Disclaimer: Don't own it.

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Chapter Twenty-Five: Christmas!!!

Hope was sleeping in an otherwise empty dormitory in the Slytherin common room when Hermione and Harry walked in and refrained from laughing. Hermione stalked over and noticed that Hope had her arm around Sasha, who was curled up against her master's neck.

Harry looked at Hermione. "How do we wake her up?"

Hermione shrugged. "I vote you do it. It was your idea to come wake her up. Hurry up though, we're missing breakfast."

Harry quietly walked over and sat down on the bed beside her and gently shook her. "Hope, wake up," he whispered gently.

Hope stirred but buried even further into the pillow much to her tiger's annoyance. Sasha growled gently before getting up and storming away. Harry laughed causing Hope to roll out of bed and land with a harsh thump on the floor.

"What in Merlin's name…" Hope muttered, rubbing her head while the other two were hysterically laughing.

"Good morning Hope," Hermione said, offering her a hand up. Hope accepted it and was pulled to her feet.

"So why are you standing in my bedroom, in the Slytherin common room no less, at six in the morning?" Hope asked, as she pulled out some clothes.

"It's not any morning, Hope. IT'S CHRISTMAS!!" Harry exclaimed, pulling her toward the fireplace. "Come on, we have to go to the Weasley's!!"

"Harry, I have to shower and get dressed. I'll be there in a few." Harry pouted, but sat down on her bed to wait.

Hermione watched the two with a grin on her face. "I'm going to go back and warn Mrs. and Mr. Weasley that you'll be there later than they expected. Don't eat, they're fixing breakfast."

Hope nodded and went to the bathroom. She took a short shower and dressed in a black, off the shoulder, top and blue jeans. She managed to grab her bag for the night at Severus' manor and a pullover sweater, before being dragged by Harry into the fire place.

"Harry, my hair's still wet," she complained, as she put her cloak on to protect her from the soot.

"It'll dry eventually," he said, pulling her into the fire, tight against him. He threw down the powder and called out their destination. A moment later, they fell through the fire place, tangled up, and heard a room full of people laugh.

"Dang, Harry, I knew you had a thing for her, but I didn't think you were the type to rush things," Fred said with a grin.

"Oh don't be silly. Harry got over his 'thing for me' a while ago. Right Harry?" She asked, turning toward him after getting up.

"Umm…" Harry said blushing. Hope's eyes went wide.

Mrs. Weasley decided to break up this moment and begin breakfast. "Now Hope dear, you don't know how it works around here. We'll eat breakfast and then begin opening presents. So let's move to the kitchen."

Hope was trapped between Fred and George throughout the meal and had a hard time finding time to eat in between laughing. Finally, everyone finished and they moved toward the living room to exchange gifts.

Everyone had fun with the exchange. Fred and George passed out new items from their joke shop, Ron got everyone sweets, the Weasley parents made sweaters, Hermione got everyone a book, and Harry's present varied from person to person, but everyone noticed how he didn't give Hope anything.

Hope was a little hurt by Harry's action as she passed out her presents. She had gotten Mrs. Weasley new knitting supplies, Ron a collection of Chocolate Frog cards that someone was selling, Hermione a rare book on spells, Mr. Weasley some muggle artifacts, and the twins some rare herbs to make supplies with.

Hope handed Harry his gift without eye contact. She watched as everyone opened their gifts and thanked her profusely. Hope looked around and caught Harry playing with his brand new, pure gold snitch.

After presents were opened, everyone went outside. It had snowed, making the ground a sparkling white. Hope smiled sadly, remembering the time she had made snow angels with her mother every Christmas morning.

Hope was brought back to the present as a snowball hit her in the head from behind. She turned and saw everyone else involved in a snowball fight. She laughed and shook her head before going to the kitchen to help Mrs. Weasley clean up.

A few hours later, the boys and Hermione came in soaked and the Weasley patron served them the hot chocolate that she and Hope had made. Hope was standing by the door with Sasha, who had snuck through the fire with her and Harry, when she heard the twins snicker behind her.

She turned and felt the water gush over her head. "FRED! GEORGE! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" She screamed, chasing them upstairs. After about a half hour of chasing them, she gave up her plans for a later date, and walked back outside and away from the property.

She sighed to herself, once again remembering past Christmases with her family. Neither of her parents had had siblings, and their parents had died years ago, leaving them to themselves on Holidays. That never made it less fun.

"I miss you guys," she whispered to the cold air surrounding her. "I wish you could see me now. I want to be able to tell you I love you and know if you're proud or me."

"I'm sure they are," a voice said behind her. Hope jumped and turned, to come face to face with the emerald eyes of Harry.

"I think so, too," Hope whispered, looking at the ground. She heard Harry step closer and forced herself not to step back.

"Hope, I know you probably think I forgot to get you a Christmas present, but I didn't," he said, causing her eyes to come up and meet his.

"Then why…" She trailed off as he pulled a black velvet box out of his pocket.

"I didn't want to give this to you in front of everyone because I didn't want to pressure you." He opened the box and heard the gasp from Hope.

She reached forward with shaky hands and took the box from him to examine the necklace. It had three types of stones, all woven together by a silver circle outlining them. The first shapes were blue sapphire hearts. The second were aquamarine tear drops. The final shape was a blue topaz star in the center.

"This resembles everything you've gone through so far in the wizarding world. The four tear drops, for the loss of each set of parents, your old way of life, and your freedom. The star represents the future. Everything about it. The four hearts represent all the love you've found. One for the friends, one for Draco who's your brother in all sense but name, and one for Severus, who's your father in all but name."

Hope stared at the necklace in shock. "There's still one more heart," she said, locking eyes with him again. She could tell Harry was nervous.

"You won't be able to wear this necklace right away unless you feel the same as I do. The fourth heart is supposed to resemble me. I told you I was falling in love with you, but I'm past that part. I am completely and helplessly in love with you."

Hope felt her jaw fall open before he continued. "If you want to be my girlfriend, Hope, then accept the necklace and wear it. If not, then put the necklace away for when you find someone who loves you and you love them," Harry said, his voice cracking.

Hope took a step toward him, quickly closing the space between them so that their bodies were almost touching. "There's only one problem, Harry."

Harry couldn't help the sadness that fell across his face. "What?"

"You have to put the necklace on me yourself," she said, causing him to break into a huge smile.

"You mean it, you'll be my girlfriend?"

Hope nodded and he moved behind her to fasten the necklace. He noticed her hair was still wet and she hadn't stopped to put on a coat.

"You're going to get sick! Let's go inside," he said, pulling her towards the house. Eventually he slowed down and they walked side by side with their hands entwined the rest of the way, stopping right inside the door.

Harry pulled Hope back as she went to go toward the kitchen. She looked at him with curious eyes and tilted her head in question.

"Hope, I've wanted to do this since Halloween," he said, causing her to become even more confused.

Smiling, Harry leaned forward and softly kissed her before pulling her into the living room to tell the others about the best Christmas present he'd received.

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A/N: This one's for tomorrow since I have to work.

Thanks to Nita, my wonderful and awesome beta.

Kayla