Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
"Are you sure you'll be okay without us?" Hermione spoke. The Griffindor trio- Harry, Neville and Hermione- were sitting at the Griffindor table in the great hall.
"I'll be fine. Have extra fun for me okay, Hermione?" Harry spoke as he sat down his glass of water.
She nodded. Her eyes looked sadden as she gazed at her first friend. Harry broke eyes contact and shifted his gaze to Neville. The sad look on Neville face cause Harry to hold back a sigh. He gave the boy a sweet small and rest his hand on the boy's head. He gently patted the soft hair.
"Don't look so sad. You'll be back in no time. Beside I won't be the only one in the castle. The twins are staying as well"
"Harry, you don't even like the twins that much. I feel so horrible for leaving you here by yourself," Neville said.
"I'm sure I'll fine something interesting to do. Maybe I'll look up on possible candidate for what ever it is that Bumblebee, uh, I mean Dumbledore hide in the third corridor." He gave an angelic look as he corrected himself.
"Really Harry, must you be so disrespectfully toward the headmaster? I still don't get why you hate Professor Dumbledore so much"
"I have my reasons. Besides, its not like I call him names. I just choose to use the meaning of his name in place of the actual thing. Tomato, tomato same different."
"Still..."
"Come on, Hermione. Give Harry a break. He's already too nice as it is"
"That is quite true.
"Neville! Not you too Hermione. And what's wrong with being nice?"
"Nothing!" they chorused.
"It's the 'too' part that needs tampering" Hermione said and Neville nodded.
"I'm not that nice, guys"
"Yes you are. You're even nice to the Slytherins. Especially Draco Malfoy! and the broke is at to get us" Neville said heatedly emphasizing on Draco's name.
"You're just saying that because he goes out of his way to rill you up. It is quite funny actually. I feel like you're both fighting over something. What do you think, Hermione?"
She looked between them then focused on Harry's face and blinked lowly. A thoughtful expression on her face. After a moment, she nodded.
"I agree. It does seem like they are both fighting over something." She paused. Her eyes move to scan the great hall. Harry and Neville followed her gaze to the Slytherin table and they too focused on the white-blond hair Slytherin, Draco Malfoy. They both blinked not sure what Hermione was up to and turned back to her. All three was silent, eyes watching each others. Neville started to feel uncomfortable under Hermione calculating gaze. Harry looked intrigued.
"I think I know that they are fighting over" She said. Her eyes locked with Harrys'.
"Oh? And that would be?"
"Hey, I'm right here you know!" Neville cut in.
The two gave him a side-way glance. Harry smirked. "Then I'm sure you'll pay close attention."
He turned back to an amused looking Hermione. "And that would be?"
Hermione gave him a smirk of her own. "Why Harry, I'd thought that the answer was quite obvious"
Harry narrowed his eyes. "The answer, Hermione"
She only smile smugly. Harry gave her a hard star but she shook her head and smile widen. Harry stared for a moment longer before he physically blinked and a sly smile crossed his face. His hand picked up his glass of water and he took a sip. He lazily sat it back down. He smirked inwardly as Hermione smile was replaced by a frown.
Neville silently watched with twinkling eyes.
"Say Hermione, did you know that some wizard are able to reproduce... together?"
"What!" Her eyes bugged out and she reflexively stood up, bang her hands on the table.
"Yep!" Harry said cheerfully. Watching with great amusement as the Great Hall silent at her outburst and all eyes turned to her. His eyes peeked side-way at Neville and held back laughter as he saw Neville bit his lower lips to prevent himself from laughing.
Hermione gave a few nervous laugh and she quickly sat back down. Her face light up in embarrassment. She gave Harry a hard glare that promised retribution.
"Oh, you did that on purpose," she growled. Her finger jabbing at his chest.
"Actually, I did not expected you to caused such a scene but boy was that funny. Way ta go, Hermione! You'd left the whole school speechless" Harry said. An amused chuckle left him.
She glared. "So was what you said true?" she asked then turned to Neville for confirmation. He nodded. They both turned to Harry.
"So, how did you find out?" Neville asked and Hermione nodded. "Yes, how did you find out?"
"Bambi is quite the informant. I asked him if there is something I should know about in the Wizarding World."
The two nodded in acceptance to his answer. Hermione looked like she wanted to bolt to the library. Her eyes gazed anxiously to the head table and she sigh. At the head table, the headmaster stood up and ring is cup of water with his fork.
"Attention students, for those that are leaving the castle for the break please proceed to head out. Hadgrid will by your guide."
"Looks like its time" harry sighed. He turned back and study his friends' faces. He gave them a small smile and said, "Come, I'll walk with you two"
They could do nothing else and nodded.
December 24, 1991
Today is Christmas Eve. Just like all Christmases before, I am alone. It is not so true in the physical sense but within my heart, it reigned true. My two closest friends are not here and my boyfriend? I'm not sure how to address him anymore. The two of us have not discuss the subject of titles between us. He is not here either. Over their absent, I got to know the Weasley twins better. Those two are so mischievous. They are the infamous pranksters of Hogwarts after-all. I was also forced to spend time with Ron Weasley. I know that I'd written down that I intend to convert him into a great friend for myself but he just has so many falsies.
I'd sent out Christmas gifts for my friends this morning. Hermione got a book-manual really- on katas and magic written by yours truly. I do not know if common wizard even practice such things. They seemed dependent on their wands. Neville got a bamboo flute. I was thinking that since he like gardening so much; he could play to his plant. Music is a form of magic after all. Draco, my dearest Draco. It was really hard to come up with a good present for him. I do not think he is lacking in any materialistic things. In the end I decided to gift him with a duo set of Waterman Exception Fountain Pens. Boy were those things pricy. I also had it charmed to auto ink refill. No use to leave room for possible destruction if Draco ever tried to refill the thing manually or worst, use the wrong spells.
"Harry! Harry! Wake up! It's Christmas morning!" Ron yelled. He ran toward and pulled back Harry's closed bed curtain.
"Harry! Wak..."
His sentence left unfinished as he sighted the empty, neatly made bed. His head moved from side to side as he scan the whole room.
"Where'd he go?"
"Master is give Bambi clothes! Master no longer want Bambi?" Bambi waled. Big fat tears rolled down his cheeks.
"What? No no that's not it. I'm do want you. I just gave you your Christmas present, Bambi. Please don't take it the wrong way."
Harry spoke hysterically as he panicked at Bambi reaction. He swung his arms around the distraught elf as he kneel down to level.
"Shh, Bambi. I'd noticed that you did not dressed warmly for the cold weather and wanted to give you something that would keep you warm. I did not know. Please. I don't want you to go away, Bambi" Harry said. His voice cracked at the end. And his eyes stung with suppressed tears.
"Master still want Bambi? He is not dismissing him?"
Harry nodded. "I still want you, Bambi" Harry pulled back. His eyes locked with Bambi's huge watery eyes. Bambi forced a smile through his tears but it was shaky.
"Bambi is so blessed. He has a very kind master." He sobbed and Harry embraced him once more.
The two did not noticed the bewildered elves around them. Many watched with growing jealousy, others hopeful and all with fascination and disbelieve. They silently watched as Harry wrapped the cashmere and wool blend scarf around Bambi's neck and gave him an affectionate pat on the heaven of his head.
"Do you like it? I didn't know what kind of fabric you prefer so I just went with what I like. I even embroidered your name. Oh! by the way, do you have a family name?"
Bambi sniffed and wiped away his strayed tears. He softly chuckled.
"Master is so silly. Of course Bambi love Master gift. He do not know how to express his gratitude. Look at what Master done to Bambi. He can't stop crying." Bambi voice cracked. Tears resume its flow in greater abundance. The heels of his hands pressed against his eyes in an attempt to stop the flow of salty liquid. It did no good.
Harry's heart ached at the sight. For the third time this morning, he found himself pulled his tearful elf into his arms.
"Bambi is so happy. Bambi can feel Master's magic emits from his gift and keep Bambi warm and safe. Bambi is...Bambi is..." his vocal cord locked and he could no longer speak. He waled. His face pressed against the fabric of Harry's scarf on made with the same fabric as his own only with different color and motif. His hands crunched the front of Harry's cashmere sweater. "Thank you...Thank you.. so much...so much" his voice now hushed and a touch softer than a whisper. There was a hint of deeper volume. Harry was not certain he had heard it right. The voice sounded deeper, more... alluring.
After a long while, Bambi finally calmed down. He reluctantly pulled back and instantly missed the warmth. His eyes scanned the vast Kitchen's space and noted the hasten movements of elves scrambling back to their work. They looked guilty and flustered at the invasion of such a private moment. Some dared to peek from the corner of their eyes. He unconscious rested a hand on Harry's for arms, claiming territory. 'Mine!'
"Say Bambi? What's your favorite food?"
Bambi pulled his gaze away from the kitchen and looked up to meet his master's eyes. 'Beautiful'
His head tilted side-way slightly. "Why do you want to know, Master?"
"No particular reason. I want us to have a Christmas meal together and if you want, with all of your elf friends too."
Bambi stared with huge eyes, unknowingly mirrored all the other elves within the Kitchen eavesdropping on their conversation. "Master would want to have his meal with me? With elves?"
There was a light in Bambi's eyes that Harry could not decipher.
He nodded. "Why are you reaction this way, Bambi? This can't be the first time that wizard have his meal with house elves"
Bambi shook his head ferociously. "Master, such an event have never happen before! It is un think of!"
Harry studied his elf then the corner of his lips lifted in a playful smirk and his eyes twinkled.
"Well, then it would be my honor to be the first. Thank you for having me Master elf" Harry said lightly and gave Bambi a small bow, keeping eyes contact.
Bambi gasped. There was a lighted feeling within his heart where his magical core reside. He could feel something breaking and it left him feeling light. It was like something heavy was lifted from his shoulder. There was a cool wave emitted from his magical core and ran through his body.
"Bambi, are you well? What's wrong?"
Harry's voice called him back and the energy receded but did not go away. It hummed just under his skin, dormant until summon.
"I'm fine, Master. Bambi is well" Bambi locked eyes with his master and smile softly at the look of concern within the emerald green dept.
Harry returned the smile with one of his own. "You'll tell me if something is wrong, won't you?"
Bambi nodded.
"Alright...so, what's your favorite food?"
Bambi's smile widen. "I like sea food, Master. Bambi is most fond of lobsters"
Harry chuckled. "The way you said that made me think that you like to play with them and then eat them. Bad, bad Bambi" another chuckle. Harry secretly relocate their location. He seated Bambi down on the bench at the table and sat beside him. He waved his hand over the table top discretely keeping his eyes locked with his elf.
"Master! Bambi do no such thing."
"I didn't say that you do so Bambi. I only said that you made it sound that way with your wordings"
Bambi opened his mouth to retort but a wonderful and familiar aroma wafted his nose. He breathed and his mouth watered. He scanned the room and his eyes quickly found the covered strays on the table. His head snapped back toward his master.
Harry smirked at his elf reaction. He turned. His hand gently lifted the silver plate cover and sat it down on a vacant space on the table. His eyes continue to watch his elf face and he was not disappointed. Bambi's face bloomed. A smile so wide that it threaten to split his face in half. His eyes were saucer wide. Bambi turned his gaze back to Harry, eyes began to glazed over.
"Oh no, Bambi. No more crying. Food don't taste good with tears. Let just eat, alright?"
Bambi bit his lip as his throat tighten. He could do nothing but nod and so he did. He nodded.
Harry did not get back to Griffindor tower until late afternoon. He'd just stepped through the entrance when his line of sight landed on something unwelcoming, Albus Dumbledore. 'And my day was going great too'
Harry did a quick scene-size up. Mcgonagall, Dumbledore, Snape, Flitwick, and Spout were there. They looked frantic and frustrated. Behind them were the Weasley twins and Ron.
"Where have you been, Potter?" Mcgonagall demanded.
"Yes my boy, where have you been" Dumbledore inquired eyes twinkling as usual.
'Not with you obviously' Harry thought.
"Look who finally graced us with his royal present" Snape hissed.
Harry raised a brow. "Are you really an academic certified instructor?"
There was a deafening silent. The twin broke it with their unsuccessful suppressed giggles.
"Mr. Potter!" Mcgonagall yelled.
"50 points from Griffindor, Potter!"
Harry gave them an angelic look as he slightly tilted his head. "School's not in session, Potions Master"
In the background, two thumps sounded as the twins rolled over in laughter. The other professors also tried to suppress laughter. Their eyes and pissed lips gave them away.
The next 20 minutes Harry skillfully evades unwanted questions. The professors left soon after and Harry was just glad for the extending distant with Dumbledore. As soon as the portrait closed the twins were at Harry's side. Their arms wrapped around his shoulders.
"Great job"
"with Snape"
"mate!"
Harry's eyes move side to side and then he blinked, trying to seize the tale tell sign of incoming dizziness.
"Thanks, I think. Can you two not do that. It gives my headache" Harry said, still blinking. His rolled his shoulder, hoping they would get the message and seize contact. Message not received or ignored.
"So, what were you really doing in the kitchen all day?" George asked.
"I never said I was in the kitchen all day"
"Oh, a cunning Griffindor." Fred sing-song.
"And you're not?" Harry smirked.
The two chuckles. "Well Forge"
"Yes, Gred?"
"I do belief we've found our successor"
"I belief so"
They laughed. It was a foreboding sound to Harry.
December 25, 1991
Twins are scary! Especially if they are pranksters. It took me so long to escape. There like mischief devils incarnated. They whispered sweet promises in my ears and tried to bait me into doing pranks. Promising lots of thing. I don't remember because I'd lock those memories away. The mental file was stamped 'Scary devil twins.'
Moving away from twins business, today was so fun! Well except for the professors part. What happened was I had unknowingly caused an uproar. My where about not being known at any missing few hours was a no no, apparently. When I got back to the G. common this afternoon, after parting way with Bambi, I found Bumblebee and the heads of all four houses waiting for me. The first thing I saw was Dumbledore. Talk about killing the jubilant spirit. Anyway, they were not pleased. So many questions asked and so little did I really answer. Ha! Did they really think that I would just give away knowledge just like that? No no no.
I have Christmas presents! I swear, I was on the verge of tears. If I was not with company, the Weasleys, I would have. Hermione gave me a wand care kit. Neville gave me flower. I seriously deadpanned on this one. One look and I was like "Really?" even Ron snickered. The twins wouldn't shut up about it. Talk about embarrassment of the year. It wasn't until I read the card that came with it that I destroyed all thoughts of retribution. The flower is an arctic moon flower. It is super rare and only bloom under the moonlight. It's nectar is a very potent antidote, almost as effective as phoenix tears. Yeah, I easily forgave him after that note.
From Draco, I received a beautiful snow globe of the scene with the two of us by the lake on Hallow eve. The globe was enchanted with fire flies feature and have plays a sweet music box melody. I nearly blushed when Ron asked about it and whom it was from. Thank God Ron was not very sharp and I was easily able to evade his questions.
There was another present. It had no sender identification. There were only cryptic words of: This belonged to your father. Use it well. Kind of creepy if you ask me. Anyway, the present- if I can call it that. It is mind by right anyway- was so cool!. It was an Invisible Cloak. The twins said it was very rare. That made it all the more mind boggling as to whom had it in their possession.
So... tell me what you think and Review.