Disclaimer: I do not own Charmed, Harry Potter or any Tamora Pierce characters in this story.

Chapter Eight: The Eggcellent Christmas

Two months later, after the first task, and near Christmas, McGonagall summonded Harry and Paige to her office. They entered and sat. "Welcome Mr Potter and Miss Willows." she said. They grinned and took a Ginger Newt which she was offering. Paige nibbled in slow bites. "As you might not know, the next task is Fedruary 21st and you have to figure out your egg's clue. But, at Christmas, we have the Yule Ball. As champions, you have to open the ball with a waltz. Please make sure you find partners and if not, go together."

Paige looked at McGonagall. "Do we have to dance?" asked Harry, sounding horrer stricken. "Yes Potter. You have to. You are dismissed, both of you." she said. Paige looked at Harry and they left to find Ron and Hermione. They found them in Gryffindor Common Room, talking about the ball. "Hermione, who you going with?" asked Harry. Hermione blushed scarlet and mumbled. "With Ron." And she grabbed her belongings and ran upstairs. Ron was also scarlet. "At least you have a date, mate." said Harry. "Then who are you going with?" Harry looked at him and said. "I have someone in mind." Ron grinned and said. "It better not be Ginny or Cho." "Nah. I'm gunna ask her later." said Harry, reaching for his books and starting his homework.

Paige went up to her dorm and took her egg. Then, with her sparrows, she went down to the Black Lake. She had a hunch. She took off her cloak and robes till she was only wearing her school uniform. She tied back her hair and stuck the now opened, screeching egg into the water. Then, she stuck her head in after it. It erupted into song.

"Come seek us where our voices sound,

We cannot sing above the ground,

And while you're searching, ponder this:

We've taken what you'll sorely miss,

An hour long you'll have to look,

And to recover what we took,

But past an hour - the prospect's black

Too late, it's gone, it won't come back."

Paige pulled the egg shut and withdrew her head. She stowed the egg in her bag and put her robes back on. She cast a spell to produce hot air and dryed her wet hair. Then, fastening her cloak at her nexk, she left to research a way to get down the bottom of the lake.

Paige stood, facing the books, when she heard someone come up behind her. "Hello Paige." said Harry. She turned and grinned at him, seven books in her arms. "Woah ... what's with the books?" Paige went over to a table and explained. "I found out my egg's clue and am researching. I'd help you, but you know we're not allowed to help the other champions." Harry smiled and sat down next to her. "What about your normal work. You do every class and your extra training. How do you get through it all?" She smiled wearily and said. "Work hard."

Harry looked at her essay for Potions and then got out his work. Together, they studied until it was time for the library to close. Paige borrowed some books and returned the rest. Then, with some help from Harry, she packed up and they left to Gryffindor Tower. The Yule ball was next week and Paige still didn't have a date. Krum was going with Fleur and Fredrick was going with Elizabeth. Just Harry and Paige were left. Paige walked slowly, clutching her heavy bag when Harry stopped and asked. "Paige, do you ... want to go ... to the ... ball with me?"

Paige stopped and slowly turned to looked at the bright red Harry standing behind her. "Of course, I'd love to Harry." She put down her bag and hugged him. Harry grinned when they parted and grabbed Paige's bag. "Here, let me take it." Paige smiled and took her cloak and the egg from the bag. "Harry, have you solved your clue?" Harry shook his head and Paige decieded to give him a hint. "Well, if you want, try putting it in the water with you." Harry nodded and thanked her.

They were soon at Gryffindor Tower and they entered. "Hello Hermione." said Paige. Hermione was red in the face and looked flushed. Ron had gone running when they had entered. "Where's Ron?" asked Harry, putting Paige's bag on the tables. "He left pretty quickly." said Hermione, picking up her things. "Good Night." she said, leaving the common room for the girls dorm. Paige grinned at Harry and said. "You talk to Ron, I shall talk to Hermione. Good-Night Harry." she walked over and picked up her bag. Harry handed her her egg and kissed her. She blushed and walked up to the girls dorm. "Hermione, what's up?" said Paige entering the dorm.

Hermione blushed bright red and busied her self at her trunk. "Nothing ... nothing's going on." Paige walked over to her bed and threw her things on it. Then, she walked over to Hermione who was sitting on her bed. "Herm, something's up with Ron, isnt there. I mean, are you to hooking up?" Hermione blushed and Paige sat down on her bed. "Ummm ... yes ... but don't tell Harry. Ron want's to tell him." Hermione mumbled. Paige crossed her heart and said. "So, your going to the ball with him. Thats good. At least you have a date."

Hermione looked at Paige and asked. "Who are you going with, Paige?" Paige blushed scarlet and mumbled. "With Harry." Hermione grinned and said. "I knew it. All he talks about is you. Even before you knew each other, he was always talking about his penpal. He even hogged Ron's computer and I never got to do any research." Paige giggled and said. "Well, he told me that he loves me. He has even kissed me a couple of times." Hermione giggled and they both went to bed.

The next morning, Paige awoke to Hoshi pecking her face. "Geoffme.' she mumbled, sleep around her still. She sat up and Hoshi hooted doefully. "Hoshi, what's wrong?" Hoshi held out her leg. There was a scroll attached. Paige untied it. And read it. It said.

Dear Paige Willows,

Please reply to this message. I need you to meet me in the forbidden forest on Christmas night. This is urgent.

From a friend.

Hoshi didnt move and she hooted again. Paige looked at her wing, which was all bent. "Hoshi, your hurt!" she exclaimed. "Hermione, wake up. My owl's hurt." Hermione opened her eyes and looked over. "Hello Hoshi. Her wing, whats wrong?" said Hermione, sleepily. "I dunno, she just woke me up. I think she's been attacked." Paige got up and clipped on her cloak. "I'm going to find Hagrid. Cya later Herm." Hermione grumbled and turned over in her sleep.

With her owl on her shoulder, Paige walked out of the dorm into the Common Room. She saw someone sitting on the couch. "Hello?" she said, softly. Harry turned. "Hello Paige. What's up." Paige walked over, Hoshi hooting in pain and said. "Hoshi's been attacked. I'm going to find Hagrid. Wanna come with me?" Harry yawned and said. "Sure. I need to ask Hagrid something anyway." Harry got up, stretched and took Paige's hand. Together, they walked out of the Tower and down to the grounds. They talked every now and then.

"Harry, what were you doing in the Common Room?" asked Paige, as they neared Hagrid's hut. Harry looked down and answered. "I found out about Ron and Hermione. I had a fight with Ron and decieded to sleep in the Common Room." Paige looked at him. "Hermione told me about it. She said, they were going to tell you soon." she said. Harry grumbled and they walked up to Hagrid's door.

Paige knocked on the heavy oak door and a hairy head stuck out. "Hello Hagrid." said Paige, grinning. Hagrid withdrew his head and opened the door. They entered and sat. "Lo." said the grumbly voice of Hagrid. "Hagrid, can you have a look at Hoshi. She turned up this morning and her wings all bent and funny." Hagrid took Hoshi and said. "She's been 'ttacked. Don't worry, I'll fix 'er." Paige thanked Hagrid and left with Harry, forgetting the message she had recieved.

One Week later, it was Christmas morning. Paige awoke and looked at the end of her bed. "Woah." she had a huge pile of prezzies. She scrambled to the end and Hermione woke up. Paige's sparrow, Tamora liked Hermione. Tamora settled on Hermione's shoulder and Hermione grinned. "Tamora seems attached to me, doesn't she Paige." Paige grinned and started opening her presents.

When she finished she looked at her gifts. There was a new glaive from her mother and father, a bag of Dungbombs from Peter, a necklace from Harry with a diamond heart locket on it, a book on Yamani Gifts and controlling them from Hermione, a big box of toffee from Hagrid, some sweets from her aunt, uncle and cousins, a bottle of perfume from Ron, a broomstick from her sister, Rita, a bag of dragon dung from the triplets, which Paige threw out the window, a package from Mrs Weasley which had a assortment of pasties and a pale blue jumper with a dark blue 'P' on it and a book on the WildMage from her friends, Daine and Numair. Paige looked at these gifts and smiled. Then, she picked up the last one. It was a long thin brown package with red writing saying. 'Handle With Care.' Paige set this gift onto her bed and looked for a note. She found a note and read.

Dear Miss Willows,

I had this made for you. I hope you can take up Knight training. I would be happy for you to be my Squire. I hope you like your gift. It is just for you.

Lady Knight Alanna and your DADA teacher.

Paige tossed the note aside and carefully tore open the gift. It was a sword. It had an engraving that read. "Kill or be killed." Paige picked it up and felt the sword's weight. It was perfect. She drew it up near her head and brought it down fast. "Wooooosh!" it went. "Wow. Thats nice Paige." said Hermione. "Who sent that?" Paige put the sword down on her bed and said. "Lady Alanna. She want's me to take up my Knight training. After Hogwarts, when I'm 17, I'll take up my course." Hermione smiled and said. "Look what Ron got me."

Paige walked over and looked at the ring. It read. "Me-2-U." Paige looked at it and said. "Lovely. He must love you Hermione. Harry got me a necklace with a diamond heart locket." Paige walked over to her bed and put it on. Then she showed Hermione. "Does it open?" she asked. Paige looked for the clasp and opened it. Inside was a picture of Harry and a picture of herself. "How cute." said Hermione.

Then, they both dressed, Hermione putting on her ring and went into the boys dorm. They entered to see harry talking with Ron. Crookshanks, Hermione's cat was on Ron's bed and Ron was absently stroking him. "Hello you two." said Hermione, Paige followling her. Hermione sat down next to Ron and gave Crookshanks a pat. He meowed happily. Ron grinned at Hermione who looked at his maroon jumper with a 'R'. "Nice jumper Ron, your Mum made it right." Ron nodded and said. "Did you get one? I asked Mum to send you both one."

Hermione nodded and as did Paige, who was now seated on Harry bed. Harry was still going through his gifts. "Hmm ... where is it ..." he murmered quietly. "Where's what, mate." said Ron as Harry ducked under into his presents. "Sirus's gift. I had it just now and I dropped it, when the girls came in." Paige looked down at the floor. "Is this it, Harry?" she asked, holding a small, bulky package. "Yes! Thanks, Paige." he said, grinning at her. Ron and Hermione were talking quietly and holding hands. Paige looked over Harry's shoulder at his present from Sirus Black, his godfather. He read a note and passed it to Paige to read. It said.

Harry -

I hope you like your gift. There is a knife which will undo any knot and unlock any lock and a mirror. If you say my name into the mirror, we can talk to each other with out writing. At the end of the 2nd task, I'll send you the other one and you can have it to use as you please. Your father and I used to use them when we were in seperate dentitions.

- Sirus

Paige put aside the note and looked over Harry's shoulder. He had just unwrapped the gifts. There was the knife and a mirror. Suddenly, the mirror swelled and they both saw two men looking right at them. "Hello Sirus." said Harry to the mirror. Ron and Hermione came over and squeezed into view of the mirror. "Hello Ron, Hermione. Harry, whos the other girl?"

Paige looked into the mirror and said. "I'm Paige Willows, I'm Harry, Ron and Hermione's friend." Sirus smiled at her and continued. "Do you like your gifts Harry?" he asked. Harry grinned and said. "There great. Now, I can talk to you in well person rather than the fire and letters." Paige watched as Harry told Sirus about the first task and what he had been up to. At least he didn't say about the kissing. Paige smiled and then Harry bid Sirus good bye and together, they headed down to brunch.

Later, that day, Harry, Ron, Ginny, Neville, Luna, Hermione and Paige were having a snow ball fight. There was two hours until the ball, and most girls were already getting ready. Hermione stopped and got hit with a snow ball from Ron. She laughed and tackled him. He tickled her back and they fell into the snow laughing. Neville was going to the ball with Luna and Ginny was going with Anders. Ginny and Luna also stopped playing and left with Hermione. Neville, Ron and Harry started pelting Paige with snow balls and she laughed. "Stop! Guys Please!"

She fell and the boys started tickling her. Neville left with Ron and Harry kept tickling Paige. She laughed. "Stop Harry! I'll pee on you!" Harry jumped off like a bullet and Paige stood. She brushed snow off and said. "Too bad, heres comes the hand of tickle." Harry laughed and ran into a bush. Paige followled and tickled him. "Paige!" he said. Paige crept deeper into the bush and was in the middle. It was like a cave. She sat down. "Harry?" Harry appeared and tackled her. He pushed her to the ground and tickled her. "Harry!" she giggled. "Stop!" Harry stopped and sat on her. Then, he kissed her. After almost a minute, they parted and Harry bolted out of the bush into the castle. Paige crept slowly out and sat at the base of it. She thought about Harry. Then, Paige stood, brushing the snow off herself and headed to her dorm to prepare herself for the Yule Ball.