A/N: This chapter is very short I must warn you, which is why I'm posting it so fast. It would be pretty disappointing to wait for reviews when this chapter is so tiny. It's like doing loads of effort to get a pat on the back. Things will get interesting soon enough. This I assure you.

Disclaimer: The propriety of Harry. J Potter, his comrades and universe are not of my creation or legal bounding… but they are free for manipulation! *Maniacal Laugh*

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Chapter 10

"The Gift of Giving"

They had started the festivities right away. Ron noticed that Ginny and Harry seemed closer then they had been in a long time and wondered if he wasn't the only one that had gotten an extra gift for the holidays. He joked around with Harry and lifted mistletoe over him. He then looked at Ginny but Harry just said right away: "Sorry Ron… I don't like you that way!" with a laugh. "Besides, won't Hermione get jealous?"

It felt like everything had been set back into place and they could even share their hate for the rat infestation once again. The stars had re-aligned and Christmas dinner was amazing. Draco had stayed for the holidays as well but was seldom seen by the Gryffindors. He was mostly gazing out the castle windows in the direction of Hogsmeade. Hermione had noticed him but the others told her that he knew that they had their support and if he wanted it, he'd come and get it. Ron had gone to tell him of his decision to return to school and made a new pact with him. This relieved the Slytherin boy. His father's whereabouts would be kept secret.

"So, are we going to Hogsmeade?" asked Ron.

"Well, sure, why not?" said Ginny.

"Good! Your presents from me are waiting for you there. I had planned on sending them last night but… well… I was occupied," he said smiling.

"Then, let's go," encouraged Harry as they made their way to the village.

The sounds of laughter and Christmas bells could be heard all around. The group walked about merrily, enchanted by the lights and sounds of the busiest and happiest time of the year. As Ron strolled along, the others noticed how many people seemed to know him as they waved affectionately. Ron's smile was a sight for all of them and was something they had not seen since Halloween. The redhead seemed to be leading them to Honeydukes as the sweet smell of hot fudge tickled their noses.  As they entered, the storeowners greeted them.  One of the owners was bald man, the other a woman with wide smile.  They walked up from behind the counter and approached the students.

"Well, hello Ron. How have you been dear? Didn't I say you didn't have to come in today. It's the holidays you know," said the woman smiling.

"Oh… well, I've come to treat my friends for Christmas Mrs Honeyduke. I was going to send them their things but I didn't have the time to pick them up,"

"But we told you that we would be in the crowd with them during the fireworks display Ronald," said Mr Honeyduke.

Hermione grinned.

"Sorry… I guess I forgot," said Ron bashfully.

"Well, go on Darren. Go get the gifts. I left them in the kitchen," said the woman.

"All right Elizabeth," said Darren as he went into the back and up the stairs.

The Honeydukes lived right over their shop so in a mater of moments he had come down with nicely wrapped baskets full of Honeyduke's sweets. There were Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Fizzing Wizzbees, Pepper Imps, a box each of Every Flavour Beans, Jelly Slugs, Chocolate Frogs and Ice Mice. Ron told them that he had actually made a couple of the sweets and had a hand in making some very special gingerbread people.

"Oh! That's me!" said Ginny looking through the wrapping.

They continued walking along the streets, eating part of their presents and looking around at the shops, until Ginny stopped in the middle of the road suddenly leaving the others marching ahead. They noticed her abrupt pausing and simply looked at her curiously.

"We're having a lot of fun aren't we?" she questioned in a gloomy voice as the others walked back to her.

"Yeah, of course we are Ginny… what's the matter?" asked Harry.

"I know I was the one the most eager to start Christmas but I've been thinking that maybe we should try to make other's Christmas' just as fun,"

Ron and Hermione looked at her then at each other. They were starting to guess at what she was getting at. Harry knew right away however.

"You want to see Lucius Malfoy don't you?" said Harry softly.

"Just to see how he's doing. He's not dangerous is he Ron?" asked Ginny.

"Well, no. Even if he gets his wand he only does goofy spells but are you sure you want to see him? He's not dangerous but he's a bit… off,"

"We know. Draco told us of the hex," said Harry.

"Draco?" said Ron surprised.

"Well, he DID call Harry by his first name yesterday, so why can't we?"

Ron looked at Harry who told him not to ask now. Ginny nodded her head and urged them to go. Ron knew better then to argue. Ginny had developed a way with him over the years. She could easily make her big brother move the moon for her if she wanted but she never abused this ability. This was what made Ron let her continue on with her princess act. Ron spun the group around and led the rest of them to the house where he had been staying for nearly 2 months. Ginny look almost excited. She wanted everyone to be as happy as she was.

They left Hogsmeade, went down a snow-covered road and made their way in front of the Victorian house. Ron led the others inside and up the staircase. At the door to the room that Hermione had entered that night, he asked them all to be patient as he went to fetch Mr. Malfoy. He entered and shut the door. Soon there was a huge racket as they heard things like pots and pans bang on the walls violently. After about five minutes the noises stopped completely. The door opened and to their surprise Draco emerged.

"You can all come in now," he said in a drab voice.

They entered to see Ron sitting on a chair, his face red with annoyance. Mr. Malfoy was looking at some silvery dishware rapt in amazement. The room was clean regardless of the racket and the others wondered what had just happened.

"Don't ask," said Ron.

Ginny went up to Lucius and smiled at him sweetly. Harry felt very nervous about that and dashed off to her side just in case things would get ugly. She took out some sweets and placed them in a dish in front of Lucius. He smiled and began to eat them. Ron and Draco looked aghast.

"You know, I think that that's the first time that he's acted normal after a fit," said Draco looking at Ginny.

She smiled at him. Draco was a bit surprised. He was caught off guard by this pure innocence, something completely opposite to his own personality. Harry put his hand on Ginny's shoulder. She turned to look at him and stepped back.

"I just wish WE knew enough about the Dark Arts to be able to find a counter-curse. But I don't think I've ever learned of a hex that made people mad," continued Ginny.

"The reason why it is a hex is because hexes fade away with time but it could take years… Which is why taking all this time before leaving isn't necessarily a bad thing. He could just snap out of it. I know it's a hex because his madness has decreased a bit," said Draco his gray eyes saddened by his father's state.

Hermione thought back to the episode with Ron. If this was less insane then before, she could only imagine the trouble he caused for Draco. The last time she saw Lucius before Christmas Eve, he looked half dead. She had been trying to help them this entire time but nothing she said would make Draco bring him to a specialist. Perhaps she had to resort to different means of aiding him: finding a cure.

With the holidays now ending the four students had other things to worry about. Ron had moved his things back so he could return to his usual schedule by attending classes once they started. He didn't mind this though, for he could now be with Hermione and no longer feel uncomfortable or nervous around her. Although, Ron seemed to be at ease, Hermione wasn't and began on a new research to find a cure to Lucius Malfoy's madness. She was upset that she had been unsuccessful the last time in discovering about Ron's 'double' so she was more then set on getting a good answer for this enigma. "I guess I'm slipping," thought Hermione as she was looking through a book of dark curses.

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