Chapter 8: Brighten Up, For Merlin's Sake!

November came and went with a gusto, carrying snow along with it. The grounds and castle was covered in whiteness, Hagrid's cabin looked like an enchanted cottage found only in a Christmas tale. The Great Hall was a wondrous sight to see, as it was greatly decorated for the season. The twelve Christmas trees were set up, covered in tinsel and ornaments. Intricate angels or bright, golden stars were proudly standing atop the trees. Candles with heavenly scents were floating around, instead of the usual candles used only for light. Wonderful scents wafted from the kitchens, Harry somewhat wishing he could be here for the feast at Christmas. Suits of armor were shined up, and were spelled to sing a carol to anyone who walked past it. Someone had even went as far as to decorate the armor (probably Dobby, since he was always into the holidays). Holly boughs were aplenty, wreaths were on every door, and there was the occasional mistletoe here and there. Professor Flitwick had created elves (the kind that make toys in a workshop, the fictional kind, of course) that would walk around and say petty little poems and phrases like, "Winter is now in your wake; brighten up, for Merlin's sake!" or "Don't you have some holiday cheer? Christmas is the best time of the year!" Though the elves did after awhile grow annoying, Flitwick had been appraised for their making. All in all, Hogwarts looked quite impressive. The decorations became more numerous and better each and every year.

With winter and holidays came a break, the break that Harry had wanted for a very long time. Even the teachers had longed for it, they had been set aside little or no homework during break. In fact, the only teacher who had no cheer for the holidays was indeed Professor Snape, who had evily (yes, evily) assigned them a two-foot long essay to be due when holidays ended. But hardly did it affect Harry, as break would last for a good two and a half weeks, and he would be spending that two and a half weeks at the place he loved- the Burrow.

There were three boys surrounded by a small crowd (Harry presumed them to be Derek, Charles, and Will, he was fairly sure of it), all second years. Apparently, they were showing a candy they had invented called 'Talent Sweets,' and were exactly what they sounded like. Once eaten, you would get a talent you had always dreamed of- but only for a limited time. The only problem was, was that there were some side effects. They had a label on them: 'WARNING! Side effects may include you becoming terribly worse at a talent that you already have, or the candy may even make the talent of your dreams permanent, causing the user to become overexceedingly arrogant. No high risk, but still a risk to eat. Quite tasty too- but you have been forewarned!'

The three were quite liable to be the next Fred and George, as they were already troublemakers and had landed themselves into detention time and time again- but had, amazingly, gotten their way out of every single detention. Very clever, for three third years.

Harry and Ginny were playing wizard's chess near the hearth in the common room, a fire crackling merrily within. Snow was falling gently outside, making the scene even warmer. Hermione and Ron had left to walk and be alone, as they hadn't been alone often.

Ginny groaned and was worn out, for Harry had beaten her two times in a row, and wasn't usual. "Bloody, Harry! Stop it!"

Harry smirked. "Now, we don't want any sore losers, do we?"

"Shut up!"

"And why should I shut up when I have just won for the third time in a row? Checkmate!"

"What! No, there has to be some escape...there! See? I can go there, wait, no...there's a bishop there..but wait! There! No, that pawn looks quite nasty. Argh!"

Harry only laughed at her.

"Would you like the Bat-Bogey Hex to be cast upon your face? It would be a very good look for you, Harry," Ginny growled.

Harry shut up abruptly after that remark. "Well, of course, that was just a lucky streak, that's all. I'm sure you can win the next game!"

And sure enough, Ginny had brutally crushed most of Harry's pieces by the time Hermione and Ron came back. They had windswept faces, and a merry look about them, they were even holding hands- but quickly let go as they came into full view of everyone. Both were prefects, so it wouldn't make a good impression on them if they were showing public displays of affection. Ron walked over to Harry and Ginny, saving Harry's morale for a time, but Hermione walked straight over to the crowd of first, second, and third years.

Hermione demanded to the three in the center of the crowd, "And what have we got here? Talent Sweets? And what may those be?"

"We're just sellin' candies, ma'am! Nothing wrong with that, is there?" Charles asked, one of the three.

"And what kind of candies?"

"Something that you eat?" Will offered.

"I mean," Hermione said, in a falsely calm and sweet tone, "What do these candies do? Their effects on people?"

"Well look at what they're called. Talent Sweets! What do you think they do! Use that brain of your's!" Derek replied, cheekily.

Hermione scowled. "You do know that candies such as Talent Sweets are forbidden in school, don't you?"

"No it's not!" Charles said. "Only if we make them eat the candy! We aren't, and they're buying it like there's no tomorrow!"

"Ron, come over here and back me up!"

"But they aren't doing anything wrong," Ron protested.

Hermione gave Ron the look, but it didn't have any effect.

"I don't envy the future prefects," Hermione sighed, giving up.

The three third years started to whoop. They were getting money, afterall, and prefects couldn't do anything about it!

Hermione sighed again but came over to where Ron, Harry, and Ginny were, sitting down next to Ron. The chess game was still on hold, much to Harry's relief.

Harry grinned saying, "So, how was your walk? I'm sure it was quite romantic, too bad a violin couldn't have played in the background."

"What's a violin?" asked Ron, confused.

"It's a Muggle instument, it's got four strings played with a stick known as a bow. And as for romantic, of course it was! No detail, though," Hermione said, blushing a bit.

"Alright! We don't need to get into both of your...private lives," Harry said, still grinning. No matter how awkward it was around them anymore, it was great that they had figured it out that they liked each other. Them being happy was the only thing that really mattered.

"C'mon, Harry, let's continue this game that we started. I just can't wait to see your face when I win!"

"What face? I've still beaten you three times in a row, nothing can change that," Harry teased.

"You are REALLY asking for that Bat-Bogey Hex, aren't you!"

"No, but it's fun to win after losing to you so much in the past."

Ginny was about to retort to that, but then heard a tapping noise somewhere behind her. She turned to see what that tapping noise was. It was Pigwidgeon, zooming around outside the window. She opened the window and let him in, Pigwidgeon flying happily in. "Ron, it's Pig. He's got a letter for you."

"Well then what are you telling me this for? Take the letter out of his beak and either hand it to me or read it out loud!"

Ginny rolled her eyes. "Brothers," she thought. But she obediently took the letter from Pigwidgeon and chose to read it to herself first, then gave it to Ron.

"So?" Ron asked, impatiently. "What does the letter say? You didn't read it out loud!"

Ginny shrugged. "It says that mum changed her mind and decided that we should spend the Christmas at Grimmauld Place instead, it says something about it being safer there, from something."

"What something?"

"I dunno, it didn't say," Ginny replied.

"Probably Voldemort," Harry said, quietly.

"No, of course it isn't, we don't need to worry! I'm sure it's not him, of all people. He's been lying low, remember?" Hermione said this, trying to keep the festive mood alive.

"But he did get the Death Eaters out of prison," Harry said, grimly.

"That means nothing! Nothing has happened ever since!" Nothing else was spoken after this, everyone had their own fears of what the something could be. Fears of Voldemort and Death Eaters, the world was a darkened place.

Harry thought, glumly, "Maybe they want us at Grimmauld Place because of me, I mean, I'm really the only precaution! I'm the one Voldemort wants.."

"C'mon everyone, it's Christmas! We're supposed to be thinking of snow, and fun," Hermione continued, still trying to raise everyone's spirits. "And presents, yikes! I still haven't gotten anything for anyone! I had better go to Hogsmeade sometime..."

"You of all people aren't thinking of studying!" Ron said, surprised. "I don't believe it...what happened to the real Hermione?"

Hermione playfully shoved him. "I AM the real Hermione! I can, extraordinarily, think of other things other than books and studying!"

"That's a shocker," Harry said. Voldemort and terror was forgotten, as if a winter breeze had come in and swept it all away.

All merrily continued to talk well into the night. They had finally gone to bed after everyone else, all were excited for tomorrow- the day they'd leave and enjoy the break they'd all been waiting for. Harry, in a happier mood, thought, "Christmas at Grimmauld Place? What's wrong with that? Everyone will still be there, probably more people too! I just want to get away from Hogwarts and homework."

Harry awoke early, getting everything packed and ready to go. He then got dressed, and stretching, saw that the other boys were still snoring soundly. But where was Ron? "Probably already up too." Shrugging, he looked out the window, all was still, but more snow had definitely come in since the previous day. It was still dark out, but there was a bit of pink and grey at the edges of the horizon. Not wanting to wake the others up, Harry put on his robes, deciding to walk up to the Owlery and give Hedwig a treat or two, as he hadn't visited Hedwig often.

He walked out of the dormitory and into the common room, seeing two people in a chair together. It summed up the question of where Ron was: he was sleeping with Hermione (A/N: Not in that way, people, just in case you thought of it like that), holding hands tightly. Both looked like they were enjoying a peaceful sleep. Harry sighed, then continued on and walked out of the common room. "I don't know why I should even open up for you, you're always out and about well into the night or quite early! Do you suffer from insomnia or something?" The Fat Lady said, grumpily.

"No," Harry answered, "Maybe I just like walking about and alone at these times."

"Well, you shouldn't be, I should be telling that Filch fellow about your walks, he'd definitely do something about it?"

"Oh, come now. It's the holidays, I'll be gone for two and a half weeks. That way you get rid of me and everyone else, and you can enjoy not opening as often, alright? That way we can both be happy," Harry concluded.

"I suppose you are right, of course. Yes...well, consider yourself lucky," The Fat Lady sniffed.

"Thanks," Harry said, and headed on up to the Owlery.

Reaching the Owlery, he found Hedwig and stroked her, giving her a treat, and making Hedwig hoot happily. He stayed there until morning's rays had come, shining down on the snow and give it a bright glare. Deciding that it was late enough for breakfast, he walked to the Great Hall instead of going back to Gryffindor Tower. He found Ron, Hermione, and Ginny there, all of them were eating frantically. He sat down next to them.

Ron asked, "Harry, where've you been? We've got to eat now, then pack up and go, the train leaves at 10:30!"

"I'm already done packing, and what time is it now?" Harry inquired.

"It's about 9:45 already, so hurry up and eat!"

When everyone was done and packed, they hurried off to the Hogwarts Express, leaving Hogwarts and the rest of Harry's familiar miseries behind.

A/N: I think this chapter was a bit too dull and didn't really say much, oh well. But hey, it was cheery, right? And how was that, I did update faster, did I not? But, unfortunately, I will be gone for a few days, so I won't update until probably about Tuesday or Wednesday. I hope you forgive me for that! Thanks again for all your reviews, I appreciate them a lot.