Dragon Keys
By Kryptonite
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Hey Heart's Blood. Is this my christmas presents? She fed the four owls bites of her toast and they flew off, except for Heart's Blood. Are you supposed to stay with me? The owl hooted in accordance as Ash ruffled the feathers on his head. Okay. Here eat this. She let Heart's Blood devour the rest of the food before he flew off.
You really love that bird don't you?
Heart's Blood was my friend over the summer. He was my connection to my parents. She wouldn't let me use the telephone to call them. Cost too much, seeing how it was long distance and all. Ash shrugged, then flashed pearly white teeth at the boy across from her. Come on, let's go put this under the tree.
Before the Gryffindors had gotten ready to leave, they had decorated the common room for the four students staying behind. The tree was amazing, nice and huge. Covered in popcorn strings and balls, silver and gold tinsel, with multicolored lights, some that blinked and some that didn't, wrapped from the tip of the tree to the end of the trunk. The crowning moment was the beautiful angel sitting on top of the tree, watching over the students under her watchful gaze.
Ash opened the box and pulled out the differently colored and patterned wrapping paper. She placed the boxes under the tree with the few other early presents for the four from family and students.
By the way, wait here. Ash ran up to the girls dorm and disappeared. She reappeared with a smallish wrapped box. Here. She handed it to Harry, just a little shyly.
Thank you. Harry grabbed a box from behind the tree trunk and handed it to Ash. This is for you. She smiled.
Okay. We have to wait until Christmas. I already gave Ron, Ginny, Hermione and Fred and George their presents before they left. Ash stuck her presents with her other pile of presents and then settled into her chair to read.
The holidays passed quickly in relative silence. The halls echoed with the silence broken by a few pattering feet here and there. Christmas day came and went, with happy faces all around and soon it was time for the students to return to the school.
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Harry!
Ron, Hermione! The group hugged as they saw each other again for the first time in two weeks.
Hey! Hey! The twins shouted as the bounded past the trio to their own friends. The school sounded overcrowded and extremely noisy to the few who had heard it ring with silence.
Hey guys. Ash half-waved as she moved to intercept Ginny before she found Neville.
Hey, Hermione and Ron chorused back not paying much attention.
Come on. We need to check our homework. Ron and Harry grinned as Hermione sighed in exasperation.
Come on. One day, I'm not going to check over your homework any more. I mean, you're in your fifth year at Hogwarts. She continued to gripe as they climbed the stairs. Ron and Harry just grinned and bore the lectures that Hermione was showering on them, knowing that they were going to be able to check their homework as always.
In a few weeks the schedule had become routine again. The students went to classes, the teachers assigned homework, the students grumbled. It would be almost a month and a half after the students returned from winter break that the schedule would be interrupted.
Especially with the resurrection of Voldemort the year before, this year had been extremely quiet, considering the adventure Harry and his friends usually shared. Harry mused over his thoughts one night at dinner. Our first year was the Sorcerer's Stone, the second year was the Chamber of Secrets. Of course, Lockhart was an adventure in survival in himself. Stupid git deserved to lose his memory.' Harry shook his head. Our third year included the three surviving members of the Marauders and last year the Triwizard tournament. Something's bound to happen soon.'
Harry looked around him at the familiar scene of the entire school seated for supper. At least I hope so.' Harry's wish came true, sooner than he wanted and definitely not what he had been thinking of.
