A Very Hogwarts Christmas

cpt_slog

Rating: G
Genres: Romance
Relationships: Harry & Hermione
Book: Harry & Hermione, Books 1 - 6
Published: 16/12/2006
Last Updated: 16/12/2006
Status: completed

Chapters

1. untitled

1. untitled

To everyone who has enjoyed some of the silly stories that enchant my waking and sleeping hours I want to say a big Christmas thank you, and hope you'll at least find some more silliness here for you to enjoy. But mostly this is for someone I've met through all this; Mione, who I'm happy to say is an even bigger H/Hr tragic than I am. She now has her own Portkey presence at http://fanfiction.portkey.org/profile/23219 . I'll mention all that again later, because she is writing the sequel to Healing with me (yes it does have an end!) and you'll find it on her page.

Of course this one-shot is set AFTER the events of Healing and even the Happy Birthday story. I wish a merry, peaceful and above all safe Christmas to everyone who has stopped by, and again THANK YOU for all your kindness.

Merry Christmas,

Craig

Wishing you a Very Hogwarts Christmas

“Come on,”

Harry shook his head. He was tired of saying 'no' to everyone who asked. Lately that had been almost all his friends.

“Please?” Ginny asked. They sat together and practically alone at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall.

Harry shook his head again.

“It's not like you haven't been back on a broom….”

“I know,” Harry replied, recalling the time around Hermione's Birthday where he finally got back on, but only to help Ron train.

“At LEAST tell me why?” Ginny pleaded.

This time instead of a head shake Harry shrugged. There was an answer, but not one he could easily put into words. “Gin,” Harry started, “Mione needs me, to help with her DADA...”

“Bull!” Ginny spat. That excuse might work on her brother, but never on Ginny. Ginny Weasley had a sharper mind and knew Harry better. “I already asked Hermione,” Ginny said. “Yes you ARE helping and yes you DID promise... I'll even accept that lessons come before Quidditch but.....”

Harry was surprised if not quite shocked to hear Ginny confess to such a thing. “Don't let your brother hear you say that,” he said with a grin.

Ginny smirked, seeing Harry's humour. “Maybe he should, it might send him to the hospital wing in shock and then I can be captain,”

“Then you'd be down two team members,” Harry said.

“Right,” she answered straight back. “Then you'd HAVE to play.”

Pause. Ginny had resigned herself to losing this conversation again and stood up. “Look,” Harry said looking up at her. He couldn't finish.

“At least tell us why,” she implored. He shook his head and remained silent, shooting a quick look in the direction of the Christmas tree standing at the end of the Great Hall.

“Ron's a better team captain than I ever was and you don't need me,” Harry said, turning his gaze away from her own.

“If anyone EVER says that to me again I'll need to visit the Hospital wing,” Ginny replied with a sad sigh. “From being sick. Prat face is only captain because you aren't on the team.”

Harry looked up and saw Ginny's sad eyes. She could see something there but wasn't entirely sure what. Wasn't Harry the Harry of old once Voldermort had died? “Harry,” she said softly. “We know you're still getting over the whole Voldermort thing, but lately, well Ron's right - you've become a real cranky pants.”

“I know,” Harry agreed.

Ginny couldn't think of anything else to say and walked off. Harry remained in place, looking down at his charms essay. Nothing too hard, in fact although it was only half complete Harry knew what he was going to add to it. He'd get pretty good marks for it too, but right this minute he was in no mood for anything.

The sound he heard wasn't what had caught Harry's attention. The swooshing sound of owls in flight was a sound familiar to every student of Hogwarts, and indeed every citizen of the Wizarding world older than about four. He looked up and saw what he expected to, Hedwig; flying toward the Gryffindor table in Hogwart's Great Hall where Harry was struggling with a paper he was trying to write for Professor Flitwick.

As always after dinner the Great Hall was less than half filled, as most of the students were off somewhere, or in their respective common rooms. The large Christmas tree that Head Mistress McGonagall had Apparated in position several days before stood proudly at the end of the hall. Beautifully decorated, it was adorned with radiant decorations and charms that made it shone, but ever since the tree appeared Harry had become sullen, withdrawn. As Harry watched his snowy owl in flight he saw that it had only just started snowing, a magic effect that simply had to be seen to be believed. As he watched the small flakes fall graceful Harry instantly wished the love of his life was here to share it with him.

Owl mail was of course commonplace, but not normally for Harry. After all, who was there to write to him? Of course he HAD used Hedwig to write to Sirius a few times, back before Sirius had died. But now who was there? His handful of friends that weren't in school with him would usually tell him face to face anything normally reserved for Owl post. Except of course for the Weasley's; but when Molly wrote to him she would normally send Errol. Harry used Hedwig to send mail, hardly ever to receive it.

She slid next to him and kissed his cheek. Harry grinned, “Hermione,” he half whispered.

“It better be,” she laughed and kissed him again, watching Hedwig land expertly on the table just in front of Harry. “Mail?” she asked. Hermione's sharp mind immediately picked up the thoughts Harry had been thinking, realising how he hardly ever received mail, so this must mean....

Harry scratched Hedwig's head and the snowy owl bent her head, enjoying the attention. As Harry deftly untied the note tied to her talon, he quickly hid it behind his back and faced Hermione who had instantly resumed Hedwig's scratches.

“You're so smart....” Harry started.

Hermione nodded. “The smartest witch of a generation,” Hermione finished. Not in boast, but simply because she had heard it so many times from so many people.

“Try a hundred generations,” Harry added and was rewarded with a sweet kiss on the lips.

“You want to know,” Hermione began, eerily as if she could read his very thoughts. Many was the time she simply could. “If I know who it's from.”

Harry nodded. That is exactly what he wanted to know. “For a kiss.”

THAT got Hermione's attention. “Simple,” she said confidently.

“You know?” Harry asked. “How? You didn't even see the envelope.”

“I don't have to. First it's TO you, and you hardly ever receive owl post from Hedwig. So it isn't going to be fan mail.”

Harry nodded, and snuck a look at the envelope, but nothing there gave him a clue.

“Second, by the look on your face you weren't expecting anything, so I doubt it's a response to something you've written to anyone.”

“All my friends are here,” he said as his arms drew her close. “Who do I need to write to?”

“If it's something about a present for me you wouldn't ...”

“Already organised,” he proudly proclaimed, and Hermione grinned before speaking again.

“Kingsley or the Minister would have sent a Ministerial owl,” Hermione said and again Harry nodded. “Tonks sees you and with Remus as Deputy Head Master he doesn't need owls either.”

“Go on,” Harry said, thinking this was a lot of thought to have occurred to Hermione in the smallest fraction of a second. He knew she wasn't showing off, but was clearly and honestly putting words to her thought patterns.

“Molly would have ...”

“I know,” Harry finished. “Errol.”

“Leaving only...”

Harry ripped the envelope open to see if he could discover the sender before Hermione told him. Not even close.

“My mum,” Hermione proudly proclaimed and was rewarded with a shocked look as Harry showed her the face of the envelope.

“You saw her handwriting,” Harry suggested.

Hermione shook her head. “I didn't see anything at all, and you know it.”

“She told you she was writing to me?” Harry asked.

Hermione shook her head. “Nope!”

Harry paused. “How did Hedwig even know - - ?”

She shrugged her shoulders. Even Hermione as smart as she was knew that was one question she couldn't answer. Hedwig had also known when Hermione needed to send Harry something, back when he was trapped at the Dursleys on holidays. That seemed a lifetime ago.

Harry briefly scanned the letter and a grin formed on his face. “I bet you,” Harry said confidently, “You can't tell me - - .”

“What will you owe me if I'm right this time?” Hermione asked with blinding speed.

Simple question, simple answer. “Double or nothing if you tell me what it's about,” he answered.

The cutest grin spread across her face and Hermione paused as if to consider Harry's suggestion. “You'd risk NO kisses if I was wrong?”

That made Harry laugh and he drew her closer. “Hardly, I'm betting you can turn one into two.”

The bet made, Hermione decided to up the stakes. “Tell you what, if I can tell you almost EXACTLY what it says I get thousands of kisses AND you have to do what I say?”

“For how long?”

“Till Christmas,” Hermione decided.

“Deal!” Harry read the note, short but succinct. He guessed Hermione already knew what it would say but surely even she couldn't know what her mother would have written practically word for word.

“She starts by asking how you are....”

“Too easy,” Harry said.

“Then by inviting you to spend Christmas with me, with us, at our home...”

Harry grinned. “Still too easy. It's what the 6th of December?”

“7th.” Hermione corrected. “And she goes on to say she won't MAKE you accept, but Dad and she would LOVE it if you said yes...”

Harry nodded; listening to Hermione practically read the letter.

“... and, if I know Mum, she probably has something about how she doesn't NEED to know....”

“... She hasn't written 'need' in capitals,” Harry laughed.

“But it reads that way,” Hermione laughed right back. “She says she doesn't NEED to know straight away but the earliest you say yes will be....”

Harry laughed, reading “...the earliest I can say yes or no....”

Hermione grinned and nodded. “Okay, OR no, that will let her....” she stopped and thought of what exact words her mother would have used. “...um not prepare...”

Harry shook his head.

“.... the sooner she can get everything ready.”

Harry beamed and could not stop laughing. Hermione got it exactly right. “Double or nothing on the last paragraph?”

She grinned back. “Double or nothing ON the double or nothing?” Harry nodded and she thought a moment.

“Something about how much she loves us both and how proud she is of us.”

An exasperated sigh and Harry handed her the letter. Hermione read it quickly and saw she was almost word perfect. “Not bad eh?” Hermione asked, knowing she was going to enjoy collecting on her kisses.

“You never stop surprising me,” Harry said and she was in his arms. He kissed her deeply and she was already melting in his hold. Neither heard the titters of laughter that rang out from the Great Hall, but Harry most certainly heard the 'Hmmmmm' sound at his ear.

Harry broke the kiss and looked up to see a slight scowl on the face of his Headmistress. “Sorry Headmistress McGonagall,” Harry started. “We were just ...”

“I could SEE what you were just, Mr. Potter, Miss Granger.”

McGonagall's face softened slightly as she turned to see the Gryffindor table was the centre of all attention.

“Practicing?” Harry offered and Hermione, very much in his arms, in fact sitting in his lap now, could not suppress her laughter any more.

“Practicing?” McGonagall asked, almost afraid of what the answer would be.

“For the mistletoe,” Harry answered. “Just making sure all is in readiness for the tradition of kissing under mistletoe.”

McGonagall's scowl almost faded before with sheer willpower alone she managed for it to return even stronger than before.

“Be that as it may Mr. Potter. From what I've seen I think you two have.... PRACTICED.... enough for every sprig of mistletoe in all of England.”

“Scotland and Wales too,” Ron added as he sat with a thump beside his friends, no doubt having heard the previous exchange between Harry and his Headmistress.

McGonagall turned her mock wrath towards Harry's ginger-haired friend. “Suitably impressed Mr. Weasley that you even knew Scotland and Wales are part of the United Kingdom.”

“Are they?” Ron asked, clearly surprised at what he had just been told. “Why do they all have separate Quidditch teams at the World Cup then?”

McGonagall turned and stormed off, having no desire to answer to Ron's question, leaving a laughing Harry and Hermione behind. Ron faced his friends and smiled. “Snog central again I see?” Ron asked. “What are you doing here?”

Hermione turned to Harry; she was here because he was. And Harry was here because....”

Harry sighed and pushed his charms paper aside. “Is it just me or is it getting harder and harder.”

Stunned silence. Hermione was still sitting in Harry's lap “Um - charms?” Ron asked, almost afraid.

“Not just charms, EVERYTHING,” Harry replied. Hermione's grin faded as she watched his expression. “Don't say anything about this just being stress Mione. This will be you in a few months.”

“Come on Harry,” she said softly. “You're doing fine.”

He was working hard and even Harry was the first to admit he was doing much better than he thought possible at the start of the year. Then again, only months before he wasn't even sure he'd be alive to even be thinking about where he would be on Christmas day. That was when Tom Riddle as Lord Voldemort terrorized anyone who stood against him. Now Riddle was dead, Harry and his friends weren't and the remaining Death Eater's under careful watch at Azkaban.

He sighed again, but remained silent. All three remained silent until Harry turned to his friend.

“Were you looking for us?” Harry asked.

Ron shook his head. “Luna.”

“Sorry mate,” Harry replied. “I haven't seen her since dinner. I thought you were together.”

“We were, we are ... sort of,” and now Ron sighed.

Hermione looked between both her friends, deciding she would see what she could do to help Ron, and then spend the rest of her life looking after Harry.

“Did you have an argument?” Hermione asked.

“I'm not sure,” Ron said and watched sadly as his face fell. “She asked me to stay with her over Christmas.”

“So?” Hermione cried. “That's good, great even. You said yes?”

Ron shrugged. “I never said no.”

Harry looked at his friend. “But you DIDN'T say yes?”

Ron shook his head. “So what?”

“Luna is mad at you because you didn't jump at the chance of staying with her?” Harry asked.

“You make it sound better than it would be mate,” Ron replied and Harry held up the note he had just received from Hermione's mother.

“Same here, I'm staying with Mione.”

Hermione smiled and kissed him quick, but not before looking to make sure McGonagall was gone.

“I was worried you didn't want to,” she said.

“Well I DO feel a bit guilty about it but ...”

“Why guilty?” she asked sharply, watching his expression.

“Can I talk with you about this later?” Harry asked and Hermione found herself nodding before she even realised. He kissed her but pulled back before she could respond. “It's a definite yes. A yes and a HUGE thank you to your parents, but I'll explain it all later.”

Hermione nodded and they both knew there was no way but that they would have a talk about what was worrying Harry. As she stood she kissed his forehead. “You know I won't let you forget to tell me what's going on up here?”

Harry nodded, silly question and watched as she walked away, up the stairs towards Gryffindor tower.

“Is everything okay mate?” Ron asked.

“You tell me. Why wouldn't you want to stay with Luna?”

“Because Luna's Dad....”

“What?” Harry asked. “He likes you, Luna says so.”

“She SAYS he likes me, but it feels like he watches me like a hawk. Like if I make a wrong move he'll pounce.”

Harry laughed. “By wrong move you mean what? Snogging?”

“Snogging sounds great, but it FEELS like he is always watching.”

“So?”

Now it was Ron's turn to sigh. “It's easy for you mate. You and Hermione know what you want.”

That much was true as Harry and Hermione knew only too well.

“Hermione's parents probably don't even mind you two snogging.”

“Her Mum has absolutely no problem you're right,” Harry said. “And even her Dad likes me. Mione says he treats me like the son he never had.”

Ron laughed. “I must be the son Luna's Dad never wanted then.”

“Rubbish!” Harry said. “YOU are too hard on yourself.”

“You don't know. He doesn't trust me. I bet Hermione's parents trust you two.”

Harry nodded. They trusted them enough to allow them both to sleep in the same room, same bed even, but Harry wasn't going to mention that to anyone.

“Get to know him,” Harry suggested. “He must still like you for arranging an interview with the Queen in the Quibbler,” Harry reminded his friend.

“Which, IF you remember caused him to have a heart attack,” Ron shot back.

“I haven't forgotten. But the thing is he came through that and you were a huge support to Luna when she needed you.”

Ron agreed and nodded. Labriant Lovegood's heart attack had hit Ron hard. He had collapsed with chest pains the instant Luna told him how Ron had asked her majesty to give an exclusive interview to the magazine he was editor of, and she had agreed. It took several days before it was clear Mr. Lovegood would recover but Ron still blamed himself.

“So Luna is mad at you because you didn't say yes straight away?” Harry asked

Ron nodded.

“No she isn't,” Luna said, standing behind them both. Both boys head's turned sharply and Ron's face started to turn noticeably white.

“Luna!” was all Ron could say. Clearly neither boy had any inkling that Luna was standing behind them.

She stood motionless and silent, waiting for Ron to speak.

“I just - er- um,” Ron started.

“Harry?” Luna asked, but without taking her eyes off her boyfriend, who by now was stuttering.

“Luna?” Harry replied.

“When you have it out of Ronald what is wrong, would you tell me?”

She turned and stormed toward the Ravenclaw tower.

“Blimey!” was all Ron could manage to say.

“Well dufus?” Harry said softly. “What's the problem?”

“I have no idea,” Ron replied still watching his girlfriend moving away.

“Do you love her?”

Pause, Ron nodded.

“So go tell her.”

“Blimey!” he said again.

“Look mate its simple,” Harry said. “IF you want to spend Christmas with her, AND you love her, go and tell her, quick.”

“But...”

“LUNA!” Harry called out and Luna turned. She was standing on the bottom step towards the tower and she watched as Harry stood, while pulling Ron to his feet. “Dufus here says yes.”

Luna's face beamed and Harry not-so-gently pushed his friend toward Luna. “Go on. Go ON! Tell her what you just told me.”

Ron was walking toward Luna, without even realising it. Her smile was even brighter than the crystal decorations on the Christmas tree and as Ron approached she hugged him tightly, before kissing him.

Harry, satisfied at a job well done gathered his books and parchments before deciding on an early bed.

***

A fresh breeze through the open castle windows woke Harry early; very early. Dawn was at least two hours away. Harry lay still in his bed, searching for the fleeting visions of his dreams in hope there was some kind of answer there. Nothing. He sighed.

Ron snored; loudly, and Harry grinned before yawning. He knew he shouldn't but couldn't stop himself from rising, trying to make as little noise as possible. He quickly dressed; and pulled his jumper over his head, followed by his school robes. It was going to be another very cold morning and Harry made sure he had the scarf Hermione had knitted for him the month before. He crept downstairs with a pile of books and parchments under his arm, expecting to find the common room to himself.

She was already there. Hermione sat at the table, writing and flashed a beam of a smile to Harry who sat beside her and greeted her with a long and passionate kiss. After all even McGonagall's rounds didn't start this early. In fact, it was SO early, Harry thought, he and Hermione would have had time to......

“Good morning,” Hermione said eventually after finally needing to draw breath.

“WOW!”

She smiled and fell into his arms. “How did you sleep Harry?”

He nodded, meaning good and she watched his expression, before casting a quick look at the books he had brought with him; charms.

“How is everything?”

Harry shrugged, happy just to hold her in his arms and breathe in her scent. He watched as her bushy brown hair moved about as she moved her head, and he quickly kissed her cheek again.

“Are you okay?”

He nodded.

“HARRY!”

“What?”

“Apart from 'WOW' you haven't said a thing.”

“That's your fault,” he replied, grinning. “You took my breath away. What are you doing up so early anyway?”

“Letters and revision. Plus I had this incredible dream about you and it was too good not to want to tell you about.”

Harry felt that didn't make sense. “You could have done that anyway. At breakfast”

Giggle. “I'm not sure you'd be happy for all of Gryffindor to be talking about THIS dream.”

NOW he caught her meaning and started to blush before she kissed him again.

Harry was going to ask her about her dream, but didn't get the chance.

“So, what's been on your mind?” she asked, watching him.

Harry sighed, he was sure he wasn't ready to talk to her about how he felt. Truth be known he felt terrible but he didn't want her to worry about him. Harry stood, and took her hand in his own, helping her to his feet. It was dark and cold outside and Harry was about to cast a warming charm on her school robes until he saw she had already done that. He walked and Hermione, hand in hand, walked with him.

“Are you going to miss this place?” he asked.

They walked through the painting with the fat lady at the top of stairs that led to the lower floor. Normally Harry laughed when he heard the fat lady snoring as loud and as un-ladylike as she was. He wasn't in the mood for laughter today.

“School?”

Harry nodded.

“I guess. You?”

“This place means everything to me. It's been practically a home for me since Hagrid told me I was a Wizard.”

They walked down the stairs at a leisurely pace, both looking ahead, deliberately not making eye contact. Hermione's heart suddenly felt very cold and scared. She was worried Harry was leading to something that was going to break her heart. She remained silent.

“It's where I met you,” Harry continued. “Well not MET as such, but we were on the WAY here. It's where I met all my friends. Learnt to play Quidditch, where we planned everything....”

They walked through the Great Hall, which was empty and silent; even the house elves weren't up this early. Except for the Christmas tree that dazzled at the end of the hall and the candles that were charmed always to be alight when needed there was no other light.

“I am going to miss this place,” Harry sighed.

“Is that it?” Hermione asked finally.

He thought, and shook his head. “That's some of it, a lot of it.”

“Is there someone else?”

“Someone - - whaaaaa??????” He looked at her “You are SERIOUSLY asking me that?”

She nodded.

Only now did he see where her thoughts were. “Hermione, I do and will always love you. You're the only thing that makes sense for me sometimes.”

He looked and watched as a tear fell from one of her eyes.

“Mione, there is not or will there EVER be anyone else. I'm so sorry I was careless enough for you to think that.” As he spoke he gently wiped her tear away with his thumb, and kissed her deeply. “Mione, I LOVE you, always.”

Relieved, she released the breath she had been holding.

“You REALLY thought that I.... that I could.....?”

She nodded. “Maybe, I wasn't sure. You're troubled, worried.”

Harry sighed and sat on the bench of Gryffindor table that he and his friends thought of as theirs, pulling Hermione into his lap. “Hermione, I wouldn't be here without you.”

“Yes you would.”

“No I wouldn't, nor would I want to be.”

“You would have....”

“What?” he asked quickly. “Fallen for some pretty witch?”

“Maybe,” Hermione replied reluctantly.

Harry shook his head and smiled at her, for her, and Hermione returned the smile. “No,” he said simply. “I have been waiting all my life to meet you. If you thought I wanted to break up with you then I'm a bigger idiot than I thought possible.”

She reached for his chin, drawing his lips to hers and kissed him again. “What then?”

“I'm not a hundred percent sure. It's a feeling, a bunch of feelings. It's ....” He looked at the tree and felt once again the knot in his heart. “It's Christmas.”

“What about it?” Hermione asked.

“Used to be my favorite time of the year,” he said without thought. “Once I started coming to Hogwarts I mean. Not at the Dursleys.”

Pause. “I can imagine,” Hermione whispered and Harry nodded. His Aunt, Uncle and Dudley were even meaner to him over Christmas than at any other time of the year; and that was saying something.

“Even just by sharing Christmas with Ron and his family it made me feel, at least a little special.”

“You ARE special,” Hermione said quickly. Her tears were returning she knew, but now because of how very sad Harry looked. Harry saw them and tried to grin, but his heart wasn't in it.

“And those sweaters Ron's mum knitted,” Harry added, thinking and looking off into the distance. Hermione, still sitting in his lap nodded, saying nothing.

“And so it's Christmas,” Harry said simply and again Hermione remained silent forcing Harry to go on. “Neville and even Zac invited me to stay with them. As did Remus and Tonks, in fact Tonks said I sort of should spend Christmas there, to make it feel more like home.”

“And?”

“And I KNEW you and your Mum and Dad would invite me to stay with you.....”

“And?” she asked again.

“And THAT'S where I was hoping to be. Spending Christmas with you all. Other than Ron, you feel as much family to me as I have EVER felt. Mione, I DO want to spend Christmas with you.”

“Good!” She smiled, burying her face into his chest and smiling even more when his arms held her in place gently, but with the hidden strength he still had, Quidditch or no Quidditch.

“This will be our first Christmas since ...”

Ron mentioned once and spoke more truth than he knew, that once it was all over, it felt like the roles had all been reversed. Now EVERYONE was happy to mention the dead Dark Lord's name; Voldemort. Everyone except Harry. Harry hardly ever used his name, but instead used the vague epithet 'him'. Apart from the crazy days afterwards, where everyone testified under Veritaserum at the Ministry of Magic of the events of that evening, Harry had hardly mentioned any of it. Except to emphasize how bravely everyone fought.

Dark Lord dead, Death Eaters all dead or captured, and not one of his friends harmed. In the days immediately afterward Ron didn't stop talking about it, and of course no-one bothered to tell him he didn't NEED to go on. If anyone had a right to be self proud it was him. Or Harry, but Harry remained silent on the whole Voldemort Affair afterwards.

“Harry?”

He pulled away and looked down at her tear stained face, Hermione tried to force a smile in the hope he would smile too. She could see how much he was hurting.

“I can't help feeling guilty now.”

“You have nothing to feel guilty about.”

“That we're here, together and in love. And that it's Christmas and there are smiles as far as the eye can see....”

He sighed and finished.

“Except for Cedric, Sirius, and of course Dumbledore. AND everyone else that were killed. If there is anything wrong with me that's it. I feel guilty that I'm here and they aren't.”

Hermione fell into him. Try as she might she couldn't take his pain away. “This is what you have been feeling?”

He nodded. “The class work is getting harder, and I've been using that as an excuse to myself...”

“I know,” she said at once. “I've checked with McGonagall and Remus, AND Kingsley and most of your Professors. You are going ok.”

“You were THAT worried about me?” he asked and she nodded.

“No - it's isn't the class work. I know what I have to do, and I'm just about ready to start working as hard as I can. Pass, fail I don't care. I'll do my best and whatever happens I'll manage. I just....”

“Guilty.”

He nodded. “Mione, would you mind if I tried to put some of this in a letter to your Mum?”

“Of course I won't mind Harry. I want you to feel better about yourself, to be your OLD self.”

He nodded again wanting that very much for himself. “Me too. You won't feel like I'm pushing you away if I try to make sense of it with your Mum?”

Hermione shook her head. “I'm here for you, always and forever.” She took his hand in hers and raised it to her lips, kissing it tenderly and Harry felt a shiver. Now, more than anything else he wanted to wake up with her on Christmas morning.

“Um - your place.... what will the.....”

“Harry, do you need to ask? Mum knows and understands. And by now she MUST have had a talk with Dad. You'll be sleeping with me, my room, OUR room.”

Harry nodded, and smiled. “Perfect!”

***

Several hours later Harry walked out of the charms lesson he just endured, during which time he handed in his assignment. It was an A paper, he knew that. Harry took several fast steps in the hope Ron didn't catch up with him and remind him of the game later that afternoon. As he rounded the corner he saw her, about 20 feet away, her head buried in a book as she walking in the same general direction, towards the stairs to the astronomy tower. He took a few fast strides and was beside her, his fingertips finding her own and Hermione's hand, indeed her entire body and mind knew instantly whose touch that was.

“Hey!” Harry said, thinking it an odd first thing to say to someone he loved so much.

“Harry,” Hermione beamed.

“Haven't got a time-turner on you have you?” he asked.

Odd question, as everyone knew ALL the time-turners had been destroyed. “Why?

“So I could do Astronomy AND spend time with you.

Her grin told Harry she would very much enjoy that, if it were possible. Instead they would have to settle for being together later.

“We still have DADA later?” he asked and she nodded.

“Good,” Harry smiled, for only the first or second time in weeks. Not so much for the DADA class he was helping with but because he would be with her. Hermione would have loved to ask Harry to help her prepare before hand, but she knew they'd spend the entire time snogging. Like last time. Still - the thought of that made her giggle.

“Ron's been ...” Harry started and stopped. He would never talk badly of his best friend, and he knew Ron, in fact ALL his friends were doing what they thought was best.

“I've heard,” Hermione said. “Half the girls want ME to tell you to play.”

Harry paused. “They know the game against Slytherine is only a friendly?”

“Everyone wants to see you playing again.”

“Ask the old Harry,” he said and instantly regretted it. “Library after lunch?”

She nodded.

“See you there. I'll be in the restricted section looking for 'Practical Common Sense for Boys Who Lived'“.

Hermione stopped and watched Harry race up the stairs, taking several stairs at a time. A few seconds later she smiled as she watched Ron racing behind, obviously trying to catch up with him. “Wait up Harry,” Ron was calling out but Harry didn't slow for an instant. Ron never had a hope.

Before Hermione could see where her thoughts would take her, she felt something unexpected. Something hot was vibrating in her pocket. She reached in and pulled out the offending Gold Galleon, one of the D.A. Galleons. It almost came as a surprise to Hermione that she even still carried it; almost entirely for reasons of old times sake. After all there WAS no D.A. anymore, and no need to carry it. But someone else obviously hadn't forgotten about the D.A. coin either. She took it out and held it to her eye, seeing at once it carried a message. For her alone. A message that made her happier than she thought possible a few hours before.

'Marry me?'

Hermione squealed and drew her wand to cast a reply, and seconds later something in Harry's pocket was vibrating.

**

The library was usually calm and relatively quiet in the free time directly after lunch. Hermione was the last to arrive and she saw all the usual suspects, her best friends all sitting together.

Seeing her, Harry smiled and Hermione quickly fell into his lap, kissing him deeply.

“Hey look everyone,” Ron said to all. “Cranky pants CAN smile.”

“Ron!” Luna said and Hermione saw the graze on Ron's forehead.

“What happened to you?” Hermione asked.

“I was chasing cranky pants up the stairs, slipped and hit my head.”

“Sorry mate,” Harry said to him, his sympathy genuine.

“Not to worry Cranky pants,” Ron replied as he allowed Luna another chance to look at the slight graze.

Hermione looked at Harry. “Is the nick-name 'Cranky pants' going to....?” Hermione started to ask.

“Permanent!” Ron answered quickly. “Until Cranky pants agrees to play that's his new name.”

“Ron,” Luna looked between both of them before kissing Ron's graze sweetly.

Ginny made a mock retching noise which of course only made everyone laugh.

Ron turned to Hermione. “YOU tell him to play!”

“But if he's not ....”

“Bollocks!” Ron said. “Show of hands who thinks Harry should stop feeling sorry for himself and play?”

Ron's hand shot up, followed by Ginny and even Luna slowly raised her hand. All eyes were on Hermione.

She wouldn't have raised her hand, but couldn't anyway. Both her hands were held by Harry and he was never going to let her go.

“Does it matter if he doesn't play?” Hermione asked. “I mean isn't it only a friendly?”

“See?” Harry shot at Ron.

“Hermione you don't even know what a friendly is,” Ginny said and Hermione's laugh revealed that Ginny had caught her out.

“So it doesn't matter who wins?” She asked.

Hermione expected Ron or Ginny to answer, but it was Luna who beat them both. “It doesn't matter for the House Cup ..., “Luna started.

“The DUMBLEDORE cup,” Ron corrected.

“... But,” Luna continued. “Slytherine haven't beaten Gryffindor in years and Ron wants us to use the match to trial some new strategies.”

Harry nodded without realising it, thinking Ron's idea made perfect practical sense. As team captain Ron was doing even better than anyone thought possible. “Us?” Hermione asked. “Luna, you're Ravenclaw. No offence but....”

“HONARARY Gryffindor,” Luna replied with smile and now Ron kissed her.

Harry faced Luna direct. “Luna, who will you be cheering for when it's Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw?”

They must have known it was coming, Ron did, but Luna started to hum the familiar tune 'Weasley is our King' and Ron kissed her. Naturally Ginny couldn't take it anymore and stood, “Hospital wing...I'm going to be sick.”

The two couples laughed as Ginny quickly made her escape before having to witness any more sentimental scenes between Luna and her brother.

“I'm sorry,” Ron said to Harry. “I didn't mean it when I said you were feeling sorry for yourself. I know that's not it.”

“That's okay mate,” Harry said with a forgiving smile. “I know you didn't.”

Ron stood and took Luna's hand. He helped her up and he drew her close, kissing her. Both Harry and Hermione grinned to see their friends so obviously in love, before Ron turned to Hermione.

“But I'm STILL calling him Cranky pants!”

Harry laughed and Ron looked down at him. “Mate,” Ron said. “Talk to us. Or at the very least talk to someone.”

“I've got Mione, she's all I'll ever need.”

Hermione smiled and kissed Harry's cheek. As long as she lived Harry would never be alone.

Ron looked at Hermione, and paused before speaking. “If he won't believe it from us he may believe it if it comes from you.”

“Believe what?” Hermione asked.

“Dumbledore would have wanted Harry to play.”

Out of the corner of her eye she watched Harry wince, as if he had just been struck. She looked at Harry and saw from the expression on his face how deeply that remark had struck, and looked up at Ron but he was already walking out of the library, hand in hand with Luna.

“Low blow,” Harry said forlornly. Hermione was reading his expression, and could think of nothing to say. Before she had the chance to, Harry spoke for them both.

“He's right though.”

A gently finger traced the lines of worry on Harry's brow, then down his cheek. Harry, loved her touch and would have felt his muscles relaxing more than they had for weeks.

***

Harry laughed, the first time for a long time as a first year DADA student; Carrie O'Connell traced the scar on Harry's forehead. Hermione was explaining some technical detail to do with wands and the small blonde girl with a flash of curls and the cutest dimples asked Harry a simple question.

“How come the scar is still there even though Voldemort is dead?” she had asked

Harry chuckled and Hermione, hearing the sound of his laughter stopped whatever she was saying. For the briefest second he sounded like the old Harry, the one that did laugh.

“You know,” Harry answered. “I asked myself the same thing a few times. I guess the answer is that it's a scar. Sure, he's dead, believe me I know that. But I guess this mark is ….”

“Harry's red badge of courage,” Hermione answered.

“It's cute,” Carrie said with a smile and Harry found himself smiling back. Carrie was twelve, but was already shaping up as a confident and very likable, not to forget pretty witch. She had a few admirers already and Hermione wondered whether Carrie knew Harry was her boyfriend. Good thing for her the little girl was sox years Harry's junior, that and the fact that Harry, HER Harry, was ALL hers.

“Class dismissed,” Hermione said and relieved faces indicated that was the very thing most of the class were hoping to hear.

“Bye,” Carrie said to Harry, and for a brief instant Harry thought he was going to get a kiss before the little witch scuttled off. He laughed as he watched her go.

“Oh?” Hermione said and Harry's laugh now became friendlier as he took her into his arms.

“Don't get jealous teach,” Harry said. “She's cute but you're the only girl I see, think about.”

“Good!” She laughed back and kissed him. “Though I will have to give Carrie good grades if she continues to put you in a good mood.”

Harry looked out the window and watched the breeze flutter the flags attached to the Quidditch field. “Come on,” he said.

“Where?”

“I want to show you something, before the game starts.”

Minutes later he was showing Hermione around the deserted Gryffindor change rooms. “Just thought you'd like to see what it looks like from this side,” he explained before taking the opportunity the privacy presented them. He kissed her deep and she melted into Harry's arms.

“This the real reason you brought me here?” Hermione asked, between kisses.

He laughed and continued snogging her. “Yep.”

The kisses developed in passion and intensity until ….

“Harry, Hermione……” Ginny stood surprised for a second before she realised what it was she interrupted. “Where's Ron?”

Only now did Harry see Ginny was puffing as if she had been running about.

“Um,” Harry replied. “DEFINITELY not here.”

Hermione laughed but didn't move from Harry's arms.

“Madam Hooch is looking for him, as Captain. If we can't find him we'll….”

“Steady Gin,” Harry said. The Old Harry was back, confident and in control. “He has to be somewhere. Try Luna.”

“I did, she's looking for him too.”

“His room?”

Ginny shook his head.

Harry's mind raced and made an instant decision, almost a Captain's decision. “Go to Madame Hooch and tell her you're standing in for him. Then find him,.”

“If we can't?”

Harry gave a serious look. “If this is his idea to get me to play again, him hiding somewhere, I'll kill him.”

“Good!” Ginny agreed. “Then I'll bring him back to life and kill him again all over.”

Ginny fled and Hermione laughed. “Do you really…?”

“No,” Harry answered. “Not Ron. One - he'd never have thought of it and two - it's his first game as Captain.”

“But you'll play if he's a no show?” Hermione asked.

He nodded once. “Have to won't I?” His grin started to grow and Hermione was even surer that the old Harry was back. “Now where were we?”

“Won't you have to get changed?” Hermione asked and he nodded again. As he did she grinned.

Fifteen minutes later Ginny returned, now dressed in her Gryffindor Quidditch robes and found a similarly dressed Harry waiting for her. “Still no Ron?” Harry asked and Ginny shook her head.

“Then I guess I'm back on the team,” Harry said. There was less than ten minutes till game time and he watched as the rest of the team started to file in. Harry explained for all. “Ron's disappeared so I'm playing.”

Choruses of “Good!” Rang out before Harry stilled the mutual admiration. “The problem is I haven't been practicing so I don't know all the new plays Ron has trained you at. So…”

Ginny was removing the captain's arm band from her elbow as if to transfer it to Harry.

“Nothing doing,” Harry stopped her. “You've been seeker Gin and doing a great job. I'll take Ron's role as Keeper, that will cause as little disruption to the team.”

“But you've never played Keeper….,” She protested .

“I know. But I haven't flown lately either. This way I can ease my way into the team. You're Seeker AND Captain.”

“But……”

“Tell you what,” Harry said. “Hermione suggested we swap positions. For the first fifteen minutes fly all out, as fast as you can. Then when you need a break I'll swap positions and you can cover the Keeper position.”

“Why?” someone asked.

“Gin will either grab the snitch early, or if their Seeker tries to keep up with Gin she'll wear them out. This way we have the best chance of getting the snitch before they do.”

“Awesome idea,” Ginny said.

“I know, trust Mione to come up with what no-one else ever has. I KNOW this will work. And Gin? You're STILL Captain. You lead we'll follow.”

Minutes later Ginny Weasley led her team out to face a roaring Gryffindor crowd. Still no Ron was in sight; Harry half expected to see him sitting in the stands with Luna and Hermione. He was nowhere to be seen.

As the game started, Harry couldn't help but notice that Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were supporting the Gryffindor team. Not that it would have mattered. Hermione's plan was working better than anyone could have imagined. Ginny raced for the snitch as soon as it was released. Normally a Seeker has to hold back, knowing it was almost impossible to grab early. But as expected the Slytherine seeker saw the tactic and was forced to do everything he could to keep up. Twelve minutes later an exhausted Ginny flew to the rings Harry was protecting. By now it was 90 points to 0, and as soon as Ginny was in position Harry flew off after the snitch.

The Slytherine seeker looked about. No-one on his team could possibly swap places with him; that was a tactic that simply had never occurred to anyone in all the years of Quidditch being played at the school. He was simply no match for Harry, who, fresh and inspired was quickly back to his best. In no time at all he was flying as fast as he ever had, and taking turns even sharper than ever before.

The snitch was no match for Harry either. Harry held it in his hand mere minutes later and Gryffindor had won by 240 points to 0; the highest ever winning score.

The win would have been heard miles away, and Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw supporters flooded as one to the centre of the field to cheer Gryffindor and in particular a proud Harry, still holding the snitch.

Neville flew to the crowd and managed to beat his way to the centre of the mob. “We've found Ron,” Neville said breathlessly.

“Who cares,” a relieved and laughing Ginny said.

“Where?” Harry asked.

“Hospital wing.”

“You HAVE to be kidding,” Ginny asked.

Neville shook his head. “He ran into Headmistress McGonagall and fell down the stairs. Broke his nose and leg.”

Harry, Hermione, and Ginny stormed toward where Ron lay, following Luna who moved fastest of all. An already tired Neville turned and ran after his friends.

When Ron finally came to, he was lying in one of the beds in the Hospital wing and almost jumped to see so many eyes on him. Ron moaned. “Bloody hell!”

His friends laughed. “Easy Ron,” Harry said and Luna quickly forced her way to be at his side. His face covered in bandages, as was one leg.

“How do you feel,” Hermione asked, looking concerned.

Ron tried to answer but Luna's expert attention had distracted him. “Er huh? What did you say?”

They laughed again and Madame Hooch started to move them away from the bed, explaining how Ron needed to rest. They all withdrew; all except Luna who would not leave his side.

In the corridor they laughed, relieved to see he was found and in good hands.

“Do you think Luna will leave him alone for a second?” Harry asked and a smiling Ginny and Hermione shook their heads.

Ginny turned to Neville. “What happened?”

“Headmistress McGonagall said he was running down from the common room in a blind panic and ran smack into her before falling down the stairs.”

“At least he wasn't hurt seriously,” Harry said. “Strange how the Headmistress never told us what had happened though, before the game I mean.”

“Yeah,” a thinking Ginny agreed.

Harry looked at her. “You asked her where Ron was?”

Ginny nodded and a knowing smile spread on her face. “Said she was MUCH too busy to search herself but that she was sure he was in good hands.”

They laughed as one.

***

Christmas Eve, late. Hermione stood in her living room in Harry's embrace. The weeks between that Quidditch game (which was STILL being talked about), and now seemed almost a blur. For Hermione this was going to be the best Christmas ever. She had the best present of all; Harry, HER Harry. He seemed to regain all his old humour and even Ron had stopped calling Harry cranky pants. She laughed as she remembered Ron turning white when Luna's father met Luna and him at King's Cross Station.

Harry looked at the clock and smiled. They were all alone and that suited him perfectly. “I can't help thinking,” Harry said laughing and Hermione feel into his arms “That your parents left us alone like this on purpose.”

“I hope so,” she agreed before kissing him deep.

“Midnight mass?” Harry asked, skeptically.

“So they said.”

“And I'm guessing this is the first year they have ever been?

Hermione shook her head. “No, but it HAS been years. Mum honestly loves the sound of carols in the large church. And she KNOWS we wanted to be alone.”

He grinned and kissed her, before he found her hand in his. He looked down and smiled. When their hands were together, so were their hearts. He loved her, adored her and would die for her. He had said that once but Hermione had corrected him. Told him to `live for her instead'. And he had. Every day since.

Christmas was officially a few hours off, but Harry didn't care. He took her in his arms and kissed her deeply. When finally the kiss ended he simply grinned down at her. “Merry Christmas.”

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