Home for the Holidays
Weeks had passed since Harry watched his Aunt be murdered. In the time that passed Harry had grown closer to Ginny . They had truly become inseparable, the only time you could find them apart from each other was during class and when they were asleep. The four friends had become as close as the Marauders themselves.
Harry had pored himself into his studies, in every one of his classes he quickly rose to be in the top three students. In Potions he had secretly impressed Snape, that didn't stop Snape from taking points from him when ever possible. Transfiguration, Charms, Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures there wasn't a spell he couldn't master, creature he couldn't tame or plant he couldn't sow. He still didn't like Divination but he began to take it seriously, he still hadn't learned how he could help Ginny avoid her fate but he wasn't giving up.
In both of his Defense Against the Dark Arts classes he was learning faster than Professor O'Bannon could teach. They had already gone through Harry's beginners book for Aurors, he had begged Professor O'Bannon to let them start on the intermediate book. Professor O'Bannon stood by his no but did teach Harry some non-magic maneuvers. He taught him muggle combat techniques and also how to track and follow an enemy.
Harry's Animagus studies were slowly progressing. Every session he had made small improvements and advancements into fully transforming. At first he would get upset that he couldn't complete the transformation but learned to accept that it would happen eventually. Professor Dumbledore had sensed that Harry would be a full fledged Animagus before summer break.
The DA meetings were going just as good, Harry kept his promise to his Headmaster. He was teaching the members as fast as they could learn. Every member could now conjure a full fledge Patronus during practice, Harry had hoped the same would be true if a real Dementor were present. Harry was still teaching the members defensive spells, he didn't really want to teach them offensive spells. He knew if he taught them offensive spells it would embolden quite a few of them to recklessly get into a fight. Harry knew the time would come but he wasn't ready for that.
He did teach a small core group offensive spells in private, he knew that this group would more than likely be around during a fight. Ron, Ginny, and Hermione were all learning the offensive spells Harry knew, Hermione would even look up more in the library to learn.
Draco Malfoy had even been keeping his distance from Harry. Malfoy wanted his revenge but he wasn't willing to provoke Harry. He knew he would have to wait for his revenge when he had more allies of his own.
With Harry's busy schedule he completely forgot that Christmas break was coming. Ron asked him one day in between classes what he was getting Ginny. He and Ron were sitting in the common room while Ginny and Hermione had gone to the library to get some information on spells.
"I have no clue," Harry answered quietly, "I forgot Christmas was coming. What are you getting Hermione?"
"No clue, mate," Ron replied, "I want to get her something nice but I can only think of books, but she has all of them."
Harry laughed when his friend said this, neither of them wanted to deal with their girlfriends if they didn't have good presents for them.
"At least we will have some chance to shop for them when we go back home for break," Harry said with a small smile. "I'm sure your mum will let us go to Diagon Alley."
"I don't know, Harry," Ron said with a frown, "she will probably say it is too dangerous."
Ginny and Hermione entered the room at that moment carrying a large book they had retrieved from the library.
"Harry, we found a spell for our last DA meeting tonight," Ginny said cheerfully, "It's a spell that most fourth years should be able to learn without too much problems. It causes the targets mind to change focus, it's called Novo Intentio." Ginny put the book on the table for Harry to read.
Novo Intentio: The caster of this spell is attempting to distract another wizard or animal. To cast the spell do a forceful flick of the wand and say the incantation Novo Intentio. When the spell makes contact with the target it's mind will shift its focus.
"Wow," Harry spoke when he finished reading the passage, "That does sound pretty easy, and would be great if someone was saying an incantation. Great work you two." Harry gave Ginny a kiss and smiled at Hermione. "Ok, lets get going to the meeting."
Harry walked past the door to the room of requirement three times. While he walked past the door he was thinking of a large banquet hall decorated for Christmas. On one long table he had thought of eggnog, pumpkin juice, pumpkin pies, apple pies and various other treats. There was one long table down the middle of the room with place settings for all the members.
The group walked in and the room was just how Harry had pictured it. The others were obviously impressed at what Harry had planned. Ron then walked along the table and at each place mat he put a silver robe pin, the pin was just the letters DA. The four of them had planned to give everyone the pins at beginning of term but it took longer to make the amount needed. At the head of the table where Harry would be sitting Ron placed a gold DA pin down. Members began arriving and took their seats around the table. When all seats where filled Harry began the meeting.
"Hello everyone, and welcome to our last meeting before Christmas. First I would like to present you with the DA pins in front of you. Merry Christmas, now you don't have to wear the pins if you don't wish too, some of you may feel they make you an easier target. It is up to you, we just thought it would be something nice for all of you." Harry picked up his pin and was surprised to see it was gold, he smiled then he pinned it to his robes. Without hesitation all of the other members pinned theirs to their robes.
"Great," Harry smiled, "before we get to our delicious pies and treats that the room brought from the kitchens I would like to go over one more spell. It seems to be an easy spell that is about fourth year level. But I am sure that all of us can learn it through time. Now I am going to demonstrate it on Ron here. Don't worry it is completely harmless. Now, Ron, please begin telling the members the process of casting a Patronus."
"Right. Well first you have to recall your happiest thought, then," Harry cast the spell, "Mine and Hermione's first kiss was wonderful." Ron blushed when he realized he was talking out loud. He looked at Hermione who had a combination of a scowl and a smile on her face. The rest of the members laughed.
"As you can see," Harry said while he tried to suppress his laughter, "The spell immediately caused Ron to change his minds focus. Now it is a random shift so it can be to anything, but it is automatic." Everyone was smiling at how simple it looked to be. "Now please split up into pairs and begin practicing, your wand motion needs to be a forceful flick at the target."
For the next hour the members all practiced the spell, as Harry had expected the fifth years and up learned it right away. The fourth years took about half an hour to learn it and by the end of the hour almost the rest of the members had achieved it at least once. Robert Tooker was the fastest to learn for third year and Kaylee rose for second year.
A few spells would miss their intended target and hit someone else, but luckily this was much safer than stunning spells. Harry found it extremely amusing to hit Ron with the spell as a majority of the time he instantly began talking about Hermione. Ron eventually figured out what his friend was doing and he shot one back at Harry, Harry instantly began talking about how much he cared about Ginny. Ginny smiled at Harry and told him she cared about him too.
"Ok everyone," Harry said while he was still blushing, "that should about do it for the spell. Help yourself to the refreshments, and please do not use this spell on Professor's. And have a Merry Christmas."
"So do we know what the plans for Christmas break are," Hermione asked, "I talked to my mum and dad and they told me I could stay with you three."
"Well mum told us if we wanted to leave Hogwarts it would be to go to Grimmauld Place," Ron said, "that is if it is ok with Harry."
"Why would it have to be ok with me?" Harry asked puzzled.
"Because, Harry, dear," Ginny said playfully, "It is your house."
"Oh yeah," Harry laughed, "Well then I say we all go stay at Grimmauld Place for the break."
Harry walked in the front door of Grimmauld Place and was happy to be home. He looked around the house, it was a much warmer place to stay now. There were no cobwebs in the corners or dark items laying around the house. There were Christmas decorations up throughout the house and a large Christmas tree in the sitting room. Dobby and Winky greeted Harry at the door.
"Welcome home, Sir," Dobby spoke as he bowed low, "Dobby is most happy to be seeing you."
"Welcome home, Sir," Winky squeaked as she curtseyed, "Winky is also pleased to see you, sir."
"Thank you both," Harry smiled, "The house looks wonderful, you two have done a great job."
"Mrs. Weasley has helped us plenty," Dobby reported, "Dobby thinks that she loves to clean almost as much as a house-elf, sir."
Arthur, Remus, and Moody all helped the kids bring their trunks inside and up to their rooms. Molly immediately went to the kitchen to begin cooking, Dobby and Winky followed her to help.
"So, boys," Remus began speaking when they reached the room Harry and Ron shared, "how has your first few months at Hogwarts been?"
"For the most part its been great," Harry answered, "We destroyed Ravenclaw in the first Quidditch match, the DA meetings are going really good. Me and Ginny are getting along great, which reminds me, would it be possible to make a trip to Diagon Alley?"
"Sure, Harry," Arthur told him, "We will all go to Diagon Alley tomorrow with the Floo Network. I need to do some shopping myself."
Ron and Harry smiled at Arthur and Remus. Arthur and Ron walked out of the room and downstairs. Remus walked over to Ron's bed and sat down.
"Harry," Remus started to speak quietly, "I hear you are doing very well in school."
"Yeah I am, Professor," Harry answered, "it's because of Ginny"
"Harry we are friends, please call my Remus or Moony. Why is it now that you are doing so well in school it is because of Ginny?"
"Because of what happened in the Wizengamot Council lounge the first day back to Hogwarts. Didn't you hear about it?"
"No I haven't heard anything about it. Harry, is everything ok?"
"Yeah, after the feast the stairs changed and we went down a corridor that led us to the lounge. When we were there Merlin's ghost appeared and talked to us until Professor Dumbledore came and got us."
"Oh I see, Harry, you do know what that means don't you?"
"Yeah I do, and Ginny was the one that summoned him."
"And that is why you are studying so hard this year, you plan on preventing Ginny from sacrificing herself. That is very noble Harry, and yes it is possible to prevent it, but remember, it will ultimately come down to what Ginny's heart desires to do."
"I know, Remus, I still have to do what I can."
"I know you will, Harry," Remus walked out of the room and down stairs.
A week later Ginny came into Harry's room and woke him and Ron up. Harry at first just rolled over to go back to sleep. Ginny sat on the edge of the bed and leaned over and started gently kissing Harry on the neck and cheek.
"Just what do you two think you are doing," Ron asked sleepily.
"We aren't doing anything bad, Ronald," Ginny told him, "I'm just waking Harry up and giving him a Christmas kiss."
"What a way to wake up," Harry said with a smile on his face, "Ginny, you can wake me up like that every morning if you would like."
"We'll see," Ginny said teasingly, "Now get up so we can go open our presents."
Harry and Ron followed Ginny out of the room and to the Sitting Room. Everyone else was already sitting or laying in the room. Ron went and sat next to Hermione who quickly rested her head on his shoulder. Arthur and Molly were on the couch next to Ron, Fred and George sat in chairs next to the tree. Harry and Ginny sat on a love seat across from the tree. Remus passed out the presents to every body.
Harry got the usual candy from Ron, Hermione got him a daily planner bound in dragon hide, Mr. And Mrs. Weasley got him the usual red sweater with a large H on the front. Fred and George gave him a very large supply of items from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Remus gave him a telescope. He opened Ginny's gift last, when he opened the box his mouth fell open. Harry pulled out the first item which was a beautiful mahogany box with a glass top.
"It is a display box for your medals," Ginny explained, "See there is your Order of Merlin medal and I put a gold DA pin in there for you also"
"It's wonderful,love," Harry said with a smile, "I love it."
Harry pulled three mahogany picture frames out of the box next. He looked at each of them and saw letters behind the glass of each one. The first one he saw was his Order of Merlin letter.
"How did you get this, Ginny," Harry spoke in a quiet voice, "I lost this."
"I happen to know the Minister of Magic," Ginny said in a matter of fact tone, "He was able to get a second one done for you."
"Thanks, Ginny, thank you, Mr. Weasley," Harry looked at Arthur.
The next letter he saw in a frame was the letter the Ministry wrote to declare Sirius innocent. The final letter was the letter from Harry's mum that he found in the Bloodline Box.
"They are wonderful, Ginny," Harry leaned over and kissed her, "Thank you, here open mine."
Ginny took the box from Harry with a curious look. The box was wrapped but there were holes in the top. Ginny unwrapped it and opened the box.
"Oh, Harry! It's so cute," Ginny exclaimed as she pulled a small smoke gray kitten out of the box. The kitten purred and it's yellow eyes looked up at Ginny as she held it.
"It's part Kneazle," Harry told her, "Well at least that's what the shop keeper at the Magical Menagerie told me. Oh and it is a male."
"Even if he isn't he is perfect," Ginny said while she through her arms around Harry, "I'll name him Smoke." The kitten purred in Ginny's lap as everyone sat around talking.
"Thanks for the quills, ink, and parchment, Harry," Hermione thanked him.
"Yeah and thanks for the pack of Chocolate Frogs," Ron said smiling, "I should get close to completing my set now."
The group laughed when Smoke decided it would be fun to chase Crookshanks around the room. Crookshanks would occasionally hide behind a chair and wait for Smoke to walk past. Then Crookshanks would jump out and scare Smoke and take off running in the opposite direction.
The rest of the holiday was spent at Grimmauld Place playing with the cats or the Quidditch set. Harry and Ginny spent a lot of the time together in Buckbeaks room just talking about the future. When Harry was alone with Ginny he seemed to forget that he was to be the savior of the wizarding world. The night before they left for Hogwarts, Harry hung the three letters Ginny had framed in his master bedroom. The next morning they all loaded back into the Ministry cars and went back to Hogwarts.