Don't own Harry Potter

Chapter 8- Reaction to a troll

Remus read the letter from Dumbledore and winced. He should have known Harry had too much of James in him not to do something that bordered on the insane, but facing a full grown mountain troll? Harry and Ron could have been killed! This was one of the few times that Remus didn't know how to react to a problem with Harry, and this was the first time Harry had ever put himself in danger. While he couldn't help feeling proud of Harry's courage, he didn't think he could stand the thought of him taking such a chance again.

He reread Harry's letter, and noticed that although his son had written about the troll, he'd conveniently forgotten to mention that it had been him and Ron who had knocked the troll out. Harry seemed more concerned about a detail that also had Remus puzzled. Snape had been bitten by the three headed dog Harry had written Remus about (without mentioning how he happened to find out about it in the first place) that same night. It certainly looked as if Snape had been trying to steal whatever the dog was guarding while the troll had everyone distracted. But somehow that just didn't seem right. It was common knowledge that Snape had been a death eater, but Dumbledore had trusted him and believed he'd changed his ways. Something strange was going on at Hogwarts, but he didn't believe Snape was the one behind it.

It was hard to keep that belief though, thinking about Harry's first Quidditch game for Gryffindor. There was no denying someone had tampered with Harry's broom, and judging from the way Snape wasn't blinking and had been muttering under his breath during the match, it did make him look guilty. Could Snape's grudge against James and the Marauders go that far? No, Snape held grudges, but not to that extent. He wouldn't actually try to hurt Harry, Remus was sure of that. That was slightly reassuring, but that still left the question of who was trying to steal the package.

At least now he knew what that package was. He remembered reading about how Nicholas Flamel had worked with Dumbledore and had invented the Sorcerer's Stone centuries ago. It seemed more than likely that the package was that stone. It couldn't be anything else, in fact. If someone was trying to steal something that valuable, they wouldn't let an eleven year old boy stand in their way. And if Harry was anything at all like James, which Remus knew he was, he'd risk his own life before letting the stone fall into the wrong hands. In short, Harry was in very real danger, whether he knew it yet or not.

Remus debated whether or not he should tell Harry what he knew about Flamel. He didn't like lying to Harry, or withholding information from him. He'd rather have Harry know the truth from him than get a distorted version of it from others. but if Harry knew what was in that package, he'd be all the more worried about it being stolen and all the more likely to get himself hurt. No, he couldn't tell Harry. There was no magical item in the world worth the risks his son would take if he thought he had to protect it. He simply wouldn't answer that part of the letter.

Dear Harry,

You showed incredible courage in facing that troll, but please promise me you'll never do anything like that again. From what you wrote it's clear that someone at Hogwarts can not be trusted, although I do not believe it is Severus. He may seem the type, but he did join our side in the end, and Dumbledore trusts him completely.

Harry sighed reading that. It was pretty much the same thing Hagrid had told him, that Snape was a professor working for Dumbledore and wasn't about to harm a student or try to steal what the dog was guarding. But Harry couldn't imagine who else it could be. At least his dad agreed that something was very wrong at Hogwarts.

I wish I knew who it was jinxing your broom. I know all the teachers at Hogwarts except Quirrel, but from what you've told me about him about him he's far too timid to do anything like that.

That was true. Harry never cared for Quirrel's class very much. They were a bit of a joke really, since the teacher acted afraid of his own shadow.

Just stay safe and leave protecting the package to the professors.

Love, Dad.

His dad hadn't mentioned anything about Nicholas Flamel, which meant either he didn't know who Flamel was or he thought it was best not to let Harry know. Along with Ron and Hermione, who had become their friend after the troll incident, Harry had been devoting a lot of time to learning who Flamel was. Hagrid had let it slip that Flamel had something to do with the package, and the trio knew if they could find out who he was they could find out what that three headed dog, "Fluffy" Hagrid had called him, was guarding.

Hermione had counted on finding the answer in a book, but none of their textbooks had anything about Flamel. Hours in the library hadn't gotten them anywhere either, and with the holidays coming up fast it wouldn't long until they would have to put their search off for awhile. It would be a bit of a relief to be thinking about something else for a change though. Besides, with Ron coming to spend Christmas with him since the rest of the Weasleys were going to visit Charlie in Romania, it would be a perfect Christmas. Well, at least for them.

Harry noticed Neville was looking depressed as Christmas approached. He knew Neville lived with his Grandmother and the two of them didn't have the warmest of relationships. Harry had often heard how his dad had been lonely until he'd met the other Marauders. It wasn't hard to imagine Remus sitting there as a child with that same expression on his face. And Harry himself would probably have been staying at Hogwarts over Christmas if his dad hadn't adopted him and taken him away from the Dursleys. Suddenly he knew what he would have wanted if he'd been in that situation.

"Hey Neville-"

Neville turned away from the breakfast he'd been poking at without interest.

"Yeah?"

"How would you like to come spend Christmas with my dad, Ron, and me? I'm sure my dad wouldn't mind at all. I can owl him about it today if you'd like to come."

Neville smiled for the first time Harry could remember.

The Hogwarts Express pulled into King's Cross Station, which was crowded with parents eager to have their families together again for the holidays. With so many people it was hard to spot Remus until Harry heard him call.

"Over here Harry."

Harry ran over to Remus and gave him a hug. When they pulled apart Harry saw a worried look on his dad's face.

"Are you sure you're Ok? After facing that dog and the troll and having your broom jinxed?"

"I'm fine, Dad," Harry assured him. Just then Ron and Neville walked up. "Dad, this is my friend Neville Longbottom." Neville smiled at being called someone's friend, especially Harry's.

"Pleased to meet you Neville," Remus said, holding out his hand for Neville to shake. Harry thought he saw his dad look sad for a moment, but didn't know why until Remus continued. "I knew your parents. They were good people." Neville looked at his feet, but the corners of his mouth turned up slightly. Harry thought he heard him mumble "Thanks" as they headed for home.

Remus had outdone himself this Christmas. This was the first year Harry was having his friends over and he wanted this holiday to be extra special for his son and his friends. Living in a muggle area he couldn't put up magical decorations like most wizards. There was too much risk of being discovered by muggles. But the apartment still looked lovely. A dusting of artificial snow covered the fireplace and windowsills, with the colored Christmas lights glittering off it. Tinsel covered every available space where it would look right. The only space in the house not yet decorated was the tree. Remus had left that, guessing that the three boys would enjoy helping with that holiday tradition. Remus put on his old phonograph so they could listen to Christmas carols while they worked, and by the time they were finished the tree shown and sparkled like a jewel.

The next morning was Christmas, and there were presents for everyone. Ron got a sweater from his mother, a scrapbooks of photos, articles, and autographs of the Chudley Cannons from Harry, some candy from Fred and George which turned out to include acid pops, and a copy of Hogwarts: A History from Hermione. Neville got some plant cutlings that he could put in water and get to take root, a book on Herbology, and some seed packets. Neville's favorite class was herbology, and Harry knew he would enjoy those gifts. Remus had an assortment of gifts for everyone, doing his best to make them feel welcome. Besides his gift from his dad Harry also got the usual Weasley sweater from Mrs. Weasley, along with a box of fudge. There was a wooden flute from Hagrid, and a box of chocolate frogs from Hermione. The twins had sent him a box of pranks from Zonkos joke shop.

There was one package that was incredible light. Harry couldn't imagine what it was as he carefully tore away the paper and something like woven water poured itself into Harry's hands. , looking at the glimmering fabric as if it were a relic of a saint.

"Yes," Harry stared at it, having a feeling he knew what this was. One look at Remus made him sure, but he still had to ask him.

"Dad, is this what I think it is?"

Remus nodded, looking at the glimmering fabric as if it were a relic of a saint.

"That's James' Invisibility Cloak."

Harry fingered the cloak reverently before reading the note that came with it.

James left this in my possession before he died.

It is time it was returned to you.

Use it well.

A very merry Christmas to you.

The note wasn't signed, but Harry still knew who sent it. His dad had told him James had lent the cloak to Dumbledore before that Halloween night. Remus put his hand on his son's shoulder.

"It looks like it's yours now."