Harry Potter Boy who Lives

H P Boy who Lives 7th year

Chapter Fourteen

The Christmas Nazi

--

I know you're thinking what's up with the title of the chapter. Well, one of my favorite Sci-Fi shows was Roswell and in it Isabelle became what they dubbed 'The Christmas Nazi' because she was obsessed with doing up Christmas to the nines and so the title. Hermione is focusing on Christmas because she's missing Harry and driving everyone around her nuts...

--

Two weeks later

Hermione was intent on making things right with Harry. It had been two weeks since he had, according to his letter, gone off on his first mission to protect the family. It was more like gone away from her trying to take advantage of or attack him, as she had two weeks previous at High Tea. The problem with that was she had no memory of any of it. Even if Merlin and the others using a Pensive had corroborated it to her, it was a complete blank. "It's just not the same without Harry and I haven't even gotten my Christmas to do list finished yet."

Draco was hanging garland in the Castle entrance.

Ginny was decorating her one hundredth out of a hundred Christmas tree. "The Camelot Wing looks like we wish to advertise for St. Nick to move in. The castle has more decorations than in its 1005-year old history, and still you aren't satisfied with it. You attacked Harry and announced the third strike had fallen to our family in Avalon and at High Tea no less. So, to keep his promise, he decided to go on a mission to keep his distance from you." Ginny was sick of decorating trees.

"She's aware of that, Peaches. That's why she's hell-bent on making Christmas huge this year." Draco sighed. He was bored out of his mind as was Ron. It was dull in the castle without Harry.

"I finished Christmas shopping on that last weekend excursion to London, as did the rest of the family. What could possibly be left on her list?" Ginny added Everlasting Icicles and Never Melting Snow on her tree.

"Every floor is finished." Luna and Ron walked down the entryway stairs and over towards them. "We have a message for Hermione from the other Prefects."

"We quit and never wish to see another decoration again. Oh and Ernie and Anthony both say Bah humbug." Ron relayed the message.

"They can't quit that's insubordination! I will have their badges for this!" Hermione fumed.

"Hermione! There isn't anything left to decorate! We're all bone tired, so give us all a break!" Draco, Ron, Ginny, and Luna all snarled at her.

"I'm sorry! I just miss Harry!" She raced up the stairs in tears.

"Hermione! Don't go off like that! We're sorry!" Draco paced in front of them. "Oh, this is just great! Everyone goes on Holiday tomorrow, even Bastion and Bree, who are terrified of her right now. It's a week till Christmas. We're gonna be left alone with Hermione and there's no Harry to be found."

"Well, time flies when you're taking out Dark Wizards. Did you see the names crossed off so far?" Ginny shivered at the thought of just how many had been still at large. "He's on the warpath, because of what Lord Montague revealed in Uncle Stephens chambers."

"He's with Tonks and over two hundred international Hit Wizards and Aurors. He just wishes to protect all of us." Luna shivered at the thought of what would have happened to her mother and aunts. "If Aunt Gene hadn't found that antidote..."

"I know." Ginny didn't wish to think about that anymore. "All of them would have lost their babies or worse."

"I still can't get over just how special Harry's blood is. Just look at the miracle cures it's created. It's because of just three drops of his blood that Mum, and both Aunts are cured." Draco grinned.

"Our Harry is quite the walking miracle." Ron agreed.

--

Hagrid and Olympe found that not only had their home been decorated for Christmas, but there was a tree with stacks of presents underneath it as well.

"But, how did they know that we was comin back home?" Hagrid was delighted by the surprise, but puzzled about how anyone had known of their arrival. "It was Harry and Dory's idea ta surprise everybody. They're the only ones who knew we was comin."

"Guilt my darling. It was done from the heart out of love yes, but from Hermione's, uh... How you say, ah, oui, determination to set things right again." Olympe kissed his cheek. "She did a très magnifique job decorating."

"Never thought I'd see the day that Harry would run from anything, other than Fluffy perhaps." Hagrid lit a fire in the fireplace.

"Yes, but darling he was running from a jeune fille amoureux." Olympe smiled. "Hermione is very much a young woman in love."

--

Charlie was wrapping his final presents for Dory. The surprises included a gown and fur cape to wear at the Ball that Franc had insisted he buy for her with all the trimmings and a completely new wardrobe. "I hope she's all right." He had been lonely without her and had been camping out with the dragons to not think of how much he was missing her.

"Is that big box for me?" Tonks walked into their quarters.

"Dory!" Charlie wasted no time sweeping her up into his arms, regardless of the gear she had yet to shed, and kissed her mindless.

"Charlie, I missed you something awful..." She kissed him back shedding her gear on the floor. "I couldn't stop thinking of you. How much I want to marry you… which is a challenge in the middle of a skirmish… Oh and how much I love you."

"We're getting married as soon as humanly possible." Charlie paused long enough to put a Colloportus spell on the door, before carrying her up to their rooms.

--

James was trying in vain to persuade Rad and Lady out from under Harry's bed. "How about if you two come out for some milk?" He had two large bowls of milk sitting in front of the bed.

The pups whined their lonesome cry, but didn't move an inch.

"He's coming back. He didn't abandon you. I'll sneak you one of your presents."

The pups weren't going to budge.

"It's been six hours. Which means that you two need to go out for your walkies." James held up their leads.

Rad perked his ears up, as did Lady then started to bark their happy bark. They hadn't done this since Harry had gone away.

"Hey, guys did ya miss me?" Harry appeared in his bedroom.

The pups raced out from under the bed and tackled him to the floor, so they could smother him with puppy kisses.

"Okay...Okay...I missed you too!" Harry laughed as he wrestled with them on the floor.

James took in his son's appearance. He seemed fine, but one never knew. "Welcome back son."

"Hi Dad," Harry looked up at his father and grinned. "Are the kids here giving you a rough time of it?"

"First things first, you have that eye wateringly familiar just back from a mission smell. Hit the showers. I'll unpack your gear." James decided to forgo the are-you-all-right speech.

Harry grinned even wider. "Oh, yeah, that. Well, this past week has been more work and less vanity. I loath cold showers, didn't even care about shaving either." He unloaded his gear onto the bathroom floor. "I brought back Hagrid and Olympe, because her precious school is under renovations, and in need of more teaching staff." He headed for his shower.

"Oh, the humiliation she must have suffered having ten Deatheaters in her school." James tossed all of his clothes into a pile. "What's in the velvet Santa bag?" He hefted the enormous bag out of one of the packs and set it down.

"Hmm...Let me think about that for a second. It is the Holidays. Could it be I don't know presents perhaps?" Harry relished the feel of the steaming hot water from the shower. "I will never take any of this for granted ever. The clothes, the bath, the shower, the sink, and the loo... I missed all of them. Oh and the bed. I missed my bed, the castle, and just having a roof over my head."

"Yeah, that first long mission assignment is a bitch and roughing it makes it twice as hard to endure." James had four stuffed bears in his arms. "You named the bears?"

"Two of them are for Michael and Isabella. One is for Juliet. The other is for Nathan. I have a fifth one, but I think that was just a mistake on the toymakers part. She insisted that I buy it. That one is named Liam. They were each handmade and perfect for a first teddy bear." Harry was enjoying a longer shower than he usually preferred.

"Makes perfect sense now, thanks for clearing that up." James set the bears on one of the shelves in his dressing area. "You're very fortunate that Lily likes those names. Jenna decided on Juliet and Gene is set on naming her son Nathanial."

"How are they? You mentioned a cure in your letter, but didn't give any details." Harry pulled on his robe and headed for his dressing area.

"The three of them are better than fine and full of energy. Lily actually wasn't in as much danger as Jenna and Gene, because she has antibodies like your own or something like that." James chuckled when Harry hugged his clothes. "Gene and Severus argued over who finally developed the cure. Severus took the venom, because that's what the origin of the poison was, added a few drops of your blood to it, and instant cure. Now at the same time Gene did the same thing. And so the quandary over who discovered it first."

"I'm just relieved that all of them are going to be okay. So, uh, how is Hermione?" Harry finally asked.

James took his time answering. "Bastion and Bree have dubbed her 'the Christmas Nazi'. There isn't a floor in the castle not decked to the nines with decorations. She's gonna make this the best Christmas ever for you. The Prefects are about to revolt, as are your little brother, little sister, Ron, and Ginny. Oh and she has no memory of her actions in front of Merlin and the others. But, she did get to see it with the help of a Pensive. She's currently in her room bawling her eyes out. Something she does at least five times or more a day."

Harry began swearing in Parseltounge.

"What did you expect, Junior, smiles and laughter? You see as far as she was concerned you went off into danger, because she had an overdose of healing, and tried to jump you."

Harry finished shaving off two weeks of beard and put in his contacts. "No, I just hate hearing about all the tears that were caused by my leaving on a mission. It's just something that she needs to get accustomed to, because it's part of my job description."

"Dad was humoring you this time. Although, all of us have to admit that you did do a bang up job for your first time-out. You mentioned the word Great-Grandpa to him and he buckled. You're still HBP and the heir. He won't take nor will I allow unnecessary risks involving your life." James needed to set him straight.

"That was before I was officially out in the field. I never once complained or pulled the prince card during the whole mission. I more than pulled my own weight for two weeks. I slept on cold unforgiving floors, took cold showers, slept out in tents, while Tonks slept in warm homes or cabins. I more than put a dent on that list. Tonks is way more of a wild card than I am. She plowed head on. No matter what the situation or how outnumbered or ambushed we were." Harry dug through the huge sack of presents. "Now if you'll excuse me I have to go see my princess for awhile. Do me a favor take those bears to our mama's-to-be? Oh and I want real food for dinner. Could it be a family dinner as well?"

"Anything else?" James smirked at him.

"Let's see a sit down family dinner and instead of giving them the bears put them where they're sitting. Oh and don't tell the others that I'm back. Invite Hagrid and Olympe and the kids need to go outside." Harry grinned sheepishly. "Sorry about that. Slipped into prince mode for a second there...See ya in awhile Dad. It's good to be home." Harry vanished like the Cheshire cat.

"Don't tell the others he's back? Lily is gonna know as soon as she wakes up from her nap." James muttered aloud, as he put the leads on the pups, and went to take them for their walk.

--

Hermione was wearing Harry's pajamas. She had his royal cloak wrapped around her and was cuddling the stuffed Hedwig toy that they had picked out last summer. In front of her sat a large bowl of ice-cream with all the trimmings that Winky and Dobby had fixed for her.

"I miss Harry and now it seems that everyone despises my wish for the castle to look festive. Maybe I should go home for a few days see Mummy and Daddy or wander around Sanctuary all by my lonesome self." She felt miserable, so what better way to drown your misery than digging into a huge fattening bowl of ice-cream. "Not like anyone would miss me here. They all run when they see me heading their way."

"I would miss you, but then I also have the key and security codes to get into Sanctuary." Harry set the stack of large wrapped presents down and took in the sight before him. "Oh gods... Is that a triple ice-cream strawberry, vanilla, and rocky road sundae with all the toppings except for nuts?" He sat down on her bed, "That bad, huh?

"Not you again! Go away!" Hermione glared at him. "It makes me miss him even more!"

"Excuse me? Do you wanna fill me in here?" Harry was a little startled by her response. "Do you have a phantom version of me now?"

"I miss you so much that I conjure you up in my mind, but today I wish you gone." Hermione threw a pillow at him that he easily dodged.

"Oh... I see... Well, can my stand in pick up a spoon, dig into your ice-cream sundae, and then eat it?" Harry went to do just that.

"Oh gods, I missed things like this." Harry savored the flavors that were bursting inside his mouth.

Hermione stared at him as he continued to devour her treat. "Harry?"

"Last I checked, yeah, it's me." Harry fed her some of the ice-cream sundae. "Thanks for not ruining it with nuts."

"Why didn't you see me as soon as you got back?"

"My stench would have caused you to run in terror of me. My clothes, after two weeks of roughing it in various countries without many showers, nearly got up and walked away on their own." Harry knew that she was in one of her moods and trod lightly around her while continuing to share her treat between the two of them. "Ask Dad. He was in my room trying to lure out the pups."

"I missed you so much. You didn't even say good-bye. You just left me a note. I'll give you some credit though. You did pour your heart out into it and explained to me why you were going." Hermione reached down took the bowl and dumped the remaining contents over his head. "Next time have the ballocks to tell me face-to-face!"

"Enjoy the ice-cream! I have to finish packing for the train tomorrow!" She got up and stalked into her bathroom slamming the door shut behind her.

"I deserve that. I was being paranoid. She's not getting on that train." Harry took several deep calming breaths, before using Scourgify to clean up the mess on him, as well as her bed.

"I went on my first mission as an Auror. This is as you very well know my chosen career. With it come days or weeks of travel! This had more to do with protecting my family...this family than with you wanting to jump me! I will not risk you or anyone for anything! Go ahead and run home to Mummy and Daddy! If that's what you wish, but I already told them this morning about the reasons that I took the mission! All about the third strike, as you so blatantly stated at High Tea two weeks ago! While I was showing Tonks, Hagrid and Olympe our home! Sanctuary, by the way, looks smashing with all of its holiday flare inside as well as out!" Harry bit out angrily at her through the door.

He was tired and obviously cranky as hell. "I left you something by your bed! I thought that you might fancy them! You can toss them for all I care! I've been through hell and back these past two weeks. I'm not gonna deal with tantrums from you! When you grow up! If you come to your senses! I'll be unpacking or crashing in my room!!" Harry left her to think about his words.

--

When I grow up!? He's the one who fled in terror with his tail between his legs! Hermione fumed. She opened the door, but he was gone.

"He left! He actually said all of that and then went to go unpack!" She stalked over to the wrapped boxes glaring down at them. "He probably chose something tacky for a gift." She untied the bow on the first one.

She opened the box, finding that inside under the tissue paper, was an exquisite wedding gown of silk, satin, pearls, and lace. "Holly cricket where did he find this it's glorious."

She quickly opened the next one. Inside was a matching silk faux fur-lined hooded cloak. "He went to all of this trouble and during a mission no less."

The next one contained a bejeweled tiara with an ankle length veil made of the finest lace and some thing's to wear underneath the gown. "Harry I know that you didn't buy those on your own." She blushed.

There was a smaller box containing matching satin heeled button up boots instead of slippers. "He spoils me so much." She sniffled happily.

She opened an even smaller one that when opened contained a heart stopping set of jewelry to match the Tiara on the veil. Now under that was a set of satin opera length gloves. "He remembered about Wills, Christmas Eve surprise." Hermione burst into tears. "I was so awful to him and he was only trying to give me all of these."

"Yeah, well, we both are really testy today. I'm bone tired and you've been missing me so much." Harry sat down next to her. "Olympe and Tonks helped with a few items, but I took a chance and chose the rest of the lot. Mum and Franc sent me your measurements and what have you. So I went by those."

"I love them all and you with all of my heart." Hermione launched herself into his arms and kissed him amidst the ribbons and paper.

--

An hour or so later

James was setting up the Common Room for the family dinner. "The table will go here. It looks like there's more than enough room for chairs and walking around." He had moved a couch over by the windows to make room for a large table. "Aunt Minerva & Uncle Albus, Gene & Remus, Dad & Mum, Sirius & Jenna, Ginny & Draco, Ron & Luna, Rory & Wills, Dromi & Henry, Hagrid & Olympe, Harry & Hermione, and Lil's & myself. That means a table large enough to seat at least twenty-four people and chairs." The table appeared, as did the chairs. That was followed by perfect place settings with golden goblets. "Outstanding job you three. It's exactly what I was thinking of."

"I see that Harry has requested a family dinner for his first night back." Lily, dressed for dinner in an emerald green velvet gown, walked over to view the table.

James was setting the bears on Gene and Jenna's chairs. "Something like that." James handed her the two remaining plush bears.

"James these are adorable." Lily cuddled them to her.

"Handmade in Europe or so I was told." James wasn't going to say if Harry was back or not.

"See I told you that Michael and Isabella were wonderful names for our twins. Even Harry loves them." Lily smiled.

"Who said anything about Harry being in the castle?" James arched on brow at her.

"Oh, stop. I know that our son is in the castle. I share a bond with him remember. Is he upstairs with Hermione?" Lily's eyes danced with mischief. "Did he take her up any early Christmas parcels? Say a large stack of them?"

James shook his head at Lily and grinned. "The boy is just back from two weeks of hell. His clothes nearly walked on there own and he's bone tired."

"Bone tired yet still able to take a stack of parcels containing something guaranteed to get in her favor again...yes darling your quite right they're probably getting in a snuggle before dinner." Lily patted him on the cheek then went to peek on the ones hiding in the entertainment room. "I want the lot of you upstairs. I fancy a family dinner tonight and jeans aren't on the agenda."

Draco, Ginny, Luna, Ron, Wills, Rory, Dromi, and Henry reluctantly filed out of the room.

"We're watching Prisoner of Azkaban and it's at a key part in the movie." Rory and Dromi pouted.

"You can watch it anytime." James, no longer in a playful mood growled at them. "Now go get ready for dinner."

"It isn't Christmas or Christmas Eve." Draco looked at the large table and frowned. "Why the need for a lavish table set up?"

Lily instantly burst into tears. "Fine! Do what you wish! I thought that a sit down dinner would be lovely." She sobbed against James shoulder.

Draco instantly changed his tune. "No Mum. This is great. We'll go up and get changed for dinner."

"No you watch your movie of your brother..." She sobbed even harder. "I miss him so much! He's off risking his life to keep us safe!"

Everyone raced out of the Entertainment Room.

Wills and Henry went to their own on the main floor.

The others ran up the stairs.

"Now that my darling flyboy is how you deal with the children." Lily was calm, serene, and no longer crying. She did a glamour spell on her face to wipe away any sign of tears.

"I as usual bow to the mistress of manipulation." James kissed her.

--

Harry looked down into Hermione's eyes. "So, one thing's for certain we'll never look at wrapping paper, ribbons, or bows the same way again." He kissed her on the nose. "We could have injured certain places."

"True, but what a glorious way to get a paper cut or two." Hermione wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.

The two were about to be rudely interrupted from their blissful reunion.

"Hermione," Ginny knocked on her door. "Aunt Lily's set on having a sit down family dinner."

"All right Gin. I'll be down in a bit." Hermione blushed crimson. Trying to think if she locked her door or not. "I just, um, need to take a bath first."

Harry was kissing her neck.

"Oh, honey. Are you pinning over Harry again? Do you need a hug?" Ginny was feeling guilty for making her cry earlier.

Harry wiggled his eyebrows playfully at her. :Yeah, sweetness, are you in need of a hug?: He teased.

:Will you be serious for a moment! I don't remember if I locked my door or not and we are not dressed to just have her walking in!: She blushed an even deeper shade of red.

"I'm..." She swatted his hands away from her person. "...Fine Ginny." She called out. :Go hide in the bathroom and stay there.: She hissed.

"Really? You were so upset earlier..." Ginny tried the door. Just as she expected she'd locked herself in her room again. "Are you sure that you're all right?"

Hermione wrapped the royal robes around her glaring at Harry, who was grinning up at her like the big bad wolf. "Yes, Gin. I'm positive!" She watched as he got up and got rid of the fancy paper and ribbon. Then stacked up all the parcels and picked them up in his arms.

:Stop being all Wolfe and go hide!: She pushed him into the bathroom then threw his clothes and hers in after him.

:Wolfe, huh...Well, here's your robe, my lioness.: Harry tossed her the robe. :We're married. This wasn't a capital offense.: He reminded her. He was highly amused with the situation. :Granted, I won't be able to move soon, because when the blissfully high wears off my whole body is gonna make me pay.:

Hermione closed the door to the bathroom and pulled on her robe. "Really, Gin. I was upset for a bit, but I'm fine!" She stuffed Harry's royal dress robes under her pillow before going to peek at Ginny by just opening the door up a crack. "See all good. See you at dinner."

Ginny pushed her way into the room. "Did you cry yourself to sleep again?" She took in her rumpled appearance and frowned.

:Excellent guess baby sis, but not even close. Just think she's in your room braving the Christmas Nazi.: Harry carefully hung up her gown and matching cloak.

Hermione smiled at Ginny, "I did, but I had a good dream about Harry and I'm fine now."

:Who told you about that!?: She snarled.

Ginny could smell Harry's aftershave all over the room. "Oh, Hermione… You didn't go and snatch his cologne again did you?"

Hermione walked over to get the robes from under her pillow. "Guilty... Now we both need to get ready for dinner." She shooed her out of her rooms then hugged her. "You caught me getting ready for a bath and my water is getting absolutely tepid."

Ginny frowned at her, "I'll see you at dinner."

She disappeared into her room.

Hermione closed the door locking it before going to open the door to the bathroom. "What are you doing?"

Harry now dressed was filling up the tub for her. "Drawing you a bath filled with your favorite bath salts and bubble bath, before I go change for dinner."

"You are a prince among men and I love you, but you aren't going to avoid telling me who told you about that." Hermione swatted his hands away from trying to pull her into his arms. "Hands to yourself."

"Dad told me that Bastion and Bree dubbed you the Christmas Nazi, the Prefects mutinied, and the crew as well." Harry conjured a single red rose and ran it along her cheek. "I don't see you as anyone but my beautiful, caring, and loving Hermione Anne or Annie. My Lioness in more ways than one it seems."

Hermione burst into tears. "I missed you so much! Never go away from me that long again!" She threw her arms around him sobbing against his shoulder.

Harry held her in his arms resting his chin on her head. "I can't promise you that, love. What I can promise you is that we won't have any miscommunication between us before I go off on a mission."

"Hermione. It's Rory." She wasn't swayed by the locked door and used magic to open it. "Ginny's really worried about..." Rory walked into the room instantly sensing her brother in the room.

Harry kissed Hermione senseless then vanished.

"In here, Rory." She quickly shed her robe and got into the tub.

Rory poked her head into the bathroom. It was odd that it had suddenly acquired doors to the dressing area. "You have doors for your dressing area since when?"

Hermione looked over at the new addition to her bathroom suite. "Um, yes, because I still have loads of wrapping to do. There are unwrapped gifts in there." Hermione continued to try to enjoy her bath. "After all I am the Christmas Nazi. Why would I wish to spoil someone's Christmas day surprise?"

"I happen to enjoy your work. The castle looks smashing." Rory sat on the tile floor in front of the tub. "So, care to explain your thoroughly kissed appearance."

Hermione flushed crimson. "Um, Harry's back and kissed me hello."

Rory noticed how badly she was blushing and grinned. "Did he really? Shall I look in the closet? Is he hiding in there?" She opened the doors with a mere motion of her hand. There was no Harry to be found, but the stack of unwrapped boxes did catch her eye. "Someone got her Christmas early." Rory got up and went to investigate.

Hermione sank under the water to hide her blushing face.

"Oh, baby sister, it's glorious and he got you all the bells and whistles too. No wonder the two of you celebrated a few days early." Rory held up the white bit of silk and lace material and grinned. "Somehow I doubt that he picked out this little number."

Hermione peaked at her from the tub. "Um, no that and what goes underneath the gown were chosen by Olympe and Tonks." She sank back under the bubbles.

"Not to worry, baby sister. I won't blab to Daddy that you and baby brother had dessert. Besides, you've been married to him for months." Rory chose a dress for her to wear. "You should wear this one to dinner."

Hermione hurriedly sat back up in the tub getting water up her nose, "That one? I can't. It shows way too much skin." She coughed up water.

"Baby brat, left you for two weeks. It's only fair to make him suffer a little." Rory winked at her. "Now that he knows what's underneath."

--

Chapter Fifteen

Family Dinner

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I do not claim any of JKR's characters only that I love being able to create my own kind of mischief with her beloved characters. I do not claim any other things that are owned by other companies that I may mention once and a while in the stories...Although the original characters and ideas are mine and I loved creating them. So please review if you wish but try not to flame me too badly.

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Cindra 2004-2008