"Are you sure?" Hermione asked. Her look was filled with disbelief as she gazed over her two friends. Harry and Ron nodded.
"That's what Neville said. Must be a common Wizarding thing," Harry commented giving credit where credit was due.
"Or Neville's Gran. Everything he learned was from her bout the bloke," Ron added.
"I've read about it in the library, when I was going over some light reading," Hermione began growing excited, "The philosopher's stone is one of the most famous stones in the art of alchemy. It is said that it can create gold and the elixir of life."
"You'd want for nothing," Ron gasped in awe. Ron noticed the looks he was given by Harry and Hermione, "What? It's true. You'd never have to worry about where you were going to live, or where your next meal was coming from or not being able to get medicine."
Harry smiled sympathetically. He sometimes missed meals with the Dursleys. And given what he could gather from Ron's mentions of his past, he was hopscotched all around and sometimes fell between cracks at meal times or basic checkups.
"While true, I don't know what it's doing here." And if there was anything Hermione couldn't stand, it was not understanding something.
"Well, we don't either. We're just lucky Neville's Gran doesn't stop talking about the high end in society and Dumbledore or we wouldn't have known as much," Harry stated. Ron shrugged his shoulders.
"Think he'll know anything more after the break?" Ron asked.
"I don't know."
"What about you Hermione? Going to see if your parents know anything?"
Hermione gave a small smile.
"Of course. But I doubt they'd know much. They're both dentists."
"So... They clean each other's teeth?" Ron asked.
"It's more effective that way," Hermione answered.
"Right," Ron rolled his eyes with his sarcastic word. Hermione slaps his leg. He stuck his tongue out childishly. Hermione ignored his antics and focused back on the group.
"So you two are staying for Christmas?" she asked. Harry nodded, knowing quite well that staying at Hogwarts would be the best time of his life. Ron on the other hand just shrugged his shoulders.
"Got nowhere better to be. And besides, I bet the castle is great when you aren't crashing into everyone and their brother."
Hermione hid a smile at Ron's grumbling. There was no secret who he was referring to. Or whom. The Weasley's were quite a force not only as a large family, but as individuals. And with that many siblings, there was little doubt that they would be going home for the holidays. Large family. Large get together. It wasn't even an opinion, it was a fact. The twins grew more and more excited as the holidays drew near, and spoke of their family fondly, telling stories about the professors, the prefect, the twins themselves, their parents and a sister too young to attend Hogwarts.
Pranks, meals, games and pictures. Some they told grandly before other Gryfindors, others were kept quiet like little secrets. Ron was often told the quiet secret tales. Often ones that were more... Intimate. Like a pillow fort on Christmas Eve in Professor Weasley's room, where all the siblings eagerly awaited morning.
Ron had no idea why he was told these stories. He didn't have a lot of sappy memories of Christmas. Christmas was a day he gave gifts, and sent to a church service. The best part about the day was the large meal that everyone had set up for the holiday. Children who had been there awhile would point out the good food for the little ones and for once, they created an illusion of a family. He was sure that he and Harry would create something similar, both staying at Hogwarts and having no parents to send them anything.
"Well I hope you both enjoy it here."
It didn't take long for the holidays to hit. Many students hugged each other goodbye as they stepped into carriages being pulled by air. Harry, Hermione, and Ron hugged each other as well.
"See you next year."
"Happy Christmas."
"Bring us some tooth brushes!"
"Ron!" Harry admonished channeling Hermione.
"I'm sure my parents would be happy to send me back with tooth brushes for the both of you."
And with that happy farewell, Harry and Ron made there way towards Gryfindor tower. Both marveled in the space now that there was no crowd to wade through. They leisurely walked to the fat lady. She had tinsel and holly decorating her picture for the holidays. With a smile she asked for the password. Harry quickly answered and she graciously let them enter.
The room was warm with the fireplace keeping a roaring fire. The smell of peppermint and hot chocolate pierced through the air. It was very relaxing. But it felt wrong. Hadn't most of Gryfindor gone home? Who would be in the tower making hot chocolate? Had McGonnagal decided to pay them a visit? Swallowing Gryfindor bravery, Ron followed Harry up into the common room. Inside was the Weasley boys from Bill to the twins. Each one with their own look conversing back and forth. Curse breaker Bill looked tired, Professor Weasley looked vaguely amused, Prefect Percy looked mildly irritated and the twins were both sporting a pair of very worrying grins.
Before Ron could try and convince Harry that they should sneak back to their dorm, Bill's eyes locked with his.
"Ron, Harry. Why don't you come join us? Plenty of hot chocolate to go around," Bill offered.
"Sure."
Harry walked over and sat next to George. Ron knew it was George. He seemed to carry himself a little more reserved than his twin Fred. Something he had only picked up on recently and from many times practicing on the numerous children he had lived with over the years. Some twins. Some triplets. Some look a likes. Fred and George were at times confusing, but when they were calmer and not as frantic, it was easier to tell them apart.
"Are you going to join us Ron?" Percy asked politely. Ron made his way over slowly, keeping an eye on the famed prankster twins. He sat down next to Percy on the empty cushion of the couch. Charlie handed both Harry and Ron a steaming mug of Hot Chocolate from who knows where. Taking a sip, a strong fragrant bite of peppermint was easily notable in the drink.
"So you all are staying here for Christmas?" Harry inquired. Ron tensed a little at the question. Would they be stuck with the Weasleys for the holidays?
"Yep!"
"We were already-"
"Planning on staying-"
"And now that Bill-"
And Charlie are here-"
"Why would that change?"
Both twins grinned there trademark devil grin. Ron repressed a shudder. A Holiday with the Weasleys. Joy. He didn't say anything though as the others took over their conversation as Harry and Ron listened, growing drowsy with the warmth of the fire and the sweet richness of their drink. Stories and memories of their nostalgia were told over the fire's crackling. Each voice had its' own quality slowly putting both Ron and Harry to sleep.
"Looks like they're out for the night. Help me take them to their room Charlie."
"Awe c'mon Bill. It's all warm and cozy by the fire. Let's build a fort!"
"Yeah. Let the little ones sleep in the fort!"
"They're already asleep."
"So?"
"Christmas is a time of togetherness and family."
Everyone stared at Percy in surprise.
"I'm not the only one who was thinking it," Percy defended himself.
"Alright, what the heck," Charlie said grabbing a few pillows off the many chairs. Fred and George's smiles grew as they raced to grab various blankets. Bill was left holding Harry while Percy sat still as Ron's temporary pillow. Bothe Percy and Bill watched as the twins and Charlie created a massive pillow and blanket fort with room for everyone to sleep. With only a little help from magic.
"Well that was fun."
"Let's get these two in. They probably won't be up until morning."
Yawn. Sorry tired. Not really all that awake. Anyways, hope you enjoyed this chapter and I hope you review... Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...