Chapter 12

Christmas

Raya and Draco stepped inside. The cold air made their cheeks red but they didn't care.

"Where have you been?" asked Hermione running down the stairs as fast as she could, "we thought you were killed you took so long. And you didn't tell us where you were going."

As soon as she got down the stairs she flung herself onto Draco smothering him with a hug.

"Hermione," said Ron, "give him air."

The rest to the friends made their way down the stairs.

Hermione's death grip loosened to an almost death grip.

"It's nice to know I was missed," said Draco stilling breathing with difficultly, "but if you don't let go of me soon you'll be missing me again. I'll be dead!"

Hermione released him and Draco took this opportunity to thank god for the unhindered ability to breathe.

"So where we you?" interrogated Hermione, putting her hands on her hips and pursing her lips.

"We were in the meadow by the school," said Raya, "we had someone to save."

"Who?" asked Ginny coming up from behind Ron.

"Becca and Alex," said Draco, "remember the new students."

"Yeah," said Harry, "why did they need saving?"

"They were going to be used as sacrifices," said Raya, "to open a portal to another world."

"Why would anyone want to do that?" asked Luna.

"Because they work with Voldemort, of course" answered Draco.

"But why would Voldemort need other worlds?" asked Hermione, "and how many other worlds are there? I didn't know there were other worlds!"

"To your first question," said Raya, "Voldemort needs the worlds because he has followers in them. To your second question, many worlds besides this one out there. And to your comment yes there are other worlds."

"Wow!" said Ron, "you've been to them right?"

"Almost all yes," answered Raya, "and Draco has been to most of the ones that I have."

"How are they different from ours?" asked Neville.

"In all sorts of ways!" answered Raya, "there is one that is like going back in time 2 centuries ago. There are many that are fairy worlds. There are many where the worlds are ruled by elves, not house elves. Which reminds me there is a world of all house elves. It is where they originated from."

"Just think of all the S.P.E.W. things I could do!" thought Hermione out loud.

"Oh God!" Ron and Harry moaned.

"Spew?" asked Raya, "what's spew?"

Before Hermione could answer her Aunt Petunia came out of the kitchen followed by Dudley and Uncle Vernon. They were all wearing their nice church attire.

"We going to the Christmas Eve sermon at church," said Aunt Petunia briskly, "we won't be back for a while. Don't touch anything with those little nasty hands of yours."

"I'll try to contain myself," said Harry sarcastically.

The Dursley's huffed while they put on their coats and walked hurriedly out the door.

"They're a trip!" said Harry rolling his eyes after them as the door closed.

"Well," said Ron, "you heard them. We can't touch anything! So lets go in the kitchen and make something to eat. Use everything we can!"

They all followed Ron into the kitchen while Hermione mumbled, "my man, the bottomless pit!"

"What do you want?" asked Ron rummaging through the cupboards.

"Don't worry about it Ron," said Raya and she started the stove, "I've got dinner under control. You three (she pointed at Ginny, Hermione, and Luna) go upstairs and do "the thing". You know what I mean."

They nodded and began out the kitchen door.

"Don't forget to do mine too!" Raya called after them.

"We won't!" Luna called back.

"So what's on the menu tonight?" asked Ron, "Chicken? Barbecue? Pork Roast?"

"Faestuey," said Raya and she began to bring out spices and herbs from the cabinets.

"Fa-what-tu-what?" asked Ron.

"It is the main dish of most of the Novian clans," answered Raya and she poured a cup of water into a pot that she had placed on the top of one of the burners of the stove.

"What's in it?" asked Harry trying to catch a glimpse of what was in the pot.

"That's for me to know and for you to find out. Now you three (she pointed to Harry, Ron, and Neville) leave. I have to talk to Draco alone."

The three boys obeyed her commands and went and talked in the hall for a while after being pushed out of the room frantically by the girls.

"So," said Draco after they had heard a rather large bump from upstairs "what did you want to talk to me about?"

"I wanted to talk to you about Novia actually," said Raya still working on the Faestuey.

"What about it?" asked Draco.

"I think I have to go," said Raya thoughtfully letting the Faestuey simmer, "I have to go to Novia."

"When? Why?" asked Draco getting nervous.

"Maybe I'll wait till we get back to Hogwarts," said Raya, looking out the kitchen window. She spoke in almost a dreamy dazed voice as if deep in thought, "yes. When we get back to Hogwarts."

"Why?" asked Draco, "why are you going."

She turned towards him the dreamy air gone from around her and she spoke normally, out of her deep thinking.

"I must go to help Lyra," said Raya, "she is very upset over the loss of Lyam and still they are being attacked. They need reinforcement."

Draco looked down at the table and he heard the chair scrape against the floor as Raya pulled the chair out from under the table and sat down.

"Draco," said Raya smiling a little bit, "do you remember when Novia was invincible?"

Draco looked and smiled too.

"Yeah," said Draco, "I bet everyone does. The ones that know Novia exists."

"Well those days are gone so I must aid Lyra," said Raya braking out of the memory.

"I come as well," said Draco happily.

"No," said Raya sternly.

"What?" asked Draco looking stunned.

"You cannot come," said Raya and then she took a sigh, "Not this time."

"And just why not," asked Draco, "I go where you go remember?"

"I do," said Raya, "but what about Harry. Who will protect him?"

"Raya listen," said Draco trying desperately to persuade, "you are more powerful than anyone and yes one of us would do a great job at protecting Harry. But you underestimate him. He's a big boy. He can do things on his own. He protected himself before he even knew you existed."

Raya took a breath.

"I know," she said staring out the window from her seat. "But I just love him so much-"

"That no matter how much that you know he can protect himself that you want to do it for him so that you know that he will be safe," finished Draco, 'and you are sending me because you have to go help Novia and you feel that I am like a part of you that's staying behind to protect him."

"Exactly," sighed Raya, "you read my mind."

"Fine," said Draco, "I'll stay. When do you think you will be heading off again?

"I was thinking after we got back from Winter Holidays but I think that I will need more preparation time than that so I will have to check with Lyra to see when the best time it is for me to go."

"Alright just tell me when you deicide to go," said Draco, "and you might want to check the Faestuey."

"Oh!" said Raya and she dashed to the stove and turned off the heat. "Saved it."

"Just like you do everything else," said Draco smiling and Raya got the plates out from the cupboard and began to set the table, "can you call everybody in?"

"Sure," said Draco and he got up from the table and opened the door to the kitchen to see Harry, Neville, and Ron all sitting in the hall playing Wizard Chess.

"Hey guys come on," said Draco, "Raya's finished. Time to eat!"

"You guys go," said Ron, "I'll get the girls and come back."

Neville, Harry, and Draco walked back into the kitchen and Ron headed up the stairs. Since he didn't feel like being pummeled again he knocked first.

"Who is it?" called Hermione from behind the door.

"It is I your one true love!" called Ron into the door hoping to make her laugh.

"Oh! Hi Draco!" said Hermione's voice coming lovingly and giggling through the door. "I was hoping it was you!"

"DRACO!" shouted Ron loudly and he stomped down the stairs. He just barely heard Hermione and the other girls stumbled out of the room.

Ron stomped into the kitchen.

"DRACO!" shouted Ron once again, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH HERMIONE!"

"What do you mean?" asked Draco innocently.

Hermione ran into the kitchen.

"Ronald Weasley!" cried Hermione, "What the bloody hell do you think your doing?"

"What do you mean what am I doing?" cried Ron, "what are you doing? I go up and tell you its your true love waiting for you outside the door and you say 'Oh! Hi Draco! I was hoping it was you!' What is that!"

"Ron!" said Hermione, "Ron! I was kidding!"

Ron calmed down slightly. Draco failed to suppress a smile at the comical situation.

"You and Draco aren't," started Ron and then he took a breath, "you're not going out."

Raya and Draco exchanged a smile.

"No!" said Hermione, "Ron! You need to realize that you're the only one that I love. Or do I need to prove it to you again?"

Hermione raised her eyebrow suggestively. And Ron smiled.

"I think you might," said Ron smirking.

Hermione grabbed Ron's hand once more and they charged upstairs.

"Ready to eat?" asked Raya setting a large plate onto the middle of the table and everyone took their seats as Raya served them a type of meat that none of them had ever seen before, Faestuey.

"Well," said Raya after she had sat down, "dig in."

Draco immediately began plowing through the food; everyone else look at their food like they weren't quite sure what to do with it.

"You don't like it?" asked Raya looking at them expectantly.

"No," said Neville, "I'll try it."

Neville picked up his fork and tore off a small portion of the meat and put it in his mouth.

"This is good!" said Neville and everyone else picked up their forks and tried it.

About a half an hour later Ron and Hermione came through the kitchen. They looked terrible. Ron had lipstick all over his face and Hermione had a huge red mark on her neck. Their clothes were so untidy you wouldn't think it was Hermione under them.

"You guys looked like you had fun," said Harry then threw his hands expecting a punch.

"Yeah," said Ron dreamily bending to sit in his chair and missed and fell to the floor.

He stood up quickly and sat down in his chair and watched Raya serve him Faestuey.

Ron still not thinking straight began eating it as soon as he got it. Then he paused realizing he didn't even know what he was eating.

"Is this that Faeu whatever?" Ron asked Raya and she nodded her head.

"Its good," said Ron plainly and continued eating.

After they had finished eating Raya and Hermione put away the dishes they all sat in the Living Room looking at the Christmas tree.

"So?" asked Ginny, "have you boys gotten us anything?"

"Yep," said Ron, "for every single one of you."

"Yeah," said Harry.

"Same here," said Neville.

"How about you Hermione?" asked Ron, "did you get anything for your man?"

"Yes," said Hermione, "and my man's best friends and my best friends."

They heard the door open and heard the sound of Uncle Vernon's voice.

"Oh! That was a lovely service don't you think so my boy?" asked Uncle Vernon.

"Lovely indeed," said Dudley his voice dripping with sarcasm though they all knew that his parents would take no notice of that.

The Dursleys walked into the kitchen and saw everything was in order and then walked into the living room. Their smiles were wiped immediately from their faces as they saw the eight friends sitting in front of the tree talking and laughing.

"What do you think your doing?" asked Uncle Vernon.

"Sitting by the looks of it," countered Harry sarcastically.

"Don't get smart with me boy," growled Uncle Vernon, "I think that we should start having some punishment around here for you (he smirked) and your friends."

"You realize that since Sirius took me in you are no longer my legal guardians therefore you haven't the right to punish me and you certainly don't have the right to punish my friends or my family."

Raya smiled slightly.

"You're on my last nerve boy!" hissed Uncle Vernon.

"Then why don't you go listen to therapy tapes or something," said Raya, standing up for her brother, "really. You're the one that starts all the fights. If you just let him be and didn't say anything to start the fights then he wouldn't be on your last nerve."

Uncle Vernon turned a new shade Harry hadn't encountered. A bright bluish purple.

"And what do you think you're doing girl?" asked Uncle Vernon.

"Saying what should have been said to you a long time ago," said Raya calmly looking deep into his eyes.

Surprisingly to all Uncle Vernon did not retort he just huffed and walked into the kitchen and up the stairs followed by Aunt Petunia and a bewildered looking Dudley, he had been hoping for a large booming argument to watch.

"That man disgusts me," said Raya, "sometimes even more than the creatures of the other worlds. He is that nasty to his own kin. It sickens me."

"The whole family sickens me," said Ron leaning back on the couch with Hermione resting her head on his shoulder.

"Happy Christmas Eve everyone," yawned Luna, "I'm going to bed."

"Me too," said Neville.

"Let's all go," said Harry, "I can't wait to see my presents."

They walked upstairs, went into Harry's room and shut the door. They all lazily got ready for bed and soon all eight were fast asleep dreaming about what types of presents they would receive.

The next morning Harry awoke to the sound of humming. An unfamiliar tune but for some reason he almost felt drawn to it. He looked up to see Raya looking out the window singing a song softly to herself. Harry strained his ears but the language was unfamiliar. She was switching off humming and singing. He sat there for what felt like forever just listening to her music then she stopped. Harry almost jumped at the sound of her voice.

"Harry I miss him," said Raya and she turned to look at him "I miss him so much."

And Harry knew instantly who she was talking bout. Sirius.

"I miss him too," said Harry, "everyone that knew him for the true man he was misses him."

"He talked about you all the time," said Raya, "God he loved you Harry."

Harry sat there in silence just listening to her.

Then Harry heard a sleepy moan come from behind him. He turned to see Hermione stretching her arms and rubbing her eyes.

"Oh!" she yawned, "Hello Harry! Hello Raya!"

"Hello," the two Potters answered back in Unison.

Luna got up with a start.

"Mr. Snuffles!" cried Luna, "I don't know where I left him!"

"What are you talking about?" asked Neville getting up.

"My rabbit!" cried Luna.

"You brought a rabbit!" exclaimed Neville.

Draco was up now and so was Ginny.

"What's this about a rabbit?" asked Draco.

"I lost my rabbit," said Luna, "Mr. Snuffles."

"That's not all we've lost," said Ginny, "where's Ron?"

They all looked around the room.

Then they heard the sound of a toilet flush down the hall and moments later the door to Harry's room opened and in stepped Ron. Before anyone could say anything Ron stared under Harry's bed. He walked over all the sleeping bags and made his way to the bed. When he got there he dropped to his knees and started looking under the bed.

"What is it Ron?" asked Hermione worriedly.

"I saw two bright red eyes," said Ron, "staring at me from under the bed."

Before anyone could say another word. Ron let out a howl and pulled his head out from under the bed. Yet his screams were muffled by what looked like a white powder puff that had attached itself to Ron's face, but everyone could still understand his cry.

"KILLER BUNNY! KILLER BUNNY!" he screamed over and over as he ran around the room bumping into everything before he finally running head first into Harry's bedroom door and falling flat on the floor.

"Mr. Snuffles!" cried Luna and ran and removed Mr. Snuffles from Ron's face.

"It tried to kill me!" gasped Ron, he sat up slowly and pointed at the rabbit menacingly, "killer bunny!"

Surprisingly the Killer Bunny Fiasco did not wake the Dursley.

"Let's get a start on the presents so that we don't have to see the Dursley's today," said Ginny and they tiptoed down the hall towards to stairs.

They got to the living room to see that under the tree were loads for presents.

"I've never seen so many presents in my life!" cried Ron jumping with joy.

"Don't get too excited," said Harry, "their probably all for Dudley."

They rummaged through the presents and indeed many were for Dudley but not as many as Harry had thought. They spent about ten minutes pulling out all presents address to any of the eight of them until they could find anymore.

"Still a good load!" said Ron happily he searched through his presents. "Who's first?"

Everyone watched Ron open his presents. Ginny gave Ron a muggle digital watch. Luna gave him a football (soccer ball if you're American). Neville gave him a CD player. Harry gave him a T-shirt Ron had said he liked. Hermione gave him a mini T.V. set and CDs of muggle music. Draco gave him beautiful frame with hearts engraved in it and with it came a picture of Hermione at the Yule Ball. Raya went last and she gave him sword. It had his name engraved into the hilt on silver and words in a language he didn't understand wound up the blade till its tip.

"Thanks!" said Ron happily still trying to see if he could read any of the markings on the sword. He then turned his attention to his other presents, "Too bad I can't use most of these at Hogwarts."

"Well," began Hermione. "I put a spell on the muggle contraptions so that they would work on Hogwarts."

"You're brilliant," said Ron, beaming at her.

Luna went next. Ginny gave her a jumper of deep blue. Neville gave her a necklace with a diamond cresset moon charm. Harry gave her CD of muggle artist that Ginny said she would like, which she did. Ron gave her a CD player. Hermione gave her as a photo album bound with velvet and in silver stitched letters Memories was on the front of the book ("Fill it with pictures of us!" Hermione said). Draco gave her book, Fighting against Darkness (a book of battle techniques). Raya gave her a gold dress.

"Thank you so much!" said Luna giving them each a hug.

Next was Neville. Ginny gave him a pad of paper that made check lists on it ("Every time you need to do something that you think you might forget write it down on that piece of paper and then once you've done it you can check it off!" said Ginny). Luna gave him a CD Player. Harry gave him a CD of muggle songs that he liked and thought Neville would like, as did Ron. Hermione gave him a sweater she had knitted it was scarlet with a large gold dragon across the front that was breathing fire that spelled out his name. Draco gave him a poster of his favorite muggle group. Raya gave him a blade of his own. It was a straight blade. The hilt engraved with his name was made of bronze and the sword itself was a brilliant silver untouched by any markings.

"Awesome!" said Neville after he had opened all his presents.

Ginny went next. Neville gave her large make up kit. Luna gave her a CD player as well. Harry gave her a beautiful necklace that had a ruby gem of a phoenix on it. Ron gave her three mixes of muggle songs that he loved and she loved. Hermione gave her a skirt she had said she liked. Draco gave her an attachment for her spear. It looked like five stars entwined themselves together. The points were very shape and Ginny loved it. Raya gave her a beautiful green dress.

"This is beautiful!" cried Ginny throwing her arms around Raya and giving her a hug.

Next went Harry. Neville gave him a muggle watch. Ginny gave him a book of poems and the last few pages were blank were he could write his own. Luna gave him a CD player. Hermione gave him a photo album filled with pictures of his parents and their house before they were killed. Ron gave him tons of CD mixes that he made and as a joke he gave him cover-up ("Just in case you want to hide that scar mate!" said Ron laughing). Draco gave him the tooth of the Basilisk that he had killed second year only now it was in a glass casing. Raya gave him an identical one to the sword she had given Ron only Harry's name was carved into it.

Hermione went next. Ron gave her a beautiful locket with pictures of him and her together in it. Neville gave her a white T-shirt. Ginny gave her a CD player. Harry gave her tons of CDs and a bracelet with little mirrors all over them ("For Second Year," said Harry smiling). Luna gave her a book labeled "So You're Getting Married". Draco gave her a very elaborate bow and arrow set it was carved out of dark wood it had bright gold winding its way up the bow. The string was made of centaur hair. Raya gave her a burgundy dress.

"These are the best presents ever!" said Hermione hugging Ron and then he helped her put on the locket.

Draco went next. Ron had given him a red T-Shirt that said "Gryffindor Pride" on it in large Gold Letters. Hermione gave him a CD player. Neville gave him some muggle CDs to go with the CD player. Luna gave him a watch. Ginny gave him a muggle walky-talky. Harry gave him a compos to put on his broomstick handle and a stuffed ferret ("Wanted to bring back the memory," said Harry and he and Draco had to tell Raya of the day Draco was turned into a ferret). Raya went last.

"Draco," said Raya, "here."

She held open a large wooden box. Inside were sets of armor. All were encrusted with the Potter sword and rose symbol and glimmered silver. They were stunning.

"It took forever to make," said Raya, "I started this present summer of sixth year. I couldn't wait to give it to you."

"Raya!" said Draco excitedly and he embraced her.

Raya opened next. Neville gave her a CD player. Luna gave her some CDs of her favorite muggle artists. Ginny gave her the other walky-talky so that she had Draco could stay connected. Hermione gave her a necklace with a sword charm that looked similar to the potter symbol. Ron gave her a book "100 ways to repair a disheveled home. Harry gave her something he knew she was going to like. He gave her a small book no bigger than her hand. When she opened it there were pictures of their mom and dad shining up at her. Draco went last.

"Raya this is something I found," said Draco, "something important."

"What?" asked Raya sitting up a little, "what is it?"

Draco left the room and reentered with a long wooden box. He placed the box in front of her and stepped back.

"Open it," said Draco.

Raya reached forward and lifted the lid to the box. Inside was a staff. A long wooden staff. Winding it way up the staff were vines with occasional pink flowers springing to live along the staff handle. On top of the staff as a great jewel. A beautiful green gem even purer a green than an emerald. Around the green jewel was wooden carved into the shape of a leaf.

"Raya," said Draco, "I found the key to Novia."

Sorry if all the gifts were long. I just wanted to add it, sorry if it bored you. Please review!