Harry squeezed his way through the days, waiting to talk to Sirius again. Ron asked if he could come along; Harry didn't see any harm in it.
At 1 AM, Harry and Ron sat patiently by the fireplace. After a while, a familiar head popped out of the fire. "Hello Harry, Hello Ron. It's good to see you two again."
"Hello Snuffles," Ron said, waving.
"Hello Snuffles. What is it you want to tell me about Lacci? Is she dangerous still?"
Sirius shrugged. "I haven't seen her in person in about 3 years. In Azkaban, she was in the cell across from me. She was alot like the other prisoners-- greasy, sleep deprived, hopelessly depressed and muttering to herself. She sometimes jumped up and started screaming in foreign languages, banging her head against the bars of her cell and often ended up bleeding through her eyes or cracks in her head."
Ron and Harry exchanged glances. "Snuffles-- that's pretty much what she did on the train, only she tried to kill me."
"I know," Sirius replied, shaking his head sadly. "That's why I'm telling you. She was like that since she first came to Azkaban, when she was six. Just a little teeny child, with light green hair and a doll. The doll was made out of jean fabric, and was stained a dark brown color, like dried blood. She ripped it to pieces on her first 'tantrum' in the prison. She was given that straight jacket you mentioned, its not a normal muggle one. This one is charmed to not let the person out. She was given that to protect herself. A dead human is no use to the dementors. You say she got out of it once, so the charm may have worn down alot."
Ron's eyes widened. "Six years old? What on earth did she do??"
"I never found out, but it couldn't have been pleasant for them to have sent a child to Azkaban for it. Harry, Ron, please be careful. When her sentence ended, they took her away from Azkaban and she cried. She clung to her cell. She didn't want to leave Azkaban. Most people would cry for joy on being released, and she didn't want to go. It had become like her home. When she was finally out in the world, the Ministry of Magic had planned to send her to a foster home, but not many people wanted to house her, you can imagine. She ran away, no one knows where to, for two weeks. Then she appeared on the Dursleys' doorstep. The Ministry was a mess, and she refused to come back. She likes to cling to places, and now she has a new home."
Harry nodded slowly. "So what you're saying is, she's made the Dursleys' house her new home?"
"No, Harry. I'm saying she's made you her new home. She's clinging to you now, she sees something in you. She admires you. And that makes her all the more dangerous. She'll love you, then try to hurt you, then beg for forgiveness and do it again. Something about Azkaban did it to her, it isn't her fault. I've seen it happen to other prisoners. It split her into two parts, and I think the one she's been trying to suppress is slowly making it's way out again. I want you to be very careful Harry. But there is another thing..." Sirius stopped.
"What is it?" Harry asked. "What's the other thing?"
"Harry, remember, she's basically split up into good and evil. And while you must be cautious around her, remember this: She's scared. She's still just a child, and Azkaban didn't let her grow up. She wont be able to stand having you shun her when she's trying her hardest. Everything you do, everything you say means something to her. Alright?"
Harry nodded, not knowing what else to do.
"Ok then, Harry, I've got to go, before they see me. Take care Ron, Happy Christmas to both of you."
"Happy Christmas Snuffles," Harry and Ron chorused. Sirius's head disappeared into the flames.
Ron turned to Harry. "Well.... now what?"
"Now," Harry said, sounding more disturbed than he meant, "We go up to the dormitory, lie down, and pray to whatever gods will listen for Lacci's health, safety and sanity."
***
And so the holidays went. Lacci spent most of her time with Harry and Ron. Tentwol would show up unexpectedly and Lacci would end up hanging out with him for hours.
Harry watched over Lacci, and was pleased to see she didn't attack anyone. In fact, she had been extra happy since she had made friends at Hogwarts. Unfortunately, she came down with a very bad case of the flu two days before Christmas, and had been spending her time lying down in the Hospital Wing. Harry and Ron had taken to visiting her for as long as Madam Pomfrey would allow, and tried to be there when Lacci's Slytherin friend, Dani, wasn't hanging around.
"Woot!" Ron jumped around the dorm room, throwing pillows. Tomorrow was Christmas. Harry was hit in the head by a flying pillow. He picked it up and chucked it back at Ron.
"It's amazing how time flies when you're having fun," Harry said, grinning from ear to ear. Two years in a row and he had lived a fairly normal life. It was almost suspicious.
Ron looked at his watch. "Man, don't I know it. It's already 6 pm, do you think it's too late to go check on Lacci?"
"Only if Dani is there."
"Let's go check then."
"Ok." There was a slight pause. "Ron?"
"What?"
"Leave the pillows here."
***
Lacci looked around the Hospital Wing. It was white and boring, and hadn't changed over the past few days. She had taken out her crayon and doodled a kitten on her sheets, which had started running around and playing across her sheet. At the moment it was asleep between her feet.
Lacci slowly pulled her feet over the side of the bed and stood up. Her head was pounding and her legs didn't want to hold her, but she was determined to get out of this room. Slowly, she stumbled across the room and opened the door, flinging herself into the hallway.
She tried groggily to remember which way the dungeons were. "Down," she said out loud.
Soon Lacci came to the portrait to the Slytherin common room. She had woken up a bit from the cold floors against her bare feet.
"Ummm... sepski nami." The portrait opened and Lacci pulled herself through the hole and then shut the picture behind her.
Dani looked up, surprised. "What do you think you're doing back here? You're sick. Go back to the Hospital wing."
Lacci shook her head slightly. "No. It's boring. I'm going up to my dorm." And then she collapsed.
***
Harry opened the door to the hospital wing and stepped in, shortly followed by Ron. "Does her bed look a little empty to you?" Ron asked, lifting up the sheet. The crayon kitten rolled down and nearly fell off the bed, except it was attached to the sheets.
"Yes," Harry croaked worriedly, "It does."
***
Lacci opened her eyes a crack to find herself facing unfamiliar territory. She groaned.
The bed bounced a little as someone behind her was startled.
"Oh," Dani said, scooting away from her five inches. "You know, you fainted down in the common room. I couldn't get into your dorm, so I brought you in here. You really shouldn't have left the hospital wing. Now go back to sleep, it's 3 am."
Lacci turned around. As she had thought, Dani was on the other side of the bed she was lying in. "Why didn't you just put me on one of the other beds?" She asked curiously.
"It's not sanitary," Dani said hollowly.
"Neither is sharing a bed with a very sick person," Lacci pointed out. She didn't want to get her friend sick. Not on Christmas.
"Look," Dani said sternly, sounding extremely irritated, "Face the other way so you don't cough on me. This is my bed, and I'm not leaving. I'm too tired to get up and put you on another bed. You're just going to have to deal with it. Now go to sleep."
Lacci scowled, offended, and turned over. "Happy Christmas, Dani," she said softly. Then she went to sleep.
Dani sighed exasperatively and scooted closer to the opposite side of the bed. He shut his eyes and went to sleep, making sure there was plenty of blanket between him and Lacci.
***
"Maybe she's gotten better," Ron said, after looking around the hospital wing once more.
"Yeah," said Harry, slumping against the wall. "Really quickly. Errgg. We've been here too long, what time is it?"
Ron looked at the clock on the wall. "3 am. Lets go back to bed, we'll probably see Lacci in the morning."
Harry didn't want to lose Lacci, but he had to agree. It was extremely late, and he couldn't help feeling that he'd know if Lacci was in or causing any trouble. "Alright, lets go."
***
Lacci's eyes opened. She tended to turn alot in her sleep, and was now facing Dani, who was curled up right next to her, fast alseep. She smiled. Then she noticed what little pain she was in. The antidote Pomfrey had given her had obviously worked! Very slowly, she willed herself to be rid of the blankets and she stood up. Today was Christmas. Lacci had never before celebrated a Christmas, but Harry and Ron had told her it was a day when you got lots of presents from your family and friends and you had a big dinner, which sounded just fine to her. She made her way back to her dorm and got dressed into more casual clothes, not wanting to wear school robes for a special day like this.
There was the sound of claws clicking on stone, and then something brushed past Lacci. Without looking up, she said, "Happy Christmas, God." God snorted and jumped onto her bed.
"I'm going to go open my presents now. Maybe you'll have some too, I'll bring them back to you."
Lacci bounded down the steps into the common room, which, despite being below the castle, managed to have light pouring in through the windows. Lacci assumed it was some sort of magic.
On the table farthest from the door was a pile of presents, wrapped in paper. Lacci sqealed and bounced over to them. Most of them were for Dani, she'd expected that. Lacci was happy with her small few, which she took over to a sofa and sat down with.
Dani came tromping noisely down the stairs. "G'morning, Happy Christmas, other stuff," he said lazily, And walked over to his presents.
Lacci was pleased to discover a basket of chocolate biscuits from Hagrid, a green sweater from Mrs. Weasley, and invisible ink pen from George and an egyptian toilet seat from Fred, a book on anceint egyptian wizards from Percy, and a leather bracelet from someone annonymous.
"Hey hey," Dani said, sounding almost cheerful. "The new boots I've been waiting for!"
Lacci smiled. "Boots? What do they do?"
Dani smirked. "These have powers far too great for you to understand."
"You know," Lacci said, sounding offhand, "You'd be surprised how often I get that." Lacci pulled the bracelet onto her left wrist and took a bite out of one of the biscuits, with some difficulty. "I'm off to breakfast."
"See you then," Dani said, not really paying attention to her as he unwrapped a brand new game of Diamond Orb.
***
Harry and Ron were already awake, and sorting through their presents. "What color?" Harry asked, not even bother to look up as Ron moaned loudly.
"Maroon," Ron said mournfully.
"Hey," Harry said, pulling his dark yellow sweater over his head. "Why dont we take these downstairs? I'm starving. Plus, we've got to see if Lacci's about."
Ron nodded and picked all of his things up. "Let's go then." He walked to the portrait. "Er, Harry, could you open the door? My hands are full."
Harry laughed. "Coming, Ron."
Harry and Ron found their way to the Great Hall in high spirits. They met Hagrid in the hallway.
"Happy Christmas ter the both of ya!" Hagrid boomed, clapping them both on the back. "I jus' saw yer little friend Harry, she's a sweet one. She likes me biscuits I made 'er!" Hagrid grinned cheerily. Aparently Lacci was perfectly fine, and well enough to go about giving good cheer. Harry smiled. "That's wonderful Hagrid."
The Great Hall was a magnificent sight, with the twelve trees Hagrid had brought in glittering and glowing. Harry and Ron set all their things on a table, two of which were out. Harry was pleased to find Lacci was already there.
"Haio Hayee, Happy Christmas!!" Lacci was wearing her Weasley sweater, which was lime green with a fuschia "L" on the front.
"Happy Christmas Lacci," Harry said warmly. Just then, a familiar hawk flew in through the window. It was the Malfoy's hawk.
The bird landed on the table Lacci had been sitting on. It ruffled its wings importantly.
"What a pretty bird!" Lacci exclaimed, untying a package from the bird's leg. "Danke, you are a very nice bird. Have some of my breakfast," Lacci said, gesturing towards her hot beef sandwich, among other things. The bird helped itself to the sandwich.
Lacci unwrapped the package, which was fairly small. Something small and round fell out of it, and Lacci grabbed it. She stuffed it in her pocket and read the note that had come with it.
Lacci-
It's Vladimir Malfoy. I remembered you don't have any friends who can give you a worthwhile present, so I sent you this. I'm sure you know what it is. Happy Christmas.
- Vladimir Malfoy, Esq. Ps: Draco told me to add that he's gotten the new Windbreaker 420 (picture included), and that he thinks Potter should know that.
A picture cut out from the Daily Prophet fell from the folded note, and Lacci snatching it out f the air. It showed a brand new broomstick, which indeed looked newer and more powerful than the Firebolt Harry owned. The most interesting thing was that the wood was black, as were the twigs for the tail. It made it look extremely snazzy.
"Hayee," Lacci said, smiling, "Guess what? Draco got a Windbreaker 420 and they are really pretty. See?" She held out the picture, and Harry grabbed it. Ron rushed over. "Draco got a new broom?" He cried. "And it's called a Windbreaker??" The name was rather amusing, when one thought about it. "Harry, quick, go see if you have any broom-shaped packages!"
Harry would have laughed at Ron's behavior, if Draco getting a new broom hadn't actually been such a serious thing. Not only would he gloat, but Harry had no doubt the broom would be better than his Firebolt. After all, new brooms are supposed to be the improved versions of old ones.
"Relax, Ron," Harry said calmly, handing the picture back to Lacci, "Just because his broom is one grade higher than mine doesn't mean he'll be better than me. Quidditch takes skill as well as brooms."
The sound of confidence in Harry's voice made Ron smile. "Yeah, you're right. You're twice as good as Malfoy. What am I worrying about? Let's eat."
Lacci pulled a bag of somethings out of her pockets. "They've got these lying all around.. do either of you want a Chocolate Kiss?" She held out the bag. Inside were little chocolate pyramids wrapped in foil. Harry took one and started sucking on it.
He had the suddenly sensation of being kissed full on the mouth. He spit the Kiss back out in surprise. "It kissed me!" He cried, sounding rather foolish.
Ron laughed. "Of course it did, that's what Chocolate Kisses do. Fred loves them, probably because he wants to practice on chocolate before he actually kisses a girl."
Lacci cocked her head to the side. "Fred's never kissed a girl? He told me he has."
"Bah," said Ron, smiling, "he's just covering up the embarrassing fact."
"Hey Lacci..." Harry said, noticing for the first time her new bracelet. "Who sent you that?"
Lacci looked down and grinned. "I don't know. Some bloke. But it's neat, isn't it?"
Harry wondered if it was possibly from some friend she had who couldn't let themself be known. He shrugged it off. "It's very nice Lacci, I like it."
Soon the teachers were coming down, opening their own presents. Soon Flitwick had some sort of Unicorn Hair charm, Ubel was dancing around hugging studetns and teacher and wearing a very form fitting black leather suit (it magically makes the person extremely well formed and prepared for action, for those of you who haven't seen The Matrix or Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back), Hagrid was holding a bunch of giant flowers, Harry was guessing they were sent by Madam Maxime, and the other assorted teachers were still unwrapping things. Harry laughed out loud when Dumbledore unwrapped a present and held up his brand new pair of woolen socks.
"Hey," Ron said, after a moment's looking around, "Where's Snape?"
"Probably doesn't celebrate Christmas," Harry said, not really caring whether Snape was there or not.
"Poor guy," Ron said unsympathetically. "He never gets any presents, I bet. Probably cant stand all the merriment."
Harry suddenly had a mental image of Snape standing on a cliff above Hogwarts and muttering about the Hoos down in Hooville.
"We should give him a present," Lacci suggested. Harry and Ron both laughed. "Give Snape a Christmas present?" They both asked. "He'd probably think we were sucking up to him and take points away from Gryffindor for Attempt to Bribe a Teacher."
Lacci shrugged. "He wouldn't take points away from me." Lacci was still afraid of Snape, he had gotten rather harsh on her recently. But still, it hurt to look at him. It wasn't even that Snape looked like him, there's was just something that the two had in common, something Lacci couldn't remember...
Ubel hugged Lacci from behind. "Happy Hannukah!" She cried joyfully. "Hannukah?" Lacci asked, bewildered. "Yes," Ubel said, not disappointed by Lacci's confusion. "Hannukah. It's a jewish holiday. In celebration for the Macabees reclaiming the temple, and the lamp that burned for eight days when there was only enough oil for one."
"You're Jewish?" Harry asked. He wouldn't have guessed.
"What's Jewish?" Lacci asked, still confused. Ubel went into explanations about different religions and beliefs and Gods.
"Oh," Lacci said, grinning, "I have God. He's up in my room."
Ubel nodded. "God is everywhere."
You got that right, Harry thought to himself. Indeed, God had slunk into the Great Hall and was sitting under one of the 12 trees, looking at a ball on the tree. It was a mirror bubble, a charm Harry had mastered only last year. They were light as normal bubbles, shiny as mirrors, and hard as glass. When you popped them, they shattered into thousands of teeny bits of glass bubble. There had been quite a few injuries during that lesson, he recalled. He hope God broke it open on himself.
Harry looked over and found that Lacci had gone off to somewhere, God was looking down at Flitwick (he was 2 inches taller), and Ron was talking to Ubel, and looking somewhat red in the cheeks. Harry smiled.
***
Well, Lacci thought determinedly, I think he should get a present. Nobody should go without one on Christmas, Harry told me so himself.
Lacci was back in her common room, looking around for something to give Snape. As Lacci didn't really own anything, she looked through Lara's stuff. There was nothing that would suit Snape. Wait... She didn't own anything except...
"God?" Lacci asked hopefully. He poked his head out from under her bed. "God, I want to give Professor Snape a Christmas present. Can you think of something?" God cocked his head to the side. An idea came to Lacci. "God... God, do you like Snape?"
God looked offended. Give him to Snape?
Lacci looked pleadingly at him. "Oh come on God... you never do anything around me, and Snape is probably very nice, and please? You'll still see me, it isn't like you don't go where you please."
God thought about it. He knew it wasn't good to disappoint or upset Lacci in any way. It was probasbly best, as long as he could still watch her, check her progress....
God nuzzled Lacci's shoulder. If that's what you really want, he thought. Lacci scratched behind his ear and smiled. She couldn't read his thoughts, but she could read his actions. "Thanks, God. Snape will love you."
Five minutes later, Lacci was wandering around the dungeon, looking for Snape's quarters. She didn't know where they were, but she guessed where to look. After what seemed like hours but was actually only 30 minutes, Lacci found a door saying "Professor Snape: Potions Master". Chances were, this was where Snape lived.
Lacci reached out to knock on the door. She hesitated. Was it really worth it? She didn't want to have to face Snape when she didn't need to, and God was perfectly fine staying with Lacci. It wasn't as though she needed to get rid of God, in fact, she didn't want to...
But she knew she should. Lacci believed highly in her morals. Gathering up her courage, she reached out again, and once again stopped. "Hey, God, you don't need me around while he takes you in, right?"
God looked up at her sarcastically. No, not in the least. Just leave me here, outside the door.
"Here," Lacci said, pulling out some parchment. "I'll write him a note."
To Snape:
Happy Christmas!! I hope you like him.
She though for a moment about leaving a signature. But what if Snape got mad at her? Lacci decided it was probably best to leave it the way it was, she didn't think she could live down Snape asking her why. She handed the note to God. "Here, you just hold that out to him, and he'll read it, and all will be good. Bi Bi God, I'll see you later." Lacci bent down and hugged God tightly. She Grinned at him. "You'll still visit me, right?"
God nodded. Oh yes, all the time.
Lacci rubbed God's head, stoood up, knocked on Snape's door, and then sprinted down the hall and hid in a doorway.
Snape opened the door with a sour look on his face. He had been grading papers and writing back to the Ministry of Magic, who were being real prats as the moment.
God looked up at Snape with a catlike expression on his face, one of boredom. So.... hello then.
Snape stared at God. God stared at Snape. Snape took the note from God's mouth and read it. "Bloody hell," he murmured. Snape looked at God again. God looked expectantly up at him. They stood there for a moment. Then...
"Ok. Come in." Thought you'd never ask, God thought dully, and slipped in past Snape's leg.
At 1 AM, Harry and Ron sat patiently by the fireplace. After a while, a familiar head popped out of the fire. "Hello Harry, Hello Ron. It's good to see you two again."
"Hello Snuffles," Ron said, waving.
"Hello Snuffles. What is it you want to tell me about Lacci? Is she dangerous still?"
Sirius shrugged. "I haven't seen her in person in about 3 years. In Azkaban, she was in the cell across from me. She was alot like the other prisoners-- greasy, sleep deprived, hopelessly depressed and muttering to herself. She sometimes jumped up and started screaming in foreign languages, banging her head against the bars of her cell and often ended up bleeding through her eyes or cracks in her head."
Ron and Harry exchanged glances. "Snuffles-- that's pretty much what she did on the train, only she tried to kill me."
"I know," Sirius replied, shaking his head sadly. "That's why I'm telling you. She was like that since she first came to Azkaban, when she was six. Just a little teeny child, with light green hair and a doll. The doll was made out of jean fabric, and was stained a dark brown color, like dried blood. She ripped it to pieces on her first 'tantrum' in the prison. She was given that straight jacket you mentioned, its not a normal muggle one. This one is charmed to not let the person out. She was given that to protect herself. A dead human is no use to the dementors. You say she got out of it once, so the charm may have worn down alot."
Ron's eyes widened. "Six years old? What on earth did she do??"
"I never found out, but it couldn't have been pleasant for them to have sent a child to Azkaban for it. Harry, Ron, please be careful. When her sentence ended, they took her away from Azkaban and she cried. She clung to her cell. She didn't want to leave Azkaban. Most people would cry for joy on being released, and she didn't want to go. It had become like her home. When she was finally out in the world, the Ministry of Magic had planned to send her to a foster home, but not many people wanted to house her, you can imagine. She ran away, no one knows where to, for two weeks. Then she appeared on the Dursleys' doorstep. The Ministry was a mess, and she refused to come back. She likes to cling to places, and now she has a new home."
Harry nodded slowly. "So what you're saying is, she's made the Dursleys' house her new home?"
"No, Harry. I'm saying she's made you her new home. She's clinging to you now, she sees something in you. She admires you. And that makes her all the more dangerous. She'll love you, then try to hurt you, then beg for forgiveness and do it again. Something about Azkaban did it to her, it isn't her fault. I've seen it happen to other prisoners. It split her into two parts, and I think the one she's been trying to suppress is slowly making it's way out again. I want you to be very careful Harry. But there is another thing..." Sirius stopped.
"What is it?" Harry asked. "What's the other thing?"
"Harry, remember, she's basically split up into good and evil. And while you must be cautious around her, remember this: She's scared. She's still just a child, and Azkaban didn't let her grow up. She wont be able to stand having you shun her when she's trying her hardest. Everything you do, everything you say means something to her. Alright?"
Harry nodded, not knowing what else to do.
"Ok then, Harry, I've got to go, before they see me. Take care Ron, Happy Christmas to both of you."
"Happy Christmas Snuffles," Harry and Ron chorused. Sirius's head disappeared into the flames.
Ron turned to Harry. "Well.... now what?"
"Now," Harry said, sounding more disturbed than he meant, "We go up to the dormitory, lie down, and pray to whatever gods will listen for Lacci's health, safety and sanity."
***
And so the holidays went. Lacci spent most of her time with Harry and Ron. Tentwol would show up unexpectedly and Lacci would end up hanging out with him for hours.
Harry watched over Lacci, and was pleased to see she didn't attack anyone. In fact, she had been extra happy since she had made friends at Hogwarts. Unfortunately, she came down with a very bad case of the flu two days before Christmas, and had been spending her time lying down in the Hospital Wing. Harry and Ron had taken to visiting her for as long as Madam Pomfrey would allow, and tried to be there when Lacci's Slytherin friend, Dani, wasn't hanging around.
"Woot!" Ron jumped around the dorm room, throwing pillows. Tomorrow was Christmas. Harry was hit in the head by a flying pillow. He picked it up and chucked it back at Ron.
"It's amazing how time flies when you're having fun," Harry said, grinning from ear to ear. Two years in a row and he had lived a fairly normal life. It was almost suspicious.
Ron looked at his watch. "Man, don't I know it. It's already 6 pm, do you think it's too late to go check on Lacci?"
"Only if Dani is there."
"Let's go check then."
"Ok." There was a slight pause. "Ron?"
"What?"
"Leave the pillows here."
***
Lacci looked around the Hospital Wing. It was white and boring, and hadn't changed over the past few days. She had taken out her crayon and doodled a kitten on her sheets, which had started running around and playing across her sheet. At the moment it was asleep between her feet.
Lacci slowly pulled her feet over the side of the bed and stood up. Her head was pounding and her legs didn't want to hold her, but she was determined to get out of this room. Slowly, she stumbled across the room and opened the door, flinging herself into the hallway.
She tried groggily to remember which way the dungeons were. "Down," she said out loud.
Soon Lacci came to the portrait to the Slytherin common room. She had woken up a bit from the cold floors against her bare feet.
"Ummm... sepski nami." The portrait opened and Lacci pulled herself through the hole and then shut the picture behind her.
Dani looked up, surprised. "What do you think you're doing back here? You're sick. Go back to the Hospital wing."
Lacci shook her head slightly. "No. It's boring. I'm going up to my dorm." And then she collapsed.
***
Harry opened the door to the hospital wing and stepped in, shortly followed by Ron. "Does her bed look a little empty to you?" Ron asked, lifting up the sheet. The crayon kitten rolled down and nearly fell off the bed, except it was attached to the sheets.
"Yes," Harry croaked worriedly, "It does."
***
Lacci opened her eyes a crack to find herself facing unfamiliar territory. She groaned.
The bed bounced a little as someone behind her was startled.
"Oh," Dani said, scooting away from her five inches. "You know, you fainted down in the common room. I couldn't get into your dorm, so I brought you in here. You really shouldn't have left the hospital wing. Now go back to sleep, it's 3 am."
Lacci turned around. As she had thought, Dani was on the other side of the bed she was lying in. "Why didn't you just put me on one of the other beds?" She asked curiously.
"It's not sanitary," Dani said hollowly.
"Neither is sharing a bed with a very sick person," Lacci pointed out. She didn't want to get her friend sick. Not on Christmas.
"Look," Dani said sternly, sounding extremely irritated, "Face the other way so you don't cough on me. This is my bed, and I'm not leaving. I'm too tired to get up and put you on another bed. You're just going to have to deal with it. Now go to sleep."
Lacci scowled, offended, and turned over. "Happy Christmas, Dani," she said softly. Then she went to sleep.
Dani sighed exasperatively and scooted closer to the opposite side of the bed. He shut his eyes and went to sleep, making sure there was plenty of blanket between him and Lacci.
***
"Maybe she's gotten better," Ron said, after looking around the hospital wing once more.
"Yeah," said Harry, slumping against the wall. "Really quickly. Errgg. We've been here too long, what time is it?"
Ron looked at the clock on the wall. "3 am. Lets go back to bed, we'll probably see Lacci in the morning."
Harry didn't want to lose Lacci, but he had to agree. It was extremely late, and he couldn't help feeling that he'd know if Lacci was in or causing any trouble. "Alright, lets go."
***
Lacci's eyes opened. She tended to turn alot in her sleep, and was now facing Dani, who was curled up right next to her, fast alseep. She smiled. Then she noticed what little pain she was in. The antidote Pomfrey had given her had obviously worked! Very slowly, she willed herself to be rid of the blankets and she stood up. Today was Christmas. Lacci had never before celebrated a Christmas, but Harry and Ron had told her it was a day when you got lots of presents from your family and friends and you had a big dinner, which sounded just fine to her. She made her way back to her dorm and got dressed into more casual clothes, not wanting to wear school robes for a special day like this.
There was the sound of claws clicking on stone, and then something brushed past Lacci. Without looking up, she said, "Happy Christmas, God." God snorted and jumped onto her bed.
"I'm going to go open my presents now. Maybe you'll have some too, I'll bring them back to you."
Lacci bounded down the steps into the common room, which, despite being below the castle, managed to have light pouring in through the windows. Lacci assumed it was some sort of magic.
On the table farthest from the door was a pile of presents, wrapped in paper. Lacci sqealed and bounced over to them. Most of them were for Dani, she'd expected that. Lacci was happy with her small few, which she took over to a sofa and sat down with.
Dani came tromping noisely down the stairs. "G'morning, Happy Christmas, other stuff," he said lazily, And walked over to his presents.
Lacci was pleased to discover a basket of chocolate biscuits from Hagrid, a green sweater from Mrs. Weasley, and invisible ink pen from George and an egyptian toilet seat from Fred, a book on anceint egyptian wizards from Percy, and a leather bracelet from someone annonymous.
"Hey hey," Dani said, sounding almost cheerful. "The new boots I've been waiting for!"
Lacci smiled. "Boots? What do they do?"
Dani smirked. "These have powers far too great for you to understand."
"You know," Lacci said, sounding offhand, "You'd be surprised how often I get that." Lacci pulled the bracelet onto her left wrist and took a bite out of one of the biscuits, with some difficulty. "I'm off to breakfast."
"See you then," Dani said, not really paying attention to her as he unwrapped a brand new game of Diamond Orb.
***
Harry and Ron were already awake, and sorting through their presents. "What color?" Harry asked, not even bother to look up as Ron moaned loudly.
"Maroon," Ron said mournfully.
"Hey," Harry said, pulling his dark yellow sweater over his head. "Why dont we take these downstairs? I'm starving. Plus, we've got to see if Lacci's about."
Ron nodded and picked all of his things up. "Let's go then." He walked to the portrait. "Er, Harry, could you open the door? My hands are full."
Harry laughed. "Coming, Ron."
Harry and Ron found their way to the Great Hall in high spirits. They met Hagrid in the hallway.
"Happy Christmas ter the both of ya!" Hagrid boomed, clapping them both on the back. "I jus' saw yer little friend Harry, she's a sweet one. She likes me biscuits I made 'er!" Hagrid grinned cheerily. Aparently Lacci was perfectly fine, and well enough to go about giving good cheer. Harry smiled. "That's wonderful Hagrid."
The Great Hall was a magnificent sight, with the twelve trees Hagrid had brought in glittering and glowing. Harry and Ron set all their things on a table, two of which were out. Harry was pleased to find Lacci was already there.
"Haio Hayee, Happy Christmas!!" Lacci was wearing her Weasley sweater, which was lime green with a fuschia "L" on the front.
"Happy Christmas Lacci," Harry said warmly. Just then, a familiar hawk flew in through the window. It was the Malfoy's hawk.
The bird landed on the table Lacci had been sitting on. It ruffled its wings importantly.
"What a pretty bird!" Lacci exclaimed, untying a package from the bird's leg. "Danke, you are a very nice bird. Have some of my breakfast," Lacci said, gesturing towards her hot beef sandwich, among other things. The bird helped itself to the sandwich.
Lacci unwrapped the package, which was fairly small. Something small and round fell out of it, and Lacci grabbed it. She stuffed it in her pocket and read the note that had come with it.
Lacci-
It's Vladimir Malfoy. I remembered you don't have any friends who can give you a worthwhile present, so I sent you this. I'm sure you know what it is. Happy Christmas.
- Vladimir Malfoy, Esq. Ps: Draco told me to add that he's gotten the new Windbreaker 420 (picture included), and that he thinks Potter should know that.
A picture cut out from the Daily Prophet fell from the folded note, and Lacci snatching it out f the air. It showed a brand new broomstick, which indeed looked newer and more powerful than the Firebolt Harry owned. The most interesting thing was that the wood was black, as were the twigs for the tail. It made it look extremely snazzy.
"Hayee," Lacci said, smiling, "Guess what? Draco got a Windbreaker 420 and they are really pretty. See?" She held out the picture, and Harry grabbed it. Ron rushed over. "Draco got a new broom?" He cried. "And it's called a Windbreaker??" The name was rather amusing, when one thought about it. "Harry, quick, go see if you have any broom-shaped packages!"
Harry would have laughed at Ron's behavior, if Draco getting a new broom hadn't actually been such a serious thing. Not only would he gloat, but Harry had no doubt the broom would be better than his Firebolt. After all, new brooms are supposed to be the improved versions of old ones.
"Relax, Ron," Harry said calmly, handing the picture back to Lacci, "Just because his broom is one grade higher than mine doesn't mean he'll be better than me. Quidditch takes skill as well as brooms."
The sound of confidence in Harry's voice made Ron smile. "Yeah, you're right. You're twice as good as Malfoy. What am I worrying about? Let's eat."
Lacci pulled a bag of somethings out of her pockets. "They've got these lying all around.. do either of you want a Chocolate Kiss?" She held out the bag. Inside were little chocolate pyramids wrapped in foil. Harry took one and started sucking on it.
He had the suddenly sensation of being kissed full on the mouth. He spit the Kiss back out in surprise. "It kissed me!" He cried, sounding rather foolish.
Ron laughed. "Of course it did, that's what Chocolate Kisses do. Fred loves them, probably because he wants to practice on chocolate before he actually kisses a girl."
Lacci cocked her head to the side. "Fred's never kissed a girl? He told me he has."
"Bah," said Ron, smiling, "he's just covering up the embarrassing fact."
"Hey Lacci..." Harry said, noticing for the first time her new bracelet. "Who sent you that?"
Lacci looked down and grinned. "I don't know. Some bloke. But it's neat, isn't it?"
Harry wondered if it was possibly from some friend she had who couldn't let themself be known. He shrugged it off. "It's very nice Lacci, I like it."
Soon the teachers were coming down, opening their own presents. Soon Flitwick had some sort of Unicorn Hair charm, Ubel was dancing around hugging studetns and teacher and wearing a very form fitting black leather suit (it magically makes the person extremely well formed and prepared for action, for those of you who haven't seen The Matrix or Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back), Hagrid was holding a bunch of giant flowers, Harry was guessing they were sent by Madam Maxime, and the other assorted teachers were still unwrapping things. Harry laughed out loud when Dumbledore unwrapped a present and held up his brand new pair of woolen socks.
"Hey," Ron said, after a moment's looking around, "Where's Snape?"
"Probably doesn't celebrate Christmas," Harry said, not really caring whether Snape was there or not.
"Poor guy," Ron said unsympathetically. "He never gets any presents, I bet. Probably cant stand all the merriment."
Harry suddenly had a mental image of Snape standing on a cliff above Hogwarts and muttering about the Hoos down in Hooville.
"We should give him a present," Lacci suggested. Harry and Ron both laughed. "Give Snape a Christmas present?" They both asked. "He'd probably think we were sucking up to him and take points away from Gryffindor for Attempt to Bribe a Teacher."
Lacci shrugged. "He wouldn't take points away from me." Lacci was still afraid of Snape, he had gotten rather harsh on her recently. But still, it hurt to look at him. It wasn't even that Snape looked like him, there's was just something that the two had in common, something Lacci couldn't remember...
Ubel hugged Lacci from behind. "Happy Hannukah!" She cried joyfully. "Hannukah?" Lacci asked, bewildered. "Yes," Ubel said, not disappointed by Lacci's confusion. "Hannukah. It's a jewish holiday. In celebration for the Macabees reclaiming the temple, and the lamp that burned for eight days when there was only enough oil for one."
"You're Jewish?" Harry asked. He wouldn't have guessed.
"What's Jewish?" Lacci asked, still confused. Ubel went into explanations about different religions and beliefs and Gods.
"Oh," Lacci said, grinning, "I have God. He's up in my room."
Ubel nodded. "God is everywhere."
You got that right, Harry thought to himself. Indeed, God had slunk into the Great Hall and was sitting under one of the 12 trees, looking at a ball on the tree. It was a mirror bubble, a charm Harry had mastered only last year. They were light as normal bubbles, shiny as mirrors, and hard as glass. When you popped them, they shattered into thousands of teeny bits of glass bubble. There had been quite a few injuries during that lesson, he recalled. He hope God broke it open on himself.
Harry looked over and found that Lacci had gone off to somewhere, God was looking down at Flitwick (he was 2 inches taller), and Ron was talking to Ubel, and looking somewhat red in the cheeks. Harry smiled.
***
Well, Lacci thought determinedly, I think he should get a present. Nobody should go without one on Christmas, Harry told me so himself.
Lacci was back in her common room, looking around for something to give Snape. As Lacci didn't really own anything, she looked through Lara's stuff. There was nothing that would suit Snape. Wait... She didn't own anything except...
"God?" Lacci asked hopefully. He poked his head out from under her bed. "God, I want to give Professor Snape a Christmas present. Can you think of something?" God cocked his head to the side. An idea came to Lacci. "God... God, do you like Snape?"
God looked offended. Give him to Snape?
Lacci looked pleadingly at him. "Oh come on God... you never do anything around me, and Snape is probably very nice, and please? You'll still see me, it isn't like you don't go where you please."
God thought about it. He knew it wasn't good to disappoint or upset Lacci in any way. It was probasbly best, as long as he could still watch her, check her progress....
God nuzzled Lacci's shoulder. If that's what you really want, he thought. Lacci scratched behind his ear and smiled. She couldn't read his thoughts, but she could read his actions. "Thanks, God. Snape will love you."
Five minutes later, Lacci was wandering around the dungeon, looking for Snape's quarters. She didn't know where they were, but she guessed where to look. After what seemed like hours but was actually only 30 minutes, Lacci found a door saying "Professor Snape: Potions Master". Chances were, this was where Snape lived.
Lacci reached out to knock on the door. She hesitated. Was it really worth it? She didn't want to have to face Snape when she didn't need to, and God was perfectly fine staying with Lacci. It wasn't as though she needed to get rid of God, in fact, she didn't want to...
But she knew she should. Lacci believed highly in her morals. Gathering up her courage, she reached out again, and once again stopped. "Hey, God, you don't need me around while he takes you in, right?"
God looked up at her sarcastically. No, not in the least. Just leave me here, outside the door.
"Here," Lacci said, pulling out some parchment. "I'll write him a note."
To Snape:
Happy Christmas!! I hope you like him.
She though for a moment about leaving a signature. But what if Snape got mad at her? Lacci decided it was probably best to leave it the way it was, she didn't think she could live down Snape asking her why. She handed the note to God. "Here, you just hold that out to him, and he'll read it, and all will be good. Bi Bi God, I'll see you later." Lacci bent down and hugged God tightly. She Grinned at him. "You'll still visit me, right?"
God nodded. Oh yes, all the time.
Lacci rubbed God's head, stoood up, knocked on Snape's door, and then sprinted down the hall and hid in a doorway.
Snape opened the door with a sour look on his face. He had been grading papers and writing back to the Ministry of Magic, who were being real prats as the moment.
God looked up at Snape with a catlike expression on his face, one of boredom. So.... hello then.
Snape stared at God. God stared at Snape. Snape took the note from God's mouth and read it. "Bloody hell," he murmured. Snape looked at God again. God looked expectantly up at him. They stood there for a moment. Then...
"Ok. Come in." Thought you'd never ask, God thought dully, and slipped in past Snape's leg.