Some kind of interlude, away from Hogwarts.

HARRY XI

Green, red, blue and yellow sparks erupted the moment the sticks touched the water. In a small but spectacular show, fireworks displayed small images of Santa Claus flying on his sleigh with his reindeers dragging it. They flew around the living room, throwing magical dust all around, shouting Ho!Ho!Ho! while waving his hands, the reindeers moving, one of them having his red nose flashing. The fireworks evolved in a way that it seemed Santa Claus was throwing other sticks that exploded in the air, producing even more explosions of colors, displaying dancing dwarfs, red and green snow falling, moving snowmen, even a small representation of Nutcracker, the musical comedy he and his mother had gone to watch in theater during his Christmas holidays when he was ten, the year before he was accepted into Hogwarts.

The show lasted for a little more than a minute before the sparks finally extinguished. Everyone at the table applauded and laughed out of pleasure before they disappeared. His mother, Remus and Sirius were all looking at him, and Harry felt himself redden. It was Christmas day, and they were all together to celebrate it in the apartment Harry shared with his mother.

"Well, that was something!" Remus said enthusiastically. "Very good work, Harry."

"You should thank Fred and George. They helped me to work this all out," Harry said, not wanting to take all the credit. "I don't know how, but they found a way to temper Dr Filibuster's Fireworks."

"That's not difficult," Sirius said. "James and I were doing it in our first year. You should have seen what happened when Filch sat on his chair during our first Halloween. We had prepared a surprise for him. When he sat down, a single drop of water fell on the fireworks we hid under his seat, and it exploded so strongly that he flew a few feet in the air and fell down right away, face first on his plate."

Harry couldn't stop himself from laughing at the thought of it. His mother and Remus were laughing as well, though not as much as he did. When they were done laughing, his mother wished them a very Merry Christmas, and they all started to enjoy their Christmas feast, consisting of stuffed turkey, warm buttered bread, small potatoes, meat pie, and everything someone could dream of for Christmas.

It was good to be back home. The last week at Hogwarts before the holidays had been an ordeal. Everyone in the school seemed to believe that Harry was the heir of Slytherin, and that he was behind all the attacks that took place since the beginning of the year. People were avoiding him everywhere he was. Well, almost everyone. Fred and George found it funny enough to joke about it. They did everything in order to precede Harry everywhere he went, shouting that danger was coming.

"Make way for the heir of Slytherin! Seriously evil wizard coming through! Serpent lover on the way! Going to the Chamber of Secrets to take tea with his fanged servant! Enemy of the Heir, Petrify! Stay away or he's going to hiss!"

Knowing that Fred and George thought that the idea of him being the heir of Slytherin was ludicrous made him feel better. Percy disapproved their behavior, and Ginny often told them to stop doing it, but they never did. At least, all Weasleys seemed to sincerely believe he was innocent. Most professors seemed to agree, even Lockhart, and Hagrid of course, who Harry visited just before he left for the holidays. There was even Susan Bones, the Hufflepuff girl who found Justin and Nick right before he did, who whispered to him just when she left Dumbledore's office, I know it's not you. He didn't think McGonagall heard her. At least, there was one Hufflepuff who believed in his innocence, though all the others seemed convinced that it was him who Petrified Justin, Nick, Colin and Mrs Norris. Ravenclaws and many Gryffindors seemed to share this belief. And there was Filch who often lurked around him. And there were Ron and Hermione, of course.

Although Ron and Hermione told him he could be a descendant of the founder of Slytherin House after the incident at the Duelling Club, they didn't mention that possibility again afterwards. Instead, they were set on proving that Malfoy was the true heir of Slytherin and the one responsible behind those attacks. The Polyjuice Potion would be ready by the middle of January, not long after Harry would come back from the holidays. As a result, Hermione had decided to stay at Hogwarts during those holidays. The Polyjuice required all her attention. As for Ron, his brothers and Ginny, they also decided to stay at Hogwarts instead of following their parents in Egypt to visit their brother Bill, who worked for Gringotts there.

Harry felt relieved to leave Hogwarts, the Petrifications and the voices he heard through the walls for Christmas, but he felt a little guilty as well for leaving his friends behind. Truth be told, he wasn't sure if the Christmas holidays would have been that fun at Hogwarts, not with Ron and Hermione both angry at him. The day before he left, he had a pointed discussion with them about the Polyjuice Potion and their plan to impersonate Crabbe and Goyle in order to extract information, maybe even a confession from Malfoy. First, Harry was never truly convinced by this plan. Ever since what happened in the dungeons last year, when he confronted Voldemort and his mother almost got killed, Harry wanted to avoid trouble if it was possible. He didn't want to take the risk of placing his mother in another dangerous situation. So he told Ron and Hermione what his mother told him after the attack on Justin, that Malfoy had been followed by Dumbledore, and that they had proof it wasn't him who opened the Chamber of Secrets. Hermione had been easier to convince, but Ron didn't want to believe it. According to him, there were too many proofs against Malfoy. He hated Muggle-born people, declared that soon it would be their turn after Mrs Norris was Petrified, and always looked more than happy after a new attack. He also looked more bitter every time he saw Harry and every time he heard someone claiming that Harry was the heir to Slytherin, and also whenever he saw a student running away from Harry. According to Ron's view, this was undeniable proof that Malfoy was the true heir of Slytherin, because he was bursting to tell everyone it was him who did all this.

Harry wanted to believe that Malfoy was behind those attacks. But his mother swore that it wasn't the case. Hermione was of the same opinion as Harry's mother. If Dumbledore had Malfoy followed and found out that it wasn't him who opened the Chamber of Secrets, then that meant it couldn't be Malfoy. Ron argued that Dumbledore could be wrong, and Hermione retorted that more often than not, he was right. As a result, Harry suggested, right before he left for the holidays, that they abandon their plan to impersonate Crabbe and Goyle to interrogate Malfoy. Hermione looked upset that she uselessly put so much work in this potion for nothing, but it was Ron who responded in the most animated way. Through the argument they had, he ended up telling Harry that he was stupid, and an idiot. It was obvious that Malfoy was guilty, and now that the Polyjuice was about to be finished, it would be ridiculous to abandon their plan. The tone between them rose so much that Hermione had to make them leave Gryffindor's common room and brought them into an empty classroom, saying that here, at least, no one risked to hear about their plan. Hermione agreed with Harry that it was risky, especially in light of Dumbledore's discovery, but that perhaps they could still go on with their plan and interrogate Malfoy, just to make sure on their own that he was innocent. Harry said he refused, that it was useless. He didn't tell them that it was because he wanted to protect his mother, but he suspected both to have guessed why he did it, for Ron said that it was time Harry stopped hiding behind his mother's skirts. Coming from someone who said he missed his mother's cooking at least once every week, Harry found it quite misplaced. Hermione tried to calm them down by saying she would continue preparing the Polyjuice during the holidays and they could take a decision about when they returned or when the potion would be ready.

Hermione had managed to reduce the tension between Harry and Ron a little, but not to the point that both were not a little angry with each other when Harry wished them happy holidays the morning he left on the Hogwarts Express. Hermione's wishes were much warmer. She hugged Harry. And of course, Malfoy had to ruin it by walking by at this very moment and yelling that Harry should decide which girlfriend he ought to keep. Since Ginny wasn't far away when that happened, she ran away from the scene. Harry really wished sometimes that Ginny would stop being so shy around him. He could have normal conversation with her just like he had with Fred, George and Percy, as normal as conversations with Ron's brothers could be described.

So Harry was glad to be back home for Christmas, with his family. Remus was not exactly family in the proper sense of the term, but he came so often to their apartment, especially when Harry was younger, that Harry saw him as some sort of an uncle. Sirius was even more present, being Harry's godfather.

Harry remembered that once, during the Christmas of his eight years, Harry asked his mother whether she and Sirius would ever marry. She hadn't answered right away, but then she had burst into laughs. Harry was just a kid who hoped to have a father, and since Sirius came so often, he thought he could become his dad. But his mother told him it would never happen. Sirius was too much a child for her to ever consider marrying him, and she was sure that Harry loved him far more as a godfather than he would ever love him as a father. Harry regretted to have asked this question today. Seeing how his mother was always sad on Halloween, it was obvious she wasn't ready to let Harry's father go. And truth be told, Harry didn't think he wanted a father. He and his mother had managed to be happy together, and he didn't wish for a man to bring trouble in their home.

They all ate with appetite. Harry had done a large part of the work, although his mother did everything she could to contribute. Even during the holidays, she had to study for her Auror's training. Harry sometimes wished she didn't start that training. He couldn't spend as much time with his mother as before. Still, for Christmas, she didn't work and they prepared dinner together, like they always did.

Harry felt his stomach would explode when the Yule log was served. He forced himself to eat, a forcing that became mush easier when the cake proved to be delicious. But it proved to be too much, and he spent far too much time on the toilet seat. Harry thought about sending it to Fred and George as a Christmas present.

Then came the unpacking of presents under the Christmas tree. This one had miniature angels, fairies and snowmen moving on their own, to the opposite of last year's where decorations were inanimate. Remus got new clothes from Harry's mother and Sirius. Harry felt sorry for him. His clothes were always torn up, but he always seemed very happy to receive them and wasn't stingy with compliments for all of them. Harry's mother did receive her own set of presents from Sirius and Remus, and even Harry gave her something. It wasn't much, only a box of melting cauldron cakes, but she kissed him and hugged him very strong all the same. He was almost afraid that she was going to cry.

Harry was by far the one who had the most presents under the tree. He almost felt guilty about it. Remus had bought him two books as he knew how Harry liked to read. Considering the topics and how Harry got the habit to share them with Hermione, he suspected she would have gone through them before he did. Sirius had bought him a Broomstick Servicing Kit, which was probably the most useful present and the one Harry appreciated the much. His mother had bought him comics, like he asked her, along with large quantities of his various favourite sweets, both from the magical and Muggle worlds. He also received presents from his friends at Hogwarts, Ron, Hermione and Hagrid. In Hagrid's case, he clearly told Harry to share the treacle fudges he sent him with his mother, which Harry told her immediately, to her delight. Ron had sent a book, but not one like those Harry and Hermione shared. Flying with the Cannons was probably another attempt from Ron to convert Harry into a fan of his own favourite Quidditch team, but Harry still didn't know which team to support. Ron's mood had not degraded to the point that he wouldn't send his present to Harry, which was a relief, especially considering that Harry had personally sent to Ron a pile of comic books for Christmas, all about DC and Marvel superheroes they discussed during summer. Harry had been very careful to select those Ron had seemed the most interested in. As for Hermione, she had sent Harry a luxury eagle-feather quill. Harry hoped Hermione would love the gift he sent her as well.

The rest of the evening was then spent playing games, listening to and singing Christmas songs both from Muggle stations and the Wizarding Wireless Network. They also ate some of their presents that could actually be eaten, taking good care of softening Hagrid's by the fire before taking a taste.

Remus left first, like always. Sirius remained behind a little. Harry always had more fun with his godfather. However, while they were sitting together in the living room, while Harry's mother had started cleaning the table, he asked a question that had just come to his mind. Normally, he would be helping his mother, but there was something he wanted to know before Sirius left. It would be a long time before he saw him again.

"Sirius, you knew my father very well, didn't you?" Harry asked, trying to not speak too loudly so that his mother would not hear him, but also not too low to instill suspicions with Sirius.

"Of course. We were the best friends in the world since the very first day we met on the Hogwarts Express."

"Would you happen to know... Did he ever talk to you about his family being descendants of one of Hogwarts's founders?"

Maybe that wasn't the best way to ask, but Harry found it better than asking directly whether his father had been a descendant of Salazar Slytherin.

"Of course, he did." Harry was taken aback. Sirius must have seen his reaction for he looked quite curiously at Harry next. "What, your mother never told you?"

So his mother knew? She knew the whole time that his father was descendant of Slytherin, and she never told him? Harry felt betrayed.

"Well, it is true that James never really bragged about it. Your father was more of the style to brag about something he did, or something he would do. He wasn't really proud of his family name or his origins. Well, he loved his parents, of course, and he liked to be a Potter, but it didn't bring him any feeling of self entitlement. But sometimes, we would talk about our respective families. My own was very proud of its roots, and James and I we sometimes talked about our ancestors. And one day, he revealed that his family was believed to be direct descendants of Godric Gryffindor."

Harry didn't think he could be even more surprised this evening. "G...Go... Godric... Gryffindor?" He stammered.

"Yes." Sirius really seemed surprised by Harry's reaction. "Why do you think that all Potters for dozens of generations have gone to Gryffindor? Why your own family lived in Godric's Hollow, Godric Gryffindor's birthplace? There was a huge book in your father's family that detailed the whole genealogy of the Potters, and their common ancestor to them all was Godric Gryffindor. Lily never told you about it?"

Harry was speechless. He was expecting anything, but this? How could he be a descendant of Godric Gryffindor? And more importantly, how could he be a descendant of both Slytherin and Gryffindor at the same time?

"Are you going to help, or do you expect the women to do all the work?" the voice of Harry's mother came to them. Harry jumped from the couch where he was and ran to the kitchen. It was an old reflex. Whenever his mother needed help, he would help her, even more when she would ask for it, though it seldom happened. Harry was so used to helping around in their apartment that it was rare that his mother had to remind him about his tasks.

While they cleaned the table and washed the dishes, Harry felt the tension and weight that had built up within him for the past few weeks slowly evaporate. He was a descendant of Godric Gryffindor, not Salazar Slytherin. He couldn't be the heir of Slytherin. The conversation between him, Sirius and Lily was very light as they cleaned everything up. Sirius left late in the night after hugging both Harry and Lily.

When Harry went to bed that night, he felt much better, but questions still throttled in his head. If Slytherin really wasn't his ancestor, if he was a descendant of Godric Gryffindor, then how come he could speak Parseltongue?

The morning after, Harry asked his mother if Gryffindor was really his ancestor. She seemed taken aback for a moment, then sighed in exasperation. "Sirius."

"Is it true?" Harry asked, insisting.

"It is true that there is a book that details the genealogy of your father's family, Harry. And your grandparents really believed they were descendants of Godric Gryffindor. But the truth is, we don't know."

"Where's the book now?"

She seemed annoyed by his question. "I'll give it to you, if you want. But don't take for granted everything that is written in it. It may be in part invented."

"Why didn't you tell me I was a descendant of Gryffindor?"

"Because I don't know if you are. All I have is an old book pretending that all Potters are direct descendants from Godric Gryffindor. Something that could have been built up by one of your father's ancestors just to make the family look better."

Nonetheless, Lily did show the book to Harry, and when he consulted the first page and saw a large portrait of Godric Gryffindor, with a summary of his deeds, and the many lines and dots that linked him to his many descendants, who the Potters were part of, Harry was relieved. No matter what his mother said, the mere possibility that he was Gryffindor's descendant instead of Slytherin's was enough to make him feel much better. He wasn't plagued with doubts and questions about his ancestors for the rest of the holidays.

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Next chapter: Ginny