CHRISTMAS FAN FIC CONTEST ENTRIES
He’s A Magic Man By GrangerGal
"Come on home, girl" mama cried on the phone
"Too soon to lose my baby and my girl should be at home!"
"But try to understand, try to understand
Try, try, try to understand…
He's a magic man, Mama
He's a magic man"
~Heart
Harry blew a warm breath of air into his cupped hands before starting his ascent to the roof. The fire escape’s handrails were so cold he wondered if his hands could freeze to them since he wasn’t wearing any gloves. Honestly, it didn’t matter to him; even if the gentle snowfall made the ladder slippery, he was determined to make it to the roof.
Tonks had better be right, he thought as he climbed. It was Christmas Eve and he didn’t want Hermione to be alone, not even for a couple of hours. She shouldn’t be away from her friends on a holiday and Harry had an overwhelming need to find her. As someone who had spent a lifetime missing his family, he knew that holidays could be especially hard. Hermione can’t be with her parents on this Christmas Eve, he thought, but she’s my family and we need each other.
In a way, he was surprised that Hermione had confided in Tonks, rather than in himself. In all honesty Hermione never was the type to have close girlfriends. But he had a hunch she kept these feelings from him so that he wouldn’t feel guilty. And she was right. He did feel guilty.
The wind gushed around him causing him to pause for a moment before finally reaching the roof. He climbed up cautiously and gained his balance. As he looked down and around the edges of the rooftop, Harry couldn’t help but be amazed at the sight of the urban winter-wonderland below. Headlights from the muggle cars on the street showcased the swirling snowflakes as they made their way to the ground. Street lamps were adorned with lights and wreaths and store fronts were decorated with various displays of holiday greetings. There was warmth in the air as muggles bustled about wishing each other good cheer and heading in and out of stores to make their final purchases before the stores closed. A group of young girls squealed with excitement as they twirled in the falling snow and then collapsed on soft ground to make snow angels. A mother hugged a small child to her chest as she crossed the street in an effort to keep him warm. Down the street a bit farther, the sound of carolers filled the air.
Then he saw her. She was sitting at the far corner of the roof looking down into the street. Her legs were pressed tight against her chest with her arms wrapped around them. Her scarf was flapping slightly in the breeze and her chin rested gently on her knees. The bushy hair that Harry had become so fond of was playful dancing with snowflakes in the breeze. She looked so sad, so alone.
From where she was seated, she had a perfect view of the other side of the street, and more importantly, directly into her parents’ dental clinic. The large, picture window was dressed in garland and lights. There was a weathered sign just above the door that read, Grangers’ Family Dental Clinic. Harry wondered how many after-school afternoons or evenings just like this had Hermione spent at the clinic. A yellow ribbon was tied on the door knocker. Was this ribbon for Hermione and for a war that their patients knew nothing of? With the office lights still on, Harry could see the Christmas tree in the clinic’s waiting room. The twinkling lights glowed through the frosty window, illuminating a portion of the icy sidewalk.
Harry looked back to Hermione and noticed how vulnerable she seemed sitting there all alone. Her normal “down-to-business” attitude regarding their training, the horcrux hunt, and Order meetings masked the fact that she was just a teenaged girl who missed her family and perhaps wished for some normalcy in life, like it was before she found out she was a witch. He knew she had sacrificed more than she should, more than anyone else. While Ron often went on rants about his Mum’s “mothering” or his brothers’ relentless teasing, he loved having his messy and imperfect family near.
And as for Harry, he would give anything to have his parents and Sirius back. Imagining himself with his parents sitting around a Christmas Tree at the cottage in Godric’s Hollow was enough to produce a patronus without a wand. And here was Hermione up on this roof all alone, possibly imagining a similar scenario. Ron still had his family and Harry’s choice had been made for him .But Hermione had chosen to fight alongside Harry, even if it meant being away from her family. Not many people he knew would be strong enough to make that kind of decision.
Seeing her now reminded him of something that Tonks had told him. Tonks had gone with Hermione to visit The Grangers at the beginning of the summer. Harry had offered to go with Hermione, but she had declined his offer stating that Tonks had to go with her anyway to discuss her parents’ security. She had come back too late that night to talk, and the next morning she appeared to be her usual positive and determined self. It was only after cornering Tonks later that Harry realized the extent of Hermione’s cover-up. Tonks seemed rather upset to bring it up at all, but she relented for Harry. She told him how heartbreaking it was to see Hermione tell her parents that she and her magical friends were in danger and that there was a good chance she might not come back to them. The Grangers were terribly upset that she couldn’t visit them for their own safety and that the school wasn’t doing more to restrict their daughter from fighting in a war. “Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage,” Tonks told him, “and Hermione has a rather big life right now.” And the subject was never brought up again.
Harry could only imagine the intensity of the Grangers’ response. He didn’t ask Tonks to elaborate, but he knew enough about human nature to know what they must be struggling with. It was probably hard enough to lose their daughter to a world that they couldn’t be part of, but to know that she was in constant danger must be terrifying.
Looking at her now, Harry didn’t see a vulnerable girl at all, but a courageous one. One who made the right choice, even if it wasn’t the easy one. Sometimes, Harry wondered if Dumbledore would have had an easier time mentoring Hermione Granger, brightest witch of her age, as the “Girl Who Lived” rather than himself.
Sniffling from the other side of the roof broke into Harry’s thoughts and he began to carefully make his way over to Hermione. She wiped away a renegade tear and without turning her head said, “Hey, Harry.”
“How did you know I was here,” he asked in amazement.
“Well, I have been known to find you even when you’re under that invisibility cloak, so this was no major feat,” she smiled and looked up at him, obviously glad to see him. “The real question is how you knew where to find me?”
“I have my ways,” he replied, “I am a wizard after all.”
She sighed and surprisingly didn’t push the issue. Exchanging small smiles they shared the knowledge that they were destined to have difficult choices and difficult times, but they also had each other. They
returned their gazes to the small clinic across the street. Harry heard a pause in Hermione’s breathing as the last patient, a plump, elderly woman, opened the door and stepped out onto the sidewalk. Just then Hermione’s parents came into view. They walked over to the Christmas tree in the clinic lobby. Her father handed her mother what looked to be a steaming cup of cocoa and they stood there arm in arm for a while.
“You know what my parents told me this summer when I told them about the war and that I was going to be fighting in it?”
Harry didn’t know what to say. Hermione never talked about her parents, even when their conversations had entered more sensitive subjects.
“At first they were so shocked and scared that they tried to talk me out of it. My mum said that I was too young to make such a major and irreversible decision. She told me, ‘Life is like drawing without an eraser’ and then rambled on about how serious the consequences of this decision would be. I almost laughed out loud at this thinking back to our third year and the time turner. A wizard’s answer to the eraser I suppose.”
She paused for an instant and Harry got the sense she just needed someone to listen to her.
“Eventually they calmed down and realized that I was making exactly the sort of decision that they raised me to make. I often wonder if I will ever be as strong as they are. To make a decision for yourself is one thing, but when you have to watch someone you love make a decision that you don’t understand or agree with, and then watch them follow through with it regardless….That, Harry, is true courage.”
Harry thought about this and smiled to himself. The Grangers’ ancestry was probably laced with Gryffindor types. Here Hermione was giving up her carefree teen years and her warm family life to fight in a war, and she was admiring her parents’ courage! What a woman!
“What in Hogwart’s History…,” Hermione began as she moved closer to the edge of the roof. Inside the clinic her parents were opening up a small box which appeared to be a Christmas present.
“That looks like the gifts I purchased for them…and my letter!” Hermione’s excitement was growing. Shacklebolt had warned her of having any contact with her family during this time. The auror department had agreed to help somewhat with the Grangers’ protection, but they were spread thin at the moment with all the death eaters on the loose. It was likely that Voldemort’s minions would discover Hermione’s relationship with these otherwise harmless muggles and use it to their advantage.
“How did they get that box? I wrote that letter, but I never sent it,” her bewilderment grew as all the logical scenarios ran through her mind.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Harry began, “but I took the liberty of making sure they received your gift and letter.”
“Oh, Harry! But, how? Surely you didn’t send Hedwig,” she questioned.
“No, it was much easier than that,” he grinned, “it was…magic.”
Hermione’s face finally broke out into a smile and she leaned into Harry’s arms so that he could hold her as they watched her parents embrace with thankfulness that their daughter was still alive. He cast a simple warming spell and the two of them sat there for a while longer just watching the snowfall.
Harry made a mental note to thank the Grangers’ last patient of the day, Mrs. Figg, for delivering Hermione’s gift. He knew that after Christmas they would have to go back to the task at hand, but for now Hermione deserved a little magic in her life. And he was her magic man.
~End
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A Night of Snow and Love By Waters
Harry walked down the quiet stone corridor. As he walked closer to the stairwell he could here the sounds of his fellow students laughing and talking. It was as if they didn’t get it. There was going to be a war, even if they didn’t know it yet. If only I could forget the world that easily, Harry thought to himself.
Harry let out a quiet laugh. It was funny, that the other students could just abandon their cares so easily.
“What’s so funny?” a voice from behind Harry said.
Harry jumped about a foot into the air. “Expelliarmus!” Harry began to shout, but the spell faded on his lips as he saw it was only Hermione standing behind him.
“Oh, wow. Sorry ‘Mione, I didn’t know it was you.” Harry said with a sheepish grin.
“It’s quite alright Harry. I’ve seen how you were before, and should of guessed that you were thinking.” Hermione said.
“Well, no problem. It was my mistake for jumping on you like that.” Harry replied.
“Well, as that crisis has been averted,” Hermione said with a smile. “What are you doing here, instead of being at the Christmas feast?”
“I could ask the same of you” Harry replied. “I didn’t go because…well, I don’t know. I just…” Harry stopped. “Well, rather than listening to me rambling all night, what are you doing up here?”
“To tell the truth, I was looking for you. Ron didn’t even miss us. You know, he is so darn clueless sometimes!” Hermione had raised her voice quite a lot, so much in fact that some of the portraits woke up.
“On Christmas of all days! Would you keep it down!” the portraits chorused.
Hermione lowered her voice quite a bit, and continued. “It’s as if he’s not worried about you, me or anyone else for that matter.”
“’Mione, you know that’s not true. Although he can be a bit of prat sometimes.” Harry said, smiling at the thought of his friend.
“Fine” Hermione huffed.
“Take it easy.” Harry said soothingly. “You know, why don’t we take a walk.”
“Sure.” Hermione said, calming down a bit.
~~~~~
Harry walked down the hallway with Hermione beside him. When they reached the courtyard, it was dark out. It was snowing. There were already several inches on the ground, but it was still falling. It was soft and powdery.
“It feels like butterflies” Harry said quietly.
“You’re right!” Hermione said giggling at the sheer euphoria of being out side in the snow. Suddenly, Hermione began twirling around in the snow a huge grin on her face. Her hair was swirling all around her in a cloud of curls. Hermione toppled over finally after spinning around for a while. She lay in the snow for a minute, and then struggled up. When she had finally gotten up she was shivering. Without thinking, Harry put his arm on her shoulders and pulled her closer to him.
“Umm, Harry?” Hermione said questioningly.
“Oh. Sorry.” Harry hung onto Hermione for another minute before letting her go.
An awkward silence hung between them for a minute before Harry spoke up.
“Hermione…you’re, you’re beautiful.” Harry said quickly and without much confidence.
Hermione twirled her curl around her finger before replying. “Harry, you know why Ron’s a prat?”
“Not exactly, no.” Harry said, not expecting the response he got.
“Because he doesn’t understand love Harry, love.” Hermione said gaining confidence as she went. “He doesn’t understand the concept of love beyond snogging under mistletoe and whatnot. He doesn’t know that such a love can exist between two people without being so obvious.” Hermione paused. “What I’m trying to tell you is that, I love you Harry.” Hermione said the last part in quickly, and in a much quieter voice then she had used for the rest of her rant.
“Oh.” Harry said quietly, looking at the floor.
“Well…” Hermione prompted.
“Hermione…awkward, right?” Harry laughed nervously. “Well, I…I feel the same way.”
“Harry really!” Hermione exclaimed, with a very hopeful look on her face.
“Yes Hermione, I really do love you.” Harry said with more confidence now that the words were out.
Hermione let out a little euphoric noise and swept Harry into a big hug. Harry hugged her in return.
“Thank you Harry” Hermione whispered almost inaudibly into Harry’s ear.
“No Hermione, thank you.” He replied almost as quietly.
“Will you take this dance?” Harry said to Hermione, with a funny little bow.
“Yes, it would be my pleasure dear sir!” Hermione replied with a little laugh.
Harry led her by the hand to a spot free of footsteps, and began a slow waltz, to music only they could hear. As the snow fell in silent white clouds, it landed in their hair. It landed on their robes, and on their clothing. Soon they were both covered in white clean, pure snow.
“Hermione, do you know why I was so deep in thought tonight?” Harry said softly.
“No Harry, I don’t,” she said, not taking her head from Harry’s chest.
“I was wondering why all the students are so happy tonight, and you know what I learned? I learned that they’re happy because they all have love. I learned this from you ‘Mione” Harry said. “Hey! Maybe that whole ‘books and cleverness’ thing really does pay off!” Harry added this last part trying to contain his laughter.
Hermione shoved him backwards into the snow. “Hey! I was just saying that to be nice!”
Meanwhile Harry was building a small mountain of mini snowballs. When she was done speaking, Harry threw several of the snowballs at Hermione, but missed.
Hermione let out a squeal of surprise, but then managed to pull together several snowballs to fire back at Harry.
“Bring it on!” Harry shouted and fired several more right back at her.
“You can do better than that Harry James Potter!” Hermione said and promptly threw several well-aimed snowballs at Harry.
At this point in their crazy snowball fight, Harry called out to Hermione “Truce, I give up!”
“Mwa Ha Ha Ha!” Hermione shouted in fake maniacal laughter. She promptly pulled Harry down into the snow with her.
Harry and Hermione for no reason at all, began making snow angels, while continuing to hold hands. Harry looked up at the soft white snow falling against the black sky and realized that he and Hermione would be together for a very, very long time.
Harry turned his head to face Hermione’s face, and gave her a light peck on the cheek. “I love you ‘Mione” he said softly
“I love you too” Hermione replied, giving him a quick kiss of her own in return.
The End
~*~*~*~*~
Quiet, Plain, Perfect by GracieInGreek
"I'm sad he's not here with us. We should have made him stay."
"His parents wanted him home. What could we do?"
Hermione sniffed a little, shifting her body over the small bits of paper here and there so she was on her back, her hair a pillow as she situated her head under the Christmas tree. She chewed her lip a little. "He probably thinks we just wanted to be alone together. He thinks that's why we didn't go with him."
"Well..." said Harry's voice, before there was a hand slipping under Hermione's shoulders, and a head, dark hair mussed with sleep, appearing next to hers, looking up at all of the lights glinting through the lush, green needles. "There's...a small grain of truth in that, isn't there?"
"Well, yes." She put her hand on Harry's stomach to slip up under his jumper about an inch or two. A natural movement, so practiced and easy through the last months. She sighed. "But we certainly don't want him to know that. We promised never to freeze him out."
"And we're not," came Harry's simple reply, making Hermione glance over at him, eyebrows twitching a little at the sight of all of the lights, green-yellow-red-white all twitching and flashing in Harry's glasses, his eyes still looking straight up. It made her shift closer to him. "His parents wanted him home, but you know they're still shaken over me and Ginny. And you and Ron. And now...you and me. It wouldn't have been fair to them. And besides..." His arm slid from under her shoulders to the small of her back, hugging her to his side.
Hermione pressed her hand into his stomach a bit more, still watching his face. Her brows twitched again. "Besides what?"
"Besides." Harry continued, still not taking his eyes away from the twinkling sight above him--but he did hold her a bit closer, squeezing her middle. He paused a moment. "I love Ron. You know that. But...I've never had this before. A quiet Christmas morning, plain. Me and someone I love, laying next to each other on the ground with paper crumpling under our backs. No running around, no people--no Dudley screaming. No cleaning, no being in some cold room alone. I mean--I've had Christmas at Hogwarts, obviously. And a few at the Weasleys'. But nothing quite like this--quiet. Plain. Just me and...and you. Just me and you, laying down together and just...looking up from under a Christmas tree. I've never done that. I've never had...this kind of quiet."
Hermione was still staring at his face, her mouth curved open--and now tears were starting to stream from her eyes, from dryness or emotion or both. She opened her mouth wider to speak, but soon found she couldn't find a verbal response to something like that--she solved her own dilemma, though, as she, with tears starting to pool at the nape of her neck and twigs breaking off into her hair, propped herself up on an elbow and kissed his cheeks and mouth.
Only when the tree started to shiver dangerously with their movements and shower them with needles and the occasional plain green or red ornament did they break apart, Hermione staying half on top of his chest. She sniffed, and placed his fallen glasses back on his nose and wiped her tears from his cheeks.
He sighed, contently she supposed, and hugged her hard to him again, her hand slipping back up under his sweater.
"...Can I ask you something, though, Hermione?"
She swiped a thumb under his eye again. "Of course."
"...Why exactly are we lying under a Christmas tree?"
~*~*~*~*~