Disclaimer:
Same as it was in Chapter one!
A/N OK, before I get into anything, I have to set something straight for Alyx Gardensdale, or should I say cover my own ass lol? Anywho's, as far as 'is Morag a boy or girl', I asked that question myself. So I went to the Harry Potter Lexicon, and they assured me that he was indeed a boy, and told me he was mentioned to be in Ravenclaw in one of the books, (which is why I thought he'd make a great head boy lol) so I just trusted that info. If it is wrong, oops! As for Hufflepuffs only having Cedric to show for them, that's *exactly* what I was trying to prove wrong. I always feel bad for them as they (along with Slytherin) are always getting the short end of the stick. Anywho's, hope that clears up where my mind was when I was writing the last two chapters, lol!
And to 'blank' anonymous, yes I do have to torture you by keeping it one day per day lol. It's how I get my holiday kicks!
Ash Farley: I'm just being mean by not saying what Harry's task is, aren't I? To tell you the truth, I haven't decided which task I want him to do. Silly, or just a bit more dangerous. But never fear, you will find out soon enough!
To the rest: Thank you SOOOO much for reviewing! It really makes my holiday a little brighter!
The Twelve Days Of Christmas By: Gum Acacia
On The Fourth Day Of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me...
He slowly made his way back from the owlery, his feet grinding down the tufts of snow as he did. He had received the scroll that morning and immediately ripped it open with enthusiasm, pleased to have finally received a note from Ron. After reading it, he grabbed a quill and parchment and wrote out his reply telling Ron all about the Seventh year tasks and how he wished he was here to join in, and that he was missing out on all the fun.
"But that," Harry mumbled to himself, "is a bloody lie." Ron was off having loads of fun and a bunch of silly pranks were hardly something to be envious of. He sat down on one of the benches pleased that the seats were enchanted to stay warm even out in the snow. He pulled the letter out of his cloaks' pocket, unrolled it, and read it again.
'Dear Harry, Greetings from all the way over here in The United States! How the hell are you, mate? I'm great. You wouldn't believe the Muggles over here, Harry. And I thought London was bonkers, New York City puts them all to shame! Some of the buildings here are enormous! And in one if their harbors, they have this huge statue of a giant lady, Mum thinks she must have been a queen or something. Anyway, Fred and George enchanted her so that she waved her hands and kissed the crowds. Dad hit them both over the head and immediately had to call in the American Ministry to hand out thousands of memory charms! Mum's confined them to their room for the rest of the trip. Said it's not right that the sons of England's Minister of Magic would break the law. Mind you, it was funny!
Dad's taking us to Horizon Alley tomorrow. He says it's about three times as big as Diagon Alley is, and has more sweets shops then all of England! I promise to pick you up something, maybe those new Honey Dips that turn your hair green, eh? We're staying with my Uncle (you know the Muggle one I've told you about?) and Dad's been driving him crazy. He keeps taking apart everything he has trying to figure out how the Muggles make them. I really think he's starting to regret ever reconciling with the family. He had something called a Com-pew-ter and apparently dad ruined it when he took off the shell and started playing with the insides.
I still wish you could have come with us, but you know that Dumbledore said it wouldn't be a good idea for you to be so far away from him, what with 'You Know Who' running around and the 'You Know What' about to happen. Well, I better go, I have to take Pig down to the Owl port to make sure he gets there. He's been a little out of sorts since we've been here. Say hello to Seamus for me, and make sure he stays out of my things, Harry. Last time I took a holiday, half my stash of Chocolate Frogs went missing, and I know it was him! See you week after next. Happy Christmas! -Ron-'
Harry folded up the letter again and placed it back inside his cloak. He sat on the bench rubbing his hands together to try and warm them. He placed them both flat against the bench and was relieved at the warmth that instantaneously swept over them. He looked around him and noticed that quite a few students were making their way out of the front entrance and through the courtyard to the clearing near the Forbidden Forest.
He watched them trying to figure out what they were doing. He was about to go over and ask someone what was going on when all of sudden a huge eagle owl swooped down and started pecking him on the head, "Get off me!" he shouted, waiving his arms around trying to shoo the bird. The bird continued to peck at him, finally succeeding in knocking off his glasses and biting off a chunk of his hair. The bird, seemingly satisfied by the assault, flew off leaving a very bewildered Harry who was busy trying to find his glasses in one of the drifts on snow.
A few minutes later, he finally located them under the bench. He put them on and reached up to feel the back of his head where the bird had tried to bald him. There was a small bit missing, but luckily with all his unruly hair, he didn't think anyone would notice. He was just smoothing his hair over when he heard Seamus' voice calling to him from a distance.
He noticed that the same owl that had minutes ago tried to kill him was now flying above Seamus and appeared to be leading him right to Harry. Harry stood up, gripping his wand in his hand in case the bird got to near him again.
"There you are," Seamus said slightly out of breath. "I've been looking all over this ruddy castle for you! I finally had to send my owl to find you."
"That's your bird!" Harry yelled. "That bleeding menace nearly bit off my head!"
Seamus whispered something to the bird and once more it took flight, apparently making his way back to the owlery. "Sorry about that, Acheles can be a little over enthusiastic sometime."
Harry snorted, "To say the least."
"I couldn't find you, where'd you go off to? Some tawdry tryst with someone I know, perhaps?"
Harry told Seamus that he had wanted to send off his reply to Ron as soon as possible. The other boy nodded his head. He had noticed that as soon as Harry was done reading the letter he had received that morning, a soft melancholy had spread over his face. He had not spent the past three days trying to force feed him extra helpings of Christmas *just* to have it spoiled by a letter! So, as soon as Harry left the great hall, Seamus had set to work planning out a way to get Harry back into the spirit.
"What's going on over there, " Harry said pointing to the group of students who seemed to be breaking up into seven small groups.
Seamus beamed, "That Harry, is your daily dose of Christmas spirit!"
Harry looked confused, but Seamus just grabbed him by the arm and pulled him towards the other students. "Please tell me this isn't another task!"
"Of course not," Seamus said. "This, my good man, is a proper Christmas tradition dating back to the days before there even was a Hogwarts."
"And what," Harry said sounding slightly impatient, "would that be?"
"Snowball fight...Wizards style." Seamus grinned again and made his way to the center of the group. He held up his hands calling everyone's attention. "Alright, you all know the rules. You can only use your wands to throw the snow. And no more then three people to a team on blocking spells. We're going by years this time, so everyone kindly make sure the people you're standing next to are in fact, in your year. You've all got two minutes to decide who's doing what, when I shoot off my wand, the fun will begin."
Seamus jogged back over to Harry, "It might be a little cliché, but a good snow fight is in my opinion, a cornerstone for all holiday jollies." Seamus stood in the middle of the Seventh years, immediately assuming the role of Captain. "Alright everyone, this isn't about houses. I don't care if you're a Slytherin or a Hufflepuff, this is all about showing the younger kids who's really in charge of this school!"
Harry tried not to laugh at the serious tone Seamus had taken on. He looked around the group and noticed that everyone else had seemed to take on the same attitude. He turned around to see who else has joined in the fun when he saw them, Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy. They were both a little distance from the group, Draco leaning against a large tree and Pansy whispering something in his ear. Draco was nodding to whatever Pansy was saying, but his eyes were fixed on Harry.
The smirk in his face was irritating Harry to the core so he turned around back to Seamus. "Alright," the Irishman hollered. "We need three blockers, who wants to do it?"
Padma Patil stepped forward and raised her hand. "I'll do it."
Seamus grinned, winking at Harry. "That's great, I think I'll volunteer too. Anyone else?"
To Harry's astonishment, Draco Malfoy calmly stepped forward and agreed to be the last blocker. Everyone seemed to get into position, each year looking like a small army. The first years, to everyone's amusement, looked as though at any moment they would all pass out.
Seamus nodded to Harry, signaling him to get ready. With a wave of his hand, he sent bright red and green sparks into the air. The blockers immediately shouted out spells to keep out the snow. Harry used a small whirlwind charm and sent a spray of snow towards the sixth years that looked more like a small blizzard.
With only three blockers, a lot of the snow was making its way through. Parvati Patil, who had decided to post herself at the very front of the line, was already covered with snow. Harry grinned at the sight before and around him. Snow was flying everywhere; the first years were already retreating back to hide behind Hagrid's hut.
The sixth and seventh years were waging an all out war on each other. Spells were shouted back and forth, and the sound of it all was howling in Harry's ears. He looked over his shoulder and saw Seamus and Padma combining forces and making a solid front shield. Draco was off to one side, trying to keep the rear protected. Harry sent another wave of snow, this time at the fourth years that seemed to be regrouping near the fifth years. It caught a few of them off guard, and one boy was almost completely buried.
Harry found himself laughing, and for the first time that Christmas season he didn't stop to think that his two best friends weren't here to join in his revelry. He quickly dropped to his knees and started to form large snowballs. Grinning madly, he stacked them up as quickly as he could and using his wand, sent them flying in all directions pelting the lower classmen.
He turned around just in time to have a pile of snow crash over him. He fell to the ground, spitting out the snow that had made way into his mouth. He pushed himself back up, brushing the snow of his robes, and shaking it out of his hair. It was already starting to melt, and icy water was making its way down Harry's shirt. He looked over to see Draco Malfoy grin maliciously at him. "Better watch your back, Potter. Don't want to catch a cold." He laughed and turned his back focusing instead on a small group of third years that were trying to sneak up behind him.
Harry scowled. Draco had let him get hit by that wave of snow on purpose! He smirked; it would be a shame if he 'accidentally' got Draco instead of the group the Slytherin was blocking. He moved directly behind Draco and sent a massive wave of snow at him. Harry laughed as Draco fell to his hands and knees, buried under the snow. He watched as the blonde boy clawed his way out of the small mound he was in. He pushed himself up onto his feet and whirled around glaring at Harry. Harry just smiled innocently. "So sorry, didn't see you there. Looks like maybe you should watch your own back, Malfoy."
Draco stalked over to Harry, his wand raised at the other's chest. "Accidents can happen," he said as he charmed a large snowball to hit Harry directly in the face.
Harry coughed and sputtered, his teeth slightly chattering from the cold. His clothes were staring to get drenched, and his skin felt as if it were freezing. "You ruddy little imp!" he shouted at Malfoy as he sent his own snowball in retaliation.
Draco ducked, and for the next few minutes the boys ignored the small war that was happening around them and focused only on each other, trying to cause as much damage with each blow as possible. By the time Seamus was pulling Harry away from a thoroughly drenched Draco, both boys were completely drenched and shivering from the cold. It was then that Harry finally noticed that the fourth, fifth and sixth years were all now grouped together trying to attack the seventh years. The first, second and third years seemed to be mainly focused on each other.
Pansy Parkinson, who had been attempting to sneak over to the shelter of the trees, was being pelted from every side. She looked like a human snowman. "Help me!" she screamed, as another mound of snow came crashing down on her. Three of the first years had thrown down their wands, opting for the use of their hands instead, and were attacking her. One had tackled Pansy and the other two began to push her further down into the snow.
Harry and Draco managed to tear their attention away from each other long enough to try and help the rest of their teammates against the younger students. But with the collaboration of the younger years, the seventh years were quickly subdued and in the end, the sixth years had come out on top.
"Harry, what were you doing?" Seamus asked, quickly using a drying charm on his friend trying to stop the loud chattering of the boys' teeth. "You do realize you and Draco were on the *same* team."
"Well, he started it!"
"Oh for heavens sake, Harry. You sound like a first year Hufflepuff!"
"Well, he did!"
Seamus rolled his eyes, "You were supposed to be having fun! I went to all this trouble to set this damn thing up, and we lose!"
Harry frowned and playfully punched Seamus in the shoulder. "Well, even though we all got are arse's kicked, it was fun."
At this Seamus' eyes lit up, as he seemed to look as though he thought all was forgiven. "And the spirit of Christmas wins again!"
Harry turned once again and saw Draco helping up a livid Pansy Parkinson, who was practically shooting daggers at the now cowering first years. Both were completely soaked to the bone. Draco's normally immaculate hair was plastered to his head, and his cheeks were bright red, whether from the bitter cold or the battle they had just fought Harry didn't know. 'And to think, I was beginning to think he might be more then just a self-adoring pretentious imp.' Harry thought to himself
Everyone started to make their way back up to the castle. A few of the seventh years stopped to yell at both Harry and Draco for ruining their chances. But Harry just grinned. He was dry now, and Draco was still soaking wet. In his mind he had decided it was in fact he who had come out victorious. And it was always a pleasure to beat the snotty Slytherin at anything he could.
Harry was almost to the castle when something hit him in the back of his head. He touched his hair and whirled around. A broken snowball lay at his feet. Draco Malfoy calmly walked past him, his face betraying nothing save the tiny glint of triumph in is eyes. For what seemed like the millionth time, Harry quietly muttered, "Bastard," as he walked back inside.
~*~*~*~
That evening in the great hall, dinner was more lively then usual. Everyone was still talking about the snowball fight. Most of the crowd, save a few disgruntled Slytherins, had decided that Seamus was now unofficially in charge of Christmas at Hogwarts this year.
Harry was reaching for a second helping of blood pudding when a loud gasp from across the table made him halt. He looked up and saw that Seamus' jaw had dropped open and he was pointing at the front of the hall.
"For the love of Saint Patrick, Harry would you look at that."
Blaise Zabini, who had been absent from the earlier events in the afternoon, was standing in plain view of everyone. He was wearing nothing but a well placed large red Christmas bow. He seemed to be turning redder then Harry had thought humanly possible, which really was saying something as he believed the Weasleys had corned the market on that particular talent.
Then without warning he began to sing, as loud as he could, a very off key rendition of 'Jingle Bells' much to the astonishment of everyone present. The reaction was comical. Most of the girls began screaming out praise, while the teachers all seemed to be frozen to their seats for the moment.
He quickly turned around, flashing the entire school his completely bare bum, before continuing to sing again. This seemed to get the teachers attention. Flitwick jumped up and quickly charmed the bow to triple in size and wrap around the boys' body. Snape left his seat grabbing the boys arm yelling about how such scenes 'would not be tolerated' and how he 'never would have believed it' of one of his own students. Dumbledore just sat back smiling, his eyes twinkling in amusement.
Seamus looked as though he were about to start drooling, and Harry was embarrassed to say that even he had raised an eyebrow over the boys less then modest appearance. "Oh Harry, I think I've finally figured out what I want for Christmas."
Harry laughed, "Plan on breaking Padma's heart again, do you?"
"I'm only seventeen, Harry. No reason I can't chase them both!" Both boys laughed and Seamus began to feign a fainting spell. "So Harry, have you decided when you're going to pull your little stunt? I bet you, Draco's waiting to see what you do before he makes a move."
Harry choked on the Pumpkin juice he was sipping. "Actually, I haven't read what my task is yet."
Seamus jumped up and over the table to Harry's side, quickly pulling the other boy to his feet. "Are you mad? That thing could be timing specific Harry! We're going up to the room and you're going to find out what you're doing right now!"
The boys made their way quickly back to the dorm rooms, Seamus practically jumping up and down as Harry rummaged through his dresser searching for the scroll. "Alright, here it is." He held up the scroll and Seamus looked as though he was about to have a heart attack.
"Well, read it, see what it says!"
Harry sat down on his bead and carefully unrolled the scroll. He read the note once and then twice, his eyes widening as he did so.
"Bugger, Harry how bad is it?"
But Harry wasn't listening to what Seamus was saying anymore. He continued to read the scroll again and again. Finally after what seemed like a lifetime to Seamus, Harry looked up. He took a deep breath and let the scroll drop to the floor. "Oh Merlin, Seamus," he choked out quietly, "I'm a dead man."
A/N ::::Hides under a rock:::: Don't throw your pizza at me! My muse said it would be better if I left this one a cliffhanger for tomorrow. The task is coming I swear on Orlando Bloom's *exceptionally* gorgeous bum it is! Pansy getting whomped with all the snow was just for Razberry since she hates her guts lol. Naked Blaise with the big red bow is thanks to The Full Monty, "Let it go, Let it gooo, loosen up now let it go!"
A preview for tomorrow - Something is wrong with Snape, because he's actually smiling! (What COULD it be E.G) We make a pit stop in Hogsmeade and Harry and Draco make mad passionate love in Hagrid's hut! Ok, that last part was a lie lol. But don't I wish, eh?
A/N OK, before I get into anything, I have to set something straight for Alyx Gardensdale, or should I say cover my own ass lol? Anywho's, as far as 'is Morag a boy or girl', I asked that question myself. So I went to the Harry Potter Lexicon, and they assured me that he was indeed a boy, and told me he was mentioned to be in Ravenclaw in one of the books, (which is why I thought he'd make a great head boy lol) so I just trusted that info. If it is wrong, oops! As for Hufflepuffs only having Cedric to show for them, that's *exactly* what I was trying to prove wrong. I always feel bad for them as they (along with Slytherin) are always getting the short end of the stick. Anywho's, hope that clears up where my mind was when I was writing the last two chapters, lol!
And to 'blank' anonymous, yes I do have to torture you by keeping it one day per day lol. It's how I get my holiday kicks!
Ash Farley: I'm just being mean by not saying what Harry's task is, aren't I? To tell you the truth, I haven't decided which task I want him to do. Silly, or just a bit more dangerous. But never fear, you will find out soon enough!
To the rest: Thank you SOOOO much for reviewing! It really makes my holiday a little brighter!
The Twelve Days Of Christmas By: Gum Acacia
On The Fourth Day Of Christmas, My True Love Gave To Me...
He slowly made his way back from the owlery, his feet grinding down the tufts of snow as he did. He had received the scroll that morning and immediately ripped it open with enthusiasm, pleased to have finally received a note from Ron. After reading it, he grabbed a quill and parchment and wrote out his reply telling Ron all about the Seventh year tasks and how he wished he was here to join in, and that he was missing out on all the fun.
"But that," Harry mumbled to himself, "is a bloody lie." Ron was off having loads of fun and a bunch of silly pranks were hardly something to be envious of. He sat down on one of the benches pleased that the seats were enchanted to stay warm even out in the snow. He pulled the letter out of his cloaks' pocket, unrolled it, and read it again.
'Dear Harry, Greetings from all the way over here in The United States! How the hell are you, mate? I'm great. You wouldn't believe the Muggles over here, Harry. And I thought London was bonkers, New York City puts them all to shame! Some of the buildings here are enormous! And in one if their harbors, they have this huge statue of a giant lady, Mum thinks she must have been a queen or something. Anyway, Fred and George enchanted her so that she waved her hands and kissed the crowds. Dad hit them both over the head and immediately had to call in the American Ministry to hand out thousands of memory charms! Mum's confined them to their room for the rest of the trip. Said it's not right that the sons of England's Minister of Magic would break the law. Mind you, it was funny!
Dad's taking us to Horizon Alley tomorrow. He says it's about three times as big as Diagon Alley is, and has more sweets shops then all of England! I promise to pick you up something, maybe those new Honey Dips that turn your hair green, eh? We're staying with my Uncle (you know the Muggle one I've told you about?) and Dad's been driving him crazy. He keeps taking apart everything he has trying to figure out how the Muggles make them. I really think he's starting to regret ever reconciling with the family. He had something called a Com-pew-ter and apparently dad ruined it when he took off the shell and started playing with the insides.
I still wish you could have come with us, but you know that Dumbledore said it wouldn't be a good idea for you to be so far away from him, what with 'You Know Who' running around and the 'You Know What' about to happen. Well, I better go, I have to take Pig down to the Owl port to make sure he gets there. He's been a little out of sorts since we've been here. Say hello to Seamus for me, and make sure he stays out of my things, Harry. Last time I took a holiday, half my stash of Chocolate Frogs went missing, and I know it was him! See you week after next. Happy Christmas! -Ron-'
Harry folded up the letter again and placed it back inside his cloak. He sat on the bench rubbing his hands together to try and warm them. He placed them both flat against the bench and was relieved at the warmth that instantaneously swept over them. He looked around him and noticed that quite a few students were making their way out of the front entrance and through the courtyard to the clearing near the Forbidden Forest.
He watched them trying to figure out what they were doing. He was about to go over and ask someone what was going on when all of sudden a huge eagle owl swooped down and started pecking him on the head, "Get off me!" he shouted, waiving his arms around trying to shoo the bird. The bird continued to peck at him, finally succeeding in knocking off his glasses and biting off a chunk of his hair. The bird, seemingly satisfied by the assault, flew off leaving a very bewildered Harry who was busy trying to find his glasses in one of the drifts on snow.
A few minutes later, he finally located them under the bench. He put them on and reached up to feel the back of his head where the bird had tried to bald him. There was a small bit missing, but luckily with all his unruly hair, he didn't think anyone would notice. He was just smoothing his hair over when he heard Seamus' voice calling to him from a distance.
He noticed that the same owl that had minutes ago tried to kill him was now flying above Seamus and appeared to be leading him right to Harry. Harry stood up, gripping his wand in his hand in case the bird got to near him again.
"There you are," Seamus said slightly out of breath. "I've been looking all over this ruddy castle for you! I finally had to send my owl to find you."
"That's your bird!" Harry yelled. "That bleeding menace nearly bit off my head!"
Seamus whispered something to the bird and once more it took flight, apparently making his way back to the owlery. "Sorry about that, Acheles can be a little over enthusiastic sometime."
Harry snorted, "To say the least."
"I couldn't find you, where'd you go off to? Some tawdry tryst with someone I know, perhaps?"
Harry told Seamus that he had wanted to send off his reply to Ron as soon as possible. The other boy nodded his head. He had noticed that as soon as Harry was done reading the letter he had received that morning, a soft melancholy had spread over his face. He had not spent the past three days trying to force feed him extra helpings of Christmas *just* to have it spoiled by a letter! So, as soon as Harry left the great hall, Seamus had set to work planning out a way to get Harry back into the spirit.
"What's going on over there, " Harry said pointing to the group of students who seemed to be breaking up into seven small groups.
Seamus beamed, "That Harry, is your daily dose of Christmas spirit!"
Harry looked confused, but Seamus just grabbed him by the arm and pulled him towards the other students. "Please tell me this isn't another task!"
"Of course not," Seamus said. "This, my good man, is a proper Christmas tradition dating back to the days before there even was a Hogwarts."
"And what," Harry said sounding slightly impatient, "would that be?"
"Snowball fight...Wizards style." Seamus grinned again and made his way to the center of the group. He held up his hands calling everyone's attention. "Alright, you all know the rules. You can only use your wands to throw the snow. And no more then three people to a team on blocking spells. We're going by years this time, so everyone kindly make sure the people you're standing next to are in fact, in your year. You've all got two minutes to decide who's doing what, when I shoot off my wand, the fun will begin."
Seamus jogged back over to Harry, "It might be a little cliché, but a good snow fight is in my opinion, a cornerstone for all holiday jollies." Seamus stood in the middle of the Seventh years, immediately assuming the role of Captain. "Alright everyone, this isn't about houses. I don't care if you're a Slytherin or a Hufflepuff, this is all about showing the younger kids who's really in charge of this school!"
Harry tried not to laugh at the serious tone Seamus had taken on. He looked around the group and noticed that everyone else had seemed to take on the same attitude. He turned around to see who else has joined in the fun when he saw them, Pansy Parkinson and Draco Malfoy. They were both a little distance from the group, Draco leaning against a large tree and Pansy whispering something in his ear. Draco was nodding to whatever Pansy was saying, but his eyes were fixed on Harry.
The smirk in his face was irritating Harry to the core so he turned around back to Seamus. "Alright," the Irishman hollered. "We need three blockers, who wants to do it?"
Padma Patil stepped forward and raised her hand. "I'll do it."
Seamus grinned, winking at Harry. "That's great, I think I'll volunteer too. Anyone else?"
To Harry's astonishment, Draco Malfoy calmly stepped forward and agreed to be the last blocker. Everyone seemed to get into position, each year looking like a small army. The first years, to everyone's amusement, looked as though at any moment they would all pass out.
Seamus nodded to Harry, signaling him to get ready. With a wave of his hand, he sent bright red and green sparks into the air. The blockers immediately shouted out spells to keep out the snow. Harry used a small whirlwind charm and sent a spray of snow towards the sixth years that looked more like a small blizzard.
With only three blockers, a lot of the snow was making its way through. Parvati Patil, who had decided to post herself at the very front of the line, was already covered with snow. Harry grinned at the sight before and around him. Snow was flying everywhere; the first years were already retreating back to hide behind Hagrid's hut.
The sixth and seventh years were waging an all out war on each other. Spells were shouted back and forth, and the sound of it all was howling in Harry's ears. He looked over his shoulder and saw Seamus and Padma combining forces and making a solid front shield. Draco was off to one side, trying to keep the rear protected. Harry sent another wave of snow, this time at the fourth years that seemed to be regrouping near the fifth years. It caught a few of them off guard, and one boy was almost completely buried.
Harry found himself laughing, and for the first time that Christmas season he didn't stop to think that his two best friends weren't here to join in his revelry. He quickly dropped to his knees and started to form large snowballs. Grinning madly, he stacked them up as quickly as he could and using his wand, sent them flying in all directions pelting the lower classmen.
He turned around just in time to have a pile of snow crash over him. He fell to the ground, spitting out the snow that had made way into his mouth. He pushed himself back up, brushing the snow of his robes, and shaking it out of his hair. It was already starting to melt, and icy water was making its way down Harry's shirt. He looked over to see Draco Malfoy grin maliciously at him. "Better watch your back, Potter. Don't want to catch a cold." He laughed and turned his back focusing instead on a small group of third years that were trying to sneak up behind him.
Harry scowled. Draco had let him get hit by that wave of snow on purpose! He smirked; it would be a shame if he 'accidentally' got Draco instead of the group the Slytherin was blocking. He moved directly behind Draco and sent a massive wave of snow at him. Harry laughed as Draco fell to his hands and knees, buried under the snow. He watched as the blonde boy clawed his way out of the small mound he was in. He pushed himself up onto his feet and whirled around glaring at Harry. Harry just smiled innocently. "So sorry, didn't see you there. Looks like maybe you should watch your own back, Malfoy."
Draco stalked over to Harry, his wand raised at the other's chest. "Accidents can happen," he said as he charmed a large snowball to hit Harry directly in the face.
Harry coughed and sputtered, his teeth slightly chattering from the cold. His clothes were staring to get drenched, and his skin felt as if it were freezing. "You ruddy little imp!" he shouted at Malfoy as he sent his own snowball in retaliation.
Draco ducked, and for the next few minutes the boys ignored the small war that was happening around them and focused only on each other, trying to cause as much damage with each blow as possible. By the time Seamus was pulling Harry away from a thoroughly drenched Draco, both boys were completely drenched and shivering from the cold. It was then that Harry finally noticed that the fourth, fifth and sixth years were all now grouped together trying to attack the seventh years. The first, second and third years seemed to be mainly focused on each other.
Pansy Parkinson, who had been attempting to sneak over to the shelter of the trees, was being pelted from every side. She looked like a human snowman. "Help me!" she screamed, as another mound of snow came crashing down on her. Three of the first years had thrown down their wands, opting for the use of their hands instead, and were attacking her. One had tackled Pansy and the other two began to push her further down into the snow.
Harry and Draco managed to tear their attention away from each other long enough to try and help the rest of their teammates against the younger students. But with the collaboration of the younger years, the seventh years were quickly subdued and in the end, the sixth years had come out on top.
"Harry, what were you doing?" Seamus asked, quickly using a drying charm on his friend trying to stop the loud chattering of the boys' teeth. "You do realize you and Draco were on the *same* team."
"Well, he started it!"
"Oh for heavens sake, Harry. You sound like a first year Hufflepuff!"
"Well, he did!"
Seamus rolled his eyes, "You were supposed to be having fun! I went to all this trouble to set this damn thing up, and we lose!"
Harry frowned and playfully punched Seamus in the shoulder. "Well, even though we all got are arse's kicked, it was fun."
At this Seamus' eyes lit up, as he seemed to look as though he thought all was forgiven. "And the spirit of Christmas wins again!"
Harry turned once again and saw Draco helping up a livid Pansy Parkinson, who was practically shooting daggers at the now cowering first years. Both were completely soaked to the bone. Draco's normally immaculate hair was plastered to his head, and his cheeks were bright red, whether from the bitter cold or the battle they had just fought Harry didn't know. 'And to think, I was beginning to think he might be more then just a self-adoring pretentious imp.' Harry thought to himself
Everyone started to make their way back up to the castle. A few of the seventh years stopped to yell at both Harry and Draco for ruining their chances. But Harry just grinned. He was dry now, and Draco was still soaking wet. In his mind he had decided it was in fact he who had come out victorious. And it was always a pleasure to beat the snotty Slytherin at anything he could.
Harry was almost to the castle when something hit him in the back of his head. He touched his hair and whirled around. A broken snowball lay at his feet. Draco Malfoy calmly walked past him, his face betraying nothing save the tiny glint of triumph in is eyes. For what seemed like the millionth time, Harry quietly muttered, "Bastard," as he walked back inside.
~*~*~*~
That evening in the great hall, dinner was more lively then usual. Everyone was still talking about the snowball fight. Most of the crowd, save a few disgruntled Slytherins, had decided that Seamus was now unofficially in charge of Christmas at Hogwarts this year.
Harry was reaching for a second helping of blood pudding when a loud gasp from across the table made him halt. He looked up and saw that Seamus' jaw had dropped open and he was pointing at the front of the hall.
"For the love of Saint Patrick, Harry would you look at that."
Blaise Zabini, who had been absent from the earlier events in the afternoon, was standing in plain view of everyone. He was wearing nothing but a well placed large red Christmas bow. He seemed to be turning redder then Harry had thought humanly possible, which really was saying something as he believed the Weasleys had corned the market on that particular talent.
Then without warning he began to sing, as loud as he could, a very off key rendition of 'Jingle Bells' much to the astonishment of everyone present. The reaction was comical. Most of the girls began screaming out praise, while the teachers all seemed to be frozen to their seats for the moment.
He quickly turned around, flashing the entire school his completely bare bum, before continuing to sing again. This seemed to get the teachers attention. Flitwick jumped up and quickly charmed the bow to triple in size and wrap around the boys' body. Snape left his seat grabbing the boys arm yelling about how such scenes 'would not be tolerated' and how he 'never would have believed it' of one of his own students. Dumbledore just sat back smiling, his eyes twinkling in amusement.
Seamus looked as though he were about to start drooling, and Harry was embarrassed to say that even he had raised an eyebrow over the boys less then modest appearance. "Oh Harry, I think I've finally figured out what I want for Christmas."
Harry laughed, "Plan on breaking Padma's heart again, do you?"
"I'm only seventeen, Harry. No reason I can't chase them both!" Both boys laughed and Seamus began to feign a fainting spell. "So Harry, have you decided when you're going to pull your little stunt? I bet you, Draco's waiting to see what you do before he makes a move."
Harry choked on the Pumpkin juice he was sipping. "Actually, I haven't read what my task is yet."
Seamus jumped up and over the table to Harry's side, quickly pulling the other boy to his feet. "Are you mad? That thing could be timing specific Harry! We're going up to the room and you're going to find out what you're doing right now!"
The boys made their way quickly back to the dorm rooms, Seamus practically jumping up and down as Harry rummaged through his dresser searching for the scroll. "Alright, here it is." He held up the scroll and Seamus looked as though he was about to have a heart attack.
"Well, read it, see what it says!"
Harry sat down on his bead and carefully unrolled the scroll. He read the note once and then twice, his eyes widening as he did so.
"Bugger, Harry how bad is it?"
But Harry wasn't listening to what Seamus was saying anymore. He continued to read the scroll again and again. Finally after what seemed like a lifetime to Seamus, Harry looked up. He took a deep breath and let the scroll drop to the floor. "Oh Merlin, Seamus," he choked out quietly, "I'm a dead man."
A/N ::::Hides under a rock:::: Don't throw your pizza at me! My muse said it would be better if I left this one a cliffhanger for tomorrow. The task is coming I swear on Orlando Bloom's *exceptionally* gorgeous bum it is! Pansy getting whomped with all the snow was just for Razberry since she hates her guts lol. Naked Blaise with the big red bow is thanks to The Full Monty, "Let it go, Let it gooo, loosen up now let it go!"
A preview for tomorrow - Something is wrong with Snape, because he's actually smiling! (What COULD it be E.G) We make a pit stop in Hogsmeade and Harry and Draco make mad passionate love in Hagrid's hut! Ok, that last part was a lie lol. But don't I wish, eh?