Chapter 10 ~ The Holidays

It was the night before Christmas and all through Gryffindor House not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that the Owl Post would soon be there. The first years were nestled, all snug in their beds, while visions of Snape in a hot pink cloak danced in their heads. Ani was in her kerchief and Harry in his cap had just settled down for a long winters nap (in different rooms, mind you).

            Right before he had drifted off to sleep, Harry felt a rush of cold water hit him. He sat up and listened to the cackling laughs.

            "Peeves," he hissed, "If I ever find you ---"

            "That you won't, scar head, that you won't!"

            He flew away and Harry got out of bed, dripping wet. In his trunk, he found dry pajamas and walked down to the Common Room. Ani was down there, by the fire, wrapped in a blanket and from the looks of it, she had been drenched by Peeves as well.

            "Harry, was it ----"

            "Peeves," Harry said, "poured an entire bucket of water on me. Wait until I tell Dumbledore."

            "So, that is what that was," Anistasia exclaimed.

            Harry nodded, "Didn't you have any pajamas to change into?"

            "No, they are all being washed."

            "Wait here. I'll get you a pair of mine."

            Anistasia nodded as Harry ran up to his room. He came back with a pair of blue striped pajamas.

            "Here, change into these," Harry said.

            "Thank you," Anistasia replied.

            Harry turned his back while Anistasia changed out of her drenched nightgown into the pajamas. Then, Ani took the blanket and she and Harry wrapped up in it on the couch.

            "I am sorry. I got it a little wet," Anistasia told him.

            "Don't worry about it. Its fine," he assured her and kissed her on the cheek.

            Harry and Anistasia heard a small *pop*. Dobby appeared.

            "Eeep! Harry Potter is out of his bed – with a girl!"

            "No, Dobby, its not what you think ---"

            "Harry Potter and his girlfriend had best be getting back to their own beds, for their own good!"

            "But we cant, Dobby," Anistasia replied, "Peeves poured ice water in our beds."

            Dobby got an angry look on his face, "Dobby is outraged! Dobby apologizes to Harry Potter and his girlfriend."

            Dobby popped out and Harry sat up quickly.

            "Dobby, its okay! Dobby," Harry called quietly.

            He sat back and sighed just as Dobby reappeared carrying a tray with two mugs and a huge pot.

            "Dobby has brought Harry Potter and his girlfriend hot chocolate with marshmallows – all you can drink."

            "Thank you, Dobby," Ani replied, "By the way, my name is Anistasia Willow, but you may call me Ani."

            Dobby's face glowed, "Dobby is pleased to make your acquaintance, Anistasia Willow. Hmmm…Dobby thinks that this couch is a bit small for two people to sleep on. Me thinks Dobby will show you something.

            Dobby walked over to the wall beside the fireplace and began tapping on it. A moment later, part of the wall swung out and revealed a room. There was a four-poster, a couple of chairs and a bedside table. Ani and Harry entered the room.

            "Goodnight," Dobby said, and popped out of sight.

            Harry closed the panel as Ani sat on the bed. Harry took a seat in one of the armchairs and sipped his cocoa.

            "Sit on the bed," Anistasia pleaded.

            Harry put his hot chocolate on the table and sat next to her. She lie back on him as she wrapped his arms around her. The grandfather clock in the Common Room began chiming to indicate that another hour had begun. It chimed twelve times, signaling the stroke of midnight.

            "Happy Christmas, Ani," Harry said.

            Anistasia looked up at him and smiled, "Happy Christmas, Harry."

            For the rest of the night, Harry held Ani in his arms while they talked of all the things to come.


            Harry opened his eyes. Morning sunlight was bouncing off of the white snow outside making the room bright. He breathed in the smell of Anistasia's silky hair – it smelled of yellow jasmine. As she slept, Harry kissed her gently on the lips. She slowly awoke and responded to the movements of Harry's lips on her's.

            "Morning, snow angel," Harry whispered.

            "Good morning love," Ani replied.

            "Shall we go down and get breakfast?"

            Ani nodded and the two of them emerged from the hidden room. Surprisingly, no one was in the Common Room opening presents. The two of them snuck up to their rooms to get dressed and met back down in the common room.

They entered the Great Hall and sat with Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Fred and George.

"Ani, where were you this morning," Hermione asked, "I couldn't find you anywhere!"

"Yeah, where did you run off to, Harry," Ron added.

"Harry and I were in the library," Ani answered quickly before Harry could say anything, "We wanted to look more for the 'OP' abbreviation that we have been working so diligently to find."

"Did you have any luck," Ron asked.

"None whatsoever."

Ron nodded and continued to eat.

"We didn't open presents yet," Fred, informed them, "We wanted to wait for you. So, eat quickly! You have put us behind schedule!"

Hermione scowled, "Fred, relax. The presents aren't going to grow feet and run away."

"I bet your parents taught you that," Ron said.

"Yeah, they did. Why?"

"Well, they are Muggles and Muggles don't know that, in this world, anything can happen."

Fred got a scared look on his face.

"If you want to, we can take some of this back to the Common Room," Ani said, "We wouldn't want to ruin your schedule, whatever that may be."

Fred picked up half of a pumpkin pie and a basket of cinnamon sugar croissants and shooed his brothers and friends to the Common Room.

They took down their stockings and sorted their presents. There was merry chat and the sounds of the Ghost Choir as they unwrapped the gifts. Harry was just about to open Anistasia's gift when she began laughing.

"What's so funny," Harry asked.

Anistasia was holding her present from Harry in her hand and saw that he was about to open her present, "Go on, open it."

Once he unwrapped it, he realized what was so funny. They both had gotten each other the book, Europe Quidditch – the Teams and Players over the 19th Century.

"Thank you, Harry," Ani said, smiling and kissed him.

Harry couldn't reply because his lips were a tiny bit busy. In their stockings, everyone got Wizard Wheezes from Three Weasleys and a Potter, Gryffindor Quidditch Flags, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Chocolate Frogs, ink, quills and other assorted candies and gifts.

"Hey, its pretty nice outside," Ginny began, "Lets go play in the snow!"

"Come on, Ginny, that is so childish," George said.

Ani saw the disappointment on her face, "Well, I think it is a grand idea. I'll go play in the snow with you, Ginny. Are you coming Harry?"

Harry nodded and Ron agreed to come as well.

"All right, but be back soon so we can keep looking," Hermione ordered.

The four of them ran out to the front courtyard. When she was least expecting it, Harry balled up a snowball and launched it at Anistasia. She laughed and scooped up as much snow as she could and threw it back at him. The two of them chased each other, flinging snowball after snowball, until Ani ran up behind him and tackled him. They wrestled around in the snow for a time, laughing and screaming. Ani stumbled to her feet and began running.

"You'll never pin me, Harry Potter," she exclaimed, taunting him.

The expression on his face went from happy to determined, "That's what you think, Anistasia Willow!"

He chased her as she ran away from him, giggling. Finally, he took her down from behind and Ani struggled against him. However, it was no use. He was much stronger than she and ended up pinning her.

"I have you right where I want you," he whispered in her ear, "and now I am going to eat you."

"I hope you do, Mr. Potter," Anistasia whispered back mysteriously.

Harry laughed slightly. He could hear her soft breathing and feel her warm breath in his ear as he rested his head on her shoulder. She took one gloved hand from under his and placed it upon his cheek. Anistasia guided his head until his green eyes were looking into her's. Anistasia looked deeply into his eyes – into the windows of his soul. Indeed, she saw something. Something that was so indescribably evil that she couldn't move. Harry began to notice her trembling.

"Are you okay," he asked her.

"I am fine," she managed to whisper, "Just a little cold."

"Does this help any?"

Harry cradled her head in his right hand and slowly lowered his face to her's. As his lips touched her's, Ani closed her eyes and allowed Harry to whisk away the terror that she had felt just a moment ago.

Harry pulled away and smiled, "Warmer?"

Anistasia nodded and he helped her to her feet. Together, they walked up to the Common Room. There, they stripped off their wet coats, hats, gloves and scarves beside the fire. As they collapsed on the couch, Hermione walked in.

"Good, you're here," she said, tossing a book into each of their laps, "You know what to do. Fred has gone to get us something to eat, so you can't weasel out of this to go get lunch."

The three of them silently looked through the books. Fred came back with lunch (pizza, hot chocolate and a cheesecake). They continued to look. They went through book after book, failure after failure. Ron walked in a bit later and joined them. Near three o'clock, Harry was sleeping, Hermione had taken a break and Ron had Ginny bail him out. Anistasia was the only person left looking when Hermione walked in a few minutes later.

"No luck," she asked.

Anistasia sighed, "Not a bloody – wait, what's this," she ran her finger down the page she was looking at quickly as the expression on her face grew brighter, "Oh my…"

"What," Hermione asked, "WHAT?"

"Look at this."

Anistasia turned the book around so Hermione could read.

The Order of the Phoenix – "OP"

This order is very secretive. Not much is known about this group except that it consists of twelve wizards chosen by the Phoenix to protect the Source and to fight against the Dark Lord. It is said that the Source is the only object standing between the Dark Lord and his goal to take over the world. He is determined to destroy it at all costs, as the Order is destined to protect it.

After a moment of reading, Hermione spoke.

"Do you think," she asked, looking at Harry.

Ani shook her head, "I know – it's got to be Harry."

"Do you think he has any idea?"

"No, and we cant tell him. He would completely freak out. We can't let him know."

"He will find out," Hermione told her, "We can't keep anything from him. He will realize that something is up if we keep telling him that we never found out what 'OP' means."

"Better later," Ani said as she closed the book, "Take this back to the library and make sure Harry nor Ron ever sees this. It is our little secret."

Hermione nodded and left as Ani scooted over towards Harry. She gently brushed the hair out of his eyes and laid her head on his stomach.

"Don't worry, Harry," she whispered, "Nothing will happen to you."

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.