Author's Note: I do not own Harry Potter

Harry was alone once more this Christmas. Neville and Fay had returned home, as had the Weasley's and the Chasers. Gryffindor Tower had all but evacuated in the wake of the assault on the Fat Lady months before – the replacement, Sir Cadogan, even annoyed Harry's reserved sensibilities, and had him close to boiling point when the pontified drawing would frequently lash out with 'witty' abuse towards Neville.

Everyone had invited him to their homes during the holiday, claiming that their families would love to have him with them during the winter festivities. He almost accepted Katie's after seeing her depressed face when she told him that as an only child, her parents missed her presence during the year, and therefore felt obligated to return home. He remembered the feeling of wholeness that encompassed him at The Burrow the year before, and contemplated accepting the open invitation, but he too turned that down. It was not for the lack of wishing to join them, but his anxieties trebled in intensity at his perceived intrusion on what should be a day of familial connection. In his mind, he would want to spend such a day with parents if he was physically able to do so.

This led him to Flitwick's homely office at 8 in the morning on Christmas day, hot chocolate filling all mugs held by the diminutive man, Harry himself, a casually dressed Minerva McGonagall, a rough-looking Remus Lupin, and a bubbly, always fashionably dressed, Septima Vector.

"Mmm, Filius, I swear you make this better than the Elves do," moaned a happily drinking Vector.

"My now, Septima, it's just something that my mother taught me to do when I was much younger"

Harry, who had blushed violently at the inappropriate noise made by the pretty professor, sipped at his own mug of the chocolatey brew, enjoying the taste as he went. Each one around him had a small pile of wrapped gifts surrounding their person; it seemed that it was not just him that sent his teacher's gifts. 'Though I suppose each of them have taught loads of people over the years. So, I guess there could be hundreds of them who would appreciate them.'

"Oh, Mr Potter, how did you know I enjoyed this year?" McGonagall asked with some surprise, as a thick bottle filled with brown liquid appeared out of the wrapping. "I believe Albus must have had something to do with this." He had indeed, and Harry wondered if the large number of socks he had sent him would have been appreciated. If anything, it would be sure to make him laugh.

"Well, Harry," Flitwick exclaimed as he withdrew an exquisitely crafted, deep-blue, monogramed wand-holster from a silver and gold box. "I must say you have truly outdone yourself this year if this is what to go by."

Harry preened under the compliments, joyful in his recipience of their praise. "I just thought of each of you and what I would want in your shoes."

Lupin seemed shocked as he opened the Bestiary of Magick's Natures by Edward Dickinson with light fingers. "Yet you show such empathy and reasons beyond that of a third year, Harry. I am touched that you thought to gift me with something in general. Though I truly thank you for the book – just a short glance and I can see the potential within. Like here! I had no idea of the Freemen's Curse affecting the stability around Antlion's nests!"

"My, my, the Calculations of the Fringe. I had a copy many years ago of this essay." She paused as she locked eyes with Harry, holding his gaze with heavy-lidded eyes. They opened wider with a smile as her head cocked back with glee. "Ah, you remembered our conversation those weeks ago, when I said about your mother making me read this for my N.E.W.T's. My, it has been so long." She chuckled, her wavy auburn hair bouncing entrancingly around her, her red-painted nails slowly stroking the bound parchments in gratitude.

Harry gleefully pulled out the Emerald Green Weasley Jumper, followed by hordes of sweets and miniature odds and ends sent by his friends. After discovering he had a latent sweet-tooth post-Hogsmeade, his Circle had deemed him worthy of receiving a near lifetime supply this Christmas. Yet it was three gifts that stood out beyond the books and chocolates and sugar.

Katie had gifted him a diary of sorts. The lined parchment within apparently charmed to introduce more pages when nearing the end of the book. The cover was a dark red with golden swirls patterned up the spine of the book, and a still photograph of the Circle graced the cover, finished by a heartfelt note of Katie's appreciation and affection to him charmed so that only his eyes could read it lay on the first page. His own gift to her, an ever-heated scarf that he charmed himself to always remain at a comfortable temperature, seemed ridiculous in comparison.

Neville's was something that he should have expected but did not anticipate in getting. Yes, it was a book, of Herbology of course, yet it was handwritten by the boy himself, with simple diagrams and notes to simplify what each plant, fungi, and tree did and could do individually. Harry was not ashamed to admit that Herbology was a failing of his, but it did not detract from the pride he felt at receiving something from someone who was his friend and had been so personal in nature.

"Professor, I don't know what to say."

The two girls in the framed photo were playfully giggling and dancing together in what could only be Gryffindor Tower. One could only be a much younger Septima Vector, a beauty even then wearing the school uniform. The girl spinning in her arms, wide smile to the camera and her partner both, could only be one Lily Evans. They both looked so full of life and delight at being with one another. His lips turned up without notice when he saw the picture-Lily plant a long, soft kiss upon picture-Vector's cheek.

"I have more of the two of us, yet that one has a special place in my heart as I can remember that day with such clarity."

"If it's the day I'm thinking of, then I can understand why," piped up Lupin from his seat.

"Yes, well, I felt that the photo would be better in your hands, Harry. I thought you'd appreciate seeing your mother as we all saw her. The fun-loving, sweet, but fiery, girl, who I see so much of in you. This is the Lily that I remember fondly. One still yet untainted by the world, who was so full of life and dreams that the future could only ever be one that was bright with her in it. This is the person that I want you to see. Not the Lily Potter who died, but the Lily Evans who lived."

The salty tears descended for but a second, yet the smile that accompanied them was not one of sorrow.

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This was it. The 1st of January had swung around quicker than lightning, and with it came the final qualifier for the Quidditch World Cup. Harry sat atop his broom, based above the crowd as he waited for the whistle to blow and start the match. His neutral stare towards the bombshell of an Icelandic Seeker appeared to put her off slightly; it appeared as if she hoped her natural beauty would be enough to throw a potentially hormonal teenager off his game. This woman had never met Harry Potter though.

In the stands, filled to the brim with Icelandic and English supporters, one voice could be heard above the rest, with Septima Vector bedecked in supportive England official supporters clothing, finished with his name embroidered on the back of the Quidditch Jersey she wore. Though he could not make out her words, the fact that she was simply supporting him, him, and not 'the boy who lived', or 'the youngest player', and so on, was enough for the feeling to enclose around him in positivity. He could see Professor Dumbledore, who comically enough was munching on a large bowl of what appeared to be popcorn, look gleefully onto the pitch, while Professor McGonagall had her head placed facedown into the palm of her hand at her colleague's behaviour.

"You are sure you are not meant to be inside a school, boy?"

His head snapped back: panic, fear, run, run, run. Then it ended as quickly as it had begun. This was the sky, not the earth. The breeze caressed his cheeks, not a meaty fist to his jaw.

"I'm not just a boy." Those were the last words he spoke to her, annoyed now by her permanent smile and concerned look. She may have been the nicest person in the world, but right then and there, Harry wanted the game to be over.

It took just under 5 minutes. Luckily it allowed the team to finish second overall in the group qualification round, as well as a dressing down from the Manager and the Captain, but Harry blocked it all out. The good mood that had been in him since Christmas Day had totally evaporated. So much so that he just wanted to return to Hogwarts and get back to the dorm. Maybe he'd even try to find the dog that seemed to haunt his footsteps.

"Wow! That was amazing, Harry!"

He heard the consternate sigh from his Transfiguration Professor, and the amiable chuckle from his Headmaster, as Vector bounded over to him emanating the same feeling as when either Fay of Katie went in for a hug. Instead he received a ruffled hair and a light tap on the shoulder. But it was enough for Harry.

"I have certainly seen more entertaining matches, but I cannot be more proud of my student getting into the final 16," McGonagall let out an uncharacteristic snort as he strained to her words after. "Even if that team is England."

Vector's hand rested upon his shoulder as he felt her lean down slightly to find better balance. He could feel her shaking slightly and warred within himself to ask her what was wrong, but his innate worry won out, and he decided that he would be best speculating. Instead, he subtly leaned into her which, to his surprise, ceased the shaking slightly.

"Well, as wonderful as the Peak District is, mayhaps we should make our way to the Floo Point? Oh, and Harry, the book you inquired about? I would personally ask Rubeus your questions. I may be knowledgeable on many things, but that man, when it comes to magical fauna, is in a league of his own. I wouldn't waste the coin."

The following Saturday, after the standard celebratory greetings as well as subdued awe from his peers had been inflicted upon him, was spent lazing about. It was a not too unfamiliar feeling, but with his normal sensibilities in place along with the instilled conditioning of his past, it was not something he was wholly comfortable with.

Though he sighed easily with his jealously witnessed position on the red sofa in front of the roaring fireplace, his legs rested comfortably in Angelina's lap, with his head placed close to Katie's stomach. Her soft hands were almost reverently moving sweet caresses through his wild hair, her fingers winding about the thick locks – her body would lightly rumble with humour as he purred with contentment.

All were reading comfortably about them. Katie was holding a small novella in her free hand as she continued her ministrations, while Angelina was fervently peering into some mystery novel that Harry had a suspicion may have involved something not so innocent if the intense gaze and slight pants she was exuding was of any implication. His own copy of his well-read version of Fantastic Beasts was open above him as he reread the information Scamander had placed in such detail. Fred and George, a shock to most who knew them, were delving into books on business of all things, communicating in hushed whispers at a table to the right of the fireplace, slight smiles on the duo as they were becoming more excitable by the minute.

Alicia was seated in the cosy armchair beside her best friend, Angelina, her legs curled up beneath her as she hummed along to some muted muggle song she was playing inside her mind. Harry was sure she was reading something related to the English Quidditch Team; she had snickered at something she read on the page, which was quickly followed by a sharp, smirk filled gaze in his and Katie's direction. 'Maybe I need to take a look at that book at some point.' Ginny was placed on the floor, sitting cross-legged in the gap between Angelina and Alicia, her brow furrowed as she had her Potions textbook open upon her lap. Harry didn't really blame her, as anyone with Snape as their teacher would also be able to reinforce his opinions on the subject. 'Although, he hasn't been as bad to me this year – not since the first day with the Dementors. Maybe they were right.'

He glanced over to the second armchair in the semi-circle of furniture, where Neville was seated open mouthed at their own Potions textbook for the year. Harry pitied Neville in the lack of confidence he possessed; he wondered if he would have ever ended up in such a way if things had been different for him, but quickly blasted that out of his head. Nowadays he was actively attempting to remove those thoughts and feelings of negativity. The pseudo-psychological sessions he participated in with the professors, and the comforting acts of positive progression he had with the Circle were visibly beneficial to him. If he were to picture his life at this time back when he was in that cupboard under the stairs, never in a million years could he imagine his life a great as it had become.

In the background he could hear Oliver Wood waxing lyrical about Harry's performance in the final qualifier, and how if Ginny had even a fraction of his skill, it would be another year where Gryffindor would win the Cup. His conversation partner, Fay, was responding in kind, arms waving about enthusiastically, his notes on the Patronus Charm strewed around her forgotten. Harry was proud of her at this point, as even without Lupin's guidance involved, she had taken to Harry's second-hand information with a fervour he had never seen before. Already her produced mist was thicker and more potent than his own. Yet Katie, who had also decided to join in, hadn't even managed to produce the residual magic of the spell activating.

As he lay there, his book dropped down slowly to his torso, resting there comfortably as he started to wonder exactly what he wanted from his life. He was comfortable living in the moment, with this specific moment being one of those halcyon days where everything seemed to be so relaxed that there almost seemed no point in thinking of the future.

His mind was calm, his brain not moving at the regular hyper speed he was used to as Katie's gentle touches soothed him deeply. His heart yearned for this to be the permanent constant. That there would never be a change to this moment in the here and now. He found it difficult to admit to himself that he was happy; the events that would bombard him were not normal and could traumatise almost anyone in their happenings. Yet Harry soldiered on, thankful in a way for his upbringing as the consistent horrors he had endured over a long period of time had increased his tolerance to ever higher levels – he had his weak moments, but now they were few and far between, and in no way as intense as they had been in the past.

But still he contemplated was to come in life. He had opinions on what he could potentially do for a career, but his mind was fleeting, and what he desired one day could easily become altered the next. Nothing could be said for how his own personal life would be. He wished for this closeness he had with the Circle, the professors, and with those outside, such as Tracey, Cedric, Luna, and even the Weasley family (barring one specific annoyance) to remain in his life. Never could he now imagine a life where Fay wasn't sweet and funny, making him laugh with her just being her. Nor could he think of the loyalty that Neville had towards those who took their time to get to know him. And Katie… Katie had become a part of him now, a vital, integral part of his existence that it scared him sometimes with how dependent he had become of her to be in his life. Too many times he would wake up with a gasp on his lips as he dreamt of the what ifs when the Basilisk had been unleashed.

This was his life now, and the calm atmosphere kept them in a limbo that none wished to escape from. Things were to pick up in life, as all is bound to, but if he could have moments like this, where there was no adventure, no responsibilities, and no concerns for the past, present, and future, then maybe, just maybe he could enjoy those times to the fullest.

His mind drifted as he wondered on Sirius Black and the problem he faced; honestly, the Dementors were of a far greater issue than a deranged mass murderer. Though he had only felt the dark chill of the cloaked things, he had not come across one since the awful assault on the train. For this he was highly thankful. His eyes swivelled upwards, making contact with Katie's, who had a faraway look on her face as she stared down at him.

'Is she right though? It can't be a coincidence… is this why?... is he after me?' There was something he was missing. The dots weren't connecting, and the haze of the room was messing with his thoughts. This was not the time, nor was it the place for such heavy contemplations. Yet there was a pattern emerging, and as he drifted off in the heat and comfort, his last, solid thought, was an image of familiar yet unknown people overlapping the Circle about him, and the full moon in the sky.

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Fred and George Weasley were smarter and more insightful than many people could even comprehend the duo to be. It had been a shock when the Sorting Hat had attempted to place them into Slytherin to begin with, then changed its mind to Ravenclaw, before finally settling on Gryffindor because he: "gets bored sometimes sitting in that office, and the thought of harmless chaos being spread around the school is highly amusing".

When they arrived for their first year, they had entered the library to learn what they could about their special ability they possessed. It turned out that unique magic's crop up every generation, with some being hereditary, while others a basis on the person themselves. They remembered the Metamorphmagus who left a few years ago, as well as the Echolocator who dropped out after his O.W.L's to go somewhere in the Far East. Some were obvious, others… not so much.

They remembered when they first heard of Harry's Parseltongue ability, which sounded truly amazing when they first discovered it. The Seamus boy in his year showed all the signs of a latent Pyrokinetic, while they were 100 percent sure that Professor Lupin had some sort of extra-talent.

The Weasley Twins had a mental bod that allowed them to communicate with each other no matter where they were. Sure, to others it may not have been a talent that could allow them a greater potential in duelling, or something that could truly benefit their physical lives, but they still managed to utilise it to its full potential.

Any shortcomings of the other was always counterbalance by the next, and every path that could be trodden would be second-guessed and examined for double the effect. As such, Fred and George Weasley were quite possibly the most insightful of Harry's friends, and managed to work out the Sirius Black conundrum before anyone else even contemplated that there was one.

"This, Harry, is the Marauders Map." Fred tapped his wand on the blank parchment. This was to be their gift to him, for his own protection. Let others think that they were doing this to spread their brand of mischief.

George smirked as he saw Harry's blank face – it was too difficult to get one up on the boy, so they would take this for what it was and enjoy it. "Simply say the words 'I Solemnly Swear I am up to No Good', and this should happen." Lines drew themselves upon the parchment, forming a map that showed the details of the castle… and everybody inside. George had been the one with this idea, after the name of Sirius Black was seen besides the Whomping Willow one night. The two of them refused to spread panic, and knew that if he was a true danger, that if they went to apprehend him, even with some serious help, they would be the cause of more than one death. So, they waited, planned, and created layer after layer of plots to deal with this threat.

"Why are you giving this to me?" Harry asked confused. "I would have thought that this would have been perfect for you."

"Well, Harrikins- "

"You see we had been thinking- "

"That perhaps a bit of troublemaking- "

"Could go a long way to improving such a dour temperament of yours- "

"That maybe if we gave you a certain key- "

"If nothing else it'd be interesting to see what you would do with it," George finished up.

The gears were visibly spinning on Harry's face, and though a neutral expression was all he could see on their faces, inside they were beginning to panic. Harry's emotions were famously highly temperamental, and they knew their pseudo-brother extremely well. If he took this the wrong way, not even they could predict what Harry could do. They were seated on a bench in one of their many courtyards, while Katie was all the way on the other side of the castle in Flitwick's study group – she was worried about her Charms O.W.L, and resorted to extra work to aid her.

They relaxed when he smiled slightly up at them, eyes wide and amazed at the gift he was given, releasing a pang in their hearts at the duplicitous action and their affection to the boy.

"Thanks guys, I… I really don't know what to say."

They talked for a few more minutes, allowing Harry to exhibit his true laughter of almost childlike giggles, causing their inner selves to wince when they thought of his small frame and extremely pale features. Fists were unconsciously clenched when they remembered their rescue of him from that hell-prison.

They had seen the name over the dog. They knew what was coming, and they knew no one would believe them. Because that wasn't the only thing that was different about the map. Everyone underestimated the intelligence of the twins, yet now was the time for the plan to come into motion; Harry had lived in his dorm for a few years now and nothing had come of it, but they were uncomfortable with the whole situation.

The plan was ready to begin, and it was one worthy of the two most unpredictable students at Hogwarts. It was the plan of the most Slytherin duo that the school possessed. It was a plan that was so convoluted and fickle that anything could go wrong. But their friend was in danger, and no one harmed their family… except for them of course.

Author's Notes

Tried to get this one out as quick as I could in response to the positive reviews I received for the last chapter. Glad you all seemed to like it.

And this chapter is not so plot heavy. I wanted to show the lull between moments when the human sides of Harry and company can be revealed. There will be plenty to show in the coming chapters, considering that after this one, there will only be 4 more including the third year at Hogwarts.

As you can see though, my promise of Harry improving is coming along nicely. Compare his behaviour in this chapter to the ones before and you can see what I mean. I know some might complain that the transition could be too quick from one attitude to another, but what you need to remember are the circumstances of Harry's life. He's becoming desensitised to his environment, and he has the people about him to help him through it.

Next Chapter: Patronus