Chapter Fifteen

A Christmas Tradition

Harry stayed in the hospital wing for the next day before being released just as lunch ended. Ron and Hermione were just on their way toward the hospital wing to visit Harry. Hermione suggested a walk on the grounds, and they left for the grounds only to be stopped by Malfoy and his cronies.

"You think pulling that stunt during the Quidditch match will make you more famous," he sneered.

"I never said that, but that was the only way I could think of to hurt you without resisting attacking you by any other means," Harry said calmly.

Malfoy drew his wand--"Mr. Malfoy!"

It was Professor McGonagall coming down the staircase with a list of students who will be staying for the Christmas holiday. "Mr. Malfoy, I doubt that you would want anymore detentions than you already have."

Harry and Hermione took the moment to leave while dragging Ron from watching Professor McGonagall punish Malfoy.

Ron argued that he wanted to see Malfoy talk his way out of it, but Hermione reminded him that Malfoy is out to get revenge on Harry. They walked the grounds as they passed several students participating in a snowball fight as there was a light snow fall.

Harry woke up early at the start of the holidays and dressed silently so not to wake his roommates. As the made his way down the staircase and to the landing; he was greeted by Crookshanks. Crookshanks greeted him by going around Harry's legs once before returning to lie in front of the fire. Harry was making his way toward the portrait door; he bumped accidentally into Hermione.

"Sorry, Harry," she said looking up at him. "Uh, Harry," she pointed above them and Harry looked and they underneath a mistletoe. "You know Harry; it is a Christmas tradition to kiss the girl under the mistletoe."

Harry couldn't register what Hermione had said. He was looking her in a new light; the sun's early rays pierced through the frosted window and the early burning fire in the fireplace.

"Harry," Hermione's voice came and shook Harry back to earth.

"Sorry," Harry said slightly red, "you did say it was a Christmas tradition Hermione." Hermione blushed even harder as Harry said this.

They slowly etched themselves closer and closer to each other. Hermione had to stand on her toes in order to become even in height with Harry. They kissed and Harry thought of the moment he had kissed Cho Chang the previous year, but without the tears on her face. This moment was completely different for Harry; for the first time he felt that he had found that special someone he could relate to, but when would it be the right time to tell her.

Harry and Hermione broke from their kiss both turning red in the face and Harry began to speak, "I don't think we should--" until he was interrupted by Hermione.

"I agree with you Harry," she said indicating that they would not tell anyone about their kiss underneath the mistletoe.

They exited the common room and made their way down the flights of stairs toward the Great Hall.

The Great Hall was decorated with twelve Christmas trees and enchanted snow falling from the enchanted ceiling. They sat down at the Gryffindor table and began to eat breakfast. The Great Hall was all but empty except for a few students who woke up early at some of the tables, but Harry didn't see any Slytherins at the Slytherin table. Ron joined them a few minutes later with steam coming out of his ears.

"I went to see Madam Pomfrey about my cold and she gave me a goblet of Pepper Up Potion to quell my cold," Ron said with a nasally voice while he sat down. "It also looks like I'd better stay inside for the day so Madam Pomfrey does not become angry at me for being irresponsible for not taking care of myself."

"I think you are right, Ron, since you don't want to make that cold any worse than it might get later on," Hermione said after swallowing her porridge.

Harry and Hermione finished eating breakfast and left Ron to finish eating since he couldn't leave the school since he didn't want to make Madam Pomfrey any angrier about a student being irresponsible overtheir health. They left through the oak doors and into the early morning frost and light snow. They walked the grounds where there were several other students from other houses and other years having a snowball fight.

Harry and Hermione kept their distance from the fight but that didn't stop some of the participants from bewitching the snowballs to hit Harry and Hermione. Hermione was particularly irritated when one of the snowballs went down the back of her robes and it took all of Harry's strength to stop her from putting her anger on them.

"Hermione, you should let them have some fun," Harry said as they walked toward their usual spot under the tree near the lake.

"I know Harry, but bewitching the snowballs to hit someone should be against the rules," Hermione said as she sat down next to Harry.

They watched several students who were ice skating on the now frozen lake as some of the snowball fighting students bewitched the snowballs to hit passers by. Hermione approached them to tell them to stop bewitching snowballs, but she ended up being hit with more snowballs and some of them went down the back of her robes. Harry stepped in and pulled Hermione away as he too was pelted by snowballs.

They made it to the safety of the oak doors where the last of the snowballs stopped hitting them.

"You should have let me punish them, Harry," Hermione said firmly.

"Yes, and end up being pelted with even more snowballs than you already have been hit with," Harry said as they climbed the flights of stairs toward the Fat Lady's portrait.

"Password?" the Fat Lady asked.

"Gillyweed," Hermione answered and the Fat Lady opened up and Harry and Hermione went to front of the fire to warm up. Ron was sitting in a chair near the fire apparently asleep.

Harry and Hermione took seats in the chairs by the fire and Harry drifted off to sleep.

Harry was walking down the corridors of Hogwarts and he heard voices behind a door. He reached for the door and he opened. He saw three of the founders gathered around a desk and they took no notice of Harry as he entered and closed the door.

"Did you two find anything in the corridors?" asked the well built man in scarlet red robes.

"No Godric, I didn't find anything strange," the witch with dark brown hair and blue robes.

"Neither did I," the witch with black hair and yellow robes.

"Nothing? Are you sure Rowena and Helga that you have checked all corridors?" the man called Godric asked.

"Yes, Godric I have check all floors and possible hiding places for Salazar's great beast," the witch in blue robes said.

"I think there is only one thing to do to protect Hogwarts from any danger that Helga has predicted," Godric said before turning toward a bird that was hidden from view. It was the same scarlet red swan-sized bird with golden tail feathers Harry had seen in his dream before. "You said that in your prediction that a young boy used a sword to slay to the great beast, Helga?"

"Yes, that is what I said," Helga said with the slight hint of fear.

Godric took an old looking wizards hat that was sitting on a stand not far from the bird and took out a jewel incrusted sword that was fasten to his robes. He then took his wand out of his robes and levitated the sword and hat. The sword shrunk and vanished into the hat itself.

He then turned toward the bird stroking it, "Now my pet, I know that you are very intelligent and I need your help. You have heard what Helga has said, and when you see that young lad and sense his great courage when the danger arrives from that great beast; you will understand."

"What do you tend to do?" the witch called Rowena said.

"If my prediction is correct, the great beast is something only Salazar and an heir of his bloodline can control it. I intend to make sure that only a true Gryffindor can use my sword to save this school from that beast Salazar has hidden."

"Harry," Harry woke up and it was Hermione probing him.

"What time is it?" Harry asked.

"It's nearly time for lunch mate," Ron answered standing up to stretch.

The next several weeks were spent inside since there was a blizzard that kept the students indoors. Harry woke up late on Christmas day to find presents on his bed. He pulled the curtains back on his bed to find that he was not the only one awake. His roommates greeted him with a "Happy Christmas," and he did so to them to before opening his first gift.

His first gift was a knitted sweater and a box of homemade sweets from Mrs. Weasley. He set it aside and opened his next gift; which was an album of pictures they had found while looking through the attic of his parents' home; Hagrid had sent him of Harry's favorite sweets; Ron had sent him a book called The History of Quidditch; Hermione had sent him a set of Seeker's safety glasses with a note that said that he is able to see without his glasses and that they repelled all foreign substances.

Harry put his gifts away and dressed before heading out of the dormitory toward the common room with Ron following. Hermione was already sitting in a chair by the fire reading a book.

"Happy Christmas, Ron. Happy Christmas, Harry," she greeted them as they came into view of her. "Thanks of the book Harry," she said holding up book Harry had gotten her since she said that she thought of returning as a Transfiguration teacher at Hogwarts.

They left the common room for lunch as several of the other Gryffindors left also. They ate, talked, and laughed during the Christmas feast which had roast turkeys, roast and boiled potatoes, plus several other side dishes, and wizard crackers. After Harry, Ron, and Hermione had eaten, they had decided to visit Hagrid out of Christmas cheer.

They crossed the grounds toward Hagrid's hut and knocked on the door. They heard Fang's booming barks as he tried to greet the ones who knocked. Hagrid had to hold onto Fang's collar to allow them to enter without being knocked down by Fang. They talked and drank some of Hagrid's tea as Fang rested his head on Hagrid's leg. They asked how Grawp and Buckbeak were doing.

Hagrid let out a chuckle, "Grawp is doing much better and he is keeping those centaurs away from him and Buckbeak is in a small shelter that's been bewitched with a spell to keep his shelter comfy for him to sleep in during the winter. "Has that Malfoy git stopped callin' yer a 'Mudblood', Hermione?"

"I don't think he has learned his lesson yet, but I think that he would earn himself more detention by the end of the summer term," Hermione replied.

Hagrid just chuckled as he sipped his tea. They stayed for hours before heading out to walk on the grounds. They passed several years of students in a snowball fight and some of them through snowballs at them trying to get them to join them. Ron joined since he was hit on the side of his head but only ended up being the target and had to retreat toward the castle as he was chased by bewitched snowballs pelting him. Harry and Hermione ran toward the castle in an effort to not be a target also, but that didn't stop them from being hit by the bewitched snowballs.

They reached the common room to warm up by the fire as Crookshanks stretched in a chair by the fire before greeting them. After Hermione had warmed up, she went up her dormitory and came back with her bag fill of books.

"You're not starting on homework during Christmas?" Ron asked in disbelief.

"Ron, we have our N.E.W.T.s coming up next year and you should start taking your studies more seriously if you want to go into the Ministry. If you need me, I'll be in the library," Hermione said as she left.

Harry too thought that Hermione had a point but Ron was in a bad mood and to argue was pointless. Harry went to retrieve his books and left to join Hermione in the library. He climbed down the flights of stairs and met Peeves, who was putting pails of water over the doors to fall on the next person to pass through them.

Peeves cackled as Harry approached, "If is it isn't Potty-Wee Potter. Doing school work on Christmas Day? Do you want to turn into that "Little Miss Know-It-All?" Harry knew that the poltergeist was talking about Hermione and Peeves doesn't listen to anyone except the Bloody Baron, the Slytherin ghost.

Footsteps were heard and were coming it was Professor Pierce. Peeves smiled widely as she approached, "If it isn't Fiery Pierce?"

Harry knew that Peeves shown respect toward the teachers and the only one he'd teased was Lupin when he was the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. She only let out a small smile, "You know Peeves, you shouldn't put that there or Filch would have your head if he gets soaked with iced cold water in front of the room where he gets his supplies." she pointed toward the door and Harry knew what door Peeves was trying to set the pail on. It was the Room of Requirement, a room where Harry first head the D.A. meetings before the club was known to the whole school.

Peeves just cackled unmoved since Harry knew that Peeves enjoyed making Filch's life miserable. "I wonder what ever happened to your friend, the auburn emerald know-it-all," Peeves cackled.

Professor Pierce almost dropped her book but said calmly, "Very well Peeves, I'll make sure the Bloody Baron hears of this," after hearing 'Bloody Baron' Peeves jumped and hit the pail above him and it fell onto his head soaking him. Peeves left cursing and hitting suits of armor as he zoomed through the corridors.

"Hello, Mr. Potter, you are not enjoying the weather outside," she asked Harry.

"No, not since I was hit with bewitched snowballs," Harry replied.

"I can see that you must be heading to the library to join your friend, Miss Granger," she said spotting Harry's bag. "I need to be off since I have things that need to be done, Mr. Potter," she said then set off in the opposite direction.

"Professor Pierce," Harry called out and she stopped, "what did Peeves mean about your friend?" after Harry asked this she dropped her book with a thud on the ground.

"Nothing, he must just being himself since he liked placing jokes on students who have a sense-of-humor," she said picking up her book then turned to leave.

Harry thought about what Peeves had said, but something came into mind, "Professor Pierce," she turned to face him again, "was Peeves talking about my mom?" she dropped her book again and didn't bother picking it up.

"How'd you guess?" she asked with her voice slightly hoarse.

"For one thing, how may people at this school at emerald green eyes?" Harry asked.

"Come with me Mr. Potter," she said picking up her book.