Chapter Sixteen: A First Family Christmas
When Harry woke on the 20th of December, he did so with a groan, the students who were leaving Hogwarts for Christmas would be doing so this morning, and the Defence Council, plus Jason Draper and his people - who had now been joined by four other friends of his: a Seer called Lillian Zeus; a renegade Psi-Wraith by the name of Corva; Betty Kale of Holyhead Harpies; and the ice-mage Gareth Curran - and Roger Davies and Katie Bell, had spent most of the night going over tragedies for making sure the students would be safe on their way to the train and on the journey to London and he was feeling a little the worse for wear.
Deciding to check-in before he did anything else, he sent out a thought, as he put on his practise clothes and walked to the bathroom. Jonas, I'm awake.
«Acknowledged, Harry,» replied Jonas after a moment. «Full telepathic link with all members of the Defence Council and the Guardians will be available until the Hogwarts Express arrives at Platform Nine and Three Quarters tonight.»
«Understood,» said Harry. He had reached the empty boy's bathroom by this point and he started his exercises. «I'll check in again after breakfast.»
«Agreed.»
After an hour of stretches and shadow-fighting, Harry picked up the five- foot pole he used for staff practice and did another hour of staff-drill. By that time, people were starting to move around, so Harry showered and dressed.
When he arrived down in the common room, Civis, Ginny, Jamie and Mark were waiting for him as usual. After accepting Jamie's morning hug, Harry took her by the hand and headed for the portrait hole. Ginny linked her arm in his other one and Civis and Mark slotted in behind them.
"Are you ready for your first Christmas with family?" Harry asked Jamie, as they headed for the main staircase.
"Harry, finding out I have family. being welcomed into your house for Christmas. It's like a dream come true for me. You have no idea."
"Actually, I do have a pretty good idea," Harry reminded her. "If this Christmas goes off without a hitch, it'll be my first too."
"Then let's hope it does," said Ginny. "I want you both to be happy this year."
"Oh, we will be, Ginny - and so will everyone else, because we're a family."
----
Harry's compartment on the train was rather crowded - Harry, Jamie, Hermione, the Weasleys, Neville, Luna, Mark, Civis and the Bones were all crowded inside. Fortunately, Malfoy had enough sense not to pay a visit, Harry wasn't sure if could be held responsible for his actions at this point. Katie, Roger Davies, and most of the prefects, and half of the available Guardians - Draper, Wilkes, Betty Kale and Corinne Anderson - patrolled the corridors constantly and so everything went according to plan, and the group disembarked from the Hogwarts Express without incident.
Sirius, Lupin, Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Mundungus Fletcher and Emmeline Vance were waiting for the group on the other side of the barrier and waited until Luna, Neville and Mark had been picked up and then ushered them into two taxis: Harry, Ginny, Jamie and Civis in the front one with Sirius, Tonks and Shacklebolt; with Ron, Hermione and the Boneses in the rear car with Lupin, Vance and Fletcher. They drove off, with Josef Phobus and his colleagues providing an escort as before until they reached Charing Cross and the Leaky Cauldron.
Harry was the last of the students to depart - taking a handful of Floo Powder from Sirius, he stepped into the flames. "Gryphon's Eyrie!"
----
Harry knocked on Jamie's door a few hours later, on his way down to dinner. "Are you settled in okay?"
Jamie looked around, from what Harry could tell she was still unpacking as her trunk was lying open next to her bed. "Hi, Harry. I'm fine. Is it time for dinner?" At Harry's nod she closed her trunk and joined him at the door. "So, who are you expecting?"
"Well, obviously Remus, Sirius and Tonks; Hermione, you. the Weasleys, bar one, Hagrid'll be here in a day or two; the Guardians'll be here - the three that you met when you arrived, plus the one's from the train and two members of the Order: Serina and Helena Wayling, they used to guard the Boneses' house, Helena was injured in the attack that killed Madame Bones and Susan and Anita's parents. Plus, I think Sirius mentioned an old school friend of his has been staying here. I haven't seen her, but she's been brewing the Wolfsbane Potion for Remus since September."
"What's that for? Is he ill?"
"In a manner of speaking." Harry admitted. "Remus is a werewolf. There's no cure for it, but the Wolfsbane Potion allows him to keep his mind when he transforms, so he doesn't become a raging monster."
"That's good."
"Agreed."
"Uhh, Harry. I've been meaning to ask. exactly how many Weasleys are there? I mean, I know Ginny and Ron, and I've met Fred and George, but you've mentioned others too."
"Well, there's Mr and Mrs Weasley. and seven children: Ginny, Ron and the twins you know. then there's Percy, you probably won't meet him, certainly not in this house."
"Why?"
"Because he put his career ahead of his family, and turned against them. He's still sucking up to Fudge, even though he knows that most of the problems we had last year were because of his incompetence and that we were about Voldemort all along."
"I see. Is that it?"
"Fortunately not. There's Charlie, he's working as a dragon tamer and Order ambassador in Romania but he'll be coming home for Christmas this year. Unfortunately, it's too cold for Quidditch. Charlie's supposed to be almost as good a Seeker as I am but I never had a chance to test it. Oh well, maybe he'll visit during the summer."
"There's another one. Bill? I think I met him at Diagon Alley." "You did," Harry confirmed. "He and his girlfriend, Fleur Delacour were escorting us that day."
"Fleur, that sounds. French?"
"Yeah, it is. She didn't go to Hogwarts, we met when she represented her school, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, at the Triwizard Tournament a couple of years ago."
"She was at Ginny's birthday party wasn't she? A lot of the boys couldn't keep her eyes off her."
Harry smiled. "That's because she's one-quarter Veela, they have natural Entrancing powers. Fleur's powers are a lot weaker than those of most full Veelas, she actually has to make an effort to Entrance someone. She got Ron's attention for a while though, back in fourth year, he actually asked to the Yule Ball. She turned him down of course."
"You were talking to her at Ginny's party."
"Yeah, for about a minute," Harry reminded her. "Fleur doesn't affect me. We were just talking."
"About?"
"Me and Ginny, Fleur wanted to know what there was between us. I think Bill might've asked her to find out."
"And?"
"Well, I think she got the answer she wanted."
"What about you?"
"I don't know, Jamie," Harry admitted. "For three years after she met him, she had a serious crush on me and hardly said two words to me, then last year she started dated Michael Corner, a Ravenclaw in my year, and we started to be friends. She dumped Corner after the Quidditch Final last year and now. well, I don't know frankly. We're obviously friends, and I enjoy her company. but Fleur and Civis both think there's more to it than that, I think Hermione does too. and I'm starting to think they might be right."
"I don't know anymore about that sort of stuff than you do, Harry. But for whatever it's worth. I think you and Ginny are good together."
"I think so too." Harry agreed. "Well, we'll just have to see what happens."
----
That evening, Harry and the gang met his new 'house-guest' for the first time. Leona White was about the same age as Sirius was, slightly over medium height for a woman and had a lean, toned body - what immediately got your attention however, was the fact that she was almost ghost-like in appearance: she wore long-white robes and had snow-white hair and skin almost complete devoid of colour. When she removed her ivory-rimmed sunglasses, Harry looked into pinkish-red eyes.
She's an albino, Harry thought to himself. I've seen her somewhere before. but where? It wasn't until Leona had greeted Harry and his friends, sat down beside Sirius on the sofa and cracked open a book Harry recognised as being about rare medicinal potions, that he remembered. She was that girl who kept eyeing Sirius in Snape's Pensieve. She was at my parents' wedding too, I think she was the maid-of-honour.
"How's school going, Harry?" Remus asked as he accepted a glass of Firewhiskey from Dixy, one of the house-elves.
"Fine," Harry told him. "I'm very busy - what with classes, DA meetings, meetings with the Defence Council, and Quidditch practice - but I'm managing?"
"How are your classes going?"
"Most of them are fine, Sirius. We've finished the basic stuff for human transfiguration. Boy, am I glad about that! It took me two months to get the hang of growing and shrinking my fingernails. Hair growth control didn't take me long though, I managed that in three weeks, the fastest in the class - Hermione took a month."
"Have you tried changing your hair colour?"
"Yeah, I have. I've decided red is not my colour, and blond just looks terrible. I might give lengthening a try over the holidays though, I managed to do it accidentally - up to a point - often enough when I was a little kid." he said, smiling down at Jamie who was tucked under the crock of his arm. The girl mock-scowled and poked him in the ribs. "Did my dad ever try neatening up his hair that way?"
"No, James actually liked looking odd," Sirius admitted. "Plus, he said it would be more trouble that it would be worth."
"You obviously don't think so," said Harry, referring to Sirius' own hair, which although not as long as it had been when he escaped Azkaban, still brushed his shoulder blades.
"No, I don't," Sirius agreed. "I think you should go for it."
"Me too," Ginny offered. Because there was only enough room for two on the sofa Harry and Jamie were sharing - Leona and the two Marauders having bagged the larger three-seater sofa - she was sitting on a pouffes which she pulled close enough to their sofa that she could lean against Harry's legs.
"They're right, Harry," Bill told him. The long-limbed Curse-Breaker was sharing a large armchair with Fleur. "If it doesn't help, try some Sleekeasy's Hair Potion."
"James didn't trust that that stuff, said it was strictly for girls," Sirius added. "One of Prongs' stranger ideas."
"How's Potions going?" Remus asked. "I know Minerva had to pull a string or two."
"Yes, she did," Harry admitted. "She won't have, but that. Umbridge pushed her into agreeing to do anything to help me to get into Auror training. It's been going okay, Hermione's been helping me as usual."
"You want to be an Auror?" Tonks asked, who was perched on a stool near the door. Unlike most of the adults she had opted for Butterbeer for an after dinner drink, instead of anything a bit stronger. "That's great. I'd be happy to put in a good word for you with the selection panel and I'm sure Kingsley or Mad-Eye would too."
"Thanks, Tonks."
"I'd be happy to give you some advice on Potions too. If that would help?" offered Leona. "Even old Professor Grouse, who taught Potions up until a few years ago, couldn't beat me. I warn you though, I'm not much of a teacher."
"That's okay," Harry assured her. "Even a bit of advice, or recommendations for the books to study would be helpful."
"I'd say Advanced Alchemical Theory, Moste Potente Potions, and a copy of the Liber de Umbra - if you can get one - would probably cover most of what you need to know. Although, the Auror's Apothecary and Flamel's Guide to Obscure Poisons and Counter-Agents would be useful in case they spring any surprises on you."
"Thanks, Leona. Advanced Alchemical Theory is the set book for this year so I've got that, and I've got a copy of the Liber de Umbra too. I've seen Moste Potente Potions in the Library, but there's only one copy so Madam Pince won't let me keep it, plus there's an Anexemplum Spell on it so I can't make a copy."
"I believe we have copies of most of those books in the library," Civis said. "And if I might. your grandfather was - despite his many failings - somewhat of an expert in the art of potion-making. I believe his favourite text was Amasha Al Kema's Treatise on Medieval Toxins, so it might be wise to peruse that volume also."
"Good idea," said Harry, then looked down at Jamie, who was now dosing, her head against Harry's chest. "But I think I'll look for them tomorrow. I think it's past time Jamie was in bed and after being up 'till two am attending a strategy meeting between the Defence Council and the Guardians, I'm ready for bed too." Harry finished his Butterbeer, then woke up his cousin. "Good night, all. Good night, Ginny."
"Good night, Harry."
Jamie staggered to her feet, then Harry helped her up the thirteen flights of stairs to her bedroom. He said goodbye to her at her door. "Night, Jamie."
"Night, Harry. I'll see you at breakfast?"
"What time do you want me to come and get to you?"
"Eight o'clock?"
"Eight's fine," Harry agreed and turned to go into his room two doors down. "Night."
"Good night, Harry. And thank you."
"You're welcome, Jamie. It's good to be appreciated."
----
On Christmas Day, Harry was woken with a start. He scrambled for his glasses and wand. "Jamie?!"
"Happy Christmas, Harry!" said his cousin, with a grin. "I've got presents!"
"Of course you have, Jamie," Harry told her, reaching out and ruffled her hair. "Give me a couple of minutes to get dressed, then we can go downstairs and open them."
"Okay," said Jamie, hopping off his bed. "I'll go get the girls. Civis is getting Ron and the others." she added before slamming the door behind her.
Smiling to himself at his young cousin's joy, Harry got out of bed and dressed - putting on a pair of black jeans, and his dark-green Weasley jumper over a black long-sleeved T-shirt - and then headed out of the room.
When he got down to the large family room on the ground floor, he found it even more crowded than it had been on the evening he arrived: Jason Draper was the only Guardian present but Hagrid, Charlie, his Bulgarian girlfriend Anna Gruenovna, the twins, Angelina, Alicia, Katie, Mad-Eye Moody, and Kingsley Shacklebolt had joined them.
When everyone was seated, Civis and three of the house-elves went over to the huge Christmas tree that Hagrid had brought down from Hogwarts, and started handing out the presents. Harry was very pleased with his own presents, which included a broomstick carrying bag made specially for the Lightning's longer-than-usual handle from Sirius, Remus and Leona; a framed picture of Harry with the current Quidditch team, Hermione, Jamie, Mark and Civis (who was perched on Harry's shoulder as a crow), from Ginny; a book called Seekers Strike Back - How to be a more aggressive Seeker, from Ron and Hermione; the usual knitted jumper and box of sweets from Mrs Weasley; another book called the Defensive Uses of Dark Magic from Moody, and a large package from the Guardians which contained what looked like two wooden sticks with metal caps at each end and what looked like two cross- shaped metal boomerangs, each in their own carrying pouch.
"What are these?" he asked Jason, holding up the last two items for him to see.
"The sticks can either be used individually as Escrima sticks, or bolted to together. Plus, there are eighteen inches of Argentium-steel blade hidden inside each stick, so they can be used as swords, and they also have in built grappling irons in the screw ends. The 'crosses' are glaives - Japanese boomerangs - and they're razor-sharp. I usually carry a pair myself, I'll show you how to use them later."
"Sounds good," said Harry, and smiled as Jamie unwrapped the long woollen overcoat he'd bought for her with a squeal of delight.
When everyone had finished unwrapping their presents, Civis directed them to the castle's formal dining room, where an impressive breakfast buffet had been set up. Harry decided to have something a little different, and opted for a mug of hot chocolate and a pile of French croissants for breakfast. He was halfway through his meal when Susan came over. "Can I ask you something, Harry?"
"Yeah, sure. What is it?"
"I got an owl just before I came down this morning. From Justin, his family's having a big party on New Year's Eve and."
"And you want to go?" Harry suggested.
"Well, he did invite me. Ernie and Hannah'll be there too."
"Is it at his house?" Harry asked. Susan nodded. "Then that's fine. His house is already under surveillance by the Order. Take someone with you though, just to be on the safe side."
"Helena Wayling said she'd go with me if it was okay with you."
"That's fine then," Harry told her. "Have fun, and send us an owl if you're going to be gone past New Year's Day."
"I will, Harry."
----
"The sky really is beautiful tonight, isn't it?" Ginny suggested, gazing up into the sky from Harry's balcony.
Harry didn't reply for a moment or two, he was enjoying the feeling of Ginny leaning against him, one arm around his waist, just as one of his encircled hers, too much to speak articulately. "Uh-huh."
Ginny turned around and saw that Harry wasn't looking at the stars at all, but at her instead. His green-eyes burned with an emotion that Ginny was fairly sure she'd never seen in them before. "Harry, I."
Harry silenced her by pressing a finger to her lips. "Ginny, in the last six months, a lot of people have asked me how I feel about you. about us. And I think I've probably given each one a slightly different answer. Mostly, because I didn't really understand the question. Now I think I do, and I have my final answer."
"Well, what is it?"
"I think this will tell you," Harry told her with a smile, and cupping her chin in one hand, he bent down.
As the bell in the Gryphon's Eyrie Clock Tower chimed its first bell of the New Year, their lips met and they shared their first kiss.
A/N: I'd like to thank everyone for their reviews and comments so far. Unfortunately, things are going get rather busy for me shortly, as I'm going to be starting University in a couple of weeks and builders are going to be staring work on my family's house soon too. This may mean that new chapters take a while to write, especially as I have written all the chapters that I have notes for at the moment. However, I have got the big battle scene between Harry and Voldemort and some of the other major scene planned out, so I won't be giving up. Anyway, as always please review, and I'll have the next chapter up as soon as I can.
When Harry woke on the 20th of December, he did so with a groan, the students who were leaving Hogwarts for Christmas would be doing so this morning, and the Defence Council, plus Jason Draper and his people - who had now been joined by four other friends of his: a Seer called Lillian Zeus; a renegade Psi-Wraith by the name of Corva; Betty Kale of Holyhead Harpies; and the ice-mage Gareth Curran - and Roger Davies and Katie Bell, had spent most of the night going over tragedies for making sure the students would be safe on their way to the train and on the journey to London and he was feeling a little the worse for wear.
Deciding to check-in before he did anything else, he sent out a thought, as he put on his practise clothes and walked to the bathroom. Jonas, I'm awake.
«Acknowledged, Harry,» replied Jonas after a moment. «Full telepathic link with all members of the Defence Council and the Guardians will be available until the Hogwarts Express arrives at Platform Nine and Three Quarters tonight.»
«Understood,» said Harry. He had reached the empty boy's bathroom by this point and he started his exercises. «I'll check in again after breakfast.»
«Agreed.»
After an hour of stretches and shadow-fighting, Harry picked up the five- foot pole he used for staff practice and did another hour of staff-drill. By that time, people were starting to move around, so Harry showered and dressed.
When he arrived down in the common room, Civis, Ginny, Jamie and Mark were waiting for him as usual. After accepting Jamie's morning hug, Harry took her by the hand and headed for the portrait hole. Ginny linked her arm in his other one and Civis and Mark slotted in behind them.
"Are you ready for your first Christmas with family?" Harry asked Jamie, as they headed for the main staircase.
"Harry, finding out I have family. being welcomed into your house for Christmas. It's like a dream come true for me. You have no idea."
"Actually, I do have a pretty good idea," Harry reminded her. "If this Christmas goes off without a hitch, it'll be my first too."
"Then let's hope it does," said Ginny. "I want you both to be happy this year."
"Oh, we will be, Ginny - and so will everyone else, because we're a family."
----
Harry's compartment on the train was rather crowded - Harry, Jamie, Hermione, the Weasleys, Neville, Luna, Mark, Civis and the Bones were all crowded inside. Fortunately, Malfoy had enough sense not to pay a visit, Harry wasn't sure if could be held responsible for his actions at this point. Katie, Roger Davies, and most of the prefects, and half of the available Guardians - Draper, Wilkes, Betty Kale and Corinne Anderson - patrolled the corridors constantly and so everything went according to plan, and the group disembarked from the Hogwarts Express without incident.
Sirius, Lupin, Tonks, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Mundungus Fletcher and Emmeline Vance were waiting for the group on the other side of the barrier and waited until Luna, Neville and Mark had been picked up and then ushered them into two taxis: Harry, Ginny, Jamie and Civis in the front one with Sirius, Tonks and Shacklebolt; with Ron, Hermione and the Boneses in the rear car with Lupin, Vance and Fletcher. They drove off, with Josef Phobus and his colleagues providing an escort as before until they reached Charing Cross and the Leaky Cauldron.
Harry was the last of the students to depart - taking a handful of Floo Powder from Sirius, he stepped into the flames. "Gryphon's Eyrie!"
----
Harry knocked on Jamie's door a few hours later, on his way down to dinner. "Are you settled in okay?"
Jamie looked around, from what Harry could tell she was still unpacking as her trunk was lying open next to her bed. "Hi, Harry. I'm fine. Is it time for dinner?" At Harry's nod she closed her trunk and joined him at the door. "So, who are you expecting?"
"Well, obviously Remus, Sirius and Tonks; Hermione, you. the Weasleys, bar one, Hagrid'll be here in a day or two; the Guardians'll be here - the three that you met when you arrived, plus the one's from the train and two members of the Order: Serina and Helena Wayling, they used to guard the Boneses' house, Helena was injured in the attack that killed Madame Bones and Susan and Anita's parents. Plus, I think Sirius mentioned an old school friend of his has been staying here. I haven't seen her, but she's been brewing the Wolfsbane Potion for Remus since September."
"What's that for? Is he ill?"
"In a manner of speaking." Harry admitted. "Remus is a werewolf. There's no cure for it, but the Wolfsbane Potion allows him to keep his mind when he transforms, so he doesn't become a raging monster."
"That's good."
"Agreed."
"Uhh, Harry. I've been meaning to ask. exactly how many Weasleys are there? I mean, I know Ginny and Ron, and I've met Fred and George, but you've mentioned others too."
"Well, there's Mr and Mrs Weasley. and seven children: Ginny, Ron and the twins you know. then there's Percy, you probably won't meet him, certainly not in this house."
"Why?"
"Because he put his career ahead of his family, and turned against them. He's still sucking up to Fudge, even though he knows that most of the problems we had last year were because of his incompetence and that we were about Voldemort all along."
"I see. Is that it?"
"Fortunately not. There's Charlie, he's working as a dragon tamer and Order ambassador in Romania but he'll be coming home for Christmas this year. Unfortunately, it's too cold for Quidditch. Charlie's supposed to be almost as good a Seeker as I am but I never had a chance to test it. Oh well, maybe he'll visit during the summer."
"There's another one. Bill? I think I met him at Diagon Alley." "You did," Harry confirmed. "He and his girlfriend, Fleur Delacour were escorting us that day."
"Fleur, that sounds. French?"
"Yeah, it is. She didn't go to Hogwarts, we met when she represented her school, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, at the Triwizard Tournament a couple of years ago."
"She was at Ginny's birthday party wasn't she? A lot of the boys couldn't keep her eyes off her."
Harry smiled. "That's because she's one-quarter Veela, they have natural Entrancing powers. Fleur's powers are a lot weaker than those of most full Veelas, she actually has to make an effort to Entrance someone. She got Ron's attention for a while though, back in fourth year, he actually asked to the Yule Ball. She turned him down of course."
"You were talking to her at Ginny's party."
"Yeah, for about a minute," Harry reminded her. "Fleur doesn't affect me. We were just talking."
"About?"
"Me and Ginny, Fleur wanted to know what there was between us. I think Bill might've asked her to find out."
"And?"
"Well, I think she got the answer she wanted."
"What about you?"
"I don't know, Jamie," Harry admitted. "For three years after she met him, she had a serious crush on me and hardly said two words to me, then last year she started dated Michael Corner, a Ravenclaw in my year, and we started to be friends. She dumped Corner after the Quidditch Final last year and now. well, I don't know frankly. We're obviously friends, and I enjoy her company. but Fleur and Civis both think there's more to it than that, I think Hermione does too. and I'm starting to think they might be right."
"I don't know anymore about that sort of stuff than you do, Harry. But for whatever it's worth. I think you and Ginny are good together."
"I think so too." Harry agreed. "Well, we'll just have to see what happens."
----
That evening, Harry and the gang met his new 'house-guest' for the first time. Leona White was about the same age as Sirius was, slightly over medium height for a woman and had a lean, toned body - what immediately got your attention however, was the fact that she was almost ghost-like in appearance: she wore long-white robes and had snow-white hair and skin almost complete devoid of colour. When she removed her ivory-rimmed sunglasses, Harry looked into pinkish-red eyes.
She's an albino, Harry thought to himself. I've seen her somewhere before. but where? It wasn't until Leona had greeted Harry and his friends, sat down beside Sirius on the sofa and cracked open a book Harry recognised as being about rare medicinal potions, that he remembered. She was that girl who kept eyeing Sirius in Snape's Pensieve. She was at my parents' wedding too, I think she was the maid-of-honour.
"How's school going, Harry?" Remus asked as he accepted a glass of Firewhiskey from Dixy, one of the house-elves.
"Fine," Harry told him. "I'm very busy - what with classes, DA meetings, meetings with the Defence Council, and Quidditch practice - but I'm managing?"
"How are your classes going?"
"Most of them are fine, Sirius. We've finished the basic stuff for human transfiguration. Boy, am I glad about that! It took me two months to get the hang of growing and shrinking my fingernails. Hair growth control didn't take me long though, I managed that in three weeks, the fastest in the class - Hermione took a month."
"Have you tried changing your hair colour?"
"Yeah, I have. I've decided red is not my colour, and blond just looks terrible. I might give lengthening a try over the holidays though, I managed to do it accidentally - up to a point - often enough when I was a little kid." he said, smiling down at Jamie who was tucked under the crock of his arm. The girl mock-scowled and poked him in the ribs. "Did my dad ever try neatening up his hair that way?"
"No, James actually liked looking odd," Sirius admitted. "Plus, he said it would be more trouble that it would be worth."
"You obviously don't think so," said Harry, referring to Sirius' own hair, which although not as long as it had been when he escaped Azkaban, still brushed his shoulder blades.
"No, I don't," Sirius agreed. "I think you should go for it."
"Me too," Ginny offered. Because there was only enough room for two on the sofa Harry and Jamie were sharing - Leona and the two Marauders having bagged the larger three-seater sofa - she was sitting on a pouffes which she pulled close enough to their sofa that she could lean against Harry's legs.
"They're right, Harry," Bill told him. The long-limbed Curse-Breaker was sharing a large armchair with Fleur. "If it doesn't help, try some Sleekeasy's Hair Potion."
"James didn't trust that that stuff, said it was strictly for girls," Sirius added. "One of Prongs' stranger ideas."
"How's Potions going?" Remus asked. "I know Minerva had to pull a string or two."
"Yes, she did," Harry admitted. "She won't have, but that. Umbridge pushed her into agreeing to do anything to help me to get into Auror training. It's been going okay, Hermione's been helping me as usual."
"You want to be an Auror?" Tonks asked, who was perched on a stool near the door. Unlike most of the adults she had opted for Butterbeer for an after dinner drink, instead of anything a bit stronger. "That's great. I'd be happy to put in a good word for you with the selection panel and I'm sure Kingsley or Mad-Eye would too."
"Thanks, Tonks."
"I'd be happy to give you some advice on Potions too. If that would help?" offered Leona. "Even old Professor Grouse, who taught Potions up until a few years ago, couldn't beat me. I warn you though, I'm not much of a teacher."
"That's okay," Harry assured her. "Even a bit of advice, or recommendations for the books to study would be helpful."
"I'd say Advanced Alchemical Theory, Moste Potente Potions, and a copy of the Liber de Umbra - if you can get one - would probably cover most of what you need to know. Although, the Auror's Apothecary and Flamel's Guide to Obscure Poisons and Counter-Agents would be useful in case they spring any surprises on you."
"Thanks, Leona. Advanced Alchemical Theory is the set book for this year so I've got that, and I've got a copy of the Liber de Umbra too. I've seen Moste Potente Potions in the Library, but there's only one copy so Madam Pince won't let me keep it, plus there's an Anexemplum Spell on it so I can't make a copy."
"I believe we have copies of most of those books in the library," Civis said. "And if I might. your grandfather was - despite his many failings - somewhat of an expert in the art of potion-making. I believe his favourite text was Amasha Al Kema's Treatise on Medieval Toxins, so it might be wise to peruse that volume also."
"Good idea," said Harry, then looked down at Jamie, who was now dosing, her head against Harry's chest. "But I think I'll look for them tomorrow. I think it's past time Jamie was in bed and after being up 'till two am attending a strategy meeting between the Defence Council and the Guardians, I'm ready for bed too." Harry finished his Butterbeer, then woke up his cousin. "Good night, all. Good night, Ginny."
"Good night, Harry."
Jamie staggered to her feet, then Harry helped her up the thirteen flights of stairs to her bedroom. He said goodbye to her at her door. "Night, Jamie."
"Night, Harry. I'll see you at breakfast?"
"What time do you want me to come and get to you?"
"Eight o'clock?"
"Eight's fine," Harry agreed and turned to go into his room two doors down. "Night."
"Good night, Harry. And thank you."
"You're welcome, Jamie. It's good to be appreciated."
----
On Christmas Day, Harry was woken with a start. He scrambled for his glasses and wand. "Jamie?!"
"Happy Christmas, Harry!" said his cousin, with a grin. "I've got presents!"
"Of course you have, Jamie," Harry told her, reaching out and ruffled her hair. "Give me a couple of minutes to get dressed, then we can go downstairs and open them."
"Okay," said Jamie, hopping off his bed. "I'll go get the girls. Civis is getting Ron and the others." she added before slamming the door behind her.
Smiling to himself at his young cousin's joy, Harry got out of bed and dressed - putting on a pair of black jeans, and his dark-green Weasley jumper over a black long-sleeved T-shirt - and then headed out of the room.
When he got down to the large family room on the ground floor, he found it even more crowded than it had been on the evening he arrived: Jason Draper was the only Guardian present but Hagrid, Charlie, his Bulgarian girlfriend Anna Gruenovna, the twins, Angelina, Alicia, Katie, Mad-Eye Moody, and Kingsley Shacklebolt had joined them.
When everyone was seated, Civis and three of the house-elves went over to the huge Christmas tree that Hagrid had brought down from Hogwarts, and started handing out the presents. Harry was very pleased with his own presents, which included a broomstick carrying bag made specially for the Lightning's longer-than-usual handle from Sirius, Remus and Leona; a framed picture of Harry with the current Quidditch team, Hermione, Jamie, Mark and Civis (who was perched on Harry's shoulder as a crow), from Ginny; a book called Seekers Strike Back - How to be a more aggressive Seeker, from Ron and Hermione; the usual knitted jumper and box of sweets from Mrs Weasley; another book called the Defensive Uses of Dark Magic from Moody, and a large package from the Guardians which contained what looked like two wooden sticks with metal caps at each end and what looked like two cross- shaped metal boomerangs, each in their own carrying pouch.
"What are these?" he asked Jason, holding up the last two items for him to see.
"The sticks can either be used individually as Escrima sticks, or bolted to together. Plus, there are eighteen inches of Argentium-steel blade hidden inside each stick, so they can be used as swords, and they also have in built grappling irons in the screw ends. The 'crosses' are glaives - Japanese boomerangs - and they're razor-sharp. I usually carry a pair myself, I'll show you how to use them later."
"Sounds good," said Harry, and smiled as Jamie unwrapped the long woollen overcoat he'd bought for her with a squeal of delight.
When everyone had finished unwrapping their presents, Civis directed them to the castle's formal dining room, where an impressive breakfast buffet had been set up. Harry decided to have something a little different, and opted for a mug of hot chocolate and a pile of French croissants for breakfast. He was halfway through his meal when Susan came over. "Can I ask you something, Harry?"
"Yeah, sure. What is it?"
"I got an owl just before I came down this morning. From Justin, his family's having a big party on New Year's Eve and."
"And you want to go?" Harry suggested.
"Well, he did invite me. Ernie and Hannah'll be there too."
"Is it at his house?" Harry asked. Susan nodded. "Then that's fine. His house is already under surveillance by the Order. Take someone with you though, just to be on the safe side."
"Helena Wayling said she'd go with me if it was okay with you."
"That's fine then," Harry told her. "Have fun, and send us an owl if you're going to be gone past New Year's Day."
"I will, Harry."
----
"The sky really is beautiful tonight, isn't it?" Ginny suggested, gazing up into the sky from Harry's balcony.
Harry didn't reply for a moment or two, he was enjoying the feeling of Ginny leaning against him, one arm around his waist, just as one of his encircled hers, too much to speak articulately. "Uh-huh."
Ginny turned around and saw that Harry wasn't looking at the stars at all, but at her instead. His green-eyes burned with an emotion that Ginny was fairly sure she'd never seen in them before. "Harry, I."
Harry silenced her by pressing a finger to her lips. "Ginny, in the last six months, a lot of people have asked me how I feel about you. about us. And I think I've probably given each one a slightly different answer. Mostly, because I didn't really understand the question. Now I think I do, and I have my final answer."
"Well, what is it?"
"I think this will tell you," Harry told her with a smile, and cupping her chin in one hand, he bent down.
As the bell in the Gryphon's Eyrie Clock Tower chimed its first bell of the New Year, their lips met and they shared their first kiss.
A/N: I'd like to thank everyone for their reviews and comments so far. Unfortunately, things are going get rather busy for me shortly, as I'm going to be starting University in a couple of weeks and builders are going to be staring work on my family's house soon too. This may mean that new chapters take a while to write, especially as I have written all the chapters that I have notes for at the moment. However, I have got the big battle scene between Harry and Voldemort and some of the other major scene planned out, so I won't be giving up. Anyway, as always please review, and I'll have the next chapter up as soon as I can.