Chapter Eleven - A Christmas to Remember
Harry stopped in to Hogwarts that first week of December, and picked Teddy up to come and stay at the Cottage with him and Ginny until Christmas break. He had found out that the Gryffindor Quidditch team had won their first game of the season against Slytherin, and that Dennis was turning out to be the great Seeker and Captain that he and Ron thought he'd be. While he was there, Harry dropped off an envelope for Dennis with enough tickets for the whole team, and a friend each, to go see Ron and the Cannons play a game that was scheduled over the holidays.
He and Teddy did a lot of shopping over those weeks leading up to Christmas, and Harry just had a great time with the toddler. Harry was occasionally used as a guinea pig in the research lab. He and Teddy stopped in one afternoon to work on a new charm of Hermione's - the Impervious Totalis. While the Impervius spell made things waterproof and water repellent, Impervious Totalis could do much more. Harry had been the only Wizard or Witch so far who had the magical strength to actually produce the new shield.
The fact that he was able to produce the Charm had been something of an accidental discovery in itself. Hermione had decided that one of her first research projects was going to be seeing if she could make a better shield, and had been sure that she'd come up with a much more powerful spell, but couldn't figure out why it wouldn't work. It had been Ginny who had suggested that Harry give it a go, and that's how they'd found out that she had been right about her new shield being better and stronger after he'd been able to learn the new spell, and then was able to produce the shield for them.
They had him erect the Impervious Totalis shield again that afternoon, and then they threw every spell at him they could think of to try. The shield stopped everything as Harry grinned at them from behind the impenetrable, glowing shield. He then focused the shield around a potted flower, and with a great deal of safeguards in place for protection, Hermione cast the Avada Kedavra curse at the plant. To her amazement, the shield not only protected the plant, but also dispersed the curse harmlessly, instead of rebounding or deflecting on to something else. It was an amazing new discovery, but if Harry was the only person with enough magical power to use it, there was going to be very little practical use for the powerful new spell.
"Why couldn't Wizards and Witches combine their powers to make the shield, or for that matter, any other magic stronger?" Harry asked her after the tests were over for the day. Hermione was concentrating on the test results, and absently answered his question.
"Well, that's easy, Harry, it's because..." she trailed off for a moment, and he thought she was just distracted by what she'd been doing. Then, suddenly, she jumped up, ran over to him, gave him a huge kiss and hug, and ran out of the lab room without saying another word.
"What happened?" Harry asked the other lab technicians. One of them responded with a smile and laugh.
"Apparently our resident genius just realized that the only reason Wizards and Witches don't combine magic is because no one has ever really bothered to try. You get used to her doing that after a while, since it happens fairly often around here." Harry laughed too.
"She probably has the whole thing figured out by now, and we'll be here late again," another technician added, smiling at Harry. "Oh well, that's one of the things that make this the most exciting place to work too."
Harry left the lab a few minutes later, and went to go pick up Teddy, who had stayed with Ginny in the administration offices while he'd been busy in the lab with Hermione. She laughed when she looked up and saw him. Standing up, she took a cloth and wiped the lipstick from his mouth.
"It's a really good thing I know whose lipstick that is, and that the only reason it'd be there is because you said or did something that gave her some major breakthrough brainstorm - or you'd be in big trouble mister." Teddy was sitting in a chair at her desk playing with some parchment and crayons.
"Big trouble, Mister!" he mimicked with a giggle. Harry laughed, and scooped him up out of the chair.
"Look who's talking squirt," he told the little boy. "You were in here kissing my girl the second we got here." Harry tickled him, making Teddy giggle and squirm. He gave Ginny a hug and kiss. "Will we see you at supper, or should we do our own thing?" he asked, and Ginny smiled.
"I'm guessing I'll be late. Knowing Hermione when she gets like this, she'll be here any second now, ready to get everyone started making her brainstorm a reality."
Harry nodded, juggling the impatient Teddy. "You should order in dinner for whoever is stuck here on our tab," he suggested. "Teddy and I will see you whenever you get home."
Hermione was walking into the offices as Harry and Teddy were leaving, and other than an absent-minded wave, barely seemed to notice them as she hurried into Ginny's office to talk shop. Harry took Teddy to their favourite Muggle Mall in London, where they had burgers and fries, then ice cream. They played in some of the toy stores, bought one new toy, looked around the book store and bought two new books. They picked up roses for Ginny, and then went home to spend the rest of the evening playing together on the sitting room floor. Teddy had been in bed for a couple of hours when Ginny finally made it back home.
"That girl would work twenty-four hours a day if I'd let her," she said tiredly, sitting down next to Harry on the sofa. "She's so bloody brilliant, though, it's hard not to get excited along with her." Looking up into Harry's eyes, she smiled. "I guess you think that makes you a genius too, since it was your idea." Harry laughed, and kissed her.
"Not a chance," he assured her. "I'm just smart enough to marry and be best friends with two of the smartest, most beautiful Witches in the world." Harry levitated the roses over to Ginny. "Teddy fell asleep, but we got these for you today." She put her nose close to the flowers, breathing deeply, and enjoying the soft fragrance of the flowers.
"They're beautiful," she said, hugging him. "Thank-you." The roses floated over to a table, and then were in a vase, complete with water, in moments. Ginny kissed Harry softly, then snuggled into his arms.
"Hermione managed to design spells totally from scratch, that allow other Witches and Wizards to essentially strengthen a single Wizard or Witch, who can then focus that extra power in doing their own magic," she told him. "I got to be this first 'focus wizard' and it was pretty amazing, Harry. I was able to create the Impervious Totalis Charm." She looked at him again and smiled.
"I didn't really understand what it was like for each Wizard and Witch to have different magical strength," she continued. We've always known that we all have different strengths and abilities, but it's not something that's ever really been quantified before. Doing this tonight, I was able to really get a good idea now of just how much more magical power you have compared to my own. It took four of us working together, all pretty strong Witches and Wizards ourselves, to do a spell you can do alone, and we could only hold it for a short time, while we've seen you keep your shield up for hours while Hermione conducted her experiments."
He thought about that quietly for a while, not really knowing what to say about it, and then realized that Ginny had fallen asleep. Since this happened fairly often, he didn't even think about it as he gently cradled her in his arms, stood up, and carried her upstairs to bed. He tucked her in, Transfigured her clothes, got changed himself, checked in on Teddy one last time, and then got into bed too. He put an arm around her, she snuggled against him without waking, and he closed his eyes and was quickly off to sleep too.
Harry and Ginny were going to spend their first Christmas Eve as a married couple alone at the cottage. Kreacher was with them at first, serving dinner, and taking care of the cleanup after they were done. They'd moved into the sitting room after dinner, and Kreacher was puttering around, making sure they'd have everything they needed for the night. Before he left, however, Harry and Ginny asked him to pop over to Grimmauld place, and go look into Remulus' old room, and then come back to see them. While the House Elf had been working all day at the cottage, they had gone to Grimmauld Place and set up his Christmas present. He was gone for nearly half an hour, a very long time for a House Elf. When he popped back into the sitting room, he bowed to Harry and Ginny.
"Kreacher is humbled and honoured that his masters would give him such a gift," he told them. "The room is much nicer than any House Elf has ever had before." He bowed again. "Thank-you." Harry sat on the floor in front of him and also bowed.
"I'm glad you like your present, Kreacher," Harry said. "We thought that you should have his room for your own, since you cared for him most." He waited for a moment before continuing.
"Have you considered my offer to make you a free elf over the last year?" he asked. The House Elf looked nervous, and his ears twitched as he answered. "I have, master, but Kreacher still does not want that - I am happy to be Harry and Ginny Potter's House Elf."
Harry smiled. "And we are honoured to have you as our elf, Kreacher. Some day we hope you'll change your mind, because we think of you as family, not as a slave, but it will always be your choice." Kreacher looked relieved. "Before you go, Kreacher, I wanted to ask you about another House Elf. Do you know Winky from Hogwarts?" Kreacher nodded sadly.
"She has lost her masters, and is very, very sad. It is bad for House Elves when their families are lost." Harry nodded in understanding.
"If we brought her into our family, do you think you could help her?" Kreacher looked at them in surprise.
"Kreacher could help Winky if Harry Potter did this - she was once a very good House Elf." Harry looked over his shoulder at Ginny, who smiled.
"Winky!" she called out, and a rough, dishevelled looking House Elf immediately appeared in the room. She looked around, bleary eyed at Harry, Ginny, and Kreacher.
"Mistress Headmaster ordered Winky to come when Ginny Potter called her," she said, slurring her speech, and looking a little tipsy as she swayed slightly on her feet. She was only slightly more polite than Kreacher had once been toward them, making it clear she was only there because she had been ordered to do so. Ginny spoke to her in a soft, gentle tone of voice.
"Thank-you for coming, Winky," she said with a bow. "Mr. Potter and I have an offer that we want to discuss with you. We know how unhappy you've been since you lost your family, and we would like you to become a House Elf for our family." Winky's mouth fell open, and her eyes opened wide.
"You would do this for Winky?" she gasped, astounded.
"Yes, Winky," Ginny answered. "You would work with Kreacher until he advises us you are ready to take care of your own duties, and then you would work mostly for me, and eventually with our children." Ginny sat next to Harry, and he put an arm around her.
"If you accept our offer, the arrangements have already been made with Hogwarts. You could get your belongings, and Kreacher can help you choose a room at our Grimmauld Place house. You would have one day off each week. Mr. Potter and I also would be giving you regular gifts of money, as we do with Kreacher." Winky looked at Kreacher, who nodded that it was all true.
"It is a great honour Winky is being offered by Ginny Potter," he told her. "Kreacher will be happy to help if Winky decides to become a Potter family House Elf," he added, and Winky's huge eyes filled with tears.
"Winky would like to have a family again," she said in a shaking, squeaky voice. "Winky will come work for the Potter family." Harry and Ginny both smiled.
"Welcome home, Winky," Ginny told her. "Kreacher, please go with Winky to get her things, and help her settle in to a room at Grimmauld Place." She handed Winky a small bag. "Merry Christmas, Winky. You and Kreacher both have tomorrow off. Please settle in, and we'll see you again the day after tomorrow." Ginny then gave Winky a hug that the little House Elf seemed completely unable to react to, and with a nod, Kreacher took Winky's arm, and the two elves disappeared.
They were alone, and it was a beautiful Christmas Eve night. Harry got up from the floor, helping Ginny up as he stood. He pulled her into a warm embrace.
"I hope we're doing the right thing for her," he murmured as he held her close. "I really wish there was another way - I'll never understand why House Elves want to be slaves, or why Witches and Wizards ever would have made them slaves in the first place."
"Don't worry," Ginny told him. "It's going to work out fine for her, and maybe someday they'll decide to be free. If they don't, though, at least we can make sure they're well-cared for." They sat down on the sofa again, Ginny lying across Harry's lap, his arms wrapped snugly around her.
"Would you like one of your Christmas present tonight?" he asked her, and then laughed as her half closed eyes popped open and he saw the spark of excitement in those bewitching brown eyes. He handed her a box. "Merry Christmas," he added, kissing her tenderly. She tore into the wrapping paper and he smiled, watching her as she opened the box. When she pulled out the little painted ceramic palm tree, Harry couldn't help smiling at her obviously disappointed reaction.
"Um, it's very nice, honey," she told him, totally failing in her attempt to sound like she meant the statement. "Thank-you." Harry couldn't help it, and started to laugh.
"What's so funny?" she asked, looking a little cross.
"Before you start thinking it's the worst Christmas present you've ever gotten, we need to stand up, and you need to read the card that's in the box," he suggested. They got to their feet, and Ginny found the little card. Holding her close, Harry surreptitiously touched the little ceramic tree she was holding.
"Dearest Ginny," she read, "This little gift is the key to your new vacation destination. Just say 'I need to get away' to go there. Love, Harry." Ginny had been reading out loud, and they were already there as she finished reading the note. She looked around to find that they were now standing in front of a lovely house beside a beautiful white sand beach. There was a soft warm wind blowing, and the trees and plants were gently swaying, giving off exotic, enticing smells. It was late afternoon, and the sun was shimmering low over the water.
"Where are we?" she asked Harry.
"We're on your new private island paradise in the Caribbean," he answered, and was nearly knocked over by her enthusiastic hug and kiss. When she'd let him go again, Harry continued. "Once you've had a chance to take a look at the house, we should start seeing the other new residents of the island arriving." Ginny was trying to look everywhere at once, as they started walking toward the house.
"What other residents?" she asked him, and Harry's eyes were sparkling with excitement and happiness as he answered.
"Every member of your family has a house on the island, and we've also built several guest houses for having friends come stay here. By now, Dad, Bill, Charlie and Natalie, Percy, George, Ron and Hermione are opening similar gifts to yours. Mum and Fleur were in on the project for most of the year." Ginny stopped and threw her arms around his neck and kissing him again.
"This is so amazing! I love you," she told him. She took his hand and they walked into the house together. Ginny led him around as she went through all of the rooms, frequently hugging Harry as she explored the place.
It was in a style that he told her was a Spanish design. Shaped like an H, one side of the house had a huge master suite, with doors that led to a lanai at the back. The centre of the house had a large, open sitting room, dining room, and kitchen - also with doors to the back yard. The other side of the house had two guest rooms and facilities. There was a beautiful, crystal clear swimming pool in the back yard next to the lanai, with beautiful landscaping of plants, waterfalls, and fountains. Beyond the pool and gardens, there was a path going off in both directions that meandered around the island, weaving through the gardens of trees and flowering plants toward as yet unexplored destinations.
"The paths connect all of the houses on the island, but the design Fleur made allows for everyone to have some privacy," Harry told her. "Let's head for the lagoon now," he added. "Everyone is going to meet there for a late night, or in this case now, late afternoon meal."
The family gathered on the beach by the lagoon at the west end of the island, and there were hugs and kisses all around as everyone excitedly talked about the amazing island and their respective new vacation homes. There was a table full of food, and they all enjoyed what seemed like a second, albeit much warmer, evening together.
Everyone wanted to go exploring, but they were all on a different time zone schedule with their bodies telling them it was way past bedtime. The couples split up after eating, each heading to their own houses to catch up on their sleep so they could all enjoy a Christmas Day in the sun.
Harry and Ginny were up early in the morning, and went for a private swim in their pool before getting ready for the day. They left the island to make a trip to Hogwarts. It was early afternoon there, and Andromeda and Teddy were ready to go with Harry and Ginny for what they thought was going to be Christmas Day at the Burrow. When they reached the gates at Hogwarts, Ginny had Andromeda open her present, and they were soon back on the island, this time, in front of the house that Harry had helped design especially for Andromeda and Teddy.
Ginny took Andromeda on a tour of the place, while Harry and Teddy went to play in the yard. There was a fort, swings, slides, and a giant sandbox for them to explore together, and Harry was having just as much fun as Teddy was having until the two women called the boys away from their playtime to go have breakfast with the rest of the family. They arrived at Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's house to join in a celebration.
Percy and George had both proposed to their girlfriends the night before, and the boys were taking light-hearted jibes from their brothers, while the girls surrounded Penelope and Marietta, wanting to get every little detail from them about the proposals and offering warm congratulations. After breakfast, Teddy was tired out, so Harry took him to his new room at their house for a nap while everyone else spread out to explore the island.
Harry was sitting in a chair by the window as Teddy slept, a contented smile on his face as he thought about this amazing family he now was so blessed to have in his life. He heard footsteps, and knew Ginny had come into the room without needing to turn around.
"Is everyone enjoying the island?" he asked her.
"They all love it, Harry", she assured him, coming over to hug him. "With all the excitement, I realized that I hadn't given you your Christmas present." She handed him a small box, her eyes sparkling. Harry unwrapped it carefully, and opened the box to find a set of keys attached to a big orange plastic key ring. When he looked at her to explain what they were for, Ginny smiled at him.
"Your present wouldn't fit in a box," she told him. "I thought Mum was a little crazy when she suggested it for you, but now it all makes perfect sense. If you head down to the lagoon, you'll find a shiny new jet ski waiting there for you - and I imagine the other boys are finding out that they have shiny new toys waiting down there for them too." Harry jumped up from the chair and lifted Ginny off of her feet as he hugged her and swung her in a circle.
"Go out and play with the other boys," she ordered. "I'll stay here with Teddy until he wakes up from his nap." She laughed when Harry hugged and kissed her again. "Just make sure you're not too tired to thank me properly later," she told him as he turned to leave. He winked at her, promised he wouldn't be, and went running out of the house, and down the path toward the lagoon. Ginny walked over to where Teddy lay asleep in his bed, and gently touched his soft cheek.
"Apparently the only difference between little boys and grown men is the size of the toys," she whispered to him, laughing softly.
They all spent the rest of the day, and the next morning on the island before everyone, except Harry and Teddy, had to head back home, having to work the following day. Teddy went back to Hogwarts with Andromeda, so Harry was able to wander around during the rest of the holidays.
He spent a day in London with Neville, who was home for the holidays from his travels, caught up on the little bit of work he had with his Wizengamot responsibilities, and made a couple of trips to Diagon Alley to catch up on business at Gringotts and at the office Mrs. Weasley and Fleur worked their business magic from.
Hermione and Ginny went with him to the Cannon's game, where they spent the afternoon entertaining Dennis Creevey and the Gryffindor Quidditch team while they watched their team get the fourth victory of the season. After the game, Harry took the Gryffindor team to meet the Cannons, and he also introduced Dennis to the team Coaches, who had already been sent a positive report on Dennis from their scouts. The year ended with a New Year's Eve party with most of their friends in London, and all of them were excited about their future, and the year ahead, and depending on how you counted such things, the new millennium was looking very bright for them.