Chapter 11 Christmas

The months past and soon it was Christmas time. All around the castle you could feel it. There was garland wrapped around every railing, Christmas trees in the Great Hall, mistletoe hanging from various doorways, suits of armor singing carols, deep snow on the grounds, and girls going on and on about the Yule Ball. Ah, the Yule Ball. The drawback of the holiday season. Well, for Harry and Ron, who can never seem to get dates. But that shouldn't be a problem this year. Why you ask? Because they have girlfriends. Harry and Hermione were Hogwarts hottest couple. But still a bloke has to ask the girl to the dance regardless if they are dating or not. And Harry was as shy as a lamb. For instance, he still hasn't even managed to hold hands in public with Hermione. The other hottest couple is Ron and Hailey. It's so cute. They are inseparable and not shy at all about showing their affections in front of people. Ron seems to be able to make out in front of anyone. Can you tell? Lavender has been going steady with Dean for two months. Everyone thinks she gave up her smutty ways after Hermione dealt with her, but she's doing Seamus on the side.

A week before break, the list of who was staying was passed around. But the group decided to go to Grimauld Place for the holidays instead of staying. The Yule Ball wasn't that big of deal. The Golden Trio figured headquarters would be better.

"What ever you guys want to do. I'm going to take back Austin, Liddy, and Dave before Christmas and pick up Andrew and Emily," Hailey said over dinner when they were discussing the matter. "Are you guys sure you want me to move in with you? Your rents are cool with it?"

"Yep. They really sorry that you family died," Harry replied. "Are you sad?"

Hailey made an irritated noise and sad, "Hell no. That family was holding me back. Besides, it wasn't my aunt or my babies so I don't give a care."

"Well anyway, we're glad to have you," Harry laughed. "It'll be like old times. Well, we should go to class."

The week passed agonizingly slowly, like most weeks do before the holidays. Then it was time to go home. Not many were going home. Hailey went home with her friends to say good bye and pick up her stuff. Headquarters looked so much nicer than it did 1 year ago. Every room was clean and looked welcoming. In the living room was the hugest Christmas tree with tons of presents under it, wrapped in green and red and other bright colors. Stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Saint Nicolas soon would be there. It was the most beautiful thing the teens had seen.

"Just think, Harry," said Hermione Christmas Eve morning, as they were lying on Harry's bed. Hermione lying upside down hanging off the side and Harry sitting against the headboard. "One more day till Christmas. Wait till you see what I got you."

Harry groaned. "It's not another huge book is it?"

"No," she replied. Then after an after thought she said, "Well one of them is. But you'll like it. What did you get Ron?"

"I got him a muggle PlayStation2. And as a gag gift that I'm giving him a box of condems. Well actually it might come in handy," Harry said with a laugh. Then the image of Ron and Hailey shagging filled his poor mind. "Ahh, the image! What you get him?"

Hermione was quiet for a minute. "I got him a. I got him a book. Yes, I got Ron a book."

Harry thought Hermione was acting weird. What is the matter with her? "Hermione. What kind of book did you get him?

"Uh," she said, followed by another silence.

"Hermione you better tell me what kind of book you got him," Harry said. "Or else."

"Or else what?"

"Or else I'll tickle you till you scream," he said dangerously. He held up his hand and wiggled his fingers.

Hermione gasped. "Harry you wouldn't."

Harry started to move toward her. Hermione started panicking. "No, Harry, stay where you are. Harry don't."

He started tickling her really hard. She started to scream. But it was no use because Harry put a silencing charm on the door. Hermione tried to escape but it didn't work. She was laughing so hard she was crying. "Please, let me go. I'll do anything. Please."

"No." Finally she broke free of his grasp and jumped off the bed, but Harry seen that coming and chased her around the room till finally he caught her and pinned her against the wall. They just stood there like that, staring into each others eyes. Then Harry bent his head down and gave Hermione a deep kiss. Then they ended up on the bed.

"Harry stop," Hermione said breaking the kiss. "I think we should stop before we get to far."

Harry closed his eyes and lowered his head. "Your right. Your right."

"I should go," Hermione said and she got off the bed and adjusting her skirt and fixed her hair. She walked out of the room in search of Ginny. Hermione found her in the living room in deep concentration on the chess game between herself and Ron. Hermione cleared her throat. "Ginny. Girl talk. Now"

"What," Ginny asked not looking up. Hermione pulled her up and drug Ginny to her room. "What's with you Hermione.

"Harry and I just made out," Hermione said as she flopped down on her bed.

"What?"

"Yeah," Hermione said smiling. The girls fell into a fit of laughter. "It was heaven on Earth."

Supper was strangely quiet. No one talked unless it was to ask for someone to pass something. You'd think that on Christmas Eve, everyone would be talking about what they thought they would be getting tomorrow but no one was. Harry and Hermione couldn't look each other in the eye. They weren't even sitting next to each other. Something had indeed gone wrong.

"Mum," Ginny asked, breaking the deadly silence, "where's Dad?"

"Oh, Ginny, I don't know," said Mrs. Weasley after a moment. She looked out the kitchen window to see the blizzard outside. "I wish I knew where he was."

Christmas morning arrived and there was a rushing to the tree in the living room. Smiles lit everyone's faces when the seen all the presents under the tree. They each grabbed there presents and ripped them open.

"Wow Harry. A box of condems. Gee thanks," said Ron. Harry chuckled. "Hey these could come in handy, ay Hailey?"

"Yes very handy," she replied busy with the twins new baby gym set.

"Open the next one, smart one," Harry said. He counted off in his head 3..2..1 and….

"Oh my God," Ron shouted. He jumped up and jumped on Harry. "I love you, man. Everyone, this guy, you see him, this guy is the best mate a guy can have. You're a damn lucky girl, Hermione."

"Here, Ron," Hermione said as she grabbed a present and handed it to Ron. "Open mine next."

Ron carefully inspected it before opening it. "No need to open it. It's a book. But I might as well seeing as you're my friend. "Karma-suetra for Dummies? Hermione, you're gross."

Harry's present from Hermione was a new Rolex watch. Harry got her an emerald necklace with matching earrings and a ring. There was still a whole bunch of presents unopened. But the person they were addressed to was missing. Where on Earth is Mr. Weasley?