A very Harry Christmas
A/N: Hello everybody! It's been a long time since I last wrote something... But here I am again! Well, before you start reading, just one quick thing: Some of you have asked for a sequel for ST. Valentine's Day, and you can't know how surprised and glad I am that you've liked it! I don't think I'll have enough plot to write another chapter; lately I'm not in the mood to write long, angsty stories. Well, enough of me. Enjoy the story!
Chapter written prior to the release of HBP.
Disclaimer: Yes, I do own them, which is why I'm posting my stories here instead of publishing them and making money. Of course I don't own Harry and co.
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December 24th.
Harry threw himself heavily on his four poster bed and closed his eyes, exhausted. His training was getting harder and harder everyday, resulting in not being able to spent time with his friends or his girlfriend. It was Christmas time and the school was as empty as it was every winter holiday. Harry wondered why this was, though. With all the massive madness about Voldemort one would think that the students would stay where they would be safer: With Dumbledore. But then again, many families still thought that Dumbledore and Harry were raving maniacs, ready to pervert their little children until they too were raving maniacs.
Harry snorted at this and yawned. Truth to be told, Harry had held not very warm feelings towards his director for nearly his whole sixth year, but slowly Harry had come to accept that whether Dumbledore had been right or wrong, there was no turning back- It was in the past already, and all he could do was accept it. Harry sighed and sat on his bed, rubbing his eyes and looking around. None of his friends were there, and Ron (being Head Boy) didn't sleep in the dorm anymore.
Harry glanced outside his window and saw the white Hogwarts grounds, smiling. For some reason they made him remember Hermione, who would probably be helping with the Christmas decorations. He had told her about the Prophecy earlier that same year, and he had the feeling that since then, their relationship had been different in many ways. Hermione had taken Trelawney's words sadly, and had grown stricter with his training than before, and not to mention preoccupied. Harry stood up and walked over a small desk at the end of the dorm, grabbing a quill Hermione had given him ages ago, a piece of clean parchment and some ink, proceeding to sit down on the floor. He chewed on the quill as he stared at the piece of paper and wondered how to start the letter he was going to send.
Meanwhile...
"PEEVES!" Hermione exclaimed as she pulled on her end of a very long Christmas garland. The poltergeist laughed at her anger and pulled harder on his end, making her stumble. Hermione gritted her teeth. She was so NOT on the mood. She usually enjoyed helping with the castle decorations, but today she knew Harry had a training session and she was worried about him. He had started to hide from everybody again, and now it was practically impossible to see him unless it was in between classes, where the trio would get together to study in the library or to eat. Hermione quickly reached for her wand and before Peeves could do anything... "Petrificus Totalus!" she cast the spell on him, causing him to freeze in mid air and fall to the ground.
"Miss Granger! What is going on here?" Professor McGonagall was staring at Peeves and at Hermione with her eyebrow raise and her hands on her hips. Hermione gulped.
"Professor, my apologies; Peeves was hindering me, so I had to use a spell to stop him," Hermione bit her lower lip as she said this.
"Well, Hermione, we all know Peeves is a nuisance, but you should know better than to use magic to get rid of him! Two points from Gryffindor," McGonagall replied. Hermione sighed, but saw that her professor was trying not to smile, reason for her indulgence about the points. "Now continue with the decorations and I'll tell the Bloody Baron about him." She added. Hermione nodded obediently and took the garland from Peeves hand, walking over to where Ron was fighting with another garland.
"I saw you with Peeves," Ron told her with a grin. "And I thought I'd never see the day when Hermione Granger would risk points because of our beloved poltergeist," he added. Hermione glared at him.
"Thank you, Ronald. I'm flattered that you think that," she replied. Ron blushed lightly at the mention of his full name.
"Now why can't I pin this garland?" he muttered to himself. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Because you are using the Leviosa charm! That's a levitating charm, Ronald! Use the sticking one and be done with it." She scolded him.
"I know! It's just that I can't remember the incantation!" Ron argued. Hermione pursed his lips and cast the sticking charm on both hers and Ron's garlands and stuck them high in the stone wall.
"There. Was that so hard?" She wanted to know. Ron raised his eyebrows.
"Why are you so cranky? Rough night?" He questioned as they moved to decorate the Christmas tree. Hermione sighed, not knowing if Ron knew about the Prophecy.
"No, it's just..." She trailed off, wondering what to say.
"It's because of Harry? Love issues?" Ron suggested. Hermione started putting the colorful bulbs in the lower branches.
"Yeah, I guess. Not big problems, just... problems."
"Don't want to elaborate, uh?"
"No," she told him. "Thanks for asking, though." Ron smiled at her and shook his head.
"No problem. I'm sure it'll get better," he said. Hermione sighed again inwardly. "I hope so," she thought.
It was nearly six o'clock in the afternoon when Hermione opened her bedroom door with two or three books underneath her arm. She closed the door and sat on her bed, leaving the books on the floor and stretching. She hadn't seen Harry all day long, not even on lunch time. She had checked the hospital wing, but Harry wasn't there either. Was he all right? His absence was worrying her to no end. Hermione was about to get up and go to the boy's dorm when she heard something tapping the window glass; she turned around and saw a snowy white owl.
"Hedwig!" She opened the window and a freezing breeze entered, making her shiver. Outside it was already getting dark, and very chilly. Hedwig shook some snow off her feathers and extended her leg, where a note was tied. "Is this from Harry?" she asked the owl, untying it quickly and opening it. I must be very worried if I'm asking the owl for answers. Besides, it is Harry's owl, isn't it? It read:
Hermione:
I won't start with the usual 'Hi! How are you?' because first, it doesn't fit, and second because I saw you this morning and it just seemed pointless.
You know, since I told you about the Prophecy, everything seems to have changed between us, and I don't want to lose you. I almost lost you near the end of our fifth year, and I honestly cannot say if I'll be able to undergo the same situation again. Well, thing is, Hermione, that there's still so much I need to say to you, so many reasons why... Hey, this makes me remember that I think I still owe you your scarf since Valentine's Day... But that's not the point.
Bloody hell, I'm no good when it comes to writing how I feel- If I'm no good at talking about me, you can imagine how my brain cells are getting burned out with this letter. So I guess I'll stop now, and leave my poor brains to rest a little bit.
Meet me tonight in the common room at 12.00, please? I'll be there- I'll always be there.
Harry
Hermione grinned madly and put the letter over her heart, closing her eyes happily. Harry could be such a sweetie when he wanted- The problem was how to get him into that mood first. But Hermione couldn't picture Harry bringing her flowers everyday or saying mushy stuff all the time. Their 'romantic dinners' were to sneak into the kitchens and sit in a small wooden table to eat some pumpkin pie in the midst of busy domestic elves; their time alone was spent either in the library or eating chocolate frogs in the common room late at night. They had their snogging sessions here and there, but Harry didn't have much time to fool around, really.
Hermione giggled when she remembered the time when Harry had suggested her to give her a flying lesson in the night. "Oh Harry," she had said, "That's so romantic! But no, thanks. You know I don't like flying." Poor Harry, he had been so disappointed... But, hey! Some things aren't meant to be! It may be very romantic and Harry would be holding her close and all that, how nice, but what about the broomstick? Besides, she could easily snog and hold him as long as she wanted without her arse being sore because of the broom. Hermione also remembered Ginny's horrified face when she told her about it: "WHAT! Hermione! Why on earth did you refuse?! ARE YOU MENTAL?!" she had shrieked. Hermione had replied, "You are getting more like your brother every day. What's this madness about flying anyway?" And had carried on with her Potions assignment.
Hedwig hooted loudly, breaking her train of thought. Hermione shook her head and sighed happily; folding the letter and placing it inside her very own Hogwarts: A history (Harry's birthday gift for her), closing the book afterwards. Hermione looked at an expectant Hedwig resting on her window sill and shook her head no again. "Sorry Hedwig, no reply now," she told the owl, who looked back at her reproachfully, like saying 'You evil scarlet woman!' "Don't worry, I'll make it up to him," she added. Hedwig hooted again and waited until Hermione had opened her window to fly away. Hermione stared at her go until the white owl was inside the owlery tower, and started humming as she went over her wardrobe and wondered what she was going to wear for the night.
Hermione went down the dorm stairs excitedly, wanting to see Harry already. But there was no one in the common room, only the dying fire in the chimney. "No Harry," she thought. She went over to the armchairs and a grin found the way to her face when she saw her boyfriend, fast asleep in one of the armchairs, clutching a very old and yellow parchment, something silvery looking on the floor. "The Marauders map and the invisibility cloak. So we're going to go out," Hermione deduced. Before waking Harry up she tiptoed towards the girl's stairs and went up to her dorm again to fetch her winter cloak, coming down again quickly. She went over Harry again and bit her lower lip for a second, wondering if she should wake him up. Much meditation wasn't needed, however- Harry woke up on his own, startling Hermione.
"Oh, Harry!" she said, ruffling his hair playfully. "You scared me," she added. Harry grinned sheepishly and stretched with a yawn.
"Hermione," Harry slurred. "No kiss for Harry?" He asked her. Hermione giggled and gave him a kiss.
"There. Oh Harry, I didn't want to wake you up. Are you sure you want to do this? Maybe you should sleep—,"
"No," Harry cut her off. "I want to be with you. I practically haven't seen you this week." He told her. Hermione smiled.
"Yeah..." She admitted. Harry got up and stretched again, grabbing the invisibility cloak from the rug. Hermione noticed that Harry was wearing her own scarf and grinned at this. "We're going out, aren't we?" She wanted to know. Harry raised his eyebrows.
"Too much trouble for you?" He asked. Hermione shook her head.
"Nope. I already have my winter cloak and I brought two pair of gloves," she answered, taking out of her pocket the gloves. Harry kissed her again.
"Always so thoughtful. C'mon, I'm dying to get out," He said. The two walked towards the portrait as Harry put the cloak above their heads and tapped the Marauders map. Hermione opened the portrait and the couple went out quickly, trying not to laugh at the Fat Lady's exclamations. The corridors were freezing, just like Hermione had guessed. The crooked shadows coming from the windows and the sound of the air drafts high in the ceiling gave an eerie atmosphere to the castle. Hermione wondered where they were going. Not to the kitchens or the library for sure... After a while, Hermione decided to speak.
"Harry dear... Where are we going?" She whispered. Harry looked at her.
"Out," he simply said. Hermione stopped walking.
"Out?? You mean outside??" she whispered, shocked. Harry smirked.
"Well yeah," he whispered back. Hermione sighed and was silent for a moment. Harry stared at her with a begging look in his green eyes.
"Oh, all right," she finally agreed. "Let's go before I change my mind," she said. Harry smiled widely and for minutes which seemed hours to Hermione they reached the closed front doors. Harry looked around and pulled out his wand. "Alohomora," he whispered. The lock opened, but when Harry tried to open the wooden doors, they didn't bulge. Hermione pursed her lips.
"Harry, neither Dumbledore nor Filch are that stupid. You need a more powerful spell to open the doors and close them back." Hermione whispered. Harry nodded.
"And you know which?" He questioned. Hermione pulled out her wand with another sigh.
"When will you learn?" She muttered as she raided her mind for the incantation and cast it on the doors. To their horror, the door started making horrible and loud cringing noises. A wide eyed Harry stared at the Marauders map as Hermione tried to cast the Silencio charm on the doors quite uselessly.
"Hermione!" Harry breathed. "Filch is coming!" He told her.
"Help me open this!" Hermione urgently requested him. As they pulled on the doors they started hearing Filch's hurrying steps.
"So someone is trying to escape, aren't they? Don't worry Mrs. Norris, we'll catch them and they'll be expelled for sure!" His voice echoed through the hall. With one last frantic tug the door opened just enough for them to pass, and once outside the doors closed with a cryptic BOOM. Harry grabbed Hermione's hand and they ran towards the nearest bush, literally throwing themselves behind it for cover as Filch's ugly face appeared in the doors. He looked around, shivered, and went inside again. The couple was silent for a moment and then burst out in silent laughter.
"That was close," Harry stated barely above a whisper. Hermione agreed with her head.
"Seems that he didn't want to suffer the cold," she said. Harry laughed.
"Yeah, well. He wouldn't have come if the doors hadn't made all that noise..." He said. Hermione widened her eyes and gasped, putting a hand over her mouth.
"I've just remembered- Oh Harry!" She almost exclaimed, in typical Hermione manner.
"What?"
"The doors, Harry! Oh no...!" she shrieked.
"Shh!!" Harry shushed her. "What's wrong with the doors?" Hermione glared at him.
"They can't be opened from outside!" She hissed. "We're stuck here outside all night long! We're going to freeze to death!" Hermione added, waving her arms in the air. Harry gulped and bit his lower lip, frowning worriedly.
"Now this is something I hadn't expected," He said after clearing his throat. Hermione covered her face with her hands.
"This is not right," she muttered. Harry half smiled and uncovered her face slowly, making her look at him.
"Hey, it's not that bad. We'll figure something out. We always do, don't we? Remember that time when we were going back from the kitchens and Snape was doing his round?" he asked. Hermione smiled.
"That filthy broomstick closet," she said. "If it wasn't for Filch's hatred for Peeves, we would still be hanging from Snape's dungeon ceiling by our ankles," Hermione agreed, getting up and shoving the snow off her pants. Harry also got up and grabbed her hand.
"Yeah. C'mon, let's take a walk around the lake," he suggested. Though it was extremely cold, Hermione had to admit that it was beautiful. There wasn't a cloud in the sky- There was no moon, but the stars were shining brightly. The snow made crunching noises as they stepped on it, and the partially frozen lake also looked enchanting. In the end, Hermione had to accept that it was romantic.
Harry and Hermione didn't talk; they just enjoyed each other's company as they walked around the lake, finally sitting down on a nearby rock. Harry drew his knees up to his eyes and hugged them with his arms, staring at the grounds. Hermione rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Everything was so peaceful and quiet. Harry laid his head upon hers and they were like that for a long time, hearing the night sounds and the giant squid floating around in the lake.
"How was your training today?" Hermione finally broke the silence. Harry moved uncomfortably.
"Erm... Same as always, I guess," he replied. Hermione reached out and touched his arm.
"Harry, I know you don't like talking about it, but..." She left the sentence hanging. Harry stared at her.
"But what?" He asked. Hermione looked down and away for a couple of seconds.
"We can't continue pretending that the Prophecy and your training and all of that don't exist; we can't just pretend it isn't happening. What you wrote on the letter you sent me... You were right, Harry. Our relationship has indeed changed," she told him barely above a whisper. Harry widened his eyes at this. What was she talking about? Were they going to break up or something?
"What do you mean?" He tried not to let his emotions take the best of him. Maybe it wasn't what he thought it was. Hermione looked at him with a sad look, confirming Harry's worst fears- This was it: Hermione was going to break up with him and it would happen just like with Cho; but it wasn't the same, because Hermione had been his best friend since they were eleven years old and—
"Harry," Hermione's clear voice broke through his racing thoughts. "You wrote that you didn't want to lose me, remember? But you will never lose me." She said. This felt like a breath of life to Harry, whose dreadful feelings stopped immediately. Harry stood up after that last rush of adrenaline and glanced at the lake, finding it far easier than looking at her eyes.
"Hermione, I..." How could he start? How could he finish? "There is a reason I brought you here tonight." Hermione smiled at him.
"A reason?"
"Yes. I have to tell you something very important," Harry answered, blushing beet red. What was the last time he had blushed in front of Hermione? Her smile widened.
"Yes...?" Harry let out a nervous breath.
"I... erm... Well, what I mean is... I..." he stuttered, feeling as if the words were stuck in his throat. Hermione raised her eyebrows and patiently waited for him to finish. Harry rubbed his eyes. "Okay, this is hard," he stated. Hermione smiled kindly.
"Maybe you should go straight to the point?" She suggested. Harry nodded.
"Yeah. But I'll have to ask you not to interrupt me," he told her. Hermione raised her eyebrows again and looked at him like saying 'I'm listening'. Harry breathed in deeply. "Hermione, I... I love you. There, I've said it. But that's only part of it. Hermione, you were right about what you said about us not being able to pretend anymore- And believe me, I've thought that way too many times... It's just that I can't... I can't bare the thought of anything happening to you, you know that? I mean..." Harry blushed and looked down. "You know about the battle with Voldemort, and you know how it will go. Either I have to commit murder, or I'll be the murdered one. And, well..." He stopped again as his hand went into his pocket and took something out. Hermione eyed his hand curiously, since his fist was a ball. "I... I want to m-marry you someday, Hermione." Harry stumbled on the words. Hermione's jaw dropped open, but she didn't give signs of wanting to speak, so Harry continued. "But since I don't know if I'm going to survive the battle—," Hermione now opened her mouth to protest, but Harry cut her off by lifting his hand. "Just a second, I'm almost done. Since I don't know, I wanted to give you this." Harry opened his hand and in his palm rested a delicate golden band, small and obviously new. Hermione stared at it, transfixed.
"Oh, Harry- I- I don't know what to say..." She almost rasped. Harry bit his lower lip.
"Then say Yes," he whispered. Hermione smiled weakly and nodded slowly, watching Harry's trembling fingers slide the ring on her finger. Harry looked at her and tried to smile. "There. As a sign I'm going to marry you someday, Hermione." Hermione couldn't hold it anymore and burst into a mix of tears and laughter, hugging him tightly.
"Oh Harry...!" She could only say. Harry hugged her back clumsily- he still had to get used to hugs, after all- and laughed from relief.
"Hermione, I can't breathe," he told her in a strangled voice, making her laugh too and break the hug, proceeding to clean her tears with the back of her hand.
"Oh Harry," Hermione repeated, sniffing. "You've made me so happy," she added. Harry half smiled.
"Having a very Harry Christmas?" He asked playfully. Hermione grinned widely.
"Yeah, very much so. Remember those things Dobby put up on the common room?" Hermione said. Harry grinned too.
"So, at the risk of ruining this moment..." He started. Hermione smiled smugly at him.
"What?"
"What do you say if we ask Hagrid for accommodation? I'm freezing to death," Harry said. Hermione laughed once more and stood up with a hop.
"Yeah, I think we should." She agreed. Harry smiled at her and grabbed her hand, entwining his fingers with hers, and they strolled over to Hagrid's, not feeling the cold around them anymore.