Security had never been tighter in Hogsmeade. Despite possible loss of revenue, the mayor of Hogsmeade, with the blessing of most of the businesses operated there, had agreed to a one day closure of all Floo accesses into the town. This was quite a major inconvenience for the few homeowners that found themselves in the no Floo boundry, who had been made to submit to home inspections to ensure that their own personal floo was properly closed. Further, anyone caught Apparating into or out of Hogsmeade during the elevated security measures, would be sentenced to a term in Azkaban. Though the threat of the legendary prison had diminished somewhat since the Dementors had abandoned it, it still held a certain amount of fear. Everyone knew even these drastic security measures would not deter Voldemort entirely.

Harry was looking forward to seeing Fred and George's new small satellite store. The twins were on security detail, so the tour would not take place until afternoon. Mrs Weasley had finally relented to let them perform small duties for the Order as their nineteenth birthday approached. They would be joining the Order as full, active members in a little over three months, April first, their nineteenth birthday.

O the morning of the Hogsmeade visit, Hogwarts students were preparing to shop, gift lists in hand. Professor McGonagall approached the group, accompanying Harry. Harry was sure she was about to tell them all that Harry couldn't come, or Madam Pomfrey would veto his leaving the school, but it turned out to be nothing of the sort.

"I am to be your escort today," she informed the group. "Surely you didn't think we would send Mr Pot...all of you on to Hogsmeade alone. "Honestly, I don't think you'll find I cramp your style or hinder any hand holding. I'm merely here to keep an eye on things," she added more softly, though looking at Harry.

"Things...me," Harry thought, catching her drift. Still, it was better than Snape, besides, he noted with a grin, she had traded her usual black hat in for her festive tartan one with the ugly thorn wreath on it, so she must be feeling festive.

Having Professor McGonagall around had it's other pluses as well. The Slytherins didn't even dare leer at them as Professor McGonagall bought them all Butterbeer in The Three Broomsticks.

Harry and his friends did have to go to a few places in the village they had never bothered going to in the past, like the baker's shop. This as it turned out, was where McGonagall had gotten all those delicious shortbread cookies and ginger newts she was always so famous for having around. When McGonagall was finished shopping, she also purchased some candy moulds and a candy thermometer. They were now curious why she didn't just go to Honeydukes and buy her candy like everyone else.

"Well Albus, Professor Dumbledore I mean of course, likes some of the discontinued Muggle sweets, so I'm going to make some Sherbert Lemons and Sugar Daddies as a Christmas present. You know his sweet tooth," she smiled.

"Wow, first knitting, now cooking," Hermione whistled quietly as McGonagall paid for her purchases.

"What about it?" Ron and Harry asked at once as Ginny and Hermione just rolled their eyes.

"Don't you see?" Ginny asked.

"See what?" Ron asked impatiently.

"She fancies Dumbledore," Hermione smiled.

"What! How do you know?" Harry piped in.

"You don't just make candy for anyone," Hermione explained, as though this should have been clear. "Also, didn't you see all the sweaters, hats and mittens she's made him. He must like her too, because he's never worn anything like that before. He's always charmed the air around him to remain warm for the most part.

'Hmmmmm, make something,' Harry thought, but what? So for good measure, he picked out a lovely new blue wool coat with matching scarf and mitts with Hermione's help of course, while Ginny's looked like it had seen better days. Fred and George had been going to take care of this, but it gave Harry something to get, besides, Harry thought, 'they would probably have charmed the coat to cause a snow cloud to follow her everywhere she went in it or something, knowing them,'

Professor McGonagall did not rush them as they took their time at Honeydukes, with Kingsley Shaklebolt standing right outside the door of the most popular place in the village for the students.

The best part of the day was spending time at the twins new small store, right by the Shrieking Shack, ironically, guarded by Professor Lupin. Harry could have sworn he'd seen Percy Weasley out of the corner of his eye, but he didn't mention it. Dudley had told Harry what Percy had said about wanting to come back, but he wouldn't tell the Weasleys. He just wanted a good Christmas for once, just once.

It wasn't long before Harry began to have doubts if it was his own personal feelings for what Percy had done to him, not once, but twice and what he had put his family through, that was keeping him from telling the Weasleys about this.

Looking around at the Weasleys, especially Ginny, Harry remembered the first time he had seen their home, lovingly referred to as 'the Burrow.' For some reason, what struck Harry the most about this warm inviting house, was that there was a staircase, but no cupboard under the stairs. Somehow, he'd wondered where he would he be 'put' while he stayed at Ron's, and some very unwell part of his brain from all the years of abuse suffered at the Dursleys, made him instinctively look for a cupboard under the stairs; after all, he wasn't a family member, he was just a misplaced friend of Ron's, or so he'd thought at the time. Ron had been unable to contain his pity when his friend's eyes had automatically darted to the space under the stairs, so he started to steer Harry away from that, instead showing him more of the unusual places in the Burrow, which to Ron's relief, Harry loved. Ron had never seen the cupboard under the stairs where Harry had been locked away as a child, but the twins had, and they had told him about it in private.

Harry decided if he couldn't stop daydreaming, he'd never have a good day, so he tried to push it all out of his mind. If Percy wanted back in, well, it was Percy's business, and he was going to have to deal with it himself. It wasn't Harry's problem, and he wasn't going to think on it any more...yeah right. Harry held onto Ginny tightly as he walked on the slightly slippery cobbled paths of Hogsmeade. One slip and he knew everyone would have him back to the Hospital Wing before you could say, 'bah humbug!'

It had been quite a workout for Harry to remain steady on the icy cobbled streets of Hogsmeade, but Ginny walked arm in arm with him. Looking out the joke shop window, Harry saw Lupin warming his hands over a barrel fire, and felt somewhat guilty for all the extra security measures that had been taken on his behalf, until he saw a smiling Tonks toss a snowball at her new boyfriend and bring him a warm Butterbeer. Tonks was still a young woman, and Harry wondered if the two would ever have children, until he remembered that Lupin, being a werewolf, may not be able to have a child. Harry thought maybe Remus and Tonks could adopt perhaps if their relationship went so far as marriage, but then he remembered the Ministry's stance on werewolves, and with Tonks having such a horribly dangerous job, the two of them would be lucky to get a rat from them.

Bringing Harry out of his daydreams, Ginny said, "Harry, promise me you won't gag when you see what mom knit you for Christmas." She would tell him nothing more then, other then, "It's ghastly," but secretly, Ginny loved it.

"Promise," Harry swore, and no matter how ghastly, he'd wear it at least once in front of Mrs Weasley.

'I ordered something for your parents, too," Harry told her. "Though I'm worried it won't arrive on time, because I haven't been able to tell the store where to deliver it, as we don't where we're staying for the holidays yet."

"It's kind of a surprise for you, Harry," Ginny said excitedly, but I've kept it secret for two days, and I can't do it anymore. Professor Dumbledore says he can muster up enough security for Christmas Eve and Christmas day at the Burrow...home Harry. Oh, it'll be so great being home for the holidays, even though after those two days we have to go to Grimmauld Place for about a week and then back here to good old Hogwarts. They say if we stay on the move, it'll be make it harder for any attacks to be planned, even though it makes security a real pain."

Fred and George's shop boasted almost as many sweets as Honeydukes, though no one was very keen to try them out, no matter how delicious they looked. Harry got an evil grin as Hermione asked him what he was thinking. This would be the year when he would send Aunt Petunia a gift to let them know how much he had always appreciated their oh so lovely gifts of years past, such as knobbly old yellow socks that had been cast away by Vernon, or a single tissue or a toothpick. Harry knew Petunia probably hadn't let up on the alcohol, especially given the events of the past summer, so Fred and George gave him their famous liquor filled chocolates, which rendered the partaker invisible or smelling of Stinksap for an hour or two. Harry had it arranged for Hermione's parents to mail it under an assumed name, knowing Aunt Petunia wouldn't be able to resist and would probably just think the chocolate was from a Grunning's client.

Harry was still at a loss as to what else to get Ginny, and he was very apprehensive about what he had chosen to give the Weasleys, at least the first part of it, which was why he had made sure to purchase something he considered safe, incase he chickened out of giving them what he had planned originally. He had remembered Mrs Weasley having gotten Bill and Charlie to set up tables outdoors, because there had not been enough room around the table for all of them. He had bought them a very fine carved oak dining table with arm chairs to spare. Luckily, Professor McGonagall had just solved the delivery problem when she had learned of the gift. She asked Bill and Charlie to pick it up before Christmas to bring it to the Burrow.

Harry had a sense of humour when he bought Hermione's present. It was an autographed cookbook by a very famous witch, and Harry had it inscribed "good luck in your cooking Ron!" This was her gag gift. Her real present was a gold embossed guide to magical creatures with a large section dedicated to house-elves, so he guessed she'd like it.

As they walked past a news stand, Harry got Ginny to linger behind with him as they giggled, buying Ron a joke newspaper, which looked absolutely authentic. The headline read, 'Chudley Cannons take the cup!' The article detailed the furious battle on the Quidditch pitch, including altered moving photos of the Chudley Cannons high fiving each other in the air, instead of the usual slow, slouched touch downs and race to the change rooms. Harry didn't know how Ron would feel about his next gift, so he tried him out by asking a few fake questions.

"Ginny wants to go see that new play that's opening on the first of April here in Hogsmeade by a small theatre company about when Witches finally got the right to vote. In truth, Ginny could take it or leave it, but Hermione on the other hand had gone on and on about it, and there was no way Ron could afford the tickets. Harry decided that he would buy Ron the tickets...and in a round about way, thinking as only a teenage boy could, Ron would get the good out of the tickets later when Hermione would be so thrilled at going.

As Harry approached the ticket office, while Hermione and Ginny looked in shop windows, he couldn't resist himself. He bought Fred and George tickets as well for they and their dates, thinking that this would pay them back for all the pranks over the years, having to spend their birthdays at a girly play. "April fools," said Harry under his breath, enjoying shopping much more than he had ever done. Harry was surprised to see Professor McGonagall purchase a block of tickets for gift giving as well.

Hagrid was next on Harry's list. Harry bought Hagrid a book on magical healing for animals, now that Hagrid was using a proper wand and all. Hagrid had always been patching up his 'critters.'

Harry couldn't help but grin from ear to ear as Ron carefully steered Hermione away from any vendor who was selling tickets to the play on women's voting rights, with a special tribute to Madame Modesty Rabnott, who had a golden snidget reserve named after her for having gone against the minister of magic himself over a hundred years ago. Giving would be definitely be better then receiving this year, not to mention more fun.

At this point in Harry and Ginny's relationship, Harry knew that she had his heart, but he didn't know what to get that wouldn't seem out of place, but wouldn't be too casual either. A nasty thought was never far from the surface of this thoughts as he felt that any day may be the last one with her. He decided to set Christmas as a goal to live through, then Spring, and so on, one day at a time, until Voldemort would finally come, engulfing his mind, body and soul in a fight to the death.

As Professor McGonagall owned only a few hats which she put on rotation according to the time of year, Harry bought her a very nice hat, black velvet, but instead of a thorn wreath, an ivy one to match the green in her tartan Christmas outfit she wore every year he could remember. When Ginny teased him for remembering such detail, he became very serious, telling her exactly what she had worn every Christmas since he had known her. She was flabbergasted.

Remembering Dumbledore's lament in front of the Mirror of Erised, a mirror which showed your heart's desire, Harry bought Dumbledore seven pairs of heavily insulated socks, for Dumbledore had always said no one ever got him something practical, like socks. At the same store, he found some novelty socks for Dobby, no stain, no smell, black socks, guaranteed fresh for a month!"

As they passed Ollivander's Wand Shop, Harry fell on the ice. Professor McGonagall gasped as Ginny knelt next to him, but there was no cause for concern. Harry had been using his cane in the icy areas, as recommended by Madam Pomfrey, but it had gone skittering out from under him. As Ginny was helping him up, she fell down as well, and they all laughed heartily. When they finally got to their feet, still laughing, they found that were at least seven Order members circling them, wands drawn to the outer circle in another huge over reaction to a minor fall. As the Order members dispersed, a group of Slytherins led by Draco Malfoy, shouted, 'Boo!' at them and shrieked with laughter.

It was time for a break and as Professor McGonagall asked Harry for the tenth time if he was sure he was okay, he could have sworn he heard her mutter, 'Zambonias Slipperius!' as Draco's group slipped and fell like dominoes on what looked like freshly created ice under their feet. The head of Gryffindor house, wore a distinctly smug expression as she murmured softly, "Oh dear, they really should put some salt down there, it's ever so slippery."

Harry decided to get Neville a new case for his new wand at Olivanders, and Mr Olivander was very pleased to see him. Mr Ollivander expressed his sympathies to Harry for his long recovery, but was pleased that the wand that he had sold him had served him so well. Ginny had been admiring the window display, never having had a new wand of her own.

Harry knew it couldn't be a surprise, but it was now that he decided what he would get Ginny. He wanted to get her a new wand. Ginny was reluctant to accept such an expensive gift, but Harry put on his best charm, imploring her that Sirius would want him to enjoy his inheritance to it's fullest. Harry told Ginny that Mrs Black would turn over her grave if he bought her, a Blood Traitor, as Mrs Black had screamed at her, a gift with the Black family fortune. Ginny laughed, as this pleased her in memory of Sirius, plus, she could see that Harry, though he'd never admit it, was getting cold and tired and she wanted to get back to Hogwarts to rest. It was also time for his potions.

By the time they reached The Three Broomsticks, Harry was freezing in the unseasonably cold air, though they had performed a Warming Charm on his cloak. Harry blushed deeply as Madam Rosmerta, proprieter of the Three Broomsticks, wrapped a warm blanket around his shoulders, but couldn't help but smile at the slightly wistful look on Ron's face as she had done so. Hermione always knew that Ron had found the woman rather attractive, despite the large age gap. Madam Rosmerta was older than Professor Lupin. Ginny found herself readjusting the blanket, just to prove she 'had it covered.' Harry felt proud the way she fussed over him, and he couldn't have been more pleased then when she had stopped off to donate her old wand to a charity shop.

As Ginny had handed Harry his many potions, a flashbulb went off before any of them could protest, and the man who had taken the picture was long gone. No one was supposed to be Apparating in Hogsmeade this day, and now, Professor McGonagall gave the alert to the Order and ushered them all out of the bar where they were joined by other students who were disgruntled at having their shopping day cut short because of a photograph. They now walked with the Order plainly in sight, instead of trying to look casual.

"Prefer to have your lives cut short?" growled Moody, stomping along on his wooden leg.

Back at the castle, Madam Pomfrey ordered Harry to bed, saying he looked peaked, and in truth, he felt tired, but he decided he would let the Order figure out what the picture was all about.

The cool crisp cotton sheets of summer had been put away and replaced with the most wonderfully soft flannel Harry had ever felt. The friends, now joined by Luna and Neville, all decided to put on their pajamas to warm up.

Ginny teased Harry about flannel sheets and flannel pajamas causing a spark if he tossed and turned too much. As the rest of the castle packed to go home, they enjoyed a relaxing evening of exploding snap. Neville and Luna gave Harry a very large poinsettia before they were to go pack.

"Oh, I'll have to keep Crookshanks away from this," Hermione said. "They're poisonous."

"Actually, this one's not poisonous, and besides, look," Neville pointed at Crookshanks putting the large red leaves right under his flat nose. Crookshanks began knawing on the red leaves at once, at which point, the branches began to flick the ginger cat on the nose.

"I call it a Womping Poinsettia," said Neville proudly. "Earned Griffindor a hundred points for most original Christmas plant. I thought for sure Slytherin would get it. Blaise Zabini grew a new kind of Mistletoe. It grabs any two people under it and pulls them together with it's tentacles and puts them together. Of course, you can see the implications," he laughed. "Dean Thomas and Seamus were going to hex Blaise hairless when they were forced lip to lip for almost a minute. Poor Seamus went around kissing his girlfriend every five minutes after that, and Dean spent the rest of the day talking about Quidditch and staying as far away from Seamus as possible."

Blaise had lost Slytherin fifty points from Snape no less, who was less than impressed. No one could ever remember the head of Slytherin taking points from his own house, that was until of course Snape had found himself the unlikely recipient of a very long kiss from Professor Sprout, who had walked under Blaise's mistletoe at the same time.

Harry enjoyed listening to the happy banter as Ginny smiled at his heavy eyelids. Despite the photo incident at Hogsmeade, Harry felt very safe and warm and he dropped off to sleep. Everyone tip toed out, as Ginny kissed him lightly and pulled the blankets up to his chest and stood gazing at him for a full minute before leaving. It was only seven thirty, but she hoped that Harry would sleep through the night. Madam Pomfrey was surprised to find him sleeping when she brought him potions and she debated waking him or letting him sleep. He would wake sore in the morning without them, but she could take care of that, so she decided the sleep would do him better.

The sun shining through the window in the morning surprised Harry, who thought he was waking from a short nap. The beams of light made Harry aware that it was very late. He had slept until noon. As he moved to get up, he knew something wasn't right. He had missed his evening and morning potions. He sat up as waves of intense pain streaked down his spine into his legs. He drew a sharp intake of breath and stood. It dawned on him, with some concern, that he might be addicted to his potions if doing without them caused this much excruciating pain. Harry had gone very pale, and when Ron came in to see if he was up yet, he ordered Harry to lie back down while he went to get Madam Pomfrey.

"Oh, Mr Potter, I see you're awake, and you have forgotten all about the pain tablets I left you in your night stand should you ever need them," she said with concern.

'Well, I just thought maybe I didn't need them anymore. I was worried that I was relying on them too much." This statement caused the Matron to look at Harry with sympathy, but also admiration.

"No, Mr Potter, you are not addicted to your potions. I have been steadily decreasing your dosage, but you do still really need to take what I give you. You will actually heal better while on the pain medicine, because you won't slouch and your spine will heal better in it's natural position. One of your potions is called 'No Knot,' so you don't experience the heavy back spasms as your spine heals. The other ones here are strong restoratives and pain relief potions. Don't feel bad that you still need them, just be glad they exist. A hundred years ago medicines for this type of thing were about as effective as the Muggle methods and you'd have been lucky to have lived at all, let alone walk again. Harry took the potions without question now, appreciating them more now than before.

"See?" Madam Pomfrey said, noticing the immediate smoothing of the frown on Harry's forehead from the relief of pain. Just listen to your body. If it hurts while on your potions, then stop what you're doing...and don't worry so much," she advised, taking her leave.

The leftover pain was still evident on Harry's handsome features when he came out to lunch. Ginny knew right away that he wasn't quite well. She rubbed his shoulders and got him some pancakes, which he accepted with some degree of apprehension, worried that she had made them. "Don't worry, they're Stephanie's. It's Tyler's birthday and she makes these special for him on his birthday.

Tyler hadn't mentioned his birthday to Harry and he felt kind of bad that he hadn't gotten the boy who had saved his life anything. He decided to give Tyler his Christmas present early and pick something up later for Christmas. Harry switched the tag from Merry Christmas to Happy Birthday on the large basket of Honeydukes sweets he had bought him. Harry had spent several excruciating moments trapped under that tree while Tyler and Snape had been begging him not to go to sleep, lest he not wake again, telling the boy about Bertie Bott's every flavour Beans. He smiled, hoping Tyler wouldn't get Sardine for his first one like he had.

Everyone gathered at the windows to watch the carriages depart, taking the students home. Hermione hadn't expected her parents to arrive today, so it was a nice surprise when the lone carriage travelling away from the Hogsmeade Station, brought them to her. Tyler's face lit up as his father got out of the carriage after the Grangers.

While everyone sang happy birthday to Tyler and the large cake was brought out, Harry held hands with Ginny under the table, glad someone else was the centre of attention for a change.

Tyler's Grandmother noticed a change in Harry right away since she had seen him last in October for Family Week that those seeing him every day had not. "You've gained some of your weight back lad," she said approvingly. The swimming everyday was helping and now that Harry had a girlfriend to impress, he made sure to eat all of his meals.

"Well, Ginny, you practice your cooking and maybe you can make something for Harry again," Mrs Weasley suggested. Then Mrs Weasley leaned over to tell Mrs Granger something. Harry overheard her tell Hermione's mother that she was going to teach Ginny how to cook and some basic first aid and minor healing as well. Harry thought Ginny would make a wonderful Healer. 'Great, I'll need to live with a healer by the time I have to fight Voldemort, if I live through it," Harry thought miserably.

As they sat enjoying Helen's homemade cake, the strangest thing happened. Snape came in long enough to give Tyler a package, fully gift-wrapped, declining cake and leaving before the package was even opened. As Tyler opened it, Harry saw a large very ornate wooden box with a strong hinge and lock set. The box contained a very expensive assortment of potions ingredients, well beyond the needs of a student. Tyler was very pleased and Harry was happy that the boy had melted so seamlessly into the magical world, but he was still apprehensive about the closeness of the usually surly and reclusive Snape.

Tyler's father had gotten him a large globe of the world on a fine oak stand, but as Tyler looked it over appreciatively, a wide grin spread over his face. Professor Dumbledore had kindly helped Howard label many of the magical villages like Hogsmeade onto it. "Wow, dad thanks!" Tyler exclaimed, throwing his arms around his father. "This will give me something to remember my time with you all here," he smiled. Looking around at them all, eyes coming to rest fondly on Harry. Harry would miss this boy once he had to leave, which the time hadn't been decided, and Harry hoped it wouldn't be soon. Most of Tyler's gifts were academic in nature, so Harry was kind of glad he had gotten the boy something frivolous. "Let him be a kid,' Harry thought to himself.

Harry decided he'd like to see the Gryffindor common rooms which he hadn't seen all this year. He and Ron couldn't find the girls, who were off gift wrapping, so they made their way through the castle which wasn't quite as eery as it usually was when empty. Dumbledore had insisted on lavish Christmas decorations just for the remaining few, which brightened everything considerably. Neville, Dean and Seamus had a lot of extra room now that Ron bunked with Harry in the hospital wing, but the two were glad to see that not all traces of them were gone from the boys dorms. The Chudley Cannons poster was still right where Ron had left it, right next to Dean's poster of the Muggle football team. Hedwig's perch was still in place for when the owl had spent the night a few times with him over the years. Harry so looked forward to returning to these dorms soon.

As time past with reminiscing, Ron mentioned a winter walk he had planned with Hermione, and as the two made their way to the portrait of the Fat Lady to leave, Hermione and Ginny were just coming in, Ginny as a replacement guard for Harry no doubt, he thought. Ron politely asked if they wanted to join he and Hermione on a walk, looking like he hoped they'd decline.

"No, I haven't been here for awhile. I think I'll stay, thanks," Harry told Ron. Finally, he and Ginny would get some alone time. Ginny plopped down on Seamus' bed. 'Not a good idea,' he told himself when she gestured for him to join him, but he couldn't help himself, so walked right over and sat next to her. They spent the rest of the afternoon kissing, returning to the Hospital Wing very flushed, having decided that more alone time was a bad idea right now.

"Mr Potter, you're very flushed. Are you feeling alright?" Madam Pomfrey asked him, placing a hand on his forehead. "Have you been exercising?"

"Purely cardiovascular," Harry answered quite truthfully. His all encompassing desire for Ginny had made his heart beat like a jack hammer."

"Good for you, dear," Madam Pomfrey complimented. "Keep it up, Harry," she encouraged, as he and Ginny fought hard not to laugh. That was what he wanted to avoid!

"Yeah, Harry, keep it up!" teased Ginny as they left to go outdoors so Harry could cool off.

"Oh, you're evil, Ginny Weasley," Harry blushed deeply, catching what she meant. He was glad he was with her for every first in his life, having discounted his kiss with Cho as nothing more than something forgettable. Harry knew he was getting carried away when he felt he could have knelt in the snow right here and now and professed his love for her.

He wondered if he was feeling rushed to be a family with Ginny because he didn't want his obituary, should he die fighting Voldemort, to be so empty. He hoped it would at least read, 'survived by his loving wife Ginny...' Instead of 'Orphan son of the late... but no,' he told himself resolutely, he wanted her, but he would wait to make sure he wouldn't leave her a widow. Needless to say, the thoughts of Voldemort had more than ruined the exciting feelings of the afternoon, but Harry did not let it diminish his new found hopes for a future.

A/N Well, we are approaching the last chapters. After Christmas, which will be the next chapter, the rest of the story will deal with the lead up and final battle and the cure to Lycanthropy. There was only one person who came close to the ingredients for a potion to cure Lycanthropy and I will announce it next week. Thanks so much for the great responses. You guys crack me up! All that has been lead up to, will be resolved in the last chapters and I really appreciate the awesome reviews. It makes me feel so good! Please keep reviewing.