The Christmas Gift
The Christmas season was fast approaching at Hogwarts. The ghosts had gone on several rounds of caroling during class time and the Great Hall had been decorated for the festivities that lay ahead. Harry and Ron were sitting at the Gryffindor table, looking over the Daily Prophet when Hermione sat down.
"Let me see that," she said, nearly snatching it from Ron's hands. He just rolled his eyes and turned back to his breakfast. The girls' eyes scanned the front page.
"This is strange," she mumbled.
"What?" Harry and Ron asked in unison.
"The goblins at Gringotts have been re-interviewed about the alleged break in back at the start of term. They're still insisting that nothing was taken but the reporters are skeptical," she answered.
"What vault was it again?" Harry asked. Hermione read him the number and his eyes lit up.
"When Hagrid took me to Gringotts…we stopped at that vault. He said it was Hogwarts business," Harry whispered.
"So he took something?" Hermione hissed back and Harry nodded.
"I wonder what it was," She sighed.
"Must be something important if the Ministry seems all out of sorts about it," Ron said around a mouthful of biscuit.
"Maybe Hagrid can tell us what it was?" Hermione suggested.
"I don't know…he make it seem like it wasn't my business. I don't want to get him mad," Harry replied.
"I'm sure he wouldn't mind a visit," Hermione said with a shake of her head. They finished breakfast and headed off for the last day of classes for the term before the Christmas holidays. Harry sat down in potions and prayed that Snape wouldn't use him to make a spectacle of in class. Luckily, Snape left Harry alone for the whole of class. As the trio walked out, Harry couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief.
"That wasn't so bad," Hermione said.
"Yeah…I guess not," Harry agreed.
"I still say he's a greasy old git," Ron grumbled.
"Are you going home for Christmas?" Harry asked of both Hermione and Ron as they headed for Charms.
"No. I'm staying here. Mum is mailing our presents and all," Ron answered.
"I'm going home. I never miss Christmas with my family," Hermione replied.
"What about you?" she asked.
"I'm staying here too. I don't think the Dursleys would want me back. They were happy to be rid of me," Harry answered.
"Well I'm sure you will both have a pleasant Christmas," Hermione said as they reached the classroom and took their seats.
The rest of the day passed by and the trio headed out to Hagrid's hut after dinner. He opened the door when he saw them approaching, Fang bounding out to greet them.
"Fang get back here you crazy mutt," Hagrid called. The hound gave a loud 'woof' but obeyed, the three Gryffindors following the animal.
"What brings you three by this evening?" Hagrid asked.
Just wanted to come and say hello," Hermione replied.
"And ask you something," Ron added.
"Come in, come in," he said and they climbed up the stairs. The three managed to sit on one large stool at the table.
"Tea?" the half-giant offered. The trio nodded and Hagrid busied himself with the kettle over the fire. He poured the tea into three large tea mugs and pushed across the table.
"It might be a bit bitter," he warned before they took a sip each.
"So what did you need to talk to me about?" Hagrid asked once he'd situated himself in one of the other seats at the table.
"The article in the Prophet this morning," Hermione said, nudging Harry beneath the table.
"Which article?" Hagrid asked.
"The one about the Gringotts break in from September," Hermione replied.
"Err…what about it?" he mumbled. Hermione nudged Harry again in the skin.
"Do..do you know anything about what was taken?" Harry asked.
"Weren't nothing taken. Goblins said so," Hagrid denied. Harry swallowed.
"But Hagrid, I saw you take something from the vault," Harry mumbled.
"That's none of your business you three," Hagrid scolded.
"The Ministry seems up in arms over it," Hermione tried to protest.
'The Ministry doesn't know what it's talking about. Now don't you go snooping around about this anymore, you hear," he said sharply and stood up, bumping the table with his stomach.
"Yes," the replied in unison. With that, they got up and left. On their way back up to the castle, Hermione began to vent her frustrations.
"He's hiding something," she sighed.
"So what? You heard him. We can't go snooping around," Ron replied.
"He insulted the Ministry," she grumbled.
Harry just stayed silent. The following day, students moved with trunks out into the Entrance Hall and down to Hogsmeade Station to catch the train home for the Christmas holiday. Ron and Harry sat in the Great Hall playing a game of wizard's chess. Hermione walked up to them with her bags.
"Have a good Christmas," she said to both of them.
"You too," the boys replied as Ron's castle took out one of Harry's pawns.
"That's barbaric," Hermione scoffed.
"That's wizard's chess," Ron said with a smirk. With that Hermione headed off to join the rest of the students returning home.
"It's going to be empty with so many people gone," Harry sighed.
"Fred and George are still around. So is Percy," Ron told him as he ended the game.
"But it's Percy…how much fun can he be?" Harry laughed.
"Yeah…you're right," Ron snickered.
The rest of the day passed by uneventfully. The house tables were removed, leaving only one. The professors joined the few remaining students at the lone table. Harry looked up the table to see Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore in deep conversation.
"It's strange…to be eating at the same table," he whispered to Ron.
"Sort of," Ron conceded.
That night Harry lay in bed staring up at the canopy. He had never been away from home for Christmas. It wasn't necessarily a bad feeling. He really didn't enjoy spending any holiday with the Dursleys. They made it very unpleasant for him. He tried not to think too much about the coming morning. He wouldn't have any presents. He finally drifted off to sleep. The next thing he knew, Ron was shouting his name and shaking him.
"Harry, wake up!" Ron called.
"Huh?" Harry mumbled, rolling over and groping for his glasses.
"You've got to come see this," Ron said excitedly. Harry climbed out of bed and followed his friend down to the Common Room. They were one of very few Gryffindors who had stayed over for the holiday. There sitting under a small tree were several presents, addressed to Harry.
"I've…I've got presents?" Harry rasped.
"Yeah, come on and open them," Ron urged. Harry sat down and Ron handed him one present. It was then that Harry noticed the rather unattractive sweater Ron was wearing.
"Who gave you that?" he asked.
"Mum made it," Ron answered. He pointed at the package in Harry's hands.
"Looks like she made you one too," he added. Harry smiled. Even if it was unattractive it was a thoughtful gift and he would wear it. He got a few more gifts from the Weasleys before Ron noted a lone package beneath the tree.
'This one is for you too," Ron said. Harry picked it up and opened the envelope. He looked at the delicate writing. He didn't recognize it. It simply read; 'this belonged to your father. I think it's time you had it. Use it well'. It wasn't signed.
"Whose is from?" Ron asked.
"No name on it. It just says…'use it well'," Harry recited.
"Well go on and open it," Ron pressured.
Harry slid the ribbon off of the paper and slowly opened it. The paper dropped to the floor and Harry was left holding a cloak. He stood up and looked at it for a minute. It was a very light material and it looked rather expensive. Whomever had given it to him must have had good taste.
"Try it on," Ron urged. Harry swung the fabric around his body.
"How does it look?" Harry asked and by Ron's expression took it be not well. He glanced down to see his body had disappeared. He spun a full circle and began to panic.
"My body…what happened to my body?" Harry croaked.
"I…I think it's an Invisibility Cloak," Ron breathed, still in shock. He had heard of their existence but hadn't ever seen one. Harry managed to unwrap the material from around his body and heaved a sigh as his body returned to view.
"Wow…" Ron gasped and reached out ot touch it.
"You sure there was no name on the card?" Ron asked and Harry nodded. Ron picked it up just to be certain.
"You got lucky, Harry. These are really rare," Ron announced. Harry beamed from ear to ear. This had to be the best Christmas he'd ever had. The rest of the day was spent marveling over the cloak and sharing another meal with the teachers that had remained on grounds to supervise. Harry couldn't stop thinking about one part of the note from the mystery gift giver. The cloak had belonged to his father. He had something that belonged to his father…a real connection.