A/N: This story has some Half Blood Prince spoilers, but it's mostly original. Enjoy! Also, this story is under the impression that Harry absolutely despises December.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except for the plot.
December Miracle
Ch. 1: Hermione's Potion
Harry stared aimlessly into the fireplace. It was nearing Winter break and everyone seemed to be busy cramming for pre-break tests. He had seen Hermione only at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All the other times were spent in the library with Madam Pinch.
Ron was just as listless as Harry. He could be seen napping in most of his classes with the exception of Defense Against the Dark Arts. He was not dim enough to test Snape, especially now that he was the Defense teacher.
To be frank, Decembers really irked Harry. It only reminded him of the countless years he had spent Christmas at the Dursleys, staying locked up in his room, looking through the cracks to see what Dudley had gotten. And though Dudley received mounds of expensive gifts from Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, Harry was glad to only receive supper. The fact that he and Cho were no longer on talking terms was more reason why he hated the holiday season.
The portrait of the Fat Lady opened and Hermione and Ginny entered the Gryffindor common room.
"Hey, Harry!" said Ginny, smiling. Harry felt something rising from his stomach. She tends to have that effect on him, Ginny.
She's Ron's sister…Ignoring his conscious berating him, he returned the smile.
"Ron, you should be studying!" reprimanded Hermione, seeing the lanky red-haired teen staring blandly at his Gobstone set.
"Leave him alone, Hermione. It's Saturday," said Harry, plopping down on a couch near Ron.
"Yeah, Hermione. Relax!" added Ginny, giggling girly before taking a seat next to Harry on the couch. Again, he felt his face as hot as the rising sun.
"So what are you planning to do for Christmas?" asked Ginny, inching a bit closer to Harry.
"Nothing, I supposed," muttered Harry, feeling slightly annoyed at the notion of his most hated month.
"We're actually planning on spending the holidays at the Burrow," said Hermione, gaining approval from both Weasleys.
"Well, that's great," said Harry, unconvincingly. "I'll be staying at Hogwarts, thanks."
"Oh, come on!" protested Ginny, yanking his arm, pouting.
"Well, if Harry's not coming, then there's no use of us going back, is there?" reasoned Ron, breaking from his stupor.
"I just…HATE December," muttered Harry darkly, earning him an incredulous look from Ron.
"You know," started Ginny, her eyes glazed over as she looked out the window. She placed her hand against the glass as if trying to reach for a snowflake. "Miracles happen in December."
Though he could hardly believe a word she said, Harry felt comfort from her words.
--
"Hey, Hermione. Can I come in?"
Hermione looked up and saw the red-haired girl waiting at her doorframe.
"Yeah, come in!"
Ginny smiled and entered Hermione's dormitory. Upon closer inspection, she noticed dark circles under her eyes, and she said quickly, "I should go. You look really tired."
"No, no. I'm fine," reassured Hermione, not even bothering to stifle her yawn. "It's only two o'clock in the afternoon." Suddenly, her eyes came alive. "You want to see what I've confiscated today?"
"Always," squealed Ginny, a look of excitement on her face.
Hermione reached under her pillow and brought out a pink-colored vial.
"NO WAY!" yelled Ginny, nearly falling off of Hermione's bed. "A…LOVE potion?"
"I overheard Parvati Patil talking about it in the bathroom," explained Hermione. "So I followed her around a bit and confiscated it when she showed it off to Lavender." She looked at the vial appreciatively. "It's not a love potion, per se. More like an appearance augmentation potion. Watch." She brought the vial to her lips and took a small swig of it. Instantly, her bushy hair straightened, her eyelashes grew longer, her skin adopted a creamier complexion, and her lips became more luscious. She picked up her hand mirror and nearly dropped it in shock.
"Y-You try it now," said Hermione, handing the vial to Ginny.
Ginny brought the vial to her lips, wishing the potion to have the same effects on her as it did on Hermione, and took a small sip.
Hermione smiled and brought the mirror to Ginny's face.
"I can't believe it!" breathed Ginny, fingering her blonde hair. "This is so cool! Tonks is so lucky to be able to do this whenever she wants!"
"I know this sounds very unbecoming for a prefect, but what the hell! Let's go find Ron and Harry!"
Ginny giggled hysterically. "Yeah! Let's go!"
They walked around the school getting the attention of any male that came across their way.
"Having fun?" asked Ginny, smiling at a timid looking fourth year that stopped in his tracks.
"Loads," responded Hermione, who was currently stifling the urge to laugh at the expressions of the onlookers. "By the way, that's a very nice-smelling perfume you have on."
"You think? I mean, Mum gave it to me right before term started."
They traversed the school grounds, strolling lazily by the Quiddich field. Several Ravenclaw Quiddich players stopped practice all together and were about to make their way towards them had not the Captain ordered them to return. They found a bench under a tree next to the pond and decided to take a break.
"What?" Ginny asked, noticing Hermione looking at her hopefully.
"So…how's it going between you and Dean?"
"It's been good, I guess," answered Ginny half-heartedly. She looked down on the bench before adding, "I mean, Dean's great and all, but…"
"He's not Harry?" Hermione finished for her.
"No! I mean…Harry's like a brother to me, really," said Ginny, blushing a deep red. She sighed. "Is it that obvious?"
"You liked Harry since you were ten, Ginny. First crushes usually don't go away for a while," answered Hermione sagely, but from the looks of it, she was looking quite flustered.
"It's just…what had gone on with him and Cho…I mean, I can't compare with HER…I-I mean, he's my brother's best friend! I don't want to intrude on that…do I?"
"Well, when you do want to get Harry to notice you, just say the word and I'll make it so," said Hermione, winking. "The boys are probably in the common room. Coming?"
"I'll catch up with you later," said Ginny, waving at Hermione as she left for the castle entrance.
The youngest Weasley sighed, taking in the vista with only slight interest. She noticed the pond was frozen solid. 'Too bad I didn't bring my ice skates,' she thought as she stepped onto the frozen pond. She walked four steps and the ice caved in. She felt her wand slip from her hands as she plummeted into the freezing cold water. She tried to pull herself up onto the edge of the ice but her strength failed her and she went under the surface again.
Suddenly, she heard a warped voice from above the surface and found herself in the cool December air, dangling from her ankles.
It was Harry! She realized and would have gone red in the face had there been more circulation in her body. Just then, the spell wore off and she found herself heading towards the pond opening. She heard Harry mutter the Levitation Charm, which saved her another dip into the icy cold water. Harry directed his wand towards solid ground.
Ginny fell to her knees, coughing.
"Hey, are you all right?" he asked, kneeling down to check on her. "You're freezing! Here – " He removed his light gray cloak and wrapped it around her. Surprisingly, Ginny felt the warmth travel through her body almost instantly.
"Thanks, Harry," said Ginny, thanking him to the point of incoherence.
"It's nothing," responded Harry lamely. "You're sure you're all right?"
She felt his hands around the front of her waist. Ginny stared, dumbfounded at Harry. He seemed much more mature and composed. It was a good thing that he didn't notice her ogling him. However, he did notice how close he was to the strange girl. He withdrew slightly and heard her mutter, "Thank you."
"Like I said before, you don't need to thank me," he smiled and went to the direction of the castle. It only occurred to her that he didn't know who she really was.
--
After hastily hiding Harry's cloak in her trunk, Ginny changed into a spare robe and went to dinner. She found a seat next to Ron and, to her fortune, seven chairs away from Dean.
"Where have you been?" asked Ron suspiciously. "Not snogging Dean, are you?"
"For your information, I haven't," she snapped. "Though it's not any of your business."
"Whatever. Harry, what happened to Sirius's robes Lupin sent you?"
Both Harry and Ginny blushed. She looked at Harry, looking somewhat curious.
"Well…I gave it to someone."
"Pray tell, can this 'someone' be…a girl?" inquired Hermione, taking a sip from her goblet.
"Yes," Harry answered quietly, half expecting Ron to let out a triumphant holler like he did the time he told him Cho had kissed him.
"Well, tell us about her," said Ron, trying his best to avoid Lavender Brown's gaze. "What's her name?"
"Actually, I haven't the faintest idea about her name. Never thought of asking," he added, shrugging.
"What did she look like?" asked Hermione, who was looking at Ginny with a surreptitious smile.
"Blonde hair, average height, green eyes, fair skin," recited Harry, who looked as if he were in deep thought.
"Wow! A beauty like that, and you didn't ask for her name, mate?" asked Seamus, who had invited himself into the conversation.
"Well, like I said, I never thought of asking."
He went back to his dinner, breaking eye contact all together.
"Harry, what's wrong, mate?" asked Ron, worried.
Harry looked up from his plate, feeling four sets of eyes on him.
"I…I think I'm in love with her."
A loud 'CLUNK'! broke the silence as Ginny dropped her knife in surprise.
A/N: Review please!