Disclaimer: Anything you recognize is not mine; it belongs to J.K. Rowling and anything you do, belong to me.

Chapter 8: Christmas Surprises

Christmas was coming. One morning in mid-December, Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow. The lake froze solid and the Weasley twins were punished for bewitching several snowballs so that they followed Quirrell around, bouncing off the back of his turban. The few owls that managed to battle their way through the stormy sky to deliver mail had to be nursed back to health by Hagrid before they could fly off again.

Everyone was more than slightly anxious for the holidays to start. While the common rooms and Great Hall had roaring fires, the drafty corridors had become icy and a bitter wind rattled the windows in the classrooms. Worst of all was Professor Snape's classes down in the dungeons, where their breath rose in a mist before them and they kept as close as possible to their hot cauldrons.

"I do feel so sorry," said Draco, one Potions class. "For all those people who have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because they're not wanted at home."

"Rather here than at home though mate." Julian slapped the boy on the back; his hearty laugh filled the room. Harry smiled in agreement, even though Draco had been absolutely more unpleasant ever since the quidditch match.

Draco was disgusted that the Slytherins had lost against a bunch of pathetic Gryffindors and had recently been trying to tell anyone who would listen at how a wide-mouthed tree frog would be replacing Harry as Seeker next. Julian would always laugh at his friend and then proceed to mention that he was way more handsome than a mere tree frog, they did look a lot a like after all. The Slytherins were the only ones who would listen however; everyone else was so impressed at how Harry had stayed on the bucking broomstick. So Malfoy mostly stuck to the fact that Harry had no proper family or how poor the Weasley's were but Julian would always make a ridiculous comment to diffuse the situation.

It was true; the Potters were not going back to Privet Drive for Christmas. The Heads of House had gone around last week, making a list of who would be staying for the holidays and all four had signed up at once. They were very happy to stay at Hogwarts, who would honestly want to go home to the Dursley's anyway? This was most likely going to be the best Christmas that they ever had.

Ron and all his brothers were staying, too, because Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were going to visit Charlie in Romania. Blaise would be staying at Hogwarts as well, his mother was out of the country for the season. Draco had no choice really, he was expected to go home and spend the holidays with his family. Hermione, who was going home as well, had specific instructions for Ron and Harry while she was gone.

They were to try and attempt to visit the restricted section of the library and look there for the infamous Nicholas Flamel. Harry and Ron had obviously been rubbing off on her; she was much more laid back about breaking the rules. This was of course, only when it was necessary to do so, which was always determined by the clever witch.

"Hi, Hagrid, want any help?" Ron asked, sticking his head through the branches.

"Nah, I'm alright Ron, thanks though."

"Would you mind moving out of the way?" Draco's cold drawl came from behind them. "Are you trying to earn some extra money, Weasley? Hoping to be gamekeeper yourself when you leave Hogwarts, I suppose. The hut of Hagrid's must seem like a palace compared to what your family's used to."

Ron dived at Malfoy just as Snape came up the stairs but Julian grabbed the boy roughly as Ron latched on to Draco's robes and threw him off his friend. He didn't like Ron much but he was Harry's friend and so he tolerated him. Ron fell to the floor but got up quickly and glared at Julian with hatred. Not noticing that Snape was making his way over with a sneer.

"Weasley!" Snape's voice cut through the air.

"He was provoked, Professor Snape." Hagrid interrupted. "Malfoy was insultin' his family."

"Be that as it may, fighting is against Hogwarts rules, Hagrid." Snape said silkily. "Five points from Gryffindor Weasley and be grateful it isn't more."

"What about Potter!" Ron roared, the Slytherin had pushed him. Harry shook his head, Snape wouldn't punish Julian. It was hard being in between the middle of his brother and his best friend being as they both despised one another. But Harry admitted to himself that they had both been wrong in the situation.

"Potter and Malfoy to the common room." Was all Snape said, both boys held triumphant looks on their faces as they brushed passed the big tree roughly.

"I'll get him," said Ron, grinding his teeth at Malfoy's back. "One of these days, I'll get him."

"I hate them both." Harry said. "Malfoy and Snape."

"Your brother is a right git too Harry." Ron glared at the said boy's back. Harry just shrugged, his brother was his brother and that would never change.

"Come on, cheer up, it's nearly Christmas." Hagrid bellowed a big smile again on his face. "Tell yeh what, come with me an' see the Great Hall, looks a treat." Hagrid ushered them over. "How many days you got left until yer holidays?"

Hagrid asked as they followed him into the Great Hall. It looked spectacular. Holly and mistletoe hung all around the walls, and no less than twelve towering Christmas trees stood around the room, some sparkling with tiny icicles and some glittering with hundreds of candles.

"Just one." Hermione came up from behind them and joined the conversation. "And that reminds me, Harry and Ron we've got an half and hour before lunch, we should be in the library. Your sisters are already in there."

"Oh yeah, you're right." Ron agreed, tearing his eyes away from Professor Flitwick, who had golden bubbles blossoming out of his wand and was trailing them over the branches of the new tree.

"The library? Just before the holidays? Bit keen, aren't yeh?" Hagrid said following them out of the hall.

"Oh, we're not working," Harry told him brightly. "We've been in there trying to figure out who Nicholas Flamel is."

"You what? Listen here, I've told yeh, drop it. It's nothin' ter you what the dog's guardin'." Hagrid looked shocked.

"We just what to know who he is Hagrid, that's all." Hermione tried to explain to the half-giant.

"You know this would be a lot easier if you would just tell us and save us the trouble." Ron smiled.

"Yeah we've been through what must have been hundreds of books already and we can't find him anywhere. Just give us a hint, I know I've read his name somewhere before." Harry added.

"I'm sayin' nothin'." Hagrid said flatly.

"Just have to find out for ourselves then." Ron said and with that they took off towards the library leaving Hagrid disgruntled.

"I dunno what to tell you Harry, we've been looking for weeks and not even a hint has come up so far." Dorinda was reading through Modern Magical Discoveries. "Maybe we should just listen to Hagrid and stay out of it."

"No Dorinda. What we need to do is find a way to get into the restricted section." Harry muttered looking over at the dusty section; it seemed to be laughing at him tauntingly. Those were the books containing powerful Dark Magic never taught at Hogwarts and only read by the older students studying advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts. "Can't you get a note from a teacher?"

"No Harry I can't. I've already tried, first years aren't allowed in there." Dorinda sighed defeated and closed her current tome.

"I know he's in here somewhere. We've got to just keep trying." Harry was determined; he wanted to know who Nicholas Flamel was. But there was tens of thousands of books on thousands of shelves and hundreds of narrow rows, how could they possibly get through them all?

"Well mate, I'll have Rose's owl send your gift and letter to you." Julian was outside saying his farewell to Draco. The carriages were waiting for the students to board.

"Let's not get all emotional now Potter." Draco grimaced slightly, Julian just laughed heartily. "I'll have mother send you a care package."

"That would be nice of you." Julian nodded and Draco returned it. "Well you best be off." Julian patted the boy on the back; Draco nodded again and got up into the carriage. Over across the court yard, a bit more awkward conversation was going on. If that was at all possible.

"Just do what you can you two." Hermione said lightly. "I have an itching that our answers lie in the restricted section."

"Only problem is, is actually being able to get in." Harry sighed in frustration. Ron nodded beside him.

"Have a good one then, I should be off." Hermione said as she looked back at the waiting carriage. "Yes well okay then."

Hermione mumbled incoherently then gave an awkward smile and boarded the carriage in a blush.

Once the holidays started, everyone forgot about their search for Nicholas Flamel however. They spent their time outside have snowball fights against the Weasley twins, inside their common rooms curled up by the fire or in the library at Dorinda's request. Ron had recently begun to teach Harry about wizards chess, which was like muggle chess but the figures moved. Harry wasn't very good but he was learning.

Dorinda took the holidays to catch up with everyone and even stayed away from the library a bit more. She relaxed and played with Annabelle who had grown almost to her full size over the last couple of months and was very beautiful. She blended in perfectly with the snow, which oddly she loved. The cat often found it amusing however, to take a swipe or two at Julian's snake, Devious. The snake didn't find it quite so humorous though.

Rose learned a lot from spending a bit of time with Blaise, he taught her a lot about pureblood etiquette. It was very interesting. She learned a lot about being a Potter as well. They were a very old Pureblood family and very respected in the wizarding world. They were the only Potters left but since there was four of them; two which were boys, their name would most likely be successfully carried on.

Julian knew all this of course as well; Draco had explained it to him. Without Draco however, Julian really didn't know what to do with himself. Most of the Slytherin house had gone home, so the common room was left rather empty and colder than usual. So he just went and joined his family whenever he could, he especially enjoyed joining in on the snowball fights. It was pure bliss to hit a Weasley or two with a slopping wet ball of snow.

So, when Christmas Eve came, all the Potters went to bed very relaxed and currently happier with their lives than they had ever remembered. They were all looking forward to the food and fun but not really expecting any presents. So it was quite a surprise when they awoke and each found a small pile of packages at the foot of their beds.

"Merry Christmas." Ron said sleepily as Harry scrambled out of his bed. He had presents!

"Merry Christmas Ron. I can't believe I've got presents!" Harry was beyond excited at the parcels.

"What did you expect turnips?" Ron smiled at him, turning to his own pile which was a lot bigger than Harry's.

Harry picked up the top parcel. It was wrapped in thick brown paper and scrawled across it was To Harry, from Hagrid. Inside was a roughly cut wooden flute. Hagrid had obviously whittled it himself. Harry blew it and was surprised when the sound that came out of it sounded a bit like an owl.

The smallest parcel was from Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. It was a fifty-pence piece. Harry was surprised they had sent him anything at all. He handed the present to Ron who was fascinated by it; Harry told him that he could gladly keep it. Ron was very pleased. Harry grabbed the next one, which was lumpy and made Ron turn a bit pink.

"That one is from my mum. I told her you didn't expect any presents and it looks like she made you a Weasley sweater." Ron blushed at the gift. Harry opened it happily and found a thick, hand-knitted sweater of dark red and a large box of homemade fudge. "Every year she makes us a sweater and mine is always maroon."

"That's really nice of her." Harry said, trying a bit of the fudge, which was very tasty. His next present was from Hermione, a large box of Chocolate Frogs. This left only one parcel, Harry picked it up and felt it. It was very light, so he unwrapped it carefully and much too slowly for Ron.

Something fluid and silvery gray went slithering to the floor where it lay in gleaming folds. Ron gasped audibly and dropped his box of Bernie Bott's Every Flavored Beans that he had received from Hermione.

"I've heard of those." He said in a hushed voice. "If that's what I think it is, then it's really rare and very valuable."

"What is it?" Harry asked confused. He picked up the shining, silvery cloth up from the floor. It was strange to the touch, like water woven into material.

"It's an invisibility cloak, I'm sure of it. Go ahead and try it on." Ron urged him, his face full of awe. Harry threw the cloak around his shoulders and Ron gave a yelp.

"It is look down!" Ron pointed at his body, which when Harry looked was no longer there. He dashed over to the mirror and sure enough, his reflection looked back at him but it was only his head suspended in midair. His body was completely invisible. He pulled the cloak over his head and his body completely vanished. "There's a note! A note fell out of it!"

Harry pulled off the cloak and seized the letter. Written in narrow, loopy handwriting that he had never seen before were the following words: Your father left this in my possession before he died. It is time it was return to its rightful owners. Use it well. A Very Merry Christmas to you. There was no signature. Harry stared at the note as Ron admired the cloak.

"I'd give anything for one of those, anything. What's the matter?" Ron asked.

"Nothing." Harry said but he felt rather strange. Who had sent the cloak? Had it really once belonged to his father?

"Oh my!" Rose smiled at the parcels by the foot of her bed. She hadn't really expected much, her brothers and sisters never had any money to spend on each other and to expect something from Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia was a crime.

She took the first parcel and opened it slowly, she was very nervous. Out came a hand knitted sweater of yellow; it had a black R on it. It looked very warm and it felt quite soft. There was a small note that told her it was from Ron's mom. It was very nice of Mrs. Weasley to think of her on Christmas.

Taking the next parcel, she started to unwrap it slowly as well. This was how she made it through her gifts, getting happier and happier as she kept going. Hagrid had gotten her a copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them; she had confessed to him that she was highly interested in magical creatures. This had delighted him to giddiness. Her last gift was surprising and from her Head of House, Professor Flitwick.

Wondering what possibly this man could have gotten her, she opened it up a bit quicker than the others. Professor Flitwick and she often talked about Charms and her mother Lily for a few minutes after class. It was not an unknown fact that Lily and now her daughter Rose were his favorite students. Out of the wrapping came a journal, it was the colors of Gryffindor with its dark red leather and golden pages. A note fluttered out. She picked it up and quickly scanned it.

Miss Potter. This was your mother's journal when she was going to school here. She put many charms on it to disguise it and keep it from dangerous hands. She was showing me the charms before she went into hiding, she instructed me to keep it and look over it myself. I've never been able to break all the charms, maybe you two think alike and you will have more luck with it than I. Your mother was an extraordinary woman, keep her memories alive. Professor Flitwick.

Rose just stared at the journal amazed. This had been her mothers; all of her memories growing up at Hogwarts were in her hands. She felt tears come to her eyes; she would have to thank Professor Flitwick immensely and in person. This was the greatest gift she had ever received and most certainly the best Christmas of her life.

Over in the Ravenclaw common room, much of the same situation was happening with Dorinda. She had received a Weasley sweater as well; hers was dark blue with a bronze D on it. She had instantly slipped it on and relished in its warmth as she continued to open her other presents.

Hagrid had given her a very thoughtful gift. It was a wizarding camera so that she could take pictures that moved and keep them with her over the summer. She wasn't quite sure how to make the potion that was required to soak the pictures in but she could easily find that information in a book in the library she was sure.

Her last gift was a book, she was sure of it by how heavy it was and the shape of the parcel. Magically glued to the wrapping was a note that read: Miss Potter. This book is highly advanced and I suggest you study it greatly before you attempt anything that is within its pages. You are highly gifted in Transfiguration, as was your father. I was sure he taught all of his friends his little trick. Use caution. Professor McGonagall.

Dorinda unwrapped the parcel with the biggest smile on her face. Predictably out came a book and Dorinda gasped at the title. How to Become an Animagus gleamed back at her, she let out a squeal. Highly advanced indeed, not many people in the world had the power to become an Animagus. Dorinda hugged the book to her chest and smiled happily. Surprisingly, McGonagall had made her year.

Julian yawned widely as he slid out of his bed. Only him and Blaise had stayed for Christmas so their dorm was quite empty. Blaise currently was not even there, he had obviously gotten up a bit earlier. It was cold in the dungeons but Julian never really felt the cold much. So seeing his presents by the end of his bed, he didn't even bother to put a shirt on and just sat down in his boxers.

Right on top was a care package that Narcissa had made for him. It was filled with lots of treats, some socks and silky boxers, as well as a small note. You're a Potter be proud. Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy. It was short, simple and sweet for a Malfoy. He felt the new pairs of green and silver boxers; they felt so soft against his skin. He mentally reminded himself to send them a thank you note but he knew that more than likely, he would forget.

He opened Draco's next and smiled at the present. Draco had surprisingly remembered that Julian didn't have any pajamas; the boy did listen to him. Draco had gotten him three pairs of silk black, silver and green pajamas. It was thoughtful but simple, he was glad to have Draco as a friend. Even though nobody else could fathom how a Potter could be friends with a Malfoy. Admittedly, it took a lot of patience and a good sense of humor.

The next present was from Hagrid, which surprised him since he didn't think that Hagrid liked him very much. The parcel had little holes poked in it, he was almost afraid to open it when sounds started coming out of it. He decided to read the note first. Since you're a Slytherin I thought you might like this. You didn't get it from me. Fang almost ate him. Hagrid. Curiously, Julian opened up the package.

Inside was the most beautiful snake he had ever seen. The snake was white but had bright blue eyes, it wasn't very big, probably the size of Devious, his other snake. She seemed scared and a bit annoyed to have been captured and then shoved into the parcel.

"Stupid humans." Said snake muttered as if on cue. She slithered out before lifting her head to stare into the emerald green eyes of Julian.

"Hello, sorry about that. What's your name?" Julian hissed back to the snake who for a snake looked surprised.

"Samara master," Samara bowed her head respectfully at the human speaker. Just then, Devious chose to make his appearance.

"Master who are you speaking to?" Devious slid from underneath Julian's covers and over to where he sat. "Who are you?"

"Samara, who are you?" They seemed to be a bit annoyed with each other as they sized one another up.

"Devious." Devious looked very arrogant all of a sudden at the other snake as he slithered over onto Julian's shoulders.

"Hagrid brought Samara for us. She will be staying with us until we can find her a new home. Try to be a bit nicer." Julian requested of the little snake who nodded albeit reluctantly. "Why don't you two go get something to eat? Devious can show you around I suppose."

"Yes master." Samara hissed before starting to slither out of the room; she didn't wait for Devious to follow. Devious just hissed and slithered quickly after her.

Julian rolled his eyes at his bigheaded pet and turned back to his original task. The last present was the most unexpected of them all. It was a hand knitted sweater of green with a scripted silver J on it. It was from Ron Weasley's mother, which shocked him for he was sure that the boy had told his mother that he was a git. He would have to thank her for it when he got the opportunity. It was extremely nice of her to make him something when she hardly knew who he was.

Hurriedly, he threw on a pair of slacks and slipped his new sweater over his head. It was Christmas and he needed to be with his family.