A/N: This chapter has been beta read. My beta, Super MKatR did a wonderful job as usual.

Chapter 10 – Christmas Requests

Dear Harry,

Don't be a prat. I didn't do anything for you that you wouldn't do for me, right? I'm your friend, taking care of you is my job. Friends take care of each of the other, do they not?

And just for you to know, Ron is indeed a slug's head if he listened to a single word that Malfoy brat had been saying. Why are you boys so silly?

Also tell Ron that Scabbers will show up when he's hungry, he always shows up after a while.

About the other topic, we'll fulfil your promise and we won't talk more about it. But Fluffy? Really? I thought he was huge, scary and full of teeth.

I happen to have a bit of news. Mum said that on Christmas we'll go to Romania to visit Charlie. I'm happy for seeing my brother, but I'm a bit sad, because my previous plans were thwarted. I hoped you could spend Christmas here in the Burrow. At least I know you won't be alone, the boys will stay at Hogwarts too.

Send news soon.

Fondly,

Ginny Weasley

P.S. Mum really loves your letters too. She said that "you're a lovely and polite boy" and that "perhaps Ron would learn some good manners with you". As if that were possible.

The following weeks went by in a heartbeat. Harry spent most of his free time studying with Hermione to recover the lost time spent in the hospital wing. By request of the headmaster, the teachers freed him from delivering the delayed essays, but Harry had yet to learn everything he had missed for the exams. Besides that, Harry had now a new personal project, to learn wandless magic. After he had discovered that ability had almost saved his life, he thought it was something that was worthy to learn. What had happened during the game had been a desperate attempt where he had been very lucky. If in the future he needed it, he would be sure that he could perform wandless magic with confidence and security.

Dumbledore had explained to Harry that a wizard could learn wandless magic with a lot of practice. There were no rules and each wizard had to find his own method. The headmaster had also explained that every wizard could perform wandless magic at some point, but few dedicated themselves to learning to control that gift, because it required too much concentration and patience.

Having learned his lesson about hiding things from his friends, Harry told Ron and Hermione about what he intended to do. However, after some research, Hermione discovered that there were not many books on the subject, and, curiously, she believed that if something was not in the books, then it could not be done. On the other hand, Ron thought it was a huge and unnecessary effort, since everybody used a wand.

Therefore the only one who understood his drive to learn that was Ginny. She did not only agree with his point of view, but she decided to try to learn it as well. She would not have problems with the ministry, because in Hermione's research they discovered that the ministry could only trace underage magic in areas free of magic. Thus, as the Burrow was a wizarding house, any magic done there would be seen as being done by Molly or Arthur.

Christmas was approaching and a few questions began to take place in Harry's mind.

In the last Transfiguration class before the holidays, Harry stayed behind, saying to Ron and Hermione that he had some questions about the class. Hermione was also interested in joining him, but Ron just dragged her out, saying he was hungry and they should save a seat for Harry during lunch. When the room got empty, Harry was still in his chair, thinking about how to broach the topic with the teacher, who was piling some essays.

'Are you going to say what is going on in your mind, Potter, or will you just stay here heating that chair until the New Year?' McGonagall asked, to his surprise.

After gawking, Harry stood up and walked over to the witch's desk. 'Professor, I've been wondering if you could help me with something… well, actually, two things.' He corrected himself.

The teacher stared at him with interest. 'And, what would those things be, Potter?'

'Hmm, the first thing is a Christmas present, which I'd like to give to someone. To a friend, who isn't in Hogwarts yet…'

'Ginevra Weasley.' The witch interrupted, making Harry's eyes grew wide with surprise. 'The teachers also have ears, Harry. 'She commented.

'She isn't my girlfriend!'

McGonagall hid a smile. 'I didn't say she was, Potter. But tell me about that gift.'

'I'd like to know if there is any magical way of two people talk to each other without needing to use the floo network or owls, perhaps like the telephones that Muggles use. Professor, do you know what telephones are?'

'Yes, Harry, I do know what telephones are. And what you want is not an easy thing to get…'

'Ah... then…'

'Still,' Professor McGonagall continued, 'maybe I've means of helping you.' The witch went over to a cabinet, which was in the other corner of the room, rummaged until she found something and came back, bringing two identical small mirrors. 'These mirrors are usually used in my NWETs classes.' McGonagall explained. 'But I shall have time to replace them later.'

She put the two mirrors on the table and performed a complicated non-verbal spell in each of them with her wand. Harry watched closely, but he did not understand.

'Here.' The witch said. 'I believe they'll meet your needs, Potter.'

'What did you do, Professor?'

'A complex spell of reproduction, modified. What matters is that now these are two way mirrors, which means that one can communicate with the other at any moment.' She gave to Harry the mirrors.

'Wow! Professor, that's amazing. Thank you.'

'Now, I hope I won't hear any complaint about the inappropriate use of these mirrors during classes, Harry.'

'No, Professor. I promise.'

'Very well, what was the other subject you wanted to discuss?'

'It's about my parents, Professor.'

'Your parents, Potter?'

'Yes.'

'What do you want to know?'

'Hagrid told me that you knew them, I mean, after they graduated from Hogwarts… and that you even went to their wedding. Is it true?'

'Yes, it is. Your parents were admirable students at Hogwarts and also dear friends. Why do you ask?'

'Professor, do you know what happened to their house… our house, after Vold… You-Know-Who… well… killed them?'

Harry waited in silence for a few moments, while Professor McGonagall seemed to consider what to say. 'I believe,' She started, 'that part of the house was destroyed that day. Some spells of conservation were placed over the construction, but I'm not sure if it can ever be completely restored.'

'And what happened to things that were in the inside, Professor?'

'Certainly, everything that was of value was properly catalogued and sent to your family vault at Gringotts. Goblins are known for being meticulous in that kind of work.'

'But what about the things that weren't of value? Like pictures, clothes, letters, books, can they still be there?'

'It's possible, Harry. Why so many questions?'

'I've been thinking if I could visit the house. I don't own anything from my parents, not even a photograph, and I don't really know much about them. So perhaps I could find something of theirs in there that could help me to know who they were.'

'Harry, that place was marked by a great tragedy. Even if it's possible, don't you think it would be better to wait until you're older to face it?'

'I have already been forced to grow up without my parents, Professor. I don't need to see an old house to know what I lost.'

Professor McGonagall did not have an answer for that.

'Could you take me there, Professor? Perhaps during the Christmas holidays?'

'I don't know if that would be appropriate, at least not without your guardians' authorization.'

'If I ask for my relatives for permission, could you take me there, Professor?'

'Yes, I think so.' She smiled.

'Thank you, Professor.' Harry leapt up and strolled happily out of the classroom.

A/N: Hi! What did you think of this chapter?

Do you think Harry will visit his parents' house?

The next chapter's title is The Headstone.

Inês

scrappy8: Thank you!

Guest: Thanks!