Chapter 7

Dear Harry,

Dan and I would be delighted to spend Christmas Eve at your home. If you are available, we would like to invite you in return for dinner on Boxing Day, December 26. You could come anytime in the early afternoon. We will prepare the guest bedroom for you.

Thanks again for all of your love and consideration that you have shown to our family.

Love,

Emma

Harry put the note down that Hedwig had returned with. He had received similar notes from Molly inviting him to their rebuilt burrow on Saturday 28 December, and dinner with Susan and Amelia on Sunday 29 December. In all three cases, he had been invited to stay for the evening. Everyone else had indicated that they could be able to attend for at least part of the time.

Harry'd had a great time shopping with Remus. He had attempted to find a gift or two for everyone that would either keep them safer, delight them, or both. He had brought them back to his home to keep his excessively inquisitive housemates from accidentally stumbling upon any of the gifts. Ginny and Susan kept trying to pry advance information out of him, with no avail, though Harry and Hermione found their efforts highly amusing.

Winter break that year would be 16 days from Dec 21 until January 5. Harry had hoped to spend an afternoon with Tonks and continue his work on morphing. He also wanted to look through some of the magical weapons that had come with the house. One of the days, he needed to visit Gringotts to do some account transfers and sign some paperwork in connection with his investments.

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Katie had been attending the early morning workout sessions for several weeks now. After the first session when she had arrived wearing a baggy sweatshirt and sweatpants, Hermione had loaned her some of the clingy Lycra exercise outfits like the other women had chosen to wear. While nowhere near as strong as the other women had become, she was surprisingly fit and agile for a witch.

Harry was practicing with his wooden sword one morning, when Katie asked him if he would show her some of the basic moves. He loaned her one of the wooden practice swords, a Katana style Bokken with a 30 inch blade and a ten inch two-handed handle.

Harry showed her several of the different stances, how to hold the Samurai style sword, basic blocks, thrusts and stabs. Each morning since, the apprentices arrived in the morning to find Katie already at work. "Can we practice together for a while, Harry?"

"Sure. Put this on first. I'll turn around." Harry loaned her Susan's Dragonhide vest. He also handed her a pair of gloves to wear. "They may be wooden swords, but they hurt like the dickens if you get hit with one."

They practiced parrying for a while. Katie would thrust and Harry would block. The wooden swords made a click, clack sound as the struck each other. Harry started very slowly, demonstrating each move, and proper form. After a bit they worked up a bit of speed. Ginny watched as Katie went through the different moves that they were practicing on.

"Very good Katie," she said. "You're picking that up very quickly."

"Thanks Ginny. Have you been working on that long?"

"We started last summer. Harry is amazing to watch."

"Will you show me?" asked Katie.

"Harry, do you have enough time?" asked Ginny, getting ready.

"Sure."

Ginny put her gear on and faced Harry, bowing.

Click, clack, clack, they went through the same moves that Harry had just gone through with Katie except seven or eight times faster.

"Merlin!" said Katie, watching the two flash by her. Click, clack, clack, the wooden Bokkens chattered as the two dodged and weaved. At a predetermined moment, they stopped, and again bowed to each other.

"It's a different type of exercise than lifting weights or stretching, though that's important too," he said, watching Hermione and Susan work together. "You get a lot better at balance, and your movement becomes more fluid."

"Harry is about twice as fast as the level that we were just practicing," said Ginny, obviously proud of her boyfriend. "He and his trainer are like two blurs as they work together."

"You are getting a lot quicker yourself," said Harry. "You have amazing balance and form."

"Thanks," said Ginny. She hadn't been fishing for a complement, but it was nice to hear.

"We need to get going," said Harry

"Wait, Harry," said Katie. "Is it too late to accept your Christmas invitation?"

"Not at all," replied Harry. "You'll need to see Dumbledore to get a portkey. We'll see you Tuesday at noon."

"Wait Katie," said Ginny. She seemed to have been waiting for the opportunity to say something. "Do you need a place to stay for the holiday? There's plenty of room at Harry's home."

There were tears welled in Katie's eyes. Her parents had been murdered just about the time that school had started. Harry hadn't known that she probably didn't have a place to stay. "Thanks that would be really nice of you, if it isn't too much trouble."

Ginny glanced at Harry, who nodded.

She said, "Harry has some extra rooms in his home. You can stay there as long as you'd like. There's a nice library, and a training room to use. Besides, he's really good to his house guests." Hermione and Susan glanced at each other and quietly giggled.

Harry, said, "Now that's settled, you still need to get a portkey from Dumbledore. We will leave tomorrow morning at 9:00. I'll meet you by the front entrance."

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Dumbledore took the time to thank each and every one of the teaching staff that afternoon at his staff meeting. Dumbledore asked Harry if they could visit together on the morning of December 24, before his other guests would arrive. Harry invited Dumbledore to arrive at ten rather than noon.

"As you requested, I made a portkey for Miss Bell. I understand that you have offered to allow her to stay at your fine home." Patting Harry on the shoulder the ancient Wizard said, "Harry, that was very generous of you to make such an offer. Thank you. Her parents were good people and deserved better than they received."

"I hadn't heard that anything had happened to them. Had it been in the Daily Prophet?"

"Yes, but in insufficient detail to be of any use. Miss Bell's mother had previously worked as an Auror, and had originally been responsible for the trying to arrest McNair a few years back. It is likely that he had something to do with their murder this September. We can talk more about this again over the holidays if you wish. Enjoy your time off, Harry."

"Thank you Sir, and you too."

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As Harry arrived back at the common room, it was obvious that the witches were up to something.

"What's wrong?" asked Harry.

"We were just thinking that this will be the first time that we'll have been apart in nearly six months," said Ginny.

Hermione and Susan looked a bit depressed at the thought.

Harry said, "If the three of you are up for a little adventure on the Friday and Saturday after Christmas, I could think of something that we could do. As such, you may want to bring your equipment with you, or I could take it to my home if it would mean fewer questions."

He continued, "It is likely that it was McNair that murdered Katie's parents. It is also almost certain that he had something to do with the fire at your home Ginny. Maybe we could get a lead as to where he might be and encourage him to surrender."

"Or maybe we could feed him to Buckbeak," said Hermione, remembering his evil intent from her third year.

"Or to one of Charlie's dragons. Maybe Norbert would eat him," said Ginny

Harry smiled. "We need to find him first. Please don't mention anything about him to your parents," said Harry. "They worry enough as it is." Changing the subject, Harry asked, "Gin, can you do me a favor?"

"Of course."

"Can you go to Gryffindor tower and get Katie's exact sizes. I need to buy her a few little things."

A wicked glint fell across Ginny's eyes and she smiled back at her boyfriend. "Is there anything that you'd like help with, or do you enjoy picking out little things yourself?"

Harry knew that he was getting backed into a corner. "I'd really love your help, but I know your parents want to spend some time alone with you, and it wouldn't be fair to take that away from them. I'll see you at noon on the 24th."

Hermione asked, "Sleeping bags tonight, or would you two like a bit of time to yourselves?"

Harry looked at Ginny who promptly winked at him and said, "Bags by the fireplace if you please."

"Harry, lay down on your back right there by the warm fireplace. Close your eyes. Hermione, lay down right there. Close your eyes. Susan, lay down right there. Close your eyes. Harry, raise your hands in the air." He did as she asked. Ginny walked over and placed one hand there, and placed the other hand there. "Harry, we want you to lay there and think wonderful thoughts. Good… Good… Better… Keep your eyes closed… Stop wiggling Susan."

Ginny knelt down behind him and let her hair fall onto his face. She gently kissed his forehead, then placed another light kiss on his chin finally another on the center of his chest. "mmm."

Harry did have wonderful thoughts on his mind. So did the beautiful witches.

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Harry woke up very early the next morning. The fire had died down. In the dim light, he carefully covered the three witches up with his sleeping bag, showered and went to his classroom to exercise. He looked at the charts that they had kept. They were much stronger in December than they had recorded at the beginning of September.

It was still very early, so we went back to the common room. He snuggled up next to Ginny. Her faint smell of vanilla was so comforting to him. He gently kissed the nape of her neck, and in the softest of whispers said, "I love you Ginny."

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As the words were leaving Harry's lips, less kind words were being spoken in Riddle Manor. "Yes, my lord. The plan is in place. They will not see the new year."

With red eyes flashing, Riddle said, "The choice is yours McNair. They will be dead on January first, or you will. Go now. I have other work to do."

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Harry woke up again at seven. The witches were in their rooms packing their trunks. He vanished the sleeping bags and thought of Dobby. Moments later, the little elf appeared with a POP.

"Good morning, Harry Potter sir. How can Dobby help you sir?"

"Good morning Dobby. I'm glad to see you too. Please bring my trunk back home. I will be there by eleven. People will begin arriving in the afternoon. Please be certain that there is plenty of butterbeer on hand, probably ten cases."

"Dobby will sees you soon Harry Potter sir." The little elf hugged Harry, and then with a soft pop, vanished.

Harry gave the angels a hug and a kiss. "I'll see you on Tuesday."

"Bye Harry. Be careful."

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"Hi Harry," said Katie. "Are you ready?

"Yes, but we have a few stops on the way home. We will apparate to Gringotts, then walk to a shop first, then we need to pick up a few things at Harrods."

They walked to the Hogwarts station, waved goodbye to the different witches and wizards, then apparated to the lobby of Gringotts.

Two hours later, they were in the car park behind Harry's home. Harry opened his wallet, and showed her the slip of paper that told her that Harry Potter lived at 12 Grimmauld Place. She turned around, and saw Winky standing holding the back door open. "Welcome home, Sir and Miss."

Harry introduced Katie to Dobby and Winky, and showed her where her room was. He placed her in the room across the hall from Ginny's room.

Katie could not believe her morning. First Harry had taken her to a magical armory ship to pick up a suit of dragonhide armor that he'd previously ordered to be made especially for her. Then he somehow knew that the only things that she had in the world was the clothing that she'd brought to school. They walked into Harrods, and he was treated like their very best customer. The three sales consultants had found her an entire wardrobe in about an hour.

When they portkeyed to a car park, she had been amazed to see his home. She always thought he'd been pretty poor growing up, and to see him walk into his own mansion was unbelievable. She had grown up in a modest muggle neighborhood in Surrey County a few miles from where Harry had.

Seeing the confusion on her face, Harry brought her to the park behind his home. "Katie, I didn't grow up like this. I lived at my aunt and uncle's home and was made to sleep in a cupboard off of their kitchen until I was eleven. I was an unwanted, mistreated servant in their home, and they let me know that I was a bother to them every single day that I was there. One summer they kept me locked in my room and occasionally gave me a can of cold soup passed through a cat flap. Things have been better for me lately." They continued their walk.

"My parents didn't have a lot, but they gave me a good home. My Mum was an Auror until she got hurt. My Dad was a sportswriter. He was always so proud of me when I played Quidditch. I really didn't have anyone to turn to when they were killed. Our house burned up. When one of the Aurors took me there to see the wreckage, there was hardly anything left. They didn't have muggle insurance, so that was about it. Fortunately they had already paid my tuition for the year, so I could finish my last year at school."

After a few minutes of comfortable silence, she said, "I'm not complaining. I know that lots of people have lost everything. I just wish it would end." Harry nodded in agreement as they started back home.

They returned from their walk, each feeling like they had learned something new and significant about an old friend.

As they slowly toured the house, Harry asked Katie what her plans were after she finished school. She replied, "Part of me would like to get a tryout for one of the teams, but a bigger part thinks I should do something meaningful. Think about Professor Daily. She worked for years and developed the Wolfsbane potion. Think what that must have meant to Professor Lupin." Harry nodded in appreciation of her words. Katie asked, "Do you ever see him anymore?"

Harry replied, "Yes. I spent some time with him over the summer. We went shopping together a week or so ago."

"Harry, without prying too far into your personal life, what do you want to be in a few years?"

Harry flashed her a sad smile and said, "Alive mostly. Seriously, the war is pretty dangerous right now." Harry thought of the gross insensitivity of what he had just said. He gave Katie a friendly hug and said, "I truly apologize Katie. I hadn't heard about the loss of your parents before this week. I never would have ignored you. I'm really sorry."

"Thanks Harry. I miss my Mum and Dad so much." There were tears welled in her eyes. "I thought everyone was avoiding it to keep from making me feel worse."

They walked into the entertainment room. Harry decided where he wanted his Christmas tree. The big room had a twelve-foot ceiling, so Harry conjured a thick Norwegian Pine tree for the far corner of the room. He showed Katie the memory orb charm that Flitwick had taught him. "Here," said Harry pulling out his wand. "It's a bit like a Pensive memory except you make a Christmas ornament. Think of a special time or person and nod when you are ready."

Katie thought of the first time that the Gryffindor team had won the house cup. All seven were holding the cup and hugging each other. She nodded. Harry carefully withdrew a fine silver strand and gave his wand a little flick and said "Globus." A beautiful glass ball containing the scene that she had thought about appeared. Harry handed it to her. For a moment, their hands touched, and Harry smiled at her. "Go ahead try another memory and let me know when you are ready." Katie nodded and Harry withdrew another strand. When he handed her the glass orb, she looked amazed. Her Mum and Dad were handing an eleven-year-old Katie her Hogwarts letter.

After she had hung the globe on the tree, Katie said, "Let me try. Tell me when you are ready." Harry nodded. Katie withdrew a strand and cast the charm. She handed Harry the glass ball. It was an eleven year old Harry finding out that he was a wizard. Hagrid looked much bigger until Harry realized that he was easily a foot taller now. Harry hung the glass ball on the tree. "Try again." Harry thought again and nodded. Katie looked curiously at him as she handed him the glass ball. It was a man dressed in ragged clothing flying away on a hippogriff at night. She didn't ask and he didn't volunteer anything about it. "Try one more Harry." Harry thought again, and nodded. Katie handed him the globe. Harry and Ginny were eating pizza together at the Pizza Hut.

"Your turn," said Harry after he'd hung the ornament. "We'll do two more each for now. Nod when you're ready." Katie nodded. Harry handed her a globe of the two of them sparing with their wooden swords. Harry smiled as she looked at it. She nodded again. Harry handed her the globe. It was a triumphant Harry flying away holding a golden egg with a Norwegian Ridgeback looking on menacingly.

Katie said, "I was so proud of you. OK, your turn." Harry nodded. She handed him a glass ball of the turkey dinner at the Grangers. When Katie handed Harry the last sphere she smiled. It was from the Halloween feast when the whole school was applauding Harry and the three witches who looked so beautiful that night.

They watched a movie on the television, and Harry had a stroke of inspiration. He thought of Dobby who popped in a moment later. Harry said, "Dobby, please go to the school and bring one of the barn owls from the Owlery." Harry went to his study and wrote a note.

McNair,

I formally challenge you to a duel. 27 December at 6:00 AM at the park in Little Whinging in Surrey County. I will have it charmed with muggle repelling charms. Bring your ax tough guy. I'll bring my sword. Come alone. No Seconds. No wands. You have one minute to accept.

Harry Potter

Dobby had returned by the time that Harry returned. He talked to the owl before sending it on its way. "Please wait one minute for a reply. Be careful. If you get a reply, take it to the park in Little Whinging in Surrey County. I'll be there in the morning to find you. OK?"

The owl gave a soft hoot. Harry stroked him for a minute before sending him on his way.

He would ask Moody to meet him tomorrow at six and go to the park with him to check the envelope for hidden hexes or portkeys.

He would have anti-apparation wards set up in the area surrounding the park, and station the others in that area. If a bunch of Death Eaters apparated to the area, he would have everyone portkey away.

Harry was convinced that in a fair fight, he could take McNair. He was equally convinced that in the event of an unfair fight, he would hold the upper hand. From his training Harry concluded that a large battle ax or halberd which he believed that McNair would be wielding would be much slower than his Hizen-to made Japanese style Katana. Harry was equally aware that a hit from a battle ax would certainly penetrate his dragonhide armor and cause fearsome damage.

Harry sent Dobby to ask Moody for his help. Dobby arrived five minutes later and told Harry that Moody would be there at 5:30 in the morning.

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