Author's Note: I don't own the story or the characters of Harry Potter, this work is entirely fan-made. The rights to everything Harry Potter belong to J.K Rowling.
Thanks for all of the continuous support on the story. It means a lot to me.
When the Hogwarts students finally returned from their break, they noticed several people were missing from the staff table. Professors Snape and Quirrell were absent, along with Hagrid who was nowhere to be found. Dumbledore only explained the absence of Hagrid and Quirrell, saying "Hagrid as some of you may know, once attended Hogwarts himself, but was expelled due to reasons we cannot disclose. He has taken his years as a gamekeeper very seriously and in the next school year, he will be ready to take over Professor Kettleburn's position teaching Care of Magical-Creatures, as he wants to retire early. Hagrid will be coming back shortly before your Christmas break, so when he arrives, do not bombard him with questions please. Professor Quirrell will be taking a short leave of absence to tend to some injuries he has sustained over the break." These words were exactly what Harry and Hermione needed to hear. Harry had been researching Mr Nicholas Flamel over the break and had come to a conclusion about what was behind the trapdoor.
The Philosopher's Stone was a mystical artefact that was created as a dual project by Flamel and Albus Dumbledore. It could be used to turn any metal into gold. Currently, only one was in existence and Harry suspected it was being kept beneath their very feet, under the trapdoor, possibly guarded by more than just a Three-headed dog. They had to find out soon. The more interesting part was that it could be used to brew the elixir of life which would make the person effectively immortal, as long as they kept drinking it. If Quirrell was after whatever was under the trapdoor, Fluffy may have been the one to hurt him. They needed to get to the item first and that meant preparing for the other obstacles. As dim as Professor Dumbledore seemed, Zoe and Hermione figured that he would at least have more trials than an easy-to-open door and a giant puppy.
The time at Hogwarts was uneventful up until Christmas break. Harry and Zoe stayed at Hogwarts because Lily and James were visiting them anyway until they had a business trip from the 27th until New Years. Sirius and Remus were accompanying them to see the children too. Hermione had also stayed at Hogwarts for Christmas break, having wanted to stay with Harry and Zoe, rather than go skiing. On the morning of December 25th, the three first-year Gryffindors made their way down to the common room and exclaimed "Merry Christmas!" to each other. The adults would be arriving later for the Christmas dinner that the elves in the kitchen were preparing.
The trio, being excitable children, dove into their gifts from each other first. Harry and Zoe had agreed with Hermione that they didn't want separate gifts as she was insisting and so their gift had been a Wizarding photo of them and Neville. It was a very thoughtful gesture and had actually been a lot more sentimental to Harry than he expected. Their gift almost seemed to have less thought put into it. Harry and Zoe had both had the idea of a book, but weren't sure which she had read. So they decided on something very useful. The first book was titled, 'Ancient Lineages of the Magical world'. This edition was incredibly thick and came with a note. Harry had put it there to make sure she found the right page. It read 'Hermione. We have found someone who you might like to see. Turn to page 2067'.
The page in question started on the Granger Family tree that spanned over hundreds of generations of witches, wizards, muggles and squibs alike. What was particularly startling was the fact that she was related to many Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs and Slytherins. There were a few Gryffindors scattered around here-and-there, including herself but she was the only witch for five generations that had magical abilities. The last person was named Alexander Cress. He was a Ravenclaw that had gone on to marry a muggle-born witch named Caitlin Hughes. Later down the line, her parents were there, yet of course, they were not listed as a witch or wizard.
They had all gotten some flapjack from the Hagrid, who they had become quick friends with over the last few days. It was surprisingly delicious and edible, surprising as Hagrid's baking had been notorious for needing Madam Pomfrey to regrow several teeth at a time, though they didn't let him know this. The book that they had gotten Hagrid for Christmas about baking and cooking was clearly a good idea if Hagrid kept this up. The other numerous gifts were appreciated and useful for all of them. Then the adults were allowed to use the floo access in McGonagall's office to visit the children. Lily and James let the two Potter children run up to them and ensnare them in a tight embrace.
The presents that were exchanged were thoughtful and something the children had hinted at unknowingly. Harry had owled his father using his brilliant owl Hedwig to tell him about the prank he and Neville had pulled on Malfoy and Nott. This was seen as a sign from the boy. He was ready to start to become a Marauder. So as a fitting gift, he gifted Harry his old Invisibility cloak, passed down to him from his father, Fleamont Potter. This was something Harry had not even seen before as it was meant to be kept within the Potter family, who had descended from the Peverells. James didn't want Harry to blab to his friends about a powerful invisibility cloak so he had never mentioned it. His very own ancestor, Ignotus Peverell had once owned it, so it felt special and rare.
Zoe's gift was from her maternal side of her family. Her grandmother Euphemia Potter had bestowed her own journal to her daughter-in-law and then she had passed. Lily would now pass those notes onto her daughter, as was the Potter family tradition. They contained useful spells, curses, hexes, potion methods and all sorts of other handy tips. Lily also had one, which she had used for her favourite and best-achieving classes, being charms and transfiguration. This was subtly hinted at during her most recent chats with her mother, that her favourite and best classes were charms and transfiguration. Zoe was a book lover, second to only Hermione in Hogwarts, so the gift felt very appropriate.
Sirius and Remus then stepped forward as the favourite uncles and presented Harry and Zoe with their gifts, but told them to wait one moment before unwrapping them. They beckoned Hermione forward and gave her a gift as well. She gave them a confused look and said "Wait, a gift for me? Why? You didn't need to, after all, I've only met you both once". They just said "With what the gifts are, we couldn't leave you or Neville out. It wouldn't be right". All three children hastily unwrapped their presents off Remus and Sirius. They looked confused still. They all held a silver framed mirror, with runes carved into them. "They are communication mirrors. You can see each other or any of us in them, as we also have some. Just tap it with your wand and say the name or place you wish to see. They will glow blue and speak to you with the caller's name if someone tries to communicate with them." Harry spoke up and started the round of thanks for all the gifts and people with them today. A few hours later, as if by magic, the day was at a spectacular end.
I know Christmas felt a bit rushed, but it is what everyone experiences on Christmas, wishing for it not to be over so quickly. I know the communication mirrors are a little over-used in some fics, but they are useful and are actually a thing. Remember in the Deathly Hallows, Harry looks into the mirror and sees an eye there, who he thinks is Dumbledore.