Hogwarts' Dawn
Chapter 4
By Jeconais
Author Notes:
With thanks to Kokopelli for betaing this for me.
As a public service warning, the Yule Ball scene contains a brief male-on-male kiss.
Christmas morning was announced by a body landing on his chest. Before he opened his eyes, he was hit by the thought that it was really nice to be have someone jump on him, and know that it could only be Gabrielle, because the wards his bodyguards had put up would not allow anyone else into his room.
“Joyeux Noel,” Gabrielle cried happily as he opened his eyes. She was wearing a white night gown and her feet, which she was waving around carelessly, looked ice cold.
“Merry Christmas,” Harry said solemnly. “I didn’t expect to see you this morning.” He slid out of bed, “get under the covers and warm up!”
Gabrielle waved her hand airily as she snuggled down. “Mama and Papa are sleeping, and Fleur’s being a grump. So I figured you’d be more fun.”
Harry smiled. “Did you at least leave them a note?”
“Of course. Not that they’d need it, where else would I go?” She yawned massively, and grinned at him.
Harry stretched. “Right, you can nap while I have a shower.”
“Okay,” she said as she yawned again.
Harry moved into the bathroom and peeled off his shorts. He looked at his watch and groaned. Half past six was way too early. They weren’t planning on meeting up until ten, and he now had a young Veela to entertain for a few hours.
Once out of the shower, he wrapped a towel around himself and walked back into the bedroom to grab some clothes, before retreating to get dressed. He wandered into the bedroom, to find that Gabrielle was now burrowed deeply under the covers and was fast asleep.
He laughed softly, and stretched. He contemplated having another few hour’s kip, but decided to go for a run instead. He leaned over and gently kissed Gabrielle on her head, before he changed into a pair of shorts and put on some trainers and socks, and walked out.
Once on snowy-land, he stretched for a few minutes, before he started to jog, deciding to run around Hogwarts for a change. It wasn’t as far as the Great Lake, but he could do it a few times, and if he detoured around the Quidditch Pitch, it would be far enough.
It was silent outside, even the local animals seemed to be sleeping, which made sense, because if he hadn’t been kicked out of bed by a Veela child, he’d be doing that as well.
Running on fully automatic, he allowed his mind to drift. This was the first Christmas he’d ever really looked forward to. He’d enjoyed shopping for all his friends, and had even sent Molly, Arthur and the Weasleys presents – although he had to choose carefully, as he didn’t want to alienate Molly and Arthur.
And while the Scottish weather had produced the snow he wanted, the Great Hall was a disappointment. There was no tree this year, because of the Ball that evening.
Most of the students who had gone home were going to be arriving a few hours before the Ball, on a special train from Kings Cross, which allowed them to spend the morning with their families.
It was something he was going to do, as Melissa, Hermione and Gabrielle were all here, as were all his other friends. The only people missing were Fred and George, and they were going to turn up as soon as they’d discharged their family responsibilities. He was seeing Kate later, which would mean he’d see everyone who mattered to him.
It was shaping up to be the best Christmas of his life, and he made a promise to himself to try and have big parties in the future, and, if only for one day, enjoy how lucky had had been to stumble across Fred and George when he had.
It was an hour later when he finished jogging, and he needed another shower. He was now wide awake and ravenously hungry. He headed back to his room to get clean and get a change of clothes.
“Come on, princess,” he said, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Gabrielle yawned as she opened her eyes, before she stretched. “Your bed smells of you,” she told him.
“Breakfast?”
“Yeah, I’m hungry.”
“Come on,” he said, lifting her up. She was really warm, and she clung sleepily to him, as he carried her to Hogwarts, using a warming charm to make sure she didn’t get cold.
They were the only ones up, which meant that Dobby had to fight off a dozen elves who wanted to serve them.
He decided that as it was Christmas, he could cheat and go for a full English. He was actually starting to think that as soon as he could get off of his diet, he’d never want to eat beef again.
Gabrielle ordered a large bowl of porridge. The food arrived in record time, and they both ate silently, Gabrielle still looked sleepy.
As she finished, she started to wake up, and a cup of coffee (that she made several cute faces at while drinking) quickly had her earlier exuberance back.
“So,” Gabrielle said, “can we do presents now?”
“I’ll tell you what,” Harry said, “why don’t we go for a ride while everyone else wakes up?”
“Ride on what?”
“I happen to know that there’s a Hippogriff around.”
Gabrielle’s eyes went wide, before she nodded eagerly.
“Come on, we’ll let you get changed first, then we’ll go and meet him.”
Gabrielle took his hand and dragged him back to the carriage, where she vanished inside. She was back around thirty seconds later, looking like she’d just thrown on what she had found first – which seemed to include one of her female relatives blouses that could have doubled as a dress for her, and a pair of jeans.
He picked her up onto his shoulders and strolled around the castle. Hagrid’s curtains were still closed, so he didn’t bother waking the half-giant up.
The Hippogriff was grazing in a small paddock to the back. After the mess with Malfoy and Buckbeak, Hagrid had promised to only allow the seventh years to see them.
Harry bowed to the animal respectfully, while next to him, Gabrielle curtseyed.
LongFeather snickered at them.
“Fancy going for a fly?” Harry asked.
LongFeather looked at him for a long moment, before nodding hard.
Harry grinned and approached him carefully, keeping between the Hippogriff and Gabrielle.
He swung himself on top, and then leaned down to lift Gabrielle in front of him. “Ready?” he asked.
“Yes,” Gabrielle replied nervously.
“Hai,” he shouted, digging his heels in, while reaching around Gabrielle to grab the long mane hair.
LongFeather reared back, before taking off in a gallop. As he approached the edge of the paddock, he opened his wings, and they flew high into the sky.
Gabrielle squealed excitedly, which seemed to encourage LongFeather.
They flew over Hogsmeade, before circling around and going over the Forbidden Forest. From the sky, it looked calm and peaceful.
Harry eventually looked at his watch, and nudged LongFeather back toward Hogsmeade.
Gabrielle shot him a quick pout, but her eyes were bright and happy.
As they headed down, Gabrielle shouted, “My parents!”
Harry smiled, and steered LongFeather toward them, aiming for him to land and come to a stop near them. Fleur joined them, as the three looked up at them.
They landed, the regular motion of the Hippogriff’s wings changed into the up and down gait of a horse. Harry slowed him down in front of the Delacours. LongFeather reared up dramatically, pawing the air, before he went down on one knee.
He lifted Gabrielle down, “I’ll take him back,” he said.
Gabrielle’s grateful smile made getting up early worthwhile. She turned and started to tell her parents exactly what had happened that morning, managing what sounding like a hundred and fifty words a minute.
Harry urged LongFeather forward, and they trotted back around the school, to his paddock. He gave LongFeather some food, and a brushing. LongFeather nudged his shoulder, before walking over to his nest, and collapsing down.
“Thanks,” Harry said, and got the distinct impression that the Hippogriff grinned at him. He returned to the Great Hall, to find it was now full of people eating breakfast.
“Flying a Hippogriff?” Christophe asked.
“Why not?” Harry replied. “LongFeather was getting bored anyway.”
“Gabrielle enjoyed it,” Adrienne called from further down the table, “and I suspect that I would as well.”
“That, Harry,” Michael said, “was a hint.”
“I’ll talk to him,” Harry promised. “See if he’s agreeable.”
“Boss is good with them,” Nasher said. “Flew one last year, sadly, Malfoy bitched to Daddy and got him killed.”
Harry coughed.
“Boss?”
“There might have been an accident with a Time Turner,” Harry muttered, “and well, it’s possible that Macnair might have failed at his job.”
“Cool!”
“Is there anything you’ve not done?” Christophe asked dryly.
Harry thought for a few seconds. “Oh, had a normal year where all I do is study and not have to worry about some psycho killing me.”
Christophe threw a roll at him. “It’s Christmas, no depressing thoughts.”
Harry caught the roll casually. He settled down and started to eat his second breakfast. When he had finished, he looked at Gabrielle, who was trying to get his attention.
“We should have had a tree,” Gabrielle announced. “It’s not Christmas without a tree!”
“It’s not?” Harry asked playfully. “Then I guess that I’ll go get the tree, Hermione, you’re in charge of creating some decorations.”
“Yay,” Gabrielle cheered, clapping her hands.
Harry trudged outside, and headed for the Forbidden Forest. It didn’t take him long to find a giant Douglas Fir. He cast a spell to make sure that no animal was using it, and then used Diffindo to cut the base. It made a loud crashing noise as it fell to the ground.
A hovering charm lifted it into the air, and he trudged back to Hogwarts. He had to cast a shrinking charm to get it through the doors, and into the Great Hall, where the Professors were watching him in amusement.
“Harry, that’s huge!” Hermione said, as he raised it into the corner. He turned and winked at her.
“Aww crap,” Christophe said, “That’s his evil smile.”
Harry laughed, and cast a few spells around the base. He threw his wand at Gabrielle. “Want to cancel the spell.”
“Finite Incantatem!” Gabrielle said firmly.
The tree grew and grew, until it almost brushed the ceiling.
“Now that,” Marie said softly. “Is a tree.”
“I’m going to need more decorations,” Hermione said, looking worried.
“Dobby,” Harry called.
Dobby popped in and stared at the tree. “Harry Potter is greatest wizard alive,” he stated. “More elves, more elves!”
Other elves started to pop in, and they all looked at the tree. “Hogwarts not having proper tree for centuries,” one elf said reverently. “We be decoratings, please?”
“Go ahead,” Harry said.
The elves, with more still popping in, attacked the tree. Lights, candles, fruit and decorations, all appeared from no where as they elves floated up and around, making sure that every branch had something.
Dobby stood back and started directing the elves, before another elf, a female one, elbowed him firmly and informed him that his sense of aesthetics was somewhat lacking.
The elves finished, and started to pop away. “Stop,” Harry called.
The elves looked at him fearfully. He walked over and dropped to his knees in front of them. “Thank you, all,” he said softly. “We all really appreciate the effort you have put in, and the work that you do for us through out the year.”
Almost simultaneously, the elves started to cry with happiness.
“Now, it’s Christmas, so today is the day that you can ask for anything you might need to help you with your jobs, and I’ll provide it.”
One elf slowly raised his right hand. “I is head cleaning elf,” he said proudly, “but I is hearing from students that Muggles is having stuff that makes clothes even softer, I’s like to try that.”
“Hermione,” Harry said, “write down a hundred litres of fabric softener. You’ll have it on Friday, when the Muggle shops reopen.”
The elf literally jumped for joy.
“Anyone else?” Harry asked.
Now that the first elf had got what he wanted, and not been asked to punish himself for his braveness, another elf raised her hand. “I is being Tilly, I is head cook.”
“And a great job you do as well,” Harry said.
Tilly blushed furiously, and a look of devotion flitted across her face. “Dobby is being right,” she whispered. “I is wondering if I could be having cookingly books. We is only knowing English food and some Italian, because Mario,” she pointed at a small elf in red overalls with a large moustache, “is being with an Italian family for years. We is not knowing Frenchies food, and we is knowing Frenchies isn’t always liking English.”
“Great idea,” Harry said. “You got that Hermione?”
“Absolutely,” Hermione whispered in reply.
With that, the flood gates opened, and elves asked for all sorts of things, from new mops, to drain cleaner to a supplier of shitake mushrooms.
Harry agreed to them all, as Hermione wrote the requests down. It was an ecstatically happy group of house-elves who finally popped away, apart from Dobby.
“I have a present for you,” Harry said.
“Harry Potter sir shouldn’t be doing that,” Dobby replied, his eyes huge in awe.
Harry used his wand to summon a box. As it arrived, he handed it to Dobby. Dobby opened it and gasped.
“The red ones are Manchester United,” Harry said, “who I have been informed are the best football team in England. The white ones from Real Madrid, the best football team in Spain.”
Dobby held up the long bright red socks, before he burst into tears. “Yous got Dobby socks,” he shouted, “Dobby got Harry Potter sir a present too.” He snapped his fingers, and handed Harry the package that appeared. Harry opened them to find socks.
“Dobby is making them himself, sir!” the elf said happily. “He is buying the wool out of his wages, sir!”
The left sock was bright red and had a pattern of broomsticks upon it; the right sock was green with a pattern of Snitches.
“Thank you,” Harry said solemnly.
Dobby hugged him for a second before popping away. Harry stood and stretched, placing the socks on the table. He looked at the tree, and then at Gabrielle, “it’s missing something, isn’t it.”
“A star,” Gabrielle agreed, after shaking herself.
“Can I have my wand back?”
Gabrielle immediately handed him the wand. He moved opposite her and started to twirl the wand in his fingers, telling it to give off sparks. As it did, it started to move faster and faster, creating a circle of sparks.
He let go off his wand, and allowed it to spin on its own, he concentrated hard, and a bright light started to grow from the middle, until it encompassed the whole circle his wand was keeping. With a clap of his hands, the light burst into bright yellow flames, although no heat was coming from it.
The fire stared to rotate, creating a sphere, before he reached in and grabbed his wand. The ball of bright flame hung there.
“How’s that?” he asked.
Gabrielle’s mouth was wide open, and she barely managed to nod. Harry cast Wingardium Leviosa on himself, and floated up to the ceiling, where he carefully placed the ball of flame on the very top. It seemed to illuminate the entire hall.
He floated back down, sticking his wand in his back pocket.
“Better?” he asked.
Gabrielle nodded firmly. “Right,” she said, “everyone needs to bring their presents here!” She grabbed her father’s hand, and dragged him out.
“Well,” Michael said, as he headed toward the exit, “we’ve got our orders. Five minutes?”
There was a general round of agreement, as everyone vacated the hall.
“Harry,” Filius called from the professor’s table. Harry looked up, he’d pretty much forgotten that they were there. “Take twenty points for some truly outstanding charms work.”
Harry smiled at him, and summoned all his presents, before banishing them under the tree.
“She has you wrapped around her little finger,” Marie said, looking amused.
“Nonsense,” Harry said, “I just happen to like being curled up in that position, it is a mere coincidence.”
Marie sniggered.
“However,” Harry said, “It does help that we have the same maturity level, I was complaining to myself earlier about the lack of tree. Christmas should have a tree, well, the first Christmas when I see all my friends.”
Speaking of which, Fred and George chose that moment to arrive.
“Harry, nice tree,” Fred said, as George put a handful of presents under the tree next to Harry’s.
“Me?” Harry asked.
“Yes,” George said, “no one else would think about getting a tree that makes Hagrid’s look small.
Harry grinned. “Have you met Marie?”
“No,” Fred said. “I’m one of the two Weasley twins, Fred and George. Not sure which one.”
“Me neither,” George agreed, “and really, it doesn’t matter.”
“Except in bed,” Fred mused. “I’m the one who likes Alicia.”
“And I like Angelina,” George added.
“Delighted to meet you.”
“Did you have a good morning?” Harry asked.
“Well, with Ron and Ginny hiding in the Gryffindor Common Room, it was just us and Percy, and that guy takes being a prat to all new levels,” Fred said, “and that’s with mum in one of her more reasonable moods. We were only berated four times.”
“So no,” George said. “But we’re here now, and we can enjoy ourselves for the rest of the day.”
“I’m glad you guys are here,” Harry said.
“Yeah, we are too,” Fred agreed. He looked up as the others started to enter, bearing gifts. Behind them, Christophe, Alicia and Angelina entered. “If you’ll excuse us,” they said.
“They’re fun,” Marie said.
“They are,” Harry agreed. “Great friends as well. I have no idea where I’d be without them, but it wouldn’t be here with you.”
Marie smiled warmly at him. “Then I will have to thank them later. Where are the rest of the students?”
“Probably in their common rooms,” Harry said with an uncaring shrug.
The doors opened again, allowing Gabrielle, who was carrying a couple of boxes, and Michael, who was carrying a load more to enter.
Gabrielle put hers down at the front, then helped her father unload, before she hopped over to Harry.
“Are you going to give the presents out?” he asked.
She nodded eagerly.
“Right, you’ll need a spell then,” he said, and quickly taught her how to float present to people. Gabrielle kissed his cheek as she finished, then dashed over to the tree to supervise the other presents as they arrived.
“You do know that most people don’t give up their wands, ever,” Marie asked.
Harry shrugged. “I’ve only leant it to her, and Gabrielle knows how much it means to me.”
“Your faith is both touching and slightly disturbing,” Michael said as he sat down. “You’ve not seen her when she’s throwing a tantrum.”
“True,” Harry agreed.
“Christophe,” Gabrielle called, and sent a package flying his way. “Smasher,” she continued, “and Fred.”
Three presents were opened, and three set grateful thanks were sent out to the people who had given them. Gabrielle kept up a fast pace as she banished packages at people almost randomly, although Harry noticed that she kept a few packages to one side.
Harry received a pair of boxing gloves from Crusher, and a punch bag from Smasher. Nasher and Thrasher gave him two rings. When he looked at them curiously, they looked bashful, and admitted that they were now in line for Death Eater arm bonuses, as they’d decided to collect on their fathers. At Harry’s shocked look, they explained that their mothers had agreed it was for the best.
Harry then decided to accept the gift as it was meant, even if it did freak him out slightly.
He had the traditional Weasley jumper, which he carefully put to one side, and tickets to a Quidditch match from Hermione.
He looked at her in surprise. She smiled at him, “you’re doing wonderfully in class,” she said, “so you don’t need to study as much.”
“Thanks, Hermione.”
Melissa got him an incredibly smart pair of formal black robes, inlaid with the faintest of silver lining. Christophe got him a book on wine tasting, and Adrienne got him a ticket to a winery in France. She confessed that it was a self serving present, as she lived next door to the vineyard.
Fred and George gave him a box of all their latest inventions, along with a list of passwords to all the Common Rooms. He smiled, he wouldn’t use the pranks on the students, but they were always useful to have around.
Lisa surprised him by buying him a small knife that was designed to be hidden on his person at all times. Viktor got him a training session with the Vastra Vultures Seeking coach.
To his surprise, he also got a few other smaller presents from some of the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students, as well as a new shirt from Michael and Marie, which he thanked them for.
All of the students had presents from home, and there was a large pile of wrapping paper growing from each side of the table, and the noise level was high.
Gabrielle searched through the remaining presents, and banished some of Harry’s smaller presents to the other Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students.
With only a few presents left, Gabrielle abandoned the spells, and started handing them out personally. She carried the first ones to Smasher, Crusher, Nasher, Thrasher, and Lisa.
They all ripped into them eagerly, and their cheer was almost deafening. Five sets of pockets were emptied, with an amazing variety of weapons placed on a table, before five robes were ripped off and chucked onto the pile of rubbish. Five new, and identical, robes were then put on, and done up. Matching sun glasses were pulled out of the boxes and put on as well. The weapons vanished, as the five turned, Lisa in the middle, surrounded by the other larger students.
“How do we look?” Smasher asked.
“Intimidating,” Melissa announced. “And very professional.”
“Thanks boss,” Lisa said happily. “These are great!”
“Yeah,” Crusher agreed. “We’d thought about uniforms, but these are even better!”
“They’re based of the Auror uniforms,” Harry explained. “Hermione, try and stun Crusher.”
Hermione nodded and pulled out her wand. “Stupefy!”
Crusher took a few steps back, but had no other adverse reaction to the spell. “Brilliant!” he breathed.
“Thanks boss,” Lisa said again.
“Yeah,” the others agreed, and retook their seats, sitting proudly.
Gabrielle carried the next two presents to Fred and George. They ripped into the box, and looked at the paper inside in confusion.
Suddenly, they both held up the paper next to each other, and there was a flash of light, before the two pieces of paper joined up, and words appeared. They both read the paper, before they looked at each other, then read it again.
Still in perfect unison, they placed it down, and ran toward Harry, diving over the table, catching him and sending them to the floor, where they hugged him excitedly.
“Get off of me, you lunatics,” he complained playfully.
“Thanks, boss,” Fred said. “Really, you didn’t have to do that.”
“Yeah,” George agreed seriously. “Thanks, Harry.”
As Harry got to his feet, Gabrielle gave Christophe and Adrienne their presents. Christophe whistled as he looked at the bottle of wine, as Adrienne squeaked at the day long stay at a Muggle Spa.
While they were looking, Gabrielle gave her parents and sister Harry’s presents to them. Michael and Marie got tickets to the theatre, while Fleur got a calligraphy pen, something Gabrielle had suggested to him.
Harry had got Viktor got a book on Runeic magic that he seemed to appreciate.
The pile next to Gabrielle was now down to four presents. She took the next one and gave it to Melissa.
Melissa opened it softly, and gasped. She pulled out the gold necklace and held it up, a small Slytherin emblem dangled on the end, with two tiny emeralds for eyes.
She looked at Harry, and then simply whispered, “Thank you,” to him. She put it on, and continued to smile.
Hermione’s present was next, and it came in several parts. The first was a slim gold bracelet that she immediately placed on her arm, the second was a simpler necklace that Melissa’s, this with no emblem. He understood that she didn’t really consider herself a Gryffindor anymore, and nor did he.
The second to last part was a signed invitation inviting her to attend Beauxbatons next year.
Finally, and traditionally, there was a small book. She opened it, and shot him a dazzling smile as she read the words he’d written earlier.
To my best friend, thank you for always believing in me and never letting me be alone. You have made Hogwarts worthwhile.
I love you.
Harry
PS, no silly boy words today.
PPS, I know you’re not vain, but I stumbled across this spell, and figured I’d give it to you anyway.
“Thank you,” she said, her eyes saying a lot more. She paused, and then grinned at him. “I’ll use it, and blame you.”
“Deal.”
Gabrielle walked over to him next, and handed him a small package. There was a curious look of excitement and fear in her eyes, and he knew that this was his present from her. He smiled reassuringly at her as he opened it up. Everyone was watching, and he knew this was what Gabrielle had wanted.
He pulled out a leather cord, and held up a small circular wooden pendant. In the middle, a Hungarian Horntail was posed, roaring a multi coloured flame that merged into the circle. There was a strong silver blonde thread all around the outside of the wooden circlet.
“Lisa and Hermione helped me, if you touch the dragon, Lisa will be able to find you.” She blushed, and continued, “the blonde stuff is my hair, you should wear it against your chest, so that I’m always close to your heart.”
“Oh, Gabrielle,” he whispered, sliding out from the table and dropping to his knees next to her.
“I don’t want you to ever forget me when I leave you this summer,” she whispered.
Harry shrugged off his robes, and held the cord out to her, bending his head.
Gabrielle slowly moved it around his neck, and slid it under his t-shirt.
He caught her hand, holding it against his heart. “I swear I will never forget about you.”
Her smile was a bit tremulous, as she looked like she was fighting tears. He touched his wand in her hand, and the last present, his to hers, was in his hand, and he gave it to her.
Like with Hermione, it had several parts. The first part was a letter, inviting her to start Beauxbatons next year. She gasped in delight, and carefully placed it on the bench next to them. The next part was a pair of tiny diamond earrings, along with a gift certificate to get her ears pierced.
“I got permission from your parents,” Harry whispered.
Gabrielle cheered and hugged him, before she opened the last part. It was an envelope, and she opened it carefully.
She read it and frowned in confusion. It was another invitation to start Beauxbatons next year.
He could see her read it, and then read it again, before she stopped at one point, and she started to shake.
“Is this true?” she asked, her eyes as wide as he could remember, and a look of total yearning on her face.
He nodded. It was his own acceptance letter to Beauxbatons. She squealed and launched herself at him, burying her face in his neck as she burst into tears.
He smiled and patted her back softly. He lifted her up as he stood, and she moved her legs around him, and showed no signs of ever wanting to let go.
“Thanks everyone,” he said, “it’s been the best Christmas morning I’ve ever had.”
“And it’s not long to lunch,” Fred added. “Then us guys will have to waste time for hours while the girls spend decades getting ready.”
“True, brother mine,” George added. “So worth the wait, though.”
“Absolutely,” Fred agreed. “So, who’s up for a snowball fight?”
The cheer that came in response signified that most people were, and those that weren’t up for it, were soon dragged in anyway.
Before Harry could join them, Michael nodded his head toward a classroom. He carried Gabrielle into the room. She was radiating a contentedness and happiness that was giving her a soft golden glow.
“Your necklace,” Michael said, as they closed the door. “It’s not just a pendant. Gabrielle, Harry needs to use his hands.”
Gabrielle shifted around, so that she was hanging onto his back.
Michael looked amused. “You may have heard that Fleur’s wand has her Grandmother’s hair in it?”
He nodded, remembering from when she had her wand tested by Ollivander.
“Well, with Gabrielle’s hair in there, and the wood we used, holly, by the way, it’s almost like a wand. If you hold it, and cast a spell, it should work.”
Harry pulled it out of his t-shirt. “Stupefy!” The spell rocketed from his hand, and smashed against the wall. “Wow,” he said.
Michael smiled. “We are the only three who know it can do this,” he said, “and we’ll keep it that way.”
“Thank you, Michael,” he said seriously. He reached around and lifted Gabrielle back around. “And thank you, Gabrielle.”
She smiled massively at him, then went back to hugging him.
“Come on,” Michael said, “if there’s one thing Fleur hates, it’s her old man being a better aim that she is.”
“Fleur likes snowball fights?”
“Nope,” Michael said cheerfully. “Makes it even more fun.”
Gabrielle giggled and reluctantly unwrapped herself from him. “Let’s go play,” she said, and took his and Michael’s hand, pulling them out of the room.
Harry was dressed in his new robes. He was feeling pretty relaxed and looking forward to an evening of dancing with Kate.
The dinner had been excellent, with Jonathan making sure that everything went smoothly. They had come back to her apartment to change into their wizard outfits.
She moved out of the bathroom and he looked at her, and whistled slowly. She was wearing pure red dress robes that had long slits alongside each of her legs. The top barely covered her breasts, highlighting her cleavage, while her legs were emphasised by her matching high heels.
“You look amazing,” he told her honestly.
She smiled at him. “Ready to cause a scandal?”
“Always,” he replied. “You do know what to expect?”
“Harry, dear,” she said, “I am an escort, I am used to people looking down on me. I can look after myself.”
“Okay,” Harry agreed. “But I am going to play the boyfriend tonight, so I may curse the odd idiot or two.”
She laughed. “Agreed.”
He offered her his arm. “Shall we?”
They Apparated to Hogsmeade, where they met up with Crusher and Smasher. They both looked at Kate, and then at Harry, and shook their heads in awe. Together, the four of them walked to Hogwarts, heading toward the Great Hall.
They were a little late, deliberately so, and managed to time it so that they arrived just as Viktor and Hermione, Cedric and Cho, and Fleur and what looked like Roger Davies were entering the Hall. The Christmas tree totally dominated the room, and someone had charmed his star, so that the light it gave out was filtered, giving a flickered effect through out.
They tacked on to the end of the procession, and walked out into the middle of the dance area. He could see Gabrielle with her parents, looking like a princess in a shiny white dress with white slippers. He shot her a wink, but she was looking at his date in awe.
Fred and George had their jaws open, before Fred mouthed, “You have balls of steel,” to him.
He could feel every eye in the school on the two of them. A fourth year student wasn’t supposed to bring someone like Kate to a school ball. The oldest witch of their generation was eighteen, Kate was twenty seven. It was unfair; it was bringing a woman to a school full of children.
“Ready to rock their world?” Kate asked with a grin.
“Always,” Harry said simply. He ignored everyone else, until the music started, and they started to dance.
This was the sort of thing they’d practised a hundred times in the past, and they were able to move with the experience. Neither looked away from each other’s eyes, as they span and whirled around the other couples, ignoring them completely.
After a while, he realised they were dancing on their own, but he didn’t care. She whispered to him to keep up, and then started to dance faster.
He laughed and did exactly as he was told, taking back the lead and utilising the full dance area.
Kate always seemed to glide when she danced, and it made him feel like he was weightless.
He whispered something to her during a break in the music, and she threw her head back, her laugh echoing around the suddenly silent room, before the music started again, faster this time, a Viennese waltz, he bowed before her, as she faked a curtsey, before they took off, utilising the entire dance floor.
“I need a drink,” Kate said, after a few more dances, “and you have others to dance with. Leave me with your bodyguards, then dance with the Veela kid, then do that blonde hottie at the Professors’ table.”
“Sinistra?” He asked, and then grinned and lightly kissed her. “You are evil.”
“I know,” she agreed as he danced her over to the boys, and placed her down. “I’ve got to play some games,” he explained to Crusher and Smasher. “Look after her, and get her a drink or three.”
“Will do, boss,” they agreed.
Harry took the direct route across the dance floor, weaving around the couples easily, until he stood in front of the Delacours. “May I have this dance?” he said to Gabrielle formally.
“But of course, kind sir,” she replied with a giggle. He grinned and led her over to the floor. “You’ve learnt to dance really well,” she said, as they danced around the room. She reached up, touching his chest, and smiled as she felt his necklace through his clothes.
“Thank you. And you, my dear, are as light on your feet as always.”
She grinned at him. “Well, as you can do it, let’s really go for it.”
“Oh?”
“You know I’ve practised every day for three years?”
He nodded.
“Then get some decent music on, I want to show off.”
He laughed, and danced her over to the band. He hopped onto the stage, and had a chat with the guitarist, who agreed to play something a little more upbeat.
The dance with Gabrielle was incredibly energetic. He was able to throw her high into the air, where she’d somersault, or twist, before he’d catch her. He let her do the flashy moves, he wasn’t sure he could do them himself.
He caught her and hugged her as the music finished. She hugged him back, as some applause started.
He carried her back over to her parents.
“Marie,” he said with a grin, “would you mind terribly if I blew everyone’s minds?”
Marie looked at him for a few seconds, before she laughed. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“You’re insane,” she said.
“Yeah, it will ruin my reputation,” he agreed. “And it will make everyone who thinks they know me think again.”
“Go,” she ordered, as she poked Michael.
Michael smirked, and a minute later they were dancing, and once again they were the centre of attention.
“Do you mind if I lead?” Harry asked.
“Be my guest,” Michael replied cheerfully. “This is your show.”
Harry spun Michael around, and then caught him as he fell forward deliberately. With his hand supporting the older man, he flipped him up, spun him, and then pulling him close.
The bizarre thought that swung through his mind was that it was weird dancing with someone who didn’t have a chest pushed into his.
“Everyone’s looking at us,” Michael whispered, his lips not moving.
“That’s the plan,” Harry agreed. “Brace yourself for the dramatic finish.”
“You’re insane.” He laughed.
As the music stopped, Harry blanked his mind, and reached across and kissed the other man on the lips. He decided instantly that it was the last time he’d ever do that.
“I swear that I’m going to break down in hysterical laughter as soon as I get out of here,” Michael murmured. “That was fun.”
“I know,” he smirked.
Kate and Marie walked toward them and they separated into their partners.
“That wasn’t your professor,” Kate pointed out, an amused look on her face.
“I know, but it was a lot more fun. I’ll dance with her later.”
“Half the school is now questioning your sexuality.”
“I turn up with the most beautiful woman in Scotland, I dance with her all night, all sorts of dances, some of which were banned for obscenity in the eighteenth century, and one dance and a tiny kiss with a guy ruins that?”
“Yes.”
“I know,” he grinned. “Cool, isn’t it.”
Kate laughed loudly and kissed him hard. “You little devil,” she praised as she finished.
He joined Hermione and Viktor, and Cho and Cedric, as well as Christophe and Melissa, and Adrienne and Jacque, who had moved next to his bodyguards.
“Guys, this is Kate,” he said, before giving everyone’s names.
“Harry,” Hermione called. He looked at her, and she stared at him for a moment, “you know exactly what you are doing, don’t you?”
“Moi?” he asked with a grin.
“Yes, you. Did you really have a one night stand in London?”
“Hermione,” Harry chastised her, pointing to Kate.
Hermione blushed furiously, “I’m so sorry,” she said. “It’s just a rumour, Harry isn’t like that.”
Kate smiled at her, a little wickedly. “Pity,” she murmured. “I like an experienced lover.”
Every male on the table with the exception of Harry, felt the need to cough at that time, to the disapproval of their paramours.
“Well,” Harry said, “it’s time for more dancing.”
“Good,” Kate said, “these heels are killing me. Dance with one of your sisters.”
“Great idea,” Harry agreed. He grabbed Melissa, winked at Christophe, and pulled her onto the floor.
“Evil child,” Melissa said, as she put her arms around his shoulders, “don’t expect me to dance like Kate, Michael or Gabrielle.”
Harry pulled her closer, “just let me lead, and you’ll be fine.”
“So, how are you planning on finishing the evening?”
“Well, I’m going to dance with Gabrielle again, then tear up the floor with Kate, before I grab Sinistra, then Kate and I will leave.”
“Sinistra?” Melissa asked softly, shaking her head in amusement. “At least you have taste.”
“Kate’s suggestion, actually,” Harry admitted. “She called her ‘the blonde hottie.’”
“Just who is Kate?” Melissa asked, “at first I thought it was the girl you were rumoured to have picked up, a rumour that was confirmed earlier.”
“No, that was Annie, she’s a dancer as well.”
“Of course she is,” Melissa muttered.
“Kate’s just a friend of mine, who was open for an evening of fun.”
Melissa nodded, “and she’s having that.”
As the song ended, Harry walked her back to Christophe, then dragged Hermione onto the floor. He pulled her close, and danced slowly with her. She smiled at him, and he noticed her front teeth had shrunk. “You used the charm then?”
She nodded shyly.
“You look amazing,” he said honestly.
“Thanks,” she said softly. “Although I’m not sure about this dancing.”
“Just relax and don’t think about what you’re doing,” he whispered.
“Have you seen what’s been going on with the rest of the school?”
“Should I?”
“No,” she admitted. “I guess not. Ron’s here with Padma Patil, well, he was, he’s spent most of the time glaring at you.”
Harry shrugged, he hadn’t noticed.
Hermione smiled at him, “so you don’t want to dance with Padma?”
“Why?” he asked, confused.
“Yeah, I thought you’d say that,” she grinned. “You’re beyond pettiness now.”
“I try,” he said. “The urge still comes from time to time.”
“Your bodyguards are doing a wonderful job of keeping people away from you. Most of the time, all it takes is a glare. Do you know why they are wearing their sunglasses?”
“Nope,” he said slowly. “Something I don’t know?”
“I charmed them with some Anti-Legimency charms, I’m going to put the spell on your glasses. It won’t stop Veela power, but Lisa’s there to deal with that.”
“Great work,” Harry praised.
Hermione smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. As the song finished, he guided her back over to Viktor. Kate held a drink out for him that he downed quickly. “You all right?” he asked, kneeling on one knee in front of her.
She reached out and lightly touched his forehead, stroking the scar. “Yes,” she said. “Go dance with the others, then we’ll finish with a bang and make our exit.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” he said, saluting playfully.
She raised her leg, put her right foot on his left shoulder, and pushed.
He rolled back smoothly, pushing himself to his feet, and smiled at her, before he glided across the dance floor.
“Come on,” he said to Gabrielle, “let’s let your parents show us youngsters how it’s done.”
She grinned and followed him onto the dance floor, before she moved into his arms and danced slowly with him. They didn’t talk, they just had fun. As the song came to the end, he moved her around, and swapped partners with Michael.
“I feel like I’ve been ignoring you,” Harry said to Marie.
“A little,” she teased. “But I did marry a Veela, I’m used to it.”
“That’s no real excuse,” he said, “so I’ll offer my apologies anyway.”
“If you come to dinner with us again, without Fleur, I’ll accept.”
“I don’t want to cause trouble.”
“You’re not the one causing trouble,” she countered.
“Then I’ll be there,” he promised. “Just let me know when.”
“I will.” The music stopped, and they took a few steps back, he bowed, and she curtseyed. Marie laughed and took a few steps forward and kissed him on the cheek. “Right, I have two more dances,” he whispered.
“Have fun,” she said, “and you were right, we did have a good time.”
He winked at her, before he turned and headed toward the Professor’s table, where Professor Sinistra was looking thoroughly bored. Most of the older professors were chatting to each other, while watching the dance floor, leaving her alone.
She looked up as he approached, and he could see her shock that a student would dare approach her. He didn’t give her a chance to react, as he grabbed her hand and gently pulled her onto the dance floor. He could feel Kate watching him with pride.
As the music started, he started to move with her, keeping a respectful distance away from her.
“Who are you?” she asked, as she started to match him, keeping her movements safe.
He winked at her. “Someone who appreciates blondes?” he suggested.
“Someone who’s only danced with beautiful women, or girls who are going to become beautiful women.”
“And my streak continues,” he agreed.
“Are the rumours true?”
Harry sighed and didn’t say anything.
Sinistra laughed wickedly. “Isn’t your girlfriend going to be jealous?”
“She suggested that I danced with the blonde hottie.”
Sinistra almost blushed, and he grinned at her, letting her know he had caught it. “You are playing with everyone here, aren’t you?”
“Not everyone,” he countered. “I am just trying to get people to realise that they don’t know me at all. Sure, my actions will be over the press in after Boxing day, but we’re taking steps to stop that, and hey, I’m dancing with the best looking blonde in the school.” He paused. “Except for Michael.”
Sinistra laughed.
“Are you going to let me into the secret?” he asked.
“Which secret is that?”
“Your first name, I can’t keep mentally referring to you as Sinistra, it makes you sound like you should be wearing tight spandex in bright colours, saving the day from Magneto.” He paused. “Damn,” he whistled slowly. “Keep your first name to yourself; I’m happy with this image.”
“Aurora,” she whispered, an amused look on her face. “And I will kill you if I hear other students know it.”
“You’re secret is safe with me,” he promised. “But I’m not giving up the idea of seeing you in skin tight spandex clothing.”
“Wretch.”
“Want me to stop?” he asked.
“If you weren’t a student,” she muttered.
“Can you keep a secret?” he asked, recognising that the song only had around thirty seconds to go.
“I can.”
“Will you?”
She looked at him curiously. “I will,” she promised.
“Next year I’m going to Beauxbatons, I won’t be a student of yours then.”
She looked blankly at him, and as the music stopped, he leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on her lips.
“Thanks for the dance,” he said, bowing dramatically, before he walked off, and headed toward Kate.
Kate met him half way, and loosely wrapped her arms around his neck as she walked him backward.
“I’m so proud of you,” she whispered. “You’ve learnt everything I have to teach you.”
“You should leave that loser and get with a real man,” Draco Malfoy suddenly announced his unwelcome presence. Harry waved his bodyguards back.
Kate slowly unwrapped her arms from around him and turned to Malfoy. “Like you?” She took two steps forward and grabbed Malfoy’s crotch through his robes. “Your balls would have to drop first,” she sneered loudly. A fake look of shock passed over her face. “Sweet Merlin,” she muttered, “they have dropped.” She looked at Pansy. “You poor girl,” she sympathised. “Still, at least you can buy some toys to fill the parts he can’t reach.”
Draco went bright red, as the students around sniggered.
Kate turned and slid over to Harry, rubbing herself up his body. She smirked as she pressed herself tightly against him. “Let’s go back to my place,” she suggested, nibbling on his neck.
Harry shot a wave to Gabrielle, and then picked Kate up. “Your wish is my command,” he said, and walked out the door, moving just fast enough to get out before Dumbledore could intercept him.
He lowered Kate as the doors slammed shut behind them and started to laugh. Kate laughed as well, as they waited. A few seconds later, the door opened and Dumbledore appeared. He looked a little surprised, and moved in front of them, to one side of the door.
“You clearly wanted to talk,” Harry said. “Let’s make it quick. I’ve got more interesting things to be doing.”
“I’m a thing?” Kate asked teasingly.
“I thought it was a bit crude to say anything else.”
“Harry, what would your parents say?” Dumbledore asked solemnly.
“Hmm,” Harry said, putting a finger on his cheek. “Mum would probably spend a week telling me off afterwards, and then make sure that I knew every contraceptive charm known to man. Dad would stand behind her, a stern look on his face, as he nodded his agreement with every statement. Then, when ever Mum wasn’t looking, Dad would wink at me, or give me a thumbs up.
“Afterward, Mum would want to meet Kate, and would be blown away by how intelligent she is, how pretty she is, and how charming she is. We’d go out, the four of us, a few times, and Mum would realise that Kate isn’t a gold digger, that her job pays more than enough, and that she just likes me, and she’d give her blessing, and spend an evening crying because her little boy had grown up and found a remarkable woman.
“Dad would sit me down and have a long chat with me about being a man, and acting responsibly, and I’d explain that I’m still young, that the future is far away, but that for now, Kate is the best thing that had happened to me, that she’d taught me to grow up, to act like an adult, to have confidence in myself and in everything I do, and that this confidence was the basis of my recent grades improvement, my better performances in class, and me finding friends that I can just relax with.
“And afterward, Dad would hug me, and we’d get Mum and sit on the floor and eat ice cream, while we tell each other stories, stories we’d all heard a thousand times before, but we’d listen because the stories weren’t important, what was important was just being together, and that maybe we recognised that the next time we did it, I might have Kate next to me, as Mum and Dad competed to see who could tell her the most embarrassing story of me, and Mum would get out the baby photos, and Kate would laugh and giggle as she watched me crawl on a mat, wearing only a hat.
“And the next morning, Mum would be up early, cooking breakfast, while Dad slept in, and she’d check, just one more time, that I was happy, and tell me that was the only thing that mattered to her in the end, and that I had the right to make my own mistakes, that they wanted to protect me, but they could see that I was growing up, and that all I needed to remember was that they loved me, and that they would always be there for me, I’d walk over to Mum and hug her, and realise for the first time that I was taller than her now, and that things would never be the same between us again, they would be better, because now we were friends, not just mother and son.”
Harry closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the tears run down his face. He opened his eyes, the doors to the Great Hall had opened, Gabrielle, Hermione, and Melissa stood to the fore, tears running down their faces, his other friends behind them.
He reached out and took Kate’s hand. He took a deep breath, part of him wanted to say more, but he’d said enough. He slowly pulled Kate next to him, walking out of the school and into the cold night.
Kate was silent as they approached Hogsmeade, “Follow me,” she whispered, and Apparated. He Apparated with her, and they arrived in a large bedroom. She pulled away from him, and when she returned, she was wearing a dressing gown. She sat on the bed, sitting on one leg.
He pulled his robes off, and leaned back against the headboard.
“You think about them a lot?” It was a question and a statement.
“Nearly every day,” he replied. “I’ve dreamed about them every night in one way or another.”
“How much of that was true?”
He looked at her. “A lot of it, it could be all, but that’s not what we want. You are everything I said you are, but that scene isn’t you.”
“Harry?” Kate whispered.
“Kate?”
“Just for tonight, can we pretend?”
He smiled. “I’d like that.”
Harry walked back to the Hogwarts the next morning, alone. He’d talked to Kate at length this morning, and they were going to change their relationship, to one of friends only. He wasn’t going to hire her anymore, but they were going to spend time together, she didn’t have many friends.
He suspected that Kate had as many issues as he did, and that together they wouldn’t work.
It had still been the best Christmas day of his life by such a huge margin that he couldn’t compare it to any other day.
He wasn’t hurrying, he had no where to be, and was just enjoying the crisp morning air. It seemed almost surreal, with the thick snow painting Hogwarts a glorious white that sparkled in the weak winter sun.
The doors to Hogwarts opened for him, and he headed toward his friends. Hermione half turned as he walked up silently, and she smiled at him, before she stood and hugged him tightly.
Gabrielle was next, followed by Melissa, before they pulled him into the group.
Christophe and Adrienne were smiling at him, Crusher, Smasher, Nasher and Thrasher all nodded at him solemnly, Lisa smiled. Cedric nodded as Cho smiled at him. Viktor reached up and patted his back.
Fred and George both offered him identical grins, as they held the hands of Alicia and Angelina.
He sat down, between Hermione and Melissa; Gabrielle sat in his lap, and he kissed her hair.
No one said anything for a few minutes, but it was a comfortable silence, one of friendship.
“You learnt our lessons well, kiddo,” Melissa eventually said. “You didn’t lose your temper, you didn’t give in to childish sarcasm, or petty accusations; you just spoke from the heart.”
Harry smiled at her silently.
“Where’s Kate?” Hermione asked.
“Kate is everything I said last night,” he replied quietly, “but she isn’t the girl in my dreams. We talked this morning; we’re just going to be friends.”
“I’m sorry,” Hermione whispered.
Harry shrugged. “I’ll miss her, but I still have her friendship, and that’s the most important thing.” He took a deep breath. “How was Dumbledore?”
Everyone looked at each other, before Hermione sighed softly. “You destroyed him, Harry. Everyone who listened could feel everything you were saying, we could see it almost viscerally, we could feel how much you cared, how much the picture you painted meant to you.
“And we could feel this deep loss from you, this immense feeling of sadness for events that will never pass, for things that can’t happen, and I think we all realised just how much you have lost.
“Professor Dumbledore seemed to realise that more than anyone. I think he was praying for you to say something childish, for you to say anything that he could focus on, rather than your pain and anguish, but you didn’t give him that, and he had to focus on what you had lost.
“He didn’t move for a few minutes, before he slowly walked away, his head bowed.”
Harry nodded slowly. He lifted Gabrielle up and placed her in Melissa’s lap. “I’m going to go and talk to him.” He paused, and then smiled, “and afterward, we’ll all go flying and have a picnic on the pitch, and just have some fun.”
Wide grins met his suggestion, as he turned. He paused, and shot a cheeky grin at them, not wanting this melancholy mood to continue. “Do you think I could get away with inviting Professor Sinistra?”
He walked away from the laughter and comments, and up to Dumbledore’s office. The guardian moved out of his way before he got there, and the door opened up the stairs.
He sat down opposite Dumbledore, who hadn’t changed from the night before. Fawkes looked at Harry, before flying over and nuzzling his face against Harry’s neck. Harry lightly petted the Phoenix, before Fawkes gave off a light trill, and flew back to his perch.
“Do you know what I realised last night, Harry?” Dumbledore asked softly.
“No,” Harry replied.
“That you are a boy named Harry. A boy who has lost his parents. A boy who was raised by people who hate him for what he is. A boy who is fast becoming a man to be proud off. You are not my plaything, you are not a chess piece to be sacrificed on the altar of a greater good, that you have the right to become what ever you choose to become.”
Harry nodded silently.
“Where you decide to live this summer, we will put wards up. You are welcome at Sirius’s place, at the Weasleys, although I understand that might be awkward now, and you are welcome to stay at Hogwarts. You will never see the Dursley’s again, nor be forced to anywhere you do not want to go.”
“Thank you,” Harry said softly.
Dumbledore looked up. “Is it too late for us to have a relationship?”
“I don’t know,” Harry replied. “It might be nice.”
“Yes,” Dumbledore agreed.
“I don’t blame you,” Harry said, as he stood. “That would be futile, and while I would give everything I have to see them, I know that’s gone. I can’t live in the past, I can only live in the present.”
“Harry,” Dumbledore called as he approached the door.
He turned and looked at the old wizard.
“Are you going to use the Dilator on extreme any more?”
Harry shook his head. “No, I am done. Hogwarts told me not to.”
Dumbledore nodded. “One more question. How did you not go insane?”
Harry smiled. “Who said I didn’t?”