Let's Go Hunting For a Christmas Tree, Dear
Summary: It's time to go searching for a Christmas Tree. Join Harry, Lily, James, Sirius, and Hestia on this journey. Christmas preparations are in full swing.
Harry did a double-take when he looked at the calendar. The last weekend of November was this coming weekend. It was time to go shopping for a Christmas tree.
"God no," Harry groaned. "How can it be the last weekend of November?"
"What's wrong?" Ron inquired.
Harry sighed, letting his head fall forward, hitting the stone wall with a light thump.
"Ron, what does my family do every last Saturday of November? I'll give you a hint: we put presents under it."
"Oh," Ron murmured.
Neville looked between his two best friends, confused. "What's the problem?"
"Christmas tree hunt," Harry growled. "Every year, we go on a hunt for a Christmas tree. We go to the same place every year. Every year it's the same thing. Mum can't decide on a height. Dad picks trees that are half dead. When Dad finally finds an alive-looking tree, Mum doesn't like it. It's because it's not full. Or there are too many needles falling off. By the tenth or even the twentieth tree, they find one. One year, we went to another tree lot and found a tree after looking at ten."
Harry sighed, sitting up. "There's no use thinking that this year will be different. It never is."
Ron shook his head. "Dad goes to the woods near the Burrow and cuts down one."
Neville added, "Gran's trees come from the forest behind the house."
Harry stood up, stretching. "Well, this year will be different. Sirius and Hestia will be joining us."
"That would be nice," Neville commented. "Maybe someone else can give Lily an opinion."
"If you think picking out a tree is bad, you should see them decorate it. They row over the lights. Should we put on tat or garland this year? What color ornaments? I think the star is crooked. When it's all said and done, they comment on how good the tree looks and how they picked a good one this year."
Harry sat on his bed, letting himself fall back.
"What comes after decorating?" Neville asked curiously.
"Mum makes a list for Dad. Well, she makes two. One's a shopping list, and the other is a to-do list. The to-do list has some tasks Mum wants to be done, including watering the tree. He forgot one year. Mum came home to a dead tree." Harry stopped as he started laughing. "She was so mad she didn't speak to Dad until he came home with a new tree from the garden centre."
"Where do you go to get your tree?"Ron inquired.
"Wilderness Woods. Mum went there when she was growing up."
They left the dorm to head down to the Great Hall for dinner. As they walked down, Ron asked Harry if he could help him figure out something to get Hermione for Christmas.
"Mum has catalogs for the shops in the village. If you want, I can get them. I need to figure out something for Gin."
Upon entering the Great Hall, Ron and Harry found Hermione sitting at their usual spot at the Gryffindor table. She looked up as they approached. Ron leaned over, kissing her cheek.
"Hello, my love," He greeted.
"Hi darling," She returned.
A voice from behind asked, "Are you quite done?"
Harry turned to find his girlfriend. He smiled, pulling her down for a kiss.
"Hello, beautiful."
"Hi, handsome. How was your day?" She asked as she sat down beside him.
As they began to discuss their day, Sirius and Remus walked in. Sirius stopped when he stood behind Harry.
"Sirius, don't think about it," Harry warned.
"I was just stopping to ask if you know what this weekend is."
"Yes, I know what this weekend is. I'm waiting for Mum to give me further instructions."
When Sirius left, Harry explained to Ginny about that weekend. He would be leaving Friday evening and returning Sunday evening.
"Christmas tree hunt?" She guessed.
"Yeah."
"That's fine. Kendall wants to have a girls' weekend."
Lily had waited until after dinner to approach Harry to tell him the plans for the weekend. She caught up with him and Ginny on their way to her quarters.
"Hello, you two," She greeted.
"Hi, Mum."
"Hi, Lily. I'm only coming because I need to ask you something."
"That's okay, honey. Harry, you do remember what this weekend is?"
"Yes, I do. What time are we leaving tomorrow?"
"After your last class."
They made it to Lily's quarters, walking into the sitting room. Ginny sat down on the armchair as Harry headed to his room in Lily's quarters to get the coat he had left when he was down the day before.
"While Harry's out of the room, I'll ask you what I came down here for," Ginny began. "I don't know what to get him for Christmas."
Lily smiled knowingly. "Well, I think anything Quidditch or Defense related would be a safe idea. He would love anything because it came from you. He's easy to shop for, Ginny. He's happy with anything."
"It's just," Ginny trailed off. "This is our first Christmas together. I don't know what I could get him."
"Ginny, he wouldn't care if you made something for him. Or buy something simple like a pair of gloves," Lily added.
"I know," Ginny murmured.
Harry walked back into the sitting room with his coat and a stack of catalogs in his arms.
"Are you and Ron planning for Christmas?" Lily asked, eyeing the stack.
"He needs some ideas for Hermione. I'll bring them back when I come down here tomorrow."
"That's alright, take all the time you need. We'll leave here at about five. Sirius and Hestia are coming over for dinner. I don't know if I'll cook or we'll order takeaway."
"Alright, see you tomorrow, Mum."
Once they left Lily's quarters, Harry took Ginny's hand. Together, they walked back to Gryffindor tower.
"Is it going to be a long weekend?" Ginny asked.
Harry didn't need to think twice about it. "Very."
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Sirius burst into Harry's room on Saturday morning at eight o'clock.
"Wake up! We're going to get a Christmas tree!"
Harry picked up his pillow, laying it over his head. "It's too early for this."
Sirius approached the bed pulling off the quilt. He then reached around Harry's waist pulling the teen up.
"Come on, kiddo. Your Mum has breakfast ready."
Sirius left the bedroom. Harry laid back down, pulling the blanket over him. James came in five minutes later.
"Harry, Mum's got breakfast ready."
Sighing, Harry sat up. He rubbed his eyes as he reached for his glasses. He stood up, stretching, as he shuffled to the door.
He headed down the stairs, yawning as he headed towards the kitchen. Sirius was sitting at the table with Hestia.
"Good morning, Sweetheart," Lily greeted.
"Morning, Harry," Hestia said as she poured coffee into a cup. She picked up the cup, sitting it in front of Sirius.
"What time are we leaving?" Harry asked as he picked up a cup of tea.
"I thought we'd leave here around ten. It takes an hour and a half to get to Wilderness Woods."
"That would put us getting there before noon, so we'll be able to get some lunch before we start looking for a tree." Lily sat down a plate of food in front of James and Harry. "Did you put petrol in the Range?" She directed the question to James.
"Yes. I put the rack on the top as well."
While they ate, Harry told Hestia how the Defense club was doing. She wanted to come and observe a session. Her work schedule hadn't allowed her to make it up to Scotland.
"He's done a great job teaching. He's a natural," Sirius boasted.
"I wouldn't say that," Harry murmured, poking a fork into his eggs.
James picked up his coffee cup, hiding a smile behind it. Harry had always deflected any attention away from himself. He wasn't one to be the center of attention, but teaching the other students in Defense had gotten Harry a little out of his comfort zone.
"Have you thought about teaching as a career?" Hestia asked before taking a bite of toast.
"I haven't given it much thought. I have until after the Easter holidays, right?"
"Right," Lily confirmed. "You don't have to make a decision then either."
"Any idea of what you would want for Christmas?" James asked.
"I've been trying to figure out what to get Gin that I completely forgot about myself."
"Got any ideas?" Sirius inquired.
"Nope," Harry replied. "I looked over the catalogs, and nothing stood out. I left them for Ron to look over. He needs an idea for Hermione, and I don't think he wants a repeat of her birthday."
"What happened?" Hestia asked.
"He almost forgot her birthday. He had looked at the calendar and saw it was the following week. He had nothing. Mum was going to Hogsmeade. She asked me if I wanted to go. I decided I would go for the heck of it. Ron asked me to get something for Hermione for him. I took the mirror with me. Ron has the other one. Mum led me to a shop in the village she knew would work. Over the mirrors, I described anything Mum or I thought Hermione would like. Just when we were about to go to the last thing in the shop, he asked if he could see the earrings I was last describing. He said to get them. He hugged me when I came back to the dorm and said I could kiss you before taking the bag and wrapping it."
"I say he wouldn't want a repeat of that. Hogsmeade weekend is coming up. You lot would be home a little bit before Christmas. But Diagon Alley is so crowded leading up to Christmas," James noted.
"That's why I go early and then head into London," Lily added. "I told Harry a week ago when we started talking about Christmas that if it comes to it, I'll take a Saturday off. We'll head into London together. Then go shopping for Ginny's present."
Harry finished breakfast, taking his plate and glass to the sink. He kissed Lily's cheek before heading upstairs.
As he was pulling his shirt over his head, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
James opened the door, closing it behind him. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"
"Sure," Harry murmured.
James walked over, sitting down in the armchair. "I know your Mum is coming back next weekend to go shopping, but I was wondering if you would come with her. I thought we'd go like old times and go shopping for Mum."
"Have breakfast at the diner?"
"I did say like old times, and that is part of it," James said, smirking. "We can meet Mum somewhere in London so you can shop for Ginny."
"That would work. Hogsmeade is coming up the next weekend. Then we'll have another one the Saturday before we come home."
"Good. So we have a plan. We'll talk more when it gets closer."
James was heading back to his room when Harry stopped him.
"What did you do for Mum for your first Christmas together?"
James turned around, smiling softly.
"I went overboard," James admitted. "I bought her those diamond earrings she wears for the Ministry functions. I got her a stocking and filled it with anything I thought she would like. Perfume, candy, bubble bath, anything I thought she would like."
"The thing is, Dad. Ginny isn't like Mum. I don't want to get her."
James stood up, patting Harry's shoulder. "If you need my help, let me know. We'll leave here in about half-hour."
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Lily had forgotten how peaceful the drive was to Wilderness Woods. It was a nice drive, even with the faint sounds of Guns N Rose's Welcome to the Jungle from the backseat. Harry had found his Walkman and had brought it along with him.
"While Harry's occupied," Lily said, glancing back. "Have you thought of anything?"
"Not really."
"I know he could use some clothes. Jeans and jumpers, primarily." Lily glanced back. "I also thought about getting him some new books."
"Puddlemere's seeker has a biography coming out. So there's an idea. You can get it or pass it on to someone else."
"I might tell Ginny about that. She asked me for ideas for Harry when they came down to my quarters."
"What about boots?" James asked as he switched lanes.
"He could use a new pair," Lily noted.
James glanced back at Harry. He was looking out the window, listening to music. "I do have a few ideas myself. I thought I'd upgrade the Walkman to the CD player and get him some CDs. I need to know what tapes he has."
"What he has is on the rack in his room." Lily glanced out the window. "What about you? Anything you would like for Christmas?"
James sighed. "Well, I can't think of anything, but I guess….."
"If I see something I thought you would like," Lily finished.
James turned when right he came to the sign for Wilderness Woods. He looked back behind him to see Sirius's Land Rover behind him. It didn't take them very long to find a parking space close to the entrance. James often was the one who carried the tree out to the car and didn't want to carry it far.
"Loo first?" Lily asked.
"I need to use the loo," James replied.
"Harry?"
"That's where I'm heading."
They headed to the restrooms before heading into the vendor area and onto the tree lot. Sirius was the first done, with Harry following a minute later.
"Put a smile on your face. We're going to get a Christmas tree!" Sirius exclaimed.
"You're not going to spend an hour and a half hearing, 'I measured twice, Lily. Seven-foot is as tall as we could go.' 'Mum says something about, 'As long as it's better than the one we got last year.' Then when we get there, all bets are off." In imitations of parents' voices, he said, 'I don't like that one, James. I like this one.' 'What about this one? It's full, tall enough, and…..' 'There's a hole there, James' 'I like this one.' 'Lily, you've liked the other seven we've looked at.' 'What about this one?' 'I pick this one.' 'Let's just get both!'
Sirius shook in silent laughter as Hestia approached them.
"I was thinking six-foot, about your height." She reached over, pulling Harry to her side. "Did you have a nap on the way here?"
"No. But I might take one when we go home."
"Did you take the potion?" She whispered. Harry nodded.
Harry got motion sick on road trips. It wasn't too bad as long as they were on a straight road, but sometimes it tricked James and Lily, and they would end up having to pull over for Harry to throw up or clean up throw up.
James called, "Come on, Harry."
Harry followed his parents and godparents towards the tree lot. The tree lot was huge, Christmas trees as far as the eye could see, all different sizes and shapes.
"And so it begins," Harry murmured as he followed his parents towards the seven-foot trees.
"Wouldn't that be a little big?" Lily asked.
"It's going in the family room. The ceilings are high. I think seven-foot would be the right height."
"I'm not so sure."
Harry sighed, closing his eyes slowly. "It's going to be a long day."
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Harry's predictions on how long it would take James and Lily to start arguing came true. He had guessed it within the first ten minutes they entered the tree lot.
It was five minutes.
After James won Lily over when she agreed to get a taller tree this year, that didn't mean they didn't argue. They argued over every tree they had looked at in the lot. Every. Single. Tree.
Harry didn't say much unless James or Lily asked his thoughts. The only reason he liked coming here was for the pizza. He always got it for lunch when they came. Then there was the hot chocolate they would get when they finished in the tree lot. They planned on having lunch first, but the restaurant wasn't open yet.
"What about this one?"
"James, it's dead on one side. Put it back."
James put it back only to come back with another one that looked worse.
"Are you picking the half-dead trees on purpose? No, put that back."
James sighed, putting the tree back. He came over with another one. This one looked alive on all sides, but Lily saw one little problem.
"Look at how many needles are falling off." She took a step closer to get a better look. "It's so dry it would die in a few days."
Harry sighed, noticing he could see his breath. He felt cold, and he was getting hungry. He hoped Lily would pick a tree soon.
"What about that one?" Lily asked.
James walked over to where Lily was pointing, pulling out a tree. "Well?"
"No, it's not as full as I want it to be."
Harry could tell that James was getting frustrated. They had been looking for forty-five minutes. They had yet to find a tree.
James pulled out three trees, only for Lily to find something wrong with each of them. One wasn't full enough, another looked dry, and the third would have been perfect. But a section of the tree was missing.
"Let's look at these over here," Lily said, pointing to ones nearby.
As they approached the next group of trees, Harry saw a fallen log they had turned into a bench. He walked over to sit down.
"Where are you going?" Lily asked.
Harry turned at her voice. "Over here to sit down."
Harry turned around, walking over to the log bench. He sat down on it, propping his head on his upturned palm.
"How many have they gone through?" Sirius asked, sitting down beside them.
"Eighteen," Harry sighed.
"I like this one."
Harry's head shot up. "What, Mum has finally found a tree?"
Sirius snorted. "We found ours. They took it to put the tree condom on it."
"Is that what they call them?"
"I don't know, Pup."
James came over, carrying the tree. "Forty-five minutes."
"And twenty trees," Harry added. "Where to now?"
"Let's go look in the markets?" Lily suggested coming up behind Harry. "We need a new stand."
Harry followed his parents, grabbing the trunk of the tree. James carried it towards where they put on the tree condom. They left it at a spot near the exit. They would collect it before they left.
"Who's ready for hot chocolate?" Lily asked.
"I think everyone is," Hestia commented. "It's so cold."
She approached her godson, pulling an arm around his shoulder.
"Having fun?" She asked.
"I'm cold, tired, and hungry," Harry replied. "Forty-five minutes. It took Mum forty-five minutes to pick a bloody tree."
Hestia chuckled.
"I'm ready for hot chocolate. Let's get some, go look around the market, and then we'll get lunch," James suggested.
"Agreed. If I can't find a stand, we'll stop at the garden centre on the way home."
Harry sighed when Lily made that announcement. "And there will be another argument," he whispered.
They walked towards the market, looking at the different booths. James and Lily seemed to be in a happier mood now. Harry knew it wouldn't last. They would start arguing again when they looked at tree stands and when they would decorate the tree later.
"Harry?"
"What?"
"Are you getting hungry?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, we don't see any stands that would work for the tree. We'll stop at the garden centre when we are close to home. Let's head to the food."
Harry didn't need to guess what everyone was going to order. He, Sirius, and James got pizza while Lily and Hestia ordered beans on toast. They stopped at the restrooms and headed to where they sold the food.
James came over to the table with three bottles of Coke while Lily and Hestia got another hot chocolate. Hestia and Lily sat at a separate table from the men. Meaning they were going to have a private conversation. Their tables were close together to allow them to talk.
"What are you getting, Mum?" Harry asked.
Harry's question made James pause. "I was thinking about a new set of lingerie."
Harry gagged. "Dad."
"Kidding, I don't know what I'm getting Mum, maybe clothes or….."
"She mentioned something to Hestia the other day about a pair of earrings she had seen in a catalog."
"I think I know the ones." Turning to his son, he asked. "What are you getting, Mum?"
"I don't know," Harry admitted.
They paused their conversation when their food arrived. As they began to eat, Lily decided now was the perfect time to discuss a schedule for Christmas.
"I know we have St. Mungo's Christmas party. Then the Aurors' Christmas party. I figured we could get together on Christmas Eve."
"What about Christmas Day?" James suggested.
"Well, we have Christmas with the Weasleys to consider. I haven't spoken to Molly about when we would get together." She turned her attention to her son. "Ginny is welcome to join us for our family Christmas."
"I'll talk to her about it. I know she'll need to talk to Molly."
"What about Boxing Day?" Sirius asked.
"That's remaining the same. We're going to have turkey and stuffing for Christmas dinner."
"Please make your stuffing balls," Sirius requested.
"I second that," Harry replied.
"I was going to make them."
Harry was the first to finish with lunch, Sirius coming in second. They took their rubbish to the bin.
"Are we ready to head home?" James asked.
"We are."
They collected the tree before they left to head to the car. James carried one end while Harry took the other.
James got their tree on the rack and went to help Sirius carry his tree. Hestia and Lily followed, talking.
Sirius helped James and Harry put their tree in the rack on top of the Range Rover, tying it to the car. In turn, James and Harry helped Sirius secure his and Hestia's tree to his car.
James looked back in the rearview mirror as they pulled out of the tree lot. He pecked Lily on the shoulder. When she looked at him, he pointed to the back.
"I gave him another dose of motion sickness potion."
James nodded. "Let's go home, Lily."
When they reached the main road, James turned left, heading home to Potter's Bar. Lily happily sighed as James turned on the radio. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year began to play on low.
It was the most wonderful time of the year.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Harry sat on the floor as James and Lily put on the lights. So far, they had argued about the position of the tree. Was the tree straight or not? Then they argued over how they should sting the tree's lights.
Harry untangled them as they went.
Lily reached down, scratching his head. "You've been awful quiet."
"Just letting you two have your discussions."
James snorted. "I wouldn't call them that."
Once the lights went on the tree, the ornaments went on.
"I remember when you were little, you would put the star on the top." James smiled at the memories of the years he lifted Harry to put the star on the top of the tree.
"You couldn't lift me now," Harry commented.
"Well, not without the lightweight charm," James added.
Lily picked up a box of ornaments James had bought her for their first Christmas in their house. They were exactly like the ones her mother used to have. They looked like disco balls and were silver. Lily had said she wanted them for her tree one day, but her parent's house was burned down by Death Eaters, killing her parents. She did have pictures of them on the tree. James used them when he went shopping for them.
He found them in a vintage shop in London. Lily cried when she opened the box.
Along with the ones Harry made in primary school, they were most precious to her.
"So we had Chinese last night, we had pizza for lunch, and you had beans on toast. With that said, what are we having for supper?" James asked.
Lily snorted.
"I thought we would get Mexican. How do tacos sound?"
"Good to me. Harry?"
"Sounds good to me."
When they finished decorating the tree, James turned off the lights in the family room. Lily smiled as she looked over the tree.
"You know I'm happy we went taller. It fits the space better, I think."
"It does," James agreed.
They looked at the tree in silence as Lily to took pictures of the finished tree. James turned the lights back so Lily could get pictures of the tree with the lights on.
Lily sighed. "How is it possible we're getting ready for Christmas already?"
"I know. It will be 1996 before we turn around. Speaking of, did you want to do anything for New Year?"
Lily glanced at her husband, smiling knowingly. "I'll think about it."
"So now the shopping begins," James said.
"Can we not go overboard this year?" Lily requested.
"I can try," James murmured.
Harry snorted. "I would like to see that."
James reached over, cuffing the back of Harry's head. "So, next weekend we'll go shopping. Is there anything I need to pick up for Christmas when I go to the shop again, Flower?"
"I'll make you a list of everything I need. Just mark off what you buy, so I know what's left I need."
James nodded, mock saluting her.
"What time are we going back tomorrow?" Harry asked.
"Evening. I thought we'd spend the day with Dad in Potter's Bar."
Harry nodded before heading up to his room to hang out before James went to pick up supper.
All Harry wanted was to make sure his and Ginny's first Christmas together was a great one. He was going to make sure it was.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
When Harry walked into the fifth-year boys' dorm, his dorm mates were sitting around on their beds talking. The conversation paused when he walked in, continuing when they realized it was him.
"Hey, how was your weekend?" Neville asked.
"Fine," Harry said, taking the Butterbeer Seamus offered him. "Do I want to know?"
"No," Seamus replied.
To the amusement of the other boys, Harry uncorked the bottle, taking a big drink of Butterbeer before he headed to his bed.
"How did it go this year?" Neville inquired.
"Forty-five minutes and twenty. Count them, twenty trees."
"Did they find one?" Ron asked.
"Yeah." Harry climbed onto his bed. "Anything happened while I was gone?"
Ron tossed him a catalog. "Page six, bottom left corner. What do you think?"
Harry turned to page six, looking in the bottom left corner. "I don't know. Lavender isn't really my color."
"For Hermione, you git."
"Oh." Harry looked at the jumper. It was a pullover with a cowl neck. "The color would suit her. I can see her wearing it. What's the problem?"
"He doesn't think Hermione will like it," Neville explained as he walked to the loo.
Ron threw his pillow at Neville. He dodged it.
"Ha-ha. You missed me." The door to the loo closed.
Harry leaned over, picking up Ron's pillow. He threw it back at him.
"In all seriousness, Ron. I think Hermione would like it."
He handed Ron back the catalog. "It's cheaper to pick it up in the shop. Would your Mum care if I hold on to this until I get the jumper?"
"No," Harry replied. Neville stepped out of the loo.
"Harry, I need help with something for James. Could you help me?"
Harry nodded. "Mum and I made a list of what we plan on getting Dad. I'll give you a couple of mine. Dad's easy. Anything about pranks or Quidditch-related, he'll like it."
"What about Transfiguration?" Ron asked.
"That too," Harry added.
Ron picked up a catalog, handing it to Harry. He had dog-eared a page. Harry opened it to a bottle of perfume.
"Ginny's friend, the prissy one," Ron said.
"Kendall," Harry supplied.
"She gave Ginny a bottle last year to wear to the ball. She gave it to Ginny because she didn't care for it. She's about out."
Harry looked at the page before turning the catalog to the front. He knew this shop was a Muggle shop. There was one in London. He would need to get this with either James or Lily.
Most likely, it would be James.
"Is that a Muggle shop?"
"Yeah," Harry replied. "I think Mum is going home to go shopping if she can get away this weekend. Either way, Dad and I made plans to go shopping for Mum's presents Saturday. He plans on getting Mum a new bottle of the perfume she wears."
"Can you…?"
"Pick up a bottle of Hermione's perfume for you? Yes."
"Thank you." Ron leaped off the bed, pulling Harry into a hug.
"You're welcome."
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Ginny spent the weekend while Harry was gone looking at catalogs and knitting. She decided to make a scarf as part of Harry's Christmas present from her. She had planned it even before asking Lily for ideas of what to get Harry.
She had owled Molly on Wednesday, asking if she could send her some yawn. Molly added it to a care package she was sending Ginny.
This yawn is what I had left from making Harry's jumper. I thought it would match it nicely.
The yawn was navy blue.
She had a bit of yellow left from knitting Luna a beanie. She mixed in some red to break up the yellow.
"You do realize you're using Puddlemere colors, right?" Sarah asked, seeing Ginny's selection for Harry's scarf.
"I do," Ginny replied.
She had gotten started on the scarf on Saturday morning. Hermione came to check on her around lunchtime.
"Is that for Harry?" She asked.
Ginny nodded.
"I know he'll like it."
"Is he hard to shop for?" Ginny asked.
"I've never had a problem picking something for him."
"I just…" Ginny trailed off. She swallowed. "I want this Christmas to be special. It's our first Christmas together."
"I know."
In the short time she and Harry had been together, she learned a few things about her boyfriend she didn't know before.
She knew he liked to read. Ginny thought about getting him a new Quidditch book. All she needed to do was ask Lily what he had. She did hear Puddlemere's seeker was coming out with an autobiography. Maybe that could be an idea. But she would need to check with Lily before she purchased it.
She knew he could draw. A few times, she would find him curled up in one of the chairs in the common room with his drawing pad and pencils. But the baking surprised her. She didn't even know Harry could even bake until this fall. He had brought some scones to the common room for her, Ron, Hermione, and Neville.
She had asked Harry if Lily had made them. She was stunned when he said he had made them.
She thought about getting him a new pair of seeker gloves. She needed to check with Lily to be sure she didn't have that on her list.
Molly had sent her, Ron, Fred, and George their pocket money. It was a bit more than usual this time. Molly's letter explained their father had received another raise.
Ginny added it to what she had left. With the additional pocket money, she had enough to buy presents.
She added James and Lily this year. Was it normal to buy your boyfriend's parents a gift?
She would ask Harry when he came back.
As she put away the knitting for the evening, she sighed. She was looking forward to Christmas this year. She knew this year would be different. Percy was estranged from the family. Bill and Charlie were planning on coming home for the holidays. Ginny could tell in Molly's letter she was sad they couldn't be all together for Christmas.
She smiled when she thought of spending Christmas with Harry. She had the scarf as one present. Lily said she would help with another. She planned on getting some of his favorite candy at Honeydukes, but what else could she get him?
She left the dorm to head to lunch on Sunday. Harry told her he would be back later that evening.
"Hey, Ginny!"
Ginny turned to voice to find Colin running after her. "Hey Colin, how are you?"
"I'm good. I have something for you, well, you and Harry in my dorm. Remind me when we get back, and I'll get it."
"Okay," Ginny said.
She sat with her friends for lunch. They discussed the upcoming week and the upcoming holiday.
"What do you plan on getting Harry?" Kendall asked.
"I have some ideas."
"Is that scarf your knitting for him?"
"Yes, it is," Ginny confirmed.
"I wish I could knit," Kendall sighed.
"I'm sure he'll love it," Sarah said.
"Isn't it Puddlemere colors?"
Ginny nodded. "It's one of his favorite teams."
"What's the other one?" Sarah asked.
"Appleby Arrows. He and his Dad go to a match every summer. Sirius took him and Ron to a Puddlemere match this summer."
"Is he Quidditch crazy?"
"You can say that," Ginny said, picking up a sandwich.
They caught up with each other as they ate. Kendall told them about her latest boyfriend, while Sarah told them about her upcoming date during Hogsmeade weekend.
It was scheduled for the following weekend.
When she finished lunch, she said bye to her friends. She decided to head back to Gryffindor tower. She summoned her book from the bottom of the stairs, catching it with ease.
"Thank you, Harry," she whispered. He had taught her how to summon things with her wand, as it was the one charm she struggled with in Charms.
She settled in an armchair near the fire to read her book. It was one Hermione had given her. She had given her a copy of her favorite romance series for her birthday. She was almost done with it and planned to buy the next book in the series.
To annoy her brothers, she read certain parts aloud. She noticed how red-faced they would get and would beg her to stop. Harry, too, would get red in the face. If she continued, the redness extended down to his neck.
"Hey, Ginny."
Ginny looked up as Colin approached her. He had an envelope in his hand.
"You remember how I asked Harry if I could take pictures during Defense club meetings?"
"Yeah," Ginny replied. She remembered Harry had agreed to Colin taking the pictures as long as they stayed in the castle. Ginny knew why. The Prophet would use them and spill some crazy tale.
"Well, I snapped a couple of extra pictures. I thought you would like to have them. You can make copies for Harry if there are any you both want."
"Thank you, Colin," Ginny said.
She waited until Colin met up with his brother before heading to her dorm. She walked into the fourth-year girls' dorm, walking over to her bed. She sat down, opening the envelope.
The first picture was Harry standing behind her, directing her wand movement. The next picture was Harry again standing behind her. This time his arms wrapped around her. It must have been when they were waiting to start.
The next picture was of Harry and her, taken from behind. This one was on the grounds, on one of their walks. They were holding hands and in step with each other.
Then there was the picture of just Harry. He was teaching, reviewing the instructions for one of the defense charms they were learning.
To Ginny's surprise, there was a picture of her. It was taken when the weather was still warm. She was laughing at something one of her friends said. Under this picture, there was a second picture of her. She was closer to the camera this time. She was smiling, shading her eyes from the sun.
She looked at this picture of her. Then without thinking, she left her dorm and headed to the fifth-year boys' dorm.
"Hi Ginny, do you need something?" Neville asked, looking up from his plant book.
"Just checking something," She murmured. She approached Harry's bed, studying the bedside table.
Harry only had two pictures on his bedside table besides the lamp and water glass. They were pictures of him and Sirius, and the other picture was of his parents.
"Perfect," She whispered. She would copy and frame one of the pictures of her. All she would need is a frame.
"See you later, Neville," She said as she left the dorm.
She smiled. That morning she had no idea what to get Harry for Christmas. Now she had many different ideas. She had a few she wanted to check with Lily, but she was happy she had something.
She sighed as she flopped on her bed.
"This is going to be a great Christmas."