One of A Kind

Chapter 10: Christmas Surprises

Harry and Hermione told Ron about their plan that night in the common room.

“But, can you do it?” he asked.

“Ron, think about it. We have the smartest witch in school helping us,” Harry answered, smiling at Hermione. She blushed.

“Honestly, you two are just as smart as I am. And it will take all three of us to do this. The spell is very powerful.”

Harry turned very serious. “I don’t care what it takes. This is perfect. And she deserves it.”

~*~

            So, for the remainder of that week, they worked. They took advantage of any times in which the common room was empty. At lunch they could all be found sitting in front of the fire, books spread around them. Harry had arranged for Dobby to bring them food from the kitchens. They researched more on the spell so as to avoid any mistakes.

            It was exactly two fifteen Christmas morning when they performed the last step. To an observer, it would look like a Muggle seance. They were seated in a circle, their hands joined.

“Pollicitus protego,” they chanted simultaneously. Their voices no longer held individual tones, but were melded together.

“Infinitas,” they said as one.

The smoke lifted. Their eyes shot open. A glowing purple orb was floating in the center of the circle. Ron and Hermione glanced at Harry. He rose to his feet and moved toward the orb, kneeling in front of it. The orb expanded and surrounded him. A few seconds later, it flashed brightly before blinking out. Harry’s vision went black.

He awoke to Hermione’s gentle prodding. He sat up slowly. “Wha– What happened?”

“You passed out,”Ron said.

“Harry, did it work?” Hermione asked.

He was prepared to say that it had been a failure when he felt a new weight on his neck. Hermione’s eyes widened. He reached down and lifted a chain from around his neck. Hanging on it was a purple crystal.

“I suppose it did."

~*~

            Ginny stumbled into the common room early the next morning to find the three of them asleep in front of the fire. She sat down beside Harry, watching the gentle rise and fall of his chest. After a moment of observing him, she reached up to remove his glasses. As her finger brushed his cheek, he stirred. She drew back quickly, but he was already awake. He smiled up at her sleepily.

“Happy Christmas, Gin,” he murmured.

“Happy Christmas Harry,” she said, kissing him on the cheek.

It wasn’t long before Ron and Hermione woke up.

“Alright then, shall we get to gifts?” Ginny asked merrily. Ron threw her a look that said, What are you on?

“What? I had some coffee,” she explained.

“Mmm hmm. Exactly how many cups was that?”

She rolled her eyes. “Do you want gifts or not?”

“Gifts? Did you say gifts?” The three of them looked up to find Fred and George grinning down at them, their red hair tousled.

“Yes, sister of mine,”Fred said. “What glorious gift shall we be getting from you?”

“Nothing,” she said. “I haven’t forgotten the stunt you two played on me.”

They gave her hurt looks. “Honestly, Ginny,” George said. “We were doing our bit to help you.”

“Exactly,” Fred chimed in. “You said you wanted a new hair color.”

“I did not mean blue,” she said calmly.

George sighed. “Women are so fickle.”

A few minutes later, they were gathered in a circle, each tearing into their gifts. Not that she was going to complain, but Ginny could not see a gift from Harry. She had gotten him a moving Quidditch play book. Fred and George had feigned surprise when they discovered that she had, in fact, gotten them gifts. A book called Recipes For Mischief, because she knew they were planning to open their own joke shop soon. Their gift to her appeared to be an innocent book about Animagi, but she was weary of opening it until Hermione searched it for hexes. She finished opening her gifts and began to leave for her dorm, but Harry caught her arm.

“You didn’t think I had forgotten you, did you?” he said.

She didn’t respond, because that was exactly what had been going through her mind.

“Wait right here,” he said, then took off in the direction of the boy’s dormitory.

She sighed and sat back down. A minute later, he returned, holding a small box. He placed it in her hand, glancing at her uncertainly. She opened it and her eyes widened. Inside was a thin silver chain that held a triangular crystal made up of every shade of purple. She slipped it over her head. Immediately, she felt as if she were floating. Warmth was coursing through her veins. She felt as though someone else was there, as well. Their presence was soothing.

 

In a whoosh of air, she came crashing back down to earth. Her mind was clear, but she still felt another presence. The crystal was hot to the touch.

 Hi, love.

She nearly jumped. That voice, that was Harry’s! He smiled knowingly at her.

What the–

It’s a spell.

A telepathy spell?!

Well, not exactly. It’s part of a protection spell. I’m connected to you now.

Oh, like you weren’t already?

Well, more so. Now I can speak to you like this.

How did you do it?

He glanced at Hermione.

“Hey Harry, you didn’t give our sister anything radioactive, did you?” George asked.

“Huh?”

George pointed at Ginny. The stone was glowing brightly.

Oh, that’s its power being used.

This is going to take some getting used to.

~*~

 

They received a pleasant surprise at the feast that afternoon. As they neared the table,

Harry caught a glimpse of familiar beetle black eyes.

“Hagrid!” he exclaimed, dropping Ginny’s hand and rushing over to Hagrid.

He could have taken me with him, she thought, resenting the bitterness she felt.

In an instant, he was by her side, tugging at her hand. She looked up at him in shock and then realized she was wearing the necklace.

You heard me?

Yeah.

I’m sorry, Harry. I didn’t mean to sound bitter.

Gin, it’s okay. Now come on, I want to show you off.

She allowed herself to be pulled to the front table, where Hagrid greeted her heartily.

“‘Ello, Ginny!” he said, grinning madly.

“Hullo, Hagrid. It’s been a long time,” she replied.

He nodded. “Been away. Business for Dumbledore.” He glanced at the Headmaster. “Great man, he is.”

Ginny nodded her agreement, then sat down beside Harry. His green eyes were twinkling, he was smiling widely. Her heart wrenched. He deserved this happiness. He didn’t get enough of it. He squeezed her hand and brought her out of her reverie. Happy Christmas, Harry.