Fire of the Phoenix
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter!
Chapter 26 Christmas!
At the end of a long week, Harry was finally released from the hospital wing. It was the day before Christmas. Most of the students left on the Hogwarts Express, and went home to their families. They were all returning before New Years, because the ball this year was to be held on New Year's Eve.
Ginny opted to stay with Harry, at Hogwarts, this year. Ron and Hermione also decided to remain at school for the holidays. Harry spent most of his time in Gryffindor Tower Common Room. Even though he was well enough to leave the hospital wing, Harry still hadn't regained all of his strength yet. He often found himself tired, although Madame Pomfrey told him that it would pass. Harry still had to stop in the hospital wing once a day for strengthening potion.
Harry glanced out the window, and sighed. Dark gray clouds hung low and heavy in the sky. The bitter wind howled around the parapets on the tower roof. Cold infused the stonewalls and Harry shivered as he wrapped a blanket around him. Harry felt his stomach growl, and he wondered what was taking Ginny so long. She had left for the kitchen almost a half hour ago.
They were spending the night in the Gryffindor Tower Common Room. Harry hoped that Ginny hadn't been caught by Filch. Even though the students were on hols, Filch wasn't.
Harry had felt only minor twinges in his scar since the attack. He still wasn't sure of Voldemort's thoughts, as the Dark Lord was being careful to block Harry from his mind. Harry could only wish he was doing the same.
Another large growl came from Harry's stomach. He sighed and got up. Harry was starting to get really worried about Ginny. As he got to the Gryffindor entrance, the door swung open, and Ginny stepped in looking beautiful and breathless.
"I'm so sorry it took so long Harry, but I had Peeves chasing me. I managed to snatch some fried chicken and biscuits from the kitchen though." Ginny laid down the blanket. "Here's the picnic that we didn't get to have."
Harry was touched by her sentiment. "Aw Gin, you didn't have to."
"But I wanted to Harry. I wanted to show you I still remember our date that we never finished. We can start at the part that got interrupted."
"I love you, Gin."
"And I love you, too. Now sit down, shut up, and eat, Potter!
"Damn, Gin, I get the point." Harry looked in her eyes, and saw mischief sparkling in the brown depths. He knew underneath that bossy act she was having a hard time controlling her urge to laugh. Harry only wished he could have planned a better Christmas Eve for her. Unfortunately, he was still too weak to get around much. His energy was still drained, even though Madame Pomfrey reassured him he would get his strength back with time.
Harry tore into his chicken, like a rabid wolf. Ginny watched him with utter amazement.
"Hungry, Harry?"
Harry gave her a lopsided grin he knew she found adorable. "I'm a growing boy Ginny. At least I am not as near bad as Ron."
Ginny began to snicker. "Harry, I don't think anyone can hold a candle to Ron's appetite."
Harry imagined Ron every night at dinner. He began to chuckle. "The only person who could hold a candle to Ron was Sirius." Harry said the last name softly. Ginny noticed the change in Harry.
"Are you ok, Harry?" Harry slowly looked up, and found himself holding her gaze.
"I'll be fine, I just missed Sirius a little, especially because it's Christmas Eve. At least this year is better than last."
"How so Harry?"
Harry pretended to be thinking hard. "Well, there is no Umbridge this year. Most importantly, I have you." Harry wrapped his arms around her. They just sat on hearthrug in front of the fireplace, for a long time. Harry felt himself begin to feel really sleepy. He looked at Ginny and noticed she was already sound asleep. He pointed his wand towards his dorm. "Accio blankets and pillows" Soon blankets and pillows came flying at him. He carefully laid the blankets and pillows on the floor. When everything was arranged, Harry gently laid Ginny, down. He curled up next to her soon fell fast asleep.
The night soon passed into morning. Harry was having a really good dream of Ginny. He dreamed she was lying on top of him, and kissing him. He opened his eyes, and saw his dream became a reality. Harry quickly rubbed the sleepiness from his eyes.
"Morning Gin."
"Merry Christmas Harry. Now get up it's time for presents."
Harry let out a pitiful groan. How could she expect him to just get up after she had been lying on top of him. "Just a minute Gin, let me wake up a little first, okay? Why don't you get the presents ready, while I use the bathroom."
"Whatever you say, Harry. I guess when nature calls, you've got to answer. Just hurry up!" Ginny gave him one more kiss, before bouncing off of him.
Harry slowly got up, and headed toward the bathroom. He hurried so he could get back to Ginny. As he ran back down to the common room, he saw Ginny shaking the boxes. It was obviously something she liked to do. Harry began chuckling to himself while he watched her. Ginny seemed to sense she was being watched. She turned around and saw a very amused Harry standing behind her.
"How long were you there, Harry?"
Harry walked closer to her with his arms folded together. "Long enough Gin. Couldn't wait for me, huh?"
"Nah, you were taking too long. Sometimes a girl has to take things into her own hands. C'mon there're presents to unwrap!" Ginny tossed him a bright green package. "Here you go."
Harry caught the brightly wrapped package. "Thanks Gin," he opened it quickly. It was another forest green, Weasley jumper. "Well, here's one for you he grabbed a boxed wrapped in gold colored paper. Ginny dove on in and tore the wrapper off. Inside was a white flat box. She opened it slowly. Ginny gasped in amazement. She grabbed the contents of the box, and shook it out. It was the dress robe she longed for in Diagon Alley. It was pale green with cream and gold trim.
"Thank you so much Harry. I'm sorry I don't have anything to give you. I gave you your present at the hospital bed."
"Ginny, it was a beautiful gift too. Don't worry, your heart is enough of a present." He took her hand, and kissed her fingertips gently. "Now c'mon, let's get back to opening presents!"
After they were done opening all their presents, Harry gazed at his pile of gifts. Ever since he been to Hogwarts, the pile got larger, and larger every year. He had a box of Bertie Bott's every flavor beans and Chocolate Frogs. He got a new fancy quill and parchment paper, from Hermione. A picture of his parents, and the marauders while they were in Hogwarts. Some Rock cakes from Hagrid. What surprised him most was the pensive he received from Dumbledore. Harry knew they were supposed to be expensive. "Well I guess he is still trying to make up to me because of last year." Harry silently thought to himself.
"I'm sorry I can't take you on the Firebolt Gin. I haven't yet the strength."
"It's okay, Harry," Ginny added coyly. "There's always New Years."
"You're on Gin."
Thanks to all my wonderful reviewers. I appreciate all the wonderful feedback. If you read this story please review. And as always many thanks to you Jim, my beta. Until I write more, cheers! Dolphingirl79
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter!
Chapter 26 Christmas!
At the end of a long week, Harry was finally released from the hospital wing. It was the day before Christmas. Most of the students left on the Hogwarts Express, and went home to their families. They were all returning before New Years, because the ball this year was to be held on New Year's Eve.
Ginny opted to stay with Harry, at Hogwarts, this year. Ron and Hermione also decided to remain at school for the holidays. Harry spent most of his time in Gryffindor Tower Common Room. Even though he was well enough to leave the hospital wing, Harry still hadn't regained all of his strength yet. He often found himself tired, although Madame Pomfrey told him that it would pass. Harry still had to stop in the hospital wing once a day for strengthening potion.
Harry glanced out the window, and sighed. Dark gray clouds hung low and heavy in the sky. The bitter wind howled around the parapets on the tower roof. Cold infused the stonewalls and Harry shivered as he wrapped a blanket around him. Harry felt his stomach growl, and he wondered what was taking Ginny so long. She had left for the kitchen almost a half hour ago.
They were spending the night in the Gryffindor Tower Common Room. Harry hoped that Ginny hadn't been caught by Filch. Even though the students were on hols, Filch wasn't.
Harry had felt only minor twinges in his scar since the attack. He still wasn't sure of Voldemort's thoughts, as the Dark Lord was being careful to block Harry from his mind. Harry could only wish he was doing the same.
Another large growl came from Harry's stomach. He sighed and got up. Harry was starting to get really worried about Ginny. As he got to the Gryffindor entrance, the door swung open, and Ginny stepped in looking beautiful and breathless.
"I'm so sorry it took so long Harry, but I had Peeves chasing me. I managed to snatch some fried chicken and biscuits from the kitchen though." Ginny laid down the blanket. "Here's the picnic that we didn't get to have."
Harry was touched by her sentiment. "Aw Gin, you didn't have to."
"But I wanted to Harry. I wanted to show you I still remember our date that we never finished. We can start at the part that got interrupted."
"I love you, Gin."
"And I love you, too. Now sit down, shut up, and eat, Potter!
"Damn, Gin, I get the point." Harry looked in her eyes, and saw mischief sparkling in the brown depths. He knew underneath that bossy act she was having a hard time controlling her urge to laugh. Harry only wished he could have planned a better Christmas Eve for her. Unfortunately, he was still too weak to get around much. His energy was still drained, even though Madame Pomfrey reassured him he would get his strength back with time.
Harry tore into his chicken, like a rabid wolf. Ginny watched him with utter amazement.
"Hungry, Harry?"
Harry gave her a lopsided grin he knew she found adorable. "I'm a growing boy Ginny. At least I am not as near bad as Ron."
Ginny began to snicker. "Harry, I don't think anyone can hold a candle to Ron's appetite."
Harry imagined Ron every night at dinner. He began to chuckle. "The only person who could hold a candle to Ron was Sirius." Harry said the last name softly. Ginny noticed the change in Harry.
"Are you ok, Harry?" Harry slowly looked up, and found himself holding her gaze.
"I'll be fine, I just missed Sirius a little, especially because it's Christmas Eve. At least this year is better than last."
"How so Harry?"
Harry pretended to be thinking hard. "Well, there is no Umbridge this year. Most importantly, I have you." Harry wrapped his arms around her. They just sat on hearthrug in front of the fireplace, for a long time. Harry felt himself begin to feel really sleepy. He looked at Ginny and noticed she was already sound asleep. He pointed his wand towards his dorm. "Accio blankets and pillows" Soon blankets and pillows came flying at him. He carefully laid the blankets and pillows on the floor. When everything was arranged, Harry gently laid Ginny, down. He curled up next to her soon fell fast asleep.
The night soon passed into morning. Harry was having a really good dream of Ginny. He dreamed she was lying on top of him, and kissing him. He opened his eyes, and saw his dream became a reality. Harry quickly rubbed the sleepiness from his eyes.
"Morning Gin."
"Merry Christmas Harry. Now get up it's time for presents."
Harry let out a pitiful groan. How could she expect him to just get up after she had been lying on top of him. "Just a minute Gin, let me wake up a little first, okay? Why don't you get the presents ready, while I use the bathroom."
"Whatever you say, Harry. I guess when nature calls, you've got to answer. Just hurry up!" Ginny gave him one more kiss, before bouncing off of him.
Harry slowly got up, and headed toward the bathroom. He hurried so he could get back to Ginny. As he ran back down to the common room, he saw Ginny shaking the boxes. It was obviously something she liked to do. Harry began chuckling to himself while he watched her. Ginny seemed to sense she was being watched. She turned around and saw a very amused Harry standing behind her.
"How long were you there, Harry?"
Harry walked closer to her with his arms folded together. "Long enough Gin. Couldn't wait for me, huh?"
"Nah, you were taking too long. Sometimes a girl has to take things into her own hands. C'mon there're presents to unwrap!" Ginny tossed him a bright green package. "Here you go."
Harry caught the brightly wrapped package. "Thanks Gin," he opened it quickly. It was another forest green, Weasley jumper. "Well, here's one for you he grabbed a boxed wrapped in gold colored paper. Ginny dove on in and tore the wrapper off. Inside was a white flat box. She opened it slowly. Ginny gasped in amazement. She grabbed the contents of the box, and shook it out. It was the dress robe she longed for in Diagon Alley. It was pale green with cream and gold trim.
"Thank you so much Harry. I'm sorry I don't have anything to give you. I gave you your present at the hospital bed."
"Ginny, it was a beautiful gift too. Don't worry, your heart is enough of a present." He took her hand, and kissed her fingertips gently. "Now c'mon, let's get back to opening presents!"
After they were done opening all their presents, Harry gazed at his pile of gifts. Ever since he been to Hogwarts, the pile got larger, and larger every year. He had a box of Bertie Bott's every flavor beans and Chocolate Frogs. He got a new fancy quill and parchment paper, from Hermione. A picture of his parents, and the marauders while they were in Hogwarts. Some Rock cakes from Hagrid. What surprised him most was the pensive he received from Dumbledore. Harry knew they were supposed to be expensive. "Well I guess he is still trying to make up to me because of last year." Harry silently thought to himself.
"I'm sorry I can't take you on the Firebolt Gin. I haven't yet the strength."
"It's okay, Harry," Ginny added coyly. "There's always New Years."
"You're on Gin."
Thanks to all my wonderful reviewers. I appreciate all the wonderful feedback. If you read this story please review. And as always many thanks to you Jim, my beta. Until I write more, cheers! Dolphingirl79