The next week, Harry had finally finished his trial batch of potion. Ron had agreed to try Harry's potion.

The three of them had gone back to the classroom where they had tried Hermione's potion.

"Stand against that wall there, the solid brown one. I think solid colors may work better," Harry said, handing Ron a small bottle. The potion smelled of overcooked cabbages and was an ugly green-brown mix.

Ron stood against a fall wall in the back of the classroom, pinched his nose, and tipped the bottle to his lips. He gagged a bit, but managed to keep the potion down.

"Feel anything?" Harry asked.

"No. Not yet," said Ron. Then, Ron began to turn brown — all except for his flaming red hair. Harry and Hermione immediately began coughing to cover their laughs. Ron frowned. "What's so funny, you two?"

"Nothing," Harry said. "It's just — your hair didn't change color at all."

"It's no big deal, Harry," said Hermione. "It just means that one of your ingredients isn't prepared correctly. I'd suggest — "

"How about giving Harry a break, Hermione? He can figure it out, can't you, Harry?" said Ron.

"I guess so," said Harry. "I'll — I'll just powder something… how about the mandrake roots? I think those might work better chopped up." Harry hated thinking about redoing his entire potion. Snape had just announced the last class that the two parchments on the potion were going to be collected right after Winter Holiday.

During the next three weeks, snow lightly fell on the school grounds. By Winter Holiday, it had reached a foot.

Most of the students at Hogwarts were returning home for the Winter Holiday, but Ron's parents were going off locally, and Harry never went home for the holiday. Hermione elected to stay also, and Jessica Braham informed Harry the night before the holiday started that her parents had decided that they wanted to go away for Christmas.

The Saturday before everyone left for the Holiday, students who were old enough were taken to visit Hogsmeade, a wizarding village. They had all kinds of wonderful shops: Zonko's Joke Shop, Honeydukes, a wonderful wizarding candy store, and the Three Broomsticks, which served Butterbeer, a warming treat. Jessica was old enough to go, students had to be in their third year or higher, and she stayed with Ron, Harry, and Hermione.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Jessica went to Honeydukes first, and looked at all of the sweets.

"I love the Levitating Sherbet balls, they're fun," said Jessica. "My older brother found them, and brought them for Christmas one year. I couldn't stop eating them! Did you know that the more you eat at once, the higher you float off of the ground?" She bought herself a large bag of them.

Ron bought a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, which did include nearly every flavor imaginable, from chocolate and lemon drop to vomit and earwax. Harry bought a couple of the sherbet balls, a bar of chocolate, and a couple of sugar quills.

Hermione didn't buy anything, and waited patiently by the door for Ron, Jessica, and Harry.

The next stop was the Three Broomsticks for butterbeers.

"Hey, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Jessica!" It was Ginny. She came, and joined the group.

The five students found a booth, and sat down, Jessica next to Harry, and Hermione next to Ron and Ginny. Hermione got the four butterbeers, and brought them to the table.

They all took a big gulp.

Harry felt the warmth of the butterbeer flow through his veins. It was so delicious.

He looked at the counter, and saw Cho Chang sitting there, along with a couple of Ravenclaw friends. They were all talking to one another, and laughing. Harry smiled, and continued watching Cho. She was so beautiful…

"Harry? Harry!"

Harry was brought out of his trance, and turned to Ron, who was grinning broadly. He whispered, "Harry, you were staring at Cho Chang. Do you — you know, like her?"

"No," stammered Harry.

"What this? The famous Harry Potter likes Cho Chang?"

Malfoy popped up, a hideous grin on his face.

"Leave us alone, Malfoy," Harry said, gritting his teeth.

But Malfoy just smiled. "I don't believe it. You must be sad, Granger," he went on, smiling evilly at Hermione. Then he glanced at Ginny and Jessica, "Not to mention you two. Potter, you do know that Cho liked Diggory, right? She'd never want to go out with you."

"Shut up, Malfoy," Harry said, standing up. "Just shut up, and don't you tell anyone!"

"I wouldn't say shut up to someone who knows what I know now," said Malfoy, smiling evilly. "Come on," he said to Crabbe and Goyle.

Harry sat down, and sighed deeply. "Great."

Ron went dark red. "I'm sorry, Harry. I — I didn't mean for — "

"I know, Ron. Just — don't tell anyone else, okay?" Ron nodded.

Then, Fred and George came in, and waved to them. They pulled up two seats, and joined Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Jessica.

"Hey guys! We were just at Zonko's, trying to persuade the manager their to give us a job there," said George.

"Yeah. We told him all about 'Weasley's Wizard Wheezes,' and he was howling with laugher. We're hoping that's a good thing," Fred said, grinning.

"Well, I hope that works out," said Hermione.

They spent the rest of the afternoon talking about the holidays, and the future. That night, they were all safe and sound inside the castle, although Harry was still nervous. Malfoy knew he liked Cho… could things get any worse?

The teachers had eased off on the students, and had not give any homework over the holiday. Harry spent most of his time reading his mother's diary. There was one entry Harry particularly loved, and read over and over again:

Dear Diary,

Today, Mum was brave, and took me to buy my supplies for Hogwarts.

You have to find a wizard pub called the "Leaky Cauldron" first, and from there you can enter a place called Diagon Alley, where you can buy everything you need.

It was a very odd pub. When I first walked in, I saw a young boy, my age, with rather messy hair, sitting next to another boy, who had dark black hair.

I said to the boy with untidy hair, "Hi! I'm Lily Evans."

And he looked at me curiously, and then said, "Hi, I'm James Potter."

His friend also introduced himself, saying, "And I'm Sirius Black."

After I got back from shopping, I passed them again while I was leaving. They were going on and on about something called Quidditch. They were fine, for boys.

Well, that's all!

Love,

Lily

Harry also loved the entry that she wrote on the Hogwarts Express, about how she met a friend, named Amoria, who also was Muggle-born. Also, she met Sirius and James again, and noticed how different James looked in robes.

Harry had gotten to the point where she was explaining how Amoria had been sorted into a different house. However, she never said which one. Amoria and Lily still saw each other a lot though, and were good friends. Sirius and James were becoming good friends too, and they were in a large group together. Apparently, Lupin was there, but had not really become a real friend.

Harry loved reading his mothers diary. He could never read long enough. He could hear the voice of his mother as an eleven-year-old, saying what was written. He could see her, a little red-haired girl, beautiful.

On Christmas Eve, Harry was still reading, long after everyone had fallen asleep. He was still up, and couldn't stop reading about his mother. His eyes grew heavier, and heavier, but he refused to let them shut for more than a second or two. He grew exhausted, but wouldn't stop reading. Finally, his eyes were too heavy, and he was too tired, and his eyes shut gently as the book gracefully slid out of Harry's hands onto the floor.

"Harry Potter!"

Harry felt three pokes in his side.

"Harry Potter, wake up, sir!"

Harry slowly opened his eyes, and realized that he had been moved from an armchair by the fire onto a sofa. He saw a large brown blur in front of him, and wondered what it was. He felt for his glasses, and found them. He slipped them on, and the familiar face of Dobby the house-elf came into focus. In his second year, Dobby had worked for the Malfoys, but Harry freed him.

"Dobby, good morning. Where is everyone?" Harry asked, looking around the empty Common Room. There were piles of presents, lying unopened.

Dobby had long, bat-like ears, and huge green eyes. He said, "Harry Potter's friends is gone to play in the snow, Harry Potter. They is figuring it would be best to leave Harry Potter to sleep."

"What time is it Dobby?" Harry asked, rubbing his eyes.

Dobby bit his lip. "Dobby is sorry, sir, but House-elves isn't taught to tell time. House-elves make the meals, and serve them, Harry Potter. However, Harry Potter has missed breakfast, that Dobby knows."

"Thanks." Harry suddenly remembered that he had been reading before he had fallen asleep. "Dobby, is there a book anywhere by you?" Harry looked frantically around.

Dobby picked up Lily's journal, and held it up. "Is this it, Harry Potter?"

"Yes! Thanks Dobby," Harry said, reaching for it. However, Dobby backed away, and pulled the diary up to his chest.

"No, Harry Potter! This is a diary! Surely Harry Potter remembers what happened that last time Harry Potter came across a diary! Dobby mustn't give the diary to Harry Potter! Harry Potter mustn't read this diary!" Dobby cried, backing away. "Dobby must — get rid of the diary!" He lifted it, getting ready to throw it in the roaring fire in the fireplace. In Harry's second year, a student at Hogwarts had gotten hold of the diary of Tom Riddle, Voldemort as a sixteen-year-old-student, and he had possessed her. Dobby had known about the plan, as Lucius Malfoy had given the diary to the girl. Dobby had tried to protect Harry, but had nearly killed him.

"NO DOBBY!" Harry ran over and pinned Dobby onto the floor. "Give — that — back!"

"No, sir! Dobby mustn't let Harry Potter have the diary! Diaries is bad, Harry Potter!" Dobby squealed, trying desperately to get up.

"Dobby, listen to me. That was Tom Riddle's diary that caused the trouble! This is my mother's diary!" explained Harry.

Dobby froze. He gazed at Harry, and hung his mouth open. "This is Harry Potter's mother's diary?"

"Yes, she left it with my godfather to give to me when I turned fifteen if she died," said Harry.

"Dobby is most sorry, sir. Dobby will give the diary back to Harry Potter, if Harry Potter will let Dobby go."

Harry let go of Dobby's wrists, and sat on his knees. Dobby got to his feet, but started hitting himself over the head with the diary before he gave it back to Harry.

"Dobby, Dobby! Dobby, stop that!" Harry said, and he grabbed it out of Dobby's hands. Dobby turned to Harry sadly.

"Dobby was bad, Harry Potter. Dobby punished himself," Dobby said weakly. "Dobby came to wish Harry Potter a Merry Christmas." He handed Harry a pair of socks. One was scarlet, and the other was gold.

"Thank you Dobby. Here, Merry Christmas," Harry said, handing Dobby a Chocolate Frog.

"Oh, many thanks, Harry Potter! Does Harry Potter want the card inside?" asked Dobby.

"No thanks. I've got to get dressed. Where is everyone, Dobby?"

"Dobby is not completely sure, Harry Potter. Dobby is thinking he saw Fred Weasley head towards Hagrid's house."

"Thanks."

"Goodbye, Harry Potter!" Dobby said, and Harry raced upstairs. He dressed quickly and then raced out towards Hagrid's hut. The snow was still coming down, and it was piled high already.

He saw Fred and George chasing after Ron, and Hermione standing by Ginny, with Crookshanks in her arms. He tried to run out towards them, but the snow was rather deep, and it was hard for him. Finally, he reached them.

"Hey, Harry! Afternoon, sleepyhead," said Fred.

"Merry Christmas Harry," Hermione, Ron, and George said in unison.

Hermione added, "I hope you didn't mind us letting you sleep. I figured that you hadn't gotten enough sleep, so you would want to sleep in today. We waited to open our presents though."

"Thanks. I had a good sleep. Dobby woke me up though," Harry said, smiling.

"What? You mean, that House-elf?" said Fred. "What happened?"

"Well, he nearly threw my mother's diary in the fireplace, because he remembered what happened with Riddle's dairy," said Harry, and everyone's eyes widened. "But, don't worry. I stopped him, and got it back. Then, he gave me my present, and I gave him a Chocolate Frog."

"How very touching, Harry!"

Everyone turned around, and Professor Somorum was standing behind them, Jessica Braham at her side.

"Merry Christmas, Professor Somorum!" everyone said together.

She laughed, "Merry Christmas to you too! Here's a little something for each of you." She got out a huge bar of Honeyduke chocolate, and broke it into pieces, and gave some to everyone.

"All right, chocolate! Thanks, Professor Somorum," Ron said happily, shoving the piece into his mouth.

"Professor Somorum!"

Professor McGonagall came calmly up to the large group. "Merry Christmas everyone. Professor, will you kindly come so we may help prepare the Christmas feast?" She gave Professor Somorum another reproachful look, and Professor Somorum followed her back to the castle.

"I wonder why Professor McGonagall dislikes Professor Somorum. She seems pleasant enough to me. A little odd, perhaps, but not bad," said Hermione. Everyone shrugged.

"Well, are we ready to go in for presents?" Jessica asked.

Everyone decided that was a good idea, and they headed towards the Gryffindor Common Room, and opened presents.

Harry received a handful of Galleons from Sirius, a sweater, mince pies and fudge from Mrs. Weasley, a halfpence piece from Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon, some candy from Ron and Hermione, a card from Ginny, and some small cakes from Hagrid.

But, that wasn't all. After Harry had opened the last present in his stack, Jessica said, "Oh! Hang on!" and raced upstairs. She emerged a few minutes later, with a large stack of parchment. He handed out a piece of parchment to everyone. "Here! Merry Christmas."

Harry carefully unfolded his, and it was a drawing. It was a picture of him, flying on his Firebolt. It was very detailed and life-like.

"Thanks!" Harry grinned. Jessica went red, and just nodded.

Ron and Hermione enjoyed the presents that Harry gave them: a thick book for Hermione, and some money for Ron. Ron especially seemed to enjoy Hermione's gift of a book about the Chudley Cannons. Harry thought that Ron had it, but Ron denied ever seeing it, let alone reading it. Overall, the Christmas atmosphere was very warm and friendly.

However, a small owl flew in and dropped a small piece of paper on Hermione's lap about two hours before the feast. Hermione picked it up and read it.

"What's it say?" asked Harry.

"It says that someone wants to meet me on the Quidditch field," said Hermione.

Ron grabbed the piece of paper and read it himself. Then, going red, he stood up and stormed out of the Common Room.

"Ron!" Harry and Hermione called together. They tore after Ron.

"What's wrong?" asked Harry. "Who is it?"

Ron finally stopped when Peeves popped up in front of the three of them. A nasty smile spread across his face. "Where are you running to? 'Tis Christmas!"

Ron said angrily, "Get out of our way, Peeves!"

Peeves just laughed. "Why should I?"

"We're trying to get to the Quidditch field," said Hermione.

"You two can't go," Peeves said, pointing at Ron and Harry.

"Why not?" demanded Ron.

Peeves smiled nastily. "'Cause he wants to just see her!" He pointed to Hermione, who went red.

"I DON'T CARE!" bellowed Ron.

"You and Potter aren't getting by me," taunted Peeves. Ron finally bribed Peeves by giving him a Filibuster No-Heat, Wet Start firework. Harry knew that Ron would regret that once Filch found out, but Ron didn't seem to care.

Harry had never seen Ron move so quickly as when they were racing to the Quidditch field. Harry knew that there was only one person who Ron would react this way to, but there was no way —

Harry froze as Ron and Hermione did the same.

Standing in the snow-filled Quidditch field wearing blood-red robes was Viktor Krum.

Harry was stunned.

Hermione went up to him and said, "Viktor! What are you doing here?"

Krum held out two bunches of red roses and said, "Merry Christmas, Her-my-oh-ninny! These are for you!"

"Thanks," Hermione whispered, glancing at Ron.

The look on Ron's face was filled with jealousy, and Krum frowned when he saw it, and asked, "Haf I come at a bad time?"

Ron said nothing, and he turned abruptly and began racing away from the Quidditch field.

Hermione and Harry both called, "RON!" but he had run off.

"Vat is vrong, Her-my-oh-ninny?" asked Krum.

"Nothing," said Harry. "I'll go find Ron." Hermione seemed saddened at that idea, but she nodded.

Harry tore after Ron. When he didn't see him, Harry stopped. He thought to himself, where would I go if I were Ron, and I was upset?

And then the answer came to him: Hagrid's.

Harry then raced off to Hagrid's hut and knocked loudly on the door. He heard Fang bark, and Hagrid called, "Comin'!"

Hagrid swung the door open and smiled when he saw Harry. "'Lo, 'Arry! Haven't seen yeh for a while. Merry Christmas. Come in."

Harry stepped in, and saw Madame Maxime sitting at Hagrid's table. She smiled at Harry. "'Ello, Mr. Potter. Wat is wrong wit your friend?" She motioned to Ron, who had pulled one of the chairs at the table over to a window and was watching the snow.

"Ron came up in a huff jus' a couple o' minutes 'fore yeh got 'ere, Harry," said Hagrid. "Won' say a word. Been tryin' ter get 'im ter tell me what's wrong, but 'e won'."

Harry explained about what had just happened, and both Hagrid and Madame Maxime began laughing.

"So that's what been botherin' yeh? Viktor Krum? That's nothin', Ron, believe me," Hagrid said, patting Ron on the back. Ron still didn't say anything.

"Come on, Ron, it's Christmas," said Harry.

"Tell that to Krum!" Ron said bitterly. "Doesn't he have his own family to stay with?"

Harry said, "Look — "

"Do you know how expensive red roses are? Mum would kill me if I bought a whole bouquet, let alone two. And I have a feeling that's not all he bought her!" said Ron.

"So that's what's wrong? You're jealous of Krum because he's rich?" Harry said, pulling up a chair next to Ron.

"It's hard not to be jealous. He can give Hermione anything," said Ron.

"'Ermione's loads smarter than that, Ron. You should know that. She won' fall fer 'im jus' 'cause 'e's rich an' famous. E'll have the do much better than that," said Hagrid.

"Yeah, Ron. Come on. Let's go back," said Harry.

"You go," said Ron.

Hagrid stood up. "Both of yeh better be gettin' on yer way. The feast is gonna start soon, an' you two best not miss it."

"How much you bet Krum stays for it?" muttered Ron. But, he stood up slowly, apologized to Hagrid and Professor Maxime for intruding, and left with Harry.

It was not the best Christmas Harry had ever had. Ron's temper seemed to always be on the edge, and any mention of Krum set him off.

Krum had not only given Hermione two bunches of roses, but also a gorgeous golden ring with Hermione's birthstone in it. Harry couldn't tell whose face was redder, Hermione's or Ron's.

Ron went to bed early that evening, clearly escaping from Krum and Hermione. Harry himself retreated to the Common Room early and entertained himself by reading his mother's diary. At about ten o' clock, he heard the Common Room door open and heard Hermione saying a last-minute goodbye to Krum.

"Yes, I'll write. Goodbye — " Hermione said, clearly having had enough of Krum.

"Is somting bothering you, Her-my-oh-ninny? You haf been upset all evening," said Krum. "And your friend doesn't seem to be very happy — "

"Ron's fine! It's just — Krum, why did you come? Didn't you want to spend Christmas with your family?"

"No, Her-my-oh-ninny. I vanted to see you and give you the roses and the ving. Also, I vanted to tell you I vish you vould come and visit me this summer — "

"Viktor! I've told you before, we live too far apart. You're nice and everything, but I don't know you, and, frankly, you don't really know me. We're worlds apart. It's very sweet of you to come here and see me, but I really wish that you would find someone closer to you," said Hermione.

"But I haf never met anyone like you, Her-my-oh-ninny," Krum said, clearly putout.

"Viktor! Please. It's been fun — but we're too different. Goodbye. Merry Christmas," Hermione said, shutting the Common Room door. Shaking her head, she turned and saw Harry. "HARRY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

"Nothing, Hermione," said Harry. "I was — I was just reading down here."

"You say one word to Ron about what you've heard and I'll — "

Harry stood up. "I won't tell, Hermione. But, I think it would make Ron feel better if you told him."

"I don't care! Maybe it'll teach him a lesson not to blow up like that!" yelled Hermione. "And he had no reason to do that!"

"All right, Hermione," said Harry. He went up to his dormitory, leaving a fuming Hermione.