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Harry Potter was a man on a mission. He went into his trunk and donned his gi. He carefully concealed his supply of chemicals, after dipping his darts in each substance. Alone these compounds were harmless, but when combined, they caused one of the most excruciatingly painful hours of a victim's life. Though non-lethal they have been known to make the victim wish for death. Harry infused each dart with his essence so he could use them as an anchor point to penetrate even the strongest minds.
He was determined to get the information he was seeking: the answer to a question that had been burning in his mind since he rescued 'Mione- Why? He wanted to know why Quirrell would set loose a monster in a school full of children, whom he had pledged to protect as a Defense Professor. Why was he not present during the sorting feast? Why did the Headmaster not bother to introduce him as he had all of the other professors?
Quirrell had not endangered just any student either, but he had endangered Hermione Granger, and to Harry that was an attack upon his family. Only a coward attacks innocent women and children. To do so was a mortal sin to all ninja. Harry was going to exact retribution from this man the likes of which will be used as an example until the memories of man fade beyond the mists of time!
Harry prepared himself mentally for the task, using his discipline to calm the towering rage with in him into a smoldering slow-burn in order to remain focused. Anger blinds a ninja's skills and leads him to lose his center. Losing one's center was the difference between being a force of darkness rather than a bastion for good. Without the center a ninja is nothing more than a murderer. No, Harry was not going to become that!
***MEDITATION
Harry sat in the crossed-leg position with his head bowed as the Soke was instructing him. The gentle master was stern in his demeanor, as Harry had attacked another student in anger earlier that day. Soke lectured him, "Harri-san, I am disappointed in your actions this day. You have shamefully attacked your brother. True, you were provoked into anger, but the measure of a ninja is not in whether he may become angry, but rather the choises he makes as a result of that anger. You can choose to strike out releasing your rage and inflicting suffering on those around you, or you can choose to let their words flow over you like the water over the back of a duck. Should you choose the latter, you will find that your opponent will most likely be the one to shame himself."
Harry spoke, "Honorable Soke,how can a ninja decide when the time is right to punish a slight upon his honor? If he allows others to impugn his honor, but does not act then would not others label him a coward?"
Soke smiled and responded, "Ah, but you see, young one, the measure of a ninja is also in his discretion. Just because one can do something, does not always mean that he should do something. For example, I am Soke, I can best any sensei or student in this clan, so when a ninja makes a mistake, I could end his life anytime I choose and none could stop me from doing so; yet, would it be right for me to do so? Taking a life should be a sacred act only carried out when no other measure could stop the darkness from spreading its cloak over the innocent. It is also used to punish evil men who steal the innocence from others and savor it like a fine meal. They have no remorse, thus there is no room for redemption. Given the chance, they would do as they wish once again, so removing them from the world of the living is not an act of evil but one of justice. A ninja should strive to be an officer of justice, meting out only enough punishment to balance the situation. Once a threat is neutralized, or a lesson is learned then justice is served. Remember my counsel, and you shall be a great ninja one day."
Soke helped prepare Harry for his destiny, teaching him the mental techniques and constructs needed to separate his life as ninja from his life as Harry James Potter. "You must take your training and your identity as 'The Shadow' and separate it from your soul. This will help you better handle the violence and pain that can consume one's soul. Only become one with 'The Shadow' when you must, for it is too easy to surrender to the seductive nature of violence. This identity shall remain hidden from your active mind, though his skills will be available to you always. I will escort you to the place where you will be staying until you leave for your wizard training soon. You will vaguely recall my face, but not the details of this place or your participation in this training."
Harry bowed in respect, "It shall be as you say, Soke."
After ten minutes of light meditation, Harry found the secret bridge within his false core which led to his separate persona. He assimilated all of the knowledge and mannerisms quickly and shed some his "Harry James Potter" persona in order to achieve his objective. Harry was again the Shadow.
The Shadow crept through the dark abandoned halls of Hogwarts, tracking his prey by following the trail of magic which any wizard leaves behind, without proper stealth training. The Shadow slipped into the door on the third floor, seeing the Cerberus he sealed the door shut so that only he could re-open the door, and then faded into the shadows waiting. The trail had told him that his prey had taken a slightly different route, but the Shadow was certain that his quarry was headed to this room.
He heard the sound of breathing and a nervous heartbeat drawing closer. Then he sensed the darkness radiating from the individual's soul. There was little if any light left in it, and thus the Shadow again passed judgment on this wizard. His life was forfeit. When Quirrell approached, the Shadow placed a shroud of darkness over the hall that would block sound from escaping its embrace, and then taking aim, threw his darts. One struck the unsuspecting Quirrell in the neck, one in the leg directly penetrating the sciatic nerve, the last struck dead center through the back of the turban.
Quirrell began screaming in agony as the Shadow approached, "Who are you?" asked the craven Professor. The Shadow answered, "I am Justice, I am Retribution, I am the Hand of Death. I exist in places where men dare not to tread, I supplant the light of hope for all who have been judged and found wanting. I am the Shadow. I might grant you Mercy if you indulge me. Otherwise…well, quite the conundrum is it not?"
The man was curled in ball and convulsing in pain as the Shadow asked, "Why did you release a troll in a school of innocent children?"
Quirrell looked as if he was about to vomit but answered raggedly, gritting his teeth as he grunted, "I needed a diversion."
The Shadow asked his next question carefully, "You endangered the lives of so many for such a selfish reason? You are pathetic. I would kill you but you are not even worth the effort. Who do you work for?"
Quirrell screamed out once more as the pain was torturing him, before answering, "Yes, I did, and my Master would like to introduce himself to you, whoever you are."
With that, the Shadow simply replied, "Just tell me his name, and I'll be glad to make all of the proper introductions in-person."
Quirrell began convulsing in extreme agony as he screeched, "The Dark Lord will not be thwarted so easily!"
The Shadow simply reached out with his mind, following the essence trail, found all that he needed to know. The Philosopher's Stone, the troll, and much more- all things he filed away in his mind for future reference. The Shadow recalled his spirit to his own mind and with a deadly calm tone whispered, "This is for 'Mione, you bastard."
In the blink of an eye, the Shadow reached behind and freed his blades, slashing downward, the blades passing through Quirrell's neck with no resistance. The shock was evident on the bumbling professor's face as his head slid to the side and rolled down the corridor spraying a fountain of blood and drenching the area in gore. The Shadow simply smirked and retorted, "The darkness cannot hide from the Shadow. Justice has been served." He wiped his blade clean on the sleeve of Quirrell's robe before replacing them in their sheaths. An unearthly wail filled the air as a dark mist, much as the one that had erupted from Harry's scar in the Chief Director's office flew from the severed head, "THIS IS FAR FROM OVER! YOU HAVE DARED TO DEFY ME! I SHALL RETURNAND ALL WHO STAND AGAINST ME SHALL PERISH! YOU WILL DIE!" Then the eerie mist turned and flew away leaving a withered husk behind.
The Shadow sensed others approaching and after removing any trace of the locking spell he had placed upon the door; he erased the essence of his magic and recalled the darts before shifting back to his suite. Disillusioned, the Shadow meditated once more and after entering his mindscape he sifted through the memories of the night's events. He sorted the various memories he had acquired while picking through Quirrell's mind and filed the information in the proper places, and then he exited the Shadow's mindscape and returned to Harry's. Harry quickly resealed the connection to the Shadow's mindscape and concealed the key trigger to its proper place within a false memory. He then exited his mindscape and changed back into his robes, replacing his ninja gear in the secret compartment of his trunk, before shifting to the entry and cancelling his disillusionment.
He gave the password and entered the suite to find all his friends except for Daphne and Hermione in the common room, nervously conjecturing about what Harry was doing. Harry responded, "Well, I just had to meet Professor Quirrell about a special assignment, I had some questions that needed some immediate answers and I could not wait until morning to get some answers. It's really a shame that he lost his head over such a simple request, but I personally think he was dying to get an extra load off his mind, so I assume it was inevitable."
Neville leapt to his feet, wand in hand, turning about in mid air before seeing Harry standing there. "Oh, it's you! You nearly made my heart jump out of my chest, sneaking up unannounced like that!"
Harry chuckled and retorted, "Well, it is my suite, after all, so I really shouldn't have to announce myself at all. However, I'm sorry if I startled you. Nice reflexes by the way, Nev!"
Neville rolled his eyes and answered, "Thanks, but you almost were on the receiving end of my Blasting Hex, so a little warning next time would be appreciated. I don't think I would like to explain to Susan's Auntie why her Aurors were having to scrape the Boy-Who-Lived off the walls of his own suite tonight."
Harry guffawed loudly responding, "Nev, you really have come a long way in your training these last few weeks, but I seriously doubt many short of Dumbles himself could hit me with a Blasting Hex strong enough to crack my shields, but point taken. I like this new and improved Neville. Assertiveness and confidence will help you become a much better wizard. Plus, the new wand certainly is doing wonders!"
Neville grinned, "Yeah, yeah. I might even get the courage to find myself a girlfriend with all this confidence. Seriously, though, are you alright, Harry? I know you're worried about Hermione. You look knackered."
Harry flashed a slight grin, "Yes, now I'm for a shower and bed. I AM knackered. G'night all."
Harry removed his robes, and after a long shower, he toweled off and changed into his night clothes. He noticed that everyone had gone to bed, so he wandlessly noxed the candles and made his way toward the living quarters. As he went over to check on Hermione, when one of the portraits called out, "Professors are at the entry, milord. Should I let them up?"
Harry responded, "Please do."
The entry opened and Professors McGonagall and Flitwick entered with the Headmaster. "Is everything alright, Professors, Headmaster? Trolls can be a right menace or so I've heard…I wonder if our resident Defense Professor was able to pull himself together and be of any use."
Dumbledore simply answered, "We found no trace of a troll tonight, but we did however find the body of a man decapitated in a restricted corridor."
Harry responded nonchalantly, "Interesting. What is this world coming to when one cannot keep one's head about him? I really do appreciate the effort to keep me informed, Professor, but I must say that today has been rather grueling, so if that is all, I'm for bed. You know the way out. Do be a right old chap and secure the portal behind you. G'night." Harry left a sputtering Professor McGonagall and an amused Professor Flitwick to their own devices as he turned to leave.
Dumbledore responded, "Are you certain you know nothing of these strange occurrences, Lord Potter? Is there anything else you wish to tell me?"
Harry simply yawned and replied, "No sir, I haven't a clue."
Dumbledore ushered McGonagall out as Flitwick simply smirked and followed. Harry went into Hermione's room to find Daphne asleep in a chair next to the bed. Harry conjured a blanket and cast a Cushioning Charm on the floor before lifting her from the chair and placing her gently on the floor. He then climbed upon the bed and kissed Hermione on the forehead, then whispered, "Everything will be okay, 'Mione. I took care of it all. Nothing will harm you, I swear."
He lay there cradling her and thinking about the night's events before drifting to sleep.
-oOoo0ooOo-
Hermione woke early, feeling surprisingly warm and safe after such a horrendous ordeal the evening prior. She went to stretch and felt herself surrounded by a strong yet gentle embrace. She stiffened as she began to panic, before she inhaled a scent that relaxed her again. The smell was of sunshine, broom oil and soap- Harry was holding her. Wait a minute! Harry is holding me? What in the bloody hell is he doing in my bed? Not that I'm necessarily complaining…
He stirred and chuckled, "Well, good morning. I must confess that last night was the best sleep I ever had! Did you sleep well?"
Hermione blushed, "Obviously. I cried myself to sleep, but at some point I felt some kind of warmth envelop me and I felt so safe and secure. I thought I dreamt it, and imagine my surprise to find you asleep, holding me closely."
Harry put on a mock-innocent look and answered, "I have no idea what you are talking about 'Mione. I am just a shocked as you are to find myself here. I remember how upset you were after everything, so I imagine I must have somehow made my way in here to make sure you were feeling better."
Hermione smirked and raised her brow at him. I'm so not buying it! She responded sarcastically, "Ri-ight. Harry I like my floors neat and tidy, and smelling fresh, so save the manure for pranking Snape or Malfoy. It just got knee-deep in here." She pinched him on the arm, and he pinched her back.
Soon an all-out tickle war was going on in the bed, rousing Daphne, who responded, "Oh, now he wakes me! Hermione, can I be on your team? Someone forgot his manners and allowed me to sleep on the ground all night so payback is in order!"
Harry had trapped Hermione's hands and she was in the middle of trying to extricate them when she responded, "Be my guest! Witches have to stick together in this crazy world!" Harry gulped and cried out, "Hey! I placed a Cushioning Charm on the ground first! I thought it better not to wake you, but I also thought you would not appreciate the crick in your neck you might have received from sleeping in that blasted chair all night! What's a poor bloke to do?"
Daphne leapt at Harry and began tickling him from behind, while Hermione managed to free a hand and was attacking his ribs, all the while cackling like a mad woman. Harry finally cried out as he felt the urge to answer the call of nature, "TRUCE! I need to visit the loo, ladies, unless, you would care to go swimming this morning?"
The witches let him up and swatted him on the back of the head playfully. Hermione answered playfully, "Prat! Go on, get with it, then! Take away our new pastime just when we were winning!"
Hermione and Daphne realized the time and each decided to change into their morning exercise gear. Harry was ready when they emerged in the common room and the trio made their way to the clearing by the lake. They began stretching and the others trickled outside to meet them. Once the group was complete, they began their routine.
Hermione was still processing how Harry had risked his life to save her from the Troll. A friend would care enough to come to my aid in such a crisis, right? He IS my best friend, right?
You fancy him, Granger.
No! I-oh bloody hell! You bloody well know he is my best friend! I mean, what could HE possibly see in mousy little ME? Then there is Daphne, Pav, Padma…and maybe even Susan. Those witches are gorgeous…I'm just me! Yet, he DID sleep in MY bed last night…Oh bugger! This is getting so complicated! Daphne flirts with him like crazy and he seems to flirt in return, but then he flirts with me, too. I know he isn't some cad, so what does this all mean?
You fancy him and you are afraid.
Of course I'm afraid! He's Harry-Bloody-Potter! He could have ANY witch he desired! What if I tell him how I feel and he doesn't feel the same for me? I would just die!
You need to tell him.
Sure. What if it just makes everything awkward between us? What if he no longer wants to be my friend after I tell him? What then? I just got him back! Of course he did kill a fully grown mountain troll for me…but that's beside the point!
What are you asking me for? I'm just your conscience. I'm part of you. I'm not psychic, I have no more answers than you do!
Oh bugger! I'm arguing with myself now!
Harry called the group to a halt and they began warming down. Then he had them work on the katas he had assigned them. Hermione focused her energy and executed her patterns with skill and grace. The kata became therapeutic to her as the worries melted away with each step.
She peeked over and saw Harry finishing his kata. His muscles rippled in a delicious way as he extended and flowed effortlessly from position to position. Hermione found herself staring at him, her mouth going dry as parchment. She licked her lips and bit her bottom lip as she felt her heart fluttering and her breath catching. His gorgeous emerald orbs met her gaze and he smirked at her suggestively, his eyebrows wriggling.
Hermione blushed furiously and averted her eyes as she stretched her arms and legs to complete the morning's session. Harry called the session closed and the group adjourned to their dorms to shower and prepare for the day. Hermione took a long shower, relaxing her muscles and her mind. She took the time to brush her bushy mane and apply a light cosmetic glamour to add a natural look, before donning her robes and meeting Harry in the common room. His messy raven locks looked like the wind had blown through them and Hermione found herself longing to touch them and feel their softness run through her fingers.
She pulled herself together and made her way beside him. Daphne came into the room as well and Harry inquired, "My ladies, shall we?" Hermione responded, "Let's go before Ronald eats everything!"
Harry laughed, "I don't think Ron Weasley will be joining us for quite a while yet. It seems his lack of ability to allow his pathetic excuse for a brain to engage before his mouth ran finally caught up with him yesterday. He found it prudent to check himself into the infirmary for a while so Madam Pompfrey could take a look at the problem. Of course the decision may have been assisted by the pummeling he received from most of Gryffindor after a certain incident outside of Charms class, but I'd like to think he would have come to the decision naturally at some point. I'm not certain as to when, but at some point."
Hermione stood on her tip-toes and kissed Harry on the cheek, causing both of them to blush in a shy manner. Daphne, probably feeling excluded, followed suit and as a result, she blushed afterwards, as well. Harry grinned sheepishly and replied, "Wow! Kissed by the two prettiest witches at Hogwarts…a bloke could certainly get used to the idea!"
The trio laughing, then left for breakfast arm-in-arm, just as they had every morning.
-oOoo0ooOo-
The next week went by much as the rest of the year had, with the exception of DADA, which Dumbledore found himself having to teach, since Quirrell had "resigned" so suddenly. The old wizard was actually a brilliant Professor and the students found the practical portion of class much more intense than Quirell's had ever been.
Dumbledore taught them the fundamentals of dueling and the subtle differences between jinxes, hexes and curses. He also taught them how to incorporate certain charms into a defensive pattern. Harry and his group were already masters of this technique, but it was nice to be able to practice somewhat more openly than when Quirell was instructing.
That Friday brought the announcement that morning classes for all first year students had been cancelled in lieu of Flying lessons. This brought about a lot of bragging and machismo from many of Harry's male yearmates, as many of them bragged about their various "feats" while on broom back. Harry rolled his eyes at some of the more outlandish tales, such as Malfoy's claim that he had almost been clipped by a muggle airplane, but he avoided being injured by out maneuvering the bloody thing.
The excited students reported to the Quidditch pitch where Madam Hootch was waiting for them. She was a rather attractive witch in her early thirties. Her red dragonhide flying jacket was complete with a matching aviator's cap and goggles. She sent Filch to the broom shed, and he returned with an arm full of school brooms, which all appeared to have seen better days.
She began, "Hello class, I'm Madam Hootch, your instructor for today. I also referee the House Quidditch matches. Please attend the matches and chear for team, because the Quidditch cup gives points toward the House cup too. Now, let's begin the lessons, shall we? Now everyone grab a broom, place it on the ground next to your feet and say, 'Up!' Once you can perform this task, I'll teach you how to grip the broom properly."
Suddenly, the air rang out with the noise of eleven and twelve year olds crying, "UP!" Malfoy's broom remained stationary until he tried to kick it. It jumped up and cracked him right in his bits. Harry may have sent a jolt of wandless magic at him as Malfoy tried to get the broom to perform, but Harry would deny his involvement to the grave The blonde ponce collapsed in a heap groaning in pain as the broom continued to whack him smartly about the head and shoulders.
Madam Hootch even tried to wrestle the bewitched broom, but was unsuccessful as the wild broom kept smacking into the git, leaving welts and bruises, which in Harry's opinion rather improved Malfoy's looks. Malfoy cried out, "Somebody stop this bloody thing! It's not funny! Stop laughing at me! Wait until my father hears of this!" The students began laughing at the scene unfolding in front of them. Harry discretely waved his hand and the broom ceased its assault. Madam Hootch took the offending broom and replaced it with a different one, and then once the laughter died down she began the lesson again in earnest.
Harry, Neville and Daphne got their brooms to rise on command the first time, while Malfoy and most of the other students had a bit more difficulty. Madam Hootch saw this and applauded while beaming in excitement, "Ah, it seems we have some natural talent with us today! Ten points each to Gryffindor for excellent form!"
Harry turned to Hermione and whispered, "You have to feel it, 'Mione. It isn't a dog, so don't order it around. Just focus on the feel of the energy surrounding the broom and then call it to your hand like a Summoning Charm." Hermione did as instructed and when she told it, "Up!" the broom rose to her hand. She squealed with delight at her accomplishment. After a few minutes, Madam Hootch then showed them how to mount the broom, and how to take off. Hermione had just mounted the brrom when it suddenly took off like a rocket. She was vaulted some two hundred feet into the air and then the broom began to buck and jerk about. Hermione began screaming in terror as she tried desperately to maintain her seat, but she began listing to one side precariously.
Harry mounted his broom and disregarded Madam Hootch's command to return to the ground as he raced through the air at a blinding speed, pushing the broom to its limits and then pouring more magic into it to increase the speed. Hermone slipped and plummeted toward the pitch below just as Harry swooped under her and caught her. She was screaming until she felt his arms supporting her, safely tucking her to his chest. Harry replied, "I've got you. I told you I'll always be there to catch you, 'Mione."
She blushed and buried her head into his shoulder as the tears of relief poured down her cheeks. He guided his broom back to the pitch and landed without a hitch, looking as if he had been born flying on a broom instead of doing it for the first time.
Suddenly he looked over Hermione's shoulder and saw a furious Professor McGonagall approaching. He dismounted the broom and set Hermione on her feet as the Deputy Headmistress called out, "Harry James Potter! Never in my years have I seen such a display! Come with me right now, Lord Potter!"
Harry gulped and gave Hermione a final hug, before replying, "Yes, Professor."
Professor McGonagall led him through the corridors past the Charms classroom where she asked the diminutive Professor Flitwick, "Fillius, may I borrow Wood for a moment please?"
The tiny professor replied, "Sure, Minerva. Wood get your things and go with Professor McGonagall. Work on your assignment tonight."
A muscular fifth year student with auburn hair and a sturdy demeanor gathered his equipment and joined Harry and Professor McGonagall. She brought them into her classroom and produced her wand. "Colloportus! Silencio!" the door shut and locked and all sound ceased penetrating the door.
Olliver Wood looked puzzled as he asked, "Alright Professor, what is this all about?"
Professor McGonagall beamed, "I found your Seeker. Lord Potter here managed to mount his broom and perform the most amazing act of flying I've seen since his father by rescuing a fellow student whose broom had shot her two hundred feet into the air and then began to toss her about like a dog with a rat. She slipped and plummeted and Harry reached her from the opposite side of the pitch in less than five seconds flat! He caught her and safely returned the two of them to the pitch looking as if he hadn't a care in the world! The Quidditch Cup is a s good as ours!"
Wood grinned and turned to Harry saying, "So, have you ever played Quidditch before? Do you know what a Seeker does?"
Harry answered confusedly, "No, I have not played before. I'm assuming this is a sport which requires a broom, correct?"
Wood clapped him on the shoulder enthusiastically, "It's only the best game EVER! I'll show you later today during free period. Practices are on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Games are on Saturday mornings. We play each team once and then the cup is decided based on the point differential between our total points scored for us versus against our opponents. The team with the highest differential wins the Cup!"
Harry shrugged, "I take it then that Seeker is position on the team and you want me to play it?"
Professor McGonagall responded, "Yes, Lord Potter. I want you to join our team and let Mr. Wood here train you. Of course, being a first year, we'll have to get you a broom, because you're going to need it."
Harry grinned, "So I get my own broom? Fine, I'm in!"
-oOoo0ooOo-
So Harry incorporated his new schedule into the training schedule for the group, and he was not the least bit surprised when he got a brand new Nimbus 2000 delivered by owl the next day. Neville was awestruck by the broom, and Malfoy jealous. Nothing new. Hermione was acting strange, which troubled Harry a great deal. She kept acting as if she was nervous to be alone with him, and frequently hid in the library. When he would go looking for her, she would gather her things and find an immediate need to be elsewhere.
Daphne thought it was funny, and told Harry she was probably just embarrassed by the whole broom incident.
Weeks went by as November became December, and the holiday season fell upon the ancient castle. After a particularly grueling practice, he caught up with her and pulled her into an empty classroom. He sealed the door and began, "'Mione, have I done something wrong? Do you not want to be my friend anymore, because you have been almost like a ghost these past few weeks."
She looked startled and replied, "NO! Of course I want to be your friend, Harry! You have done nothing wrong, I'm just really busy lately with end of term exams approaching and mum hasn't wrote me back yet to confirm the invitation to Christmas holidays at my house…"
Harry exclaimed, "Bollocks! You have been running from me! Why?"
Hermione started trembling as tears rolled down her face, "Oh! I've really messed this one up! Harry, I-well-ARGH! Why can't I just say it?"
Harry looked at her with concern before pulling her to his chest in a deep embrace while running his fingers through her hai massaging her scalp, "'Mione, shhh. It's alright. Everything will be fine. It's me Harry, your best friend. You can tell me anything."
Hermione sniffled as she continued, "I'm afraid. After the Troll, I wrote mum and she wrote me back telling me she wanted to pull me from Hogwarts. I begged her to reconsider and she granted me my boon, but she told me if one more dangerous incident happens I'm gone. Then, the whole broom incident occurred and I'm just afraid she'll take me away. I don't want to leave, Harry!"
Harry comforted her by rocking her gently as he answered, "'Mione, she can't! The Ministry has laws that govern situations like yours. Your parents have very few if any rights over your education as a partially trained witch is a liability to the Statute of Secrecy. If they tried, the Aurors would show and take you back by force, then modify their memories so that your parents won't remember you. Then the Ministry would place you with a foster family. Since I am a Lord and I outrank most of them, I would simply take custody of you and that would be the end of your file."
Hermione sniffed again and then grinned, "Oh Harry! Thank you for being so wonderful to me!"
Harry wiped the last of tears from her eyes and leaned in close. He kissed her on the forehead and replied, "It's a gift! Thank you for being you, 'Mione. Feel better now?"
Hermione giggled, "Much better! Now let's go to dinner, because suddenly I'm starved!"
Harry agreed, "I am too! Let's go before there is nothing left!"
-oOoo0ooOo-
A few days later the owl came, and Hermione squealed with excitement. She opened the reply and began bouncing in place. "Mum said yes! You are joining us for a Granger family Christmas! We are going to have a blast!"
Harry smiled as he replied, "Thanks 'Mione. This will be my first family holiday. I can't wait to trim a tree! It sounds like it beats the bloody pulp out of the Dursleys fake tree.!"
They skipped away humming the tune to "The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole, an American muggle singer whose music is considered classic and essential to the Christmas Holidays.
Daphne and Neville also invited Harry to Christmas, but Harry politely declined telling them Hermione had asked first. Daphne came up with a compromise that if he was with the Granger's for Christmas, then they could come to her parent's New Year's Eve Ball. Hermione agreed and told her she would ask her mother and confirm the invitation after they arrived at the Granger residence.
Finally, the day of departure had arrived, and Harry said goodbye to the group and ordered them to keep the exercise schedule while on Holiday. With a few wandless packing spells, Harry's and Hermione's belongings were neatly packed and feather-light charmed for transport. They rode the Hogwart's Express to King's Cross. They talked about many different things from Christmas cookies to plans for present shopping. Before they knew it, they were ten minutes away from King's Cross Station.
Harry Potter was going to celebrate his first Christmas!
AN: Okay. Sorry about the cliffie, but I wanted to get the post up on time if possible. I have no beta so forgive spelling errors. Please review. I am having fun with this one. To all my reviewers who posted but I have been unable to respond, I apologize. My email client has been having trouble. : (