A/N: Yahahahahahahaha!

I really need to update my other stuff…

Anyhoodles!

Another Chapter of ….

A SERVING EXTRA LARGE!

Disclaimer: I don't own this. This is just something I play with for free.

A Serving Extra Large

Chapter 10: Starting the Holidays off in Cheer

November flew by and December entered in with a thick pile of snow.

Harry sneezed, snuffling into his thick woolen scarf almost sleepily.

"I'm starting to regret having Herbology outside," Ernie declared as he and the rest of the Hufflepuff first years shuffled their way down the snow cleared path to the greenhouse. All of them were bundled up in multiple layers, looking now more like fluffy balls of wool and cotton than students. Their black forms shivered in their thick cloaks when the wind whipped by.

"Miserable weather," Zacharias muttered.

The group agreed, although Neville was still chipper about heading towards his favorite class.

"It'll be warmer inside," Neville said cheerfully, "We're working in the tropical greenhouse today."

"Splendid," Hannah grumbled.

They all breathed a sigh of relief when they finally got to the glasshouse and entered the cloakroom right in front. A line of coat trees were lined up and they took several moments to shed the thick, heavy layers. They all sighed in relief when they entered the green house next, the warm air hitting them. Harry and Neville already started undoing the buttons of their shirtsleeves and rolling them up to their elbows. If they guessed correctly they would be getting elbow deep in manure and unbelievably dirty.

They were right.

"Spitting Orchids," Justin said a bit dazed, "We have to handle…Spitting Orchids. Magic makes no sense."

"Better than Rapier Roses," Neville said cheerfully, "Quite difficult those, we have a whole two beds of those back home, along with another filled with Singing, very difficult to care for, temperamental." Justin gaped at him.

Professor Sprout merely continued on in her explanation and warnings, "Now, don't let these get you in the eye, their acid is not a strong as it would be if they were adults, however, it will hurt rather terribly if they do. It is a bit worse than accidentally spritzing lemon juice in if it does happens; if you do, calmly come to me, and I'll wash it out and then send you to the nurse of a pain potion."

Justin groaned.

Neville just hummed in satisfaction before snapping the goggles Harry had gotten an upper classman to make. Several Hufflepuffs did the same before getting to work.

Harry and Neville were halfway through their first ten when Neville asked, "What are you doing for the holiday, Harry?" as his broadening, no longer as pudgy, hands, patting the manure, compost, and dirt mixture down to a comfortable level around the flower wit easy efficiency.

"I'm staying behind," Harry replied.

"Eh?" Neville said in surprise.

"The Dursleys' won't want me back, even if the investigation wasn't starting up against them. Gringotts got contacted and the goblins are upset that there's been an incorrect allocation of funds related to my care. It is likely Professor Sprout will be my temporary guardian, magical parent in the school or something… It's an old charter law still in affect at Hogwarts." Harry replied. Neville gaped at him.

"You're going to be alone in the dorms though!" Neville protested.

"Christmas is a family holiday," Harry replied, "I…Well, I don't have one, so there's no real reason to go anywhere. Even if I wanted, I couldn't, I'm a minor. Professor Sprout has already offered to let me stay in her rooms for the holiday, and I've said I'd think about it. It'll be nice to have a Christmas dinner for once. It's not that big a deal, y'know."

Neville couldn't believe his ears.

"Harry!" The boy said, very upset. The quarter-giant jerked his head up at the hurt tone. "Why didn't you tell me?" The blond asked.

"I didn't realize," he replied, "You've been looking forward to going home and getting along better with your grandmother, that I guess I never realized that I didn't tell you." Neville felt his heart sink into his stomach.

"Oh," he replied, his voice very small.

"Don't feel bad," Harry said, rushing to comfort him and absolve him of any guilt, "I'm actually looking forward to staying at Hogwarts. I'll get to explore, have the library to myself, and goodness knows what else."

Neville just focused on the soil quietly. Harry nudged him nervously.

"It's really not that bad."

Neville didn't agree.

"Neville's staring at Harry again," Oliver whispered to Wayne who followed the other boy's line of sight to the pair of best friends. While the Hufflepuffs could tell they were upset with each other, they had missed whatever conversation that happened with each other when poor Justin and Megan had ended up getting rather badly sprayed by Spitting Orchid acid, of which Megan had reacted very badly to.

Turns out she was allergic. The girl had been rushed in tears to Madame Pompfrey who was keeping her overnight to make sure she'd properly be on the mend and wouldn't have a relapse.

"Harry looks uncomfortable," Wayne whispered back.

"Think it has to do with the holiday?" Oliver asked. The rest of the first year boys, except for Neville it seemed, knew or at least guessed Harry was not going home for the break. The lists weren't up yet, but they all knew Harry would be staying behind.

"Think Neville's upset he's going home and Harry's not?" Wayne whispered in reply.

"Probably," Oliver said with a nod. They watched the pair, Harry uncomfortably carving some shape and Neville despondently flipping through one of his books.

The two hoped whatever it is it would fixed soon. The two were too good of friend not to work this out.

Harry glanced up and smiled as Hedwig flapped elegantly into the hall and deposited a familiar bag and letter next to him. The snowy owl nibbled his fingers gently as he fed her a few owl treats, and stroked her downy chest.

"Thank girl," he said softly and she gave a soft chuffing bark before hopping onto his shoulder and then flying away. Harry opened the envelope and pulled the page of parchment out eagerly.

"Dear Harry," it read, before continuing in loopy, curling script,

"I hope this letter finds you well. My own health is good, I can assure you that, and the spells in my shop keep my old bones comfortable. I must say your last letter was quite enjoyable. Your words are always a delight for me to read, as well as your fresh bright ideas. Very innovative young lad you are.

Now, in your last letter you mentioned holiday plans, staying at school and all that, in my mind there is only one answer to that: Unacceptable.

I'm sure you are quite affronted by my bluntness, but I was hoping to suggest an alternative. Why not spend the breaks interning at my shop? Three weeks during the Winter Holiday, a week during Spring Leave, and time over the summer months would be more than enough time to immerse yourself in the trade and see if you have an interest in it. I'm sure it would be much more enjoyable than twiddling your days away. You would even be getting ahead of the curve. Most young wizard and witches do not apply for internships until after their OWLs, some as late as their NEWTs.

I'm sure if you had more offers, like from Professor Sprout or Professor Snape, we could even work around it some. And if you really wanted to spend Christmas Eve and Day at Hogwarts, you could take a quick Floo trip there and back.

However, do consider my offer. It would be great fun to have an apprentice once again. I haven't had one in over a decade!

Magic bless you,

G. Ollivander.

PS – I sent a little extra this time. It's not all wood."

Harry blinked at the letter, his mind awhirl.

Spend the holidays with Mr. Ollivander? Was that even possible? Harry reread the letter before opening the bag in interest.

He felt his eyebrow go up in shock.

That was a rather interesting surprise.

"Neville! Nev! Wait up!" Neville glanced back and saw Harry jogging up to him happily, flapping a letter in his hand. Neville blinked at him and it in confusion, but interest.

"What is it?" Neville asked. He rather hoped it was the invitation from his grandmother inviting Harry to Christmas Dinner and the New Year's Eve Party, but had his hopes squashed when Harry replied.

"A letter from Ollivander!"

"Oh," the blond said. He tried to find some excitement, and ended up with a half-hearted, mostly tentative smile on his face, "What does it say?" He queried.

"He offered to have me over for the holidays!" Harry exclaimed, "An apprenticeship!" Neville's eyes bugged out.

"Really?!" Neville replied in surprise, accepting the paper eagerly and reading the words excitedly. "This is great Harry!" He said enthusiastically.

"Isn't it?" Harry said, "Mr. Ollivander is a great man, he's very nice. Plus, he's technically a Master of Potions, Herbology, and Charms, so there's so much I can learn from. He's also quite adept with Magical Creatures, Arithmancy, Astrology, and Runes. He'd be great to work for!"

Neville paused.

"Do you want to be working over the holidays?" Neville questioned. Harry shrugged.

"It's better than being bored for three week, plus I'd have the most important days to do what I want! It's a much better offer than just staying behind doing nothing! Professor Sprout would say to take it, wouldn't she?" Neville nodded.

"Professor Snape would consider it a good way to further yourself," Neville mentioned.

"I'm going to show him next," Harry said, "I wanted you to see if first though. You're my best friend after all." Neville's tentative smile grew into an outright grin.

"You're mine too." Neville said, before hesitating then confessing, "I asked Gran if you could come to Christmas Dinner and the yearly New Year's Party we have. You should be getting an invitation soon, so…" Harry's eyes glittered and he smiled brightly.

"I would love to come if your Grandmother invited me. Guess that means I won't have to worry about you opening your present early, I'll just give it to you then!" Neville smiled at him widely.

And once more all was right in their world.

Pomona was quite impressed when Harry showed her the letter from Ollivander and felt a bright burst of pleasure and pride when Harry asked if it would be alright.

"Of course dear," she said, "You write back to Ollivander and I'll sign the paperwork from the Ministry to allow you to do your apprenticeship!" Harry grinned down at her, shuffling a bit in giddiness.

"Thanks, Professor Sprout," the first year said cheerfully. "I'm going to go show this to Professor Snape, I was planning on doing some practicals while staying behind and reserved a room, he'll want to know that my plans changed. It was hard to get a room with all those NEWT students panicking about the end of year exam and project." Pomona chuckled.

"Alright then, of you go," she said shooing him away. He smiled, took the letter and excitedly left. She chuckled and sat down behind her desk.

Roughly an hour later, her floo chimed.

"Pomona?" A rich voice spoke through the floo.

"Severus," she replied in surprise with a smile, getting to her knees and greeting him. "Harry told you?"

"I heard from Mr. Potter," he replied silkily, "It is quite good of him to be working on making such connections so early into his education. Hopefully, he'll keep his hard working attitude and preserve through the next six and a half years."

"That is correct," she replied cheerfully. "Though I doubt any of my puffs would slack in the least bit!" She ignored the grumble about idiotic house identities and merely basked in the pleasure of one of her little kits doing so well. Severus, however, brought her back to earth.

"It is also well since the school will be almost entirely empty, only a few Gryffindors and that one Ravenclaw will be here. The modifications to the hallway will be completed." He stated severely and she couldn't help but grimace and nod.

"Hopefully after this," Pomona scowled, "We won't have to worry about anything else."

"Indeed," he said. "Well, I have nothing else to say, Pomona, except I will see you tonight at dinner. I hope you have a good afternoon." He gave a slight, but polite, head nod. She smiled at him.

"See you later, Severus. I hope you have a good afternoon as well." She replied.

"Unlikely, I have first year potions between the Snakes and Lions." He grumbled, and vanished to the noise of her laughter. Pomona merely blinked in surprise before breaking out in soft gales of laughter, whipping tears from her eyes after a few short minutes.

Severus Snape, sarcastic comedian, whoever knew?

Harry and Professor Sprout had to sign a lot of paperwork leading up to the second week of December. There was paperwork to turn his guardianship temporarily over to Professor Sprout, paperwork to sign off his apprenticeship to one Garrett Ollivander, and even more to straighten out the mess the goblins were dealing with at Gringotts. Harry also had to study for his mid-term assignments and write his first ever mid-term papers, spending what he saw as a gargantuan amount of time with a quill in his hand.

However, December 18th came and he was giddily waiting to get on the train, an owl-order luggage bag of dark cobalt dragon leather with silver and pewter fastenings dangling from his hand as he chatted happily away to Neville, his holiday well planned out.

From today until a few days into next year Harry would be at Diagon Alley and working with Mr. Ollivander. The only days where he wouldn't be there, he would be spending with Neville, both involved spending the night which both boys were excited about. He also had several lunch appointments with others during the holidays, all of the Hufflepuff First Years agreeing to meet up January 3rd at a restaurant in Diagon Alley called the Singing Dishes. It was much nicer and much cleaner than the Leaky Cauldron to Harry's relief.

They boarded the train and Harry nearly jittered out of his seat.

"Excited?" Zacharias asked sarcastically, though not meanly.

"Yes," all of the first years said in time with Harry. Harry calmed down from then on, cheerfully playing games with his fellow housemates, reading, and even making more plans.

"So you'll be by on the twenty-third to get your new wand?" Harry asked Neville inquisitively. The shorter boy nodded.

"Yup, Gran just needed to get through the fact that it wasn't that I didn't want Dad's wand, but that I couldn't use it. She's happy that I want to honor him though. I think she also likes the idea of the memory box, she was really excited in her response when I mentioned it in a letter." Neville answered. Harry nodded.

"I'm glad." He replied, though he made sure not to say too much about the box. It was actually one part of the gift Harry had made for his best friend. The gift was mostly done, but the special items he got in the mail from Ollivander would help much more, so he'd have to rush to add in the things he wanted with them in his free time.

The train came to a stop and they got off. Neville caught sight of his grandmother and grabbed Harry's wrist pulling him along after him. The stately woman looked very proper and very stern, however, her eyes softened when she saw Neville. Harry noticed some guilt and remorse as well, forming tired lines around her mouth and eyes.

"Neville," she said greeting him quietly, but warmly.

"Hullo there Gran," Neville replied cheerfully, less wary of the old woman, he even edged forward and gave her a tentative hug. It was returned a bit shakily but with much more strength. They separated and she glanced Harry over.

"This must be Mr. Potter," she stated, she offered a hand and Harry bowed over it, kissing the air above it as was polite. It was something all of the Hufflepuff's learned, the manners that mattered in the Wizarding World.

"It is lovely to meet you, madam," Harry replied cordially, acting just as expected. The Dowager gave a brief nod of approval.

"I am more than pleased to make your acquaintance as well. My grandson has spoken quite highly of you." She said. Harry broke decorum slightly to smile down at his friend, eyes warm.

"A true compliment then," he answered and Neville colored. "I'm happy to be his friend, he's my greatest one." The Dowager nodded slowly at that, absorbing the information.

"We look forward to your visit on the twenty-fifth as well as the New Year," she stated, "Have a most pleasant holiday until then, Mr. Potter." She tipped her head and he bowed again.

"To you as well madam," he replied.

"Bye Harry," Neville said, "I'll see you soon!"

"Bye Neville!" Harry called back as his friend hustled after his grandmother, timidly offering her his arm. The matron took it, and a brief look of affection passed between them. Harry was glad.

A few minutes later he heard someone else calling his name.

"Harry! Harry over this way!" A cheerful, aged voice called out to him and he turned, looking over the crowd, to find Ollivander waving at him.

"Mr. Ollivander!" Harry called back easily, cutting through the crowd.

"How many times have I told you to call me Garrick?" The man said exasperated, while twinkling up at him.

"I'm sure you'll need to tell me many more, Mr. Ollivander," the man huffed in reply to the cheeky reply.

"Young boys and their quips," the wandmaker complained, though he smiled. "Come, we'll be going. Apparatting," Harry grimaced but accepted the hand, holding his bag tightly. A tight squeeze later and they were in Ollivander's Wand Shop. Harry thankfully didn't feel the need to throw up.

"Ah, here we go," the old man said with a smile.

"Yup," Harry replied. The man's eyes twinkled.

"Now, let's get you situated, this way Harry," the old man practically disappeared, slipping between the stacks and shelves with eerie ability. Harry followed carefully, holding his bag tightly to his chest. He was lucky to be so thin, and slipped through after him, edging around the stacks, shelves, and piles with interest.

It was a woodcarver's dream and an obsessive-compulsive's nightmare. Finally Harry caught up with Ollivander at the base of a rickety, narrow set of stairs and followed him up. Amazingly, the stairs twisted. How interesting!

They reached the top, or at least he thought it was the top, and left the landing. (Harry was honestly quite confused he thinks they went sideways for a while and perhaps even upside down, he isn't entirely sure.) However, the living quarters are very nice.

The parlor room was large and inviting. It was filled with a seemingly random collection of stuffed bookcases, plush furniture and an oddball assortment of wood blocks and things in jars. Ollivander fit in to the room perfectly and cheerfully motioned Harry down a connecting hallway. He was shown the bathroom, two different workrooms (one of them his own! Wasn't that something?), a closet for coats and a variety of other outer gear, two storerooms, the potions lab, where Ollivander's bedroom was and, finally, Harry's guest room.

"Here we go, Harry," Ollivander said cheerfully, sweeping the door open, "Your room while you stay here." Harry's mouth dropped open.

A massively long twin size bed took up one wall made from a handsome light colored wood that was easily hand carved, a matching wardrobe face across from it on the opposite side of the room with a set of drawers and a standing mirror, between them stood a whimsically carved, but perfect for his size, desk with a deep, plush desk chair tucked under it while being framed by large bookshelves partially filled. The person who sat at the desk would be treated to a magical, literally, view of some scenic place of purple rolling hills, periwinkle skies and yellow leaved trees.

It was very pretty.

"It's great," Harry said finally getting a hold of his vocal cords, his enthusiasm showing. Ollivander chuckled.

"Take a look around and settle in, I have to get dinner started." He told the boy cheerfully, "We're having goose! I think…" Harry blinked a bit owlishly after the eccentric man but smiled with a nod.

He'd salvage dinner later if he had too.

It seemed the old man's cooking ability might be why Ollivander was slim.

They sat down to a dinner of chicken breast, rosemary roasted potatoes, blanched asparagus with zesty lemony herb dressing and pumpkin juice. Ollivander's 'goose' had turned out to be rather indignant swan, still alive and quite upset, and the duo had spent at least an hour chasing it around the living room and kitchen before Ollivander transfigured it into a rather pretty tapestry and chucked it through a window overlooking the street. Both had been covered in feathers and a few bruises, as well as breathless from laughter and running around (and sometimes crashing into furniture)in the rather magical flat. Harry had poked his head into the refrigerator, found an odd assortment of things clearly not meant for consumption, rolled his eyes and had the now blushing older man take him out for groceries. A quick stop through a small outdoor market on one of the magical streets known as Casu Ally had fixed them up for tonight's dinner and tomorrow's breakfast.

Ollivander cheerfully cut into his meal and Harry watched in pleasure as he enjoyed himself.

"Good food!" Ollivander said happily, "You really must stay Harry," he shoved a piece of the asparagus in his mouth with a happy hum, "I eat like a king when you're here!"

"It's nothing much," the boy replied flushing with happiness at the praise, "I'm glad you like it."

"Nothing much? It's very good, Harry," the wandmaker said with enthusiasm, "Who ever thought of asparagus with lemon dressing? Inventive!"

Harry hid the chuckle bubbling in his chest. Ollivander and the young Hufflepuff enjoyed their meal chatting over what Harry's duties for the next few weeks would be as well as over things in their letters. While Harry was here he would make breakfast then spend two hours a day with Ollivander in the mornings picking out new materials, followed by a quick lunch out, then in the afternoon or evening he would work three hours with Ollivander while having the rest of the day free to do as wished as long as he made sure to have dinner for them both or Ollivander ready by six. The shopping would be taken care of via a catalogue as most wizards and witches did unless they had their own gardens like those who lived in the rural country.

Harry would get today off from working, as well as Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. He would return to school the sixth and Harry was already a bit sad over it. Some afternoons he would be free as well, and he already scheduled to return to Hogwarts twice during them, both to spend time with Professor Snape discussing the next semester's potions study group (since Harry was the student liaison and in charge of organization,) as well as the progress Vince and Greg were making now that they were getting help. Once would be on the twenty-fourth and the other would be on the third. Harry would also visit Professor Sprout for dinner on the third, since she was his guardian and would be back from visiting her sister since she was no longer required to stay and look after Harry.

They finished dinner and Harry grabbed his crafting supplies from his bag along with some of the books Ollivander had sent him as well as a few that caught his eye on the new bookshelves. He shut the door and opened the bag containing his gift for the Longbottoms with a focused stare. It was time to get to work.

Ollivander passed by a few hours later and peeked in when he felt the warm waves of positive magic floating through the door. His eyes widened a bit and smile spread over his face as he watched the deft hands of his young apprentice working with a block of work painstakingly careful.

He shut the door behind him and pursed his lip in delight before near skipping off with a fond whistle on his lips.

Harry Potter was destined for great things.

Great Artistic Things that is.

Neville was already in his greenhouse. After spending the afternoon and then a long dinner with his gran both of them had needed a break, their revamped relationship wearing on both of their sensitive nerves and emotions. He worked his fingers into the loamy soil and hummed along to the Singing Rose he kept in his private sanctuary for his own enjoyment. The music the red petal flower made his favorite from the whole bed. It was an especially rare Lullaby Singing Rose, and he carefully cared for it whenever he was home to enjoy it. He was tempted to bring it to Hogwarts with him, he'd missed it terribly, and the boys in the dorm would know enough to be careful around it or perhaps Professor Sprout would be willing to let him set his little darling up in a greenhouse that would suit it.

He finished working in the fertilizer and sat back. The plant was growing well, the seeds blooming quickly thanks to the dragon dung rich magic fertilizer he used on it. Hopefully it would be done before Christmas as a gift for his closest and best friend. He stroked a careful finger over a leaf and smiled.

It was a really good gift in his mind, something that suited his best friend and would be a reminder of their new friendship. A piece of something they were both represented by.

Harry woke on his first dance at Ollivander's bouncing.

Dressing quickly, he was out of his room and into the kitchen beginning the breakfast preparations. He fished out the items necessary, placing the eggs in a safe spot, followed by the butter, bacon, sausage, bread and porridge ingredients. The bowl of fruit he filled was plopped on the small kitchen table hidden in a nook with built in bookshelves. There seemed to be bookshelves everywhere, even lining the hallways or bathroom and workrooms. It was nice.

He slapped the skillet and pot to the stove after wiping it clean of dust, the one he used last night had vanished somehow, he suspected Ollivander put it away somewhere absently and he would find it in some strange place later. He added a little butter to the pans and let it melt as he got the magical stove to turn on. It was of similar built to an old-fashioned wood burning stove although adapted to work on magic, somehow. The bread were put onto a flat sheet pan and put close to the heat to toast. He fixed he porridge and cracked the eggs into the pan over the butter and slipped in the sausage and bacon around on the edges.

Over easy eggs was what Ollivander had said he liked yesterday so over easy they would be having.

Soon the smell of eggs, sausage, and bacon filled the space and he wasn't surprised when he turned around to see Ollivander perched at the kitchen table smiling at him widely. He put the cooked food on the table with a chuckle and let Ollivander dive on it.

"Delicious," Ollivander said cheerfully, "I can't remember the last time I had eggs with sausage and porridge!" Harry smiled but filled his plate before grabbing and apple and slicing it.

They enjoyed their breakfast happily and finished by the time ten o'clock hit. The little wooden clock chirped out a rather fanciful little blue bird that flew in a small loop twice before returning to its perch and being sucked back inside.

"Wow," Harry commented staring at it in astonishment.

"I can teach you to do that," Ollivander said with a wide smile. "It'll take Runes, Arithmancy, and a bit of time and magic." Harry's face turned serious and he nodded.

"Please, Mr. Ollivander."

"Come, apprentice, let's pick up the ingredients for today's lessons and have Gringotts draw up a contract."

"Does this mean I should call you master?"

"Master Garrick!"

"Of course Master Ollivander."

The old wandmaker laughed and Harry wasn't long behind him.

A/N:

Hey! This update came a lot faster than I thought it would. I thank NaNoWriMo for it. Others are going up… Kinda. I promise to get them to their necessary lengths and up soon if I can. I have two essays due and finals and NaNoWriMo….

(college hates me, dang major)

:3

R&R please!