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Author: Caitlyn Story: A Christmas Sweet Rating: Young Teens Setting: Pre-OotP Status: Completed Reviews: 1 Words: 18,520
"Candles in the window, shadows painting the ceiling. Gazing at the fireglow, feeling that gingerbread feeling." ~*~ One week later. "Come on, Harry!" Ginny laughed as they pressed through the crowds of holiday shoppers in Hogsmeade. "We've got lots more to do!" Harry sighed when her bright red plaits tied off with shiny green ribbon disappeared in a cluster of bags and people. Ginny certainly was an enthusiastic holiday shopper, fun, but very exhausting. "Wait!" Harry heaved his packages and tried to speed himself up. "Ooof! Sorry!" The next thing he knew, he was sprawled out onto the sloppy snow covered street. The other shoppers were simply stepping over him and muttering loudly about ‘Horse playing!' Harry groaned and took a quick check of all his limbs. "Clumsy boy! I demand an apology!" Harry looked up towards the voice and the end of a cane was immediately poking him in the chest. "Ow!" yelped Harry. "Sorry! It was an accident!" The cane's owner was a portly wizard with a huge scowl and expensive looking royal blue cloak. His packages were scattered along the street with Harry's. "Pathetic!" cried the man, sounding like a very elderly screech owl. "In my day, when a boy apologized to his elders, he meant it." The cane rapped sharply on the top of Harry's head. "Sir," said Harry wincing as the cane poised over his head for another strike, "I'm terribly sorry!" "Get up before you catch your death of cold from sitting in the snow! It's downright foolish!" Harry got to his feet and began collecting the man's packages. When he held them out to the man, the man snatched them and looked at Harry suspiciously. "That's more like it!" he said tersely, after Harry had apparently met his approval. Harry collected his packages and faced the man for one last apology. "I'm very sorry, sir. I hope I didn't br—." "Look at me when you are speaking!" Harry stopped talking and blinked. He was already looking at the man straight in the eye. "You're…" the man said quietly, "why, you're Harry Potter." "Yes, sir," said Harry glancing around to make sure no one else had heard the man. The man beamed at him. "Pleasure to run into you, Master Potter." He gave a vigorous and happy stab with his cane on the pavement and strolled off, tipping his hat. Harry couldn't help it; the moment the man's back was turned he rolled his eyes. Pleasure to run into you…how revolting. Why, the man had been hitting him on the head with his cane before he knew who he was. Harry sighed and realized that Ginny was probably way ahead of him by now. "That was very polite," said a voice at his side. Harry looked to his left. "Ginny!" he sighed with relief. "I can't believe you picked up his packages after he hit you on the head with his cane! That was pretty nice of you." "You saw the whole thing!?" "I would have intervened," laughed Ginny, "but the face you made when he hit you with his cane was too much for me…." "I'll have a knot on my head, just so you know," Harry complained. "Glad you found it funny." "Holiday shoppers," Ginny sighed dramatically, "so very cruel." "Shut up," laughed Harry. ~*~ Ginny was enjoying this trip to Hogsmeade very much. She had been earlier in the week with Hermione and then with Ron and Hermione to see Fred and George at work. Harry hadn't been permitted to go with any of them because Professor McGonagall felt that it was entirely too dangerous for him to venture into Hogsmeade. Ginny had felt very sorry for Harry, but she had privately agreed with Professor McGonagall's opinions. Everything about this village this year seemed very different. The hustle and bustle of all the shoppers was still there but people seemed distant and less eager to converse with each other. Ginny didn't like it in the least. She had always been very fond of going to pick out her family's Christmas presents. She had been trying to plan how to get Ron's gift without him seeing it, since she wouldn't be allowed to go to the village by herself (Another rule of Professor McGonagall's: Two or more people at least.) and she also had to get Hermione's gift without her seeing it. Of course, the obvious answer would be to go with Ron and Hermione separately, but Ron had refused point-blank to go on a shopping trip with her without Hermione. Ginny had grumpily stored the thought away to use as ammunition in a later fall out with Ron, something to throw back at him, when he tried to play the ‘I'm a loving older brother' card. "Do you think Hermione would like this?" Harry had shaken her out of her thoughts. Ginny looked at the thick slab of metal that had been thrust under her nose. No, make that, thick, ugly, slab of metal. "What is that?" said Ginny stepping back apprehensively. "A thing," said Harry turning it over and squinting. "I think…." "No, Harry, I don't think Hermione wants a thing," laughed Ginny. "No, it's a bookend! See, after awhile it sort of changes shape into stuff." "A thing that turns into stuff? Harry, think about that." Harry reshelved the thing, which twisted itself into more stuff. He shrugged at her. "I don't know what to get girls. Especially girls like Hermione." "You got Hermione something last year, didn't you?" "But," said Harry hopelessly, "that was before she was a girl." Ginny's brown eyes opened wide. "I'm sorry, but what in the name of insanity are you talking about?" "You know," urged Harry, making a face. "Harry, we really haven't got time to talk in code, since all you're finding are things that do st—." "Ron turned her into a girl because he figured out she was one," said Harry interrupting her. "First of all," said Ginny giving Harry a serious look, "my brother is not that talented." She then bit her lip and fought back laughter. "Second of all, that's not exactly how the whole ‘girl' thing works, I'll have you know." "You're not helping," groaned Harry. "Tell me at least you sort of understand what I mean." "I know what you mean," said Ginny rolling her eyes, "and it's a good thing I came along, because you're making a big deal out of nothing." "Now you're the one talking in code!" cried Harry. "That's wit, Harry." "Ginny…." Ginny smiled, maybe shopping with Harry hadn't been such a fabulous idea. She had worrried quite a bit about what she would do this year for her Christmas shopping when Hermione presented an idea two days ago to Professor McGonagall. Why couldn't Harry go to the village if he carried a small item that would serve as a Portkey back to the castle if he got in any sort of danger. Professor McGonagall thought it over for an evening, and then presented Harry with a small talisman to carry in his pocket along with an hour of warnings, precautions, and threats. Ginny had been pleased when Harry announced that they would do their Christmas shopping together. Obviously, Ron and Hermione couldn't go with them since Harry had to purchase their gifts, and since Ginny had shopping to do of her own, it seemed to work out perfectly. Ginny had also gotten very used to Harry's company the past week. Sure, they had gotten the initial shyness very quickly, but it seemed like she and Harry had been friends for longer than a week. He was really a lot of fun to talk to, especially about Quidditch. Sometimes Ginny felt that all too familiar tightening of her stomach when Harry would do something really…well…charming. She still found herself blushing when he would look at her a certain way. It was those hateful eyes! It was impossible to not think Harry was attractive when he was in ownership of the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen. Ginny found herself brushing aside the feelings angrily. She didn't want that. She wanted to be Harry's friend. "Ginny? Hello?" The hateful/beautiful eyes peered right into her own eyes, snapping her out of her thoughts again. "What did you say?" asked Ginny blankly. "Sorry, I didn't hear." "I didn't say anything…." Harry smiled quirkily. "Is that wit too?" "Oh! About Hermione!" Ginny said suddenly remembering. "Yes," Harry nodded slowly, "Hermione. You were telling me that I was making a big deal out of something or nothing or I don't know you sort of confused me." Ginny grinned, regaining her train of thought. "I was saying that you're worrying too much about it. Hermione's still your best friend, you can shop for her like you've shopped for her every year." "But," began Harry. Ginny shook her head to indicate that she wasn't finished, and he fell silent. "But, Ron's really the only one that's got to worry about her being a, well, as you put it ‘a girl' because she's his girlfriend, not yours." "Oh!" said Harry happily. "Well, that is good news!" Ginny cocked her head. "Sorry?" "That came out wrong didn't it?" Harry sighed. "All you have to say is that she is your chum. Very simple, really." Harry smiled. "You sort of come in handy. Glad you came along." "You're welcome," Ginny replied politely. She then smiled mischievously as she pulled the hood of her cloak over her head. "The cane episode was well worth the walk." "You are mean to me!" laughed Harry as he pushed the shop door open, leading to the street. ~*~ "We've got to play Quidditch again before the holiday is over," said Harry walking up the road towards the castle. "Oh, that was fun!" Ginny exclaimed, "I told you I play Chaser." "So you're going to try out, for sure?" "If I didn't I would have to face the wrath of my mum," said Ginny with a grin. "Why on earth would she be angry if you didn't try out?" "You didn't know?" Ginny turned and faced Harry with a delighted expression. "About my mum?" "No…." "You really thought my brothers got all their flying talent from my dad?" Ginny laughed. "Harry, you obviously haven't seen my father on a broomstick. He's pathetic!" "Your mum…." Harry laughed. "You're pulling my leg." Ginny pushed her cloak away from her face. "No! She was a Chaser! I've got photos and everything. They called her ‘The unbeatable Molly Brown'. She didn't go professional because she married Dad and they wanted kids…." "Why didn't Ron ever tell me?" "Never came up I guess. She's always encouraged me to get out and play with my brothers, said I reminded her of when she used to play." "Well, you've got talent! Do you have pictures of your mum when she was on the Gryffindor house team?" Ginny nodded. "In my room, I'll bring them to show you." Harry smiled. Ginny had been great fun the past week and couple of days. He had found himself looking forward to the trip to the village with her. They had had fun, as he knew they would. It was nice to have her around, especially when she was along with Ron and Hermione, one of the few people who treated him normally. For example…. Splat! "Look out!" cried Ginny. "I threw a snowball!" Harry looked at his shoulder, which had a large clump of snow falling off of it. "Oh, thanks for the warning! After you threw it!" Ginny looked at him innocently. "You were the one who got that blank look on your face. I was simply trying to snap you out of it." "It wasn't even a good snowball." "It wasn't supposed to hurt, but if you like…." Harry dropped his packages and grabbed some snow from the snowdrift along the side of the road. Ginny laughed as it hit her in the side. "Look out," said Harry sarcastically. "You're on!" shouted Ginny grabbing another handful of snow. ~*~ Ginny was laughing so hard that it hurt. "It's a good thing that they have you playing Seeker! You can't throw anything!" They had been having a snowball fight for at least half an hour and neither of them were having much success since they were on opposite sides of the road. "I can throw!" yelled Harry. His snowball hit a fence post about five feet from Ginny. "Sure you can," laughed Ginny. "Okay, okay, let's stop!" called Harry. "Surrendering?" "It's nearly dusk." "Oh no!" Ginny leapt over her snow bank and hurriedly began grabbing her packages. "McGonagall is going to kill us if we don't hurry up!" Harry nodded and smiled. "I think she might even overlook the fact that it's close to Christmas when she gives us that detention…." They took off running down the road, hoping to beat the sun before it went down. ~*~ The sun was barely a sliver behind the castle when Harry and Ginny threw themselves upon the castle steps. "We," Ginny gasped for air, "made…it." Harry clutched his side and lay prostrated on the steps. "I thought we were in for it!" A tabby cat leisurely strolled from behind a pillar and immediately assumed the form of Professor McGonagall. "And not a moment too soon, might I add." "Professor," said Harry in his most cordial tone, hoping to make up for the fact that he wasn't quite able to stand up yet. "Despite what you might think, your holiday purchases and yourselves do very little for the décor of the castle steps." "We must have run the entire way back," said Ginny apologetically, "We had to catch our breath." "I recommend planning your time in the village a little more wisely next time." "We will," said Harry getting to his feet. Professor McGonagall's eyes widened behind her spectacles, "Mr. Potter! Are you aware of the state of your cloak?" Harry glanced down and shrugged with a smile. "You're sopping wet!" Ginny stifled a laugh and picked up her gifts. Her cloak was considerably more on the dry side. "It's just snow," explained Harry. "What on earth did you do? Roll in it!?" McGonagall ushered Harry into the castle to continue her lecture. "No, ma'am." "Really, Mr. Potter, I'd never expect you to be running around with a dripping cloak, Mr. Longbottom or the Creevey's perhaps, but never you! Tell me you have more sense than this!" Ginny thought this would be an appropriate time to flee the scene before McGonagall rounded on her… Harry could take care of this himself. She smiled and bounded up the stairs. "Well, I didn't really want the snow there," said Harry, watching her out of the corner of his eye. "I did try to avoid it." Professor McGonagall glowered. "Obviously not well enough! Do you at least have a legitimate explanation for it?" "Ginny's got good aim." Harry looked at the floor and tugged at the ends of his scarf. He knew if he looked her in the eye he would start laughing. "What? Oh, for goodness sakes!" Professor McGonagall gave a noise of exasperation and strode off with her robes flapping. ~*~ Harry hastened to the common room, eager to dump his Christmas shopping in his room and change into dry clothes. When tugged his bags behind him from the portrait and turned around, he realized that he was completely alone in the room. Harry shrugged tried not to feel disappointed that Ron and Hermione weren't around to greet him. He wanted to tell them about the new drink Madam Rosmerta had let he and Ginny try. Where had Ginny gotten off to anyway? Harry dropped the bags in his trunk and decided he was being a wimp. He could do something by himself…. He didn't need company all the time but, Harry thought closing his trunk, it would sort of be nice around the holidays. Holidays were a time for family, and since he had none to speak of…. Think of something more constructive, you ninny, Harry told himself angrily. He stood up and shook the thoughts of family aside and hurried down to the common room, hoping to find a distraction of some kind. "Hey, Harry!" Happily, Harry saw Fred and George coming through the portrait. "Hi! How was Zonko's today? Ginny and I were going to come by, but we didn't have enough time." "McGonagall's still enforcing that ‘Before sunset' rule on you all?" Fred made a face and leaned down to pull a large bag into the room. "Glad Mr. Zonko talked her into letting us be exempt from that." "Christmas presents," explained George, gesturing to the bag. "Wait until Christmas morning, Harry…you'll be in for a show!" Fred smiled in such a deviating manner, that Harry actually took a few deliberate steps back from the bag. "I'm sure I w—." Fred grinned. "Don't look so jittery. We're not going to give any bad gifts! In fact, I'm really sure Ginny will love her present!" "Had dinner yet?" yawned George. Harry nodded. "Ate something in Hogsmeade." "Well, we didn't. I think we'll go down to the kitchens and ask the House Elves for a five star gourmet meal." "Be sure and tell Hermione, too," grinned Fred. "Especially about the gourmet and the House Elves…." "I don't think that's really a good idea…." The twins deposited the bag in their dormitory and waved at Harry as they left to go get their dinner. Harry frowned. The twins had brought something very upsetting to his attention. What was he going to do about a Christmas gift for Ginny? Tomorrow was Christmas Eve and Harry didn't think he could muster up the gall to ask Hermione to help him pick something out. Ron was out of the question. He popped his knuckles and paced the floor. He was being stupid about this too, he and Ginny had only been friends for little over a week and it wasn't exactly reason to dally over the significance of her gift. But he had to get her something. She had really been nice to have around; he didn't know what he would have done without her to talk to. Harry felt his insides twist at the thought of her face on Christmas morning when he didn't have a present for her. It didn't really have to be a big ordeal; the thought would be the thing that counted. Perhaps a card… no, no, that was a crummy idea. What an idiot he would look like, handing her a handmade card that said: "Happy Christmas. Glad you're my friend." Even though the statement was entirely true it didn't say exactly what he wanted. Harry picked up a fireplace poker and passed it hand to hand as he thought. Well, what do you want to say? The voice in Harry's head piped up. I don't know, thought Harry furiously. She's not worrying about this; I think I'm losing it. You said she was your friend, if that's true, why not get her a gift like Hermione's? She wouldn't like it, Harry told the voice irritably. "Harry?" The fireplace poker fell on the floor with a clang. "Where did you go?" he said stooping to pick it up with burning cheeks. "My room," said Ginny, "I was wrapping gifts." "Oh." Harry saw her look past him, and her eyes suddenly looked very upset. "My roses," Ginny sighed wistfully, touching a drooping flower. Harry watched petals flutter to the table along with many others. "They lasted longer than Hagrid said they would, you must have taken good care of them." "Yes, I suppose." As Ginny began to clean the vase, Harry swept some of the dried leaves and petals into his hand, was about to throw them into the fire when he stopped— What if he…. Harry glanced at Ginny and then quickly pocketed the petals without her noticing. ~*~ Ginny smiled and held up her orange peel for Harry to see. "Look at this talent!" Harry looked up from his book and pushed his glasses up, which had slid to the end of his nose. "Just one peel?" "Yup," said Ginny cheerfully. "We've got lots of holiday left, why did you just get the sudden urge to study?" "Not studying," said Harry turning a page. "I'm looking for a specific spell I thought I had seen before." "Would you like me to help?" Ginny pulled the orange apart and offered Harry a wedge, to which he just shook his dark hair in rejection and pored over his book again. Ginny peered at the spine of the book. Standard Book of Spells: Grade Five. Oh, so that was it. He didn't think she'd be old enough. Fine, let him study then, maybe he was still sore about that snowball he had taken directly in the head. "Would you and your book like to be left alone?" Harry shook his head again but didn't say anything else. Ginny helped herself to another piece of orange and looked around for a distraction. Fortunately, two owls picked an opportune moment to swoop through the window and land in front of her with letters. "Thank you," said Ginny. She eagerly picked up a hunter green envelope with her name written on it in shimmering blue ink. Ginny ripped it open and laughed at the first line. "Who's that from?" Her laugh had obviously gotten Harry's attention and he was looking at the letter in her hand. "Charlie wrote back in response to my Christmas card." Ginny smiled at the letter happily. "You write…Christmas cards?" Ginny stared at him. "You don't?" "Well, no…I wouldn't know who to send one to." Harry looked a little embarrassed. "I send them to my brothers that aren't at Hogwarts. I used to send them to everyone when I was at home and they were at school, also. I think they like to get the letters…." "Your parents too?" "Now that I'm at school, yes." Ginny opened the letter again. She expected Harry to go straight back to his book, but she could tell he was staring at her as she read. "Harry, um, I can read it aloud if you like…." "Would you? I mean that'd be really nice." Harry shut his book and put his elbows on his knees. Ginny couldn't help but think it was really sweet of Harry to be interested in what Charlie was doing. She cleared her throat and began to read aloud. Dear Snapdragon, I was very gl— "Snapdragon?" Harry looked quite puzzled, yet amused. "Oh," said Ginny looking up, "that's Charlie's nickname for me. I'm sure it had something to do with his love affair with dragons. He's called me it ever since I was little, and since it's also the name of a flower, "Sorry, I interrupted. You can read again." Dear Snapdragon, I was very glad to receive your Christmas card this year. It couldn't have happen at a nicer time, since I had had a really rotten day. (Nearly got my head taken off by a Welsh Green. Didn't come out with a scratch, but my robes and my pride had huge gaping holes in them.) Besides, I was wondering how everything at Hogwarts was this year. It's nice you keep us updated since Fred, George, and Ron seem to be too busy to write. Fred and George must be having a ball at Zonko's (I hope you didn't mention anything to mum….) and tell Ron that I told him it was about bloody time he did something about his Hermione predicament. I thought I was going to owl her myself if he didn't stop moping around the house. I had only been around for a week I don't know how you got through the entire summer, plus the beginning of the school year. Oh well, we never said he was the alert one, now did we? Ginny looked up when she heard Harry laughing quietly into his robe sleeve. She smiled and read on. Good for you for getting a perfect score on your Potions midterm, and yes, I agree with you when you said you thought Snape would feel ill after he had to put the grade on your paper. It's a good thing the one thing Percy was bad at was Potions, or he might have killed Snape off. Of course, I'm not sure that it would be a bad thing or not. Why don't you give it a try? We've been quite busy here with the war going on and all. They're talking about putting dragons in the fight. I certainly hope it goes through; the thought of a Death Eater burned into a crunchy dragon treat really isn't a bad plan. Very environmental if you ask me, everyone would be happy and the dragons would get fresh food…poof, crunch, gulp, problem solved. Ginny and Harry laughed loudly. "He's got a weird sense of humor," said Ginny grinning. "Dragons are the answer to everything." "Keep reading," urged Harry. He seemed to be enjoying the letter very much. All in all dear sis, everything is well. I hope I'll get to see you at least before summer. Give Fred, George, and Ron a big hug for me and tell them I said hello. Also…perhaps you should— Ginny stopped reading. "What is it?" asked Harry, "It's not anything bad is it?" "No, he mentioned you. He's never done that before." "Me? What do you mean?" Harry looked bewildered. Ginny didn't answer and went back to the letter. Also…perhaps you should check up on Harry this holiday. I expect Ron and Hermione have been around less than usual. I'm sure you two would get along splendidly and I'd like to know how he's been doing. Have a wonderful Christmas. Love, Charlie "That's odd that he would think of me." Harry picked the lint on the rug. "I only met him just last summer." "It's Charlie," said Ginny hoping this was explanation enough, "I guess he took a liking to you last year. Probably because you're a fellow Seeker and all that." "Well, he's right though," added Harry, "we do get along splendidly." "Yes," said Ginny, "but it's sort of odd…." "What is? That we get along?" "No, no, not that. It's odd because Hagrid said something very similar to me." "He did?" "Yes." The room got extraordinarily quiet as they both tried to think of something to say in the silence. Fortunately, Hedwig picked an opportune time to fly through the window, giving Harry grounds to change the subject. "Hedwig!" he said abruptly. "Expecting mail?" asked Ginny. Harry's forehead wrinkled as he looked at the letter tied to Hedwig's leg. "Not really." ~*~ "Read it aloud," smiled Ginny. "I read mine, it's only fair." Harry pulled the letter off and stroked Hedwig's feathers. His stomach dropped as he realized who it was from. He couldn't read this aloud! He hadn't expected Sirius to reply so quickly. "I, I, don't think it's interesting," stuttered Harry trying to pocket the letter. "What if we play chess or something instead?" "Come on, Harry," said Ginny. "You're being silly." "No…really…very uninteresting!" Harry yelped and scooted backwards as Ginny reached across him for the letter. "Not that uninteresting if you're trying to be secretive," laughed Ginny. Quickly, Harry considered his situation. Could he trust Ginny? Well, yes, that was an easy answer, but how would she react? He dodged a lunge in his direction from Ginny and tried not to laugh as she pulled on the back of his robes. "No," said Harry holding his hands up, "stop, stop a moment! I have to explain something!" Harry didn't expect it, but Ginny poked him in the stomach. He doubled over with laughter. "Come on, Harry," laughed Ginny poking him again. Harry fought to contain his laughter, but it was no use…she had found a tickle spot, and she knew it. "You," he gasped as he laughed, "have a one track mind." "You're being stubborn." Harry gave her a look. "Take it." He wanted to tell her about Sirius, he didn't know exactly why, but having her become involved seemed the right thing to do. He would eventually tell her anyway, so why not now? Ginny looked at him suspiciously. "You're really giving up that easily? No fight?" Harry shook his head and set the letter in front of him then leaned back on his hands to watch her expression. "No fight." Ginny slit it open and Harry held his breath as her eyes glanced down at the signature. The letter fluttered toward the ground. Ginny's eyes were wide with fright, her face colorless. "Sirius Black…how can that be?" she whispered to Harry. "You…." Harry felt extremely guilty that he startled her, but there really was no other way. "I want to tell you something," he said picking up the letter. ~*~*~*~*~ Disclaimer: Chapter quote at the beginning is from Somewhere in my Memory by John Williams. Harry's line of "You are mean to me!" is from Shrek. The shiny green ribbon on the end of Ginny's plaits belongs to me.
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