Chapter 35

The Christmas Company

THUD. Harry was awoken ridiculously early the next morning by a series of noises coming from the common room. Neither Ron, Neville, Seamus or Dean had awoken, and when Harry got a look at the time after putting on his glasses, he realized it was five thirty. "Bloody hell, what the…" he muttered, quietly sliding out of bed. Ron let out a grunting snore, but merely turned over, smacking his lips together and burying under his blankets.

Harry smirked, making his way into the hall, and towards the staircase. He peered down, finding Jess and Erin already up and dressed for the day. They were dragging enormous boxes into the common room, red-faced and panting from exertion. Fred and George stepped through the portrait hole behind the girls, carrying even more boxes.

"What are you doing?" Harry asked, as he rushed down the steps. Jess let out a cry of alarm, which startled George into dropping his box on his foot.

"OW!" he snapped. "Blimey, Harry, you scared the daylights out of us, mate!"

"Sorry we woke you," Erin apologized, still panting from the exercise.

"That's…okay," Harry told her. "What is all this?"

The four of them looked at each other awkwardly, and the twins gave Erin and Jess a nod, letting them know it was all right to tell Harry.

"It's wrapping paper, boxes, ribbon, cards..."

"We've created what we've called the Christmas Company," Erin added. "We're going to set up a table in the Great Hall so everyone can get their gifts wrapped before they leave for the holidays. We thought it would be something nice."

Harry smiled at them, shaking his head. So that's what had been going on between the girls and the Weasley twins over the past couple of weeks. "Did you guys just get this stuff?" he asked, and Jess shook her head.

"No," she replied. "We got it from Diagon Alley last week. Professor Lupin's been keeping watch over it for the past few days, but he told us yesterday that we had to come by and get it, because he could barely move anymore…he almost broke his leg tripping over one of the boxes." She gave Harry a sheepish grin. "So we er…we stopped by his office to get it early this morning, before anyone else got up and would notice."

"Ah." Harry wet his lips. "Do you need anymore help?"

George shook his head. "No, mate, thanks. I think we've got it all. We've trained these two well," he whispered, winking as the girls were trying to find a place in the common room to store the boxes so they wouldn't be too overly noticible. There were at least six boxes worth, and of different sizes.

"My invisibility cloak might help hide it somewhat," Harry suggested, and the girls stared at him.

"You've an invisibility cloak?" Jess cried. "Those are really rare, aren't they?"

"Supposedly," Harry agreed, "it belonged to my Dad."

"Besides," Harry looked at Fred and George. "I owe you one for that map."

The twins shook their heads, and smirked. "We were just sharing the wealth, Harry."

"Seriously, though, I wouldn't mind lending it to you until you guys have to set it up," Harry promised, and, after the girls agreed it would be a good idea, he tiptoed back to the dormitory to dig it out of his trunk. Once back downstairs, they covered the boxes as best as they could, and Erin threw her arms around Harry in a rib-crushing hug.

"You're wonderful, Harry," she exclaimed, and he blushed.

"Well, I…"

"All right, then," Fred broke in, checking his watch, and yawning. "Still has about two hours before we have to be up for classes, so we might as well nip back upstairs and get some shut-eye." They disappeared, and Jess and Erin looked at each other.

"We probably should, too," Jess agreed, and Erin smiled.

"I won't wake up," she laughed, "if I go back to sleep. But Harry, you should lay down again. We really are sorry for waking you."

Harry shook his head. "It's nothing," he promised, yawning. "Good luck with that." He looked at the staircase that led towards Hermione's dormitory, and wished he had the opportunity to go up…if only the spell hadn't been placed on the girl's stairwell keeping boys away. Hermione was allowed into his dormitory, because as a rule, it seemed that they were more trustworthy than boys.

"See you later," Jess and Erin told him in unison, making their way up the steps. Harry decided to sit down by the newly lit fire, watching as snow began to fall.

Much to the relief of Harry, Hermione, Ron and Lavender, the last week of school before the Christmas holiday break went by very quickly. On the morning of the last day, Jessica and Erin began to set up their area for the Christmas Company. They had boxes, gift bags, gift wrap, colorful tissue paper, ribbon and little gift cards lying in a neat fashion on one of the tables in the Great Hall. Professor Dumbledore was delighted when he found out about the company, and he brought all of his presents to the girls to have them wrapped.

"As you're the headmaster you get your wrapping done for free," Erin said sweetly when he came up to them at lunch time. Dumbledore chortled and placed a silver sickle into her hand.

"Nonsense. You two worked hard to set this up and you deserve a reward. Here is one for you as well." He handed a silver sickle to Jess too.

"Thank you!" she cried in delight.

The girls sat in the Great Hall for most of the afternoon, as no classes were being held. Random students came up to them and paid to have their presents wrapped. One person completely took them by surprise when he came up: Draco Malfoy. He held a tiny box in his hands and he bent down towards Erin, who was a little pale.

"I don't want the rest of my house to know that I'm allowing a couple of Gryffindor's wrap my present for me. So can you keep this a secret?" He asked hopefully. Erin nodded, accepting his silver sickle. Jess, grinning, reached underneath her chair and brought out a megaphone. She stood on top of the table and shouted:

"ATTENTION ALL STUDENTS! DRACO MALFOY IS LETTING TWO GRYFFINDORS WRAP HIS PRESENT!" She sat down and gave Malfoy an evil smile as the rest of the Great Hall burst into roars of laughter. Malfoy, much to her glee, looked horrified.

"I told you not to tell anyone!" Malfoy cried in disbelief.

Jess cackled "You told ERIN not to tell anyone. You didn't tell ME."

Malfoy scowled as he turned to Erin who was wrapping his gift in bright green paper. "Do you want silver ribbon?" Erin asked, knowing that the Slytherin colors were green and silver. Malfoy nodded, glaring again at Jess, who was writing down something in the account book for the Christmas Company. Lavender and Hermione came into the Great Hall together without the boys, which was unusual.

"AH HA!" Lavender cried out, storming over to her younger cousin. "I KNEW it. I KNEW you two were up to something!"

Jess stared. "Yeeeeah? Your point?"

"Where did you GET all of this?" Hermione asked in horror.

"We didn't steal it!" Erin promised. "We bought it!"

Lavender folded her arms. "Okay. Sure."

"Fine," Jess snapped. "Don't believe us." She stuck her tongue out before taking the next customer, Colin Creevey. Hermione stared at Lavender who rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Come on." She encouraged, and Hermione followed her over to their spot at the Gryffindor table. "Where are the boys anyway?"

Hermione shrugged. "I don't know. Harry told me he had to see Professor Lupin about something. Then he said after that he had to go to Dumbledore's office and that he'd join us later. Wonder what's up?"

Lavender shrugged as she took a sip from her goblet and glanced down at the Phantom of the Opera script she had placed in front of her. Hermione noticed that Lavender had highlighted all of her lines in a yellow marker. "Oh, this is so romantic!" She cleared her throat and pretended to gaze into Hermione's eyes. "Say you'll love me every waking moment…say you love me…and then Harry says, "You know I do." She sniggered. "It's so perfect for you two, seriously. And kind of fits the whole feel of Hogwarts, having some Phantom ghost popping in and out every now and again."

"I do think I read the original book," Hermione admitted. "It's a very tragic but romantic story at the same time. You're right, it does fit for Hogwarts." She sighed. "I think," Hermione began sadly, "that I am going to be on serious withdrawl without Harry during the holidays. I am so used to having him with me every day and every night and being able to know how he feels at every moment..or most anyway. I'm a little scared about letting him go for a few weeks."

Lavender put a hand on Hermione's shoulder. "You two have been through a lot together. But Sirius is there with him, and if something does happen I'm sure he'll let you know right away."

Hermione nodded. "He did when Harry had bronchitis this summer." She fought back a fresh flood of tears that threatened to fall down her cheeks. "I'm really gonna miss him."

Lavender pulled her friend into a hug, and Hermione finally found it in her to let her emotions out. "Shhhhh. It's okay." Lavender whispered. "It's only for two weeks."

Jessica and Erin noticed the two of them from their station and Erin frowned. "Wonder why Hermione's crying?" She thought aloud. Jess shrugged.

"I don't know. You don't think something happened to Harry that we don't know about, do you?"

"I doubt it. He seemed okay in the common room last night." Erin replied and she chewed on her lower lip nervously.

Hermione, meanwhile, let go of Lavender, wiping her eyes with the palms of her hands. "Sorry." She apologized, noticing the stain her tears had left on Lavender's shirt.

"That's okay. I know Harry's going to be fine. TRUST me, will you?"

Hermione nodded. "Yeah." She looked towards the door of the Great Hall, half-expecting to see Harry and Ron walking through it. 'What are they doing?' she thought to herself, taking a bite of a turkey sandwitch that sat on her plate in front of her. She, however, did not even notice it when they did enter about forty minutes later. Hermione was reading Lavender's script to get her mind off of her slight depression when she felt someone kiss the top of her head. Her eyes widened and she looked up to see Harry standing right behind her.

"Hi!" She cried in excitement, leaping up to throw her arms around him. "I was wondering what happened to you!"

Harry laughed as he hugged her back. "Sorry, Hermione, but I had something to take care of. Mind if I sit down?"

Lavender had gone to hug and kiss Ron and both of the girls rolled their eyes. "Do you HAVE to ask?" Lavender asked, pulling Ron down onto the seat beside hers. Harry wrapped his arm around Hermione's waist and whispered into her ear,

"I have a surprise for you tonight. I don't want you to go into the girls' dormitory until after dinner, okay?"

Hermione cocked her head to one side, very confused. "A surprise? For me?" She asked. "What is it?"

Lavender giggled. "Come on, Hermione. If he told you it wouldn't be a surprise of course!"

Hermione buried her face into Harry's chest. "I'm really going to miss you over the holidays." She whispered as he hugged her.

"I'll miss you too, love. But it'll only be two weeks, and then we'll be together again.

Ron and Lavender were giving each other strange looks, which soon brought them both to giggles, much to the annoyance of Harry and Hermione. Ron then noticed the stand Jess and Erin had set up at the very end of the Gryffindor table and grinned. "What's the Christmas Company?" he asked curiously.

Lavender rolled her eyes. "It's a present-wrapping company."

"Oh! Well, I should bring my stuff over there...I'm horrible at wrapping things myself!"

Lavender gave him an expression of disblief. "I'll be right back," Ron promised, kissing her quickly. "I have to get my gifts."

"K." Lavender sighed as he hurried back to the Gryffindor tower.

Later that day, Hermione and Harry sat in the common room just snuggling and dozing every now and then. Hermione wanted desparately to go up into the dormitory and get some of her schoolwork, but everytime she tried, Harry refused to let her. "Well can't you give me my surprise NOW? What difference would an hour make?" Hermione asked, annoyed.

"It makes all the difference," Harry replied mischeviously.

"You are so stubborn!" Hermione cried.

"Hermione.want to play a game of exploding snap?" Ginny Weasley asked, coming downstairs. Her face was a little pale as she turned to Harry, her eyes wide. Harry shook his head at her and mouthed

"Don't say anything!"

She nodded, suddenly grinning.

"Nah..I'm too comfortable just lying here and being lazy," Hermione replied. "What are you smiling about? You were just in the dormitory, weren't you?"

"No," Ginny squeaked. "I..I had to go to the bathroom."

"What's in there, Ginny?" asked Hermione.

"Don't you dare say a word, Ginny," Harry warned with a threatening glare.

"Ginny Weasley, I thought we were friends!" Hermione gasped.

"We are!" Ginny cried. "I just do not tell secrets!" She smiled. "Harry..can't you let her see it now? I can't stand the suspense either!"

Harry groaned inwardly and rubbed his hand over his face, looking out the common room window, and saw that it was already very dark. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt, Ginny. You've worn me down." He helped Hermione up and laughed as she jumped up and down, looking like a child with a parent.

"Im coming up with you," Harry told her with a grin.

Hermione chuckled. "Great! Let's hope it works. Come on then." She grabbed his hand and the two of them, including Ginny, hurried upstairs to the sixth-year dormitory. Hermione took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Her mouth fell open and her eyes bulged when she saw what sat on her bed: a beautiful silver cage. Inside of the cage perched a great gray owl, speckled with white dots every now and then. Crookshanks lay next to the cage, his great bushy tail swishing back and forth as he watched the intruder beside him.

"Harry," Hermione gasped, feeling a bit faint. "Is that..is that for ME?"

Harry nodded. "Merry Christmas, Hermione."

Hermione couldn't contain her excitement and leapt into Harry's arms, kissing him. "Thank you so much, Harry! I have always wanted an owl!" Then she frowned. "But at Hogwarts I thought students were only allowed to have one pet each," She sighed. "What shall I do with Crookshanks?"

Harry laughed, unlocking the cage and letting the new arrival perch on his hand.

"I've talked it over with Dumbledore," He replied, handing the owl to Hermione, who gratefully let it sit on her arm. "He said you could be the exception to that rule. You can have both Crookshanks and…"

Hermione looked at the owl with affection as it nipped playfully at her nose. "What shall I call it, Ginny?" she asked, smiling at Ron's little sister who was beaming.

"Is it a girl or a boy, Harry?" Ginny asked.

"It's a boy," Harry replied.

"So now Hedwig and whats-his-name can date, eh?" Hermione teased.

"Funny," Harry teased.

"A boy...hmm." Ginny thought to herself. She had named Ron's tiny owl Pigwigdeon, much to Ron's disgust. "Well, since owls are always out at night, and seen on occasion during the day, Phantom? After the title of the show?" She suggested with a shrug.

"Phantom"..Hermione giggled. " and Hedwig. Different, but I like it. Phantom it is then. What do you think?" She asked the owl, who hooted and ruffled its feathers. "I'll take that as a yes, then." She stroked it. Crookshanks let out a few mews, and pawed at Harry's cloak.

Harry chuckled. "Better not tell Malfoy that you named my girlfriend's owl after his character. Feeling left out, are you?" he asked, sitting down on Hermione's bed to scratch the cat behind its ears. Crookshanks closed his eyes and began purring immediately. "It's nice to be able to pet you again," Harry told the animal, turning to Hermione who was cooeing over her owl.

"Harry...thank you so so much. This is one of the best Christmas presents I've ever gotten." Hermione spoke again, and planted a kiss on Harry's lips. "You are so wonderful, do you know that?"

Harry blushed. "Well, I..."

"Of course he does," giggled Ginny. "He's just being modest."

"Wait, Harry. How did you manage to hide Phantom?" Hermione asked, sitting down beside her boyfriend, who was still stroking Crookshanks. "Where was he the whole time? And when did you get him anyway?"

Harry grinned. "Well, I gave money to Sirius about two months ago and had him get the owl for me. Then he brought it here, and I went to Professor Dumbledore to ask if he couldn't keep the owl there until Christmas, since I knew he was good with birds."

"Fawks." Hermione said with a smile. "Wow."

"Yep. I'm really glad you like him. He'll deliver your mail and everything...really useful."

REOW! Crookshanks let out a loud hiss and snapped at Harry's hand as though he had been severly insulted.

"He didn't mean it that way, Crooky." Hermione giggled, going over to stroke her cat. "You're very helpful but in other ways of course."

Crookshanks gave her a suspicious look and turned his tail towards Harry.

"I didn't mean to insult you," Harry laughed. The cat then turned to him and let out a low growl before settling back down on the bed again.

Hermione started laughing. "Sorry, Harry. He's pretty tempormental. Hey...I'm bringing Phantom downstairs to show everyone. Come on." She grabbed Harry's hand and brought the owl back to the common room, where the three of them were immediately surrounded by the other Gryffindors. Erin and Jess, who had finally returned rather wealthy from their little business, were so excited that Hermione now had an owl.

"What's his name?" Jess asked.

"Phantom," Hermione replied.

"I named him after the title of the musical," Ginny explained.

"How sweet!" cried Erin. "Harry, that was really wicked."

"Thanks." Harry laughed. "You're enjoying every minute of this, aren't you?" He asked the owl, who held its head very high and he could almost detect a slight smile on the creature's beak, if that was possible. "Don't forget that Hermione has another pet that also needs attention."

Phantom cocked his head and blinked his big yellow eyes at Harry.

"Come on...I'm starving," said Ron. "Let's go down and get some dinner."

"I have to bring him up to the owlery," said Hermione with a grin. "I'm afraid Crookshanks might eat him...what with all of this attention he's getting."

Harry nodded. "I'll come with you. We'll meet you guys later," he told Lavender and Ron.

"See you!" they cried, before dashing out through the portrait hole.