Sorry, I did not put an update online last week.
Last week I had a migraine attack, and could only occasionally sit behind my computer.
But here's my next update.
Thanks for the reviews.
This is a story of a fan. Harry Potter is not mine.
Enjoy reading.

(BSC 1) C22 Christmas holidays part one

The last week of school before the Christmas vacation had finally arrived. Harry had asked if he could stay at Arabella and Bella with Christmas. But Minerva had told him that that was not allowed. She had also told him that he would not be in school during the holidays. And he certainly did not have to go to those horrible muggles. How much Harry had asked and how much Harry had begged Minerva had told him nothing, and certainly not where they were going.

Bella had told him that Arabella had told her that they also would be gone at Christmas. And Arabella would therefore pick her up at platform 9 3/4. But Arabella had not told her where they would be going.

Neville had told him that his grandmother and he would also be leaving for the holidays. So it was certain that he was not with them. And Daphne and Susan had promised him they would ask their parents, but they had not said anything about it.

Two days before the start of the holidays, Harry was asked to come to the headmaster office. Harry did not know why but he immediately told his grandmother about it. That evening they were standing in front of the gargoyle to the office of Albus Dumbledore.

"Come on in" sounded the voice of Albus from behind the gargoyle.

"Ah, Harry, I'm glad you're here." Albus paused and looked at Minerva. "Thank you Minerva, for bringing Harry to me, that's all you can go."

Harry looked at his grandma but said nothing.

"Sorry Albus, but I have orders from the ministry to remain with Harry at all times, especially if you want to speak with him. As you know, you are a co-defendant in the case against Harry" Minerva said accusingly.

Albus Dumbledore was somewhat discouraged after the words of Minerva, and he had to think hard for an answer. His blue eyes began to twinkle a bit. "Minerva you are right, but this is a topic for the school, which is why the Ministry do not need to know none of this. Thank you again. But you can go now" Albus said, a bit irritated.

Minerva looked at Harry and nodded slightly at him. "Again Albus, as I will not be here for the ministry, then I will be here as head of my house. I'm still the head of Gryffindor, so I have the right to assist my lions when they talk to you".

This was an answer that Albus could not deny. He could also not argue with the statement from Minerva, and so he let it be as it was. He did not want to have any more problems with Amelia Bones. He knew that if she could somehow put her teeth into the happenings around Harry, she really would not let it go until she had everything she wanted to have.

"Alright Harry, what I wanted to ask you is this." He waited a moment before he moved on again. "What I wanted to know is this, where are you going to spend your vacation. I understand that you will not remain in school" Albus said.

Harry looked at Albus and swallowed the first answer he wanted to give. He knew that would not be good if he did. Harry took the time to respond in the right way. His grandmother stood behind him and he knew that she would intervene, if needed. "Head Master, I have given my papers to my Head of house, in those papers I told her that I would be staying with my family during the holidays. Can I ask why you are asking me this again"?

Minerva could see that Neville and Daphne had a good influence on Harry. Daphne was as cunning as a Slytherin. Neville was a Lord in a way that you would expect from a raven claw. And both had taught him those lessons well.

"You're right about that Harry. But I have not look through those papers and was just wondering what you were going to do during the holidays, that's all" Albus told him in a grandfatherly way.

Minerva was now beginning to get really angry. She had already given those papers to him a week ago, so therefore she knew he had enough time to look through those papers; it was through this fact that Minerva could no longer remain silent. "Albus" She growled. "As magical guardian of Harry, as well as his head of house, I have looked through those papers. I can assure you that Harry will be safe with his family during the holidays, what I do not understand is why you have so much attention towards Harry. That's where I want an explanation for.

Albus looked surprised at Minerva, she had never been so angry with him. His eyes piercing into hers, Minerva however looked just as steady as she could back at Albus.

Albus opened his mouth to say something.

Minerva however, interrupted him immediately. "The reason that I ask Albus is the following. Harry has had a lot of misery before coming to this school. This all happened when he was your responsibility. In all those years you've never looked after him. And now when it's my responsibility, you want to interfere with Harry's well being. Why I ask you".

Albus tried to open his mouth again.

"No Albus I do not want the reason for all the meddling you're doing. But I'm warning you now, stop interfering in my business as the guardian of Harry Potter. If you do not do so, then I will go directly to Amelia bones and tell her that you're interfering in the affairs of a guardian.

Albus looked startled at these words. And it was now that he immediately sent them away.

Harry and his grandmother were walking down the corridors and were laughing hard about what had happened in the office of Albus Dumbledore. It was long ago that Minerva could do such things to Albus, and especially now that she had a reason to do so.

*#*

On Saturday morning, Harry left the castle together with Bella on his side. Together with his friends he went to the station in Hogsmeade where they would take the Hogwarts Express back to London. Minerva had told them that they could share the train journey with their friends. It would be more fun for them if they were with their friends before the holiday began. She herself promised that she would be waiting for them in London. This gave her five more hours to finish everything she had to do in school. Harry realized that he would be spending Christmas at least with Bella; why else would his grandmother meet them there.

Bella found a compartment which was completely empty. Along with their friends they put their trunks on the racks above their heads. And made themselves comfortable for the return trip.

It was the beginning of a wonderful ride back to wherever the holiday would bring them. Bella immediately snuggled against the side of Harry. It was three weeks ago that she had snuggled against Harry. That was also the last time that Bella had that dream with Voldemort. And now that she had the chance, she took it. Harry could not deny that he did not like it and enjoyed it just as much as Bella did.

Daphne and Neville took the opportunity to teach everyone a bit more about the customs in the wizarding world. They told them what they could and could not do, and how to behave in certain occasions. But also told them that each house had their own coat of arms however when the real fun was starting to begin, the door to their compartment opened.

There in the doorway stood Draco Malfoy. "Potter" he sneered at Harry. "I did not expect you to be going home. You do not have anything to go home to, is it not? You have no real family left, and you don't have any parents to go to, you can only get some more colors. You can always get a little more color in your Face, that's still what whitish if you ask me".

Harry wanted to get up at those words. However, it was Susan who was faster than him. Susan cursed Draco with only 5 cm between her wand and his chest. Draco had no chance to get away and was hit straight on. He flew down the corridor and collapsed like a pile of garbage on the ground. It was Hermione who closed the door just on time. Because Susan wanted to race after him with her wand lifted high in the air. Fortunately, Daphne and Bella could stop her before she could push Hermione aside. It took some time to calm down Susan.

The rest of the ride was uneventful. The only question remained was what Draco meant by the colors. Did he know about the scars or not. No one had told him about his scar, which was something Harry knew for sure.

It was on the platform in London that Bella saw David and Isabella standing a few meters away from them. But Minerva and Arabella were nowhere to be seen. But there was a little girl with wavy black hair that stood between David and Isabella.

Astoria Greengrass ran straight to Daphne and torpedoed her sister. Daphne struggled to stay on her feet, it was in vain. She fell with her sister down on the platform. Bella and Harry could not maintain their laughter and were almost rolling on the ground, they had to hold each other to avoid falling them self.

"Well now it's time to go home" the voice of Isabella Greengrass came from behind them.

Daphne and Astoria said nothing and were already running behind their parents and away from Bella and Harry.

Bella looked at Harry and shrugged. "I think we should wait here," she said to Harry. She turned and looked over the rest of the platform.

From out of nowhere they both felt a hand that was pushed down on their shoulders. Harry immediately froze at that touch.

Slowly they looked behind them and saw David standing there

"You two are also coming back with us, you will be celebrating Christmas at our house this year. Arabella and Minerva will be arriving late in the evening" he told them.

Bella and Harry looked up at David, and there was a small smile on both their faces. David and Isabella disapparated them to the Greengrass manor, that was on the other side of the country. They were apparated into a large hall. Bella and Harry looked around while Daphne and Astoria were already walking into another room.

Isabella took both their hands and took them both along to the other room. "Minerva and Arabella will be coming here tonight. We are doing this for you, Harry. You will never have to be with those Muggles again".

They were simple words but they meant a lot to Harry.

Bella could tell he was relieved by those words, and immediately took him into a hug. "Harry its real" she whispered. "Finally, you will never ever go back to those awful Dursleys." It was for the first time that Bella really saw it. She had never guessed that this would be the day. But she really saw it. Harry looked at her and smiled broadly, all this while he nodded. For that reason alone Bella flew him around his neck a second time.

Later That evening Isabella had asked Bella why she looked so happy. It brought a lump in her throat When Bella told her that it was the first time she had seen Harry giving her a smile, a smile which lit up his whole face. And she knew him for almost four years.

Minerva and Arabella arrived with the floo just before dinnertime. Harry had immediately taken his grandmother in a hug and thanked her a thousand times. Bella had done the same thing with Arabella.

That night Bella and Daphne both wanted to sit next to Harry. But unfortunately Isabella was already sitting on his left side. The two ladies fought in silence to sit on his right. Without them knowing it, Astoria had crept into the right seat next to him. Smiling and in good sport they both sat down opposite of him, and took their loss with a smile.

It was fun to see how Astoria took Harry under a survey of her own. "Harry do you like it at school" she asked.

"Yes, I like it at school" was his reply.

"Harry do you have a girlfriend".

Harry blushed a bit. "No Astoria, I do not have a girlfriend".

Astoria looked at him uncertainly. The eyes of Bella and Daphne were a little big, when she asked if he had a girlfriend.

"Then tell me, why is Bella or Daphne not your girlfriend " she asked.

Harry swallowed by those words and immediately looked at his plate. He thought hard before giving an answer. "Tell me Astoria, how can I make a choice between the two most beautiful girls in Hogwarts."

"Great save" Minerva murmured under her breath to Isabella.

Isabella chuckled and nodded in agreement.

"Ahhhhh, Daddy can I keep him if those two do not want him" Astoria asked her father with puppy dog eyes.

David had a good laugh when his daughter asked him that.

Harry, however, was turning red everywhere where he could turn red.

Yet Astoria was not quite finished with Him and thus she went on for a bit. "Harry what do you like about Bella" she asked sweetly.

Harry was starting to get uncomfortable and was playing with his food. Gently he replied and slightly louder than a whisper. "Bella is caring, honest and can do great magic. She is beautiful and gives me soft and gentle hugs." Harry thought that nobody had heard him and therefore, he did not look up when it was quiet around the table.

Bella turned red. But she mostly had a quizzical look when he said she gives me soft and gentle hugs.

"And Harry what do you like about Daphne" Astoria asked again, giving Harry no time to unwind.

Daphne immediately looked at Harry with wide eyes.

Harry however, was still staring at his plate. "Daphne is smart, honest, gentle and beautiful. Just like Bella she cares a lot about me. They are the first real friends I ever had. And I care about both of them".

Everyone was silent after those words.

Daphne glanced at Bella and both had a blush on their cheeks.

It was Astoria who again broke the silence. "Dad, I mean it. If they do not want him, I'll take him".

This brought a burst of laughter around the table.

"Isabella the food was delicious like always" David told his wife.

To everyone's surprise, Harry and Bella were the first to stand up. They cleared everything off the table without commentary. It was strange to see them doing it. Daphne and Astoria had never done it. It was Bella who started off with washing up and Harry was drying the dishes. No one knew the reason why Harry did it. But Bella did it because she had always done it with Arabella.

The adults had a quick look while they were washing the dishes, they let them continue. While they them self went back to the table.

Bella did not know how it happened but it happened very fast. Bella had washed a plate and gave it to Harry to be dried. Bella gave the second plate to Harry. This was still very wet and it slipped out of his hands.

The sound of a plate that broke on the floor let Isabella run to the kitchen at full speed. "What happened here," she exclaimed as she threw open the door.

Harry was startled and ran to a corner of the kitchen. He crawled together like a little ball and put his hands over his head as protection. "I'm sorry, the plate was slippery and I could not hold him. I really am sorry" Harry squeaked. Harry sat in a corner like a frightened child. His eyes were wild and waiting for the blows that were about to come.

Bella was shocked and went to stand right in front of Harry. "It was an accident, he could not help it," cried Bella.

Isabella looked a bit strange to Bella when she said those words. "Bella what is it, it does not really matter, these things can happen. I was only afraid that you hurt yourself." She told them a bit fearful as she looked at Harry.

"You are not going to beat me" came the timid and fearful voice of Harry from the corner of the kitchen.

Isabella looked straight into the eyes of Harry, she brought her hand to her mouth and ran crying from the kitchen.

David had just walked into the kitchen when she pushed him aside to get out. David saw his wife walking away crying and then he saw Harry sitting in a corner. Everyone had heard everything through the opening that was between the kitchen and the dining room.

Minerva ran at Harry and took him into a hug. "Harry those things can happen to anyone and no one will punish you for it ever again. It took a while before Harry let his hands down slowly. Shortly afterwards he slowly answered her hug but his body was shaking all over.

"Harry, I think you should just go to Isabella now, she was crying for you, you know. And you scared her quite a bit." Minerva told him gently.

Harry nodded and slowly stood up.

Daphne had told him to which room he had to go to get to her mother. Daphne herself went a bit shy and stood beside Bella. She was shocked by what had happened. And the hug that Bella gave her, she took gratefully.

Harry knocked softly on the door and waited. It was opened by David, with sad eyes he looked at Harry and nodded.

Slowly, Harry walked into the room.

David left the room and closed the door behind him. Harry stood beside the bed and put his little hand on the shoulder of Isabella.

Isabella looked at him with red eyes. "Harry dear, I'm so sorry, if I had known, I, I, I would have never come into the kitchen that way".

"You had no way of knowing that. And I'm sorry that I have scared you so much. If something like that happened at my aunt and uncles. Then the next thing was a beating, I was so afraid that I would get another beating" he told her in a whisper.

It was a bit rough but Isabella pulled him into a hug. Again she began to cry. "It will never happen again, Harry. You will never ever be beaten again" she told him tearfully.

Harry showed no emotion and patted her shoulder gently. The only thing he did was apologize, apologize and apologize.

It was half an hour later when Harry brought Isabella by her hand into the kitchen. He himself sat down between Bella and Daphne. She heard Harry telling to Bella and Daphne what had happened. And that he was afraid that he would be beaten for breaking the plate. Immediately Daphne and Bella took him into a hug. And she heard Daphne say that her mother would never do that.

Slowly Isabella began to cry again but the kids fortunately didn't see it.

Later that evening Minerva took Harry along. "Harry, I think you should show us a few things. We were really shocked when you were suddenly so afraid like that. I know that life has not been easy for you. And also that there is a lot we don't know. So if we had some memories we would be able to look at. Then we would know a little how life with those muggles was for you. If we could see it then that's better than hearing it, and we could understand you a lot better if such a thing would happen again".

Harry understood what his grandmother meant. But he was not happy with it. Years he had kept it a secret, and for years he was not allowed to talk about it, and now his grandmother wanted to know it all. When Minerva had told him that it was not tonight, but after Christmas when she wanted to see it. And she also told him that he was free to decide which memories they might see. They were after all his memories to share. But they would talk about it again later. For now Harry could think about it, and that he had to take his time.

That night they went to bed early because the next day they would go to Diagon Alley. There they were going to buy Christmas presents. Bella had told Harry that they had to buy Christmas presents for everyone. And that Harry was also going to get presents. First Harry was shocked that he would also be getting presents. But after that Harry was happy and went into a peaceful sleep.

*#*

The next morning David was awakened by the smell of freshly fried bacon. When he walked into the kitchen, he saw his wife Isabella sitting at the kitchen table. With a finger she was pointing to the kitchen counter. Harry stood there with Bella and Daphne at his side. They were making breakfast for everybody. Harry quickly put a plate of bacon eggs and sausages in front of David and told him that he had to eat. With raised eyebrows, he looked over at his wife.

"Harry's sorry for what had happened yesterday, and in this way he wanted to say Sorry" Isabella told him.

David wanted to say something but was immediately brought` to silence. "MERLIN" he suddenly exclaimed loudly.

Harry was startled by David's outburst, and immediately got a frightened look.

Something that did not went unseen by Isabella, but she said nothing about it.

"This is so good, please do it again tomorrow, Harry, this is so delicious" And David took another bite.

Harry looked anxiously at first but now slowly began to smile a little.

"I told you Harry, Daddy loves his food, sometimes I think he loves his food more than us," Daphne whispered, loud enough for all to hear.

Arabella and Minerva looked at the three with big eyes when they walked into the kitchen.

Astoria had a plate of food in front of her and was already eating. "Daddy, I really mean it. If Bella and Daphne do not make him there boyfriend next year, then I want him for myself".

Harry stood next to her and told her softly. "You are too beautiful for me Astoria, I would not know what I should do with someone as beautiful as you".

Astoria glanced up at him and then looked straight at her plate blushing profusely. When. Harry walked away she whispered to her mother. Mom can I have him now".

Isabella laughed at her daughter and stood up. "All of you sit down and David will wash up" she exclaimed.

David stared at his wife. Isabella just laughed louder. "Pilo" Isabella cried, and a little elf appeared at her side. "Pilo will you clean this up for us, and thank you. Now all of you get ready we will go to Diagon Alley in an hour".

(Pilo is like any other elf. He just does not cook because Isabella likes to do it herself)

At nine o'clock they were all together in Diagon Alley. Minerva took Harry to his trust vault to pick up some money. She was surprised to see how much money there was in his trust vault. Lilly and James had taken good care of him. She herself was also well off so that was no problem.

Along with Bella and David they were doing Their First rounds. Now they were buying presents for the other group. At twelve o'clock in the afternoon they went to the leaky cauldron for lunch, thereafter they switched from group.

Now Bella and Harry were walking along with Isabella and Arabella. In this way they were able to find a gift for the others without them knowing it.

"Oh No" muttered Arabella at once and pointed to the back of Diagon Alley.

In the distance Isabella saw how Albus Dumbledore was walking towards Harry with great strides.

"Harry my boy" he said when he was almost at Harry side. "I am sorry but I have to ask you to come with me, we are going back to school and we are going immediately".

Harry looked straight away at Arabella and Isabella and was searching for a way out.

Albus reached out to grab Harry's shoulder.

Bella jumped between them and looked at Dumbledore. "Harry will stay with me for Christmas. With me and Daphne she shouted at Dumbledore".

Albus looked straight at her. "Bella is it" he said. "Well Bella the magical guardian of Harry's supposed to be with him at all times. And I don't see her anywhere. So she doesn't do her job properly. Therefore, I will take Harry along with me, for his own safety of course" Albus said firmly.

Now it was Isabella who stepped in between Harry and Albus. Arabella wanted to do the same thing but she is a Squib and she simply could not do anything against the big Albus Dumbledore. And she was also not the youngest.

Isabella had already pressed the stone on her necklace and was now looking straight at Dumbledore.

"Come on Harry, let's go back to school" Albus said again in a tone of a loving grandfather.

"Albus Dumbledore. Bella and Harry are our guests. He has permission from his guardian Minerva McGonagall to stay with us for the holidays, so he will not be going with you back to that school." She told him firmly.

Dumbledore looked straight into the eyes of Isabella and let his eyes twinkle a bit. "Isabella it is like I just told Bella here. I do not see his Guardian anywhere, and therefore he is not safe and I will take him back to school"

"Albus Dumbledore If you dare to touch Mr. Potter with just one finger, I will curse you into next week and beyond" came the voice of an Angry Minerva McGonagall.

Albus jumped at the sound and looked anxiously behind him. "Ah Minerva I thought you were not here. I just wanted Harry here to be safe and therefore I wanted to bring him back to school".

The nostrils of Minerva were beginning to tremble profusely and her lips were slits en were slowly turning white. "Albus Dumbledore you perform your job terrible when you were Mr. Potter's guardian. And now you think you can be the hero".

Dumbledore wanted to say something but Minerva would not let him.

"Albus, I would just get out of here if I were you, otherwise I will really curse you" she snapped.

The anger of Minerva was clear in itself from the magic that hung around her. The idea that he kept her grandson and her daughter away from her for all those years was only fuel on the fire. She could not forgive Albus for her lost. And she wanted to blame him for everything. But there was also the thing that happened the night before, with were still haunting her mind. The fear for a beating in the eyes of her Harry was heartbreaking. And Albus was the one who knew all the reasons for it.

Without another word Albus turned around and disappeared from the place he was standing.

"David, can we invite Augusta and Amelia" Minerva asked. "I think they want to know about this as well".

David nodded and told her that he would invite them on Christmas Day. And that was the next day.