Harry rose out of bed and stretched. It had been some time since Harry had had a goodnight's sleep. The world seemed to be in shambles ever since the rise of Voldemort. Every day there was terrible news about a murder that had taken place throughout the world and it was always at the hands of Voldemort and his Death Eaters.

Every student was on edge at Hogwarts and seemed to have a glum expression on their faces. Even the professors were not in a cheery mood. Professor Dumbledore had gone off to fight Voldemort and there hadn't been word from him in months. Harry felt helpless and upset that he was not also taking the fight to Voldemort. He didn't want to be in school as it felt pointless.

He looked out the window and saw that there was snow falling. It was two days till Christmas and yet it felt nothing like it. The professors were trying to make Hogwarts cheery with Christmas joy but no one seemed to be in a festive mood. Christmas was Harry's favorite holiday but he was having a hard time wanting to celebrate it this year.

"Good morning, Harry," Ron said from his bed. His red hair was a mess as he looked at Harry with one eye open. "Are you ready for all of these exams today?"

Harry let out a sigh. "No. I tried to cram in a study session with Hermione last night but my mind was distracted."

"Yeah, I understand. The good thing is that we will be on break starting tomorrow. Have you figured out what you are going to do?"

"I think I'll stay here at Hogwarts. I don't really want to spend Christmas at the House of Black this year," Harry said. Ever since his Uncle Sirius Black had left the House of Black to him a year ago, Harry had been living there full time. He moved out of his Aunt and Uncle's house immediately with excitement. He was finally on his own and had a house to call his own. The house was creepy and seemed to always be dark but Harry loved it. Ron and Hermione had spent many days during the Summer hanging out at Harry's house. However, this Christmas, he didn't really want to be alone in the house with his glum thoughts about Voldemort.

"You are always welcome to spend it with my family, Harry," Ron said.

"Thanks, Ron, I do appreciate that but I think I am going to stay here this year," Harry said. He could see that Ron was disappointed but Harry did not want to be a Gloomy Gus at the Weasley family's house.

"Ok, let us try to get through this day without our brains exploding," Ron said with a grin. They got cleaned up and dressed and headed out of the Gryffindor boys' dorm. Hermione was already waiting for them outside. She leaned against the wall with a book in her hand.

"Come along, you two. I hope you are ready for these exams. I know I am," Hermione said.

Ron laughed. "Of course, you are. Your head is always in a book. You probably know every single potion and spell that has ever been thought of."

"Actually I do," Hermione said with a grin. They walked toward their first class of the day which was Divination. Harry looked over at Cho Chang who was sitting in the front row. She looked so beautiful today with her hair tied in her ponytail. Harry had been having a lot of dreams about Cho recently. They were all sexual in nature as Harry would find himself making out with Cho and even fucking her in these dreams. He would wake up each morning with his boxers full of spunk from his wet dreams. This morning was the first night that he had not shot his spunk in his boxers.

He had been wondering why these dreams were happening so often. It wasn't like he could bring these dreams to reality as Cho was dating Seamus Finnegan. They had been dating ever since the start of the year and seemed to be very happy. Harry had felt jealous that Seamus was dating Cho but gradually let it go. When Seamus had bragged to the boys that he had lost his virginity to Cho one night, Harry had to walk away in devastation. He hated himself for not asking Cho out but he was so nervous around her.

"Let us begin. Good luck with the exams students! May you all prosper!" Professor Trelawney said.

Harry stared at the exam in anxiety. He took a deep breath and started. The rest of the day was brutal to Harry as he took exam after exam. The hardest one was Potions as he could not seem to remember a single potion and its ingredients. He prayed that he had not failed that exam.

When he met up with Ron and Hermione in the dining hall, he felt exhausted. His brain hurt and he felt like he needed to sleep. Ron looked in worse shape. His hair was a mess and his eyes kept drooping.

"I think it was a success today," Hermione said. "I am sure that I have gotten high marks on all exams."

Ron blew a raspberry at her which made Harry laugh. "Good for you, Ms. Know-it-all!"

"Don't be jealous, Ron," Hermione said with a smile. "I'm sure that your poor grades will be used as an example for other students not to follow.

Ron stuck out his tongue at her. Harry laughed again. He could feel someone's eyes on him. He turned his head and saw Lavender Brown and Katie Bell looking at him. They were both smiling at him and chatting. Harry had no idea what was going on. He gave them a nervous smile in return to which they giggled with one another.

"What was that all about?" Ron asked Harry as he looked at the two giggling girls.

"I don't know," Harry said.

"Come on, Harry! Don't tell me you have forgotten the Secret Santa gift swapping that Professor McGonagall started!" Hermione said in surprise. "I think Lavender picked you."

"Shit!" Harry said as he had indeed forgotten. This had happened at the end of November as all of the students from each grade had picked a random piece of paper that had a name written on it from a glowing bowl. Each student had to buy a gift for a fellow student in their grade. Harry had drawn Hannah Abbott who he had never really spoken to. She was in Hufflepuff that was all that he knew. He had been so distracted with news of Voldemort that he had forgotten to buy her gift.

Ron laughed. "Poor, Harry. You have one day to get her gift, mate! Fortunately, I already have my gift." Ron had drawn Padma Patil and he had bought her a book of spells. Ron had no idea what to get her and figured a book was the safest bet.

"What did you get Oliver, Hermione?" Harry asked her.

"I bought him a journal," Hermione said.

Ron immediately started laughing. "What a fantastic gift, Hermione! I am sure he will love it especially when he writes about his love for you in it every night!"

"Shut up, Ron!" Hermione said as she pushed him. Harry grinned but it soon faded as he had to go into Hogsmeade tomorrow morning to buy a gift for Hannah while everyone else was preparing to head home for the holidays. The gift exchange was supposed to take place that Christmas Eve night. It was supposed to snow heavily tomorrow which made Harry's stomach sink.

"Don't worry, Harry, I'll come with you," Ron said. "We'll grab something."

"Thanks, Ron," Harry said.

They finished eating and made their way back to the dorm. Hermione went to the library to check out a new spell book that she wanted to read. Harry saw Lavender and Katie in the hallway talking. They immediately stopped talking when they saw Harry. Harry looked at them and saw that they were smiling at him. Harry smiled back awkwardly.

"Hi, Harry," Lavender and Katie said in unison.

"Hi," Harry said nervously.

"I hope you have a goodnight," Lavender said.

"Thanks, you too," Harry said. When he and Ron walked by, he heard giggling from behind him.

"I think they have the hots for you, mate," Ron said with a grin.

"What?!" Harry said in confusion.

"Yeah, I think they both like you. I've caught them staring at you sometimes in Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts," Ron said. "I think they want to take a ride on your broomstick."

Harry laughed. "Shut up, Ron! You are crazy!"

Ron laughed and they continued to the dorm with Harry thinking about what Ron had said. Did Lavender and Katie really like him? They both were very cute and had nice bodies which Harry had noticed from time to time. He had always thought that he was too nerdy looking and awkward to have girls be attracted to him. Surely, they weren't really into him like that? They were just being nice, right? Harry thought.