Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. All characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

Students began clamoring around Ron as soon as they entered the Defense classroom. Many wanted to hear his story again while Lavender and Parvati simply kept staring at Ron with awed expressions on their faces.

Harry exchanged an amused glance with Hermione as he sat down at his desk. It was nice not to be the one everyone was staring at and Harry was more than happy for Ron to soak up the attention.

Remus walked in and stood by his desk, waiting for his students to move to their seats. He frowned slightly when the majority of the students stayed with Ron, who was talking animatedly to them.

Remus cleared his throat loudly and finally the students noticed their Professor and scattered to their seats. "All right, settle down now." He leaned against his desk. "I understand there was some excitement last night." His concerned brown eyes landed on Harry.

"Ron fought off Sirius Black!" Seamus said enthusiastically. "I just wish I hadn't slept through it!"

Remus looked amused. "Yes, I heard all about last night." He winked at Ron who flushed slightly. "I am glad you are okay Mr. Weasley." His darted to Harry again. "I'm glad all of you are all right." He stood up straight. "This is an example of why learning Defense is so important. You must be always prepared and I hope by the end of the year you will be a little more equipped to handle yourselves if a dangerous situation arises." He clapped his hands together. "Now that we have studied Red Caps we can move on to Kappas. Does anyone know what a Kappa is?"

Hermione's hand shot into the air. When Remus nodded at her, she spoke confidently. "Kappas are creepy water-dwellers and they resemble scaly monkeys. They use their webbed hands to strangle anyone who invades their ponds."

"Very good Hermione." Remus said. "Five points to Gryffindor." He then began his lesson on Kappas and ended the class assigning an essay on the diet, habitat and defense of the Kappas.

"I like this class but I hate essays." Ron grumbled as the trio got their things together.

"Do you need help with your essay Ron?" Lavender asked eagerly. She and Parvati were standing behind him. "I don't mind helping you."

"They should excuse you from homework for the rest of the week as a reward for fighting Sirius Black." Parvati added. Lavender nodded in agreement.

A goofy grin came over Ron's face. "Well, it was my duty to protect everyone else. I don't need a reward for that." He said modestly.

Harry rolled his eyes and Hermione looked like she was going to be sick. "Oh brother." He heard her mutter.

Harry felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Draco. "So what really happened?" He nodded his head towards Ron who was still talking to Lavender and Parvati.

"Um, what do you mean?" Harry asked.

Draco smirked. "No offense to Weasley but there is no way he dueled an escaped murderer. It is more believable that he screamed for his mother."

"He didn't scream for his mother." Harry snapped. At Draco's knowing look Harry sighed. "He may be embellishing a little, I wouldn't know as I only woke as Black was leaving."

"I can't believe he made it in again." Draco commented. "Maybe we need guards inside the castle or something. Not Dementors as those things are horrid, but Aurors would be good."

"Aurors?" Harry asked curiously.

"Dark wizard catchers." Draco informed him. "Father says we would be more protected that way, although he also said that they should have caught the convict by now if they were doing their jobs right."

"Hmm." Harry wondered what being an Auror was like. It sounded exciting. "Wait, do you mean you talked with your father recently?" He asked hopefully.

"Why yes it does Snape. I heard from him this morning. He, of course, had already heard of the break in because of his importance in the ministry." Draco said smugly.

"Well?" Harry asked eagerly.

"Well what?" Draco asked innocently.

"Did you hear about Buckbeak?" Hermione cut in. She joined their conversation as she had grown tired of hearing Ron tell his story to a gaggle of students for the hundredth time.

"Yes."

Harry and Hermione stared at him. "Well?" They both said together.

"Malfoy so help me…" Hermione leveled her wand at Draco, whose silver eyes widened in alarm.

"Okay okay. Buckbeak will not be executed or punished in any way." Draco looked smug. "The Nott's have been informed to drop the issue."

Harry gave a whoop of glee and Hermione looked like she might cry. "Oh, I'm so relieved!"

"I can't believe your father did it!" Harry shook his head. He had hoped this would happen but he didn't really believe Mr. Malfoy would care to try, even if it was his own son asking.

"I told you he had enough influence." Draco bragged. "All I had to do was tell him that Nott had been a prat all term and now with his lying about the hippogriff, he was making Slytherin look bad. Father thinks you should take pride in what House you are in and when he heard that Nott had been losing us points with his stupidity, he was more than happy to tell Theo's parents to back off."

"Brilliant!" Harry slapped Draco on the shoulder. Hermione grinned and gave Harry a hug and then she turned to Draco and paused, holding out her hand.

Draco looked surprised but then gave his usual arrogant smile and shook her hand. "Thank you Draco." Hermione said sincerely.

Draco shrugged. "No biggie. I proved my point about my father. Personally I couldn't care less about the hippogriff."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Just when I thought you were showing some humanity."

Draco shrugged and was about to say something when he was shoved forward and almost fell. He spun around, wand in hand and glared at Theo. "Do that again and you'll be very sorry." He threatened.

"How dare you interfere with my complaint against that stupid creature?" Theo hissed. "You just had to get your Daddy involved didn't you? Why? To impress the lions over here? To impress our Head of House?" He glared at Harry and Hermione. Ron noticed what was going on and excused himself from his admirers to stand with his friends.

"I don't need to impress anyone Nott. I'm a Malfoy. Ergo, more important than you." Draco said loftily.

"Why don't you just sod off Nott?" Harry snapped. "You've caused enough trouble already. Why don't you just give it a rest?"

Theo looked furious. "Watch your back Snotter." He said in a low tone. He spun on his heel and walked away.

"That was fun." Draco said cheerfully.

"What if he tries something else to mess with us?" Ron wondered out loud.

"Why are you worried? You duel with mass murderers." Hermione teased.

Ron scratched the back of his head. "Uh, right."

"Eh, what else can Nott do? Make fun of me? Call me more names?" Harry shrugged, not concerned. "No big deal." He grinned. "We should go tell Hagrid the good news, if he hasn't heard already. Do you want to come with us Malfoy?"

Draco looked surprised and a little embarrassed. "That's okay. Like I said, I only wanted to show you how influential my father is." He turned and walked out of the classroom.

Hermione stared after him thoughtfully. "You know, I don't think he is used to doing a nice thing for someone." She said.

Harry nodded in agreement. "Come one let's go find Hagrid. I bet we can catch him going into the Great Hall for lunch." He grinned at Ron. "Do you think your fan club will leave you alone for awhile?" He asked in pretend concern.

"Shut up Harry." Ron playfully pushed Harry ahead of him as they walked. "So I embellished a bit."

"A bit." Harry snickered.

Hermione was smiling, looking happier than she had in days. "You two." She said fondly as she followed her best friends.

HPHPHPHP

Christmas break started tomorrow and Harry was relieved when Hedwig delivered a box full of presents he had ordered for his Dad and friends. He had gotten some ideas during the last Hogsmeade visit and had used a catalogue to do the rest of his shopping. He was excited for the gift for his Dad. Thankfully he had saved enough money for it.

After Percy escorted him to his quarters, he had quickly gone into his room to wrap the gifts before his Dad got back from his meeting with the Headmaster. Opening the box he pulled out the pocket watch he had bought his Dad. It was sliver with an emerald green snake on it. Harry opened it up and was pleased to see that it was already set to the right time. He turned it over. To Dad, Love Harry was inscribed in elegant writing on the back. Happy with how it looked Harry quickly wrapped it in gold and red wrapping, smirking to himself as he did. He pulled out joke products and sweets for Ron and placed them in a box and wrapped it. He then wrapped Hermione's gift which was a lavender scarf she had mentioned seeing during their last Hogsmeade visit. Harry felt a pain of disappointment that he would miss the next Hogsmeade visit which was right after Christmas break. Despite making amends, his Dad had told him that the punishment would stand though Harry could clearly see the regret in his Dad's eyes. Harry knew his Dad wanted to hold him accountable for his actions and show that he would always keep his word, even on a punishment. Truth be told, until Black was caught Harry figured it was safer for everyone if he didn't go to the village. If Black could break into his dorm room then he could easily attack him in Hogsmeade.

With a sigh, Harry wrapped up the fudge for Hagrid and bars of chocolate for Professor Lupin. He had some sweets from Honeydukes left over so on impulse he wrapped those up for Draco. Whatever the reason he had done it, Draco had helped save Buckbeak and Harry felt he should give him a gift. He smiled as he remembered the look of utter happiness on Hagrid's face when he had found out that the case against Buckbeak had been dropped. The happiness had turned to shock when Harry had told him that Draco had gotten his father to help. Harry just hoped Draco wouldn't hex him if he found out that Harry had told Hagrid. He wrapped up some owl treats for Hedwig and a turkey flavored dog bone for Snuffles and Fang. Finally finished he put his presents in his closet until it was time to leave for the cottage. He then packed his trunk for the stay at the cottage. He couldn't wait to go back there.

"Harry?"

Harry followed the voice and saw his Dad stepping out of the floo. "Hi Dad!"

"How were the last of your classes?" Severus asked as he crossed the room and ruffled his son's hair.

Harry ducked out of the way with a laugh. "Fine. Most of the Professor's were nice and didn't give any homework for the break. Most." He scowled at his Dad.

"One little essay won't be a problem." Severus said dismissively.

Harry's mouth dropped open. "Little? You assigned a massive essay on Undetectable Potions!"

"Massive." Severus scoffed. "You have two whole weeks to do it. And you said yourself you hardly have any other homework for those two weeks."

"It's Christmas break." Harry practically whined though humor shone in his eyes. "And everyone in class was glaring at me as if I had personally assigned it."

"The problems of being a Professor's son." Severus sighed dramatically.

Harry rolled his eyes good naturally at his Dad's teasing.

"You can always start on the essay tonight." Severus suggested. "Instead of leaving it to the last minute, like most of the students are prone to do."

"Yeah, I was going to spend the evening with Ron and Hermione since they are leaving tomorrow morning. We were, um, going to start our homework." Harry said nonchalantly.

Severus gave Harry a knowing look. "You mean you and Mr. Weasley are going to play chess or exploding snap while Miss. Granger gets a head start on her assignments."

Harry stared at his Dad. "How do you know these things?" He didn't even bother denying that that scenario was likely to happen.

"I'm a genius." Severus snorted with a shake of his head as he went to his desk to organize the papers he would be taking with him to the cottage. Students weren't the only ones with homework for the holiday break. He also needed to confirm with Lucius Malfoy their meeting which would happen after the break was done.

"Are we going to the Weasley's house for Christmas again this year?" Harry asked.

"Yes we have been invited for Christmas dinner." Severus nodded as he sat at his desk to write a letter to Lucius.

"Brilliant!" Harry felt almost giddy with excitement. He had come a long way from the boy who spent Christmas in a cupboard. Now he had his Dad to spend Christmas day with and then the evening with his best friend's family. "Will you shrink my broom so that I can take it to the cottage?"

"I will do that and put it in my bag." Severus promised. He waited to see if Harry would bring up the Firebolt but to his relief Harry refrained. He had to admit he felt a sense of pride seeing Harry fly on his Grandfather's broom. Despite not being close to his own family except his mother, Severus was still grateful to have something to pass down to his son. "I'll walk you to your dorm in a bit all right? And then I'll pick you up in two hours. I don't want you staying up too late as we have a big day tomorrow with getting a tree and decorating." He loved the gleam that danced in his son's eyes at hearing that. Severus just wished he could make up for all the Christmas's Harry had had to endure at the Dursley's.

"I can't wait. I was thinking the tree should be in gold, maroon and covered with lion ornaments. Only lions." Harry grinned. "And they should all roar."

Severus winced. That sounded horrid. "I would keep thinking on that if I were you." He informed his son. "Are you ready to go to your dorm?"

Harry nodded and as they walked Harry told his Dad about how Draco had seemed embarrassed about doing something nice, such as helping Buckbeak.

"I'm very happy your Slytherin plan worked." Severus practically gloated. Lucius would have a fit if he knew his son had been out Slytherin'ed by a Gryffindor!

"Yeah, I was surprised. I mean, I hoped it would work but I can't believe it actually did." Harry said. "I'm happy though, you should have seen the look on Hagrid's face."

"Well, you helped make his Christmas a much happier one. I'm proud of you." Severus told Harry as they arrived at the Fat Lady's portrait. "Two hours." Severus reminded Harry after he had given the password. Harry gave a nod that he understood and disappeared inside.

Severus turned and made his way back to his quarters to pack. After all the stress of worrying about Black, working on making plans to work with Lucius and his fight with Harry which was thankfully over, he was looking forward to relaxing a bit and spending some quality time with his son.

TBC: Pleas review if you get a chance!