Chapter 13

Christmas

It was finally time for Christmas and I was so excited. In the past Harry and I would spend Christmas in the cupboard so as to not disturb the Dursleys' perfect Christmas. The only presents we got were ones that made us not want anything at all. I think last year we got a pair of Vernon's socks that were so old and used that I secretly threw mine in the Christmas fire when no one was looking. Since this year we jumped at the opportunity to stay at school. Because of this, I was going all out to make sure Harry and I had a decent Christmas. The first thing I did was write to the goblin at Gringotts that helped us with our vault when we were there. I learned that his name was Griphook and he was more than helpful at figuring everything out. After making sure we had more than enough in our vault for a little spending, I asked him how to access our funds if I were to order things from wizard magazines and other businesses so that I could order gifts. I was able to talk to some of the girls in my dorm who grew up in the wizarding world if they had any magazines I could order from which they happily provided. I was able to find some Quidditch equipment for Harry that I knew would be useful like stronger padding and thicker gloves, perfect for protecting him better from Bludgers and for gripping on to his broom better. For Ron I found him a new wizard chess set after I found out the one he loved to play with was another hand me down like the rest of his things. This one was made with nice marble in Gryffindor colors and had the best self repairing charms on the pieces. The gift for the twins was the best one yet that I have been keeping very secret because of how much they will appreciate it. All throughout the month they have kept a smile on my face. One of the best things they showed me how to do was bewitch snowballs so that they would keep bouncing off the back of Quirrell's head. They also made a habit of ending each day with a grand snowball fight that made everyone around us join in. I don't know how many times they would gang up on me to either throw me in a snow pile or dump snow on my head. Unfortunately for them, Ron and Harry were always quick to my defense and would always help me take the two of them down. While the perk of the cold was the beautiful snow, the downside was the drafty corridors we had to suffer with. The worst place to be this time of the year was in the dungeons for Potions class. Every class was spent with every student surrounding their cauldron flames trying to keep warm. I learned after the first frozen class to wear layers and learn warming charms. On top of the freezing temperature, it was also the class where Malfoy would spend his free moments trying to get under our skin. He would constantly go on about our Quidditch playing and that a wide mouth frog would be a better Seeker than Harry. Most people did not share this sentiment due to most being impressed with the catch and how he was able to hold onto his broomstick so well. Since he figured out that no one was impressed with his opinion on our places on the Quidditch team, he focused more on the fact that we didn't have a real family.

"I do feel so sorry for all those people who have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because they're not wanted at home."

I rolled my eyes at his comment. While there weren't many people staying at Hogwarts over the holidays there were still a fair few. Most of the kids staying had parents visiting other family members like Ron's parents who would be going to Romania to see his older brother Charlie, while others wanted to stay to be with their friends and enjoy Christmas in the magical castle. The staff had been decorating the castle in many trees and decorations that gave it an all around jolly feel to the holiday. An example of that was when we left potions one day to find a giant fir tree in our way. Under the tree was a pair of large feet and the sound of huffing and puffing filled the corridor. Putting the pieces together we could easily assume it was Hagrid. Ron went over to the tree and stuck his head through the branches to talk to him

"Hi, Hagrid, want any help?"

"Nah, I'm all right, thanks, Ron."

We were soon pushed aside by Malfoy and his little group of Slytherins.

"Would you mind moving out of the way?"

Once he pushed us out of the way he noticed Ron offering his help to Hagrid and smirked in his usual smug way.

"Are you trying to earn some extra money, Weasley? Hoping to be gamekeeper yourself when you leave Hogwarts, I suppose - that hut of Hagrid's must seem like a palace compared to what your family's used to."

Both me and Ron lunged at Malfoy but before I could reach him Harry grabbed me around the waist to stop me from punching Malfoy's lights out. Ron was able to grab Malfoy by the front of his robes but before he could do anything Professor Snape appeared.

"WEASLEY!"

Ron quickly dropped his hold on Malfoy and turned to the angry Professor. Hagrid, who saw the whole interaction, was quick to jump to Ron's defense.

"He was provoked, Professor Snape, Malfoy was insultin' his family."

Snape just raised a dark eyebrow while keeping a cool and emotionless composure.

"Be that as it may, fighting is against Hogwarts rules, Hagrid, Five points from Gryffindor, Weasley, and be grateful it isn't more. Move along, all of you."

Harry had Ron help keep me quiet while Snape and the Slytherins left the area but not before bumping into the tree causing a mess of tree needles all over the floor. When they were all gone they released me and glared down the corridor at Malfoy's back. Ron was grinding his teeth as he was glaring at Malfoy.

"I'll get him, one of these days, I'll get him"

Harry nodded his head in agreement.

"I hate them both, Malfoy and Snape."

Finally able to speak, I shared my opinion as well.

"Malfoy I hate, he is a rich spoiled snob who deserves a good arse kicking. Snape I can handle. He's just a grouchy old bat that needs to get over the past."

Ron and Harry looked at me confused, I never really told them what his Hogwarts experience was like. He didn't need the entire school knowing that he was heavily bullied as a kid by a bunch of Gryffindors, more specifically my dad and his friends. Hagrid noticed our solemn faces and decided to try and perk us up a bit.

"Come on, cheer up, it's nearly Christmas, Tell yeh what, come with me an' see the Great Hall, looks a treat."

We nodded and followed him and the tree to the Great Hall where Professor McGonagall and Flitwick were putting up the last of the decorations. Professor McGonagall noticed the three of us coming in and yelled out to Hagrid.

"Ah, Hagrid, the last tree - put it in the far corner, would you?"

Hagrid nodded and dragged the tree to where she wanted it. The Great Hall could only be described as a winter wonderland. The Hall was draped in white, green, and red. There were bunches of holly draped along the walls with white snowy icicles hanging with them. Each Christmas tree had bulbs and tinsel of varying colors and lit candles hanging from some of the branches.

"How many days you got left until yer holidays?"

"Only one thank Merlin."

Before I could say anything else, Hermione came into the Great Hall looking for us.

"There you guys are, we've got half an hour before lunch, we should be in the library."

Ron groaned, tired of spending so much time in the Library.

"Oh yeah, you're right."

Hagrid was confused as to why of all places we would be there the day before the holidays start.

"The library? Just before the holidays? Bit keen, aren't yeh?"

Harry looked up at him with a bright face.

"Oh, we're not working, Ever since you mentioned Nicolas Flamel we've been trying to find out who he is."

Hagrid looked flabbergasted.

"You what? Listen here - I've told yeh - drop it. It's nothin' to you what that dog's guardin'."

"I've tried to tell them that but they don't like to listen to me. The only reason I'm as involved in this as I am is to try and keep them from getting killed or something."

Hermione put on her best innocent face for me and Hagrid.

"We just want to know who Nicolas Flamel is, that's all,"

Ha, yeah right. With how much we've looked and how many books looked in, it was not just to know who he was. Harry tried to get more information from Hagrid but it was useless. Now that he knew what we were up to, he was keeping a very tight lip on information. Ron just shrugged his shoulders.

"Just have to find out for ourselves, then,"

"You three go, I have to finish up a few Christmas things."

They nodded and made their way to the library while I made my way to Gryffindor Tower. Once I got to my dorm I saw Renata had left a large package on my bed which I assume is the twins Christmas present. When I opened it up I saw that it was and went to work on getting it ready. Their present consisted of a large box and two important letters, one for each twin. I wrapped it with care as to make sure the surprise inside didn't get messed up and tied it in ribbon that was the twins favorite color, canary yellow, and put it under my bed for safe keeping. When I looked up at the clock on the wall I saw that it was time for lunch and made my way back to the Great Hall to meet up with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. When I got there they were already sitting with food on their plates. I was able to catch the end of their conversation about their information quest.

"You will keep looking while I'm away, won't you? And send me an owl if you find anything."

I plopped into the empty seat next to Hermione and across from Harry and Ron.

"I'm guessing from that statement that you guys didn't find anything?"

The three of them shook their heads.

"Look, we'll figure out something. If anything, I'm sure I can get some teacher to give me a note for the restricted section, you know I can talk my way into almost anything."

Harry just shook his head again.

"No, we don't want to raise any suspicions, and Madam Pince is already wary of me after she caught me glancing at the restricted section today and I couldn't come up with an excuse."

"Harry, after all these years of living with me, you would think you would pick up a sly trick or two from me by now."

"Well evidently I haven't."

The other two were laughing at our banter and it wasn't long till Harry and I were joining in.

The next day after giving Hermione a tight hug goodbye before she boarded the train home, me and the boys officially started our holiday. We spent most of our time in the empty common room cooking just about anything we could fit on a cooking fork and playing games. When Harry and Ron were playing wizards chess together, which was Ron always beating Harry, I was spending time with Fred and George. We went over some new plans for pranks and they showed all of the hidden passages they found over the years. One of them went to the Hogwarts kitchen where you could find many elves bustling around, but they were always kind enough to fix us a small treat when we came by. Christmas eve was spent with the five of us sitting around the warm fire and telling funny childhood stories before making our way up to bed for a long winter's nap.

When I woke up I didn't expect to get many gifts, if any at all, but what I saw on the end of my bed was a dream come true. At the end of my bed was a large pile of brightly colored gifts ranging in all different sizes. The first present I opened was from Harry which ended up being new books on potion making that I had my eye on at the bookstore before the year started but didn't grab. He must have either grabbed them without me knowing or found a way to get them like I did. The second gift was from Hagrid which was a small wooden carving of Renata that had every detail of her perfect. I got one from Hermione that consisted of some muggle books that I always wanted but was never allowed to get because of the Dursleys. I guess me and her have similar minds when it comes to Christmas because I got her some books that were considered wizarding world fairy tales that she could enjoy. In a parcel I found a purple hand knitted sweater with the letter H on the front in silver along with a wrapped box of fudge. Inside was a note from Mrs. Weasley wishing me a Merry Christmas and hoping that I liked my new sweater, I would have to write a thank you letter to her. When I opened the gift from the twins I started tearing up. Inside was a handwritten journal of all the joke products they hoped to make in the future and notes of all the pranks they pulled in the past. The front page clearly said Private: Do Not Read which showed how important this was to them. Inside was a letter that fluttered out from between the pages.

Hope,

This is a journal of all of our pranks. Since we've taken you under our wing you have proven yourself to be a perfect addition to our duo and made it a trio. Because of this we are trusting you with our most precious secrets and future plans. You have become our best friend and sister and hopefully one day partner.

Your Favorite Twins,

Fred and George

This is the most thoughtful gift that I've ever gotten and I'm excited to see their face when I give them their present. While I could have had it there for them when they woke up, I knew I had to see their face when they opened it so I made sure to send a note for them to read when they woke up so they knew I had their present. I had one package and two letters left at the foot of my bed and decided to open the letters first. The first was just a fifty pence piece from the Dursleys and put it to the side thinking Ron or one of the other Weasleys might want it since it's a muggle object. The second letter did not have a name on it, it just let me know that a gift for both of us was in Harry's possession and that it belonged to our father. The last thing was a small package that when I opened it was a potions book. It was a very advanced one and had many notes in it. A piece of paper was left in the front of the book but the only this it said was,

Merry Christmas

From,

G.F

I had no clue what G.F meant but they obviously knew I liked potions and apparently they did too if they made all these notes. Putting my presents away I grabbed my new Weasley sweater and pulled it on to find it to be the softest sweater I've ever worn and loved how the deep royal purple color looked on me. I then grabbed the big present for the twins before making my way down the common room to find it empty so I sat and waited for everyone to make their way down. It wasn't long till I heard a few pairs of footsteps coming down the stairs that led to the boys dormitory. The footsteps belonged to Fred and George in their own blue sweaters, practically dragging a complaining Percy with them who looked almost trapped in his own sweater. Once they saw me and their present they quickly dropped their brother and rushed over to me. They both picked me up in a hug and I squeezed back as hard as I could as Percy got up and stomped off grumbling. After they let me down I decided to thank them before they ripped into their gift.

"Thank you both for the journal, I'll guard it with my life and you can bet I'll be there next to you in the future opening the best prank shop ever."

Fred was the first to speak.

"Good, because we need you there to keep explosions to a minimum."

"Or we'll end up burnt to a crisp. Now what did you get us?"

I smiled and sat them down on the couch while I sat on the table in front of them. I handed them the box which they opened with gusto to find a box with two letters. They opened the envelopes to find matching letters for each of them.

To Mr. Weasley

Your apprentice and friend wrote to me and told me of your many pranks and tricks as well as how many of my products you've used over the years. In all my days I've never met two people with a passion like yours, it reminds me of me many years ago. Because of this I will be happy to send you any products of mine to test and give your input. After that, any of these products I sell you will get a percentage of to use towards your own inventions. I hope one day I will see you running your own shop and maybe taking over mine one day when it's time for me to retire. Good luck to you and your brother Mr. Weasley, I look forward to your first review.

Bilton Bilmes,

Owner and Proprietor of Zonko's Joke Shop.

The two of them sat there in shock as they read their letter before tearing open the box to find many new products waiting for them.

"It won't be much money at first, plus you'll have to spend money on products and ingredients, but eventually you should-"

Before I could finish my sentence I was airborne as Fred picked me up first and was spinning me around with glee before putting me down so George could do the same. The both of them were practically shouting their thanks to me while spinning me. When I was finally put down I didn't know if it was me or the common room that was moving.

"I'm guessing you like your present?"

I was so dizzy I couldn't tell which one spoke first.

"Like it?"

"More like love it,"

"You are-"

"Without a doubt -"

"The most amazing-"

"Smartest-"

"Kindest witch in the world."

I suddenly couldn't breath as I was pulled into a hug by the two of them. I wrapped my arms around the two of them the best I could and reveled in the warmth and happiness I felt from the hug. We stayed that way until Harry and Ron came down the stairs and got our attention.

"Why are you guys hugging?"

The three of us released each other to turn toward our respective brothers. The twins put their arms around my shoulders and I put mine around their waists as they told them what I did.

"Our little apprentice-"

"Now partner-"

"And third to our trio-"

"Has set us up with a deal-"

"With Zonkos-"

"To test his product and give opinions-"

"And earn a profit on things we test."

Harry and Ron's jaws dropped. I decided then to bring up the future plan Mr. Bilmes mentioned.

"The owner also mentioned that when the time comes, he will be happy to work a deal with us so that we may take over when he retires, said he hasn't met anyone with this kind of passion in his life."

Ron and Harry gave the three of us high fives in congrats and Ron gave me a hug for the chess game I got him, saying it's one of the nicest things he's ever owned. I smiled and gave him a squeeze and let him know that he deserved it.

"I just think the best chess player deserves the best board."

I let go of him and made my way over to my brother who was sporting his own green Weasley sweater with a matching silver H on his.

"Did you like your new Quidditch gear?"

He nodded and put his arm around me as I did the same to him. Our small group made our way out of the common room to head down to the Great Hall for breakfast.

"I love it, did you like your books?"

I nodded my head.

"Yup, did you sneak them in Diagon Alley or something?"

"No, I remembered which ones and asked Hagrid how to get them from school and he offered to go pick them up. Speaking of which, how were you able to get everything from here, did you ask a teacher?"

"No apparently you can order things from magazines through owl postage, or in my cas Renata."

"Aren't you worried about spending our school money?"

"No, I thought ahead. I wrote to the goblin at Gringotts about our vault and he let me know that when Mum and Dad set it up, that it would have an annual amount added from the family vault to make sure we had enough for school and simple luxuries. As long as we don't go buying all of Diagon Alley every year then we should be fine and have more than enough to live comfortably when we become of age."

He nodded his head as he processed the new information. I remember how relieved I was when I got the letter from Gringotts, ensuring that we would always be taken care of, it lifted a huge weight from our shoulders. We got to the Great Hall to see it all decked out in holiday cheer with so many foods covering the tables as well as fun Christmas crackers. The lot of us took our seats and filled our plates to the brim with all kinds of food and had fun opening some of the crackers. Soon enough each of us had some kind of funny hat along with some amazing gifts. I got a range of candy, a pack of wizard playing cards that had moving figures, and tiny figurines that reminded me of army men but they moved around and caused bits of mischief for a bit before falling back down. After we stuffed ourselves with food and dessert and watched the Professors have a grand time with each other we made our way outside for another snowball fight. This time it was me and the twins versus Ron, Harry, and Percy who for once decided to have fun and enjoy time with his family. Before we all headed inside, I told the others I had one more thing I wanted to do. Theft nodded and knew better than to question me. I made my way down to the dungeons where I knew Professor Snape would be when I didn't see him in the Great Hall. I went to the potions lab and knocked on the heavy wooden door

"Enter."

I opened the door and stepped into the dark room illuminated by the candles and the almost illuminating potion bottles. He looked up to see who entered and sneered when he saw it was me.

"What do you want, Miss Potter? Come here to complain about something else?"

I wanted to groan but it was Christmas and I was trying to do something good, if not for my sake than for my mothers.

"No Professor, I came to give you a present."

He quirked a disbelieving eyebrow.

"Oh really, and what exactly would this present be?"

"Information."

"Information? Information on what exactly?"

"My mother sir."

He quickly became quiet and had no retort to what I just said so I continued on.

"It is not known to many people but you should know that I have an eidetic memory, while most of them are still hazy, I have started to remember more and more of what is an actual memory than what I thought were only dreams since coming here. One of them being that my mother forgave you a long time ago. I have a few memories from when I was very young of my mother and father having small arguments over the fact that she still considered you one of her longest dearest friends. I don't know what transpired between the two of you to have grown apart and I do not wish to. I only wish to tell you that she died without a single ounce of hatred toward you."

I waited for him to respond, but he just sat there frozen like a statue. After a minute or two of no response I turned to leave. I had my hand on the knob when I heard Snape.

"Miss Potter."

I turned around to find Snape with his usual cold look but for once, it held no malice or hate. I came back into the room to stand in front of his desk.

"Thank you. I am loath to admit that I never got a chance to apologize, so it is good to know that in the end, she had forgiven me after all."

I awkwardly nodded my head.

"Well then, I'm glad I was able to give you peace about that."

We stood in awkward silence for a few more minutes.

"Is there anything else you wanted to tell me?"

He contemplated something for a moment before looking me dead in the eye, his face more serious than ever.

"Yes Miss Potter there is. End this investigation you and your brother are a part of."

I was stunned. How did he find out?

"I don't know what you're talking about."

His eyebrow quirked up once more.

"Don't play stupid Miss Potter, we both know you are no idiot. This investigation about what is on the third floor, stop looking into it. It is for your own safety, your's and your brothers. What is on that floor is something dangerous and I am doing everything in my power to keep it protected."

"Protect what from whom?"

"I am not telling you, if I were to tell you then you would go running and tell your brother and his friends. You four are too curious for your own good. Your arrogant father was the same way."

"Ok I get you didn't like my father but can you please stop the insults while I'm here."

"Fine, anyways, I don't need to add more fuel to the fire by giving you more information. The point is stay away, it's for your own good."

I sighed and groaned.

"For the record, I'm not entirely on board with looking into this either but my brother is bound and determined. I just know that if I don't follow him into this then he could get hurt and I won't let that happen."

His face remained serious, not pleased with my answer.

"Look, I can promise that I will do what I can to discourage my brother and keep him safe. But I know Harry and he won't just give up, he also thinks it's you by the way, if you didn't know that already, I think that just made him more determined."

"I'm well aware of his opinion, also Granger is lucky she doesn't have a year's worth of detention for setting me on FIRE!"

It took all my power to not laugh at the fact he knew about that. When this is all over, I'm letting Hermione know about that.

"But if you cannot stop him then just do your best to be careful and take extra precautions. I promise that I am not out to steal the object being protected, but someone is and you don't need to be in the middle of all that."

"Well unfortunately, I already am."

With that I left his office and made my way back up to Gryffindor tower. When I got there everyone asked where i went but I made up some excuse, Harry didn't need to know what me and Snape talked about. The one thing Snape was right about was that if I told Harry anything it would just add fuel to the fire and make him more determined. Once I was sure no one was suspicious I got comfy on the couch between the twins by resting my head in Fred's lap and my legs over George's. We enjoyed our new presents and went around testing the new Zonko products. That night when I tucked myself into bed I smiled knowing it was the perfect end to a perfect Christmas.