Home for Christmas
Summary: Christmas break has arrived, and everyone is going home for the holidays. With so much left to prepare for Christmas, will Lily have everything ready in time? And will Ginny's last-minute idea for Harry work?
Ginny carefully packed the presents she had purchased for everyone in her trunk. Harry's presents were left lying on her bed. She wanted to see if she needed to pick up one more thing when she and Molly went shopping.
"You have the book, seeker gloves, candy, scarf," Hermione named off each item as she looked at it. "Framed picture of you and a second frame with different pictures he chose to frame."
"And this," Ginny said, picking up a large photo album.
"What is that?" Hermione asked.
"Colin helped me with the photos. Sirius helped too. He helped us with the photos that came from memories."
"Is that?" Hermione trailed off, pointing to a picture of Harry and her a week after they began dating. They were holding hands. Ginny was smiling up at Harry as he looked down at her. He looked just as happy as Ginny did.
"I didn't know if that would be something he would like."
"Ginny," Hermione said, cutting her off. "He'll love it. This could be something you do together. Harry could add notes of his own."
Ginny nodded. "Colin developed the pictures while Sirius got us the freeze frame from memories. He took a few of these pictures like this one." Ginny pointed to a picture of her at the Quidditch pitch. Like other wizarding world photos, this one moved.
Harry flew into the frame, smiling like the Cheshire cat. He leaned into Ginny as she cupped the back of his head. They kissed as Harry hovered in the air, leaning over the banister of the Quidditch stands. She labeled each picture according to the occasion and the date. For the Quidditch picture, she noted Gryffindor had won and what the score was.
"Aw," Hermione cooed. "He'll love it."
"I thought he could add bits himself," Ginny said.
"I know he will."
Ginny put all of Harry's presents in her trunk. She closed the lid, rolling it to the door. Before she could move it, it floated down the stairs.
She smiled. "Thank you, baby."
Harry leaned against the wall at the bottom of the stairs, using his wand to float down her trunk.
"You're welcome."
Ginny walked downstairs, taking Harry's hand when she reached the bottom.
"Are you taking the train?" She asked.
"Yeah. I told Mum I wanted to," Harry replied, picking up his rucksack and her trunk.
They walked down to the entrance hall, where Ginny left her trunk. Together they walked into the Great Hall, sitting down at Gryffindor table.
Lily was still in the Great Hall when they arrived. She smiled when she saw them walk in. She purposely waited for Harry before she headed back to her quarters.
Sirius and Remus were sitting in their usual spot on the opposite end of the table. They were talking with Professor Williams.
As they ate breakfast, Harry and Ginny discussed their plans for the holiday. Ginny would be coming over for the Potter family Christmas on Christmas Eve. Harry, James, and Lily were coming over in the evening on Christmas Day to have Christmas with the Weasleys. Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville were coming over on Boxing Day.
Harry paused their conversation when he saw his mother approach.
"Hi, Mum," he greeted.
"Hi, Sweetheart," She said softly. "I will meet you at the station. Ginny, what time are you coming over tomorrow?"
"I don't know."
"How does ten sound?"
"Sounds good. Maybe somebody," She said, poking Harry's shoulder. "Will be awake."
"I might be," Harry murmured.
"Okay, see you late then." Lily handed Harry a small pouch. "For the trolley. I made sandwiches. Stop by my quarters when you have finished breakfast."
Since Harry's first year, Lily made sandwiches for the train ride to and from Hogwarts. Sometimes, she included crisps and an apple with it. She made enough for Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, and Luna. Luna was a recent addition to their group, and Lily didn't want to leave her out.
James would send her what she needed to make sandwiches, or she would get everything from the grocer in the village.
When Harry and Ginny finished breakfast, Harry headed to his mother's quarters while Ginny gave her friends she wouldn't see their Christmas gifts.
Lily was finishing packing up when Harry arrived.
"Here you go," She said, handing him a bag.
"Thanks, Mum. Are the bags labeled?"
"Yes. I included a couple of potions in case you need them."
"Thanks, Mum. What are you going to do when you get home?"
"Go to the shop is one thing. Get some of the last bits I need for Christmas dinner."
"Are you making your stuffing balls?"
Lily smiled. "Yes, I'm making them. I'll pick up things for breakfasts too."
"Can you get Corn Pops?"
"I can. Is there anything else you would like?"
Harry shook his head. "No, thanks, Mum. I'll see you later."
"Alright, love you."
"Love you too, Mum."
Harry left Lily's quarters, heading to the entrance hall to meet Ginny. Together, they walked out to the carriages to take them to the train station. They shared a carriage with Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Luna. Luna was the last one in, barely making it as the carriage started moving as she was getting in. Harry and Ron helped her in while Neville closed the door.
"Thank you," Luna said as she settled beside Ginny.
"You're welcome," Harry and Ron chorused.
When they made it to the train station, Neville stepped out of the carriage first, holding his hand out for the girls.
"Need a hand?" He asked Ron as he stepped out.
"No. But you might need to help clumsy over here," Ron said, pointing to Harry.
"Oi!" Harry called. "I resent that."
They walked towards the entrance, where they would step onto the platform. Ginny held Luna's hand to keep her from getting lost. Neville held on to the strap of Harry's rucksack while Ron held on to his jacket.
"Afraid you'll get lost, Longbottom?"
"Shut it, Malfoy," Harry called.
"He's a git," Ron said softly.
"You lead Hermione," Harry said. He reached for Ginny's hand, panicked when he felt nothing.
"I'm over here."
Harry turned to find Ginny to his left and not his right, Luna behind her. He grabbed her hand as they stepped onto the train. Finding a compartment was easier as not everyone was going home or taking the train. They found one empty, quickly claiming it.
"Alright, Ron and I have prefect duties."
"First, did your Mum make..." Ron trailed off when Harry held up the bag.
"Roast beef," Harry said.
"I love your Mum," Ron said before leaving with Hermione.
Harry and Neville looked at each before they started laughing. Luna looked at Ginny, confused. Ginny shrugged.
"It's a them thing," she said.
Luna nodded. They watched as the train pulled out of Hogsmeade, beginning its journey to London.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Around one o'clock, Ron and Hermione returned to the compartment. Luna was reading a book. Ginny, Neville, and Harry were playing a card game. Ron closed the door behind him as Hermione sat down next to Luna.
"How were rounds?" Ginny asked.
"A lot of people are going home for Christmas. Every compartment is full."
"Was it last year the first year we didn't go home for Christmas?" Ron asked.
"It was," Neville confirmed. "You came home with us our first year."
"Remember, you stayed with me," Harry said as he dropped his last card.
"How?" Neville asked, "How do you always win?"
"I just do," Harry shrugged. "Anyone hungry?"
"I can eat. Has the trolley been by?" Ron asked.
He no more got the word out of his mouth when he heard, "Anything from the trolley."
He opened the door as everyone got their money ready.
"Pick what you want. It's on Dad," Harry said.
When the trolley stopped at their compartment, they picked six cauldron cakes, six chocolate frogs, and three packs of Droobles. Harry counted out the galleons James had sent him. He handed them to the trolley lady.
"Thank you, dear."
When she left, Harry pulled out the bag Lily had given her. He handed Hermione hers first.
"Chicken on white with salad cream and tomato. Plain crisps and a bottle of juice."
"Thank you," Hermione said, taking the bag.
"Ginny, here's yours," Harry handed her the bag. "Chicken on white, tomato, and lettuce. Plain crisps and a bottle of juice."
"Thank you, baby."
Harry handed Luna hers. "Ginny told Mum chicken was fine. I have extra bags of crisps if you don't want plain."
"Plain is fine," Luna assured him as she took the bag. "Thank you."
"Here's your roast beef Ron. Mum didn't have cheese and onion. She had salt and vinegar, pickled onion, or..."
"I'll take the pickled onion."
Harry traded the crisps with Ron and handed him a bottle of juice.
"Is this that Ribena?"
"Yes, Ron. It's the same thing I have." Hermione held up the bottle. "Did James bring Lily all of this?"
"She got everything herself when she went home last weekend," Harry replied. He handed Neville his bag. "Ham on white with tomato and lettuce. She packed you the other pack of pickled onion."
"Your Mum is the best," Neville said, opening the bag.
"Tell me something I don't know," Harry murmured. He sat down beside Ginny, pulling out his bag. Lily had made him a chicken sandwich with a tomato and salad cream. He opened a bottle of Ribena, taking a long drink.
As they ate the lunch Lily had made, they made small talk. Fred and George stopped to check on their siblings.
"Tell Lily good sandwich. She gave George and mine before we got on the train."
"I'll pass the message to her," Harry said.
"Will James be at the station?"
"Mum didn't say if he was. If he could get away from work, he was," Harry replied. 'Why?"
"Just wondering."
When they left, Harry, Ron, and Neville gathered the rubbish and took it to the bin on the other end of the train. Neville went to the loo while Harry and Ron returned to the compartment.
Hermione had pulled out her book while they were gone. Ron walked over, sitting down beside her. Ginny had moved to sit next to the window. Sitting across from Luna, they could talk and not talk over the others.
Ron and Harry sat down beside their girlfriends. They waited until Neville got back before Harry pulled out the cards.
"If you win this round, will we have to bow down to you?" Ron asked.
"When have I told you two to bow down to me?" Harry asked.
"I thought you did that time during the summer when we played that cart game," Neville commented.
"Mario Kart. And I did not. Dad said that as a joke." Harry shuffled the cards, handing them to Ron, Neville, and himself.
"Are they always like this?" Luna asked.
"Yes," Ginny and Hermione replied in unison.
As Ron, Neville, and Harry played their card game, and Hermione, Ginny, and Luna talked, the train continued on its journey to London, taking them home for Christmas.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
By the time the Hogwarts Express had pulled into King's Cross, Harry, Ron, and Neville had played four rounds of cards, napped, and played a game of Exploding Snap with the girls. Harry and Ron had fallen asleep, leaning against their girlfriend's shoulder. Hermione and Ginny didn't care. Neville fell asleep, leaning against Harry. Colin came by to wish them a Happy Christmas and snapped a picture of the scene.
"I want a copy of that," Ginny whispered.
They woke the boys up when they were approaching the station. Ron stretched, falling forward onto Harry.
"If you wanted to ride on my lap, why didn't you say something?" Harry asked teasingly.
"Shut it, you git," Ron said, standing up.
Harry stood up, stretching. Neville stretched, knocking Harry in the face.
"Sorry."
"It's okay. You didn't break my nose."
"If anyone didn't know you, they wouldn't understand the teasing you three do," Hermione commented.
"I understand it," Luna said.
Neville helped Luna with her bag as they left the compartment. Ron and Hermione left to find Molly. Hermione will meet her parents beyond the barrier.
Harry and Ginny were the last ones out of the compartment. They followed Ron and Hermione toward where they thought Molly was waiting.
They found Molly near one of the pillars, near the arch where the floos were. Lily was standing with her.
Fred and George had just found their mother and were talking with Lily.
"Thanks again for the sandwich, Lily," George said.
"It was good," Fred added. "I think that might be the best sandwich you ever made."
Lily turned to Molly. "Are they buttering me up for something?"
Molly shrugged. "I don't know. They might."
"Thank you for the compliment," She said. "Would you like the same for the return trip?"
"Yes, please," George and Fred chorused.
Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Harry, and Neville approached the group. They all complimented Lily on their sandwich and greeted Molly.
"How was the trip?" Lily asked.
"Good," Harry replied. "Where's Dad?"
"He went with Sirius to pick up Hestia's Christmas present."
"Ginny, Lily was telling me about the plans for Christmas Eve. It's alright for you to go over to Harry's. Ron will be with the Grangers. The twins are going to Lee's for a Christmas do. We won't be having our Christmas until Christmas Day."
"Thanks, Mum. Are you sure I can go over tomorrow?"
"Yes, it's alright, dear." Molly turned to Harry. "You are going to come over some, too, are you?"
"Of course," Harry replied. "If it's alright," he directed this to Lily.
"It is." She turned to Neville. "You're coming home with Harry and me."
"Okay."
They approached the floos so the Weasleys could floo home. Ron was going to walk out with Hermione. Then he'll go home with Harry and Lily. He would floo home from the Potters.
Harry pulled Ginny into his arms. "I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Want me to wake you up if you're still asleep when I come over?"
"What time are you coming over? At the crack of dawn?"
"How's ten?" Ginny asked
Harry nodded. "That will work."
Ignoring the fact Lily was there, Harry pulled in for a kiss. When they broke apart, Ginny walked to the floos, a smile on her face. She picked up floo powder, waving to Harry.
"I love you."
"Love you too."
After Ginny left, they headed towards the barrier to go into the Muggle world.
"Is it odd?" Hermione asked Lily.
"To see my son in love? A little bit. But he's happy. That's all I could ask for."
They met Jane and Hugh near the main entrance. Hermione greeted her parents.
"Are you treating my little princess, right?" Hugh asked.
"Yes, sir," Ron said.
"It's Hugh, Ron."
"I can assure you, Hugh. He treats Hermione really well," Harry assured him.
They walked out to the car park as Lily and Jane had parked near each other.
Ron and Hermione kissed while Hugh and Jane loaded Hermione's trunk into the car. He opened the car door for Hermione, giving her one more kiss before closing the door. He got in the car with Harry, Lily, and Neville.
"One of these times, I'm going fake gag when you and Hermione kiss, so you know how it feels."
"Harry," Lily said warningly. She looked in the mirror. "Tell me if you boys need me to pull over."
"We will."
Lily pulled out of her space in the car park and drove towards the exit. Pulling onto the road that would take her home to Potter's Bar, she listened to the boys' conversation. There was no question in her mind at one point during the break would Ron and Neville come over, and the three would spend all day on the couch in the family room.
She found herself looking forward to Christmas. It was going to be great to spend time with Harry and James. This would be the first Christmas she would have with Hestia in a long time. She was looking forward to it.
Christmas was her favorite time of year. She loved everything about Christmas, the whole season.
But this Christmas, she felt, would be extra special.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Ron and Neville flooed home when they arrived at the Potters after making plans to hang out. Lily headed to the kitchen to put something together for dinner, and Harry headed to his room.
He wasn't there long until he heard, "Harry, can you come here?"
He left his room, heading downstairs. James was standing at the front door.
"I need you to go out to the car. Get the bags in the backseat. Then take them up to our room."
"Okay."
James pulled his son into an embrace before he headed out to the car.
"How was the train ride?"
"Good. Thanks for the money for the trolley."
"You're welcome. Did everyone get something?"
"Yeah."
"Good. I'll do the same when you go back. Unless you decide to floo back with your mother."
James headed on to the kitchen in search of his wife. He found his wife at the stove fixing spaghetti. He came up behind his wife, taking her hand and twirling her into his arms.
"James!" Lily exclaimed. He kissed her.
"Hi," he greeted.
"Hi."
"How are you?"
"Good, you?"
"Fantastic."
"Dad, everything is upstairs in your bedroom. I laid it on the bed." Harry walked into the kitchen, pausing when he saw his parents. "Do you want me to leave? I can go to Sirius's."
"No, dinner's almost ready, sweetheart."
James and Harry went to the downstairs bathroom to wash up. When they came back into the kitchen, Lily was plating the spaghetti.
"Are we ready for Christmas?" James asked. "I know I still have some wrapping to do."
"I think we're ready. Are you done shopping?"
"I am."
"Harry?" Lily prompted.
"Yeah, I'm done." He had picked up the last thing he needed for Ginny last weekend. He had adventured into the village, heading to Boots, the pharmacy. He picked up a bath set with a shower cap and headband for Ginny. While he was there, he picked up a few things for Lily.
"Alright. I got a few things I need to pick up for Christmas dinner. I went to Tesco today. Tomorrow I'm going to run to Sainsbury's."
"Isn't Ginny coming over tomorrow?" James asked.
"She is," Harry confirmed.
"I'll be at work for a part of the day tomorrow. I have some paperwork I want to finish before I take off for the year."
"They'll be fine, James. I won't be gone too long."
The rest of dinner was spent going over the schedule for Christmas. When he finished dinner, Harry took his plate to the sink.
"Need any help cleaning up, Mum?" Harry asked.
"No, I got it. Go on and start wrapping. That is what you're going to do, is it?"
Harry walked over and kissed Lily's cheek. "It was good, Mum."
He left the kitchen, heading upstairs to his room. He had taken advantage of Lily being out of the house when he was home last weekend and had wrapped Lily's presents. He wrapped James's presents on Sunday before he left to go back to Hogwarts. His wrapped presents were sitting in the spare room Sirius stayed in and would remain there until Christmas Eve.
He wrapped up Neville and Ron's presents, leaving room on Neville's for Ron to add his name. He wrapped Hermione's present next, choosing to tie the quill he got her to the wrapped box. He added a bow and ribbon to Hermione's before adding it to the pile for his friends.
For Luna, Ginny suggested a book about magical creatures. He gave Hagrid the same book. Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione visited with him the night before, giving him his presents. He loved the books Harry and Hermione gave him. Ironically, Hermione had the same idea. Only she got him a book about the dangerous creatures in the wizarding world. Harry got him the one about nondangerous creatures.
Ron and Ginny had given him a pair of gloves and a scarf made by Molly. She had sent them to Ron and Ginny earlier in the week.
Harry wrapped a book for Luna, adding it to the pile. He invited Luna to come after clearing it with Lily. Lily was going to talk to Xenophilius in the morning. She needed to discuss something with him anyway.
With his friends done, he moved on to Sirius, Remus, and Hestia.
He had just started wrapping Remus's present when he heard Lily singing in the kitchen. He sneaked out of his room, peaking through the railing of the stairs.
"Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on, our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years, we all will be together
If the fates allow
So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now."
Harry leaned his head against the railing listening to Lily's singing.
Lily had a beautiful singing voice. She helped Professor Flitwick with the choir. She would also sing as she made potions. James joked that was how she made good ones. She sang to them.
He got up, heading back to his room to finish his wrapping. Harry didn't know James had seen him sitting there listening to Lily's singing. He could remember when he first discovered she could sing. She performed a solo during a Christmas Eve church service at the church her parents attended. Lily had invited James to come with her. It was their second Christmas together.
James was blown away. He couldn't get over how beautiful her voice was as she sang O Holy Night.
He walked upstairs, heading to Harry's room. In his hand was the finished mirror.
Harry was sitting on the floor, trying to figure out how to wrap Ginny's perfume.
"Need help?" James asked.
"Yeah."
James sat the mirrors on Harry's desk. He sat down on the floor.
"You know you have done this in the other room, right?"
"I already got started," Harry explained.
James fixed the wrapping paper to fit around the box. "All you need to do now is wrap it."
"Thanks, Dad."
"You're welcome, Son."
James picked up the mirror, handing them to Harry. "Here's the mirror. All she needs to do is say your name, and it's activated."
"Thanks, Dad."
James moved to the armchair to talk with Harry while he wrapped. He fixed a box for Harry to put the dressing gown in and another for the slippers. He fixed a small box for the book Harry had gotten for Ginny. For the communication mirror, James added an Unbreakable charm. He still advised Harry to wrap it in bubble wrap before putting it in the small box.
"Just to be on the safe side," He said.
When Harry pulled out a small jewelry box, James asked, "What's that?"
"I saw these in one of the shops I went to with Mum."
Harry opened the box to show James. Inside was a pair of stud earrings in the shape of a rose. Harry saw them when they first looked in the jewelry department and kept coming back to them. Lily commented on how pretty they were.
"I picked the white ones. Ginny isn't a fan of pink and red matches her hair."
"They're beautiful. She'll love them."
"I hope so," Harry murmured. He already had one present for Ginny in a box. James saw Harry lay it down on the wrapping paper.
"What is that?" He asked.
"Remember the pictures we took for Quidditch?"
"Yeah, you did individual ones again. I have yours on my desk in the office. Why?"
"I ordered one of mine and framed it. I'm going to give it to Ginny."
"As part of her Christmas present?" James guessed. Harry nodded. "I did the same thing with your Mum."
"You did?" Harry asked.
"Yes, I did. She kept it on her nightstand in her dorm and then at home."
Harry finished wrapping the framed picture. He picked up the poster, rolling it in the paper.
"Is this it?" James asked.
"Then I'll move on to her stocking stuff," Harry said. "Should I wrap that?"
"I wouldn't see you would need to."
Harry gathered the wrapped presents, moving them to the closet. James helped him move everything to the closet.
"When was the last time we played Mario Kart?"
"Last weekend," Harry said. "Are you wanting to play?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"Are you prepared to lose? Again?"
James cupped the back of Harry's head. "Alright, you Cheeky Brat."
Together they headed downstairs for a few rounds of Mario Kart. If there was anything James was looking forward to about the holidays, it was the time he could spend with Harry and Lily.
Lily watched them from the kitchen as she made biscuits for her family. She would bake all the treats she made during Christmas tomorrow but decided to start with some biscuits tonight. Like she did when she made the chocolate biscuits, she sang Christmas songs.
"I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams."