totally fixated on the sights and wonders of the magic around him, hadn't even heard Ron calling to him to continue the present distribution.
"Oh never mind, I'll do it myself." Ron said as he got up and went the to pile of presents that remained, side stepping a pre-occupied Bill.
Ron picked up a small package that was about the size of a picture or diploma frame, but about twice as thick, and handed it to the twins.
"I have to apologize to you two. Yours is the only present that I didn't pay a cent for, but I don't think you'll mind."
The two tore way are the paper to reveal two wooden frames. Looking at the contents of said frames, something happened to the twins that the occupants of the room hadn't see for a long, long time.
They were speechless.
After a good minute of silence, an event that doesn't happen in the Weasley home when the whole family is there, as even when asleep, snores can be heard resounding in the house, Mrs. Weasley broke the silence, "What are they boys?"
"They're..." George tried.
"...they're..." Fred attempted.
"They're the deeds to the both the shop they are currently renting in Diagon Alley, and another shop directly beside the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade." Harry finished.
"Harry?" asked the two twins simultaneously as they looked up at him, each one with a deed in his hand.
Harry smiled, "They're yours guys."
At this, the twins jumped up and started dancing a very merry gig.
"Harry? You told us that the gifts would be practical." prodded Mrs. Weasley, still not totally thrilled about her sons' chosen career, was not overly impressed that Harry would help them. But she could never really be cross with the generous young man before her, so her stern look broke into a small smile as she saw the joy on her sons' faces.
"They are Mrs. Weasley. Both locations are equipped with a fireplace that I had the ministry hook up into a private loop. The only fire places that they can go to them are the ones from the other store, Marauder Mansion, or the Burrow. It'll make for a very effective escape route, and means of transportation for Ron and Ginny to wherever they need to go until they can apparate." Harry explained.
The twins stopped dancing, "There's a fireplace in our shop in Diagon Alley?" they asked together, a look of confusion on their faces.
"Well...there is in the 4 bedroom flat above it which is vacant and now owned by you." Harry explained with a smile.
They twins eyes lit up even more, and their gig resumed with double the initial fervour getting a hardy laugh from the rest in the room.
"No more rent! No more rent! Not for us! Cause Harry's great! No more rent!" they chanted as they hopped. They had recently been renting a two bedroom apartment over Madam Malkins, and were over the moon about moving into a larger place that they wouldn't have to pay for on a monthly basis.
The twins eventually calmed, and sat back down. They were looking forward to finding out what their last two siblings were going to get from their generous benefactor.
Ginny was given hers next and opened it. Inside, were the dragon hide boots that she had returned to Harry earlier that year, when she thought she had gotten too much.
"Those boots are charmed to fit any person's foot, are waterproof, have heating and cooling charms on them so the person's feet will be comfortable, have a wand holster in each boot, can morph into anyone of 10 different styles, can change into any colour the wearer can picture in their head and are also charmed to be silent." he explained.
"Thank you so much Harry!" she said as she jumped up and gave Harry a hug.
Harry smiled and hugged her in return. It always felt so nice.
The hug lingered a bit longer then it should have, as it usually did with those two, but soon Ginny was sitting in her seat again, and thinking about the boots in her hands.
'That explained why I didn't see them on the table when the others had chose their things,' she thought, 'but it doesn't explain why Harry just said that the twins' present was the only one he didn't have to pay for.' She knew for a fact that he didn't buy these, even if she hadn't been aware of their full enchantments. Not that she was complaining, it was just that she was confused. She'd have to ask him that night at the mansion.
Unfortunately for Harry and Ginny, a couple of people in the room had noticed the contented smile on both the young people's faces during the embrace, and the new found comfort between the two of them. Molly wasn't blind after all, and even though Ginny had told her that she was dating a Justin, she had a feeling Justin wouldn't be around come the end of the year.
Ron too had noticed, and was smiling at himself. He'd have to talk to Hermione about this. He knew better then to get in between Ginny and her boyfriend, but once they broke up, if they broke up, Ron had a plan that included a couple of stunning spells and a broom closet that he would have to implement.
Still smiling, Ron reached down and picked up the last present under the tree. It had been partially hidden behind the conifer, and now that it was fully exposed, Ron had a pretty good idea of that it was. Pulling away the paper, the box he saw before him did nothing to dissuade his opinion of what it contained.
With a slightly shaky hand, Ron lifted the lid and held his breath, as though worried it was going to disappear. The rest of the room watched silently as Ron reached in and pulled out a broom.
"Ron, is that..." began Fred.
"...what I think it is?" finished George.
"The Nimbus VIK...the most advanced Keeper's broom there is on the market." muttered Ron in a monotone, yet awe filled voice, "Harry...I can't..."
"Again," started Harry, "It's not only for fun, it also has a very practical use. I'm planning on starting a broom dueling unit in the DA, and this broom boasts that it responds with barely a touch, is good for short bursts of speed and steady as a rock for all the maneuvers, like the starfish and others. I see it as good for bursts of speed to surprise the enemy, steady during combat and casting, and responds quickly to evade incoming spells."
Harry started to get worried at Ron's silence, not sure if he would accept it. He was sure Ron liked it, Ron had been talking about that broom practically non-stop for the last two months, since it's release on the market, he just wasn't sure how Ron will react.
"You ok there mate?" asked Harry tentatively.
Starring blankly at the broom in his hand he replied, "I'm fine...I'm just fighting an internal battle right now. I want to both thump you for spending this much and thank you profusely for giving it to me. I want to refuse it and giving it back and accept it as twisted form of payment for that horrid prank you played on me this morning." he explained, never changing his mood, or shifting his eyes from the piece of wood in his hand.
Everyone grinned at his comment, and continued to watch, and wait to see how the youngest Weasley male was going to react.
Ron closed his eyes, and shook his head slowly in a negative fashion, before he opened his eyes and looked at Harry with a smile on his face.
"Thanks mate...just...thanks." Ron concluded, deciding not to say what he was thinking and just accept the gift from his best friend.
The next hour or so was spent playing with gifts, and rambunctious happenings. Except for Ron, who, most of the time, just sat there staring at the broom that never once left his hand the rest of the morning.
Despite the joyous mood, however, Harry noticed that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley kept stealing sad glances over at an empty chair in a corner of the room. After a sad look from Ginny, Harry nodded slightly. His next stop should be interesting.
Eventually, Harry bid them goodbye, and after a few Happy Christmas' and yuletide hugs, he was off to his next destination.
Percy was not having the best of Christmas'. He had turned his back on his family, his girlfriend, Penelope Clearwater, his Hogwarts sweetheart, had left him over a month ago, and he no longer found any pleasure in his job. It had taken him a while to see it, but as they say, ignorance was bliss. Percy knew now that Fudge was an incompetent imbecile, and now that he was no longer in power, Percy found himself having to face the reality and truth of his prior actions. He had betrayed everything he had once held dear, all for nothing. Now he was alone. Everyone in his past having left him, the dream of greatness he once embraced had also now flown away. He was alone. So he clung to the only thing he had that was his and would never leave him like everything and everyone else in his life.
His Pride.
He couldn't apologize. He could go to anyone and admit that what he had done was wrong. How could he give up the last thing he had? How could he throw away the last bit of who he was? He couldn't.
'So much for Gryffindor courage.' he thought.
Looking around him, he took in his surroundings. His flat was tidy. Nothing was ever out of place, he regularly cast cleaning charms, and silence reigned. Not like the chaos he was brought up in: knitting needles and toys lying around, dirty shoes by the door, items haphazardly placed every where, and there was always noise, always someone making sound. There was always someone else there. He never thought he'd ever miss that so much.
'What's wrong with me?' he thought, 'how did things get so bad?'
Besides the fact that you're a big prat? The young female voice said.
Despite the fact that the voice was insulting, he smiled. He had long since given up trying to guess who's voice it was, or why she was bothering him of all people. He just enjoyed the company. Besides, it reminded him of his little sister, and though he had never been very close to her when he lived at home, he had always loved her, as with the rest of his family.
'Happy Christmas.' Percy thought with a smile.
Happy Christmas to you too. She responded. But shouldn't you answer the door?
'What?' he asked, but before he could get a response, he heard a knock at his door. 'Who is it?'
I'm not telling you. Just go and find out. She told him.
Not wanting to be rude to someone who would actually come and visit him on Christmas day, he yelled that he was coming, threw on his housecoat, as he had been sitting around in night shirt, and opened the door.
"Hello?" he asked as he opened it, still not having seen who is was on the other side.
"Hello Percy. Happy Christmas."
He knew that voice. Looking down, his fears were confirmed.
"H...Harry?" he stammered.
Harry just nodded.
"P...please come in." Percy said opening his door a bit wider, and motioning his guest in with his arm.
"Thank you Percy." Harry stated calmly as he entered.
"Can I get you something?" asked Percy guiltily. There was so much he wanted to say to this young man, not the least of which was how sorry he was, but where to begin?
"No, that's ok Percy, but thank you for offering. I just stopped by to tell you something, then I'll have to be going." Harry told him.
"What would you like to tell me?" Percy inquired, trying to hide his wince. He figured Harry's news wasn't good, but he was too tired, too weary from life to act indifferent anymore. He did care, and nothing he could do could hide that now.
Percy's responses hadn't gone unnoticed by Harry, and he found himself agreeing with what Ginny had told him a few nights before.
"Percy, I wanted to tell you that despite the fact that you betrayed me," Percy flinched. "and your family," Percy's head fell with guilt. "I want to tell you that I don't hold it against you."
Percy's head shot up, and his eyes held a new spark that Harry hadn't seen in them all morning. Hope.
"I wont forgive you until you ask, because I don't refuse to give you anything you don't want, but I wanted you to know that the offer stands." Harry concluded.
"Why?" asked Percy quietly.
"Why? For many reasons: this is war and I can use all the allies I can get, we all make mistakes, or a number of others. But the main one was what I experienced this morning. I sat around the table with an amazing family, who joked and laughed, but all the while their eyes held a seed of sadness and kept glancing over at a chair that always remains empty at meal times, but they refuse to remove. Then we moved to the living room, and opened presents. They laughed, and joked. They rejoiced in the presence of those people there that they loved, but again, I could see them mourning the loss of the one who wasn't as both of the parents kept looking over at the empty reading chair off in a secluded corner of the room.
"I wont lie to you and say that you will be received with open arms by everyone, but you know as well as I do that you deserve what you get. I can assure you, though, that at least two people will be visibly glad to see you, and that even if the others don't show it right away, they'll be happy to see you too if you've really repented."
Harry paused to let it sink in before continuing, "I know one wonderful lady who would like nothing more for Christmas then for her prodigal son to show up at dinner tonight at 6."
That hope that had been sparked earlier, we now being fanned by his words, and Harry could see the small flame that it had become in the eyes of the downtrodden man before him.
"That's all I came to say, Percy. That, and to ask you not to take for granted something that I would give all I have and all I am, to experience for just one day; a family of my own who loves me. Happy Christmas." concluded Harry before he opened the door himself and left.
Without uttering a sound, Percy made his way back over the kitchen table and sat in the chair he had been sitting at before, deep in thought.
Harry rung the doorbell at the Granger residence, and it was promptly opened by a rather miffed looking Hermione.
"Happy Christmas?" Harry said shyly, in hopes of a piece offering.
"Harry James Potter. The look of guilt on your face is all I needed to see. How could you do that to him? How could you do that to ME?" he asked angrily, poking in the chest with her index finger.
"I'm sorry Hermione. I had no idea that you guys got up that early on Christmas. I honestly didn't do it to embarrass you, just to really worry Ron." he said sheepishly, "Please forgive me?"
Hermione's anger expression seemed to crack slightly as her lips curled up into a smile.
"Of course you're forgiven. I have to admit, it was funny." she said with a giggle, "Though it would have been a lot funnier had I not been embarrassed also."
Harry smiled and nodded.
Hermione ushered Harry into the living room and left him with her father, telling him to wait there until he was called.
"Happy Christmas Harry, it's good to see you again." greeted Mr. Granger as he entered the living room.
"You as well Dr. Granger." said Harry with a smile, as he shook the hand that had been offered him.
"That will get confusing very quickly, Harry." the older man said with a smile, "My name is Gerald, but you can call me Gerry."
Harry agreed with a nod, and sat in the chair he was offered.
The girls were all in the kitchen preparing lunch with their mother, when Harry asked Gerry if there was anything he could do to help, Gerry replied, "You enter that room to your own peril. It's just not safe with the four of them running around. I once tried to help..." his voice trailed off, and he gave a mock shudder as he pretended to remember, "It wasn't pretty. Trust me, its safer just hanging out here. Can I get you a butterbeer?" asked the Dr.
"That sounds great." Harry replied, relaxing a bit.
Gerry got up and walked over to a small bar in the corner, opened the small fridge beneath it, and handed Harry a Butterbeer. As he cracked his own open, he told Harry, "This has got to be my favorite thing to come out of the Wizarding World. It's an amazing drink." as he took a long sip.
"I fully agree." responded Harry, as he too took a swig.
Gerry laughed, "Oh, I'm sure there are other things you like better." the Dr. said, "As a muggle, however, what I can get out of your world is limited."
Harry nodded, "True. But it doesn't make butterbeer any less amazing."
"Understood." Gerry said with a smile. "Now, Harry, I have to ask you something. This morning our present opening was interrupted by a visitor dressed in his sundae best. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?" Gerry asked with an amused smile.
Harry laughed at the man's well placed pun, and proceeded to tell the man the full details of the prank. Dr. Granger asked him how he was capable of doing the magic portions without getting in trouble, since he knew that Harry was not yet 17. Harry went on to explain his status as head of a pureblood family, but not only that, but also that he could do wandless magic, which could not be traced by the ministry. After a few examples, the two moved on to other topics.
They had just started talking about Diagon alley, when Grace Granger came in and introduced herself, before telling the boys it was time to eat.
Harry thought the meal had been terrific, and told the assembled ladies that repeatedly. Harry had been told that it was the triplets who had prepared the meal, and that Grace had just hovered and helped were they needed her. There had been turkey and ham, yams and broccoli, even cranberry sauce. There had been an eclectic mix of types of food as each of the girls attended school in a different culture, and it had all been great.
After the meal, Harry and the doctors had been ushered out and into the living room as the girls went about their cleaning.
"Now that we have you alone, Harry, we had a couple of questions for you." started Gerry.
Gerry and Grace went on to talk about how Hermione had talked a lot about Harry, almost more then about Ron, since her first year, and wondered what kind of relationship they had, since they were under the impression that she was dating Ron.
Harry explained that he is so close to Hermione because he thinks of her as a sister. He never had a family and Hermione and the Weasleys were the closest thing he's ever had to one. They shared a lot over the last five and a half years, and there isn't anything he wouldn't do for her if she asked. And he couldn't be happier that his two best friends had finally gotten together and he wouldn't do anything to ruin that, not to mention the fact that he didn't think of Hermione that way.
"That's good to hear, Harry, now, what about our other daughters?" asked Gerry with a raised eyebrow and a slight grin.
Harry was able to hide his reddening cheeks with his metamorphmagus abilities. "I don't know what you mean." he said, straight faced.
"Harry, we're not blind. We saw the way Athena was acting around you during lunch. We also saw how Hermione was getting annoyed with her for it, and that's why we asked first how you felt about Hermione." Grace told him.
"I'm sure Hermione was only acting like that cause she knows how much I hate it when girls I don't know fawn over me. It happens more then I care to admit." Harry said, looking like he wanted to say more, but choosing to end there.
"But..." prompted Gerry.
"But...I think I might actually like Athena a bit." admitted Harry in a quiet voice, this time unable to hide his embarrassment. He WAS talking to her parents after all. "I've been trying to avoid her for the last few weeks, but the more time I spend with her, the less I want to resist."
The two adults smiled. "We figured as much. She seemed to be growing on you as the meal progressed." noted Grace.
Harry had started the meal trying to ignore her advances, but by about the midway point, he had found himself becoming more comfortable with her, enjoying her company more and more. After all, they had a lot in common. Both good in Defense, loved quidditch, were outgoing, and a bunch of other things.
"I think it's only fair to warn you, Harry. Once Athena sets her mind to something, it's very rare that she doesn't get it." Mr. Granger told him with a smirk.
"The only problem is that I had been avoiding getting into another relationship because my last few have kinda blown up in my face. The last thing I want to do is lose a friend, especially since she's my best friend's sister." Harry told them.
Mr. Granger was the one who replied, "Whatever you decide, Harry, remember to treat her well. I'd go through my fatherly duty and threaten you with bodily harm, and eternal suffering if you hurt my little girl, but I know for a fact that if you do hurt her, she'll do much worse things to you then I ever could." he told Harry with a grin.
The conversation after that lightened considerably. Mrs. Granger had broken out the family photo albums, and the two adults were showing Harry many pictures of the girls through the years. Harry loved it. Even though the pictures didn't move, he could tell how happy they had been as children, and was thankful that they hadn't had a childhood like his.
"Oh no you don't!" said Athena upon entering the room and seeing what they were doing. She quickly whipped out her wand and pointed it at them, "Accio photo album."
Seeing her prepare a spell, Harry wandlessly threw a shield up, and the book didn't budge.
"What's wrong dear?" asked an amused Grace, "We were just showing Harry some of your baby pictures."
"Ya, I found the bath ones very entertaining." said Harry with a wink, which caused Athena to go a bright shade of red, and hide behind Hermione.
"I meant, of course, the one of all three of you together in the bath." he clarified with an evil smirk and dancing twinkle in his eye, as he produced a picture from his lap, "I liked it so much, I made a copy actually."
The three girls went from embarrassed to stricken with fear.
"You...you...you wouldn't!" said Hermione.
"Well...I think it's only fair, after poor Ron's entrance this morning." Harry replied with a wink. Seeing how Demeter was the only on not really affected by all this, he decided to send a shot her way, "I was thinking of sending one to Neville too actually."
"Neville? Who's this Neville?" asked her father when he saw Demeter's reaction.
That did the trick. All three went bright red, and trying to decide what to do.
As Harry explained who Neville was, the three girls had decided to work together to get that picture. Simultaneously, they all cast, "Accio picture."
The joint spell ripped through Harry's shield, and flew into the outstretched hand of Hermione who quickly cast an 'incendio' on it in the fireplace.
The triplets looked rather smug, and Harry was clearly disappointed.
"No fair! You can't you triplet magic, how am I supposed to block that?" he asked.
"Triplet Magic?" asked a curious Hermione.
"Didn't you read the book I had up in the library Hermione? 'Whenever a set of twins or triplets cast a spell simultaneously, the spells effects do not add to the other in power, as when others cast is at the same time, but multiply, or in the case of triplets, the power behind said spells are cubed.'" he told them in his best professor voice.
"No I haven't, but I will be as soon as I can get my hands on it." admitted Hermione.
"Shall we get to the presents then?" interrupted Mr. Granger.
As the guest, Harry went first. He opened hi present to reveal an entire muggle wardrobe: pants, shirts, shoes, socks, boxers, the works.
"According to Hermione, you don't have many muggle clothes that actually fit you properly..." started Demeter.
"...so since we knew that you owned at least one of everything magical..." continued Athena.
"...we figured that you'd eventually need all this..." interjected Hermione.
"So we took it upon ourselves to get you a whole new wardrobe..." continued Athena.
"... of muggle things..." added Demeter.
"...since we know that the one thing you hate worse then Voldemort is..." Hermione clarified.
"Shopping." the three girls concluded in unison.
Harry couldn't take it, and started howling.
The other five people in the room looked at him in confusion.
"What is so amusing Harry?" inquired Grace.
"I just came from the Weasley's and listened to Fred and George talk like that all morning." he said between chuckles.
"Like what?" all three choruses simultaneously, sending Harry into another fit of laughter.
This time, however, the three girls caught it. Athena and Demeter joined him in laughter, but Hermione just looked horrified.
"We're...we...I...I'm not like THEM!" she finally proclaimed, bringing on a whole new wave of laughter.
"You two still haven't met the twins yet, have you?" asked Harry.
"No, we haven't" admitted Demeter.
"But from Hermione's reaction of them, I'm sure we'll like 'em." Athena added, earning her a glare from Hermione.
"Anyways," interjected Harry, before a war broke out, "Now it's my turn!"
"You just had your turn." said Athena.
"No, It's my turn to give, and the first ones are for your parents. I hope you like them Gerry, Grace." he corrected her with a smile, before calling, "Stewy!"
Stewy appeared immediately, carrying three identical cages, containing almost three identical owls. All three were barn owls, and though they looked practically identical, their colours were a little different. One was dark brown, another was light brown, and the third seemed to have a bid of red mixed in with its feathers.
"Happy Christmas Stewy." the triplets said, again in unison.
"Happy Christmas to you to Miss'" he said with a bow.
"Wait Stewy!" said Hermione, "I have something for you." she said before running off.
"While you're waiting for her to get back, Stewy, let me introduce you to the girls' parents. This is Gerry and Grace Granger."
"Hello Stewy." they both offered, but not at exactly the same time as their daughters had.
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Gainger." he replied with a bow.
Before anyone could say anything else, Hermione had re-entered the room, with a present in hand.
"Here you go Stewy." said Hermione as she handed him the present.
Stewy had never received a present before, not from anyone except Master John and Master Harry, so to say he was excited was an understatement.
The young elf ripped open the package to reveal a knitted hat. The hat matched his uniform and even had the Potter crest on it. He looked over to Harry, with the silent question of whether or not he could accept it and put it on. Harry smiled and nodded.
"I know that when I give you clothes, it doesn't set you free, and since I've never seen you with a hat on, I thought you might like one to go with your uniform." she told him.
"Thanks you Miss Hermeyenee. This is a very good present. Stewy like it very much." he told her as he put it on his head. "This will match the shirt that master Harry gave me too!"
"He gave you clothes Stewy? That's great! You're free!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Oh NO! Miss Hermeyenee, Stewy not wanting to be free. Master Harry was giving it to Stewy after telling Stewy that it did not mean his freedom. Stewy would never had taken it if Master Harry had not said that first." Stewy assured her.
Grace and Gerry had long since given up trying to figure out what they were talking about, instead looking at the owls they had just received from Harry.
Hermione was glaring at Harry, who in turn was trying to ignore her by talking to her parents. The last thing he wanted was to get into a row on Christmas with his best friend.
The other two girls were talking with Stewy about his plans for Christmas, which in turn reminded him, "Stewy must be going Mr., Mrs. and Misses Gainger. Stewy is having a dinner to prepare. Happy Christmas again." he told them before hugging Hermione's legs in thanks and disappearing.
Ignoring Hermione's continued glare, he turned to Grace and Gerry, "I was only going to get you one owl, but when I saw these three girls sitting on the perch together, I knew I had to get them all. You also have enough food and treats for them to last 'til the summer, after which I'm sure one of the girls will be able to get you more." Harry said as he pulled out a box, which he enlarged, containing food, and three stands for the cages.
"Thank you very much Harry. This way each girl can have their own private owl." Grace said.
"You're very welcome, though the owls are for you first and foremost, not them. They are also very well trained, according to the clerk, and even if you leave the cages open, they will always return there to do their business, unless they're outside." Harry assured them.
"Excellent! I just hope HermioneII, AthenaII and DemeterII will like their new home. He said while rubbing their feathers. All three owls seemed to know he was talking to them, and hooted in response.
"It would appear that they will." smiled Harry.
The girls had mixed emotions about being replaced by owls, but settled on being content for their parents. At least now they wouldn't be here alone.
"Next up is Demeter." said Harry, as he pulled out a small bag and handed it to her.
Inside she found an top of the line pair of dragon hide gloves, "These are Hungarian Horntail gloves! This is great! My last pair were from a Vipertooth and were start starting to wear through."
"I know, besides, I couldn't have you working in your brand new greenhouse with an old pair of gloves." he told her with a smirk.
"My greenhouse? I didn't get a greenhouse." she stated, more then a little confused.
"Yes you did. Didn't you notice the new shed out in the back yard?" he asked her.
"I just thought dad ran out of room for all his junk in the other two." she said, starting to get what he was hinting at, "You don't mean..."
"Yes I do. I was able to deliver it before you came home, and thanks to your parents, keep it a secret 'til now. It's only charmed to look like a muggle shed about a quarter of its actual size." Harry told her, as he watched her eyes become larger and larger with each word being spoken. "It's currently empty now, however, so you'll have to come and visit me and pick up a few things from my garden."
Luckily, Harry looked up at that point, and was able to steady himself as Demeter threw herself at him.
"Thanks you, thank you, thank you, thank you." she repeated over and over again as she hugged him.
Harry laughed, "You're very welcome. But you should probably let go soon, before Neville finds that you threw yourself at me." he said, not able to resist picking on her a bit.
"Neville?" asked Mr. Granger, as Demeter turned an amazing shade of red. "This is the second time that young man's name has come up."
"He's just a friend." she mumbled, slightly above a whisper.
Hermione and Athena were smiling knowingly when Mrs. Granger spoke, "Of course he is, love."
"Who's next?" Demeter asked, trying to deflect the attention from herself. Having pity on her, Harry decided it was time to move on.
"Next up is Athena." He said before pulling out a parcel from his robe before enlarging it. It was a rather long parcel.
"What is it?" she asked as she took the gift from him.
"Open it and find out!" he told her.
She tore into the present and stopped suddenly, her eyes glazing over, when she finally opened the box. Having lost the ability to speak, it was Hermione leaning over her shoulder who asked the question, "Is that what I think it is?"
Harry nodded.
"A Nimbus 2004? But...but...it's not even out on the market yet! How did you get your hands on one?" she asked. Hermione had been listening to Ron talk about this broom for the past month and a half.
"How did you..." was all Athena was able to get out.
Demeter probably would have commented as well, if her mind wasn't still reeling after her big surprise.
"Let's just say I have contact who was able to pull some strings for me. Do you like it?" Harry didn't see the point in telling them that thanks to his Black inheritance, he was now a major shareholder in the Nimbus Company. That one contact had served him nicely this Christmas.
Athena's response was similar to her sister's in style, if not duration. The threw herself at Harry repeatedly saying thank you, but unlike Demeter, she pulled herself away from Harry with a big smile on her face and proceeded to give him one of his best kisses to date.
When neither teen showed any semblance of stopping, Mr. Granger felt it was his duty to remind them were they were.
"Ahem." he said, clearing his throat.
A very red Athena and a matching Harry separated with identical sheepish grins on their faces.
"Well...ya...thanks Harry." she muttered a tad bit flustered.
"Um...sure...no problem." he returned in the same broken, and quiet voice.
It was the other two girls' turn to poke fun now, and they would have had a good run of it too, had Harry not thwarted their plans by reminding Hermione that she still hadn't gotten her gift yet.
Curiosity won out over the urge to embarrass, and soon Hermione found herself with a recently enlarged present in her hands. Besides, there'd be time to embarrass her sister after.
Inside the box, she was surprised to discover a... 'Cloak? A regular, black cloak? I mean, sure its good quality, and excellent fabric, but really! A cloak?' she thought as she inspected it.
"Thanks Harry." she said with a smile that belied the look or disappointment in her eyes.
Harry frowned, "You don't honestly think that all I'd get you was a plain cloak, do you 'Mione?"
"Well...no, but its a nice cloak...I mean...I don't expect expensive presents from you Harry." she decided to quit while she was behind, and let him explain.
"Open it up, 'Mione." he said.
She opened it to find about 50 different pocket openings, and immediately she knew what it was. "Oh Harry! I've read about these, but where did you get one? They're really rare."
"That they are." he admitted, "That one came from America, so please forgive the measurements I use to describe it. I haven't had a chance to change them over yet. Out of the 50 pockets, 40 of them are one foot by one foot in diameter, five are two feet by two feet, and five of them are two feet by five feet deep. It never changes in weight, despite its contents, and five or the one foot by one foot pockets are refrigerated. With this cloak, you can carry all your books, fore every class, and still have enough room to carry a snack around for Ron." he added with a grin.
In true Granger girl fashion, she threw herself onto him and hugged him tight. After which she couldn't help but get in at least one good shot, "But I'm gonna pass on kissing you Harry. I hope you don't mind."
"Shut up." he mumbled as she playfully shoved her back into her seat.
After another hour of laughing, and giving Demeter a tour of her new greenhouse, Harry said his goodbyes. He shook Gerry's hand and gave Grace and each of the triplets a hug. Athena's hug, however, ended with a discreet kiss on the cheek, and a whispered, "We'll talk about this later." from Harry, before he waved one last time and flashed out of their living room, leaving a visibly reddened Athena, and a mischievous looking Hermione and Demeter.
"Are the men ready Bella?" asked the voice of her lord.
"Yes Master. They are all assembled and awaiting your orders, my lord." she said, bowing low.
"Excellent. We start the attacks at midnight. I want no one leaving the compound before then. Tell them, if anyone leaves, they will be labeled a traitor and executed on site. I want you to start to brief each team on their mission at eleven, and all strikes are to happen at midnight exactly. You may go."
"As you command my lord."
But as she was about to leave the room, he spoke again.
"Oh Bella? I will give you yet another reprieve, and not curse you as you leave my presence. For a lesson in failure now would be a mute point, and only pale in comparison to what you will receive upon your return if you are not successful. Do not disappoint me, Bella. For I promise you that the price of failure this time will be too much for you to bear. Now go, and do as I have commanded you."
"Yes my lord."
AN: Thanks again for reading, and I look forward to your reviews.
Farfumsane.