Summery:

On The Run

December

Hogwarts was decorated in many colors for Christmas. The great Hall had four very large trees that were covered in brightly colored ornaments. The stair cases were covered in wreaths.

Harry sighed as he finished his homework for the weekend. He was sitting in the common room with Ron and Hermione. Ron was finishing his own homework, at Hermione's insistence. And Hermione was reading a book; she had already finished her homework.

"Finished?" Hermione asked as she looked up from her book.

"Yes." Harry said as he closed his rucksack.

"How is it that you are already done?" Ron asked slightly annoyed.

"Because he's not been putting it off till the last minute." Hermione countered.

"I'm going to go up to bed." Harry interrupted. "Good night. I'll see you later."

"Good night." Ron and Hermione said in unison.

Ron and Hermione watched as he walked up to the boy's dormitory.

"Do you think he's okay?" Ron asked as Harry went out of view.

"I don't know Ron." Hermione said sighing. They had both been keeping a close eye on Harry. They had even spoken to the Headmaster a few days earlier. He had called them to his office and had asked them questions about their friend. They had told him what they knew, which wasn't much more then what he had already known. They told him about Harry's eating and sleeping habits and anything else they could think of. They knew that Harry was steadily going to get sick if he continued as he was. He was working extra hard on his schooling, though he had for the most part caught up. He still struggled in a few classes, like Charms and Transfiguration, and had to work extra hard in both of them. He was keeping late hours to do his homework, and getting up early to finish if he didn't the night before. He had been doing work during meals and his eating suffered because of that and he had lost a little weight. They hoped that someone would step in soon. They had tried to do what they could in order to help him out, but he was still stressed.

Christmas was Monday, and they had no classes. They hoped that would allow Harry to relax a little and rest.

Unfortunately Harry seemed to stress even further as Christmas neared. His friends could tell he hadn't slept much and his eating had suffered from lack of appetite. He grew more quiet and withdrawn. They couldn't figure out what might be causing him to act this way. Christmas was supposed to be a time to be happy and relax and have fun.

His friends watched as he sat on his bed looking through something. It looked like an old book.

"What are you looking at?" Ron asked as he and Hermione sat next to him on his bed.

Harry looked up at them. "It's a photo album. Sirius made it a few years ago."

"Can we see?" Hermione asked. Harry nodded and sat up and placed the book in front of them so they could see.

"Where was this taken?" Ron asked pointing to a picture of Harry sitting next to a blonde boy; both smiling.

"That's from Cameron's birthday party."

"Cameron?" Hermione repeated. "The same boy you've told us about?"

"Yeah." Harry said as he turned the page. There were pictures of Harry with Sirius. Many of them. Harry explained each one. There were a few from birthdays. His friends could see they weren't large birthdays, and only a few had other friends with them, but they both seemed happy in them. There were a few of Harry and Sirius outside playing around. There were some of Harry when he was little too. Showing the pictures seemed to brighten Harry up a little.

"My parents want to meet you." Ron said out of the blue.

"Oh?" Harry asked as he put the photo album away.

"They'll be here tomorrow. We decided to spend Christmas here." Ron informed Harry.

"Why not at your house?" Harry inquired curiously.

"Because they want to meet you." Ron said simply. Harry just shook his head amusedly.

Opening his eyes Harry realized he must have fallen asleep while reading. Sitting up he looked around. The dorm room was empty. Hermione had left earlier that morning to see her family for Christmas, and Ron's family was arriving sometime today. Standing up he realized he felt a little better after that nap. He was very relieved to be feeling better. Well, better go find Ron. Harry thought.

"Hey sleepy Head." Ron teased as Harry entered the Great Hall. Harry smiled. Ron was sitting next to seven other people; who Harry assumed were his family.

"Hey, Ron." Harry said quietly as he stepped closer to the table. Ron motioned for him to sit down and Harry complied.

"This is my family." Ron said motioning to the rest of the people at the table. "My parents. Bill and Charlie. You already know Fred, George and Ginny." Harry had been told about Percy and about how he was estranged from the family.

"Nice to meet you." Harry said politely extending his and to be shaken.

"Nice to meet you too." Bill said as he shook his hand.

Harry had spent the rest of the evening with the Weasley's and he found he really liked them. He had quietly excused himself so he could go to the Headmaster's office. Saying the password, Harry entered the secret passageway that lead to the Headmasters office.

"Enter!" Dumbledore's voice carried through the thick wooden door.

Harry opened the door and stepped through. "Hello Headmaster."

"Hello, Harry!" Dumbledore said with a bright smile and twinkle in his eyes. "How are you?"

"Fine, sir." Harry said as he took two wrapped gifts out of his rucksack. "This is for you." He handed one to Dumbledore. "Merry Christmas."

"Thank you, Harry!" Dumbledore said smiling. "Happy Christmas!"

"And this is for Sirius." Harry continued. "I wondered if you could give it to him when you see him."

"Of course Harry."

"Is Professor Snape in the Dungeons?" Harry asked the Headmaster.

"No Harry. Is there something I can do for you?"

"No sir. Thank you." Harry turned to leave but Dumbledore's voice stopped him.

"Are you sure your okay, Harry?" Dumbledore asked concerned.

"Yeah. Good night Headmaster."

"Good night Harry."

As the door closed a figure stepped out from the shadows. "Are you going to step in soon, Albus?" Snape's voice asked tinged with concern.

"Soon." Dumbledore said gazing at his former student.

The next day Harry woke and it was cold and crisp outside. After dressing Harry met the Weasley's in the common room.

"Good morning Harry!" Ron cried. He was wearing a sweater with a large golden R on it.

"Merry Christmas Ron, everyone." Harry said as he sat down near them.

"Happy Christmas!" Many voices said in unison.

"Here's your presents." Ron said pushing a small pile of wrapped packages toward Harry.

"Thanks." Harry slowly began to unwrap his presents. He wasn't too enthused about Christmas this year. He wished Sirius could be here with him. This was the first Christmas away from him since Harry had first began to live with him. Harry received a gift from Remus but couldn't figure out what it meant. It was a piece of parchment. Harry was surprised to find a few gifts from the Weasley's. There was a tin can full of home made cookies, and a sweater – similar to Ron's – that was green with a large gold H in the middle.

"Thank you!" Harry said looking up at them.

"Your welcome." Mrs. Weasley said beaming at him.

Harry knocked on the door to the Potions classroom hoping to find Snape. The door opened revealing a surprised Snape.

"Mr. Potter." Snape greeted.

"Merry Christmas professor." Harry said holding out a wrapped gift.

"Thank you Mr. Potter." Snape said surprised. "I apologize, but I have nothing for you."

"That's okay, professor." Harry said dismissing the apology. "We'll have a good day."

"Happy Christmas Mr. Potter." Snape said before closing the door.

"Professor Lupin?" Harry asked as he saw Remus stooped over a book reading in his classroom.

"Harry!" Remus said surprised. "Happy Christmas!"

"Happy Christmas!" Harry said as he entered the room and held the gift out to Remus. "Thank you for the gift by the way."

"Thank you Harry!" Remus said as he took the gift. "You haven't yet figured out what your gift was, have you?"

Harry blushed a little and shook his head.

"Have you got it with you?"

Harry nodded and pulled it out. Remus took his wand out and tapped the parchment. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Remus said.

Harry took it back and looked at it. "Wow! It's a map of Hogwarts."

Remus smiled. "Yes it is. Your father, Sirius and I made it during out own school days. It's called the Marauders Map."

"Thank you!" Harry said sincerely.

"Now to dispel it you say 'mischief managed.'"

"Thank you!" Harry said again staring at the Marauders Map.

"And this," Remus said as he pulled out another package. "Is from Dumbledore."

Harry took it and opened it. "It's a cloak." Harry stated as he lifted it up.

"Put it on." Remus suggested. Dumbledore had asked if it would be a good idea to give him the cloak as a gift for Christmas, and Remus had said it was.

Harry put the cloak on and looked down. "Wow! It's an invisibility cloak!"

"Not just any." Remus informed him. "It was your fathers."

Harry looked up stunned. "My Dad's?" Remus nodded.

"Wow." Harry whispered.

After a few minutes Remus spoke. "How are you doing Harry?"

Harry sighed. He'd been asked that question a lot. "Okay."

"Are you sure?" Remus asked a he looked intently at Harry.

"I whish Sirius were here." Harry said quietly.

"So do I." Remus said stepping closer to Harry. "Things will be okay."

"I hope so." Harry said; his eyes downcast. "It's my first Christmas away from him since I was little."

"I'm sorry your going through this." Remus couldn't think of anything else to say.

Harry sighed. "I'm going to go back to the common room. See you later, Remus. Thank you."

"Your welcome, Harry." Remus said as he watched Harry gather his things. "Happy Christmas."

"Merry Christmas." Harry said as he left the room.

End of Chapter Twenty Four

A/N: Wow! A long chapter. Long for me at least. I hope you all like it! If your wondering what everyone got for their Christmas gifts from Harry, they were:

Dumbledore: Muggle candy

Remus: a few books

Ron: A book on Chudly Cannons

Hermione: Books

Snape: some potions ingredients and books

Sirius: photos of Harry at Hogwarts with friends, and a few books

Fred and George: Muggle pranks

McGonagall: Book on muggle cat species

Please REVIEW! Happy holidays and Merry Christmas to everyone!