Hi

Hi! Here is the next chapter at last, hope you enjoy it! (I really suck at author's notes don't I?)

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A slight sound pulled Harry out of a deep sleep. He propped himself up on his elbow and groped on his bedside table for his glasses. Putting them on, he blinked blearily up at Hermione.

"Hermione?" he asked sleepily, "What are you doing here?"

"Good morning to you two," Hermione said," and happy Christmas," she added pointedly. Harry blinked slowly at her then:

"Oh! Merry Christmas," he added hurriedly. Hermione snorted and moved over to stand by Ron's bed as Harry pulled himself up into a sitting position. The rest of the dormitory was empty, Neville, Dean and Seamus having gone home for the holidays. There was a pile of presents, most likely Hermione's, dumped on Neville's empty bed. Harry looked back round at her. She was standing next to Ron, staring down at him with an almost dreamy expression on her face. Sensing Harry's eyes on her she looked up, a smile playing around her lips.

"Doesn't he look sweet?" she whispered. She sighed and pulled her wand out. "But he really needs to wake up."

"Erm Hermione-" Harry spoke quickly, realising what she was about to do, "Why don't you just try shaking him fi-" Too late. Hermione flicked her wand and muttered.

"Aqueous," A jet of water of water spurted out of her wand, hitting Ron in the middle of the face. Ron shot up, eyes wide, gasping and spluttering, looking like a drowned rat. Harry couldn't help it, he started to laugh. Hermione put her hands on her hips and regarded the gaping Ron sternly. "Your, Sopping," She observed. She flicked her wand again. "Accio towel." She ordered. A towel came zooming into the room. Hermione caught it and dropped it on top of Ron who, still gaping, took it dazedly. Harry was still shaking with laughter.

"Her-Hermione!" Ron gasped.

"Yes?" Hermione asked sweetly.

"I'm sopping wet!" Hermione tapped her cheek with her wand thoughtfully.

"Yes, I had noticed that," she agreed. Ron stared at her, then turned to glare at the near hysterical Harry.

"Couldn't you have stopped her?" he asked plaintively. Harry choked back laughter and held his hands up in defence.

"Oh no, he said quickly. "She's your girlfriend." Ron snorted and muttered 'traitor.' He was shivering now. Hermione looked at him unrepentantly.

"You should have woken up before then," she said. Ron snorted

"That water was cold," he muttered.

"Here," Harry said, taking pity on him and grabbing his wand. He flicked it. "Evaporatus" he ordered. Ron's bed and pyjamas dried instantly. Ron grinned.

"Thanks Harry," he said. Suddenly he spotted the pile of presents at the bottom of his bed. "Oh! Presents!" he exclaimed. Hermione rolled her eyes

"You've only just noticed them?" she asked. Ron ignored her and scrambled down his bed to them. Hermione sighed and plopped down on Neville's bed next to her own presents while Harry turned his attention to his own pile.

The Dursley's hadn't even sent a note this year, but Harry wasn't exactly heartbroken over that. Anyway, the rest of his presents more than made up for it. From Mrs Weasley the traditional Weasley jumper and some homemade toffee. From the Weasley twins a prototype of the 'Deluxe Weasley Wizard Wheezes Gift Box' to their 'investor.' From Hagrid, a selection of Honeydukes best sweets. There were three presents left. Picking up one, Harry read the note. It was from Sirius. Harry felt a leap of painful hope. Were he and Lupin back from their mission? Ripping open the paper, Harry eagerly unfolded the contained note, dropping the present itself on the bed.

Dear Harry,

Happy Christmas!

I'm sorry I not there, but Dumbledore's got an important mission for me and Lupin to go on, and in all probability it will go on past Christmas. Because of this, I've given your present to Dumbledore to forward to you at Christmas. It tracks the people whose names are recorded on it. If they are safe, the name glows green, if they are in danger, the name glows red. It gets redder depending on how much danger they are in.

Take care of your self!

Sirius.

Harry swallowed, putting the letter down. They weren't back yet, probably wouldn't be back for a while. You'll survive he told himself firmly. It's not as if you have nay other choice.

"Hey Harry, What's the matter?" Harry looked up to see Ron staring at him, concerned.

"Nothing," Harry said. "Really," he added at Ron's disbelieving look. "Just a little freaked out at Sirius' choice of Christmas presents."

"What did he get you?" Hermione asked with interest. Harry picked up the present off his bed.

"This," he said, showing it to them. Harry studied it with interest as well. It was a black, rectangular box, but on it there were six names in raised lettering. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Sirius, Lupin and Dumbledore. All six were glowing green, though Sirius and Remus's were had a red tinge to them. Harry looked at that, worried for them.

"What does it do?" Hermione asked, breaking into his thoughts. She listened with interest as Harry explained what the colours meant.

"At least we'll be able to keep track of you now," Ron commented with a laugh. Harry forced a smile as well and placed the box on his bedside table, thinking he'd have to hide it during the full moon, and then turned back to his last to presents. Ron had given him a new watch, (He'd never got around to replacing the one broken during the Second Task) and Hermione a heavy book entitled 'A Complete Guide to Curses and Counter Curses,' by Auror Alastor Moody.

"What's this?" Ron asked suddenly. Harry glanced over to see he'd pulled out the small box containing his Christmas present to him.

"I've got one to," Hermione said, picking her own up. Ron flipped open the card.

"'To Ron for Hermione, from Harry," He glanced over at Harry, puzzled.

"Open them," Harry instructed softly.

"Oh Harry!" Hermione gasped as she opened the jewellery box to find the silver necklace. Ron had opened his as well.

"Hold them in your hands," Harry instructed, remembering the instructions on the piece of Parchment the shopkeeper had given him. "Now, think of each other." There was silence for a moment, and then both Ron and Hermione gasped.

"It shocked me!" Ron said, staring down at the necklace in his hand. Harry grinned.

"It's supposed to do that," he said. "Now exchange them." His two friends did so. He smiled. "They grow warm whenever the other is thinking of you," he explained.

"Oh!" Hermione squealed. She turned to Ron. "Put it one me," she demanded. Ron did so, and then slipped his own around his neck. Hermione gasped, hand going to the necklace. "It's warm!" she said. She flew at Harry hugging him. "Thank you," she whispered. Harry hugged her back; ignoring the burning wear her necklace touched his skin.

"Yeah, thanks, Harry," said Ron. Harry smiled

"You're welcome," he said. Hermione let go of him and went over to give Ron a kiss. Harry sighed softly, feeling, strangely, safer now that his two best friends had an effective weapon against him.