Another Year of Christmas Disasters

By SilverWolf7007

Three: Ten Lords

Hermione wasn't really surprised to find that Justin, Hannah and Susan had joined them in the Common Room by the time she awoke the next morning, nor was she surprised that Padma was also there - she hadn't stayed the year before (it had been the first Christmas she and Parvati had ever spent apart) and was looking a little nervous after hearing stories.

She was surprised to realise that it had taken her three days and Hannah's suspicious glower to realise that they were using the exact same palm tree from the year before and that the runespoor was still occupying it, but decided not to let it bother her.

It seemed as though that most of the group were eating gingerbread men (and women, which had been baked in a second batch at Ginny's request the previous evening) for breakfast. Part of Hermione cringed, but she was supposed to be in the rebellious teenager stage so instead of channelling her parents and scolding her friends she snatched up a few cookies and joined them.

"Has Harry gone back to bed?" she asked, mildly amused. It wouldn't have been the first time.

"No," Ron replied. He looked somewhat wary. "He left at some unhealthy hour of the morning and returned not long after I got up with his newest hostages, and then disappeared into the forest."

Hermione blinked in surprise. "The Forbidden Forest?"

Ron snorted. "No, the Tinselly Forest." He gestured to the corner of pine trees, which seemed to have grown to take up an entire quarter of the room since the day before and developed even more tinsel and sparkly baubles than it had started with.

"And he's been there ever since?"

"To be fair, it's only been about an hour," Susan pointed out. "Though I don't think I even want to think about what he could be doing in there."

"Nothing unsavoury, I swear!"

"I don't believe a word you say, Potter, ever!" Draco shouted back at the disembodied voice from the forest.

"Wise choice, perhaps," Luna's voice echoed out. Hermione blinked with the sudden realisation that the girl wasn't with them.

"That's harsh, Santa Luna," Harry said, his voice coming closer to them.

"Harsh, yes. True, also, Santa Harry."

"We're all doomed, aren't we?" Theodore murmured. "With the two of them working together, this is...this is going to be like Clancy all over again. Only for weeks instead of days."

The others collectively shuddered, aside from Padma who just frowned worriedly and began inching towards the portrait hole.

"Don't leave me," Parvati whimpered desperately.

Padma paused. "Ravenclaw might be safer," she said, sounding uncertain.

"It won't be safer if you run away to it," Draco snorted. "You really think anywhere is safe from the chaos that is Potter at Christmas?"

"Dumbledore's office?" she replied hopefully.

Recalling that Harry had, in fact, broken into Dumbledore's office the year before, the others just shook their heads sadly.

"Could we beg sanctuary from Snape?" she tried again, looking to the Slytherins.

Theodore and Blaise exchanged a glance, and Draco rolled his eyes. "No where, Patil."

"Oh, that's just disturbing," Harry said, voice quiet.

"It was your idea," Luna told him, stepping out of the forest and smoothing her short red skirt. "Now you must live with the mental trauma forever."

"At least I won't be alone in my suffering," Harry sighed, looking guilty.

Hermione froze at his words, and slowly let her eyes drift to where she could see movement behind him. For a moment, she thought it was the monkeys. Then she just wished it was.

There were ten of them, smaller than house elves and human shaped, for the most part. And they were playing leap frog.

That wasn't even the disturbing part.

"Harry." Ginny's voice was strangled. "Please tell me there aren't tiny Voldemorts playing leap frog in the forest."

Harry turned to watch his creation for a moment. "Okay, Ginny. There aren't tiny Voldemorts playing leap frog in the forest."

"Liar."

"Am not. They're pretty much clear of the trees."

"Sometimes, Harry, I hate you. The rest of the time I just laugh over how much you're going to be paying in therapy bills for all of us in the years to come."

Harry raised an eyebrow at her. "Yeah, I don't think that's exactly what my parents envisioned me using my fortune for."

"Parents no, but I bet Sirius expected it," she replied with a smirk. "I wouldn't be surprised if he left you an entire vault entitled 'therapy fund'."

He smiled. "How do you know he didn't?"

Uh, it's still Wednesday somewhere, right?

Wolfie kind of got distracted reading Criminal Minds fics, and has forgotten to do several things, including post this chapter, write anything much, wash dishes and make mint patty inside-ness for makeshift after dinner mints (which Wolfie is making for her mother's Christmas breakfast, go figure).

Speaking of which, Wolfie will be unable to post between now and...maybe Sunday. Hopefully. But possibly not till Monday. Wolfie's internet does not get coverage at her mother's house. If Wolfie is very, very lucky, she might be able to post one more chapter before she leaves, in maybe eight hours. But no promises.

But fear not, Wolfie will be writing dilligently during the weekend and will have plenty to post when she gets back.

Wolfie is now off to answer those reviews, finally.

Much love,

Wolfie