Ginny had returned to Hogwarts, though reluctantly, the next evening. She wanted more than anything to stay with Harry, and monitor his recovery herself. Harry had insisted though, reminding her that it would be her last week to study before the end of term exams that began later in the week. Furthermore, he had absolutely forbid her to come and see him the next weekend. He wanted her to study over that weekend as much as possible since her potions exam would be on the following Monday, and he was sure that Snape would do what he could to make her exam more difficult than everyone else's.

Ginny planned on spending her entire Christmas Holiday at Harry's side, and the last few days before the students were officially released were some of the longest of her life. It didn't make her time there any shorter when she had followed Harry's wishes and tried to talk to Cassidy about not going after Voldemort. She had been a bit surprised that Ginny even knew about it, but was too concerned with finding out how Harry was doing to pay any attention to what Ginny was trying to tell her. When Ginny had explained his condition to her, she had just broken down in tears and run off back toward her common room. Since then, she had found out from Moaning Myrtle that Cassidy had spent several days crying in her bathroom, and Myrtle was none too happy about sharing the space.

Ginny didn't have time to worry about any of that though. She had done what Harry had asked her to do, and if Cassidy didn't want to hear it then it wasn't her fault. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she felt a bit sorry for her though. She had spent years trying to get Harry's attention, and knew how it felt to think he didn't care. But it was at the back of her mind, and that was where she intended to keep it.

Finally, the evening of December 22nd came, and Ginny knew that the next morning she would be able to go to Harry once again. Ginny assembled, along with everyone else, in the Great Hall for the final feast of the term, and listened as Professor Dumbledore rose to give a final speech before he would make the food appear on the house tables.

"I know that you are all anxious to begin your holiday vacations," Dumbledore said. "I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your hard work during the entire first term. By my calculations, fewer house points had to be taken away during this term than during any term in a number of years. I can only hope that you will take that same behavior home with you and share it with your families, who I am sure that you have all remembered to buy presents for."

There were mental notes made all over the Great Hall, as indeed many of those there had neglected to remember after all.

"So in this time as chocolate frogs dance in your heads," Dumbledore began, "don't forget that it is the season for sharing cheer and kindness with your fellow witches and wizards. Just as long as you don't do so, too late. Remember that the Hogwarts express will leave promptly at ten o'clock tomorrow morning. So, now I believe it is time…"

Dumbledore never finished his sentence as the door to the Great Hall opened, causing everyone's head to turn and see why. What they saw stunned them all into silence, and placed a wide grin on Dumbledore's face.

Everyone strained for a better view as they saw Harry standing in the doorway. He began to walk forward slowly into the hall. They could see that it was a considerable effort for him as he leaned heavily on the cane in his left hand. Ginny wanted to run to help him, but, knowing that it was something he likely wanted to do on his own, she sat there and tried to stem the flow of the tears that began to roll down her face.

Harry stopped when he made it three quarters of the way up the center isle, which just happened to be right next to Ginny, and said, "I hope I'm not too late."

"You're just in time, Harry," Dumbledore said with a smile. "You're lucky enough to have missed my speech. Welcome back."

"Thanks," Harry responded with a smile.

Seamus, who was sitting next to Ginny at the time, turned to the people on the other side of him and motioned for them to move down. One quarter of the people on that side stood almost at once and moved down one seat, leaving the seat next to Ginny free for Harry to sit in.

"Thanks everybody," Harry said as he moved closer to the bench. "Uh, could a couple of you help me out? I don't know if I can support myself on this cane long enough to get my legs over the bench."

Seamus and Ron jumped up and moved to either side of Harry, practically picking him up and hoisting him over the bench, and supporting him until he was fully seated.

"Thanks guys," Harry said.

"No problem," Ron and Seamus said in unison.

"Now that we're all here," Dumbledore said, "let the feast begin."

A plethora of food suddenly appeared on the tables, but Harry and Ginny never noticed as Ginny wrapped him in a hug she never wanted to release and asked, "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

"I didn't know until a few hours ago," Harry responded. "Besides, I wanted to surprise you."

"You did that," Ginny said gripping him tighter. "You did that."

Harry and Ginny stayed in their hug until Colin Creevey stood up at the end of the Gryffindor table and hit his mug with is knife to get everyone's attention.

Colin raised his mug and said, "A toast, to Harry Potter, a true Gryffindor."

To Harry's surprise, the majority of the people in the Great Hall raised their own mugs and said in unison, "To Harry."

After dinner, Harry left the Great Hall with a formidable entourage on his way to the Gryffindor common room. He made it as far as the bottom step before he stopped and looked up, and saw the full magnitude of the task before him. He needn't have worried though. Hermione saw his dilemma right away and pulled out her wand, performed the correct charm, and began to levitate him up the stairs.

"I think this is the least I owe you," Hermione said as Harry looked back at her.

If Harry had any illusions that he would be able to go straight to bed, he quickly found out that they would have been far from reality. For half of the night, he sat and talked with a large group of Gryffindors. They asked him every question they could think of, and told him almost every detail of what he had missed. By the time everyone was finally winding down, it had gotten so late that Hermione had to perform her charm on everyone once again so that they would be able to wake up feeling rested and refreshed.

The next morning, students were sure to wake up in plenty of time, to catch their train back to London. Thanks to Dumbledore's warning, most of those who were leaving made sure that the first person to wake up would go around and make sure everyone else was awake as well. That held true everywhere except in one of the Gryffindor dorms. Ginny had given orders that no one in Harry's room was to wake him, since he was staying at Hogwarts over the holidays anyway. Not wanting to incur her wrath, everyone in that dorm tread very lightly that morning.

By the time Harry finally rolled over and opened his eyes, he saw Ginny sitting at the foot of his bed watching him.

"Morning sleepyhead," Ginny said as he reached for his glasses.

"Careful, Ginny," Harry said with a smile spreading over his face. "A guy might just get used to waking up and seeing you looking at him."

"Why, Harry Potter," Ginny said as she blushed. "You shouldn't tease a girl like that."

"But you turn such lovely colors when I do," Harry said with a chuckle.

"Would you like me to stay here while you change?" Ginny asked playfully. "Then we can see what color you might change."

Harry thought about how to counter her, and finally said, "I can take it if you can." Harry threw off the blanket that was covering him and began to unbutton his pajama top as seductively as he could.

"Ha," Ginny laughed as she got up and started for the door. "You got me this time, Harry. I wouldn't want to get too excited until you're fully recovered. You might not survive it."

Harry's jaw dropped in disbelief as he said, "Why Ginerva Weasley!"

Ginny just smiled from the doorway and said, "Look who's turning colors now."

After he had dressed, Harry went down to the common room to find Ginny waiting there along with Hermione and Ron. Since they had all made plans to stay at St. Mungo's with Harry, they were staying at Hogwarts for the holidays now that he was back. Hermione insisted once again on levitating him down the stairs. He tried to tell her that he was going to have to climb the stairs someday without her help, but she just told him that the day had not yet arrived.

As Harry walked up to the doors of the Great hall, being flanked by Ron and Ginny with Hermione guarding the rear, Cassidy walked out of the Great Hall and stopped dead in her tracks when she spotted Harry.

"Hi, Cassidy," Harry said.

Harry watched as Cassidy's face contorted as if trying to hold back tears. He thought she was about to say something when she placed her hand over her mouth and ran past him with tears beginning to flow from her eyes.

Malfoy walked out of the Great Hall and saw all of them standing there, and looked to see Cassidy running away from them as he said, "What did you say to her, Potter."

"I just said hi," Harry answered, still baffled by Cassidy's reaction. "Then she just burst into tears and ran off."

"I might have known you did that to her," Malfoy said frowning.

"Did what?" Harry asked confused.

"That, Potter," Malfoy said. "She's been acting just like that ever since you got hurt. She used to sit in the common room and write letters to her friends every night just gushing about Harry Potter this and Harry Potter that. I don't know if she's finished even one letter that she's started since then. She just bursts out in tears and runs back up to her dorm room."

"I still don't exactly see why all of it has to be my fault," Harry said.

"Just stay away from her, Potter," Malfoy said.

"What are you still doing here anyway, Malfoy?" Ron asked. "Why didn't you get on the train?"

"I'm staying here for Christmas, Weasley," Malfoy responded. "As if that's any of your business."

"I think it is my business if you're going to be in the castle," Ron said suppressing his flaring anger.

"I know you think I was the one who attacked Granger, Weasley," Malfoy said.

"Didn't you?" Ron asked.

"I must say that it didn't distress me that much," Malfoy said with a sneer, "but I wasn't the one who did it. I was in the library at the time. Ginny can tell you that she saw me in there, and after she left I sat down with a book doing some research. I didn't even find out about the attack until half an hour after it happened. I can come up with several people who can tell you I was in the library, and no, they aren't all from Slytherin."

Malfoy walked past them as he headed back to his common room. Ron and the rest of the group just stood there stunned. Malfoy had always been their most likely suspect, and now they were left wondering if he really could prove that he wasn't there when it happened. If Malfoy didn't do it, then there was someone who had been able to go unnoticed, and that prospect was more terrifying. An unknown enemy was always the most dangerous.

"You were coming back from the library when you were attacked, weren't you Hermione?" Ron asked. "Did you see Malfoy in there?"

"I only went to the library to return a book," Hermione said. "I was in and out so quick that I never really paid attention to who else might have been there."

"He was there," Harry said. "If he wasn't, he never would have mentioned that he could produce witnesses from houses other than Slytherin. He knows that of all people, we are the ones that are likely to check on that as soon as possible. For once, I think he was actually telling the truth."

After they had eaten breakfast, Harry surprised them all by telling them that he wanted to go into Hogsmeade to do some Christmas shopping. They had tried to argue that he wasn't ready for a tip like that yet, but he told them that he had spent the last few months sitting in a hospital bed and thought some fresh air was just what he needed. So, not being able to change his mind, they informed Professor Dumbledore of what they had planned and set off for Hogsmeade.

It wasn't easy for Harry to get his Christmas shopping done. It wasn't so much his legs that bothered him, as his loyal friends. They all hung very close to him worrying that he would slip and fall on some ice, or just get overly tired and not be able to remain standing. The fact that they never wanted to leave his side made it a bit difficult to buy anything for them without their knowing it. Finally he explained his difficulties to them and made them resort to watching after him in shifts. That way, he could send one person away from the group while the other two helped him pick out their gift. Then he would take that person back and send another away. It was a time consuming process, but eventually Harry was able to proclaim an end to it.

The group finally made it back to the castle, and Ginny waited outside the Great Hall with Harry while Hermione took their gifts up to Harry's dorm, and Ron loaded down several owls with Harry's gifts to the people he wasn't going to be seeing for Christmas. When they were done, they all walked into the Great Hall extremely ready for dinner.

As usual during the holidays, Professor Dumbledore had removed the house tables from the room and had them replaced with a single round table. There were usually very few people who remained behind over the holidays, and this year was no exception. There were only eleven students altogether, made up of four Gryffindors, two Hufflepuffs, three Ravenclaws, and two Slytherin. As dinner got started, Harry couldn't help but notice that one of the eleven was absent.

"Professor Dumbledore," Malfoy asked as he gave up on pushing the food around his plate that he had barely touched, "would it be alright if I took a plate of food back to my common room for Cassidy."

"Of course, Draco," Dumbledore responded. "I imagine she must be quite hungry by now, since she didn't come for lunch either."

"She didn't come to lunch?" Harry asked.

"No, Harry," Dumbledore said.

"Is she sick?" Harry asked Malfoy.

"I wouldn't know, Potter," Malfoy answered. "I've been in the common room all day, and she never came out of her dorm. I'm just going to leave this food in the common room for her in case she decides to come down sometime tonight."

"Let me know if she doesn't," Dumbledore said. "If not, then I'll send Professor McGonagall to check on her."

Harry watched Malfoy leave the Great Hall, wondering what it could be that Cassidy was hiding from. He also wondered why it was that Malfoy was so thoughtful all of a sudden.

The next day was the same thing. Cassidy still hadn't come to the Great Hall, but Malfoy took plates back to the common room after every meal. Harry was relieved at least to find out that she was coming out of her dorm to eat the food, although she still had never come down during a time when Malfoy was waiting for her. Obviously she didn't want to talk to anyone, but Harry couldn't figure out why.

On Christmas morning, Ginny woke up to find Hermione already halfway dressed, and said, "You're getting an early start today. You wouldn't be anxious to see if my big brother managed to pick out something decent for you this year would you?"

"The thought had crossed my mind," Hermione said with a smile of excitement. "Don't tell me that you aren't dying to see what Harry got for you."

"Oh, Hermione," Ginny said smiling as she sat up, "Harry has been giving me little gifts all year long. Just having him back is gift enough for me."

"Be that as it may," Hermione said, "I bet he got you something you'll really love."

"Oh, you're awful," Ginny said letting some of her suppressed excitement show through. "You know what it is don't you?"

"Actually," Hermione answered, "I don't. I thought I was going to have to help Harry pick something out in Hogsmeade, but I was wrong."

"What do you mean?" Ginny asked intrigued.

"He apparently had to order your gift before he got out of the hospital," Hermione said softly as if revealing a secret. "He said it was something that he wouldn't have been able to find in Hogsmeade."

Ginny's eyes went wide as she was no longer able to contain her excitement, "What in the world couldn't he find in Hogsmeade?"

"I don't know," Hermione said, "but it must be something really special. He wouldn't tell Ron or me what it was. So get yourself up and get ready so we can go down and see what it is."

Ginny got up and dressed quickly, taking an extra second to look in the mirror and make sure that she looked all right. Hermione impatiently told her that she looked fine, and physically dragged her out the door. When they got to the bottom of the stairs, they noticed Harry and Ron sitting, with Santa hats on, in the chairs by the Christmas tree, waiting on them.

"Happy Christmas," Ron and Harry said simultaneously as they stood to greet the new arrivals.

"Who would have thought that the two of you would beat us down here," Hermione said as she closed in and hugged Ron.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked as he hugged Ginny. "We've been waiting on you two for hours."

"Really?" Ginny asked suspiciously. "Hours?"

"Well, it seemed like hours anyway," Harry said as he kissed Ginny.

Ron took charge of passing out the gifts to everyone. He made sure to pass out the ones that weren't from him or Harry first, which he could tell nearly drove Hermione mad. There were all of the usual gifts from his mom. Each of them got a new jumper with their first initial on the front of it; the only bright spot was that for once, Mrs Weasley had apparently gotten the message and made Ron's dark blue instead of maroon. The twins had sent them all enough candy to give the whole of Gryffindor House a sugar high. Other gifts were there from other friends and relatives, as well as members of the Order, but it was the last few gifts under the tree that Hermione and Ginny were the most interested in.

Harry had to laugh when he opened Hermione's gift. They had all assumed that it would be a book, as it usually was, but instead it was an entire set of men's grooming supplies. Hermione pointed out that it contained a hair potion that was guaranteed to make even the most unruly of hair lay down.

Ron opened Hermione's gift to find a new set of dress robes, and asked, "When am I supposed to wear these?"

"Don't you worry, Ron," Hermione said, "I'll take care of that."

"Well," Ron said as he blushed a deeper red than any of them had ever seen, "Maybe I will have somewhere to wear them after all."

Ron handed Hermione a small package that was neatly wrapped in a shimmering silver paper with a white ribbon laced with gold. Hermione trembled a bit now that the moment she had been so excited about was in front of her. It could have been a chocolate frog for all she cared. It was the first Christmas present he had given her while they were a couple, and that was enough to make her treasure it forever.

She gently slipped off the bow and made sure not to rip the paper as she carefully unwrapped the box that was inside. She was laying the paper aside to save for later scrapbooking, when she felt Ron take the box from her hands. She looked around for an explanation to see Ron on his knees in front of her chair.

"Hermione," Ron said, his voice trembling slightly, "there was a time when I thought I would never be able to stand being around you. Over the years, as I've gotten to know you, I've found out just how wrong I was. For some time now I've held a special place in my heart for you. It wasn't until recently that I worked up the nerve to tell you just how much you mean to me. Recently, I've been wishing that I could go back and relive some of those past years over again just so I could have more time with you. But instead I find myself stuck here in our last year at Hogwarts together, and not knowing in what directions the future may pull us. The one thing that I know is that I never want it to pull us apart. So, Hermione…"

Ron then held up the box he had given to Hermione and opened it so she could see the diamond ring that was inside it.

"… would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Ron finished.

Hermione opened her mouth as if to say something, but no words would come out as tears rolled down her cheeks. She finally managed, unable to voice a response, to nod her head to say yes. Ron took the ring out of the box and tried to steady his hand as he slipped the ring onto Hermione's trembling finger.

Once it was on, Hermione wrapped her arms around Ron and pulled him into a hug that reminded him of one of his mothers, as she whispered, "I love you, Ron."

"I love you too," Ron responded, losing himself in her arms.
The next thing Ron and Hermione were aware of was Ginny, crying and not able to control herself any longer as she wrapped them both in a tight hug. Harry himself was overcome with happiness as well, and wrapped his own arms around the rest of the group.

When they finally separated, Hermione and Ginny were both crying and Ron had the widest grin any of them had ever seen.

"I can't believe you never told me you were going to do that," Harry said to Ron.

"I could barely believe I was going to do it, mate," Ron said still smiling. "I nearly chickened out a hundred times, but once she had the paper off of the box I knew it was too late to back out."

"Ron," Ginny, still crying, began, "how in the world did you ever afford that ring?"

"Well," Ron said as if he didn't want to admit something, "I actually ordered it a while back, and I've been making small payments on it ever since."

"How far back?" Hermione asked as she wiped her cheeks.

"Uh, about three years," Ron admitted.

"What?" Harry asked amazed. "Are you saying that you've been planning this for three years and you never told me."

"Forget you, Harry," Hermione said. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wanted to," Ron pleaded. "I really did. But you have no idea how close I came to not telling you I liked you at all. It was the hardest thing I've ever done. I thought you would laugh in my face."

"You are such a git, Ron," Hermione said with a smile. "I would have said yes long before that. A big, lovely git."

Hermione wrapped her arms around Ron once again and planted a passionate kiss on his lips. They kissed for so long, in fact, that Harry had to clear his throat just to remind them that he and Ginny were still there.

"Sorry mate," Ron said blushing once again. "I know that it may still be a bit early to ask you, Harry, but would you be my best man?"

"Of course I will," Harry said shaking Ron's hand.

"Then I guess I need to go ahead and ask you if you'll be my maid of honor, Ginny," Hermione said.

"I would love to," Ginny said. "It'll be nice to know that there's another girl in the family."

"Speaking of adding another member to the family…" Hermione said looking at Harry.

It was Harry's turn to blush as he swallowed hard before he said, "I'm afraid I didn't get Ginny an engagement ring this Christmas. I was thinking her parents would prefer that I wait until she's out of school first."

"That's all right, Harry," Ginny said taking his arm. "I can wait. For a while anyway. For now, I guess I should give you my gift."

Ginny went to the tree and retrieved a medium sized crimson wrapped box with a crimson and gold ribbon and bow.

As Ginny handed Harry the present she said, "Now you have to understand that I got you this present when I thought you were going to be stuck in St. Mungo's for a while."

"I'm sure it'll be fine," Harry said as he took the present. He carefully unwrapped the box, and when he opened it he saw something that looked very familiar.

"It's a quick notes quill," Ginny said. "I thought you might need it if you wanted to answer some of those get well cards that are stacked up in the hospital."

"I think it's perfect," Harry said smiling at Ginny. "I still plan to write some thank you notes, so this will go a long way toward saving my hand and wrist from constant cramping."
"Oh, good," Ginny said relieved. "I thought you would think it was totally useless."

"It looks like there's only one present left," Hermione said. "I wonder who it could be for."

"I guess it is almost time," Harry said looking at his watch. Harry walked over to the tree and removed a small cube shaped box wrapped in crisp paper with a moving scene of falling snow and a sprig of mistletoe adorning the top instead of a bow.

"Are you sure you aren't proposing, Harry?" Hermione asked when she looked at the shape of the box.

"Right shape," Harry said, "but wrong contents."

Harry handed the present to Ginny and she eyed it adoringly and said, "It's too beautiful to open."

"Well, you had better go ahead and do it," Harry said. "The charm should wear off in a few minutes anyway. Besides, if you don't open it the whole schedule will be thrown off."

Ginny looked at Harry, wondering what schedule he was talking about, and saw a gleam in his eye that made her wonder even more what he might be up to. Resigning herself to the fact that she would likely have to open the gift to find out anyway, Ginny tore through the paper to get to the box underneath.

Ginny slipped the lid off of the box and was surprised by its contents as she said, "A golden snitch. Where in the world did you get it, Harry?"

"It was my dad's," Harry said. "Well, not technically his, since he nicked it from here in the first place. Professor Lupin found it among his things and gave it to me, and now I want you to have it."

"Oh, Harry," Ginny began, "I can't take this. You don't have that many things that belonged to your parents. You should keep this for yourself."

"Just read the note under the snitch," Harry said smiling.

Ginny pulled the snitch out of the box, found the note Harry had mentioned, and read, "Dearest Ginny, I have been looking for a way to tell you what your love does for me. Finally I've found it. When I'm with you, I feel the wings of my heart unfurl and carry my heart to places it has never been before. Like the snitch you hold in your hand, I was flying free and without purpose until the day that you captured my heart. I pray every day, that you will never release me, as my father never released this snitch. There is no one I would trust more with this piece of my life. Let it be a symbol of my love, and never let it go."

Ginny stopped reading to look at Harry and let him know that she would always hold it tight, when Harry said, "Well, read the rest of it. I'm on a schedule here."

Ginny looked back down at the letter and saw that below Harry's signature was a P.S., and she read, "Put the snitch back in the box for a while. You need to open the window."

She looked questioningly at Harry, but he just pointed to his watch to let her know that she was running out of time. She decided to play along, so she put the snitch in the box as instructed and walked over to the window and opened it. She stood back and looked at Harry to see if he was going to explain what was about to happen, but her attention was drawn back to the window as she heard something that sounded suspiciously like the flapping of owl wings. She barely had time to react as Hedwig flew in the window and dropped a long package into her hands.

"What have you done, Harry?" Ginny said wide-eyed as she took in the wrapped, yet unmistakable shape of a broom.

"Just open it and find out," Harry said with a knowing smile.

They all moved over to her, and Harry thanked Hedwig before sending her back out the window and closing it. Ron and Hermione helped Ginny tear at the brown wrapping, and quickly revealed what was under it.

"Harry," Ron said not able to take his eyes off of the broom, "how in the world did you get one of these? There's a waiting list a mile long for a second generation Firebolt."

"Not just any Firebolt," Harry said. "Look at the handle."

There before them, on the end of the handle, inscribed in crimson letters with a gold outline were the words 'Ginny's Firebolt II Special Edition'.

"Whoa," Ron gasped.

"Harry…" Ginny started to say as she struggled to comprehend what she was holding while tears began to blur her vision.

Harry walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her from behind as he said, "It's a one of a kind. There will never be another one like it. Just like there will never be anyone like you, Gin."

Ginny turned and, still not able to speak through her sobbing, pressed her head into Harry's chest and held him as tightly as she could. Ron and Hermione admired them silently for a while as they came together in their own hug.

Several minutes passed before Harry pulled back slightly to look down at Ginny and said, "Why don't we go down and get some breakfast. Then you can go outside and give your new broom a test flight if you want."

"If I want?" Ginny asked. "I'm dying to give it a try."

The four of them went down to the Great Hall, and once again found everyone except Cassidy already there. After they had all seated themselves, it only took about a minute for one of the Ravenclaw fifth years to notice the ring Hermione was wearing. Ron and Hermione confirmed the significance of the ring, and congratulations rang around the table from everyone except a very depressed looking Malfoy.

"Didn't Potter get you a ring too, Ginny?" Malfoy asked.

"Actually, no," Ginny said almost unable to hide her excitement over her broom. "Would you like to see what he gave me?" Ginny didn't even wait for an answer before she turned and said, "Accio broom."

They only had to wait a few seconds before a broom sped into the Great Hall and came to rest in Ginny's hand. With quidditch being such a popular sport, everyone at the table was instantly aware that there was something special about the broom.

"Is that what I think it is?" Malfoy asked too amazed to remember to be nasty. "Is that a second generation Firebolt?"

"Sort of," Ginny said happily, as she rolled the handle over so they could all read it.

"But how?" Malfoy asked.

"I asked the same question myself," Ron said looking to Harry to see if he wanted to explain further.

"I sent a message to Quality Quidditch Supplies in Diagon Alley and told them that I was trying to find a good broom to give to Ginny for Christmas," Harry explained. "I was just expecting them to send me a list of the brooms they had available, but apparently they forwarded my request to the people who make the Firebolt. The next day I got an owl from them offering to sell me a special edition Firebolt and wanting to know the name of the person I was giving it to. I sent a reply that day and told them that the price was acceptable and that I wanted to give it to Ginny. I got a confirmation two days before I came back here confirming delivery time, but when I got out of the Hospital early I sent them a message letting them know that I would send Hedwig to pick it up."

"I bet they gave you a big discount just for being the famous Harry Potter," Malfoy said with some of his nastiness coming back to him.

"Actually, it cost considerably more than my first Firebolt did when it first came out," Harry responded. "I don't know if that's what you would call a discount, but I thought Ginny was worth it whatever the cost. Someday, even you'll find someone that you feel the same way about."

Harry had made the last statement to see what kind of a reaction he would get out of Malfoy. He watched, and thought Malfoy was about to make a comment, but at the last moment he seemed to think better of saying whatever he had thought.

"Hopefully we will all be lucky enough to find a love like that at least once in our lifetimes," Dumbledore said, filling the tense silence that had overtaken the group.

"I think I'll take a plate of food to Cassidy now, Professor," Malfoy said as he got up to leave.

"Certainly," Dumbledore said as he waved his hand, making another plate of food appear on the table next to Malfoy.

As Harry watched Malfoy begin to walk toward the doors of the Great Hall, he stood up and asked everyone to excuse him for a moment as he followed Malfoy as quickly as he was able with his cane.

Once they were well outside the Great Hall, Harry saw Malfoy ahead of him and said, "Draco, wait up."

Malfoy stopped and turned to see Harry walking toward him and asked, "What do you want, Potter?"

"I take it that you still haven't seen her yet," Harry said.

"That's right, Potter," Malfoy said. "Why should you care?"

"Believe it or not, Draco," Harry said, "I would like to know that she's all right. Since her whole reason for hiding out like this seems to be linked with me somehow, I'd like to have a chance to talk to her and work it out. Today is Christmas after all."

"What do you expect me to do about it?" Malfoy asked. "I haven't gotten to see her either. At least you have your friends to keep you company. I might as well be living in Slytherin House by myself."

"If I can get in to talk to her, then maybe I can change that," Harry said.

"Get in?" Malfoy asked. "I hope you don't seriously think I'm going to get you into the Slytherin common room. For one thing it's against the rules. For another, if she comes down and finds you there she might stop coming down to get her food."

Harry took a long look at Malfoy before saying, "You care about her don't you?"

"Care about her, Potter?" Malfoy asked.

"You certainly are going out of your way to make sure she gets fed," Harry said.

"I do that just because she's a Slytherin, Potter," Malfoy sneered.

"There have been other people in Slytherin house you would have let starve," Harry said pointedly. "Don't get me wrong, Draco. I think the two of you would be great together as long as you can come to an understanding over Voldemort. I could be wrong, and you may not have any real feelings for her at all. But if I'm right, and you do, then please do everything you can to keep her from going after Voldemort."

"How I do or don't feel about her is none of your business, Potter," Malfoy said through gritted teeth. "When it comes to the Dark Lord, I thought you would be more worried about yourself."

"I'm not afraid of Voldemort any more," Harry said. "I'll be ready to fight him when the time comes. I just don't want any innocent people to get in the way when it happens."

"Then you should keep an eye on all of your D.A. buddies," Malfoy said. "I'm sure they'll stick their noses in."

"It's too bad really," Harry said. "You know, for years now I've hoped that we would be able to find a way to put our differences aside. Maybe it was just wishful thinking."

"I would say so, Potter," Malfoy laughed. "You and I will never be friends."

"Enemies it is then," Harry said seriously. "Just make sure you don't end up on the wrong side at the wrong time."

Harry didn't give Malfoy a chance to respond as he turned around and began walking back to the Great Hall. He had learned all he needed to, and planted a few seeds along the way. All he had to do was to wait and see if any seeds began to grow. Already though, a plan was forming in his mind.

Later that day, Ginny entered the Great Hall for lunch along with Ron and Hermione. She told Dumbledore that Harry had overexerted himself during the morning and had decided to rest instead of coming to lunch. She told him that she would like to take a plate of food up to Harry so he could eat after he got up. Dumbledore said that would be fine, and lunch proceeded normally.

Malfoy walked back to his common room with another plate of food for Cassidy and stopped at the painting outside his common room and said, "Datura."

The portrait swung open and Malfoy stepped inside. He walked over and set the plate of food down in its usual spot. Then he walked over to the Christmas tree to see that there was one gift that still remained under the tree. He shook his head as he headed for the stairs that would take him to his dorm room. What he did not know, was that a few minutes later, the portrait swung open again to admit someone else.

Cassidy stood at the top of the stairs that would take her down to the Slytherin common room and listened for any indication that there would be anyone there. Hearing nothing, she carefully walked down the stairs until she got to a point where she could check to make sure no one was sitting in a chair waiting on her. Luckily, no one was there, so she walked the last few steps down into the common room and over to the table where her food was.

Cassidy sat down and ate all of her food, thankful that Dumbledore had been kind enough to send it up to her as he had for the past couple of days. She stood up to head back to her dorm room, and when she turned around, she froze in place as she saw the person blocking the stairs she was heading for.

Cassidy looked in stunned silence at Harry, who was standing there with his cane in one hand and a cloak in the other as she finally managed to say, "Harry. What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Harry said.

"This is my common room, Harry" Cassidy said.

"That's no reason to lock yourself in it," Harry said making Cassidy look at her feet. "Everyone is worried about you, Cassidy. I don't know what it is that's made you shut yourself away from everyone, but you can't go on like this. What have I done?"

Cassidy looked up at Harry with tears forming in her eyes and said, "I am so sorry, Harry. I just can't face you after what I did."

"I hope this isn't all just over that kiss in the room of requirement," Harry said.

"Of course it is," Cassidy said, the tears bursting from her eyes. "I never should have done it. If I hadn't kissed you it never would have happened."

"What wouldn't have happened?" Harry asked a bit confused.

"Your accident, Harry," Cassidy managed to get out through her sobs. "If I hadn't kissed you, you would have still been in the room of requirement with me. If I hadn't driven you out of there you never would have had to suffer those months in the hospital."

"But, Cassidy," Harry said softly, "don't you see. I should be thanking you for kissing me. You're right that I would have been safe in the room of requirement, but how do you think I would have felt if I had come out of that room only to find that Hermione had died in that fall. I feel so blessed that I was there, and actually able to save her. I knew as soon as I jumped over that railing what I was facing. I would have done the same thing even if it hadn't been Hermione.

I don't know if you've noticed it yet, but I didn't die. I should be as good as new in a few more weeks, but there is still a part of me that's still hurting. It's the part that got hurt when I ran into a friend outside the Great Hall the morning after I got back, and I couldn't even get her to say hi to me. It was the part of me that got twisted in knots when I found that my mere presence caused her pain. Then she hid herself away so that I couldn't even tell her how sorry I was for anything that I had done to hurt her."

"I never meant to hurt you, Harry," Cassidy said. "I just felt so guilty…"

"But you don't need to," Harry said taking a few steps closer to her. "I jumped over that railing, because I wanted to. No one made me do it. I could have just stood there and let her fall, but I made the choice not to. I made the choice. The only person who should feel guilty for what I had to do is the person who attacked Hermione in the first place, and I don't think it was you."

"No," Cassidy said. "I was still in the room of requirement at the time of the attack. Just after you left, I saw a flash of light, and the next thing I knew I was waking up on the floor."

"Ah," Harry said grimacing a little. "I didn't know about that part. Never underestimate the temper of a woman under an invisibility cloak."

A sudden realization hit Cassidy as she asked, "Ginny?"
"I'm afraid so," Harry said.

"I guess after what she saw," Cassidy said, "I was lucky that she only stunned me."

"I don't think she'd do it again if you were to just come to dinner with everyone else," Harry said. "It is Christmas you know."

"I guess I haven't exactly spread cheer and kindness like Dumbledore told us to," Cassidy said wiping her cheeks dry.

"There is one person I can think of who deserves some of that from you more than any of us though," Harry said.

"Who is that?" Cassidy asked, curious.

"Draco," Harry said.

"Malfoy?" Cassidy asked, surprised.

"After all," Harry said, "he was the one who kept bringing food up to you."

"He did that?" Cassidy asked. "I thought Dumbledore was just sending it here magically."

"No," Harry said. "It was Draco every time. I think he's been genuinely concerned about you. He hasn't been able to eat a decent meal yet I don't think. He just sits there and picks at his food. He denies it of course, but I think he has some real feelings for you."

"Malfoy?" Cassidy asked a bit surprised. "He asked me out when I first got here and I turned him down. Since then he hasn't done anything but make fun of my letter writing and sneer at me the way he does at you."

"I don't think he really knows how to show you he cares," Harry said. "I think he is trying though. He's been bringing you food and not even asking anything in return for it. That's something one doesn't usually associate with Draco Malfoy."

"But that doesn't mean…" Cassidy began to say.

"I also see that there's a gift left under the tree," Harry said cutting her off. "I wonder who it could be for. Draco just walked through here a few minutes ago and didn't claim it, so I would say it must be for you."

"But I had the house elves bring all of the gifts from my family up to my room," Cassidy said.

"Maybe it isn't from your family," Harry said lifting an eyebrow at her.

Cassidy walked over to the tree and retrieved the package. She flipped the tag over and read it before looking to the base of the stairs that led to Draco's room, and then looked back over to Harry with a questioning look on her face.

"Well, open it," Harry said.

Cassidy carefully removed the wrapping paper from the box, and opened it to find a beautiful necklace inside. Harry walked over and looked at the silver chain with a silver pendant that held a stone that seemed to have a mist inside that swirled in slow fingers of varying shades of red, pink and white.

"Hmmm," Harry said as he studied her present. "That doesn't look like a present you give to someone you hate. Trust me. Malfoy hates me, and he's never given me a Christmas present."

"I can't believe he would do this," Cassidy said stunned. "I didn't get him anything in return."

"Well, if you want to give him something," Harry said, "I may be able to help you with that."

"Why would you do that for him if you hate him?" Cassidy asked.

"Because I understand the position he's in," Harry said. "Ginny had feelings for me years before I realized that I felt the same way about her. I look back on it now and wish I could go back and make every gift I ever gave her something special."

"But a relationship with Malfoy is out of the question," Cassidy said. "He's the son of a death eater. He may even become one himself."

"Maybe he just needs someone to give him a reason to rethink that option," Harry suggested.

"You don't understand, Harry," Cassidy said seriously. "You know the way he feels about being a pure blood. What would he think if he found out that my dad's a muggle."

Hearing that was one thing that Harry had not counted on, but he eventually said, "Never underestimate how much a man might be willing to change for someone he loves."

"I don't know if I would go that far," Cassidy said, "but the least I owe him is a thank you for the gift."

"If you wait here for a few minutes," Harry said with a smile, "I'll just go and get something you can give to him and bring it back to you."

Harry turned and walked toward the portrait hole and had almost reached it when Cassidy said, "Harry?"

Harry stopped and turned to look back at where she stood. He was happy to see that she finally had a small smile on her face.

"Thank you," Cassidy said.

"Anything for a friend, Cassidy," Harry said with a smile of his own.

Draco Malfoy looked at his watch as he lay on his bed. It was time for dinner. If he didn't know that it was up to him to bring food to Cassidy, he would just as soon remain where he was. But he raised himself off of the bed where he had spent the last few hours staring at the ceiling, and headed for the door.

Malfoy emerged into the common room, and took a look around wishing that someone would be there, but to his disappointment, there wasn't. He was about to walk out of the common room, but, as he passed the Christmas tree, he noticed something that stopped him in his tracks. The present that he had placed there for Cassidy was gone, and in its place was one wrapped in green paper with a white bow. He bent down to pick it up and noticed that it was to him. The thing that really surprised him, was that it was from Cassidy.

As he stood up, Draco turned around and saw Cassidy standing at the base of the stairs leading to the girls dorms. She was wearing a beautiful black dress that stunned him into silence, but a feeling he had not felt in days coursed through him as he noticed that she was wearing the necklace he had given her.

"I just wanted to say thank you for the necklace," Cassidy said stepping into the room. "It's beautiful."

Malfoy tried to gather his wits back about him as he looked at her and said, "I… I… I'm glad you like it."

"I hope yours is okay," Cassidy said. "A friend told me you might like it."

Malfoy felt as though his body was slow in accepting commands of movement as he finally was able to tear his eyes from Cassidy to notice that he was still holing her gift for him. He tore through the paper with a sudden thought that perhaps this is one gift that he should treat more gently than usual. He carefully slipped the box out of the open end of the wrapping and knew instantly that her friend must know him fairly well.

"This is exactly what I would have wanted," Malfoy said. "I've needed a broom care kit for quite a while, but never got around to getting one."

"I'm glad," Cassidy said. "I guess I should also thank you for bringing me all of those plates of food. I didn't know until today that you were the one doing it."

"It was nothing," Malfoy said, blushing as if he were a Weasley.

"It was nice," Cassidy responded. "I won't forget it."

"Does this mean that I won't have to bring you a plate tonight?" Malfoy asked hopefully.

"I think I'll be going to dinner with everyone else tonight," Cassidy said. "At least I will if I have a friend to sit next to."

Malfoy just stared at her numbly as he said, "I… could sit with you if you like."

"I think I'd like that," Cassidy said. "I think it would be a good time to get to know you a little."

Everyone was pleasantly surprised to see Cassidy walk into the Great Hall for dinner. Everyone except for Harry that is. His friends knew that he had gone to the Slytherin common room and talked to Cassidy, but he wouldn't tell them exactly what was said.

During the dinner, Harry noticed that Draco Malfoy smiled more and looked happier than he had ever been since coming to Hogwarts. He was pleased to see that his archenemy had a heart after all.

The next morning, Harry awoke early, and decided to go on down to the common room to wait for everyone else to wake up. To his surprise, Professor Dumbledore was warming his hands by the fire when he got there.

"Ah, good morning, Harry," Dumbledore said with a smile as he looked over his glasses at the new arrival.

"Morning, Professor," Harry said still a bit shocked to see him there. "I didn't expect to find you down here."

"I needed to speak with you," Dumbledore explained, "and I thought I would save you the walk up the stairs to my office. By the way, how are you feeling?"

"Better every day, Professor," Harry said. "I'm not leaning on my cane nearly as much as I was just a few days ago."

"Excellent," Dumbledore said with a smile.

"So what is it that you needed to see me about, Professor?"
Harry asked.

"Have a seat here by the fire with me, and I'll explain it to you," Dumbledore said as they both moved to sit. "As you may know, due to your stay at St. Mungo's, you have missed a considerable amount of work in your classes. I have discussed the situation with your teachers, and there are two courses we could follow. First, you could leave Hogwarts before the beginning of the next term, return to live with the Dursleys, and come back to finish your last year at the beginning of the next school year."

"I can already tell you that I choose the second option, Professor," Harry said. "Anything would be better than going back to live with the Dursleys."

"I had a feeling you would feel that way. Harry," Dumbledore said with a smile. "However, you should know that the second option will be much more difficult for you. All of your professors have agreed to offer weekend classes to catch you up on what you have missed. In essence, you will have to pack a weeks worth of study into just two days, and that will be on top of all of your other work during the week."

"I'm ready to give it a try, Professor," Harry said.

"Yes," Dumbledore said as he hesitated to deliver the final bit of news. "I have to tell you though, that what I said was not quite accurate. I did talk to all of your teachers about this option, and all agreed, save one."

"Professor Snape?" Harry asked already knowing the answer.

"Yes, Harry," Dumbledore said watching for his reaction. "Professor Snape has said that he stated quite clearly in your first potions class of the year, that once the doors to the classroom were locked at the beginning of class, anyone not inside would lose points for the day. I have asked him to make an exception considering the circumstances, but he has refused, as is his right. Professor Snape, I am sorry to inform you, has failed you for the year in Potions."

"But without his potions class he won't be allowed to take his N.E.W.T. for potions," Ginny said as she and Hermione stepped forward to acknowledge that they had been listening to the conversation. "He has to have one in Potions to go on to be trained as an auror."

"I'm afraid you're right, Ginny," Dumbledore said as he turned to see them.

"There must be something that Harry can do," Hermione said thinking hard. "I remember reading something… Oh, what was it? In Hogwarts a History. A test. Some kind of comprehensive test that can be taken to replace the students grades in a class."

"Very good, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said. "Ten points for Gryffindor."

"So Harry can take a test to replace his grades for the entire year of potions?" Ginny asked.

"Actually," Dumbledore said, "it is far more comprehensive than that I'm afraid. The test would be designed by the instructor to include, but not be limited to, everything the student should have learned during their time in the class from the first year on. The test would replace every grade Harry has ever gotten in Potions. I should warn you that this option has only been exercised three times since the school was founded, and that none that have attempted it have even come close to passing."

"I can only imagine what kind of test Professor Snape would design for you if he wasn't limited to what he had taught in class, Harry," Hermione said concerned. "Maybe it wouldn't be such a good idea after all."

"I'm so sorry, Harry," Ginny said as she put her hand on Harry's shoulder.

"I'll do it," Harry said looking seriously at Dumbledore.

"Harry, what…" Hermione began

"I'm going to try it," Harry said so that they all knew he wasn't going to change his mind.

"Very well, Harry," Dumbledore said calmly. "I will inform Professor Snape of your decision as soon as he returns from his holiday break. I should also tell you that it is up to the professor to set a date when the test will be given, and also to determine the length of the exam."

"Tell him to give it his best shot," Harry said confidently. "It should be like Christmas all over again for him."

"Unfortunately," Dumbledore said, "I think you might be right, Harry."