Hello. Well here is the next chapter, sorry it took me a few days but I've experienced some computer problems, this computer hates me. I'm so serious, it must know when I come on and it decides to mess up everyway it can. Anyway, thank you for all the kind reviews, there will be one more chapter after this I'm guessing. I could be mean and do a major cliffhanger but I like posting chapters about 7 or 8 pages and it would very short so I'll be nice. I put Sirius in here for everyone, and he will appear in the next chapter… happy? Thank you again for the reviews, I don't own Harry Potter, J.K Rowling does.

Christmas was coming. On the day before term ended they went into Hogsmeade to do their Christmas shopping. The Order and the teachers supervised the trip but everyone was unaware of this expect Harry. Harry spent a lot of time in Zonko's buying tricks and looking around for new things. He came out with no bags to the amazement of Ron and Hermione. He smiled as he took Hermione's hand thinking about the tricks that were now shrunk in his pocket.

Ron went off to Honeydukes to do some shopping and Harry and Hermione headed to the Three Broomsticks. Harry treated Hermione to a butterbeer and they went to sit down. It was crowded but the young lovers sat in the back and drank their drinks silently. Only when they were finished did they speak.

"Are you going to the Weasleys for Christmas?"

"I've been invited," Harry nodded, "so yes I will be there."

"I hear its fun at the Weasleys for Christmas," she nodded back. "I'll be there."

"That is one reason I'm going." He smiled at her and she returned it.

**

The next day term ended and most of the students went home. Harry went down to Dumbledore's office and without saying a word to him he used the Fireplace to go home. He didn't think he could spent another minute at Hogwarts with Dumbledore always looking at him when he was eating or the teachers trying to get him to talk to him.

"Rosie," Harry called when he exited the fireplace. He left his trunk by the fireplace and called for the house elf again.


She came down the stairs and when she saw him, she ran into his arms. "It's going to see you again!"

"Welcome home Master Potter," she said.

"Its good to be home and away from that idiot Dumbledore," Harry smiled.

"Do you want something to eat?" she asked.

"Of course," He laughed. Two house elves came out from the kitchens and carried his trunk upstairs. He went after them to put down his cloak and wash up. When he went back downstairs, Rosie was waiting for him in the kitchen with food ready. He sat down and Harry told her what had been happening at school and what was new around the Mansion.


**

Harry spent the next few days enjoying himself; he flew around the Quidditch Pitch, and practiced diving. He spent hours in the library reading about the Potters and different spells. His favorite time of the day was at night when he would watch the crackling fire and think about nothing. He liked being alone, away from the school and its prying students. He was away from the teachers all intent on trying to get him to talk to Dumbledore.

Christmas came. On Christmas morning with all the gifts and food from Rosie he went to the Burrow. He had never been to the Burrow for Christmas before and had received the invitation a few days before term ended.

He called for Ron and he saw the twins stick their heads in the kitchen.

"Oh Harry," Fred said.

"Our favorite customer," George came in and shook his hand.

"You are quickly rising from amateur," Fred shook his hand too.

Harry smiled, "Ron hasn't been saying much about my tricks?"

"No and that's why they think you are an amateur," Ron came into the kitchen.

"Compared to me, you two are amateurs," Harry grinned.

"We have gotten out of class because of Harry," grinned Ron.

"And I have this," Harry put down the gifts and pulled a small brown book out of his pocket.

"What's that?" George asked interested.

"My father's diary," Harry grinned.

Fred and George's mouths dropped. "Can we… can we see it?" Fred asked.

"No," Harry laughed. "This is the secret of my success."

"Oh Harry, pal, friend, Mr. Potter please?" the twins pleaded together.

Harry put the book back in his pocket. "Ron how are you doing?"

"Good, Hermione is here," he grinned at his friend.

Harry smiled and went to find her. She and Mrs. Weasley were now in the living room. He hugged Hermione and Mrs. Weasley and then shook Bill, Charlie and Percy's hand. Ron had come in with him but then went into the kitchen to take care of the gifts. He put them with all the others.

"How is your holidays Harry?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"Its going okay," Harry shrugged.

"Harry," Ron appeared at the door. He was holding a cake. "Is this Rosie's chocolate cake?"

"The very same," Harry shrugged.

"Oh brilliant," Ron went back into the kitchen. Everyone laughed.

They had dinner soon after Harry arrived. It was a wonderful dinner. There were two kinds of meat, potatoes, vegetables and food that Harry didn't know. Harry had never had a Christmas like this, he knew this was a better Christmas than the one at Hogwarts. This was a real Christmas with a family who loved each other. There was no one here who didn't like each other, he smiled and looked around, and this was good.

The Weasleys spent most of dinner talking about Christmas that had gone past. Harry laughed at most of the stories, which involved Fred and George's jokes. Harry sat between Ron and Hermione and while Ron was busy eating Harry exchanged a few smiles with Hermione who seemed to be enjoying dinner as much as he was.

They went into the living room after dinner and exchanged presents. He gave Ron a Nimbus 2000, and the twins a note and money for their jokeshop. Ron gave him a practice Snitch, Mrs. Weasley a sweater and fudge and Hermione jokingly gave him "Hogwarts, A History."

The last present Harry gave to Mr. Weasley who opened it. Harry played with his fingers and didn't look up at him as he read the note. He read it and then looked up at stared at Harry.

"I couldn't."

Harry looked up and nodded, "Yes you can."

"Arthur what is it?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

He showed her, "Harry this is too much."

"Mum what is it?" Ron asked.

"Lets go talk in the kitchen," Mrs. Weasley suggested ignoring Ron's question.

In the kitchen Mr. Weasley shook his head, "You have to take this back, I can't accept it. We don't accept charity."

"It's not charity. I felt like I owned you something, you have let me stay in your house every summer, and you've treated me like a son. I've given you nothing."

"We never expected anything," Mrs. Weasley said gently.

"I didn't even know you two and you helped me get out of a tight spot when I was a second year. You can to the Tri Wizard Tournament 2 years ago; you protected me when we thought Sirius was after me. You've always been there since I started Hogwarts; you've been like my parents. Please just take it."

"You need the money for yourself though," Mrs. Weasley argued.

"No I don't," Harry shook his head. "I would have given you 10 times that but I knew you would never accept it. I have plenty, and I've always felt bad. I don't need that much, it's only me."

Mr. Weasley looked at the clock which had the names of all his children, the money would be useful especially with Voldemort back and he or Molly could be killed but to accept it from a 16 year old? It wasn't pride, it just didn't seem right to him. He looked at Harry and he knew Harry wasn't going to back down in this subject. He sighed, "Thank you Harry."

Harry nodded, "No need, it is me who should thank you. You have done so much for me." He shook Mr. Weasley's hand and hugged Mrs. Weasley.

They went back in the living room where Ron looked up at them, "How much money did you give them?" He asked Harry.

Harry looked at Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, "2000 galleons." There was silence in the room. Harry felt uneasy as he felt the stares of the Weasley children on him. Unable to stand it he went back into the kitchen with Hermione on his heels.

She didn't speak for a few minutes but watched Harry as he leaned against the sink. She knew he had meant well and she thought it was a generous but wonderful gift to them. She like Harry felt guilty that she had so much and they so little but they always never thought second about having two more mouths to feed during the summer.

"Harry," she said softly.

"I have never given them anything but trouble," Harry looked up at her. "They have done so much for me, I don't need the money, I have so much. Why can't they just accept it?"

"They are proud and always have been," Hermione shrugged.

"For everything they have done they deserve so much more," said Harry.

"You are acting very differently," she came up to him and put an arm around his waist.

"Being away from Hogwarts and Dumbledore does than to you," Harry looked at her. "No one constantly watching me, trying to talk to me. Or having the teachers trying to get me to talk to him."

"Why can't you settle your differences with him?"

"Because to him, I'm a tool, an object to be used for this battle. I'm nothing more." Harry told her tensing up a little.

"He thinks so much of you," Hermione tried to reason with him.

"I'm a tool to the world and I refuse to be it any longer," Harry said sharply.

"You aren't a trouble maker."

"I prefer the term mischief maker," he corrected her and with a smile he walked back into the room. "A game of chess Ron?"

After two games of chess where Harry was killed by Ron all the Weasley children excluding Percy who said it was too childish went outside for a snowball fight. It was the twins, Hermione and Charlie against Ron, Harry, Ginny and Bill. It was a good game; both teams built forts and when they started snowballs flew in the air. Snowballs soared in the air for a good half an hour. Harry got Fred right in the face and Fred in revenge came straight towards Harry jokingly knocking him to the ground. Seeing Fred rush over so did the others and Harry's team greeted them with more snowballs. Harry got away from Fred and straightening up he saw Hermione. Silently he went over to her from behind and was about to pick her up when she turned and put a snowball right in his face. Shocked he pushed her down into the snow. She grabbed his cloak as she fell and a little off balanced he fell on top of her. She wiped the snow off his glasses and he smiled, "Odd situation this is." Laughing she tried to push him off her. He wasn't budging. "I'm kind of comfortable here." He smiled and rolled over onto the room. "Is this better?" he asked now next to her.


She just laughed.

Bill came over to them, "Back in the game you too." He laughed and ran off again to hit Charlie.

Picking up snow Harry put it in her hair and got laughing and went to get the twins.

**

Harry went home that evening with all his gifts. On the way out he nodded and shook Mr. Weasleys hand. He gave Harry a smile and Harry returned it, he had accepted the gift. He hugged Mrs. Weasley who whispered a Happy Christmas and a thank you in his ear. He hugged Hermione next and told both her and Ron that they had to come and visit the Mansion. He winked at the twins and shook Bill, Charlie and Percy's hands. He gave Ginny a small hug and with one final wave he threw some Floo Powder into the fire and thinking how much he hated traveling this way he went back to the Mansion.

Back at the Mansion he put his gifts in his room and settled in front of the fire and read his father's diary. As late as it was he couldn't sleep without reading about one of his Christmas's and imagining what Christmas would be like if his parents were still alive. An owl came in while he read from Sirius and Harry put down the book to read it.

"Happy Christmas,

I hope you had a good day at the Burrow. I wanted to come and see you and the Weasleys but on Madam Pomfrey, Dumbledore and Remus's orders, I am not to move from this bed. On their orders, I am not supposed to talk, move, turn into a dog and probably breathe. That's because you need to get well and if you get on our nerves we might put no breathing on the list, hey Harry, just had to add in that comment. Anyway back my letter, I really would like you to come and visit me so reply back begging Remus to connect the house to the Floo Network. Absolutely not, sorry Harry but Dumbledore made me promise that Sirius was to have complete rest and see no one expect for me who is helping him recover. Sirius is still weak and should be brain dead because of all the torture he went under, wait too late he is brain dead and has been so since well 36 years. Alright stop the Sirius insulting, I'm injured. You shouldn't hit a man when he's down. Anyway Harry, Happy Christmas again, and I will see you soon to give you a gift, haven't had time to go shopping.

Sirius with comments from Remus

Harry smiled and read the letter over a few times. He couldn't wait to see his godfather again. Overall, Harry decided as he got ready for bed it was a good Christmas, he just sighed at the thought of going back to Hogwarts.

**

The rest of the holidays were good. Harry felt much better during his time at the Mansion. He liked being alone and sitting in front of the fire for hours reading. Ron and Hermione came over and spent two days. They explored the house; Ron and Harry spent time on the Quidditch Pitch and down in the training room. While the boys played, Quidditch Hermione would settle herself down on a couch in the library with a large stack of books next to her. She said it was like Christmas all over again being in the library.

With the holidays so good, he was not happy to go back to Hogwarts. He hated being there under the constant watch of the teachers and Dumbledore. No one knew what to think of him anymore and had no idea what to expect next. They all probably thought he was a big disappointment.

The night before he had to go back he got his supplies from the twins. Harry knew they had sent him some extra things to try and some demos. With all the stuff he had Harry thought as he packed it, he could blow up the school. He smiled at the thought that would show Dumbledore.

It was with a heavy heart that the next day he went back to Hogwarts. He visited his parent's grave before going through the fire to Dumbledore's office. He frown, he was back among the people who hero-worshipped him. He was back around the people who said they understood but they didn't. He scowled and without a word to Dumbledore, he went back up to Gryffindor Tower thankfully not meeting anyone on the way up.