Chapter 5: Happy Christmas, Harry

The next month or so passed briskly, but quietly. The Unity Association met once or twice a week in its new meeting room on the third floor and looking back on it, Harry admitted that it had been as successful as he had hoped. Students - many of whom hadn't been interested in the more 'violent' Dumbledore's Army - flocked to the meetings in droves and by mid-December it was the best attended of all the school clubs and with only a few occasional hiccups everyone followed Harry's one basic rule: Politics, be it pure-blood dogma or Inter-House rivalries, stays outside.

Some practical lessons were learned - Harry, Hermione, Jenna and some of the other seventh years were still available to help younger students with any problems they were having with class work, and even teach the odd spell that wasn't on the syllabus.

The Unity Association meeting room, due to its relative isolation, also became a popular trysting spot once the snows closed in and it was impossible to venture outside the castle. However, Harry and his friends rarely made use of it in this capacity as they had other more private places to use: Harry and Ginny of course had use of Haimric's quarters, and Ron and Hermione had both the Gryffindor 'Head' rooms to choose from. Where Neville and Megan went when they needed some quiet time Harry didn't know, nor did he particularly want to.

On the day before the first match of the Quidditch season, Harry and the rest of the Gryffindor seventh years had a double period of Charms with the new professor, Ambrosio Edingson. They had been studying basic tracking charms for the past few weeks, Harry, Ron and Hermione were of course familiar with the simple 'Four Points' Spell, and all three had quickly got to grips with the slightly more advanced Locator Charm that allowed you to pin-point a static person or object.

"Now that most of you have got grips with 'Cuspis mihi', we're going to move on," announced Professor Edingson. "The next charm we're going to learn is the basic tracking spell used to locate moving objects. Does anyone know the incantation?"

"Vestigius," replied Hermione.

"Very good, Miss Granger. Five points to Gryffindor," said Edingson. "Now, the movements for the Tracking Charm are similar to the Locator Charm. Please watch me for a moment then you can have a go. Vestigius."

By the end of the lesson, only Harry (who already knew the spell thanks to Haimric) and Hermione were able to perform it. "Ten points to Gryffindor for Mr Potter and Miss Granger's excellent efforts. I would like two feet of parchment for the next lesson on locating and tracking charms. Class dismissed."

"Welcome to the opening match of the new Quidditch season. Today, defending champions, Gryffindor, take on the brute strength of Slytherin!" declared Colin.

"Having lost senior Chaser and team stalwart Katie Bell over the summer, Gryffindor Captain Harry Potter has made a few changes to his front line. Allow me to present… Weasley, Kirke, Sloper, Perez, Peschino, Weasley aaaaannnnd… Potter!"

"Despite the abys-"

"Creevey…" warned Professor McGonagall.

"Sorry, Professor," said Colin, not sounding sorry in the least. "Despite the, er… lack of successes last season, Slytherin Captain Theo Nott has kept the same team as when he became Captain last year. So, I re-introduce…. Crabbe, Goyle, Guile, Roche, Ares, MacBean and Nott!"

"Remember, I want a nice clean game," warned Hooch.

"The Quaffle is in the air… and they're off! Weasley snatches the Quaffle for Gryffindor, passes it back to new Chaser Manuel Perez, last year only a reserve… Perez passes it back to Weasley. Weasley ducks a Bludger - sent her way by Beater Goyle of Slytherin - and speeds towards the Slytherin goal. Slytherin Captain Nott tries cut her off, she passes the Quaffle to Chaser Peschino, who shoots… and scores! Gryffindor lead ten to nothing!"

There was a brief roar of triumph from the Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs, and even a few Ravenclaws. "Slytherin has possession, Captain Theo Nott with the Quaffle, passes to Chaser Ares. Ares aims for the goal, he shoots… the Quaffle is intercepted by Chaser Weasley and Gryffindor are back in possession."

The next hour or so passed fairly predictably, Gryffindor scored six more times - four from penalties awarded against Slytherin. After the fifth penalty was called, cobbing, against both Slytherin Beaters - Harry called for timeout.

"They're killing us out there, Harry," Ron observed, rubbing his shoulder were a stray Bludger had clipped it. "I don't know how much more of this I can take."

"That's easy for you to say," observed Perez. "I'm the one that nearly got squashed."

"I hear you, guys," Harry assured them. "But we're fifty points up. I'm going to try and end this as quickly as possible, but you might need to hang in there for a little while longer. In the meantime, try the Hawkeshead Attacking Formation - Conroy variation, that should take some of the flak off."

"But that'll leave you and Ron exposed," Ginny pointed out.

"We can handle it." Harry told her. After a moment, Ron nodded. "Let's go, guys." The seven players re-mounted their brooms and awaited Madam Hooch's signal to return to play.

"And as play resumes, the Gryffindor team seems to be taking a rather more aggressive approach. The Chasers have been joined by both Beaters and are flying in formation directly at the Slytherin goal, Chaser Weasley has the Quaffle, passes back to Perez. He shoots… and scores. Gryffindor lead eighty to twenty!"

Harry had just spotted the golden glint of the Snitch halfway down the pitch near the teachers' stand, he banked sharply and sped towards it. Second later, he felt the bush of feathers inside his clenched fist.

"Captain Harry Potter catches the Snitch!" announced Colin. "Gryffindor wins two-hundred and thirty to twenty!"

The next six weeks passed quickly, broken only by the Hufflepuff-Ravenclaw match at the end of November, which Hufflepuff won by a hundred-and-seventy points due to a fantastic catch by their Seeker, Scott Summerby.

"He's definitely going to be the one to watch out for," Harry commented to Ginny. They, and Neville, had gone down to the match in support of Megan and Zacharias, and in Harry and Ginny's case to check out the competition.

Ginny nodded. "We'll do fine, Harry."

"I hope so."

"I'm going down to congratulate Megan," Neville told them. "See you later?"

"Sure."

On the Monday before classes were due to finish for the year, Ginny went looking for Harry just before curfew. She found him standing at the top of the West Tower. "Are you okay, love?" she asked, sliding her arms around his waist and resting her head on his shoulder.

"Just thinking that's all, ionúin," Harry told her. "Did you know that it's been exactly a year since the attack on Hogwarts?" Ginny didn't say anything but he could feel her nodding. "I was standing right here when the alarm sounded."

"Does that bother you?"

"No," Harry assured her. "It just makes me think."

"Are you coming to the Burrow for Christmas?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah, Jenna wants to come. Is that okay?"

"Fine by me, love," Ginny assured him. "I made my peace with her months ago. Tonks'll be glad to see her. I think Remus and Emmeline are coming over for Christmas dinner."

"That'll be nice. I haven't seen much of Remus outside of the staff meetings. We'd better get back in. I wouldn't want you to be out after curfew. I might have to give a detention."

Ginny raised her eyebrows, and grinned slyly. "Really, and what would that involve?"

"I'm sure I could think of something," replied Harry, just as slyly.

Harry spent most of Friday afternoon packing his trunk. After dinner, he and Ginny returned to his quarters for studying and snuggling.

"It's going to difficult to find space to do this once we get back to the Burrow," Ginny told him, then giggled as Harry bent over to kiss her ear.

"I'm sure we'll manage, Gin," Harry told her, shifting his attention to the sensitive spot in the hollow below the lobe. "Have you got your presents sorted?"

"Of course. You?"

"I'm still waiting for Ron's to arrive," Harry admitted. "I sent it off last week to have something special done to it."

"Cool. What am I getting?"

"You'll have to wait 'til Christmas morning like everyone else, Gin."

"Well, I'm sure it'll be worth the wait."

"Oh, it will be," Harry promised, then he yawned. "Do you want to say here tonight?"

"I'd love to, Harry," Ginny said. "Why?"

"We won't have much chance while we're at the Burrow," Harry reminded her. "I don't want to lose any time I can with you."

"That's sweet, Harry. Can I borrow a t-shirt or something to sleep in?"

"Sure. Just have a look in my top drawer, pick something you like."

Ginny untangled herself from Harry and went into his bedroom. Harry waited a few minutes before following.

The bedroom was empty but Ginny called to him from the bathroom. Harry grinned, then quickly changed into his pyjamas and went into the bathroom. Ginny was standing in front of the mirror brushing her teeth. She was wearing one of Harry's Weird Sisters t-shirts - a dark green one - and he could see a pair of his boxers poking out from under the hem, which sat mid-thigh.

"That t-shirt looks better on you than it does on me," Harry observed.

"It does doesn't it?" said Ginny brightly. "I'll leave you to it. Don't be long."

"I won't be," Harry promised. "See you in a minute, ionúin."

Ginny finished brushing her teeth then left. Harry quickly completed his evening ritual and then went back into the bedroom. Ginny was already in bed. Harry extinguished the lights and go into bed beside her. He wrapped his arms around her, drawing her close. "'Night, Ginny."

"'Night, Harry."

Secure in each other's embrace, both teens were soon asleep.

Remus, Molly, Arthur, Bill and Fleur were waiting for the teens and Jenna when they stepped off the train at King's Cross. Gabrielle immediately made a beeline for her sister, who hugged her warmly.

"I'm afraid Tonks couldn't be here, Jenna," Remus told her, as he spied her looking around hopefully. "She was called away on an important mission."

Jenna sighed. "Any idea when she'll be back?"

"She said to tell she's not sure."

"Okay," Jenny said, and then she drew herself up, all business again. "Are the cars from the bank here?"

Remus nodded. Jenna spotted the teens' bodyguards on her second scan of the station and beckoned them forward. Once all the pleasantries were out of the way, the bodyguards took charge of the luggage and they moved out to the cars. The trip back to Ottery St. Catchpole was quiet, and within two hours Harry was back in his room at the Burrow unpacking.

He was just putting away the last of his things when Jenna poked her head in. "Can I have a word, Harry?"

"Sure, Jen. Have a seat."

"Would you mind if I went back to the flat until Tonks finishes her mission or Christmas Day?"

"Is being here too much for you?" Harry asked.

Jenna nodded. "I can handle Hogwarts, but here just feels… odd."

"When were you planning on leaving?"

"Fleur and Gabrielle are going into London tomorrow afternoon to pick up some new clothes for Gabby. I thought I'd go with them."

"It's fine with me, cuallach," Harry told her. "I'll contact you if I need you. Give my best to Jackson and the others."

"I will."

Harry and Ginny were in middle of breakfast the next morning when they were interrupted by Molly's raised voice. "RONALD BILIUS WEASLEY, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!"

"Uh-oh, full name. Ron's in trouble now," observed Ginny. "What do you think Mum's caught him doing now?"

"As a guess, she probably caught him and Hermione together," Harry said.

Ginny nodded, "Hermione wasn't in my room when I woke up this morning so she's probably in Ron's room."

"Your mum doesn't sound pleased by that," Harry observed dryly.

"Yes, well. Mum wants grandchildren, but she'd rather they came from Bill or Charlie first. And she doesn't like the idea of sex before marriage either."

"Do you think I should tell her about the amulet I gave Hermione at Easter?"

"It might help, but then she'd probably get angry with you instead."

"I'll risk it," said Harry, putting down his knife and fork and rising to his feet.

"What's so special about Hermione's amulet, Ginny?" asked Luna, coming in through the backdoor with Grafton in tow.

"Hi Luna. How are you?"

"I'm fine, Ginny," Luna told her. "Hermione's amulet?"

"It's got an anti-pregnancy charm on it. Harry bought it from Cora Airoduille, a Ealbhari Archmage. A Veela and an Incubus couldn't break through it," Ginny told her. "It's also spelled so that Hermione can't take it off unless she wants to have children."

"I see. Do you think your mother will be mollified?"

"Not much," Ginny admitted. "But it should help a little."

As Ginny predicted, Molly was only partially placated, and all four teens were forced to trend carefully over the next few days, as even the slightest hint of 'impropriety' started Molly off on another rant about how 'she didn't get up that sort of thing in her day' (which Harry knew from Johannes' memories and his conversations with Professors McGonagall and Hagrid wasn't true).

Things were a little tense between Molly and the four teens for the next few days – Luna was exempted because she was a guest and in any case single – but Molly eventually relented on Christmas Eve and allowed the five of them to 'set up camp' in the living room that evening in sleeping bags. Her only condition were that Jenna (who had returned that morning) also sleep in the room as chaperone. Harry commented to Ginny that that was rather pointless as Jenna had no interest in stopping them from doing anything but decided not to tempt the fragile détente by pointing this out to Molly. When Molly came down in the morning the two couples were snuggled together – Ron and Hermione over by Jenna's sofa and Harry and Ginny by the fire – but each of the four were wrapped in separate bags so she didn't think anything of it.

Christmas Day itself passed pleasantly. Jenna and her flatmates, Kingsley, Tonks, Remus and Emmeline, and of course Harry and Hermione, joined the entire Weasley family - minus Percy, but including Fleur and Gabrielle - for Christmas dinner. After dinner, the presents were handed round.

Harry thought he did reasonably well: there was the usual chocolate from Ron, Hagrid and Molly - who also made him a new jumper; books from Hermione, Luna, Remus and Emmeline; a bottle of very nice aftershave from Ginny; and an antique Musashi-style katana from Jenna, Tonks and the flatmates. He was equally generous with his own gifts to his friends: for Hermione, a bound original of Bonham's Guide to Healing; for Ginny, a spider-silk gown made by an Ealbhari thread-mage; for Jenna and Tonks, a book on aromatherapy and a box of massage oils; a new gold-and-silver chess-set for Ron. A new cookbook for Molly, a book on runes for Daniels, and small gifts for the rest of the party to round things out.

On the evening of Christmas Day, Harry and Ginny finally managed to get some time to relax together, though in deference to Molly's wishes, they opted to spend it in the living room. They curled up together in one of the larger armchairs by the fire, and watched Ron and Jenna pay chess. Hermione was ensconced in one of the other armchairs reading her new book and occasionally looking up at the chess game.

"How's the book, Hermione?" Harry asked after a while.

"It's fascinating," Hermione told him. "Thanks for giving it to me."

"I thought you'd make good use of it," Harry told her. "And it seemed appropriate. Apolla got it from her little brother, so I thought as your 'little brother' I should give it to you."

"Thanks Harry," Hermione said with a smile. "By the way, you call Jenna 'companion', Ginny 'beloved', is there a word for me?"

"Jarroca," said Harry promptly. "A female friend that is closer than family. The male form is 'jarrovra'."

Hermione reached over and hugged Harry warmly. "Thank you."


A/N: Sorry about the huge wait between chapters, but work is still rather busy at the moment and an IT course and my voluntary work are taking up a lot of the remaining time. However, I have not given up on this fic and I am hoping to get it finished before July 16th though I'm not certain if I'll manage it. Chapter 6 will be up as soon as possible. In the meantime, please review.