Author's Note: The First Year of Hogwarts is almost over, so I have a question for you guys: should I make this a multi-part series, or should I keep it as one fiction? If I do the former, I was thinking about having two parts, one being the first four years and the other being the rest. If I do the latter, I'll add a Romance tag. I already have pairs planned out, so that's not an issue. Just let me know what you think. Thanks for all the reviews!

Chapter Seven: Christmas and Suspicions

November 16th, 1991

In the week since Harry's first game, not much had changed, though one of his uncle's lessons for History of Magic and the Mundane (as he'd renamed the class) had been about Nicolas Flamel. Harry hadn't expected that, seeing as it was nowhere in the books provided. Sure he'd mentioned it in passing to his uncle, but he hadn't expected a lesson in class about it. The Philosopher's Stone sounded pretty dangerous in the wrong hands if it really could provide that elixir.

The other peculiarity happened after the Ravenclaw vs. Slytherin game where Vince helped getting the Eagles to victory. Harry and Kathy had been able to celebrate with Vince privately before he was whisked away to his common room, and on their way to the point where they would split up, they found an empty classroom. Deciding to check it out, the cousins entered the room. The large empty room was only housing one item, a large mirror with a golden frame. As they drew closer they could read the inscription, which at first looked like gibberish.

Then Harry realized it wasn't gibberish — it was backwards. "I show not your face, but your heart's desire? This must be the Mirror of Erised." The mirror was of course mentioned in the book Famous and Infamous Enchanted Items, so he was familiar with what it did. Regardless, he was curious to see it in action. So, he stepped in front of the mirror and looked inside.

The view in front of him was what he thought it might be — his family. Not just the living members, either. Generations of Potters and those who married in, as countless as the sands of the beach. Sure, he was famous, but that had no appeal. Family is what he wanted, and what he always would treasure. Of course he shed a tear at the sight of his parents, but there was a blurred figure next to him that he couldn't quite make out. It wasn't a sibling — after all, he knew that he was an only child. He didn't think much of it through, and let Kathy look into it as well. She'd told him that she saw a similar sight of family in the mirror, and she too had a blurred figure next to her.

As they got back to their separation point, Kathy spoke. "I wonder if Vince would see a similar sight to us if he looked into it. But that blurred figure — I don't know what it means."

Neither did Harry, but for whatever reason he felt like the figure was a girl.


December 21st, 1991

Several weeks had passed, and the Potters were on the train home for Christmas. In the weeks since the visit to the mirror, several things had happened. First, the Hufflepuff vs. Slytherin game was a solid victory for the Badgers thanks to Kathy, meaning Slytherin was completely out of the competition for the Quidditch Cup. Second, Malfoy had stopped antagonizing Harry's group of friends. Third, Vince had looked in the mirror — and saw a similar scene to Kathy and Harry. Fourth, the Quidditch season had taken a break for December. Fifth, Harry and Hermione had finally forgiven Ron. Finally, Harry had gotten Hermione to laugh — and it seemed like music to his ears.

On the train home, Harry was sitting next to Hermione, Kathy was advising Neville that he should get a new wand, and Vince was chatting with Hannah. Susan was with them, and she was talking with Terry. Since Malfoy stayed at Hogwarts, the ride home was rather uneventful.

Once they reached the platform, the octet grabbed their stuff and got off the train. Waiting for them were several people. The first pair must have been Hermione's parents, because they were wearing the pass pin that allowed "mundanes" to be allowed into magical areas. The man had curly brown hair, blue eyes, and fair complexion. The woman had dirty blonde hair in a bun, brown eyes, and a slight tan.

Uncle Herbert was waiting there with Aunt Ceres, and Sirius was holding hands with an auburn haired woman with a monocle — his fiancée and head of the DMLE, Amelia Bones. There was another pair that looked like they were Hannah's parents — both were blonde. The only other person there was an old witch with a vulture hat — the infamous Augusta Longbottom.

After hugging her parents, Hermione did some introductions. "Mum, dad, these are some of my friends — Harry, Katherine, and Vincent Potter; Neville Longbottom, Hannah Abbot, and Susan Bones. Guys, these are my parents — Drs. Dan and Emma Granger."

After some handshakes, the other adults introduced themselves to the Grangers. The children then promised to keep in touch over the break and then they went their separate ways.


December 25th, 1991

Christmas at the Potter Estate was always a large affair. Family and friends were invited, though not everyone could always make it. This year the estate was hosting the most people it had in many years. Potters, Lovegoods, Sirius and his fiancée, Remus, Dora and her parents, Longbottoms, Susan, and the Abbots were all there. The Grangers had declined, saying that they preferred a small celebration. Others had declined for similar reasons.

Harry had loved all his gifts — from Uncle Herbert he received a copy of the family book of spells, from Aunt Ceres he got a copy of the card game Uno, from Uncle Xeno he got a subscription to the Quibbler, from Sirius he got a wand care set, from Amelia he got an emergency portkey, from Uncle Remus he received a calendar for 1992, from Dora he received a sneakascope, from Aunt Andromeda he received a box of chocolate cauldrons, from Uncle Ted he got a supply of sleakeazy's hair potion, from Kathy he got a bunch of fizzing whizbies, from Vince he received a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, from Neville he received a pack of sugar quills, from Susan he got a box of Licorice Wands, from Hannah he received a package of Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, from Ron he got some Pumpkin Pasties, and from Hermione he received a broom care kit and some chocolate frogs.

Of course, Harry gave gifts to all of them too — not that he recalled what exactly he had gotten everyone. The main hope he had is that Ron liked his new Wizard's Chess set and Hermione appreciated the Magic Quill and sugar quills. As much as he loved Christmas, part of him couldn't wait to be at school with his friends again.


January 12th, 1992

Winter break had come and gone, and The Gryffindor vs. Hufflepuff match had ended in record time. Gryffindor had won, but not with ease. Kathy had made 70 points before Harry caught the snitch. It didn't help that Snape had been the referee, but they still won. After the game, Harry felt like burning off steam by flying over the forest. He was about to leave when he spotted Snape talking to Quirrell.

Taking great care to not be caught, he landed a bit behind Quirrell and eavesdropped a bit. It seemed to sound like Snape was trying to intimidate Quirrell into helping him steal the stone, but there was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that it was a ploy. Plus, he did feel pain in his scar again just like the last time he'd seen them talk. He didn't know what that was about, but he needed to tell Ron and Hermione about his suspicions — perhaps his cousins too. He quickly got out of the area.