Chapter 15 - Home for the Holidays
With Hermione and Ron's help, Harry was able to catch up with the work he missed or ignored over the past several weeks. It was the most tedious time, but the work helped mellow his mood, until he was almost himself again. November passed quickly, and the first snows fell heralding in the winter holidays.
"Harry, mummy's made arrangement for Christmas at home, you're not only invited, but you're expected to be there." Ginny relayed to him.
"No, that's a time to be with your family, I don't want to intrude."
"Have you forgotten that you belong there too? Mum and Dad are your legal guardians, that makes you part of the family."
"Well, I've never had a proper Christmas, I was always kept in my 'room' at the Dursley's or I've always been here for Christmas. Sure, as long as no one makes a fuss I'm there. I'd just like to be part of a family, just once."
"You know mum, she'll make a HUGE fuss over you, so just expect it. Ron's also invited Luna, and I've invited Hermione and her folks too, so it'll be crowded."
"Hermione and her folks? And Luna? Isn't that going to put a strain on your parents?"
"Well, they want to do it. We haven't had a traditional holiday for a long time, and we ALWAYS have family and friends there." Ginny grinned slyly.
"Thank you, I know I've been difficult, and just being included, well, it means a lot."
"I've got class, you going to be ok today?"
"Yeah, you can stop fussing over me like a mamma hen, I'm better."
"I've noticed. Bye Harry, see you after class." She pecked him on his cheek before she left him alone in the common room, where he settled in to finish some work.
He finished reading his chapters and a scroll for "History of Magic" class when he noticed Hermione bouncing in.
"Harry, I just heard about Christmas. I think it's wonderful that we'll all be able to spend the holiday together, I'm exceptionally glad you're coming."
"Hermione, sit, please…" His tone was way too serious for a light chat; she calmed her mood and sat next to him.
"Is everything OK? Harry?"
"Yeah, it is. I wanted to… well, I wanted to know how you feel, about what we talked about."
"I'm ok with it, really. But is that really what's on your mind?"
"Well, no. I really wanted to thank you for everything. For making me finally face things again. You made me realize how childish I've been."
"Harry, I'm glad you've finally realized it."
"Hermione, I'm sorry. For the stuff I've put you through, and stuff I said. I know you and Ron only wanted to help. I had so much on my mind, things I couldn't deal with. Talking it out with Ginny helped, but having you know and see, really helped me get past Sirius' death. Yes, I can finally admit he's gone and I know it wasn't my fault."
"That's what we've all been waiting for you to realize. Now, Harry, are you ready to take over the DA training? We've still got so much to do."
"I think so. I'd like to explore the Chamber, properly this time, with you guys there in case…"
"I think if we all go to Professor Dumbledore, maybe he'll allow the expedition after the holidays, there were a lot of things down there that might help. For now, let's just plan to have a happy Christmas next week. I understand that Mr. Weasley will come to fetch up by portkey."
"Ughh, I hate portkeys, they always make my stomach turn."
"Mine too, but that's the safest way for us."
"Think we can go to Diagon Alley before Christmas? I'd like to do it right."
"I think we can plan on it. It's getting late; let's go get some lunch, then its Potions this afternoon."
They stood up, and walked out the common room together.
"I'm glad you're getting back to normal, Harry. I really missed having you around."
"Yeah, me too, I mean I missed you guys too."
They left for lunch and spent the remaining days until the Christmas holiday as all others in the magical school, in classes and study.
The Friday before Christmas marked the official start of the school holiday, immediately after the last class of the day. Arthur Weasley arrived just past 3 o'clock to retrieve the students for the holiday vacation. What he found on his arrival was a group of five teenagers eager for a break in their studies.
"Well, I see everyone's here to begin the holiday. Right, before we arrive at our final stop, we need to make one detour. Every one ready?" He laid out a large rubber child's toy, that made Harry chuckle.
"I see you found a use for a rubber duck, Mr. Weasley."
"Hurumph… Right. Now, everyone take hold…" The five teens and one adult each found a spot to touch and the familiar, yet distasteful pull from their navels pulled them all through to their first destination. They were all standing in front of 12 Grimmauld Place.
"Harry, even thought the mansion was still being used by us, as the terms of Sirius' will stated, it's time for you to officially become the lord and master of the manor."
"But, I thought that wouldn't happen until I came of age?"
"True, but as your guardian, and because I hold them in trust for you, I felt the time was right for this. All you have to do is enter the threshold and claim what's rightfully yours. After you take ownership, you must grant us access, you alone have the authority to allow or restrict people from entering."
The young Lord of Black Manor took his first tentative steps toward the door, the same door he had passed through many times before. He stood in front of the battered, black-painted door with a silver knocker in the shape of a twisted serpent, placed his hand on the elaborate knob, and turned the handle. The moment he opened the door and stepped through, he felt a whirlwind pass through him, blowing his already messy hair in every direction. He felt a strange rush through his body, as the house imprinted itself with him.
Once through into the hallway, he was immediately greeted by Dobby.
"Dobby welcomes Master Harry Potter to his home. Dobby was asked by the greatest of wizards, Albus Dumbledor if Dobby wished to server Master in his home. Dobby wants nothing more then to serve Master Potter. Dobby will serve his new master for as long as Master Potter wishes. Please, welcome to your home."
"Dobby? What happened to Kreacher? I thought he was the house elf here."
"Master Harry, sir, he is. But he is a bad house elf; he will not greet the new master of the manor."
"Fine. Then I'll deal with him later. Now, house, I allow my friends to enter anytime they wish, Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley, Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood. I also allow any and all members of the Order of the Phoenix entry to this house for their use."
He turned to head back out the door, "Come on in, everyone, and welcome to my house."
The group waiting outside quickly entered the house; glad to be able to get out of the snow. "Harry, now that you're the lord of the manor, what are your plans?" Ron asked his friend.
"First, I gotta do something with Kreacher. After what he did to Sirius, I should practice what I'm going to do to Voldemort on him."
"He deserves it." Luna piped in.
"Master Harry Potter, sir, Kreacher is a bad house elf. He betrayed his master and should not be allowed to live. You have that right as his new master."
"Why don't we all just make ourselves at home and deal with him later?" the elder Weasley stated. "There's much to do when we get to the Burrow, and this isn't to be a long stop, just a formality, really."
"How long do we have? It's still a bit early, and I was hoping to spend some time at Diagon Alley. Since this is my first real Christmas, I was hoping do pickup a few things." Harry asked he hoped to make this as memorable for his friends as he could.
"We'll have plenty of time for that tomorrow. We have about an hour before the rest of the guests arrive before we head off."
Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at each, and the flood of memories for them would have been overwhelming if they didn't have each other. This was Luna's first visit to Grimmauld Place, and as she wasn't as close to Sirius, the memories did not affect her.
"I know what I'm doing first." Harry said as he marched to the top of the first landing. He stopped in front of some moth-eaten moldy curtains and threw them open. The portrait of Mrs. Black screeched and screamed in a most horrible manner, cursing everyone in the house, until Harry pulled his wand and pointed it at the age-blackened painting.
"I am NOW this master of this house, and I COMMAND you to SILENCE!" As soon as he spoke the command, the old portrait became silent and the picture of Mrs. Black became still. His command not only silenced the old witch, but forced her to leave the dwelling forever. "I'll get rid of this later, now one last thing I need to do, Kreacher."
Dong…Dong….
"Master Harry, sir, there are guests at the door, they await your permission, sir." Dobby announced.
Harry quickly went to the front door, eager to greet his new guests, with Ron and Hermione close behind him. Dobby opened the door, to be greeted by a familiar face, attached to a familiar silver beard. Behind him another couple stood, half in the shadow.
"MUM, DADDY!!" Hermione cheered when she saw them.
"I allow Alexander and Alycia Granger to enter anytime they wish. Professor, I'm surprised you're here!"
"Well, Harry, are you not going to grant me permission to enter?"
"Well, no. You don't need it, I've granted permission to any Order member, and since you're the leader, you will always have free access." Harry grinned as he spoke.
"Now that we're all here, I suggest we continue on to the Weasley's home." The headmaster said; the group needed to travel from here to the Burrow via the Floo network, a private access to the Burrow from Grimmauld Place had been established, without the Ministry's knowledge.
Each of the young wizards and witches took their turn going through the Floo, Hermione took her mother through and Harry took her father. After all had made the trip, the last two wizards apperated to the Burrow, to begin the Holiday festivities.
The Burrow, a rather large, ramshackle house four story wizard house owned by the Weasley family, located outside of the village of Ottery St. Catchpole. They arrived in the front room of the Burrow, with the rest of the Weasley clan waiting to greet them to their home.
"Boys, you two take your trunks up to Ron's room. Luna, you can stay with Ginny and Hermione. Mr. and Mrs Granger will stay in the twin's room; they're staying in their apartment over the shop." Molly Weasley had everything planned out; she wanted Harry's Christmas with them to be absolutely perfect. Ron's room was located at the top of the house, on the fifth landing of the narrow staircase, just below the attic. The boys had spent many nights there, discussing Quidditch plays and new spells. They were directly above where Hermione's parents were staying, and Ginny's room was below them.
Once the group had settled in with their luggage, they all met in the living room before dinner, for an impromptu social gathering. Everyone in the group had known one another since school began, but the Grangers had only casually met Hermione's closest friends. This was the first opportunity they had to get to know them.
The evening progressed, with everyone genuinely enjoying the festive beginnings. Harry for the first time began to feel like part of a family, the one thing he longed for. He spent a large part of the evening talking and laughing with Hermione and her parents, getting to know them and becoming comfortable with them. Hermione especially appreciated Harry paying special attention to her folks, since he was also raised in a non-magical surrounding, he could relate to them better then anyone else in the room.
After a simple, but heart warming dinner of beef brisket, the adults met in the living room, with Ron and Luna disappearing to a secluded part of the house. Harry, Hermione and Ginny stayed in the kitchen to clean the table. Through the entire time, Hermione noticed that Ginny still had feelings for Harry, but she could sense Harry didn't feel the same way for the younger girl. Even so, she was impressed that he cared for Ginny, at one point she nearly slipped from a stool while stacking some dishes, and almost before she fell, he caught her. Hermione simply rationalized it was his lightning quick reflexes from Quidditch.
Once the dinner's debris was cleared, the three sat at the kitchen table over a cup of warm tea. Hermione began discussing various theories of Arithmancy. Ginny listened intently, while Harry sat daydreaming, staring at the two young women sitting with him, with both he'd shared intimate thoughts and feelings. He thought about them both, and how much they helped him this past year. A smile crept over his face as he sat at the table. His head cocked on one arm.
"And exactly why the grin? Mr. Potter?" Hermione, being the first to notice his grin and his change in attitude had to comment, in such a way to get a response.
"I was just thinking."
"Didn't I tell you once before how dangerous that can be for you?" Ginny smirked.
"I was just sitting here thinking how having you two and Ron as my friends really has been the best thing that's ever happened to me. Ginny, when you told me I was expected to be there, that's when I finally felt like I belonged, that I had a family. You don't know how important that is for me. You know I lost my mum and dad before I got to know them. You all have truly become my family. I finally feel like I have a home."
"Harry, that's so sweet." Ginny was the first to comment.
"I've never heard you say anything so nice before, are you sure you're Harry James Potter?" Hermione joked.
"Yeah, it's really me. I wish I could just forget all of last year. I know you're all in danger because you're my friends and I know it's not my fault, but I still feel guilty about it. This summer, I couldn't get past my grief for Sirius to realize that. But you both helped me through it. I can't and won't try to thank you two, cause it won't be enough. I'll try from now on to be worthy of your friendship."
Hermione started first, "I know I can speak for the both of us, Harry, we'll always be there for you, whenever you need help. To me, you're a very special person; I'm sure to Ginny too. I'm glad you've been able to finally see it."
"The same goes for me Harry; you know how I feel about you."
"Yeah, I do. Well, it looks like the others are growing tired." As he pointed to those in the living room. "I think we should go upstairs. I want to spend tomorrow at Diagon Alley."
"Night, Harry. Sleep well, no bad dreams, ok?"
"OK Gin. Night Hermione."
- - -
That night in her bed, she began to think about Harry again, and she felt a knot form in her belly and a rush pass through her that she'd never felt. Her feelings for her best friend were becoming hard to control and even harder to understand. She told herself that falling in love with Harry could result in one of the biggest mistakes that she ever made in her life. Hermione sighed. Being in love with Harry? The idea was the most absurd thing that ever ran through her mind. She purposely forced herself to stop thinking, and buried her head in her pillow and screamed.
In a bed across the room, her younger friend shed a quiet tear. She knew what was going through Hermione's mind, and knew how it would surely end. She was afraid Hermione would end up as she had, with a broken heart, still in love with someone that did not know how to love. 'What does that boy do to have this effect on girls?' She asked herself as she forced herself to sleep.