A/N: I do not own any characters except Brianna.
"Good morning, sunshine! Time to rise and shine!"
Harry wasn't exactly sure at first what was beating him over the head, but when he opened his eyes, he was greeted with the sight of Brianna, still in her pyjamas, standing over him, playfully bopping him on the head with her pillow.
"Morning! And Merry Christmas!" she cried, jumping into his lap. He protested in pain, and she punched him on the shoulder, muttering, "Big baby!"
Sitting up quickly, he smiled and said, "Well, Merry Christmas to you, too. What did you get me?" He laughed.
She beamed and ran over to the chest at the bottom of her bed. Hiding something behind her back, she sat down on her knees in front of him. "Are you sure you want it?"
"Not right now," he replied, and her face fell. "I mean, I do want it, but I haven't got your gift on me."
"Don't be silly, Harry. You being here with me on Christmas morning is a gift enough. Now, here." She held out her hands and in them lay a box. Grabbing it excitedly, Harry ripped the lid off and tried to keep from screaming.
She had gotten him the one thing he wanted most for his broomstick: golden tassels. They hung on the end of your broomstick and were very important to Seekers, for the distracted the opposing Seeker from the Snitch. Happily, he wrapped his arms around her and repeated, "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you so much!"
"You're welcome," she laughed. "I'm glad to see that you like them."
"Are you crazy? I love them!" But his smile and happiness faltered. "They must have cost a fortune, Bri."
"Yeah, but you're worth it."
He held the box out to her. "I can't accept these. They're too much." Feeling incredibly awful, he lay the box in front of her. Truth be told, it wasn't because of the price. For he had gotten her an even more expensive gift. Actually, he had gotten her two gifts, both bought months ago. Harry had been planning on telling Brianna how he felt for quite some time now, so he bought her a gold chain with a pendant in the shape of a key. But he had a backup plan. He also bought her a set of books on the Salem Witch Trials, since he knew she enjoyed reading about them. The books were in case he hadn't gotten around to telling her how he felt. Now, looking at the golden tassels in the box, he thought he very well couldn't run to his room and bring out a set of books for her. It just wouldn't be right. Brianna scoffed. "Are you crazy? Take them, Harry. They're a gift. I just won't get you anything for your birthday or Christmas for the next eight years." She grinned and he relented. They were nice. And maybe there was still time to tell her how he felt. Setting the box aside, he took her hands in his and looked into her eyes.
"Brianna, there's something I have to tell you." She nodded encouragingly, her heart beating fast. What was he going to say?
"Brianna, you know you're my best friend, right?" She nodded. "Well, there's this."
His words were cut off by the sudden commotion at the window. Hedwig arrived carrying parcels, accompanied by Pig, Ron's owl. Jumping to assist the owls with the gifts and cards, Brianna left Harry sitting on the floor, feeling like a fool. He buried his head in his hands. Why didn't he just blurt it out?
"Harry, you have a card from Sirius!"
Sitting beside him on the floor, she thrust an envelope into his hands. Momentarily forgetting his problem, he tore the paper and opened the card.
Harry, I'm sorry for the last note I sent you. I haven't been feeling myself lately and I didn't mean to take it out on you. I'm very sorry and I hope you can forgive me. I send this card with my Christmas wishes and I hope that soon you and I will be able to get together and I will give you your present. Sirius
Harry's mind exploded in fireworks. That seemed more like the Sirius he knew. Maybe Wattler had grown exhausted of Sirius and had moved on to someone new. He looked at Brianna, expecting to see joy, yet all he saw was disappointment.
"What's wrong?" he asked her. She shrugged.
"Something just occurred to me. I actually feel pretty stupid not thinking of it before." She looked at him. "How did Dumbledore know that Wattler was controlling Sirius?"
Harry hesitated. He hadn't thought of that, either. "How does Dumbledore know anything?" he replied, keeping his tone light and cheery. "I swear, that man is a psychic." Noticing the concerned look on Brianna's face, he changed the subject. "But don't worry about that now. Sirius sounds more like himself, and I want to enjoy this holiday. It's not too often that you and I are left alone together." Standing up, he started to walk out of the room. "I'm going to get your present." As soon as he left, Brianna stood up and sat on the edge of the bed. Holding Sirius' letter in her hand, she tried to read the energy off of it, a specialty of hers. It seemed normal; no different from any other card Sirius had ever sent. Then again, there would be no change. It was still Sirius who was sending it, still his soul. Just not his mind that were creating the words.
Back in Harry's room, he was having trouble deciding which gift to give her. If he gave her the chain without an explanation, would she get frightened and run? Was she even interested in him as more than a friend? What would he do if she laughed, thinking it wasn't good enough? Maybe he ought to stick to the books. On second thought, he decided to bring both gifts and try to tell her how he felt before they went down to the Hall.
"What took you so long? I thought you got lost!" Brianna bounced up and down on the bed, her hands outstretched. "What did you get me?" she asked teasingly. Playing along with her game, Harry knelt in front of where she was perched on the corner of the bed.
"Close your eyes," he said.
Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, what is he going to do? her mind screamed at her. Warnings flooded her brain. Don't lose control of yourself. So you're in love with him; that's no reason to act like a fool. The thoughts would have continued if she didn't hear Harry's voice whisper in her ear.
"Brianna, there's something I've been meaning to tell you for a long time now," he started. "I want to tell you that."
"Mr. Potter! Miss Natale! Are you ready for Christmas breakfast?" Professor McGonagall's voice boomed from the Common Room. When they didn't answer, she called, "Are you even awake?"
"Yes, Professor, we're awake," Harry called back, sighing deeply. Brianna opened her eyes and Harry motioned for her to be silent. If she called back, Professor McGonagall would realize that they were in the same room.
"Well, hurry up and get ready. We're all waiting for you. Oh, and by the way, Merry Christmas!" They listened and heard the hard clicking of the professor's shoes on the floor. Once they heard the portrait hole slam, they both breathed a sigh of relief.
"I thought for sure we were dead!" cried Brianna, giddy from the tension. Harry nodded eagerly, trying to get his thoughts back in order.
"Brianna, there's something I've got to tell you."
"We've covered that already." "Yeah, well, the thing is, I've been meaning to tell you this for a long time so don't get mad at me for not doing it sooner."
"Okay."
"I really wanted to tell you on several occasions, but it never seemed the right time. So anyway, Brianna."
"Potter! Natale! Get moving!" Professor McGonagall's voice cleared the Tower once again. "If I don't see your smiling faces in fifteen minutes, you will both get a lecture from me!" Once again, they heard the portrait door slam shut and for the second time, Harry almost kicked himself for not saying things sooner.
"I'm going to get ready," he told her, "before Professor McGonagall knocks down the wall." Brianna giggled.
"Okay. I'll meet you in the Common Room in ten minutes, okay?"
"Sounds like a plan." The two went their separate ways, each kicking themselves. Harry regretted not coming straight out and telling Brianna that he loved her. And Brianna was kicking herself for not pushing him to say whatever he wanted to say faster. As she prepared herself for breakfast, she began running ideas through her head of what he wanted to tell her. Several thoughts raced through her mind, each more unusual and unlikely than the next. But one stood out in her mind the most and if that was it, then she was ready to confess it, too. She was in love with Harry Potter.
The Hall was decorated beautifully, due to Professor Flitwick's charms. Glistening Christmas ornaments dangled from high places, giving the entire Hall an aura of happiness and love. How appropriate, Harry thought as he and Brianna seated themselves at the Head Table. Dumbledore nodded a greeting to them, then stood to give his morning announcements.
"Good morning, and a Happy Christmas to you all!" he began and there were mutters of the same to him. "I trust you all slept well last night," he continued, glancing at Harry and Brianna over his half-moon glasses. They both looked down at the table quickly.
"Boy, he doesn't miss a thing," mumbled Harry and Brianna agreed silently. Dumbledore finished his morning greeting and then sat. Suddenly some of the best looking and smelling food any of them had even been in the presence of appeared on the table and everyone dug in. Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape were discussing plans for that night's Feast. Snape kept giving glaring stares at Harry and Brianna all throughout breakfast. Harry glared back and Brianna kept her eyes open for signs of trouble. But even Snape seemed in a good mood that morning. Brianna caught him close to smiling at one point.
When everyone was finished they sat for a few lingering moments, talking and laughing. Among the relaxation, Harry and Brianna managed to slip off. While walking down the corridor, Harry wrapped his hand around the small jewellery box in his pocket. Taking a deep breath, he began again, this time cutting straight to the chase.
"Brianna, about this thing I want to tell you. It's about how I feel."
Brianna sighed. "Stuffed, I know. Tonight I don't know if I'll be able to eat anything if I don't want to explode."
"No, not about anything like that. It's about how I feel. About you."
Brianna's heart started racing fast and she tried to think of an excuse to get away quickly. "I know, Harry. You're my best friend, remember? We share everything, including beds, apparently."
Thrown off by this comment, he replied, "Technically, we've never actually shared a bed. But that's not what I'm talking about! Brianna, I."
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" The sound of Malfoy's voice froze Brianna's blood. She was getting even stronger emotions from him lately and they were intense enough to scare her. She spun around to face him.
"What do you want?" she asked irritated, at Malfoy for interrupting and at herself for not stopping what was going on.
"It's clear what I want, Natale," he sneered in her face. "And I will get it. I promise you that."
Harry stepped forward. "Now hold on here a minute, Malfoy. You can talk down to me, that's fine. But don't you dare talk down to Brianna. She wants nothing to do with you."
"Oh yeah? Ask her about last summer, Potter. See what you think then." With a small, arrogant wave, he disappeared around the corner. Harry turned to Brianna.
"Last summer?"
Bursting into tears, Brianna ran to Gryffindor Tower and up the stairs to her room. Locking the door, she lay in the darkness of her confined space, sunshine trying to fight its way through her curtains. Ignoring Harry's pleading and protesting at her door, she silently sobbed herself into a light sleep.
Harry threw himself down on the couch in front of the fireplace, whose fire hadn't been rekindled yet. He was mad at himself for not telling her how he felt years ago when he first felt it. He felt so angry that he actually wanted to hit himself. But saving the pain for someone else seemed like a better idea. Draco Malfoy was deemed the perfect suspect. But before Harry wanted to punch his lights out, he wanted to find out what he meant by last summer. Obviously something dreadful happened if Brianna was too upset to talk about it. There was never a thing she couldn't talk to Harry about. Like she said, they were best friends, right? If only Hagrid were here. He could tell Harry what had happened last summer when he went back to the Dursley's and left the wizarding world. Something had occurred between Brianna and Draco and Harry wasn't too sure he really wanted to find out.
"Good morning, sunshine! Time to rise and shine!"
Harry wasn't exactly sure at first what was beating him over the head, but when he opened his eyes, he was greeted with the sight of Brianna, still in her pyjamas, standing over him, playfully bopping him on the head with her pillow.
"Morning! And Merry Christmas!" she cried, jumping into his lap. He protested in pain, and she punched him on the shoulder, muttering, "Big baby!"
Sitting up quickly, he smiled and said, "Well, Merry Christmas to you, too. What did you get me?" He laughed.
She beamed and ran over to the chest at the bottom of her bed. Hiding something behind her back, she sat down on her knees in front of him. "Are you sure you want it?"
"Not right now," he replied, and her face fell. "I mean, I do want it, but I haven't got your gift on me."
"Don't be silly, Harry. You being here with me on Christmas morning is a gift enough. Now, here." She held out her hands and in them lay a box. Grabbing it excitedly, Harry ripped the lid off and tried to keep from screaming.
She had gotten him the one thing he wanted most for his broomstick: golden tassels. They hung on the end of your broomstick and were very important to Seekers, for the distracted the opposing Seeker from the Snitch. Happily, he wrapped his arms around her and repeated, "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you so much!"
"You're welcome," she laughed. "I'm glad to see that you like them."
"Are you crazy? I love them!" But his smile and happiness faltered. "They must have cost a fortune, Bri."
"Yeah, but you're worth it."
He held the box out to her. "I can't accept these. They're too much." Feeling incredibly awful, he lay the box in front of her. Truth be told, it wasn't because of the price. For he had gotten her an even more expensive gift. Actually, he had gotten her two gifts, both bought months ago. Harry had been planning on telling Brianna how he felt for quite some time now, so he bought her a gold chain with a pendant in the shape of a key. But he had a backup plan. He also bought her a set of books on the Salem Witch Trials, since he knew she enjoyed reading about them. The books were in case he hadn't gotten around to telling her how he felt. Now, looking at the golden tassels in the box, he thought he very well couldn't run to his room and bring out a set of books for her. It just wouldn't be right. Brianna scoffed. "Are you crazy? Take them, Harry. They're a gift. I just won't get you anything for your birthday or Christmas for the next eight years." She grinned and he relented. They were nice. And maybe there was still time to tell her how he felt. Setting the box aside, he took her hands in his and looked into her eyes.
"Brianna, there's something I have to tell you." She nodded encouragingly, her heart beating fast. What was he going to say?
"Brianna, you know you're my best friend, right?" She nodded. "Well, there's this."
His words were cut off by the sudden commotion at the window. Hedwig arrived carrying parcels, accompanied by Pig, Ron's owl. Jumping to assist the owls with the gifts and cards, Brianna left Harry sitting on the floor, feeling like a fool. He buried his head in his hands. Why didn't he just blurt it out?
"Harry, you have a card from Sirius!"
Sitting beside him on the floor, she thrust an envelope into his hands. Momentarily forgetting his problem, he tore the paper and opened the card.
Harry, I'm sorry for the last note I sent you. I haven't been feeling myself lately and I didn't mean to take it out on you. I'm very sorry and I hope you can forgive me. I send this card with my Christmas wishes and I hope that soon you and I will be able to get together and I will give you your present. Sirius
Harry's mind exploded in fireworks. That seemed more like the Sirius he knew. Maybe Wattler had grown exhausted of Sirius and had moved on to someone new. He looked at Brianna, expecting to see joy, yet all he saw was disappointment.
"What's wrong?" he asked her. She shrugged.
"Something just occurred to me. I actually feel pretty stupid not thinking of it before." She looked at him. "How did Dumbledore know that Wattler was controlling Sirius?"
Harry hesitated. He hadn't thought of that, either. "How does Dumbledore know anything?" he replied, keeping his tone light and cheery. "I swear, that man is a psychic." Noticing the concerned look on Brianna's face, he changed the subject. "But don't worry about that now. Sirius sounds more like himself, and I want to enjoy this holiday. It's not too often that you and I are left alone together." Standing up, he started to walk out of the room. "I'm going to get your present." As soon as he left, Brianna stood up and sat on the edge of the bed. Holding Sirius' letter in her hand, she tried to read the energy off of it, a specialty of hers. It seemed normal; no different from any other card Sirius had ever sent. Then again, there would be no change. It was still Sirius who was sending it, still his soul. Just not his mind that were creating the words.
Back in Harry's room, he was having trouble deciding which gift to give her. If he gave her the chain without an explanation, would she get frightened and run? Was she even interested in him as more than a friend? What would he do if she laughed, thinking it wasn't good enough? Maybe he ought to stick to the books. On second thought, he decided to bring both gifts and try to tell her how he felt before they went down to the Hall.
"What took you so long? I thought you got lost!" Brianna bounced up and down on the bed, her hands outstretched. "What did you get me?" she asked teasingly. Playing along with her game, Harry knelt in front of where she was perched on the corner of the bed.
"Close your eyes," he said.
Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God, what is he going to do? her mind screamed at her. Warnings flooded her brain. Don't lose control of yourself. So you're in love with him; that's no reason to act like a fool. The thoughts would have continued if she didn't hear Harry's voice whisper in her ear.
"Brianna, there's something I've been meaning to tell you for a long time now," he started. "I want to tell you that."
"Mr. Potter! Miss Natale! Are you ready for Christmas breakfast?" Professor McGonagall's voice boomed from the Common Room. When they didn't answer, she called, "Are you even awake?"
"Yes, Professor, we're awake," Harry called back, sighing deeply. Brianna opened her eyes and Harry motioned for her to be silent. If she called back, Professor McGonagall would realize that they were in the same room.
"Well, hurry up and get ready. We're all waiting for you. Oh, and by the way, Merry Christmas!" They listened and heard the hard clicking of the professor's shoes on the floor. Once they heard the portrait hole slam, they both breathed a sigh of relief.
"I thought for sure we were dead!" cried Brianna, giddy from the tension. Harry nodded eagerly, trying to get his thoughts back in order.
"Brianna, there's something I've got to tell you."
"We've covered that already." "Yeah, well, the thing is, I've been meaning to tell you this for a long time so don't get mad at me for not doing it sooner."
"Okay."
"I really wanted to tell you on several occasions, but it never seemed the right time. So anyway, Brianna."
"Potter! Natale! Get moving!" Professor McGonagall's voice cleared the Tower once again. "If I don't see your smiling faces in fifteen minutes, you will both get a lecture from me!" Once again, they heard the portrait door slam shut and for the second time, Harry almost kicked himself for not saying things sooner.
"I'm going to get ready," he told her, "before Professor McGonagall knocks down the wall." Brianna giggled.
"Okay. I'll meet you in the Common Room in ten minutes, okay?"
"Sounds like a plan." The two went their separate ways, each kicking themselves. Harry regretted not coming straight out and telling Brianna that he loved her. And Brianna was kicking herself for not pushing him to say whatever he wanted to say faster. As she prepared herself for breakfast, she began running ideas through her head of what he wanted to tell her. Several thoughts raced through her mind, each more unusual and unlikely than the next. But one stood out in her mind the most and if that was it, then she was ready to confess it, too. She was in love with Harry Potter.
The Hall was decorated beautifully, due to Professor Flitwick's charms. Glistening Christmas ornaments dangled from high places, giving the entire Hall an aura of happiness and love. How appropriate, Harry thought as he and Brianna seated themselves at the Head Table. Dumbledore nodded a greeting to them, then stood to give his morning announcements.
"Good morning, and a Happy Christmas to you all!" he began and there were mutters of the same to him. "I trust you all slept well last night," he continued, glancing at Harry and Brianna over his half-moon glasses. They both looked down at the table quickly.
"Boy, he doesn't miss a thing," mumbled Harry and Brianna agreed silently. Dumbledore finished his morning greeting and then sat. Suddenly some of the best looking and smelling food any of them had even been in the presence of appeared on the table and everyone dug in. Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape were discussing plans for that night's Feast. Snape kept giving glaring stares at Harry and Brianna all throughout breakfast. Harry glared back and Brianna kept her eyes open for signs of trouble. But even Snape seemed in a good mood that morning. Brianna caught him close to smiling at one point.
When everyone was finished they sat for a few lingering moments, talking and laughing. Among the relaxation, Harry and Brianna managed to slip off. While walking down the corridor, Harry wrapped his hand around the small jewellery box in his pocket. Taking a deep breath, he began again, this time cutting straight to the chase.
"Brianna, about this thing I want to tell you. It's about how I feel."
Brianna sighed. "Stuffed, I know. Tonight I don't know if I'll be able to eat anything if I don't want to explode."
"No, not about anything like that. It's about how I feel. About you."
Brianna's heart started racing fast and she tried to think of an excuse to get away quickly. "I know, Harry. You're my best friend, remember? We share everything, including beds, apparently."
Thrown off by this comment, he replied, "Technically, we've never actually shared a bed. But that's not what I'm talking about! Brianna, I."
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" The sound of Malfoy's voice froze Brianna's blood. She was getting even stronger emotions from him lately and they were intense enough to scare her. She spun around to face him.
"What do you want?" she asked irritated, at Malfoy for interrupting and at herself for not stopping what was going on.
"It's clear what I want, Natale," he sneered in her face. "And I will get it. I promise you that."
Harry stepped forward. "Now hold on here a minute, Malfoy. You can talk down to me, that's fine. But don't you dare talk down to Brianna. She wants nothing to do with you."
"Oh yeah? Ask her about last summer, Potter. See what you think then." With a small, arrogant wave, he disappeared around the corner. Harry turned to Brianna.
"Last summer?"
Bursting into tears, Brianna ran to Gryffindor Tower and up the stairs to her room. Locking the door, she lay in the darkness of her confined space, sunshine trying to fight its way through her curtains. Ignoring Harry's pleading and protesting at her door, she silently sobbed herself into a light sleep.
Harry threw himself down on the couch in front of the fireplace, whose fire hadn't been rekindled yet. He was mad at himself for not telling her how he felt years ago when he first felt it. He felt so angry that he actually wanted to hit himself. But saving the pain for someone else seemed like a better idea. Draco Malfoy was deemed the perfect suspect. But before Harry wanted to punch his lights out, he wanted to find out what he meant by last summer. Obviously something dreadful happened if Brianna was too upset to talk about it. There was never a thing she couldn't talk to Harry about. Like she said, they were best friends, right? If only Hagrid were here. He could tell Harry what had happened last summer when he went back to the Dursley's and left the wizarding world. Something had occurred between Brianna and Draco and Harry wasn't too sure he really wanted to find out.