Welcome to the Jungle

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, or Glee. All recognisable characters, content, or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.

Part One: Fifteen

Chapter Twenty-Five: Winter

It takes another week and a half, but Finn eventually quits the basketball team. Evidently, the arduous training sessions and the demanding expectations Coach Hooch has for them is more than he cares to endure, and thus he leaves before he suffers the indignity of being kicked off the team, instead. No one is particularly surprised by Finn's decision, but with test papers and projects due, and with the winter holidays just around the corner, Harry doesn't expend much time dwelling on it.

Instead, he contents himself with the knowledge that Coach Hooch will have another reserve by the start of the winter term, and instead focuses on his studies, and also on the excruciating quandary of what to get Quinn for Christmas.

"Is it too soon to get her jewellery?"

"Yes," Hermione answers. He feels like a bit of a bastard, asking her, but not only is the brunette his closest female friend, she's also not likely to report their conversation back to Quinn. He can't say the same for Santana and Brittany, who have some sort of 'chicks before dicks' thing going on with his girlfriend.

Usually, he can respect that, but it's a little inconvenient when he's trying to sort out what on Earth to get his significant other for Christmas.

"Don't go overboard. A hundred dollars, max, and even that's kind of pushing it. You want to get her something that says 'I like you a lot, and I'm happy with us', but, at the same time, you have to make sure it doesn't scream 'I want to spend the rest of my life with you.'"

"Right," Harry mutters, "I can do that."

Absently, Hermione hums her acknowledgement on the other end of the line. SHe's distracted. "Good luck."

"Thanks," Harry answers wryly, "I'll need it."

He ends his call, flips his phone shut, and wanders towards Starbucks. Evidently, his gift for Quinn bears further consideration, and Harry can only be grateful for the fact he's already purchased the rest of his Christmas presents.

It's the 14th of December, and he has a little under a week to sort out his present for Quinn. School lets out on the 19th, they've planned to meet up on the 20th to hang out and exchange gifts, and Harry's family leaves for Colorado the following day. They won't be back until late on the 2nd (weather permitting), and he won't see her again until the day after.

Predictably, the mall is crowded, packed to the rafters with Christmas shoppers. His mother and sister are somewhere among the throng, and they could probably help him out, but Harry has no desire to endure the inevitable teasing that would accompany a request for their aid.

He should have started this sooner…

Eventually, he finds himself in a boutique he can't remember the name of, brooding over a collection of fine, pretty scarves. He'd seen Quinn wear them casually during the fall term - when she wasn't in uniform, anyway - but he's uncertain of whether or not she would appreciate another one. Moreover, he's uncertain of whether or not buying her a scarf would be considered a cop-out, and God, why does Christmas shopping have to be so hard?

-!- -#-

It's Friday evening, the 19th, and Harry's at Puck's for a night of video games with the guys. Mike, Matt, and Finn are present as well, and while Ms Puckerman makes sure Abby's got everything packed for she and Puck's sojourn to Marseille, Puck kicks Mike's ass in Mortal Combat.

It's a fairly low-key way of celebrating the end of their first term of high school, but Harry's got work in the morning, and Puck's got a plane to catch..

Because Puck and Abby's paternal grandparents - his grandmother, in particular - aren't doing so well these days, Ms Puckerman and Mr Dubois (Pucks' Dad) have made arrangements for Puck and Abigail to spend their winter break in France. Puck's not too thrilled by it - evidently, his father's parents are far more orthodox than their son and grandchildren - but he hasn't complained about it, either. Probably, like Harry, he's suddenly a lot more conscious of their age and the whole concept of mortality, but Harry hasn't asked, and Puck hasn't brought it up.

That's not saying there aren't parties scheduled, or that they haven't been invited to them, but rather, it's more the fact neither Harry nor Puck can be bothered, and for whatever reason, Mike, Matt, and Finn have opted to join them for a few hours of hanging out, instead.

"When do you guys get back?" Matt asks. He's in Lima for the holiday, his relatives set to descend upon his home within the next few days. Mike and Finn aren't going anywhere, either, and the three of them already have New Years plans that involve a party hosted by someone on the hockey team.

"The 2nd," Puck answers.

"Same," Harry contributes. He helps himself to the bag of Doritos as Mike hands his controller over to Finn, "Long ass drive."

"I do not envy you, dude," Mike informs him, "Stuck in a car with my parents for almost a day? Damn."

"T'is the season, right?" Harry shrugs, more or less indifferent by this point. He doesn't relish the family bonding opportunity as his mother does, but it's become something of a tradition in the years since they've been going to Breckenridge. It'll be a bit different with his grandparents along for the ride, the Escalade a little more cramped than usual, but Harry and Kate are old enough to entertain themselves these days, and it's not the worst thing he'll ever do.

Mike shrugs his acknowledgement. "Whatever you say, dude."

"I've never been skiing before," Finn says ponderously, "What's it like?"

Harry imagines gangly, awkward, frequently clumsy Finn on a pair of skis, and tries not to cringe. It seems like a recipe for disaster, and it's perhaps for the best the idiot remains far away from any kind of winter sport. Not just for him, but for the poor sods who would have the misfortune of getting in his way, too.

"It's a rush," Harry answers, "I mean, you're hurdling down the side of a mountain, you know?I can't really explain it."

Finn nods his acknowledgement, though most of his focus seems to be on the TV screen, where Puck is soundly trouncing him, "Maybe I'll try it someday."

Harry hums, uninterested in further conversation, and helps himself to the available potato chips. "Maybe you will."

Matt starts talking about how much it sucks to have all three of his sisters back home, two of whom have brought their boyfriends along. It's apparently a little awkward, particularly because Mrs Rutherford has been rather vocal about her desire for grandchildren, and Mr Rutherford has made no secret of his disdain for both of the boyfriends in question.

That aside, it means it's a full house, about to be inundated by extended family, and Matt isn't pleased. He's not the most social of creatures, more content with a small group of friends rather than a large crowd of hanger-ons, and Harry gets it. He'd hate the thought of so many people invading his space, too.

He offers his friend a wry smile. "T'is the season, right?"

Matt smiles, half-hearted, and agrees, "T'is the fucking season."

-!- -#-

Author's Note: This chapter is death. Swear to God, it was like pulling teeth. There was supposed to be another scene, of Harry and Quinn exchanging gifts, but I've decided to scrap it. Clearly, it doesn't want to be written. Thanks for reading. Until next time, -t.