A Good Christmas

Chapter Thirteen

Here's the next one all.

I don't remember ever having a decent Christmas at Privet Drive. Every year, Dudley would get hounded with dozens upon dozens of presents, some of which he wouldn't even use. What did Harry and I get on Christmas? Nothing! Although, I do believe that we received socks one year. Yes, a pair of socks for Christmas. What a gift.

When Christmas finally came around the corner at Hogwarts, I was ecstatic. Snow was falling from the sky when I made a mad dash down the common room steps, to the enormous tree in the corner of the room. Ron was there as well. Harry must have still been sleeping.

"Should we wake him up?" Ron wondered digging through all of the presents that belonged to him.

"It would be a smart idea," I nodded snatching a cookie sitting on the plate on the table. "You do it, I'm still asleep."

"Fine," he said. "HARRY WAKE UP! IT"S CHRISTMAS, AND WE CAN'T OPEN PRESENTS WITHOUT YOU!"

The load, heavy footsteps of my brother halted at the top of the overhang. "We have presents?" He asked panting heavily. "Really?"

"Yes, really," I laughed. "What were you doing up there? Having a bad dream?"

"No, I just sprinted all the way from my room to right here," he said taking in another breathe. "That is a lot of presents. Are they all ours?"

"Some of them are Ron's too," I pointed out. "But hey, we actually get real presents this year and not some lame socks like before. Did you really get winded that fast? Wow, sometimes I wonder why you are on the Quidditch team. You need to get in shape, Big Brother."

"I'm only eleven years old, cut me a break," Harry took one of the presents out from under the, tree shaking it. "I wonder what it is."

"You have to open it to find out, Smart Stuff," I told him.

"No need to have an attitude," he said ripping the paper. "I think it's clothing of some sort."

"Oh, mum made you both a Weasley sweater too," Ron stated. "She always makes us one every year. I just wish she remembered that I don't like maroon."

"Wait, she made both of us sweaters?" I asked. "That was so nice of her. Who's this one from?"

"Hermione," Harry read the tag. "It's for both of us as well."

"Is that an entire box of fudge from Honeyduke's?" Ron jumped up.

"I'd have to say it is," I shook my head. "And it tastes delicious." I took a big bite of the delectable chocolate.

"Torture me why don't you," Ron sighed. "Harry this one's for you, but there's no tag on it from who it's from."

"That's weird," he shook the box. "I have no idea what it could be," Ripping all the paper off, and opening the box, Harry pulled out a fancy looking cloak. "Who would send me a cloak?"

"What does the card say?" I asked.

"My father left this in my possession before he died. I think it is time it is returned to you. Use it well," he read. "There's no name on it either."

"Let's see what it looks like," I said. Harry whipped the fabric around his body. My mouth dropped to the floor. He was invisible, all except for his head.

"Whoa," Ron and I both exclaimed at the same time.

"I know what that is," he said. "That's an invisibility cloak."

"I'm invisible?" Harry asked in awe staring down at himself.

"Aren't they rare?" I thought aloud.

"Very," Ron replied.

"And you're sure there wasn't a name?" I inspected the note.

"Nope, all it said was, use it well," Harry said. "Looks like you've got one too, Haylee." He handed me an envelope.

"Hmm, I wonder what it could be," I thought breaking the wax seal. "Dear Miss Potter," I read aloud. "I hope you are enjoying your Christmas break. I would like to have a word with you if you don't mind. Come to my office at about noon. My office is behind the gargoyle statue. Albus Dumbledore. P.S. I like Lemon Drops."

"Dumbledore wants to see you?" Ron asked. "I wonder what it could be about.

"What's with the lemon drops?" Harry gave a questioning look.

"I guess I'll find out," I got to my feet. "I'll go change quick, and then I'll head down. I'll probably get lost or something. Maybe you could go look up something about Flammel while I'm gone."

"Didn't you go already?" he asked. "If you didn't find anything what makes you think I will."

"Because when I went to look for it, I didn't have an invisibility cloak with me. You can go the restricted section and look," I rolled my eyes at them.

"But he'll get caught," Ron said. "We're not allowed in the restricted section!"

"He'll be invisible, Ron," I sighed. "I'll catch up with you two later."

"Honestly, how dumb can boys be?" I asked myself walking down the deserted corridor. Absolutely empty except for an occasional ghost or two floating around. Either everyone was sleeping in or playing in the snow. That sounded like a good idea. I might have to go outside after this visit and build a snowman or something. That sounded like a pretty good idea.

I've never been to Dumbledore's office before. I was a little nervous to say the least when I actually arrived at the gargoyle statue. How was I supposed to get in? There was no door handle or anything. The gargoyle was in my way, and there was no way I could move it out of my way.

"What am I supposed to do?" I asked myself. "And what did Dumbledore mean by liking Lemon Drops?" On drops, the gargoyle began to spin out of the way to reveal a windup staircase. "Oh, it was a password. Dumbledore is so smart." I started up the steps.

Knocking on the door, I heard a faint "come it". Pushing the large wooden door open, I spotted Dumbledore at his desk.

"You wanted to see me, Professor?" I said.

"Yes, Haylee, have a seat," he motioned to the open chair in front of him. "Would you care for a lemon drop?"

"Oh, no thank you," I said.

"Is your Christmas going well?" He asked.

"Yes, very well," I nodded. "I actually got some presents this year."

"Very good," he smiled. "Now I bet you would like to know why I have called you here today."

"It's come to mind," I told him.

"Well, what do you know about Animagi? It might be a little advanced, but I just want to know what you know." Dumbledore explained.

"It's a person with the ability to transform into an animal isn't it?" I wondered. "It's very advanced magic though, isn't it, Professor?"

"It is very advanced indeed," he spoke. "Haylee, did you know that your father was an Animagus?"

"Really?" My eyes grew wide. "That is so cool."

"And if I am correct, in some instances, the ability to transform into an Animagus can be passed down through the generations," Dumbledore explained. (AN: Gotta change it up a little bit. That's why it's called a fan fiction.)

"How is that possible?" I asked. "Isn't becoming an Animagus a long, tiring process?"

"It can be," he said. "Except for these rare occurrences."

"What does this have to do with me? Other then giving me a history lesson about my dad?"

"Well, if my theories are correct, I believe that with the fact that your father was an Animagus, you are also one."

"What?" I was dumbfounded. "Are you serious? That is so cool! Oh my god, how does one change?"

"First thing's first, you need to know what animal you will be transforming into. If you just tried all willy-nilly without knowing, there could be dangerous consequences," Dumbledore explained.

"But how do I know what animal I will change into without trying it first?" I gave him a funny look. "You have to start somewhere."

"Well, I have been doing my homework, and I think I have an idea of what your Animagus will be," Dumbledore told me.

"You really weird sometimes, Professor," I said. "Did you know that?"

"I've been told quite a few times actually," he got to his feet and circled his desk. "Now, I want you to do exactly what I tell you. Ready?" I nodded. "Close your eyes. Are they shut tight?"

"Yup," I squeezed them shut. This was going to be fun.

"Now, I want you to relax. Feel all of your muscles becoming less tense, and make your mind go blank," he said. It was like he was one of those hypnotists. Minus the mind control part. "Do you feel relaxed?"

"Yes," I said.

"Good, now I want you to remain in this relaxed state and think about your loved ones. Just focus on them," he added.

"What does that have to do with anything?" I asked eyes still shut.

"It just makes the transformation quicker in my opinion," he said. "Are you thinking?"

"Yes," I breathed my insides felt funny.

"Open your eyes," I did as I was told, whoa, Dumbledore was huge! "What happened?"

"Look for yourself," he put a mirror on the floor.

Holy crap, I was a cat. It worked, Dumbledore was right. This was incredible. I was a cat, walking of for legs. This was really weird, and could take some getting used too. My fur was as black as night. I could sneak around the school at night and not get caught. Sweet, but the most outstanding feature that I liked was my eyes. They were the so green. That must have been the characteristic that crossed over. Now the only question was how do I change back?

"Think of yourself as a human again, and you will change back," Dumbledore was mind reader I swear. "What do you think?"

"That has to be the coolest Christmas present ever!" I exclaimed. "But why did you feel like you needed to tell me this?"

"I just wanted to see if my assumptions were correct," I had a feeling that he was letting something out. "You may go back and enjoy your holiday now."

"Thank you, Professor," I left his office. "He is one strange man."

Definitly a Christmas to remember.

to the blank review person- thank you, I think that adding more detail is good. I love the input. Thanks for the review! :D

xXMizz Alec VolturiXx- Ha, I love her spunkiness as well. Thank you! :)