Harry's Christmas [Harry; Gen - G - 1705]
Title: Harry's Christmas
Author/Artist: aliensouldream
Pairing(s): None
Prompt: None
Word Count: 1705
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters are the property of J.K.
Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No profit is being made, and no
copyright infringement is intended.
Notes: Beta: gabi_fics. Non-canon interlude.
Summary: Harry faces a Christmas alone at Hogwarts.
***
This was the worst, thought Harry, his first Hogwarts Christmas and it was utter misery. Every single other student in Hogwarts had already left for the holidays. It was two days to Christmas and most of the staff left around the halls were ghosts. Harry missed his friends so much he couldn't bear to let himself think about them and the fun they were surely having. He tried hard to congratulate himself that he didn't have to deal with the Dursleys, off sunning themselves in Australia. Their dumping him hadn't come as any surprise but he had secretly hoped he'd be invited elsewhere. Not only that but there was no chance of improving his flying in this weather. He stared sadly out the window at the thickly falling snow flakes against the indigo of the deepening dark. Normally he loved snow and what it did to the spires and quads of Hogwarts and the surrounding hills and forest. But right now it just reminded him that there was no one to run in it with, to have a snowball fight with, or build snow dragons with. Without friends, snow was just a load of old ice.
In a sudden flapping of deeper white against the snow, Hedwig alighted on the stone ledge outside his window. Harry opened he window and she gave a hop inside, shaking the snow off her wings. In her beak was a slightly inky missive. She relinquished it to Harry's fingers and gave a sharp little cry, as though urging him to open it quickly. For some reason, Harry's hands shook as he tore open the envelope.
'Dear Harry' it said. 'The pleasure of your company is requested you know where. Get over here sharpish and don't let anyone see you. Your friend H.' Harry's face split into a huge grin. Instantly he felt warm and excited inside. Not all was lost. Not yet.
He quickly got into his overcoat, galoshes and hat, then used the invisibility cloak to shroud himself from all eyes. Inspite of this, his journey through the corridors of Hogwarts made his heart pound, in case he should run into Filtch and his horrid cat. Luckily he saw no one before escaping outside. The darkness and cold air increased his sense of adventure and he made his way down as quickly as he could towards the welcome glow of Hagrid's hut.
He knocked at the door with frozen fingers. A moment later it was thrown open and Hagrid's friendly bulk filled the doorway. The confusion on his face told Harry he'd forgotten to remove his cloak. He whisked it off with a flourish. 'I'm here, Hagrid!'
'Harry!' Hagrid beamed, as well as could be imagined behind his beard, and gathered Harry up into a squashable hug. 'Come in! Glad you made it!' Bringing Harry into the warmth and cheeriness of his home, he took off his things and hung them up. 'Did anybody see ye?'
'No, no one,' said Harry, warming his hands by the fire before turning and beaming at Hagrid. 'Thanks for inviting me. It was a bit ... quiet up there.'
'My pleasure. Why don't you come sit yerself over here? We'll have a nice catch up, that's what.'
Harry sat and looked round with pleasure at the room, brimming as ever with the curious things that Hagrid had found or traded for. Strange fossils, eggs, plants, rune stones, dragon scales and unicorn's horns. 'Is that a new egg?'
'It's really good to see you ... er, Harry,' said Hagrid, stressing his name loudly. He gave a glance over his shoulder at the empty room before turning back. 'Glad you could make it here ... now ... Harry!'
Harry stared at him. 'Hagrid, what's the matter?'
There was a small swoosh of green flame from the direction of the fireplace. Hermione stepped out of the cold flames and smoothed her dress down.
'Hermione!' Harry jumped up in surprise. 'What are you doing here?'
'Hello Harry,' grinned Hermione.
There was a huge belch of purple flames and Ron came barrelling out of the flames yelping and hurled straight into Hermione. They both went down in a heap. The fire spluttered, spat, and subsided into ordinary flames.
'Ron!' yelled Harry in glee. 'You came back!'
'They're here for you, Harry!' boomed Hagrid. 'It's yer Christmas party!'
'What's up Harry,' grinned Ron, getting up from the floor. Hermione had already pulled herself up and glared daggers at Ron as she dusted herself down again.
'Honestly Ron!' she huffed at him. But she relaxed in smiles again at Hagrid's excitement and Harry's joy. 'Did you honestly think we wouldn't come back for you at Christmas time?'
The children ran together and hugged fiercely.
'I didn't know if you could, or how,' said Harry, standing back wonderingly. 'How did you?'
'Floo powder,' said Hermione. 'We'll be doing it next year anyway, and it's perfect for this. We both made up visits to friends and snuck off so we can see you for a couple of hours.'
'She's a genius,' said Ron, trying to placate The Look. 'I'm a dunce at this stuff but anyway, we're here!'
'We're all here!' said Hagrid with satisfaction. 'Time for a party, I reckon. Look!'
The children looked where he did. Hagrid produced a slightly bent wand and gave a flourish. Instantly a table appeared in front of them, groaning with a festive feast. Fragrant turkey with all the trimmings, pies and savouries, fantastic jellies, cakes and ice cream, and jugs of foaming butterbeer.
'Wow, Hagrid, that's amazing!' cried Harry.
'But I thought you couldn't apparate anything inside the grounds,' said Hermione.
'Bless yer heart, it's not apparated. It's just a concealment charm. I had this all carted up from the village.'
'It smells amazing!' said Ron, licking his chops.
'Well, tuck in then!' said Hagrid.
They all sat down and had a wonderful meal. The food was delicious, the butterbeer was spiced and warming, and they couldn't stop laughing and talking the whole way through, which made everything taste a million times better still. Harry knew for a fact he had never had a happier time in his whole life and wished it could go on forever.
'Now then, presents,' said Hagrid, when they couldn't eat another bite.
'Just for you, Harry, since we'll be having our presents at home,' said Hermione. 'But don't worry, there'll still be something for you to open on Christmas morning, this is just extra.'
Hagrid's present was a very beautiful and very rare Russian Blue dragon's egg. It was warm to the touch.
'That's a live egg, that is,' said Hagrid. 'It's due to hatch in about another fifty years but if you talk to it in the meantime, it'll learn your voice and then it'll bond to you when it's born. And in the meantime, it's a good hand warmer.'
'It's stunning, Hagrid, it really is.' said Harry. 'I'll treasure it.' He hugged Hagrid, who mysteriously got something in his eye.
'Me next,' said Ron. 'Here you go, Harry.' He handed over a small badly wrapped object.
Harry tore the paper off to find a vial of green powder. 'Thanks! What is it?'
'Sprinkle some of this in your family's tea,' said Ron. 'It makes them sound like animals whenever they talk! Chimpanzees, elephants, hyenas, it's brilliant! Only magical people can hear them that way but it's still a right laugh. George and Fred do it to our parents every Christmas. They get so mad and row at us and then it's even funnier.'
'Excellent,' grinned Harry, already imagining Dudly as a chimp.
'We're not really supposed to do magic out of Hogwarts,' said Hermione.
'Oh come on, it IS Christmas,' said Ron, as if that made all the difference.
'Mine is a BIT more practical, AND the magic bit was done in school.' said Hermione, handing over a small blue box. When Harry opened it, it contained a small blue stone.
'Put it anywhere in your house you want your family to see you,' explained Hermione, 'and whisper whatever it is you should be doing. When they look at it, they'll see you as if you're there, doing whatever it is, washing up, reading, sleeping or whatever. It won't work if they speak to you, just if they're checking in on you. Then you're free to escape for a few hours. When you come back, just say 'Returned' and it stops.'
'That's incredible,' Harry looked at her admiringly. 'That's really clever, Hermione.'
'Genius!' said Ron, putting his arm round her. 'Can I have one?'
Hermioned rolled her eyes. 'I earned extra credit in Illusion Spells for the design this term. I just tweaked it for Harry.'
'And a most inventive spell it is too, young lady,' said a distinctive voice behind them.
They turned to find Dumbledore standing in front of the fire. Harry's jaw dropped open. He had no idea how the Headmaster had found them but he was afraid his friends would get into trouble on his account.
'Don't worry, Harry,' said Dumbledore. 'Christmas is a time for being with friends and I would expect nothing less from Mr Weasley and Miss Granger. And from you, Hagrid.'
'Thank you, Professor,' said Hagrid, still embarrassed but relieved. 'No harm done.'
'No indeed. I just stopped by to give young Harry my Christmas present, on account of his being stuck here over the holidays.' He handed over a small parcel which Harry unwrapped. 'It's something which was given to me a long time ago by a good friend and it has seen me through some difficult times.'
'Thank you, Professor.' Inside the wrapping, Harry found a pen, maroon colored with gold engraved writing which wound around the barrel. Though somewhat faded, it could still be read. It said 'Remember the days of laughter, for in them is our strength.' He looked up at Dumbledore.
'No, it's not magical, Harry,' said Dumbledore. 'But it is real. And very true.'
'Now, if I am not mistaken, there is some butterbeer left. May I join you perhaps?'
Dumbledore was welcomed with absolute delight and a hearty toast was drunk by all to a safe and magical New Year.
- the end -
Author/Artist: aliensouldream
Pairing(s): None
Prompt: None
Word Count: 1705
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters are the property of J.K.
Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No profit is being made, and no
copyright infringement is intended.
Notes: Beta: gabi_fics. Non-canon interlude.
Summary: Harry faces a Christmas alone at Hogwarts.
***
This was the worst, thought Harry, his first Hogwarts Christmas and it was utter misery. Every single other student in Hogwarts had already left for the holidays. It was two days to Christmas and most of the staff left around the halls were ghosts. Harry missed his friends so much he couldn't bear to let himself think about them and the fun they were surely having. He tried hard to congratulate himself that he didn't have to deal with the Dursleys, off sunning themselves in Australia. Their dumping him hadn't come as any surprise but he had secretly hoped he'd be invited elsewhere. Not only that but there was no chance of improving his flying in this weather. He stared sadly out the window at the thickly falling snow flakes against the indigo of the deepening dark. Normally he loved snow and what it did to the spires and quads of Hogwarts and the surrounding hills and forest. But right now it just reminded him that there was no one to run in it with, to have a snowball fight with, or build snow dragons with. Without friends, snow was just a load of old ice.
In a sudden flapping of deeper white against the snow, Hedwig alighted on the stone ledge outside his window. Harry opened he window and she gave a hop inside, shaking the snow off her wings. In her beak was a slightly inky missive. She relinquished it to Harry's fingers and gave a sharp little cry, as though urging him to open it quickly. For some reason, Harry's hands shook as he tore open the envelope.
'Dear Harry' it said. 'The pleasure of your company is requested you know where. Get over here sharpish and don't let anyone see you. Your friend H.' Harry's face split into a huge grin. Instantly he felt warm and excited inside. Not all was lost. Not yet.
He quickly got into his overcoat, galoshes and hat, then used the invisibility cloak to shroud himself from all eyes. Inspite of this, his journey through the corridors of Hogwarts made his heart pound, in case he should run into Filtch and his horrid cat. Luckily he saw no one before escaping outside. The darkness and cold air increased his sense of adventure and he made his way down as quickly as he could towards the welcome glow of Hagrid's hut.
He knocked at the door with frozen fingers. A moment later it was thrown open and Hagrid's friendly bulk filled the doorway. The confusion on his face told Harry he'd forgotten to remove his cloak. He whisked it off with a flourish. 'I'm here, Hagrid!'
'Harry!' Hagrid beamed, as well as could be imagined behind his beard, and gathered Harry up into a squashable hug. 'Come in! Glad you made it!' Bringing Harry into the warmth and cheeriness of his home, he took off his things and hung them up. 'Did anybody see ye?'
'No, no one,' said Harry, warming his hands by the fire before turning and beaming at Hagrid. 'Thanks for inviting me. It was a bit ... quiet up there.'
'My pleasure. Why don't you come sit yerself over here? We'll have a nice catch up, that's what.'
Harry sat and looked round with pleasure at the room, brimming as ever with the curious things that Hagrid had found or traded for. Strange fossils, eggs, plants, rune stones, dragon scales and unicorn's horns. 'Is that a new egg?'
'It's really good to see you ... er, Harry,' said Hagrid, stressing his name loudly. He gave a glance over his shoulder at the empty room before turning back. 'Glad you could make it here ... now ... Harry!'
Harry stared at him. 'Hagrid, what's the matter?'
There was a small swoosh of green flame from the direction of the fireplace. Hermione stepped out of the cold flames and smoothed her dress down.
'Hermione!' Harry jumped up in surprise. 'What are you doing here?'
'Hello Harry,' grinned Hermione.
There was a huge belch of purple flames and Ron came barrelling out of the flames yelping and hurled straight into Hermione. They both went down in a heap. The fire spluttered, spat, and subsided into ordinary flames.
'Ron!' yelled Harry in glee. 'You came back!'
'They're here for you, Harry!' boomed Hagrid. 'It's yer Christmas party!'
'What's up Harry,' grinned Ron, getting up from the floor. Hermione had already pulled herself up and glared daggers at Ron as she dusted herself down again.
'Honestly Ron!' she huffed at him. But she relaxed in smiles again at Hagrid's excitement and Harry's joy. 'Did you honestly think we wouldn't come back for you at Christmas time?'
The children ran together and hugged fiercely.
'I didn't know if you could, or how,' said Harry, standing back wonderingly. 'How did you?'
'Floo powder,' said Hermione. 'We'll be doing it next year anyway, and it's perfect for this. We both made up visits to friends and snuck off so we can see you for a couple of hours.'
'She's a genius,' said Ron, trying to placate The Look. 'I'm a dunce at this stuff but anyway, we're here!'
'We're all here!' said Hagrid with satisfaction. 'Time for a party, I reckon. Look!'
The children looked where he did. Hagrid produced a slightly bent wand and gave a flourish. Instantly a table appeared in front of them, groaning with a festive feast. Fragrant turkey with all the trimmings, pies and savouries, fantastic jellies, cakes and ice cream, and jugs of foaming butterbeer.
'Wow, Hagrid, that's amazing!' cried Harry.
'But I thought you couldn't apparate anything inside the grounds,' said Hermione.
'Bless yer heart, it's not apparated. It's just a concealment charm. I had this all carted up from the village.'
'It smells amazing!' said Ron, licking his chops.
'Well, tuck in then!' said Hagrid.
They all sat down and had a wonderful meal. The food was delicious, the butterbeer was spiced and warming, and they couldn't stop laughing and talking the whole way through, which made everything taste a million times better still. Harry knew for a fact he had never had a happier time in his whole life and wished it could go on forever.
'Now then, presents,' said Hagrid, when they couldn't eat another bite.
'Just for you, Harry, since we'll be having our presents at home,' said Hermione. 'But don't worry, there'll still be something for you to open on Christmas morning, this is just extra.'
Hagrid's present was a very beautiful and very rare Russian Blue dragon's egg. It was warm to the touch.
'That's a live egg, that is,' said Hagrid. 'It's due to hatch in about another fifty years but if you talk to it in the meantime, it'll learn your voice and then it'll bond to you when it's born. And in the meantime, it's a good hand warmer.'
'It's stunning, Hagrid, it really is.' said Harry. 'I'll treasure it.' He hugged Hagrid, who mysteriously got something in his eye.
'Me next,' said Ron. 'Here you go, Harry.' He handed over a small badly wrapped object.
Harry tore the paper off to find a vial of green powder. 'Thanks! What is it?'
'Sprinkle some of this in your family's tea,' said Ron. 'It makes them sound like animals whenever they talk! Chimpanzees, elephants, hyenas, it's brilliant! Only magical people can hear them that way but it's still a right laugh. George and Fred do it to our parents every Christmas. They get so mad and row at us and then it's even funnier.'
'Excellent,' grinned Harry, already imagining Dudly as a chimp.
'We're not really supposed to do magic out of Hogwarts,' said Hermione.
'Oh come on, it IS Christmas,' said Ron, as if that made all the difference.
'Mine is a BIT more practical, AND the magic bit was done in school.' said Hermione, handing over a small blue box. When Harry opened it, it contained a small blue stone.
'Put it anywhere in your house you want your family to see you,' explained Hermione, 'and whisper whatever it is you should be doing. When they look at it, they'll see you as if you're there, doing whatever it is, washing up, reading, sleeping or whatever. It won't work if they speak to you, just if they're checking in on you. Then you're free to escape for a few hours. When you come back, just say 'Returned' and it stops.'
'That's incredible,' Harry looked at her admiringly. 'That's really clever, Hermione.'
'Genius!' said Ron, putting his arm round her. 'Can I have one?'
Hermioned rolled her eyes. 'I earned extra credit in Illusion Spells for the design this term. I just tweaked it for Harry.'
'And a most inventive spell it is too, young lady,' said a distinctive voice behind them.
They turned to find Dumbledore standing in front of the fire. Harry's jaw dropped open. He had no idea how the Headmaster had found them but he was afraid his friends would get into trouble on his account.
'Don't worry, Harry,' said Dumbledore. 'Christmas is a time for being with friends and I would expect nothing less from Mr Weasley and Miss Granger. And from you, Hagrid.'
'Thank you, Professor,' said Hagrid, still embarrassed but relieved. 'No harm done.'
'No indeed. I just stopped by to give young Harry my Christmas present, on account of his being stuck here over the holidays.' He handed over a small parcel which Harry unwrapped. 'It's something which was given to me a long time ago by a good friend and it has seen me through some difficult times.'
'Thank you, Professor.' Inside the wrapping, Harry found a pen, maroon colored with gold engraved writing which wound around the barrel. Though somewhat faded, it could still be read. It said 'Remember the days of laughter, for in them is our strength.' He looked up at Dumbledore.
'No, it's not magical, Harry,' said Dumbledore. 'But it is real. And very true.'
'Now, if I am not mistaken, there is some butterbeer left. May I join you perhaps?'
Dumbledore was welcomed with absolute delight and a hearty toast was drunk by all to a safe and magical New Year.
- the end -