Chapter Fourteen: The Christmas Break
Neville was getting really excited. He would be with his active parents for the first time in his life. His parents had joined the Order of Phoenix after recovering. On the day of departure he was practically jumping. Soon only Harry, Hermione and Dean remained. Dean preferred to stay indoor most of the time probably spending most of the time writing to Ginny. So Harry and Hermione practically had the whole day to themselves. Both of them occasionally wrote to Ron. They heard from him that Susan was coming to spend a few days at Peaceden.
Even though six months were remaining for their exams Hermione had alredy started preparing. Harry wasn't particularly happy at this because it meant that he also would have to study. But he saw that studying with Hermione wasn't that bad after all. She would clear all his doubts, though she always asked him to try himself first. He was amused at the look of concentration on her face while she tried to concentrate. He softly chuckled.
'What's so funny?' she asked.
'Just the look on your face while you are studying' he said.
They both laughed. They were tremendously enjoying each other's company away from everybody else. They took long walks in the evening. One day they visited Hagrid. Since the two of them were the only prefects staying back, all the prefects' duty had fallen upon them. They happily did them together. Harry often made strategies for quidditch and The Defense Club. Hermione helped him whenever she could. On Christmas' eve they had a fly in the quidditch field. Hermione was now as good a flier as Harry, though she could not do the fancy moves. But they weren't required for her position. Harry felt prod for both himself and Hermione. They never got bored of one another.
It was Christmas. Harry quickly opened his presents with Dean. There was the usual jumper and mince pies from Mrs. Weasley. Ron had sent him a book called 'Quidditch Clubs of England'. Hagrid had packed some delicious looking candies, which he said were from abroad. He also had gifts from his other mates from school. Finally he came to Hermione's gift. As he unwrapped an album fell out. In that were about thirty pictures of the two of them over their five and a half years at Hogwarts. It had been made by great care. He had never seen the pictures, which were there before. Each of them contained a brief write-up in Hermione's own handwriting. On the first page she had written – 'Dear Harry, A brief pictorial presentation of our journey through Hogwarts – Love Hermione'. Harry almost had tears in his eyes. Not at the pictures but at the care and affection which with they were put together. As he walked down, he noticed Hermione was already there. He went up to her and kissed her.
'You don't know how much I like the present you gave me', he said in a choked sort of voice.
'Thanks Harry. I'm glad you liked it' she replied.
'Just meet me near the lake after breakfast. I want to give you your present alone. You must have wondered why it wasn't there' Harry added. Hermione nodded.
Harry waited for Hermione near the lake. She arrived a few minutes later. Harry took a small packet out of his pocket and handed it to her. As she saw its contents her eyes went big. How did Harry know of her deep desire for this necklace?
'Harry you shouldn't have. This must have cost you a fortune. How can I take this', she said.
'Hermione I really want you to have it. I shall be deeply hurt if you don't take it' he replied.
Hermione sighed in defeat. There was no way that she could not accept it. Harry must have known about her love for this necklace and bought it out of love. She struggled put it on but Harry helped her by holding up her hair. She tried to thank him but words wouldn't come out. Harry understood. He pulled her close to him as their lips touched. It was hot and passionate. In fact it was their most passionate kiss ever. It seemed to go on and on. As they moved away Hermione spoke.
'Harry this is the best present I've ever had from anyone. I cannot find words to thank you'
The two of them spent the rest of the day in each other's arms. It was their best Christmas ever. The dinner was wonderful as usual. The Turkey this year tasted particularly good. Harry and Hermione decided to collectively present ten sickles to every house elf. Harry has supported Hermione's SPEW last year and was willing to help her to keep it going. They went down to the kitchens where they presented each house elf individually. All of them were too astonished to even thank them.
Soon the vacations were over. All the students were back. Ron thanked Harry for the chess set. Neville looked as happy as ever. Ginny was overjoyed to be with Dean again. Gryffindor had their second quidditch match with Hufflepuff in the second week of January. The match was the biggest ever mismatch in Hogwarts history. Within twenty minutes the score was 180-0. Harry knew the record was possible. He successfully played the Worski Feint on the Hufflepuff seeker knocking him out of the match. Then he deliberately refrained from catching the snitch. In two hours the score 820- 0. Spectators were getting bored and started walking away. As two more goals were scored Harry caught the snitch making it 990-0. This beat the previous record of 980-0 by Slytherin who beat Gryffindor more than a hundred years ago. The Gryffindors had a feeling of invincibility. They named the team 'Potter's Invincibles'.
There was something though which upset their plans of an early finish to the season. If Ravenclaw had defeated Slytherin it would have virtually sealed the quidditch cup for Gryffindor because of their high goal difference. They looked well on course but Malfoy made a stunning catch of the snitch to deny Ravenclaw. Now the match between Gryffindor and Slytherin was a final. The victor would take the cup. Not that Gryffindor were afraid of playing Slytherin but it had become a pressure situation. Harry hoped that his new players would be able to hold their nerve. He spoke to Ron and Hermione about this. Both seemed very confident. They had wanted to go into the match against Slytherin with very little pressure but since it hadn't happened they would go and battle it out under pressure.
Neville was getting really excited. He would be with his active parents for the first time in his life. His parents had joined the Order of Phoenix after recovering. On the day of departure he was practically jumping. Soon only Harry, Hermione and Dean remained. Dean preferred to stay indoor most of the time probably spending most of the time writing to Ginny. So Harry and Hermione practically had the whole day to themselves. Both of them occasionally wrote to Ron. They heard from him that Susan was coming to spend a few days at Peaceden.
Even though six months were remaining for their exams Hermione had alredy started preparing. Harry wasn't particularly happy at this because it meant that he also would have to study. But he saw that studying with Hermione wasn't that bad after all. She would clear all his doubts, though she always asked him to try himself first. He was amused at the look of concentration on her face while she tried to concentrate. He softly chuckled.
'What's so funny?' she asked.
'Just the look on your face while you are studying' he said.
They both laughed. They were tremendously enjoying each other's company away from everybody else. They took long walks in the evening. One day they visited Hagrid. Since the two of them were the only prefects staying back, all the prefects' duty had fallen upon them. They happily did them together. Harry often made strategies for quidditch and The Defense Club. Hermione helped him whenever she could. On Christmas' eve they had a fly in the quidditch field. Hermione was now as good a flier as Harry, though she could not do the fancy moves. But they weren't required for her position. Harry felt prod for both himself and Hermione. They never got bored of one another.
It was Christmas. Harry quickly opened his presents with Dean. There was the usual jumper and mince pies from Mrs. Weasley. Ron had sent him a book called 'Quidditch Clubs of England'. Hagrid had packed some delicious looking candies, which he said were from abroad. He also had gifts from his other mates from school. Finally he came to Hermione's gift. As he unwrapped an album fell out. In that were about thirty pictures of the two of them over their five and a half years at Hogwarts. It had been made by great care. He had never seen the pictures, which were there before. Each of them contained a brief write-up in Hermione's own handwriting. On the first page she had written – 'Dear Harry, A brief pictorial presentation of our journey through Hogwarts – Love Hermione'. Harry almost had tears in his eyes. Not at the pictures but at the care and affection which with they were put together. As he walked down, he noticed Hermione was already there. He went up to her and kissed her.
'You don't know how much I like the present you gave me', he said in a choked sort of voice.
'Thanks Harry. I'm glad you liked it' she replied.
'Just meet me near the lake after breakfast. I want to give you your present alone. You must have wondered why it wasn't there' Harry added. Hermione nodded.
Harry waited for Hermione near the lake. She arrived a few minutes later. Harry took a small packet out of his pocket and handed it to her. As she saw its contents her eyes went big. How did Harry know of her deep desire for this necklace?
'Harry you shouldn't have. This must have cost you a fortune. How can I take this', she said.
'Hermione I really want you to have it. I shall be deeply hurt if you don't take it' he replied.
Hermione sighed in defeat. There was no way that she could not accept it. Harry must have known about her love for this necklace and bought it out of love. She struggled put it on but Harry helped her by holding up her hair. She tried to thank him but words wouldn't come out. Harry understood. He pulled her close to him as their lips touched. It was hot and passionate. In fact it was their most passionate kiss ever. It seemed to go on and on. As they moved away Hermione spoke.
'Harry this is the best present I've ever had from anyone. I cannot find words to thank you'
The two of them spent the rest of the day in each other's arms. It was their best Christmas ever. The dinner was wonderful as usual. The Turkey this year tasted particularly good. Harry and Hermione decided to collectively present ten sickles to every house elf. Harry has supported Hermione's SPEW last year and was willing to help her to keep it going. They went down to the kitchens where they presented each house elf individually. All of them were too astonished to even thank them.
Soon the vacations were over. All the students were back. Ron thanked Harry for the chess set. Neville looked as happy as ever. Ginny was overjoyed to be with Dean again. Gryffindor had their second quidditch match with Hufflepuff in the second week of January. The match was the biggest ever mismatch in Hogwarts history. Within twenty minutes the score was 180-0. Harry knew the record was possible. He successfully played the Worski Feint on the Hufflepuff seeker knocking him out of the match. Then he deliberately refrained from catching the snitch. In two hours the score 820- 0. Spectators were getting bored and started walking away. As two more goals were scored Harry caught the snitch making it 990-0. This beat the previous record of 980-0 by Slytherin who beat Gryffindor more than a hundred years ago. The Gryffindors had a feeling of invincibility. They named the team 'Potter's Invincibles'.
There was something though which upset their plans of an early finish to the season. If Ravenclaw had defeated Slytherin it would have virtually sealed the quidditch cup for Gryffindor because of their high goal difference. They looked well on course but Malfoy made a stunning catch of the snitch to deny Ravenclaw. Now the match between Gryffindor and Slytherin was a final. The victor would take the cup. Not that Gryffindor were afraid of playing Slytherin but it had become a pressure situation. Harry hoped that his new players would be able to hold their nerve. He spoke to Ron and Hermione about this. Both seemed very confident. They had wanted to go into the match against Slytherin with very little pressure but since it hadn't happened they would go and battle it out under pressure.