First thing: There is NOT an OC (Original Characters) in this fic, even though I do write them, and love to read them. I got this story idea and no OC came to mind as a character. I think it's because I like the traditional pairings a lot. H/Hr or R/Hr. Although H/Hr is my fav; this story could go either way, or neither. I don't think this is/will be a Mary Sue, if it is tell me what makes it one so I will know how to avoid it for later chapters, if I'm supposed to avoid it. Enjoy! Oh! I don't own HP and all that jazz, the storyline I feel is mine, considering I thought it up. I just borrowed JK's characters and settings because I am not a good enough writer to come up with my own ideas. LOL. As of September 2005, I have only read the first 4 books, so I don't know much about the 5th and 6th books and all the relationships. Once again, enjoy!

Hedwig's Christmas and Hermione's Sweet Tooth

Snowflakes were falling thickly outside Harry's window on Christmas morning. Harry was standing at the window watching the white flakes pile on the large open area that was part of Hogwarts, his school. He sighed and glanced over at the four-post bed where his best friend, Ron, was still sleeping. Harry had not woken his friend yet because they had been up late talking and playing Wizard's Chess. Having years of practice, Harry was getting very good at the game.

From across the room, Harry heard Ron snort in his sleep and mumble "Checkmate" as he rolled over.

"Reliving your victory, my friend?" Harry whispered smiling. A quiet cooing caught the dark-haired boy's attention and he walked over to his owl's cage. Hedwig was perched on top of her cage watching Harry with what seemed to be a questioning look.

Harry stroked the snowy owl's head and asked, "Do you think I should wake him, Hedwig?" As a reply, the owl flew over to Ron's bed and perched herself on one of the four posts.

Picking up his wand from its place on the nightstand next to his bed, Harry whispered, "Lumos!" and pointed his wand toward his sleeping friend. The light shown bright on Ron's face, but the redhead did not stir. Wiggling his wand the light danced around. The sleeping boy mumbled but did not wake.

Harry glanced up at Hedwig, who tilted her head at him as if to say, "Got any more bright ideas?"

Harry whispered "Nox" to extinguish his wands' light then put it away and sat on his bed. As if he had sat on one of Fred and George Weasley's firecrackers, he immediately jumped off his bed. He cleared his throat and began to sing: "Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way..."

Hedwig watched Harry closely as if she was not sure the sounds were coming from her Harry. "Dashing through the snow on a one horse open sleigh..." As Harry continued singing, Ron rolled onto his back and opened one eye, then the other. The first thing he saw was a pair of big yellow eyes staring at him. Hedwig cooed as the youngest Weasley boy sat up. "Hedwig, would you tell your master it's too early to be singing, especially that well."

Harry grinned. "It's not early, Ron, it's nearly eleven-thirty and I don't sing that well."

Ron sprang out of bed. "Eleven-thirty! Bloody hell Harry, why didn't you wake me sooner? It's Christmas Day we have to enjoy every minute!" He started grabbing his presents, "Come on, let's go open these by the fire in the common room!"

Harry collected his presents and followed his fully awake friend down the stairs. Hedwig swooped over their heads and landed on the mantle above the fireplace.

Just as the two boys were settling on the floor, Hermione burst in carrying her own bundle of gifts. "I heard singing and assumed you two were finally awake. Was that you singing Harry? You should do it more often, you sounded great."

Harry's face turned pink at the complement as he made room for Hermione on the floor of the Gryffindor common room.

They opened their gifts and chatted until they were surrounded by wrapping paper. Hermione grabbed two bows from the clutter, stuck a red one on Ron's head and a green one on Harry's head.

Jokingly Ron made a girly pose and said, "Don't I look fabulous! Oh, Harry, that green bow brings out the color in your eyes. You should wear green more often!" The three friends broke into fits of laughter.

Hedwig swooped down from the mantle, landed in front of Hermione and cooed. "Oh, Hedwig, do you want to wear a bow as well?" Hermione smiled and set a small gold bow on the owl's head. Hedwig cooed again and hopped over to Harry.

"Yes," Harry said, "You do look lovely, Hedwig." Content with her praise and new accessory, Hedwig flew back up to the mantle.

"We should probably go down and eat," said Hermione. "I'm starving!"

Thanks for reading. Please review! I hope you liked the first chapter of my first Harry Potter fanfic! The writing may be a little stale; I haven't been writing lately, I'm out of practice. Hopefully you liked the idea at least. If I get some positive reviews I'll post the next chapter, and maybe I will even if I get some not so positive ones. Check out my profile for some interesting ramblings and a link to a fun site.