~Chapter Fifteen~
It was the first of December when the students woke up to a glorious snow covered land in front of them, many had been thrilled and awed by the beauty of the castle covered in white snow. Hagrid had invited the four children over one more time before Christmas.
"'Ello 'Arry, Damien, Ron, 'Ermione," he greeted opening his door for the four Gryffindors.
"Hi Hagrid," greeted Hermione as the four took a seat beside each other. Harry looked at Hagrid for a moment then dove into the conversation.
"Hagrid, what is the dog protecting?" Hagrid was surprised when he looked at the four Gryffindors.
"How do you know 'bout Fluffy?"
"Fluffy!? The thing has a name?" Ron stated.
"'Course it has a name, and never your four worry about what it's guarding, that's between Dumbledore and Nicholas Flammel," explained Hagrid, instantly regretting his words.
"Who is Nicholas…?"
"Never you mind, you all need to be going now, I 'ave a lot to do," explained Hagrid. However, Harry knew it had more to do with Hagrid not wanting to say anymore about the subject. The four decided they would indeed leave and headed back just in time for dinner.
"Are you two going home?" Hermione asked as they sat in the Great Hall.
"Dad and I don't have anyone or anything to go home to, so we'll probably stay here," explained Harry smiling.
"Mum is supposed to be coming to stay with all of us, so I'm also probably staying," commented Damien as he took a rather large bite of his bread.
"What about you guys?" Harry asked, his mouth full of potatoes.
"Mum and dad are visiting my brother Charlie, and we're all dying to go, so I imagine we'll be going."
"I miss my parents, I'll be going home," explained Hermione smiling.
Harry and Damien sat playing each other in chess in the Great Hall, a week later, while everyone who was going home was walking through the halls towards the carriages, Hermione walked in and smiled at the two, both boys looked up and smiled at her.
"Well, I'll be off, you two have a Happy Christmas," she said, Harry nodded and hugged her tightly.
"You too Hermione, say hello to your parents for us," Damien smiled, he didn't hug her, but he couldn't deny that he wanted to badly. Hermione took a look around, six trees were placed through out the hall, the largest one however, and the seventh one sat up front just right of the teacher's table. Flitwick was standing on a box and charming ornaments to be placed on the tree, while several of the other teachers placed various gifts around the hall, some even packing themselves. Harry only knew of five teachers that would remain. Dumbledore, McGonagall, his father, Flitwick, and Quirrell, Filch, Hagrid, and Pomfrey would also be staying there for the vacation.
"Well…ah, I don't know if you two wanted anything, but here, I asked my parents to buy these a while back for you guys, don't open them until Christmas morning," Hermione said smiling. Harry chuckled as he and Damien accepted the presents. He reached into his pocket and handed her a pretty jewelry box.
"It's nothing big, I just felt I needed to give it to you, it's a muggle thing, but I thought you might like it, and Damien's present is in there as well," Harry said smiling.
"Thanks guys," she said, leaning down, she paused then pecked Harry on the cheek.
"Miss Granger, come along," called Minerva, Hermione smiled and looked back at Harry.
"Happy Christmas Harry," she said.
"Happy Christmas Hermione," he said then watched her hurry out of the Great Hall, present in hand.
"You like her?" Damien asked as he watched his Queen demolish off Harry's castle.
"Who? Hermione? Nah," Harry said smiling as he told his pawn to move forward.
"Lair," stated Damien, causing Harry to chuckle.
"Look, I think she's pretty okay, she's a girl, and she is pretty, that doesn't mean I like her…like that."
"Right, whatever you say Harry."
Just then Severus and Lei walked into the Great Hall, arm in arm, Damien looked over at Harry, "Watch this Harry." Damien pulled out a small piece of mistletoe and charmed it, he then floated it above Severus and Lei's heads as they stood near the entrance talking.
"Dad," called Harry, Severus looked up and chuckled rolling his eyes.
"Come on dad, you have to," Harry said smiling widely, apparently Dumbledore was also watching, because he heard a soft laugh from the man. Severus looked at Lei and smiled.
"I love you," he whispered so no one else heard and leaned forward, taking her in his arms. Their lips met, if Harry could have actually seen sparks he would have sworn they would have set the castle a flame. There was absolutely something there between the two. After a few moments the two separated, but not completely, as Lei leaned her head into his and smiled.
"I love you too," she said placing a kiss on his cheek. Severus smiled as he heard several rounds of applause. They smiled, splitting completely apart, Severus reached down for her hand and held it as the two made their way towards their children. Lei leaned forward and placed a kiss on her son's head.
"Hello Harry," she said smiling at the young man.
"Hello Lei, hi dad," Severus smiled as he ruffled Damien's hair.
"Hello boys, staying up in your dorms?" Harry looked at Damien and smiled.
"I think we will, you two might want some time alone," Harry said chuckling.
"All right you two, we've got the picture," Severus said smiling.
"Ready to go Harry?" Damien asked smiling, Harry nodded and the two quickly left the Great Hall, smiling, as Severus shook his head.
"Sometimes I really do wonder what I've done to deserve them," Severus said.
"You make it sound like a bad thing," she chuckled.
"Sometimes it is," Harry stated smiling softly as he pecked her on the cheek again.
Harry and Damien joined their folks down in the Dungeons for Christmas Eve. Severus had, against his better will, gotten a Christmas tree for the two boys, and allowed both of them to open one present before they went off to bed.
"Cool, I got the newest Quidditch book!" Exclaimed Harry smiling at his father.
"101 Potions, Herbs and other various messes you can make," spoke Damien as he read off the title.
"We checked, you didn't have either," stated Lei as she kissed her son on the cheek, as well as Harry.
"Thanks," they said smiling.
"You're welcome, now off to bed boys, and please, stay in bed till seven," he said as they hurried off to their rooms, Lei smiled as she leaned into Severus' arms.
"DAD!" yelled Harry early the next morning as he and Damien jumped a top the bed, waking up both occupants the next morning. Severus groaned as his son managed to jump right on his stomach, looking over at the clock he read the numbers and rolled his eyes. 6:59.
"I said seven!" He groaned.
"It's seven in our room," Damien said sitting in his mother's lap.
"Of for god sakes, all right, come on," he muttered, Lei smiled as she slowly got out of bed, grabbed a robe and hurried out with the boys to make something to drink.
"Dad," Harry said stopping at the door as Damien and Lei continued into the next room. Severus looked up at the young man.
"What's up pal?"
"Are you gonna marry her?" Severus looked at him, then realized Harry was referring to Lei.
"Well…I'd like to, not just yet, I don't think we're ready, but yes I plan to marry her. What about you, you ever gonna ask Hermione out?" Harry blushed crimson red.
"I thought as much, come on Harry, let's go open presents," Harry smiled.
Christmas morning went wonderfully, Severus however, was beyond surprised when Harry opened one present only to find his father's old invisibility cloak.
"What does the note say Harry?" Damien asked.
"Use it well, that's strange. Dad?"
"Don't look at me, I can honestly say I have no idea where your father's cloak came from," Harry sighed.
Harry and Damien spent the rest of the day with their teachers and parents, until finally they headed up to the dormitory for the evening. Severus wanted some time with Lei, while the boys wanted to be able to hang around, Severus would never know his son was headed to the restricted section of the library that very evening.