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Chapter 22
Harry woke on Christmas day to find himself staring up at a very unfamiliar wall. It took him a few seconds to remember one of the many conversations of the night before, where somehow Ron and Hermione had managed to convince his masters that he had earned a night in the Gryffindor common room.
Pulling on his shirt and trousers, Harry looked over to the small tree sitting in the corner of the room. Because it was only the three of them left in Gryffindor tower, they had agreed to open their presents in the common room, instead of in their dorms. Dobby, being his usual helpful self, had supplied and decorated a small Christmas tree, and had arranged a huge pile of presents around the base. The rest of the common room had been decorated with fresh holly, and a large sprig of mistletoe hung just inside the portrait hole.
Having woken at his usual early hour, Harry had quite a while to think things over. Stretching his arms above his head, a twinge of pain brought him sharply into wakefulness. Settling down in one of the huge armchairs next to the fire, Harry looked out the window, his mouth opening in delight. It was snowing. More than that, it was a blizzard! Huge snowflakes spiralled to the ground, being whipped in circles by the strong winds. It was still dark outside, and the light the window was shedding on the air outside illuminated the snow gliding past the window.
Harry was still staring mesmerised at the scene outside when Hermione and Ron came hurtling down the stairs. Hermione's greeting hug was a lot gentler than usual, something for which Harry was eternally grateful. Ron and Harry grinned a Merry Christmas at each other, and Harry motioned at the window. The two spent a good few minutes ogling at the snow, just as Harry had done. Getting slightly impatient, Harry cleared his throat to get their attention, and motioned at the huge stack of presents that awaited them. Swiftly pulling three armchairs round the tree, they collapsed down in them, each looking at the others to open the first present. Finally it was Harry who intervened.
'Look, lets just grab one each?'
The other two nodded in agreement, and each of them leaned forward and picked up a present with their names on it. Hermione chose a thin, slender package, and Ron a wrapped box. As they settled back into their chairs, Harry spoke to Ron.
'That's from me, by the way.'
Checking the label, and seeing it was true, Ron nodded his thanks.
'Thanks Harry.'
Meanwhile, Hermione had opened her present, which it turned pout was from Ginny, with whom she had recently got very close to. It contained an phoenix-feather quill which shimmered in the firelight. Hermione smiled, and made a note on the parchment she had next to her, what it was and who it was from. Harry, coming from a muggle background, realised this was a thank-you list. Ron, on the other hand, didn't even notice.
Harry watched as Ron opened his own present. Ripping the paper off, he opened the box. He gaped. Inside were several items. The first was a wand holster made of dark leather, and a set of wrist guards to wear while duelling. At the very bottom was a thin book called 'Tactics and Strategy, a Masters Guide'. Ron was awestruck. He immediately put on the arm guards, admiring the bronze wiring inlaid in the leather. He turned to Harry.
'Thanks Harry. They're amazing!'
'You're welcome.' Harry turned to his own gift. It was a large box, and Harry was willing to bet it was his annual package from the Weasley clan. It was, though it was significantly bigger than usual. As Harry opened it, Hermione and Ron looked on.
From Mr and Mrs Weasley, there was a grey jumper, a score of chocolate fudge cakes, and a tin of toffee. From Ginny, there were several bottles of ink that changed colour according to the mood you were in. From the Weasley Twins, there was a mall box of sweets and candies, with a small note attached.
Dear Harry,
Hey, how are you faring under Snape's kind tutelage? Has he permanently scarred you yet? After the great success of our enterprise so far, we have decided to send you some prototypes that we would be much obliged if you could test and report back on the results when we return to school in two weeks. Much obliged,
Gred and Forge
Harry grinned, and put the note into his pocket. He pulled on the jumper, enjoying its warmth, despite the fact that it felt very strange to be wearing anything other than his uniform. He put the box down next to his chair, and reached for another present.
An hour later, all three had a stack of presents next to their chairs. Ron was staring entranced at the small table he had pulled up, upon which stood a miniature Quidditch field, complete with players and balls. His parents had given it to him, along with instructions on how to program the players, and the different settings the model came with. Hermione was flicking through one of the many books she had received, and Harry was re-reading a letter from his Godfather.
The silent reverie they had fallen into was interrupted by the portrait hole swinging open. When they turned round, they saw Snape. While Ron and Hermione frowned in confusion, Harry jumped to his feet and bowed, though not quite as stiffly as he normally would. It was Christmas, after all. As he straightened up, he grinned at his mentor.
'Happy Christmas, my lord.'
'Happy Christmas, sir.'
Ron and Hermione didn't sound quite as enthusiastic as they could have done, but Harry was grateful that they had made the effort. Snape eyed them for a moment, eyebrows raised as he took in the discarded wrapping paper.
'Happy Christmas to you also. I trust you all slept well?'
'Yes, Professor.'
Hermione answered, but Ron just nodded his agreement while looking at his shoes, still not liking the idea of being on civil terms with the hated potions master. At the questioning look that was sent his way, Harry added his own answer.
'Perfectly, my lord. It was nice to be back on Gryffindor soil.'
Snape voice was wry as he replied.
'Indeed. Well, I am here to inform you that the Headmaster expects you to be on time for lunch. We are having a feast in the Great Hall, as is customary.'
'Yes, sir.'
Harry smiled as Snape left, turning back to his friends.
'Why don't we have a go at this model then? We've got an hour.'
After much deliberation, Ron decided what they were going to do, Hermione read out the instructions, and Harry cast the spells. By the time they had to leave, they had the teams set up as England and Bulgaria, battling it out with an elusive snitch.
Realising they would son be late, Ron and Hermione dashed upstairs to change, and Harry carefully removed his jumper. Even though it was Christmas, Harry knew it was uniform as usual, at least when he was out of his own room.
Soon they were on their way to the feast, Hermione with her arms linked loosely with the two boys. Harry suddenly wished Colin was around to take their photo. This was one day he definitely wanted to remember.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Okay, how was that chapter? Firstly, huge apologies for taking so long to put this chapter up. School has been getting ahead of me in the last few weeks, with coursework etc. Unfortunately, I have coursework starting when I go back to school in a weeks time, so it might be a while between updates.
On a different note, thanks for all the reviews on the last chapter, much appreciated. For the-dreamer, I do put a marking across before I write my notes, but what shows up in word doesn't show up on ff.net, so I'm slightly at a loss. For you're sake, I will experiment with different methods, but I can't promise any more than that.
To everyone, thanks for any reviews - Pose
Chapter 22
Harry woke on Christmas day to find himself staring up at a very unfamiliar wall. It took him a few seconds to remember one of the many conversations of the night before, where somehow Ron and Hermione had managed to convince his masters that he had earned a night in the Gryffindor common room.
Pulling on his shirt and trousers, Harry looked over to the small tree sitting in the corner of the room. Because it was only the three of them left in Gryffindor tower, they had agreed to open their presents in the common room, instead of in their dorms. Dobby, being his usual helpful self, had supplied and decorated a small Christmas tree, and had arranged a huge pile of presents around the base. The rest of the common room had been decorated with fresh holly, and a large sprig of mistletoe hung just inside the portrait hole.
Having woken at his usual early hour, Harry had quite a while to think things over. Stretching his arms above his head, a twinge of pain brought him sharply into wakefulness. Settling down in one of the huge armchairs next to the fire, Harry looked out the window, his mouth opening in delight. It was snowing. More than that, it was a blizzard! Huge snowflakes spiralled to the ground, being whipped in circles by the strong winds. It was still dark outside, and the light the window was shedding on the air outside illuminated the snow gliding past the window.
Harry was still staring mesmerised at the scene outside when Hermione and Ron came hurtling down the stairs. Hermione's greeting hug was a lot gentler than usual, something for which Harry was eternally grateful. Ron and Harry grinned a Merry Christmas at each other, and Harry motioned at the window. The two spent a good few minutes ogling at the snow, just as Harry had done. Getting slightly impatient, Harry cleared his throat to get their attention, and motioned at the huge stack of presents that awaited them. Swiftly pulling three armchairs round the tree, they collapsed down in them, each looking at the others to open the first present. Finally it was Harry who intervened.
'Look, lets just grab one each?'
The other two nodded in agreement, and each of them leaned forward and picked up a present with their names on it. Hermione chose a thin, slender package, and Ron a wrapped box. As they settled back into their chairs, Harry spoke to Ron.
'That's from me, by the way.'
Checking the label, and seeing it was true, Ron nodded his thanks.
'Thanks Harry.'
Meanwhile, Hermione had opened her present, which it turned pout was from Ginny, with whom she had recently got very close to. It contained an phoenix-feather quill which shimmered in the firelight. Hermione smiled, and made a note on the parchment she had next to her, what it was and who it was from. Harry, coming from a muggle background, realised this was a thank-you list. Ron, on the other hand, didn't even notice.
Harry watched as Ron opened his own present. Ripping the paper off, he opened the box. He gaped. Inside were several items. The first was a wand holster made of dark leather, and a set of wrist guards to wear while duelling. At the very bottom was a thin book called 'Tactics and Strategy, a Masters Guide'. Ron was awestruck. He immediately put on the arm guards, admiring the bronze wiring inlaid in the leather. He turned to Harry.
'Thanks Harry. They're amazing!'
'You're welcome.' Harry turned to his own gift. It was a large box, and Harry was willing to bet it was his annual package from the Weasley clan. It was, though it was significantly bigger than usual. As Harry opened it, Hermione and Ron looked on.
From Mr and Mrs Weasley, there was a grey jumper, a score of chocolate fudge cakes, and a tin of toffee. From Ginny, there were several bottles of ink that changed colour according to the mood you were in. From the Weasley Twins, there was a mall box of sweets and candies, with a small note attached.
Dear Harry,
Hey, how are you faring under Snape's kind tutelage? Has he permanently scarred you yet? After the great success of our enterprise so far, we have decided to send you some prototypes that we would be much obliged if you could test and report back on the results when we return to school in two weeks. Much obliged,
Gred and Forge
Harry grinned, and put the note into his pocket. He pulled on the jumper, enjoying its warmth, despite the fact that it felt very strange to be wearing anything other than his uniform. He put the box down next to his chair, and reached for another present.
An hour later, all three had a stack of presents next to their chairs. Ron was staring entranced at the small table he had pulled up, upon which stood a miniature Quidditch field, complete with players and balls. His parents had given it to him, along with instructions on how to program the players, and the different settings the model came with. Hermione was flicking through one of the many books she had received, and Harry was re-reading a letter from his Godfather.
The silent reverie they had fallen into was interrupted by the portrait hole swinging open. When they turned round, they saw Snape. While Ron and Hermione frowned in confusion, Harry jumped to his feet and bowed, though not quite as stiffly as he normally would. It was Christmas, after all. As he straightened up, he grinned at his mentor.
'Happy Christmas, my lord.'
'Happy Christmas, sir.'
Ron and Hermione didn't sound quite as enthusiastic as they could have done, but Harry was grateful that they had made the effort. Snape eyed them for a moment, eyebrows raised as he took in the discarded wrapping paper.
'Happy Christmas to you also. I trust you all slept well?'
'Yes, Professor.'
Hermione answered, but Ron just nodded his agreement while looking at his shoes, still not liking the idea of being on civil terms with the hated potions master. At the questioning look that was sent his way, Harry added his own answer.
'Perfectly, my lord. It was nice to be back on Gryffindor soil.'
Snape voice was wry as he replied.
'Indeed. Well, I am here to inform you that the Headmaster expects you to be on time for lunch. We are having a feast in the Great Hall, as is customary.'
'Yes, sir.'
Harry smiled as Snape left, turning back to his friends.
'Why don't we have a go at this model then? We've got an hour.'
After much deliberation, Ron decided what they were going to do, Hermione read out the instructions, and Harry cast the spells. By the time they had to leave, they had the teams set up as England and Bulgaria, battling it out with an elusive snitch.
Realising they would son be late, Ron and Hermione dashed upstairs to change, and Harry carefully removed his jumper. Even though it was Christmas, Harry knew it was uniform as usual, at least when he was out of his own room.
Soon they were on their way to the feast, Hermione with her arms linked loosely with the two boys. Harry suddenly wished Colin was around to take their photo. This was one day he definitely wanted to remember.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Okay, how was that chapter? Firstly, huge apologies for taking so long to put this chapter up. School has been getting ahead of me in the last few weeks, with coursework etc. Unfortunately, I have coursework starting when I go back to school in a weeks time, so it might be a while between updates.
On a different note, thanks for all the reviews on the last chapter, much appreciated. For the-dreamer, I do put a marking across before I write my notes, but what shows up in word doesn't show up on ff.net, so I'm slightly at a loss. For you're sake, I will experiment with different methods, but I can't promise any more than that.
To everyone, thanks for any reviews - Pose
