Chapter 22

Christmas Morning

Author's Note:

When we last left off, Katrina was just released from the Hospital Wing. Harry had found her in Hogsmeade in a come and badly attacked and brought her to the Hosiptal Wing. When she was questioned, she reported that her attacker was probably the same person as last time. Harry discovered that her necklace had been stolen. Dumbledroe called in Percy, and Katrina's relatives to come be with her. While the relatives were at Hogwarts, Death Eaters came to Mrs. Figg's house, and the American relatives looking for Katrina. When they saw no relatives and no Katrina, they attacked muggles, and their homes. Dumbledore decided that it was best for Katrina's family to stay at Hogwarts untill repairs could be made, and Dumbledore was sure they would be safe.

And now, on with the story! :-

-Amanda

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As overjoyed as Harry was that Katrina was back from the Hosipital Wing, he kind of wished she was back there. Ofcourse, Harry cared very deeply about Katrina and loved having her near him and would never ever wish harm upon her. But ever since she was released, Percy took it upon himself to protect Katrina. Whenever he was not working, or when Katrina did have classes, he was there. Dumbledore allowed him to stay at Hogwarts as much as he wanted, and even enter the Gryiindor common room. He was always there at meal times, and often walking with her between classes. Harry found it very hard to watch Percy fuss over her, carerssing her arms so gently, and patting her shoulders like he wanted to make sure she was really there. Harry noticed that Percy had a farway dreamy look in his eyes that was not flattering. Most of the time, Percy looked like he was about to throw up. Ron mentioned this to Harry one evening at dinner, and declared that everytime he spook to Percy he seemed very nervous and precouicpied.

Percy begged and begged Katrina to go to the Burrow with him for Christmas, but she kept on refusing. "My family is going to be here, and it's my forst Hogwarts Christmas and I don't want to miss it!" she told him. "Besides, all my friends are here, and I don't want to be away from them!"

As Christmas quickly approached, Harry realized that he hadn't bought Katrina a gift. There was no time to go to Hogsmeade, so Harry would have to order something to Owl Order. He was not pleased with that idea. He wanted to get her something really special. She still hadn't got her necklace back, and Harry was relived that it was gone. Maybe now the attacks on her would end. Harry considered buying her a pretty necklace, but was afraid she wouldn't like it. Instead, he decided on a silver charm braclet. The one that he picked out was much more that he usually spent on Hermione or Ron, but then again, he wasn't in love with Ron or Hermione, and he wanted to get Katrina something really special, or atleast something that was better than Percy's gift.

Christmas morning, Ron and Harry were awaken by Dobby jumping around on their beds. He presented them with their Christmas gifts, which were socks. Dobby was so loud that he woke up the Weasleys and Katrina and Hermione. They all decided to hang out in the Common Room and open their gifts together. They were soon joined by Katrina's cousions and Percy Weasley.

From Herione, Harry received a book about famous wizzard pets throught out history. Hermione said she thought he might like it since there was a painting of an owl that looked just like Hedwig on the front cover.

From Ron, he recived a large box of Every Flavor Beans and a Choclate Frog.

Fred and George gave him a box full of samples of their new joke candies. The candies include Pimple Pops, suckers that make your face break out in acne (great to give your enemies they had told him) Body Oder Beans (jelly beans that make you stink, but the only people who can smell it are people who you want to stay from away from you) and Super Sour Spit Balls, candies so sour that you swallow your otngue and grow a new one wiith seconds of eating them. Harry wasnn't so sure that he wanted to try any of those.

From Ginny, he received a small statuettite of a Firebolt that she had made out of clay.

From Mrs. Wealsley, he recived the usual home made sweater and baked goods.

Strangely enough, he did not recive anything from Sirus. Harry wondered what might have happened to him. The last he knew, he was hiding out in Hogsmeade.

But Harry quickly forgot about Sirus when he unwrapped Katrina's gift. She had somehow made him a cd of herself singing and playing guitar. The note said that these were all songs she had written herself. Since Katrina knew he did not have anything to play it on, she included a Discman. Harry was touched, and thought it was a wonderful gift. Percy gave him a venmous look.



"Hey look!" exclaimed Katrina. "There's a Poinsentia over by the fireplace. It's got a card on it. It must be a gift for somebody."

Ginny went over and picked it up. She frowned when she read the card. "Oh, I thought it might be from Neville. But it's for you, Hermione. It's From Viktor Krum."

Hermione wore a funny expression when she read the card. Ron crossed his arms and made a "Hrumph!" sound.

"Oooooo, so what did you get him? asked Katrina.

"Yeah." said Ron. "What did you get dear old Vicky poo?"

Hermione ignored Ron. "I didn't get him anything. We broke up."

Ginny and Katrina gasped. "You broke up! Why?" exclaimed Ginny.

"We thought it was all for the best." said Hermione. "We never got to see each other anyway. But we are still going to be pen pals."

"Oh, that's so romantic." said Ginny.

"Yeah, so romantic. He still must care about you." said Katrina.

Harry noticed Katrina has not opened any of her presents. Harry pointed this out to her. "Oh, I was just happy watching everyone else," she said. "But I will open them now since you mentioned it, Harry."

"Open mine last!" Percy cried, snatching away the carefully wrapped box.

Katrina, by far, had the bigest stack. She recived lots of clothing and cds from her American relatives, and many books from her grandmother. There were even some from Dumbledore, which looked like spellbooks. Harry boticed their was one about ancient magical relics and another about defence spells. Harry was shocked to see Snape had even sent her a large box of candies. From the students, she received a lot of candy, some hand made gifts, and various other small trinkets. She was very excited about reciveing two Dixie Chicks cds.

"Dixie Chicks?" asked Ron. "What the bloddy hell is that?"

"An American country music band. There really talented. They are my favorites." said Katrina.

"I thought the Monsters of Merlin was your favorite?" asked Percy.

"Well, second favorite," she said grinning.



Next came Harry's big moment. She was opening his gift. Harry had spent at least an hour wrapping the box in beauitful silver paper, and he had recruited Ginny, who he had discovered was very talented at artsy sort of things, arrange the big silver and red ribbons and bows. The box sure looked beautiful but when Katrina saw the silver charm braclet inside, Harry weas happy to hear her gasp.

"Oh Harry! It's goregous!" she squealed, admiring her new peice of jewlery from every angle. "Oh, it's too much! You shouldn't have! You shouldn't have! Oh, look at the little charms!"

There were many charms that Harry had picked out himself. There was an American and a Brittish flag to represent both countries she loved, a palm tree to represent her happy home in Flordia, a guitar that looked just like the one she loved so much, a lion to represnt Gryfindor, a wizzard cap, a wand, an open book because she loved to read, a cat, and a small beautiful owl that looked nothing like Dite, her ugly pet bird.

"It's perfect, Harry! Thank you! I love it!" she said, kissing him on the cheek in front of everyone (and Percy.) This made Harry feel a little bit uncomfortible, and he saw Percy's face burn in a jealous rage. For a moment, he was afraid Percy might hex him, but the expression in Katrina's eyes when she slipped on the braclet made everything worth it.

Percy cleared his throat. "Open my gift now, love." he said.

As she carefully unwrapped the box, Harry watched in horror as Percy got down on his knees in front of her as she opened the box to expose a breathtaking diamond ring.



"Katrina," said Percy. "Will you marry me?"

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Well, what do you think about this? I would lave to hear your comments!

What should Katrina say? What should Harry do? What would you like to see happen in the next chapter? Did anybody guess Percy would propose?

|I am going to let you know that this Christmas will be full of events and the next chapter is called "Christmas Day, Christmas Night".

-Amanda