Beta note: Making everything readable? One helluva tough job. On that note: e gads, bow down to me. –Xirleb70

Ok, ok, so I was sick and this chapter didn't turn out great. I'll allowed to have an off day!

CH31: Time To Live

"Happy Christmas!"

"Oomph! Owwww…"

"Hurry up! Everyone else is already awake!"

"Fine, fine, I'm up."

Harry allowed Alex to tug him down to the Common Room …

…which looked somewhat like a Christmas Elf had thrown up on it. Red and gold streamers hung from every inch of the ceiling, raining impossible amounts of glitter onto the now-sparkling floor. A tall tree stood next to the fireplace, bedecked in tinsel, ornaments, and ribbon, all so sparkly that it made Harry's head spin. And the presents … a great, towering wall of brightly wrapped packages encircled the McAlister family who were loudly belting out some nauseatingly cheerful carols. Harry was surprised he hadn't woken up long before Alex gave in to the desire to pounce on him.

Sirius grinned and waved when they entered. "Hey, Sleepyhead, like what I've done with the place?"

Harry returned the smile and plopped down next to him. "This is amazing! Did you sleep at all last night?"

"Of course I did. Father Christmas wouldn't have come if all of us weren't in bed," he answered impishly. Harry chuckled and rolled his eyes.

"Present time!" Alex crowed happily and everyone attacked the pile merrily.

Harry couldn't stop beaming as he tore through the wrapping paper of his many presents. Sirius had given him some more pictures of his parents to add to the photo album and a note that said there would be another present later (which Harry thought was unnecessary because pictures of his parents were more than enough); Remus, a book on defensive curses with amazing illustrations; Mrs. and Mr. Weasley, a new dark green sweater and some homemade cookies; Ron, a book on Quidditch tactics; Hermione, notes from every class he had missed this year; Lisa, a biography the Hogwarts Founders; Amy and Fiona, some chocolate frogs; Ginny, Fred, and George, some dung bombs, a book on inventive prank ideas, and the Marauders Map (we couldn't take this away from you, Harry!); Neville, a plant whose leaves were supposed to have healing properties; and a book on Transfiguration from the McAlisters, along with a hand-made card from Alex.

"Thanks everyone," he said, re-reading the card as he bent down to ruffle the boy's hair. "Really, I-"

"Wow!" Carmine screeched, pulling the soft, pretty light blue sweater out of the box. Harry watched curiously: that was his gift to her. "This is beautiful! Thank you so much, Harry!"

Harry looked pleased. He hadn't been sure what to get for any of them and he was, as such, extremely glad that they liked his presents so much. Harry gazed around at all the happy faces and felt something he hadn't felt in months.

He felt like he was part of a family. A real family.

"There is still one more box over here for you, Harry," Sirius called, pulling out a green-wrapped package from behind the tree. Harry gave him a warm smile and reached for it. The smile faded as he recognized the handwriting on it.

"What's wrong, Harry?" Sirius asked, concerned.

Harry put the present down on the floor in front of him carefully. "It can wait until later."

"Harry-"

"It's nothing. I'll open it later." Harry repeated solidly.

Sirius looked like he wanted to continue, but Amanda cut in. "I'm sure there is a nice warm breakfast waiting for us downstairs. Let's get going."

As the group piled out through the portrait hole, Harry cast his eyes back to the package lying inconspicuously at the foot of the couch and shook his head. Whatever He wanted would have to wait. Harry was going to spend time with his real family now.

Hours later, Harry entered his dorm with all intents of crashing into his bed and not waking up for a week. It had been a day packed with excitement. Remus and the Weasleys had shown up right after the breakfast and it had been a Christmas of snowballs, laughter, and good food: the best Christmas he had ever experienced.

Of course there was one thing that could ruin it.

That package was waiting for him on his bed. The package from Tom.

Harry cautiously reached for it and with wary eyes, he began to unwrap it.

December 22, 1995

Voldemort ran his fingers over the shiny blade, wiping off the blood coating it from his latest Muggle raid. He smiled as he felt the warm liquid drip onto his hands.

The blade had been his family for years and it was rumored to have belonged to Salazar Slytherin himself. Voldemort had found it in with his mother's things years before, when he had just been coming into his "own". He couldn't remember how many lives he had ended with this knife.

He smirked. What a perfect gift to pass on to his heir.

(end flashback) Present day: Christmas.

Harry gasped as a beautiful knife spilled out of the paper and on to his bed.

"Wow," he breathed. "This is amazing, Tom."

The handle was a deep black, inlayed with the design of a silver snake. Shining emeralds became its eyes and it seemed to be watching his every move. As Harry examined the sharp edge of the dagger, he could feel the danger that this weapon held, the destruction he could cause with it.

A knock echoed through the door and Harry abruptly dropped knife. Quickly he pulled the blanket up to cover it and called out, "Come in!"

Sirius entered, grinning brightly. "I wondered where you go to." He closed the door behind him. "Don't forget, I still have one present left to give you."

Harry motioned for his godfather to sit down. "What is it?" he asked as Sirius pulled out a slightly flat present.

"Just open it." Harry complied, pulling off the blue paper impatiently. Inside was …

"A mirror?" he asked, puzzled. "Are you trying to tell me something, Siri?"

Sirius laughed. "No, no. It's a two-way mirror. I've got the other one. If you look into and say my name, I'll be able to hear you and we can talk."

"Like walkie-talkies?" Sirius looked confused, so Harry elaborated. "Muggle thing."

"But do you like it?" his godfather asked anxiously. "I thought it would be good for when you go back … you know… and if you needed someone to talk to-"

"Padfoot," Harry cut his godfather off, meeting the other man's eyes openly. "I love it."

The following few days flew by and soon it was the morning of December 31 and vacation was almost over. Harry, Sirius, and the McAlisters were eating breakfast with the Hogwarts professors.

"So Amanda," Remus asked conversationally, biting into a warm scone. "When are you and your family heading home?"

"Wednesday," she replied. "I know it is a few days after classes start back up, but Headmaster Dumbledore said it would be alright."

"That's when I'm leaving, too," said Harry quietly and the mood at the table turned dark.

"Do you really have to go back there?" Hermione asked desperately. "There is no way you can just stay with us, just a little bit longer…"

"I'm sorry, Hermione. I-" He was interrupted by the arrival of the post. A thick newspaper landed in front of Hermione's plate. She scanned the front page.

"The Orb isn't ready still," she said dejectedly.

Harry perked up a bit, his mind distracted from his upcoming return to the Death Eater ranks. "Hmmm, what's going on? I thought you said the new Order was going to be picked soon?"

"It's supposed to be," Hermione sighed. "But the Orb seems to be unable to decide on something. The announcement keeps getting pushed back. I wanted it to happen over vacation. It would be amazing to be able to go and see that. Imagine the history we'd be a part off!"

"It may be possible to arrange a small trip, Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall interjected from her end of the table. "For educational purposes."

Hermione squealed excitedly and Harry grinned. Ron's face darkened as he noticed this exchange.

Harry climbed into bed sleepily that night. It was wonderful being back among his friends. How he wished he never had to return to…

But he had promised. And Harry Potter never broke his promises.

As Harry went to sleep that night, three amazing things happened that Harry was unaware of.

A brilliant glow emanated from Harry, swirling lights dancing on the curtain of his bed, and a phoenix song echoed around the room. Harry slept on, peaceful and safe for the first time in months.

In another part of England, Voldemort awoke with a start, eyes wide open in horror.

And deep within the bowels of the Ministry, a small silvery orb began to shine a deep, lustrous red. The guards on duty watched with wide-eyes as it floated above its pedestal, spinning in the air.

Albus Dumbledore sat at his desk in his office, smiling out the window as the sun slowly illuminated the grounds.

"It is time," he whispered. "It is time."