Chapter Twenty-Two: Yuletide

He found Ginny sitting on her own in the Gryffindor common room, biting the top of her quill as she glanced down at a blank piece of parchment and then focused her eyes upon the Potions textbook in front of her. She sighed irritably and slammed the book shut. Harry could just hear what she was muttering under her breath as he walked closer to her. "Stupid greasy-haired Snape setting impossible essay tasks…"

"I have to admit, I agree with you there," Harry said as he pulled a chair out from the table she sat at and sat beside her. "His essays are impossible."

"At least you have Hermione to help you." Ginny glared at him.

She did look agitated and Harry began to wonder if this was the best time to ask her to the Yule Ball.

"What do you want?" her voice sounded exasperated.

"Oh, um…" Harry stammered, unsure how to respond to her. Finally, a few words out flew out of his mouth. "Will you go to the Yule Ball with me?" And then he added, "As friends?" He didn't want to give her the wrong impression.

Ginny finally met his eyes, considering his request. Harry waited, biting his lip.

She's going to say no isn't she? Oh, why did I let Sirius talk me into this? he wondered.

"So, if I said yes, we wouldn't be official would it?"

"No." Harry shook his head but then replied on impulse: "But we could be if you wanted to." Then he suddenly realised what he had said and slapped a hand to his mouth. He murmured, "Sorry, I didn't mean that. Sorry." He felt himself going red.

Ginny smiled, albeit it seemed a bit sad. "Alright, Harry. I'll take you up on your offer."

"You'll go with me then?" Harry had to ask to confirm.

"Yes," she responded, smiling more broadly, "but only as friends."

Harry got up from the table and walked round. He quickly gave her a hug. "Thanks Ginny."

"It's alright," Ginny replied, as she watched him walk away.

As Harry pushed open the portrait he couldn't resist looking back at Ginny, who was once more bending over her work. He had to wonder, did he like her?

Friday 25th December

Harry woke around seven on Christmas Day. Ron was already knee deep in wrapping paper and was already munching away at some of his mother's home cooked cakes. Harry threw the covers off and leaned over his bed to his stocking, but it wasn't there. He looked concerned until Ron pointed to a letter that lay on his bedside table.

Picking it up Harry tore it open and read the message. It was from Sirius.

Harry, I thought it might be nice if you joined me this morning. I took the liberty of asking the house-elves to bring your presents to me. See you soon, Sirius.

"Ah, that explains it then," grinned Harry. "Sirius is quite cheeky."

"What's he done?" Dean asked from the other side of the room.

"He had the 'liberty of asking the house-elves to bring' my presents to him. I think he wants me to spend Christmas morning with him."

"That's nice," Neville replied as he un-wrapped a parcel.

"Yeah it is," Harry replied grinning. He quickly pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and then left Gryffindor Tower, making his way to Sirius' quarters.

"Merry Christmas, Harry!" said Sirius, as his godson walked into his quarters.

Harry smiled. "Happy Christmas to you to," he responded warmly.

"In case you are wondering," said Sirius, "your Christmas presents are stacked over there." He pointed to a huge pile of presents that were leaning against the wall. They were at least twenty neatly wrapped boxes. He watched as Harry's mouth dropped open.

"They're all for me?"

Sirius nodded. "What's wrong with indulging on my favourite godson?"

"I am your only godson," Harry retorted.

"Really?" replied Sirius, teasingly. Then he chuckled as he saw a hint of fear cross Harry's face. "Don't worry kid, you are my only godson. "Remus was too busy trying to get a job; Wormtail was too busy sneaking behind our backs to even settle down."

"I'm just glad you were cleared before that little rat escaped," Harry said.

"I'm glad too, you know." Sirius stood up. "Now go on and open your presents."

"Yes sir," Harry replied cheekily.

"Oy! There's no need for that!"

Pulling a chair up close to his presents, Harry sat down upon it and greedily reached for the biggest one of the pile.

"Wow, you certainly take after your mother."

Harry looked up quizzically. "Huh?"

"Lily used to go for the biggest first, whereas James worked up to it." Sirius stroked his chin. "James used to go for the biggest present first, until he was about sixteen and decided it was not cool to open the biggest first."

Harry laughed. "It is odd how so many people see me as a clone of my father when I'm probably more like my mother."

"Well, ability to do charms runs in your blood. If it didn't, you wouldn't have been able to summon your Firebolt to you."

"You do have a point," conceded Harry. "I'm just glad that not everyone thinks I'm my father's replica, like Snape does."

Sirius shrugged. "Ah, well, animosity between Snape and your dad began as soon as they laid eyes on each other. Despite James saving his life, Snape couldn't forgive him for that. He always hated him. He's never got over it. He does like to hold a grudge, doesn't he?"

"Yes!" replied Harry.

"Now get on with opening your presents. This is your first Christmas with me and I want to make it a special one for you."

Later that day, after a nice roast followed by Christmas pudding, Harry left his Godfather to go back to the Gryffindor common room. He saw Ron, sitting with his brothers. "Where's Hermione?"

"Dunno," Ron shrugged. "She rushed up here after lunch. I haven't seen her since."

"You have got someone to go with tonight, haven't you?" Harry asked. After all the dancing lessons they had had he felt it would be a waste if Ron didn't use the skills he had attained.

"No."

"Why not?"

"I can't dance!" Ron looked frustrated.

Fred laughed. "He asked Hermione if she would go with him, but she said she was already going with someone. Ron doesn't believe her."

A slight grin spread across his face. "Ron, are you jealous?"

"No."

Harry smirked. "Sure you are not."

As he walked away, he heard Ron mutter: "Is it just me or is Harry acting like an idiot?"

Harry glanced over his shoulder.

The twins answered. "No. It's just you Ron."

Harry silently laughed as Ron slapped one of the twin's arms.

Why couldn't his friend see that he liked Hermione? Still, it was only one of the things that he had learnt this morning. Sirius had explained that it was obvious that the two liked each other, but they refused to see the truth of it. Sirius had thought they looked like a cute couple. Still, Harry had to agree, that once both of them realised this then their friendship could be turned to something more.

The Yule Ball was a fantastic success.

Harry had been surprised to see Remus Lupin turn up, but he hadn't had the chance to speak to him since he had been in the middle of a dance routine with Ginny. He didn't know why but it felt right with her. He had to wonder if he was falling for her. Ginny had looked absolutely gorgeous in a lovely light blue dress, her hair falling past her shoulders.

The only person who didn't seem to enjoy himself was Ron. He hadn't found a date and he spent most of the night glaring at Victor Krum who had somehow managed to woe Hermione into going with him to the ball. Harry had to admit that Hermione did look stunning.

When he had gone up to Gryffindor Tower at the end of the Ball he had kissed Ginny on the cheek. They both had blushed, and yet Harry had no idea what to do about it.

Spending the evening with Ginny had been wonderful. However, he didn't know how to go about it.

As he settled into bed Harry made a vow to speak to Sirius about it as soon as the Second Task was over with. He had to start working on cracking the egg, but he had no clue how to go about it. For now he would be friendly with Ginny, waiting for the right moment before he could ask his Godfather for advice.

His survival in the tasks was far more important than asking Ginny out.

Watching Harry and Ginny on the dance floor that night had made Sirius sad. Even as he let the scene replay in his mind, he felt himself looking back into the past to the time of his seventh year, when James and Lily had organised a Party for the end of term.

"Don't they look great together?" said Remus, as he drank from a glass.

"Yeah," smiled Sirius, "they do. It's a shame Lily only decided to like James this year."

"You do know that was down to James being more mature and not acting like a prat, right?"

Sirius shrugged."Still, I was surprised that Lily agreed to work with him when he was made Head-Boy. I thought that sparks would fly!"

Remus laughed. "I think everyone was nervous but James took the role seriously. He saw it as a chance to prove to Lily that he could be an adult. And look what it did. She agreed to go out with him, and here we are, eight months later, and they are still together and happy."

"Do you think they will get married and have kids?"

"I don't know, Padfoot. I do know that James wants to propose to her, but I think he's going to wait a while, when they've sorted out what they want to do. But they do seem right for each other."

Sirius nodded. "I just sometimes feel I could find the right girl for me."

"One day the girl of your dreams will appear," Remus joked.

"I doubt it. I won't have time to be a husband. Training to be an Auror will be a lot of hard work. I doubt I will have enough time to even look at a girl for one second! What about you?"

Remus sat back. "I'm happy with Claire and she knows the truth about me, but we haven't talked about the future yet. Let's see, Wormtail has got Yvonne and James has his Lily-flower. You'll find someone soon."

Sirius laughed, shaking his head. "For now let's forget about me wining about girls and instead look to the future." He raised his glass, clanging it against Remus'."I propose a toast to James Potter and Lily Evans!"

Drinking down the liquid, Sirius turned his attention back to his best friends as they danced. They did look happy and absolutely right for each other.

Sirius blinked, coming out of his memory. They were happy until that raving lunatic decided to go and kill them.

In all the years he had spent in Azkaban, Sirius had never been able to forgive himself for his decision to suggest Wormtail to be their Secret Keeper. He had assumed Remus was the traitor, and he had been stupid to not consider that Peter had been the spy. He would always blame himself for their deaths. No one had deserved to die like James and Lily had. They'd had a bright future ahead of them, but they had never fulfilled it.

"And I'm not going to let Harry die either. I won't let James or Lily down," he vowed. "Not again."

To be continued...