White Elephant Gift

1. White Elephant Gift

Author: Ashley
Rating: PG
Summary: Tradition plays an important role in Harry and Hermione’s Christmas
Review to Lollybear07@aol.com

Disclaimer: I in no way own Harry and the gang…^_^

White Elephant Gift

“Come on Harry grab your gift and let’s go. We were expected in the common room 10 minutes ago,” Ron snapped, his foot tapping at the marble slab impatiently. He glanced at his watch and sighed.

Harry ran a comb through his gelled back hair once more. Deciding that this was the best his usually messy black locks was going to get, he moved on to his nice buttoned white dress shirt, making sure that there were no wrinkles and smoothed down his black slacks. Checking to make sure that his matching black loafers didn’t have any scoffs, he walked out of the steam filled bathroom. He walked over to his mahogany bedside table, pulled open the one draw and pulled out one of its contents: a perfectly wrapped gift. He took out his wand and chanted a few words, “…for her hands only.” The spell he had placed upon the mysterious gift was to ensure that only she was to get this box, it was to ward off any unwanted person who might take it away during the yearly white elephant gift exchange.

Holding the small box eye level, He started thinking about the Christmas party that was going on downstairs. This box was meant for one person and one person only, a very unsuspecting brown-eyed girl, his best friend since first year. Hermione Granger, the girl he had fallen hard for at the end of fourth year after a very chaste kiss to the cheek. Ever since then, his feelings rapidly engulfed his whole being. He prayed to what ever God was listening, that his Hermione liked his gift.

~*~*~*~*~

~Flash Back~

Last month at a Hogsmead weekend, Harry had ditched Ron, his girlfriend of four months, Luna, and Hermione at the Three Broom Sticks to go wonder around. Shuffling past the crowded sidewalks he crossed the street when he saw it, the most beautiful thing his eyes had ever laid upon next to his secret love.

This was his and his friends last year at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry and he planned to go out with a bang. Pushing open the door, it began to drizzle. Shaking the droplets from his midnight blue sweater, a Christmas bell at the top chimed allowing the clerk to know that he had a potential customer.

Harry looked up, and spotted the wonderful gadget over in a well lit corner and his legs took him to the display case not being able to stay away any longer. Its beauty glistened in the store lights, and he thought that it would be even more exquisite out in the sun light with its rays reflecting off the smooth surface.

An elderly man with a limp hobbled out from behind the counter. He looked around the shop and didn’t see anyone. He could have swoon he heard the bell go off? Turning around, he saw Harry stare at his most prized possession. “See anything you like young man?”

Harry jumped at the sound of the shop owner’s deep voice. He turned around to see that his hair was thin and graying and his eyes were beady. In a way, this person reminded him of his godfather Sirius. How he had missed him so. It was he who had pointed out his feelings he held for his best friend.

“Yes sir, I was just admiring an item of yours,” Harry stepped aside, letting the man see what had caught his eye.

“Aw yes. This is my best discovery yet.” The man, with the help of his staff, walked over and stood next to Harry and held out his hand. “Hello there, my name is Charlie; I used to be an archeologist, now I’m retired. Everything in this shop was found during one of my many digs.” Charlie pulled out a pair of keys and unlocked the display case, “I found this particular ring when I was on a dig in Romania, tripped over a rock, and landed flat on my face, it was quite funny actually. Anyway, that’s when I saw the shiny rock jetting out from the old decaying wall. Took me and my crew a whole day’s worth of hammering and cutting to get it out, but when we did, I touched it in awe and was instantly attracted to it. I felt a feeling of love and contentment wash over me. I had a friend of mine look at it for me, I wanted to know more and he appraised it. He told me that this here was an actual True Love’s Binding Stone, a very rare find indeed.”

The clerk lowered his voice to a whisper, as if he was about to tell a secret. Harry leaned in, not wanting to miss a word of this man’s tale; his eyes traveled up and down the ring. “He said that a man was to give it to his one true love. There could be no mistake, if there was, trouble would loom over his lady and he till the day they died. But, if the lady of your choosing was indeed your true love, great things would happen. This ring could only be taken off by his hands, and after time, the couple would begin to feel each others thoughts and feelings. It was a way for them to communicate; to strengthen their bond. They would be able to know what was wrong when their spouse was upset or what things to do to make the other happy, because the maker of this stone believed that there should be no secrets between a couple. This is the only stone known to man that works like this.”

Harry was speechless, this beautiful ring was so small, and it held such great power. He knew he’s found the perfect gift.

“I think I’d like to buy this, how much?” Harry asked as he dug into his back pocket for his galleons.

The man put up his hand and halted him form going on any further. “My boy, I sense that you already know true love. Please, accept this as a token of my appreciation for true love.”

Harry nodded slightly, and asked if he may hold the precious ring. Gladly Charlie placed it into Harry’s hand and instantly the feelings the clerk spoke of only moments before had filled him.

Exiting the shop, Harry tied the bag that contained the precious item to his kaki pant belt loop and headed towards the edge of town. The clearing just before the woods was a calming place, and after his purchase, Harry’s emotions were running haywire. Rain drops started to trickle from the heavens, and his gaze fixated on the damp ground.

*Bump*

Harry’s arms immediately wrapped around the person so they wouldn’t fall. He looked down and saw a mop of brown hair cover the girl in his hold.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t looking where I was going. Are you alright?”

Hermione raised her head and pushed back her untamed hair allowing her brown eyes to see her protector.

“Harry? What are you doing out here?”

Harry was speechless; he wasn’t ready to see this beauty just yet. “I was just walking and I guess my feet brought me here.” He gave off a fake laugh and scratched the back of his head.

The move reminded Hermione why she loved him so much. She saw the white plastic bag and inquired what was in it.

Harry began to get nervous; he placed his arm around her shoulder and started to walk, “Nothing, just some quills I needed to write that big essay Professor Snape assigned over the holidays.”

“That bag looks to be too heavy for just quills,” Hermione stated.

“Oh and some ink. I tend to spill mine when ever I really need it so I thought I’d be prepared with an extra bottle lying around.”

Smiling sweetly at him, Hermione told him he could always just ask to borrow some from hers. “I wouldn’t mind”

Looking into the sky, the rain bounced off his glasses thanks to Hermione’s spell she cast long ago. He thanked what ever god there was that she believed him. He was sure that she’d see right through him and his lies. He felt bad. He never liked to lie especially to her. But after tonight, there would be no more lying. “I know.”

Wanting to change the subject Harry pulled on her arm and started rushing off towards the Three Broom Sticks. “Come on. Let’s go find Ron and Luna before we get any wetter.

Hermione laughed, “We already look like drowned rats.”

~END FLASH BACK~

~*~*~*~*~

Shaking himself out of his trance, Harry saw that it was 8:45, he was late, but not by much. Tucking the box into his pocket, Harry smiled sheepishly at his other best friend, Ron Weasley.

“Sorry mate, I didn’t mean to keep you so long. I know how much you want to get down there and snog the life out of Luna.” Harry wiggled his eyebrows up and down suggestively in a playing manor.

Scoffing, Ron’s cheeks flushed a bright pink.

Harry laughed slightly at his friend’s embarrassment, “Sorry Ron. You know I was only joking with you.”

Ron’s frown washed away and was replaced with a curious expression, “Where’s you present?”

Harry lightly patted his front right pocket, “Right here.”

“Well, what is it? You never did tell me…”

Harry rolled his eyes, “That’s the point. It’s called a white elephant gift, because the other’s aren’t supposed to know what you have, other wise that kind of defeats the whole purpose.

“Not even a hint?” Ron was begging now, he wondered what Harry was up to. The other years he had jumped at the chance to spill what he had purchased.

Harry’s eyes twinkled mischievously, “You’ll have to wait and see. Now let’s go, I am sure the others want to ring out necks for not being there yet. Especially Hermione, you know how she gets. She hates waiting.”

Holding the dorm room door open for Ron to get through, they made their way down the winding stairs to the Gryffindor party.

~*~*~*~*~

Hermione was sitting by the fire with Luna and other girls while the guys showed off their manliness by engaging in a friendly round of arm wrestling. Currently, Seamus was still holding the number one spot but she knew that when Harry decided to grace them with his presence, he’d whoop all of them in a blink of an eye.

Harry, that’s all her mind seemed to comprehend these days. She thought back to the first time she saw her best friend in a new light. It was third year when she felt her crush form, but she was still too young to understand what those feelings meant. She was also to into her schooling to be bothered by boys. But by fifth year, after the horrific events of Lord Voldemort rising, she was no longer naïve.

~*~*~*~*~

Harry went head to head with Lord Voldemort. It was a close call, but He had come out victorious, though very badly beaten up.

A thick fog had lifted, and blocked her view the whole fight. All that she was able to do was lie on the ground where she had been discarded by a Death Eater, and listen to the grunts and moans, and the sounds of steel on steel. She should have been fearful for herself, but in fact, the only fear she held, was the fear that Harry wouldn’t make it out alive.

When she saw an outline of a hooded figure emerge, she immediately thought the worst.

Harry quickly saw the object of his affections lying on the ground and rushed to her side. He bent down next to her and lifted her head slightly. Hermione’s eyes were shut tightly, afraid that it was another death eater. She felt a soft hand wipe her tears that had leaked out away, and opened them slowly to reveal Harry.

She sprang up, wrapping her bruised arms around his neck, afraid to let go, fearing that this was a dream. Harry rubbed her back softly whispering in her ear that he was alright and that they didn’t have to worry about Voldemort ever again.

Hermione cried softly in his chest, “How, how do you know he wont come back and try to hurt you again?” she sniffed as more tears cascaded out of her eyes. He pushed her back lightly, still grasping her shoulders. He moved one of his hands and pushed aside the messy black hair that he was told he had inherited from his father. Taking a few seconds to see what Harry had wanted to see, Hermione’s eyes widened. The famous lightning bolt scar was gone. Realizing that Voldemort was really gone, she flung herself back into his arms; missing the warmth he provided and silently wept, but this time out of joy. Joy that they were able to live and not cower in fear over a shadow, fearing it may be the dark lord himself.

It was then that she realized… that she was in love with her best friend.

~*~*~*~*~

Luna stopped laughing with Lavender when she noticed how intently Hermione was starring at the dancing flames of the fire. Waving a hand in front of her view, Hermione blinked a couple times, and looked at Luna.

“What’cha thinking about?”

Not wanting to spill her secrets she sorted through her mind, looking for a plausible excuse, when she heard the voices of Harry and Ron. Standing up from her spot on the couch, she walked to the middle of the common room. “Now that Ron and Harry decided to show up, we can begin the white elephant gift exchange.”

Their fellow seventh year Gryffindor’s all made a circle on the floor, their gifts in hand. Smiling brightly at her to best friends, she passed a hat around the circle. Each member pulled out a number. Harry got number five. Ron pulled out number three, praying that he didn’t get stuck with yet another cheesy present. When the hat came back around to the beginning of the circle, Hermione took out her folded piece of paper and read number twelve. She was last to go. Telling everyone to get in numerical order according to their paper, they all put the gifts they brought in the middle of the shape.

Hermione went through the rules. Being head girl, she was required to do so, incase they forgot the procedure. “When it is your turn to open your present, you have a choice to either open it up or trade it in for another unwrapped gift. If you decide to open it and aren’t happy with what you received, you still have a chance to trade it in, but only for another opened gift. You may trade only once. Does everybody understand?”

She glanced at the group and they all murmured yes.

“Ok, now everyone please pick a present randomly and get back to your seat so we can start. She was getting restless. Hermione crawled over and grabbed the last remaining box, it was very small in size, but the wrapping was beautiful. It was her favorite color, the exact color as Harry’s eyes. She felt her heart beat build a faster pace. Why was she so nervous? Shaking the feeling away, the gift exchange began.

Numbers one and two went and decided that they both wanted their gifts. It was Ron’s turn to pick. He glanced round the circle when his eyes landed on the small gift Hermione held in her hands tightly. A devilish smile appeared on his lips as he went in for the small box wanting to trade. Harry noticed this and sweat beads began to gather at his brow; his hands started to get slippery. Gulping in air, loosening his collar, he hoped his charm worked.

Ron inched closer. He placed his hand over the gift and suddenly, as quickly as it was there, he moved it. Ron jerked to his right, taking Luna’s gift from her instead. Luna huffed in aggravation and a frown marred her features. Ron swooped down and let his lips linger on her cheek for a few seconds until number four got impatient. Rolling his eyes, he looked into his girlfriend’s and saw that she was happy. He went back to his spot and ripped off the poorly taped present to find an actual snitch. Gently tossing the snitch up and down Ron spoke, “This may come in handy.”

Soon enough it was Harry’s turn to open his package. It was a medium sized box and when he shook it he heard nothing. He tossed his eyes to the other gifts and decided to open the one in his possession. He glanced over to Hermione’s direction and nearly lost himself in her dark pools. He remembered where he was, and realized that everybody was starring at him. She nodded her head slightly. When unwrapped, Harry pulled out a piece of paper that read,

Dear receiver,

I owe you one make over, yes even if you’re a guy, and don’t think about running away and hiding. I have my sources… you must also show off my gift to everyone in the Great Hall during dinner. Merry Christmas.

- Luna

The whole circle howled in laughter at Harry. He laughed along with them, stood up, and walked over to an unsuspecting Ron who was still caught up in tossing his gift. Snatching the snitch from the air, Harry let the piece of paper fall into his lap. Not paying attention earlier, Ron picked it up and his ear’s turned beat red. “Hey that’s not fair, he can’t do that….can he?” His eyes were pleading with Hermione’s.

Stifling her giggles, she managed a sympathetic look, “Sorry Ron, yes he can.” She then continued to laugh.

Person after person went down the line swapping the surprises that they were sure to find. Some happy, others embarrassed, some disappointed, until it was Hermione’s turn. Nervously she lifted up her present. Her heart thumping loudly in her ears as if what she was holding was a bomb about to detonate. Willing herself to breath normally, she started to pick at the tape, wanting to preserve the beautifully colored paper. All the other seventh year Gryffindor’s scooted up, each eagerly waiting for the grand finale.

Finally Hermione freed the tiny box from its cage of paper and butterflies attacked her stomach. Others spoke up hating the build up of anticipation.

“Come on open it…”

“What are you waiting for?”

Sending a death glare to the speakers, Hermione once again placed her attention on what looked like to be a jewelry box. Sighing, her delicate hand raised the lid. What she saw inside was faint worthy. She would have fainted, if it were not for her eyes catching the writing inside the band of the beautiful white gold band. She read out loud “You complete me?”

Confusion flooded her thoughts, until a light bulb went off and a gasp escaped, “Harry?”

All eyes were on him again for a second time that night. At least it wasn’t the freakish looks he used to receive for his now non existent scar. He gracefully stood and slowly walked over to her, their eyes never leaving the others. When he reached her, all nervousness flew from them both.

He grabbed her hand willing her to stand up next to him. She rose on her shaky legs and he brought her out to the middle of the ring of shocked classmates formed around them. Not a sound was made as the interaction took place.

“Hermione, I saw this in the store, and instantly thought of you. I was told that it’s called the True Love’s Binding Stone…”

She again looked at the ring and her eyes fell on to the large princess cut green diamond, the color of his eyes. She smiled.

“I love you; have since the end of the fourth year when you planted a kiss on my cheek…”

Hermione blushed as she went back in time and relived the moment he spoke of.

“Maybe even longer, but I was still a young lad and didn’t know the feeling…” He placed his hands on her shoulders lovingly. Harry towered over her, he being six foot against her 5’6 frame. His green eyes born into hers, “but I’m not young anymore Hermione. Before I ask you to accept this ring, you must know the consequences of wearing it.” She nodded slightly, still flying on cloud nine. He recited word for word what Charlie at the shop had told him that long month ago.

“I feel as if you are my true love, I know it. Will you accept this ring as a promise of my Love for you?”

Her mouth quivered, “I-you don’t know how long I’ve been waiting to hear you say that you return my love for you. I love you Harry. I’m not scared of the risks because I know in my heart you’re my true love. Glancing over her back, she gave her brightest smile to Ron and Luna, “Yes I accept this beautiful ring.”

Harry’s face lit up as he struggled to get the ring out of its holding place. His hand was shaking, but he managed to place the ring on her left ring finger. Hermione had tears slide down her cheek as the love of her life leaned into her, his lips brushing hers.

Claps sounded through out the Common Room as they looked on at the new found love birds.

True Love really was binding.

AN: this is my first Harry Potter fanfic, and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it…^_^