Chapter 17. Christmas Joy

Christmas morning, Harry woke to his door opening and a certain black-haired, violet-eyed girl belting out a Christmas song. Harry groaned and turned over, burying his face in his pillow. He had barely slept last night. His uncle starred in another wonderful film of let's make it so Harry cannot move, but still has to do his chores.

"Happy Christmas, Harry!" sang Anissa.

Harry knew that Anissa loved Christmas, it was her favorite time of year. She'd been practically skipping around the castle all month long. She was obsessed with the decorations and even asked Hagrid if she could help him with them.

To Harry, it was a day to make a huge breakfast – which he did not get to eat – then be stuck in his cupboard while his relatives admired the tree, and Dudley opened his huge pile of presents. If Harry was lucky, then he got to go outside and clean the garden shed.

Harry could never disappoint Anissa though, so he rolled back over and sat up when he felt something land on his bed. Looking down, Harry saw a small pile of packages. He just looked at them, not sure what to think.

"I have presents?" asked Harry stupidly.

Harry had never received a Christmas present before, well, except for an old sock of Vernon's when he was seven and a coat hanger last year. Harry had figured that he might get something from Min and Anissa this year, but that was it. Draco could not be seen buying them presents or he would be in a lot of trouble with his father.

Harry had bought gifts for his chosen family. He hoped he picked the right things since he had never bought presents for anyone before. For Min- a fluffy red and gold cat bed to put before her fire as Harry knew that it was her favorite way to rest, and a toy mouse filled with catnip.

Draco- a rare potions book that took him almost a month to find. Ron and Neville- a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavored Beans and some Chocolate Frogs. Hermione- a book on Advanced Charms. Luna- a book on rare creatures. Grandpa Albus- three sets of wooly socks with the most obnoxious designs he could find.

Hagrid- a nice big bag of dead ferrets for Buckbeak and an amethyst and diamond coated egg that held a, fireless, purple, miniature teacup pet dragon (It took Harry a while to find it and two seconds for Hagrid to name him Norbert) as Harry knew Hagrid had always wanted a dragon and would enjoy hatching it.

Professor Snape- three basilisk scales that Saleena had gladly given as she shed them often and knew they were useful. Harry was even able to get Saleena a large moose carcass, as it was something she had never tried, being kept under Hogwarts for most of her life.

Salazar had told him how to go about getting it. Harry brought it in stealthily and Hogwarts had gladly made a temporary tunnel to get it to her. He did not feel Saleena in his mind yet that morning, so he figured she was still asleep… he wished he was.

"Of course you do, and I've brought mine to open with you,"

Anissa plopped down next to her presents that she had dumped on Harry's bed. He moved over so Anissa would have room and grabbed a parcel from his small stack. It was wrapped in thick brown paper and scrawled on the top was 'To Harry, From Hagrid'.

Inside was a feather from Buckbeak, a large book, and a wooden flute, one that Hagrid must have carved himself. Harry tried it and it sounded like an owl. Anissa also received one that sounded like a frog. Harry gulped hard, tears filling his eyes when he looked in the book. Anissa stopped opening her presents and looked at Harry in concern.

"Harry?"

He could not answer, just moved the book so Anissa could see. Anissa gasped as she saw all the photos. It was not a book, it was a photo album, and it was filled with pictures of Harry's parents, two dark-haired men Harry did not know, Dumbledore, Min, Hagrid, and Harry when he was a baby. They sat side-by-side for the next few minutes, turning the pages and marveling at the pictures inside.

Harry riding a toy broom, Dumbledore holding Harry in his arms, who was tugging on his beard or holding the beard up to Harry's face to give him his own beard, Lily kissing the top of Harry's head, James and one of the dark-haired men tossing Harry back and forth while Lily, the other dark-haired man and Min yelled at them and Dumbledore laughed in the background. That one made Harry chuckle wetly.

This had to be the best present Harry had ever received. He was very touched that Hagrid went to the trouble to put together such a priceless item. He was going to have to thank Hagrid with something big. Maybe he could charm something for him, he would talk to Hagrid and figure it out.

Harry stared at a picture with all of them in it, a sad smile on his face. Anissa, moving back over to her own presents, reminded Harry that he had more presents to open as well, so he carefully put the album to the side. He lovingly caressed the cover before turning away.

The very lumpy parcel that he picked up next had a note attached. The note was from Ron, who said that he had once mentioned to his Mum that Harry was not expecting any Christmas presents and that he was sorry.

Intrigued, and wondering why Ron would be sorry, Harry opened the parcel to find a thick, hand-knitted jumper in emerald-green and a large box of homemade fudge. The jumper was incredibly soft and had a gold H on the front.

Harry looked up to show Anissa, only to see that she also had one, but in blue with a silver A. They shared a pleased grin and quickly put them on. Harry was right, they were nice and cozy. Like being wrapped in a warm hug. They would have to write a thank you letter to Mrs. Weasley later today.

Harry's next two presents contained Chocolate Frogs and Sugar Quills from Hermione and Neville. Min had sent them both wizarding games; Exploding Snap, Gobstones and a Wizards Chess set to share.

Harry and Anissa were surprised and pleased to see a carved wooden raven for Harry and a kneazle for Anissa from Draco. They were amazingly lifelike, and Draco had even charmed them to move. Charms was Draco's second-best subject and he was amazing at it.

"Oh Harry, thank you!" Anissa gasped. "How did you know I wanted this?" Anissa held up a blue silk scarf with books and stars on it.

"I saw you eyeing it in that owl order catalogue you've been pouring over all month," said Harry.

Harry then opened Anissa's gift to him and Anissa bit her lip nervously as she watched him. Harry pulled out a small wristband with a raven on top. Anissa raised her arm to show her own with a kneazle on it.

"I've charmed them so we can communicate any time we are apart. When I want to say something to you, I think of only you, and it will show up on yours. It will also warm up to let you know you have a message. We will have to link them to our magic, and Draco has one as well. I made a dragon for him." said Anissa.

"Wow, this is brilliant! You are amazing, Anissa." praised Harry.

"Professor Flitwick helped," said Anissa, blushing.

Harry was impressed. This was an amazing feat of magic. Harry put on the wristband, then picked up the last parcel. It was very light and something fluid and silvery slithered out onto the bed after he opened the package. Anissa took a corner of the shiny cloth and looked at it.

"It's very pretty, but what is it?"

"I'm not sure," Harry got out of bed and shook out the material. He could see that it was some kind of cloak and threw it around his shoulders.

"Woah! Harry your body's gone!" cried Anissa, watching Harry's head floating by itself.

Harry looked down, there was nothing. He dashed to the mirror and sure enough there was just his shocked, smiling head looking back at him. It was both amazing and creepy. Harry pulled the cloak over his head, and he vanished completely.

"There's a note." said Anissa. "Harry, where are you?"

Anissa jumped when Harry's head appeared right next to hers. Anissa slapped the back of Harry's head, as that was all she could see.

"Don't do that to me!"

Anissa opened the note, and in narrow, loopy writing they did not know, was:

Your father left this in my possession before he died.

It is time it was returned to you. Use it well.

A Very Merry Christmas to you.

"Hmm, I wonder who sent it," said Anissa.

Harry shrugged, but he knew they would definitely get good use out of it. Getting to Saleena would be much easier now, and he could use it to hide from Professor Quirrell. He decided to always keep it on him, just in case.

Harry and Anissa soon went down for breakfast, where they met Draco and Hedwig. Hedwig was already eating a piece of bacon that Draco had obviously given her, but she gave the duo a welcoming hoot. Harry smiled, he loved his owl, and gave her a good head scratch.

Harry could see that Draco was wearing his wristband as well and they worked on linking their magic to the bands as per Flitwick's instructions given to Anissa. Harry could instantly feel the link made to the others. It was subtle but undoubtedly there. Anissa's craftsmanship was beautiful.

While they were eating, Harry felt his wrist getting warm. He looked down to see the raven open its wings – Harry was still amazed at the charmwork Anissa had accomplished – and there across its wings and on its chest were the words: 'You are a prat. I just wanted to see if it worked.' There was a little dragon at the bottom of the words. Harry glared at Draco sitting across from him.

"Well, it works," Draco said, smirking.

Harry just shook his head at his brother of the heart. He and Anissa had been pleasantly surprised at how mischievous Draco was, as he had always looked and acted above such things. He had helped them plan and execute a couple of really good pranks on the Weasley twins and a few others.

Harry was so happy with the gifts he had received and the contentment he was feeling at the moment. He loved Hogwarts, and his feelings of being home became stronger. A thought suddenly went through Harry's mind, and he wondered if what he was thinking was even possible.

"Hey, I have something I'd like to do as a gift for Hogwarts. Would you be willing to give up some magic to help?" Harry asked Draco and Anissa once they had finished their food.

"What did you have in mind?" asked Anissa.

"Well, Hogwarts is always helping us, and I thought we should show her our appreciation and how much she means to us. I've been reading all about Hogwarts in the library and I asked Salazar about her as well. I was thinking of sending a burst of magic, full of comfort, happiness, thanks and strength, to her core. You know, the wardstone." explained Harry.

"I'm not sure how to send magic that way, Harry, and can we even do that?" asked Draco skeptically.

"Salazar told me how to do it and I have connected with Lady Hogwarts before. I'm sure I can lead you to her." assured Harry.

"I think it's a great idea. Let's go do it now." encouraged Anissa.

Anissa dragged Harry and Draco out into the entrance hall after giving Hedwig a goodbye scratch and kissing her head. She looked around until she saw the Hogwarts Coat of Arms etched on the wall. Perfect! She walked over and put her hand on the crest.

"Here," Anissa said, "This is where we'll do it. In the entrance that welcomes us each time we come home."

'Home,' Harry thought in agreement.

He and Draco nodded. It was the perfect place, and they placed their hands on the crest as well. Harry brought forth his magic and filled it with strength to keep the students safe, love for the warmth and help she gave them, thankfulness for accepting them, and sent it into the crest. Harry could feel Anissa and Draco's magic touch his, and he opened his link to Hogwarts and showed them the way.

At Anissa's gasp, Harry noticed his hand was glowing, and he saw that Draco's and Anissa's were as well as they followed him to the Wardstone Harry had only linked to once. They looked at each other in awe as the outline of the crest slowly turned gold, and they watched as the stone animals started to move around their now colored quarter of the crest.

When the whole crest was a bright shiny gold, they lifted their hands and stepped back to admire what their combined magic had just accomplished. A wave of magic suddenly burst out from the crest and shot through the school. Torches flared high and the walls and floor shook. The trio looked around in shock as magic sparkles drifted down around them.

"What just happened?" asked Anissa.

"I don't know," answered Harry as he lifted a hand towards the golden sparkles falling down like snow.

"Whatever it was, it was bloody brilliant," added Draco, his own hand in the air.

At the staff table in the Great Hall, Albus Dumbledore's eyes widened in shock. He had never felt the castle do that before and quickly got up to see what had caused such a reaction from the normally placid school.

The staff and remaining students quickly followed his lead. Exiting into the entrance hall, he saw three students staring at the now golden Hogwarts Crest. Entranced by what he was seeing, Albus walked up and placed his hand on the crest.

The lion pawed at his index finger while the badger sprawled out on the back of his hand, the snake wrapped around his wrist and the eagle hopped across the back of his remaining fingers. When Albus removed his hand, the animals were instantly unmoving and back in their House quarters.

"This is extraordinary," breathed Albus, turning to look at the three responsible.

"We just wanted to give a Christmas gift to Lady Hogwarts. We didn't know it would do that." said Anissa, pointing at the crest.

"Magic is indeed a marvelous thing. I thank you three for giving us this beautiful gift." said Albus.

The trio spent the rest of the morning talking and playing Exploding Snap. Then after a light lunch, Harry and Draco went outside to build a snowman. Harry had seen other Muggle children build them when he was younger, and he wanted to give it a go. Draco was dubious but decided to follow along.

Harry was unsure how to begin a snowman, though he knew the general shape of it once it was done, so he made a large snowball, then rolled it around in the snow. It was gradually becoming larger. Then Harry had an idea. He looked at the snow, concentrated, and it floated up and started to form a ball.

Draco watched in envious amazement. He would have to get Harry to teach him what Salazar had been teaching him soon. He wanted to be able to do magic like that. He wished he could learn from Salazar Slytherin too, but he was not allowed down in the Chamber of Secrets yet. He was anxiously awaiting the day.

Once the ball had reached an acceptable size, Harry stopped. As easy as that was, Harry wanted to do it the Muggle way, so he went back to how he had started the first one. Harry repeated the process with the second ball, then placed it on top of the first.

He was amusedly watching Draco do the third and final snowball for the head, when he realized that Professor Dumbledore had joined them out on the grounds. He stood there with a fond smile on his face. Harry wondered if he was remembering a time when he had built a snowman.

"Oh, hello Grandpa. Did you come out to make a snowman too?" Harry asked. Albus smiled, his eyes twinkling brightly.

"I had thought I might join you, my boy, it has been a long time since I've played in the snow. Do you mind, Draco?"

Draco shook his head as he finished levitating the head onto the snowman. He stepped aside as he watched the headmaster reach into his robes and pull out a top hat, scarf, carrot and a couple pieces of coal. 'There's no way he just happened to have those in his robes,' thought Draco. They watched as Albus placed the pieces before stepping back.

"I think all he needs now is some arms. If you would, Draco?"

Albus pointed at a bush about 20 feet away. Draco ran over and broke off two small branches, then brought them to the headmaster and held them out to him. After placing the 'arms' they stood back and looked at their masterpiece. Harry was pretty proud of his first snowman.

Then Harry had an idea, he did not know if it was a good one or not, but he would soon find out, and he would find out in a hurry. He decided it would be fun either way. He took a couple steps back and quickly made a snowball.

Harry flung the snowball and struck the headmaster square in the back. He was watching his grandfather expectantly, a huge grin on his face, while Draco was looking at him like he was insane. He could not believe Harry had hit the headmaster with a snowball.

Harry quickly made another snowball. He was excited, yet scared, at trying to start a snowball fight. He thought it would be fun and he hoped his grandpa thought so as well. Albus slowly turned around, and in Gryffindorish fashion, Harry flung the new snowball at Albus, hitting him in the chest, a cheeky grin on his face.

The twinkle never left his grandpa's eyes. Actually, they twinkled brighter than Harry had ever seen them and Harry knew he was amused. Albus' eyes flicked between Harry and Draco, who was looking fearfully back and forth between him and Harry. He stared at both boys with a smirk and a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Ah, my boys, I'm honored you have invited me to play,"

Albus raised both of his arms out to his sides, his fingers doing a quick flick upwards, and immediately over one hundred perfectly formed snowballs rose from the ground all around him. Both boys' eyes widened at the powerful display. They knew they were doomed.

'Bugger,' Harry thought with a laugh, then looked at Draco, handed him a newly made snowball, and nodded towards Dumbledore. Draco looked stunned, like Harry was off his rocker, then shrugged with a why not? They were going to get trounced either way.

Draco flung the snowball and hit Dumbledore's hat off his head. Albus looked extremely amused at Draco's brazenness, proud even, but it would not stop him from doing what he was about to do. With an evil grin, the snowballs started flying.

"RUN!" yelled Harry.

Both boys dodged and ran, but there were too many snowballs. They scrambled to find someplace to hide. It did not even occur to Harry to put up a shield or form and bewitch snowballs as his grandfather had done. His mind went straight into an excited adrenalin-filled panic full of youthful glee.

After being hit by at least twenty snowballs, (they just kept coming) Harry finally brought up a wall of snow to block the frontal attack and made a pile of snowballs for him and Draco to use. Albus arched the snowballs over and around their shield, and they pummeled the boys from every direction. There was no way to protect themselves against them all.

Harry and Draco were laughing madly as they scrambled through the snow, they had never had so much fun in their lives. They bewitched their snowballs to attack Albus and even threw them by hand, but Albus merely flicked a finger, and the snowballs exploded before they could hit him.

By the time Albus had his fill of fun, both Harry and Draco were sweating, out of breath, and completely covered in snow. They walked over to the headmaster, who was neither sweaty nor out of breath nor had a bit of snow on him and dawned a huge smile.

"Ahh, thank you, my boys. I haven't had a friendly snowball battle in years, that was most excellent!"

"That wasn't a friendly battle, Headmaster. That was a bloody slaughter." Draco growled out. "I'm on your team next time."

Harry and Dumbledore both barked out a laugh at Draco's choice of words, and the three of them trekked back to the castle, planning the next battle and laughing the whole way.