Previous Chapter - Harry learns a little more about glamours and gets to know a few of the residences of Diagon as his alter ego Douglas Boots. After meeting up with the Grangers, the conversation leads him to learning about different styles of magic. Hermione asks for Harry's assistance with her Occlumency and Harry spends some time exploring the virtual world she created.

9 November - Reposted with corrections provided by Aletheya.

Chapter 18 - Presents and Parties

-my-friend-tom-

Tom was not mistaken. Hermione did come rushing into his room at some crazy hour and began shaking his shoulders screaming something that sounded to Harry's sleep addled mind like they were under attack by presents and a Christmas tree.

Harry very slowly made the transition from sleep, to groggily awake, then on to acting drunk until Hermione realised that he was having her on and gave a loud huff. Harry broke first and, in a moment, they were both giggling as Harry grabbed his dressing gown and allowed himself to be dragged downstairs.

Emma and Dan were sitting on the lounge each nursing a cup of tea. The service was resting on a side table and Hermione quickly poured a cup for the two of them before plonking herself down in front of the large Christmas tree and pile of presents. Harry grinned, he had never seen Hermione ever act so carefree. As he sat beside her on the thick shag carpet he examined the pile of presents with interest. There weren't as many as there normally were at the Dursleys but here most of them seemed to be wrapped by hand than by the toy shop and they weren't all addressed to Dudley. There was actually only one present with that distinctive mass produced free wrapping service paper.

"Well go ahead Harry. Guests first. I already sorted them into piles." Hermione smiled happily.

Harry grinned and reached for one of the smaller piles.

"Naah, Harry those are mum's. Your pile is that one."

Harry blinked and froze. He had known that some of his friends had planned to get him something but the pile was huge. Not as big as Hermione's but there were at least twenty presents there, maybe more. A small shove by Hermione got him moving again. The first present he opened was three 'Merlin's Adventures in Atlantis' comics from Neville. It brought a broad smile to his face and he hoped that the Neville wouldn't be unhappy with the muggle comics he had bought the avid comic collector. He had decided just putting in for the wand kit seemed a little cheap, even though his share of that had been significantly more than the muggle comics. Hermione went next and squealed with joy when her first present turned out to be an expensive calligraphy set from her grandparents.

Harry scored a good selection of chocolates, a few quidditch magazines, some more comics and three books from his study club friends. Four presents stood out as special. The Gryffindor Quidditch Team jointly gave him a pair of regulation seeker gloves with all the regulation charms already cast and guaranteed not to need recharging for six months no matter the weather.

Katie also bought him an amazing present. It was a poster of famous seeker catches. It featured seven different seekers arrayed in a circle around the logo of the internal quidditch league. If you touched any of the seekers with your wand the logo would disappear and you would be treated to a replay of that seeker's most famous catch in the centre of the poster. Hermione didn't seem that impressed by the present though Harry through it was fantastic.

When Hermione handed over her present to him and announced that it was from her and her parents, her parents just gave amused shakes of their heads. It was a dragon skin covered seven year study planner with reminder charms, auto indexing charms and instructions on a dozen charms to help navigate libraries, books and notes. It felt and looked rather expensive and Hermione looked a little shy when Harry declared it absolutely brilliant.

The last present was a bit of a surprise.

"Hey, there's one more. I didn't see it here when I was sorting them. Hey mum, did an owl bring it this morning?"

Emma Granger shook her head, "No dear, It was only the two from Ron Weasley that arrived this morning. The rest arrived yesterday but I don't remember that one either."

Hermione picked up the simply wrapped and tied parcel. "It's very light and for you Harry, but it doesn't say who it's from."

Unwrapping it Harry found himself holding a silvery gray piece of what felt like incredibly fine and rich silk. It seemed almost transparent and when he held it up everyone in the room gasped.

"Your fingers, Harry. I can't see them."

A few moment later everyone was crowded around examining the cloak of invisibility. Even Dan and Emma took a turn at wearing it and walking around the room.

"Now that is the kind of magic that I can understand. What kind of mischief you could get up to with one of those I can only imagine." Mr Granger winked at his wife.

"Shush Dan. I'm sure that's not why it was given to Harry. You won't go misusing it, will you now, Harry?"

Harry shook his head at Mrs Granger and the grinning Mr Granger not understanding what kind of misuse they were talking about. "No Mrs, eh... Emma.

Hermione handed Harry a note, "There was this with it. Says that it used to be your father's but it doesn't say who had it since."

Harry read the note and then passed it around as he wondered aloud, "I wonder who gave it to me and why didn't they put their name on it?"

Emma pursed her lips for a moment before answering, "They probably didn't want you to be grateful to them for it since they were only passing it on. Think of it as a present from your Dad."

Harry didn't know what to say to that and soon found himself being hugged tightly by Hermione.

Shortly thereafter they retreated to the dining room to have a simple breakfast.

It was only at this point that Tom spoke up, 'Merry Christmas, Harry.'

"Thanks, Tom. Merry Christmas to you too. You've been quiet this morning, is anything wrong?"

'No Harry, just didn't want to intrude. It's nice to see you having a proper Christmas. I only wish I could have arranged something similar for you earlier.' Tom's voice was tinged with regret and something else.

"You never had a proper Christmas either, did you? "

There was a short pause before Tom replied, 'No. But don't feel bad for me. I've enjoyed watching you. You have fun with the Grangers and we'll talk later.'

"Okay. Thanks, Tom."

Breakfast was followed by a try of Hermione's new game, Pictionary. It kept them laughing all the way to lunchtime.

-my-friend-tom-

Tom stayed mostly quiet all through Boxing day and only spoke sparingly to assist with Harry's and Hermione's occlumency training, as the holidays approached New Year's Eve. Harry half expected a few sarcastic comments during the very muggle activities that the Grangers took him to, but they never came. By New Year Eve he was actually missing the comments. Tom never failed to answer his questions, but he never spoke first nor did he prolong any conversation by choice. Harry came up with a dozen reasons for this behaviour but ended up discarding them all. Tom just kept reiterating that he should have some fun and not concern himself about it.

December 31st was a massive turn around. Tom woke him early and had him studying and then training Hermione in what seemed liked an endless amount of wizarding customs. Surprisingly Tom seemed to be mostly concentrating on how a muggleborn should expect to be treated at a mostly pureblood function and techniques and tricks for gaining the upperhand in conversations. It was just before lunch that Harry finally understood the reasoning.

"You are treating this as a battle. Isn't it meant to be a party?"

Tom's voice seemed to have a little more life in it when he answered, 'But it is a battle, Harry. A battle for position. You are going in at a disadvantage, no need to also be unprepared. Taking a muggleborn is a crazy and dangerous statement. It is also going to be very unexpected. Why waste the opportunity to score a few points?'

"Points? That's not the first time you have mentioned those. Who is scoring?"

'Everyone, Harry. The Longbottoms are a dying house but they aren't out of the game yet.'

"But Neville's not going to care how I behave. He's a nice guy and all but.. well, you know…"

'You are not trying to impress Neville, Harry, nor his grandmother. Though that wouldn't hurt. But there are going to be plenty of other, more influential people there. You want to make an impression. You want them to think that they can use you. Then set them up so you can use them.'

"Use them for what?"

There was a pause before Tom answered, 'Whatever you want, Harry. I was always in it for the power, but what you choose to do with influence is your choice. However, if you don't have it you can't use it.'

"I'm not sure about this, Tom. Can't I just have fun?"

'From what I've seen of pureblood events, there should be time for that after or before the meet and greet.'

"So as long as I make an impression for the first part of the night when I meet the adults, I can then relax with Hermione, Neville and whoever else turns up?"

'That's right.'

"I guess I can do that."

'You make it sound like a chore, Harry. Think more of it as an opportunity to make your later life easier.'

"Okay. I suppose that's important. Still not sure I like trying to impress people that for the most part sound like stuck up bigots."

'I never said you had to like it. Wait till you meet them, they are worse than you are thinking.'

"Oh that's really great. Thanks very much for that, Tom."

'You're welcome, Harry."

Harry rolled his eyes and went to help Hermione set the table.

-my-friend-tom-

Harry couldn't work out why it took Hermione so long to get ready. Sure her hair looked better all done up but surely it hadn't taken that long for her mum to clip and tie it up in knots.

"Stop playing with the collar, Harry. It looks fine." Emma Granger gently pulled his hand away from the neck his new robe.

Harry gave her an apologetic little nod of his head. He hadn't even realised he'd been doing it again. The robe was pretty cool, he had to say. He thought it made him look like a little vampire prince even though Tom had assured him that few true vampires dressed anything like the muggle fictions.

Hermione was wearing a robe as well. He thought it looked fine and the shop lady had informed him that it was a very elegant robe, appropriate for a highly respected companion of an heir to an ancient family. The lady had gone on and on about crests, embroidery, textures, materials, stitching lengths of collars and belts and he had quickly decided that if he ever needed to know anything about any of it he'd just ask Hermione or go back to the shop. Hermione had soaked it all up and then started asking questions. Harry had just nodded and agreed as he tried not to yawn, his part he considered done when he had ordered it using the wording that Tom had provided. Luckily the wording also included his paying for all the clothing, so he hadn't had to argue for more than a minute with Hermione about her paying for herself. Just as well. They had been very expensive, as not only was the material expensive but they were also charmed for sizing and to accept colour changing charms. The lady assured them the clothing would be suitable until they left Hogwarts.

"So you just hold the invite and say those words and it takes you there?" Daniel was reading the invite sitting on the dining room table. After Harry had explained what a portkey was he had put it down very quickly and had made sure not to get that close to it, much to everyone else's amusement. He currently had his hands in his pockets.

Harry nodded, "That's it. We are expected just after five forty and it wouldn't be polite to arrive more than a couple of minutes late."

"And you'll be okay getting back?" Daniel asked for the third time.

Hermione gave her father a smile and a quick hug, "Don't worry, dad. Neville explained in his letter that they would be side along apparating everyone who needed it back to their homes."

Daniel nodded slowly, "That was where someone holds you and teleports right?"

Hermione nodded and stepped back.

"Okay. Then have fun kids." Daniel took another step back from the table.

Harry held out the letter so that Hermione could hold it as well. Hermione hesitated and held out her other hand and Harry, smiling, took it with his free hand.

"Would you like to say the activation phrase, Hermione?"

Hermione gave him a little smile and after waiting till the second hand had moved a little beyond the new minute spoke clearly, "Two to attend."

Harry felt a sharp tug pulling at his insides. As Tom had instructed he pushed in the direction of the pull and suddenly he was elsewhere. He found himself flying through fast winds and swirls of colour that started off mostly brown, became green, and then with a final flash of brown was replaced by an elegant room. Harry stumbled a little at the landing and then found himself busy holding Hermione as she began to topple forward.

Hermione smiled up at Harry as she straightened back up, "Oh. Sorry, Harry. That landing was a little rough. Lucky the carpet's so soft. Wow this is an interesting room, lots of paintings but no furniture. I wonder why that is."

A small voice spoke up from near Hermione's waist, "This is the portkey reception room, Miss. Occasionally someone will stumble on the landing and removing furniture and placing cushioning charms around the landing mat and on the walls reduced the risk of injury. Please, Miss and Master, if you would follow me, your presence is requested in the entrance hall."

As Harry and Hermione followed the small quickly moving house-elf down a short hall lined with more paintings, the house-elf continued speaking, "This is the east entrance gallery that we are walking through now. My name is Iris and if you require anything you many call me. This bust is of Baron Argyle Longbottom, Neville's great uncle."

The house-elf kept talking as she led them to the end of the hall and only stopped speaking when she opened the door. The entrance hall was huge, stately and a little empty. There were five people standing in the centre of the hall and they looked tiny in comparison with the room that could hold a hundred comfortably.

A young woman that Harry thought must have only completed Hogwarts a couple of years ago walked quickly over to meet them, "Thanks, Iris. Harry Potter and Hermione Granger, I presume?" At their nodded assent she quickly continued. "My name is Francine Abbott and I'm tonight's chaperone for all the children of Hogwart's age. Please follow me and I'll introduce you to the hostess first and then afterwards I'll explain everything. Okay?"

Two more brief assents and Harry and Hermione were led over to the four who had up to that point been chatting in low tones.

Harry recognised the elderly lady at Neville's side wearing a deep purple robe and a vulture topped hat as Neville's grandmother. A well respected and connected lady, though not very involved in politics these days. His and Tom's research had discovered that she had received a mastery in Transfiguration though there didn't seem to be any record of what she had done with those skills afterwards. Harry guessed that the middle aged lady next to Hannah must be Hannah's mother. Harry didn't know much about her specifically though he did know that the Abbott family was reasonably large with many uncles and cousins, almost all of whom were involved in farm management.

"Mr Harry Potter and Miss Hermione Granger, may I present your hosts and hostesses for the evening. Madam Augusta Longbottom and her grandson, Neville Longbottom." A slight pause for some simple greetings, "Madam Jeanne Abbott and her daughter Hannah Abbott." a few more polite and short greetings. Francine quite effectively let Harry and Hermione know with just a smile and a little nod that they should move on.

After a brief promise from Neville they moved away from the four and Harry noted, just as they were leaving the room, that an elderly man dressed as a butler was entering from the far end leading others.

"Sorry about the rush there. There are a lot of people coming in. Thankfully you are the last of those I need to introduce, so we can go meet up with the rest of my group. Now, any questions, feel free to ask me or Iris." Francine was leading them along a long twisting wide hall. "We'll avoid the main ballroom for the moment. After Neville and Hannah have finished greeting everyone, we'll all go in together."

Hermione managed to sneak a word in, "Is Hannah your sister?"

Francine shook her head with a smile, "No, my cousin. Aunt Jeanne's is my dad's sister."

After a brief explanation of the structure of the Abbott family, Harry and Hermione were led into a large lounge with a dozen couches of varying sizes and ages and a smattering of coffee tables. The room was surprisingly crowded, with only a scattering of empty seats available and Harry increased his estimate of just how many people were going to be at this party. Harry recognised Susan Bones, Lavender Brown, Terry Boot and Ernest Macmillan and led Hermione over to sit near them. Most of the older students he recognized by sight, though he only knew a few of their names. A few simple greetings were exchanged as he walked past them but neither they or Harry were that keen to start a conversation.

Only a few minutes passed before Terry and Ernest convinced Susan, Harry and Hermione to join them playing exploding snap. That kept them amused until Neville and Hannah entered the room. Shortly thereafter, Jeanne led the crowd into the grand hall of Longbottom Mansion. The hall was very impressive. Almost three times the size of the entrance hall with walls of yellow plaster that was contrasted by massive dark red wooden beams that, between the panels, arched across the roof. Three great dragon heads were mounted on the main wall and a mixture of smaller but still mythical creature heads were mounted along the side walls.

Harry found the first through fourth year Hogwarts students and a few other kids their age but attending other schools seated at a pair of large round tables. The food turned out to be a fantastic spread of seafood and surprisingly fresh produce. When dessert came and turned out to be very Strawberry-centric Harry clicked on to the fact that there had obviously been a lot of magic involved to get so many off season fruit and vegetables to the table.

After the meal Jeanne led the crowd along a wide hallway to the rear of the mansion. Outside, the bright lights around the large courtyard made it hard to make out the rest of the grounds, but Harry got an impression of winding paths leading down a lightly wooded hill towards farmland. A number of greenhouses and stone buildings seemed to be scattered haphazardly amongst the trees. It looked extremely cold out there, snow was thick on the ground and coated most of the trees. However, the lawn where they stood had only the lightest covering and was pleasantly warm. Harry took a moment to quietly focus on the magic and was rather impressed to see just how much area the warming wards covered. He spotted five places where the magic was concentrated and picked out the bushes that were concealing the ward stones.

Jeanne pointed out the relevant places to get a drink, relieve themselves and places were they could sit if they got tired or just wanted a quiet place to socialise or play games. Then she lay down the law on what was and wasn't appropriate behaviour and warned them that it wouldn't just be her and their parents that would be watching them tonight.

Soon after that, the adults started drifting out on to the lawns and people began mingling. Harry took a deep breath and then, taking Hermione's arm in his, went off with Neville to be introduced to various people. Harry had to suppress a snigger when he saw Neville quietly check a list of names in his pocket. Obviously, Madam Longbottom had made sure that Neville knew which people Harry had to be introduced to, he hoped that the entire list that he spotted included introductions for Neville's other friends, as otherwise he was in for a very long night.

Hannah looked to have a similar duty, as Harry saw her leading a couple of the visiting students around in a very purposeful way.

After leaving some mind numbingly boring Potion master, Neville led Harry and Hermione off towards a small crowd. Harry started when he recognised the lady chatting with Amelia and Susan Bones. It was the woman that had followed him from King's Cross Station to Privet Drive. Harry steadied himself, he wondered if he could get away with making some sort of comment about have seen her around before.

'Enough of that, Harry. I understand the temptation, but if you let on that you knew you were being followed it just means they'll do a better job next time.'

"Ouch. Yeah, didn't think of that. Would have been fun, though."

'Save such pranks for school. Lets just concentrate on finding out just who it was that was following you and why.'

Emmeline Vance turned out to be a rather pleasant lady and Harry soon forgot about his little grudge against her for delaying the start of his holiday plans. Though she didn't seem to have any official connection with the Ministry, her close friendship with Amelia Bones did seem to back up Harry's idea that it was the ministry that was keeping an eye on him.

'Keep your mind open Harry, loyalty and friendship don't always overlap. Emmeline has fought alongside some of Dumbledore's closest allies against the death eaters, including Amelia's brother but not Amelia, as I recall. Amelia only joined the fight when she enlisted at the Ministry after Voldemort killed most of her family off.'

"So Amelia didn't fight with Dumbledore?"

'Not to my knowledge. It is possible that she disagreed with Dumbledore's more defensive strategies. I never personally saw Amelia in combat, but it was reported to me that she was a very capable combatant who was very willing to use lethal spells in battles. More than a few death eaters were buried after battling against her.'

"I thought the Ministry didn't approve of such tactics?"

'Generally it doesn't, but she joined right in the middle of the war when such considerations were falling by the wayside. I doubt she is too happy about the current political situation, Fudge is all talk and Amelia strikes me as a witch who prefers action.'

"She seems nice."

'Maybe, a useful ally either way.'

-my-friend-tom-

As it approached midnight one of the seventh year students cast a megaphone charm and called out the count down. At zero a large amount of fireworks shot into the sky and all the adults and some of the older students joined in sending fountains of sparks or coloured bubbles high into the sky.

'Happy New Year, Harry.'

"Happy New Year, Tom."

Author Notes: Sometimes it's a struggle to decide how much I should write about an individual event. However generally I'm going to go with moving the story along over focusing on all the little details. A couple of reasons, I've got a short attention span, there is just so much more to happen that I just want to get to it. So sometimes if I start leading into something then abruptly end a scene, it's probably because my internal audience spoke up and told me to get a move on.

And now I find myself a little short on activities for Harry stay back in Diagon Alley for the rest of the Christmas break, any ideas?

Finally decided to get around to sticking up images for all my stories. The one of Tom Riddle for this story is the least modified of all of them.

Thanks to all my readers, reviews and Aletheya.

Replies to reviews posted at wwwfanfictionnet/topic/135718/89507238/1/ (I've noticed I usually get behind by one or two chapters worth of reviews before I catch up)