Happily Ever After?

Forever

When the Ministry officials finally were ready to leave, Fudge still reassuring Sirius that they were forever indebted to him, they started to open the front door.

"WAIT!" Narcissa cried. "Wait, no, stop - "

But it was too late.

"AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!" Lily screamed. "ATTACK OF THE PESKY REPORTERS!"

"Run for your life!!!!!!!!" James said, and they all did just that as three hundred reporters chased after them.

"They're getting away!"

"Stop them!"

"We have some questions for you!"

"Run faster!" Harry cried, glancing behind him. The reporters were gaining. Harry grabbed the nearest person, who, by mere coincidence, of course, was Hermione, and slammed them into a room. "Oh my, God," Harry panted as he leaned against the wall. "That - was - close."

"You're telling me," Hermione panted. There was silence for a moment. Harry pressed his ear against the door.

"We should wait a few minutes," Harry muttered under his breath. "Make sure they're gone..."

Hermione sighed and got up. "Well, since we're stuck in here... how's Bob?"

Harry cleared his throat. "Oh, uh, Bob - he's - well, he's still a bit nervous. He hasn't really found time to write a note yet."

"Oh come on, Harry, just tell me who he is."

"Would you believe me if I said it was Snape?"

"No."

"Well... I don't think he would like it."

"Well, at least tell me who the girl is."

"Ummm..." Harry said, twiddling his thumbs. "You?"

"Me?" Hermione exclaimed. "No - I think you're got it wrong - oh, forget it, you weren't serious, were you?"

"Well, actually I was," Harry said. "And Bob really, really likes you, Hermione."

"How do you know?"

"Well, ah, because he told me."

"Oh," Hermione said weakly. "Ok." There was silence for a minute. "Harry, can't you please tell me? Please?"

Harry looked nervous. Well, now's a good a time as any, he thought. "Promise you won't tell?"

"I swear."

"Bob - Bob is - well, you see - MioneIBob," Harry said as quickly as he could.

"What?" Hermione said. "When I said tell me, I kind of meant, tell me so I can understand you."

Harry took a deep breath and looked her in the eye. God, this is awful... it can't be him, it can't be him...

"Can't be who?" Harry asked, despite himself. "Can't be who?"

Hermione looked confused. "How did you - Harry!" she exclaimed. "You're a - you can - but how - "

"SHHHH!!!!!!" Harry said. "Yes, I am, I would have told you but, given circumstances... okay, forget what I just said, I don't want to know who... oh Hermione, who do you want Bob to be?"

Hermione looked down. "Promise not to laugh?"

"Promise."

"You," Hermione whispered. Teary-eyed, she turned around and sat in a chair by the window. She stared out of it, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Harry blinked. It took a moment for what she said to sink in. "Hermione?" he choked. Hermione didn't respond. "Look at me." Slowly, Hermione turned and looked into his eyes. "Say - say that again," he said, trembling.

"Harry, I love you," Hermione whispered. She turned away again quickly.

"Her - Hermione," Harry said, sitting down next to her. "I - I - Bob is - I - I love you too, Hermione."

Hermione looked up at him. "Then you were Bob all the time?"

"Yea," Harry said, looking down. "I - I didn't want to trick you but - I needed advice and - "

Hermione hugged him. "Harry... you - me - I don't believe it..."

"Neither do I," Harry whispered. Gently, softly, he kissed her.

Harry had never felt anything so wonderful in his life. The feel of her lips on his... what he'd dreamed about for weeks... it was... there were no words to describe it. It was breathtaking.

"But Harry," Hermione whispered as they broke apart. "What about Cho? Was she girl two?"

Harry snorted. "Heck no! She has nothing to do with this!"

"Then who...?"

Harry calmed down a little. "Someone..." Harry muttered. "Someone who, even if I don't love her, is still beautiful, and she's still wonderful, but not as wonderful as you, Hermione, but she's - oh never mind," Harry shook his head "You were right, Hermione, I guess I can't trust her, but still..." Harry sighed. "After all that we'd been through... it was only a day, true, but... I thought that maybe - forget it." Harry's hand, which had been moving towards a lump in his pocket, froze. "You wouldn't know her anyway."

"But what's her name?"

"Her name?" Harry asked. "Her name... Laura. No, she's not in our year, she's not even at Hogwarts anymore, she's a grown woman who's probably married with kids, and maybe I am crazy, but I was out of it a few weeks ago, and I thought maybe..." Harry trailed off.

"Ummm..."

"I met her twenty years ago," Harry sighed. "There - there was a ball and Moony threatened to kill me if I didn't ask someone, and there she was, God, Hermione, she looked just like you, she was smart, she was beautiful, and she even acted like you. But... it just wasn't meant to be." Harry sighed again. "But that doesn't matter now because Hermione, I love you and no one else."

Hermione smiled at him. "I love you so much, Harry."

"I kn - " Harry began, but he was cut off.

Harry! Harry? HARRY!

"DRACO!!!" Harry said angrily. "Pass the walnuts..." What do you want, Boa?

Oh, Harry, are you all right?

Yes, Mum, Harry groaned.

Beaky, where the heck are you? Is Hermione there?

In some room, and yes, Hermione's here. Harry grinned stupidly.

"Harry?" Hermione asked, waving her hand in front of his face. "Hello?"

"Hermione... oh Merlin... okay, to make a long story short, Draco, Lily, and I have this telepath thing, and, uh, they're kind of getting worried about us, so..."

"Telepath thing?"

"Come on, Hermione, you're smart... Draco is a Bade, Lily's a mind reader, and I'm both. There's a... vibe between us."

"Vibe?" Hermione asked

"Vibe," said Harry firmly

"Okay..."

"Right, so, which means we'd - better go."

"Yea..." Hermione gave him a peck on the cheek. "Let's go."

HARRY! Are you there?

Yes, I'm here, where are YOU?

We're in the kitchen, Harry - the reporters gave up and left, we think. They're probably still trying to find their way out.

Okay. Hold on - for once, maybe I won't get lost!

We can only hope. Hope that you get lost, that is.

Walnuts to you too, Draco. (A/N: Thanks, icey_dreams)

So, ah, Harry, you and Mione... comfortable up there?

Boa, if you value you life... you know, I believe we've been through this before, numerous times, actually. Do I actually have to finish this sentence?

Yes, you do.

Fine. Yes, Draco, we are comfortable of here, and Bob has found his girl.

There was silence. Harry, what the -

Explain when we get there!

"Come on," Harry said, taking Hermione's hand. "That should keep them quiet for a minute or two. To the kitchen?"

"To the kitchen," Hermione said.

"Great, now I feel like... like Dorothy," Harry said under his breath as they walked briskly out of the room and towards the kitchen.

"Dorothy?" Hermione asked, amused.

"Well, yea, you know, the Wizard of Oz?"

"Yes... where is this going, Harry?"

"Well, you know when they're on that road thing? Well, they go, 'To Oz?' 'To Oz!' And then they burst into that cute little song."

"We're off to see the wizards..."

"The wonderful wizards in the kitchen..."

"We hear they are worrying about us if ever a few worrywarts there was..."

"If ever however a lot of worrywarts there was..."

"The Worrywarts of the Kitchen are ones because..."

"Because, because, because, because, because..." Harry and Hermione sang together.

"Because of all the worrying they does!" Harry chimed in.

"We're off to see the wizards..."

"THE WONDERFUL WORRYWART WIZARDS OF THE KITCHEN!!!!!" they ended together, skipping merrily along in their own little demented world, until they looked up and found the wizards of the kitchen - excuse the bad wisecrack - staring at the pair of them.

"Umm... please don't ask," Harry said. "It would be most appreciated."

"Yea... let's start this over again. Hi, how are you?" Hermione said, smiling cheerfully.

"Harry..." Draco said, coming forward and studying him carefully. "Are you feeling okay?"

"Why I'm feeling quite dandy, Draco, how are you?" Harry said, emphasizing certain words for no apparent reason.

"It's you I'm worried about, Harry," Draco said, shaking his head.

"Oh, and why would you worry about Harry, Draco?" Hermione said, also emphasizing certain words for no apparent reason.

"Hey, I'm questioning your mental stability too, Granger, but I'll get to you in a minute, so you just chill."

"Harry... why are you singing to the theme of the Wizard of Oz?" Lily asked. "Not that it... freaked me out or anything..."

"Oh... well... you see... forget it," Harry sighed. "Just - forget it..."

"Somehow, I think that won't be as easy as it sounds..." Remus said.

"Why's that, Moony?" Sirius asked cheerfully. "Haven't you ever seen two insane teenagers sing insane Muggle theme songs before?"

"Well... let's just say it's not an everyday experience, Padfoot."

"Of course not. After all, it only happens on Thursday the 13^th."

"Sirius..." James said. "It's the 21^st. It's a Sunday."

"So?"

"You're right. I guess with you, you don't need an excuse."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Forget it, Sirius."

"Forget what, James?"

"He's hopeless," James declared, throwing up his hands. "Completely and utterly hopeless."

"Well, now that we've settled that," Lily said. "What's about someone named Bob...?"

"Oh... ah... Hermione, please don't glare at me like that... OUCH!" Harry said as Hermione slapped him.

"Honestly, Harry, I expected you to kiss and tell, but it hasn't even been ten minutes yet!"

"Who said that?" Harry said threateningly. "Who said I'd kiss and tell? Was it you?" Harry poked Draco ominously.

"Well, now you're sounding like the Wicked Witch," Hermione pointed out.

"Ugh, worse than Dorothy, although I must say, aren't these guys a bit too tall to be Munchkins?"

"Hmm... a simple Shrinking Solution would work..."

"Do we want to know?" Arabella asked Lily.

"No, and besides, all the Munchkins are chubby," Lily said. "Although... a Chubbening Charm might suffice..."

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking, Hermione?" Harry said, grinning a bit.

"Spike their pumpkin juice?"

"Bingo."

"Umm... should we be afraid now?" Narcissa said, edging behind Sirius.

"Yes, I believe so," said Patricia, trying to hide herself behind Remus.

Harry and Hermione exchanged evil glances. "Well... now that the evil reporters are gone, you won't be needing us, right? Right... well, we'll be off now," Harry said, dragging Hermione away.

"Draco, you coming?" Hermione asked, glancing back. Deciding that she didn't actually want him to think he had a choice, she grabbed him too and Harry ended up pulling all of them up to his room and barricading them inside.

"Harry? Hermione? You're scaring me. Can I go?" Draco said pleadingly.

"No," Harry and Hermione said together.

"No, because we are this close to the first prank of the second generation of Marauders - oh wait, this is bad, isn't it?" Harry said in realization.

"What's bad? Why? And does it have to do with ten-pound bowling balls?" Hermione asked worriedly.

"No..." Draco said. "Harry, what the hell -?"

"Draikikins," Harry pleaded. "Please... come on, Hermione is... well... this is me. This is her. Mwah," Harry said, pushing two of his fingers together. "And if we tell her and she doesn't like it, well, the Unforgivables are always a good back-up plan, right?"

Draco looked uncomfortable. "Harry, I - I don't know..."

"Draco, with all seriousness, do you not know who you're talking to? The guy who dumped Laura because of the whole chessboard incident? Do you remember that, Draco, because I do!"

Draco looked at him strangely. "Harry, that's what I'm afraid of. If you two are... mwah-ing," Draco looked horrified at the very thought of saying that word, "then, well, I don't want to end up like Remus. You remember that too, don't you?"

"Well... yes, but, it - those were special circumstances."

"I am locked in a room with two mentally unstable people. You will not let me out. Oh, sorry, I didn't realize this was perfectly normal."

"Draco, she will," Harry said. "And if she doesn't... that's what Memory Charms are for, right?" Draco didn't look convinced. "But... well, it's you, not me, and Draco, you know I'm behind you anywhere and everywhere. I wouldn't force you anywhere, you know."

"Yea, I know," Draco said, smiling slightly. "Well, two things; one, it's about time, you two, and two, just as long as Harry agrees not to kill Hermione, oh, and to never call me Draikikins again." Draco ribbed Harry. "Hint, hint."

"Party pooper," Harry muttered, but them he turned serious. He reached into his pocket and pulled something out, fingering it. He only let Draco see a flash of light before shoving it in his pocket again. "You're sure?"

Draco nodded. Hermione looked at them. "Are you out of your little world now?" she asked lazily.

"Yea..." Draco said, glancing at Harry. "And, Hermione, there's... there's something I want to tell you..."

"What is it?" Hermione asked, looking at him strangely. Draco gulped.

You don't have to.

Don't have to what?

Mum, I'll explain later, but really, Draco, you don't have to.

Draco looked at Harry and smiled. "I know I don't have to, but... well, you're right."

Harry shrugged. "If it's what you want."

"It is," Draco assured him.

"Out of your little world again?" Hermione asked again.

"Yea," Harry said.

"For good this time," Draco added.

"So... what did you want to tell me?" Hermione said, sitting on the bed.

"Umm... I... I... you see, I'm a..." Draco stuttered. Harry shook his head. "I'm... You've heard of the Retanytullibibius Charm, right?"

Hermione's brow furrowed, but she said, "Yes, of course. It was a variation of the spell used on the first werewolf. Actually, in 1633 - "

"Yea, well, you know that there are no records of a - a lycantort?" Draco swallowed.

"Well, of course," Hermione said. "Imagine that! Wouldn't it be dreadful? Twice a month!"

"Well... the recorders never found out about me," Draco said quietly, looking at the floor. Hermione gasped.

"You don't mean... not - not you..."

"Yes, me," Draco said softly.

"Oh goodness, that's horrid!" Hermione exclaimed. "How awful!"

Draco's shoulders sagged. Harry made him sit down on the armchair. "I - I mean, not that I have a problem with it," Hermione said quickly before even Harry could get a chance to glare at her. "I just mean... that's... how awful," she concluded. "I'm - I'm so sorry, but - how...?"

"My - my father," Draco said, a hint of anger in his voice. "He - he..." Draco sighed. "Forget it."

"I'm so sorry," Hermione said gently.

"It's - it's okay," Draco said. "I've - gotten used to it." Hermione nodded. Harry smiled at her over Draco's shoulder. Hermione smiled back.

"So," Harry said happily, "on to business. Conference!" Harry and Draco both grinned and turned, whispering to each other. When they came out of "conference," they were grinning even wider.

"The vote is unanimous," Harry said. "You, my dear, are in for the best time of your life if you accept what we are about to offer you."

"You are hereby invited to join..."

"The second generation of Marauders."

"If you so choose to accept..."

"You must take oath that..."

"That you will use your knowledge for the common good of all people - "

" - except Slytherins, for which the common bad must be present - "

" - and you must solemnly swear - "

"That you are up to no good!" Harry and Draco finished together. Hermione giggled.

"And if I decline?"

"Why ever would you want to do that?" Harry asked, hurt.

Hermione smiled. "You guys are the best."

"Yea, well, we know," Draco said happily.

"Then you accept?" Harry said, smiling.

"Of course I do, you git!"

"Well... there is one condition... you see... you've got to... go poof," Harry said.

"Go poof?" Hermione said.

"I like you descriptive skills, Harry, but Hermione, I think he means do this." In a moment there was a poof, and the snake that Harry recognized as Boa appeared.

"Show off," Harry mumbled. Draco changed back.

"That's what's up with Beaky and Boa," Draco elaborated.

"I'm a hawk, but you see, there's this one thing... the law isn't that jiggy with it..."

"You want me, Hermione Granger, to become an Animagus, and oh, don't stop there, but an illegal Animagus at that? Is that what you want?"

"Well, what do you say?" Harry said.

Hermione looked thoughtful for a moment. "Sure, why not?"

"Yes!" Harry and Draco said, high-fiving each other. "What animal?" Draco asked.

"Umm... an owl," Hermione said.

"Oh, that's a tough one..." Harry said.

"Tough what?" Hermione asked worriedly.

"Nickname, of course," Draco said offhandedly.

"Beaky? Been done."

"Claws? Yuck."

"Wise? True, yet also genuinely boring."

"Winger?" Draco suggested. Harry sniggered. Hermione looked horrified.

"Winger?" she said faintly.

Draco and Harry both grinned. "Don't feel bad, at least you're not Boa," Draco said, wrinkling his nose.

"And Beaky ain't no piece of pie either," Harry said disgustedly. "You get used to it."

"So," Draco said, "now that all the formalities are done... what are Munchkins?"

Harry and Hermione both exchanged evil grins. "Are you ready for the prank to end all pranks?" Hermione said.

"The world is not ready, Winger," Harry said, rubbing his hands together. "But they will suffer anyway."

When the three young troublemakers left Harry's room, Draco knew what Munchkins were, and they all couldn't wait for lunch to come. "Now," Hermione said under her breath. "The potion will be ready by lunch. When it's done, we cast the Chubbening Charm - I think I know a charm that will make the voice high-pitched, too - and then... then we get the house-elf," Hermione apparently didn't like this part of the plan - " - to spike the pumpkin juice, and we, obviously, aren't thirsty, right?"

"Of course not," Harry grinned.

"So... all we have to do is wait."

At lunchtime, Harry, Hermione, and Draco watched everyone converse quietly while trying not to crack up (and, in most cases, failing) as they watched people gulp down their pumpkin juice.

"Three..." Hermione whispered excitedly. "Two... One..."

There was a loud pop.

"YES!" said the three of them together.

Fat little people who were talking in high-pitched voices surrounded them. They high-fived each other as the Munchkins started to attack them.

"You - cursed - little - brats!" said a Munchkin they recognized as Sirius between trying to slap them. "You - have - ruined - my - reputation!"

"What - reputation?" Draco choked between laughs.

"The one that firmly states that I, Sirius Ian Black, king of all pranksters, shall NEVER, ever, EVER be pranked by any other prankster!!!"

"Guess that stinks for you, huh?" Harry said casually, trying not to laugh.

"Nice one," said a voice in the corner. "But all glory is fleeting, is it not?"

"Mum?" Harry said faintly.

"Oh, uh, howdy, Lily," Draco said, his already white face growing pale. "You see, a while back, we were, uh..."

"Walking down this yellow brick road," Hermione supplied helpfully.

"And then - "

"You know, I would find this cute," Lily said thoughtfully, "if it wasn't so - how do I put it - constant."

"But - but..." Draco started.

"On the other hand," Lily said, "you've outdone Sirius, which in itself is praise."

Munchkin-Sirius roared. "Forget them, get her!" he shouted. Next thing Lily new, she was being bombarded by wave upon wave of Munchkins.

"Argh!" Lily said. "Why, oh why did I say that out loud? I - OUCH! Ara, that was my foo - OW!! SIRIUS!!!!!!"

"Yes, Lily my dear?" Sirius said.

"That was my finger!"

"I realize that, Lily."

"You BIT it!"

"I realize that also, Lily."

"WHY???"

"Because I can have a very bad sense of humor at times."

Lily glared at the three fifteen-year olds. "How long until this wears off?"

"Oh, another few seconds," Hermione said.

"Darn," Harry said as he watched as, with a series of poofs, angry-looking adults appeared.

"Hehe... how you doing?" Draco said weakly, as Hermione, Harry, and him backed away.

Later on, Lily knocked softly on James's bedroom door. "James?" she called.

"Mmmsope," she heard. She translated this to, "It's open," and opened the door. James was lying facedown on his bed.

"James?" Lily said.

"Mmm?" James said, looking up. "You called? Oh, hello, beautiful," he said, smiling. "What's up?"

"The sky," Lily said, sitting next to him and leaning her head on his shoulder. James started to play with her hair the way he always used to do without even realizing what he was doing.

"It's been so long since we were alone," Lily whispered as they watched the fading sunset.

"Fourteen years," James whispered, watching her. "We're alone now, though, Lily, and that's all that matters."

Lily smiled up at him. "I love you so much."

"I love you even more than that," James said. "I do and I always did and I always will. Forever."

"Forever," Lily repeated softly, closing her eyes.

"Forever," James echoed, kissing her forehead. Lily smiled, her eyes still closed.

Lily opened her eyes. "I love you so, so much, James."

James smiled. "I know," he whispered. "I know..." He gazed off into the setting sun.

"Would you have done it?" Lily said suddenly.

"Done what?" James asked, his brow furrowing as he looked at Lily.

"Killed yourself," Lily whispered, her voice trembled. "Right in front of me. Would you have?"

James sighed and closed his eyes. "Yea, Lily, I would have. For you? Any day of the week."

Lily felt her eyes water. "Why?"

"Because I love you," he said softly. "Because I love you so much that I would die for you without thinking twice about it. So much that my heart broke into a million pieces to see you with Malfoy. Not because it meant you weren't with me, but because I knew that deep down, in the depths of your soul, you hated it, whether you were aware of that or not." James let out a breath. "Lily, please stop crying. Please."

"Never," she said, wiping away her tears, "ever, ever, ever do that again. Ever. I want you to be with me all the time."

"Forever?"

"Forever."

Say that you'll stay

Forever this way.

Forever and forever,

That we'll never have to change.

Oh, don't move, don't breathe,

Don't change, don't leave,

And promise me, say you'll stay...

Oh we'll stay...

This way.

Jewel- This Way

Meanwhile, Hermione was in her own room by herself, watching that same sunset. She closed her curtains and checked to make sure that there were no sounds of waking people. When she was finally sure that everyone was asleep, she broke down on her bed and started to cry. She breathed deeply and just let it all out. She cried and she cried and she cried. She cried for her non-existent parents, she cried for Draco because he was a lycantort, she cried for Harry because she loved him, she cried for everyone she knew, but most of all, she cried for herself because she was so ugly and fat and everyone had forsaken her except Draco and Harry, and she didn't deserve them because she was ugly and she was a girl and they were boys and life just wasn't fair. She couldn't trust Lily because she lied to her, and basically the rest of the world because everyone loved Lily so much and they hated her and just didn't even care that her parents were dead, they only cared about Lily because she was beautiful and smart and funny and she wasn't any of that, she was just plain old, ugly, fat Hermione with her stupid hair and stupid clothes. She couldn't trust Ron because he was such a bastard and didn't really care about her, and she wasn't even ready to tell anyone, even Harry, what he had done to her in secret and why oh why was life so difficult? And maybe she was stupid for trusting even Harry and Draco with her feelings after she had trusted people with her feelings and then having them betray her, but there had to be someone else in the world who loved her, right? Didn't someone in this world have to love her? She let out a choked sob and buried her face in her blanket. When she finally tried to stop crying, she put an extra-strong Cheering Charm on herself like she did every night and snuggled down into bed.

And in the next room, a horror-stricken Harry listened.

"Harry."

"Mmm."

"Harry."

"Mmm mmm..."

"HARRY!"

"WHAT?" Harry cried, sitting up. Draco was there and looking very annoyed.

"Glad to see you've decided to wake up."

"I didn't decide. You made me."

"Did I really? I don't recall doing anything of the sort."

"Shut up," Harry groaned. "What time is it?"

"Breakfast time," Hermione chimed, peeking into the room. "Come on, Harry, get up!" Harry squinted; Hermione seemed a lot cheerier than she had been last night... it had probably just been a dream...

Harry moaned, sat up, and, being in his lazy early-morning mode, snapped his fingers and was dressed. "I'm coming, I'm coming..." he mumbled.

"Harry, you're not supposed to do magic out of school," Hermione scolded.

"I don't care," Harry said clearly, standing up. "Let's just go eat so I can go back to sleep."

"Will do," Draco said cheerfully. They walked out of Harry's room to find Remus and Arabella waiting for them.

"About time," Arabella said, sounding annoyed.

"Been waiting," Remus mumbled.

"Well," Draco said, "I don't want to point fingers or anything... but it was all Harry's fault."

Harry groaned. "Mmm... whatever..." he said. "Let's just go eat..."

Hermione kissed Harry on the cheek. "Harry, are you really awake or are we just figments of your daydream?"

"I have no idea," Harry said thoughtfully. "Perhaps you are. Or perhaps you're Death Eaters in disguise. Nah, that can't be it. Even a Death Eater in disguise couldn't be as pretty as you." Harry kissed her softly. "I think I'm awake now."

"Yuck," Arabella said. "I didn't need to see that."

"Grow up, Arabella," Remus yawned. "You're supposed to be more mature than me around the clock, considering you're about, oh, twenty years older than me, but I guess you can't have everything."

"What was that supposed to mean?"

"If you don't know I'm not going to tell you."

"So much for mature."

"So much for patience."

"Shut up," Harry said groggily. They started to walk, Remus and Arabella still bickering, when they ran into the others; that is, James, Lily, Narcissa, Patricia, and Sirius.

"Morning," said Narcissa cheerfully. "How are you lot this morning?"

"Just dandy, thank you," Draco replied. "Although I can't speak for them..." he gestured at Remus and Arabella, who didn't seem to notice everyone staring at them.

"And you'd think that at your age..."

"At my age??? Remus Lupin, are you suggesting that I'm old?"

"Old? You? Oh, of course not. Thought never crossed my mind."

"You - you - you..."

"Me - me - me..."

"You irritate me constantly."

"Oh bugger off, old lady."

"Ooh, you asked for it..."

Arabella's fist had swung back before Sirius caught it.

"Lovely morning, eh?" Sirius said calmly.

"Oh yes, it's beautiful," Arabella said. "But your little friend's face won't be if you let go of me, which I beg you to do." Sirius glanced at Remus, who shook his head, and smiled cheekily.

"'Fraid not, my beauty." He walked her back about five feet and then let go of her hand. It dropped to her side.

"Now, we're going to have a little chat about using your words, lady," Sirius said. He led her ahead a little bit and started talking about God-knows-what. Harry looked at Hermione. She was beaming, but Harry swore that something that looked incredibly like a tearstain was on her cheek. He tried to ignore it, but purposely started to trail behind the rest of them and pulled Hermione back.

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly, so that only she could hear.

"Why would I not be okay, Harry?" she asked.

"Listen, Hermione," he said, growing quieter still, "I was up late last night." Behind Hermione's smiled he could tell she was going pale. "And maybe it was just me, but something was going on in your room that sounded a lot like crying. Are you really okay? Do you want to talk to me about something?"

Hermione's smile faded. "Why were you listening?" she whispered.

"I couldn't help it, Mione," Harry said gently. "You were awful loud..."

"Did anyone else hear?"

"We're the only ones at the end of that wing, so I don't think so..."

Hermione backed away from him a little. "Did you - did you tell anyone?"

"No, Hermione, I wouldn't do that," Harry said truthfully. "Do you think I would?"

"I don't know..." she whispered. "I don't know who to trust..."

"You want to tell me?" Harry said, coming close to her again. "You can trust me." He held out his hand to her. "I swear." Hermione stared at Harry's hand while he held his breath anxiously. Finally she took it.

"Get Draco," she whispered. "I don't want to have to say it twice."

DRACO!

Two angry voices growled in the distance, "HARRY!"

"Sorry, Mum!" Harry called quickly. "Draco, get over here!"

"Over where?" Draco's voice said.

To... Harry looked around. To the statue of this weird guy who has three eyes.

In the blink of an eye Draco stood in front of them. "You rang?" he said, rubbing his head.

"Sorry," Harry said, handing Draco a bottle of aspirin. Draco took a few and handed it back.

"Thanks... I needed that," Draco said.

"Really?"

"Oh yea. I need a piercing screech shouting my name in my head every morning. Keeps me on my toes."

"Oh, I'll keep that in mind."

"Please do. And don't forget the part where my voice is dripping with sarcasm."

"Will do."

"So anyway... why am I here?" Draco asked.

"Come on," Hermione said, pulling them into the nearest room, which, unfortunately, happened to be a bathroom. Hermione locked the door and started pacing around in circles.

"You know," Draco said, trying to lighten up the mood in the place, "if you really have to go that bad, Hermione, it's okay... we can just go... oh, is it that you're constipated? Well, I'm sure Harry will be happy here to give you some moral support, but, as you may know, I'm really not good with that kind of thing, so if you'll excuse me..." Harry slapped him and, in hushed whispers, explained the conversation - if you could call it that - which he had just had with Hermione.

"Oh," Draco said quietly. Hermione stopped pacing and looked at them. They tried to look comforting, but Draco ended up looking like a little kid who had dropped his ice cream on the ground because, as he had pointed out, he was not by nature a sympathetic person.

"Okay," Hermione said, her voice trembling. "I'm going to tell you everything. Do you swear not to tell?" Harry and Draco nodded.

"Marauders' honor," they both said. Hermione took a deep breath.

"Okay. I guess you could say it all started two days ago. Harry, please don't take this personally, but when your mum told me my parents were dead, I hated her. Harry, stop - let me finish, it's worse when I have to start over again. I hated her for lying to me. And I knew I could never trust her again. And then no one seemed to care that my parents were dead - they barely paid attention to me after that. And I knew I couldn't trust anyone after that... no one except you two."

"What about Ron?" Harry asked quietly. Hermione swallowed.

"No. I can't trust Ron. And I've never, ever told anybody this, so listen carefully... Ron... he, well... he abuses me." There were two identical gasps. "Let me finish, please. Thank you. You see, I guess it started over the summer... you remember I went to the Burrow, Harry? Well, Ron finally told me he liked me, and I said I was sorry but I didn't like him back, that I had someone else..." she trailed off, smiling at Harry before turning grave again. "And then he... he changed. Just like that. He started... he was like... oh, it was horrible..."

Flashback

Ron closed his eyes for a moment, but when they opened again, they were wide with fury.

"Who?" he said in a throaty whisper. "Who? It's that Krum, isn't it?"

"No... not Viktor... no..." Hermione said weakly, backing away as Ron advanced on her.

"You - you - you stupid Mudblood!" Ron cried, slapping her on the face. "I give my heart to you when no decent wizard would do so, and you - you just do this to me! You - are such - an idiot!" Hermione held her hand up to her face where Ron had hit her and watched him go wild.

"You Mudblood!" he said again, kicking her in the shins. He shoved her onto the bed, pulled her hair, tore off her shirt and pushed her back onto the floor. He stepped on her back painfully until she almost screamed, and then turned her onto her back again. Hermione, tears almost overflowing out of her eyes, watched him, her so-called best friend, advance on her.

"Next time," he hissed, "be more careful on who you choose."

And he left.

"And - and he would do that every night," Hermione whispered. "It didn't stop after summer. Every night he would come into my room - you know I have one to myself now, since I'm a prefect - and do that to me. Once he even..." Hermione blushed and turned around quickly, embarrassed. "Well, anyway, I can't trust him. Is there anything else you want to know?" She looked back at her two friends apprehensively.

She didn't know who was more furious - Harry or Draco. Harry walked briskly towards her and hugged her. Hermione watched Draco through Harry's arms.

"WEASLEY!" he shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Shut up, Boa!" Harry snapped. Hermione buried her face in Harry's robes.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Harry whispered.

"He - he said if I - if I told anyone - that he'd - that he'd kill me," Hermione whispered. "Harry, I'm not brave like you - I don't want to die, Harry, he'll kill me..."

"Mione..." Harry said quietly. "Relax. No one's going to die."

"Not you, leastways, Winger," Draco said angrily. "Can't promise anything about Weasley, though..."

"No!" Hermione said frantically, pushing Harry away and staring in horror at Draco. "No! He can't know you know... you can't tell anyone, Draco! No one! If you do, he might... I might..." Hermione felt her throat close up.

"But - but..." Draco said, sounding disappointed.

"Boa!" Harry said, giving Draco one of those Looks that shut him up quick.

"Right..." Draco mumbled. He looked up at Hermione and put his arm around her. "There's not anything else, is there?"

Hermione shook her head. "Because you can tell us," Draco said. "I mean it. You can trust us." Hermione could tell that while he said us, he really meant to say me. "We've told you everything."

"And we just want to protect you, Mione," Harry said. Hermione had finally had too much. She buried her head in Draco's robes now while Harry and Draco exchanged glances.

"Herm - Winger, come on," Harry said. "You'll be okay."

"When?" Draco asked suddenly. Hermione furrowed her brow and looked up at him.

"When what?" she asked.

"When was the last time he hurt you?"

Hermione broke down again. "The - the night before you came to my house..."

"Are you still hurt?" Harry asked quickly. Hermione touched her stomach lightly and felt the hurt explode yet again. She made a noise in her throat and nodded weakly. "Can I see it?" Harry said gently. Slowly, Hermione pulled up her blouse, not a lot, but just enough to let Harry see it - a scar it was really, true, but there was a huge bruise around it. Harry closed his eyes and shook his head while Hermione felt Draco shake with rage behind her.

"Draco, let her go, you're going to make it worse," Harry said. Draco let go of Hermione reluctantly, but made her sit down on the toilet seat. Harry held out his hand and touched the scar lightly and Hermione erupted with pain.

"Don't - don't touch it," she wheezed as she felt her insides tighten.

"Hermione, what did he do to you?" Harry asked in shocked terror.

"There was this - this book... it was one of mine, and it was really heavy and..."

"He did WHAT?" Harry and Draco said together. Hermione wheezed.

"Hermione, why didn't you TELL us?" Draco said loudly. "It's a miracle he didn't KILL you!"

Harry, trembling, reached out and touched it again, apparently trying to do something to it, Hermione wasn't sure what, but if it was to try to make her blow up from all the pain, well, she figured he was pretty close. She pushed his hand away quickly.

"It's - it's no use," Harry sighed. "I'm too nervous." He glanced at Draco. "Can you do it?"

"I can try," Draco said. He took a deep breath and kneeled next to Hermione.

"Can I see it again?" he asked quietly.

"What are you going to do to it?" Hermione asked, doubling over.

"I'm going to make it better," Draco said. Hermione shook her head furiously as Draco was about half an inch from touching it. What the hell does he think he's doing? she thought.

"I won't hurt you," he said confidently. "Do you trust me?" Hermione closed her eyes and nodded. She felt the feeling of Draco's cold skin on her bruise. She got ready for the immense pain - but it didn't come. Quite the contrary, the pain slowly drifted away. When she opened her eyes, she felt better than she had in months.

"How did you...?" Hermione whispered. Harry and Draco exchanged glances. She smiled.

"I love you guys," she said, pulling them both into a hug. Harry and Draco smiled.

Harry immediately turned serious again. "I can't hate my mum, you know," he said quietly.

Hermione smiled sadly. "I know."

"Winger - Hermione - she just wanted to help," Draco said softly. "Lily's a good person, she's not like that. She just didn't want you to get hurt."

"Well, that plan worked just smashingly now, didn't it?" Hermione snapped. The door opened.

Lily stood in the doorway, very pale.

Hermione opened her mouth, and then closed it again.

"So that's what you really think, Hermione?" Lily said, trying to make her voice sound calm. She failed. "That I would do that to you? You really thought that I would lie to you just for laughs? Didn't you? Did you?" Lily was silent for a moment. "You're like a daughter to me, Hermione," she whispered. "You're the girl that Harry never came out as." Harry made a gurgling noise that Lily either didn't hear or ignored. "I - I wanted you to be mine. I wanted my own girl, but I couldn't have one."

"Oh, so you had to settle for me instead?" Hermione said angrily. Lily shook her head.

"No. I knew - we knew, your father and I - we know if we told you, it would never be the same. Your father wasn't a bad person, Hermione. I loved him very much. But..." she sighed and glanced at Harry, "I loved James more. And I'm sorry you don't have parents any more, believe me, I know what that feels like, and I'm sorry for everything, and I know you'll probably never forgive me, and I'm sorry for that too." Lily took a deep breath and looked at the three of them.

"They were wondering about you downstairs," she said tonelessly and, without another word, turned to leave.

"Wait," Hermione said weakly. "Don't go yet." Lily turned and stared at her.

"I'm sorry too," Hermione whispered. "For hurting your feelings. You were just trying to help. Forgive me?"

"If you forgive me for lying to you," Lily said. Hermione hugged her. Lily beamed. Harry and Draco smiled again.

"Well..." Draco said. "Is all the mushy gushy stuff over?"

"I guess so, Boa," Hermione laughed, wiping her eyes as she let go of Lily.

"Then can we go eat? I'm starved."

Harry smiled. "Yes, Draco, we can go eat."

"Then let's roll!"

Days passed by slowly as everyone anticipated Christmas. Finally, as the big day dawned, Harry opened his eyes groggily.

"Harry!" Draco pleaded. "Come on! Hurry up! Everyone's waiting! It's Christmas, Harry! And they won't let me open my presents until you get your butt down there, so you'd better get moving!"

Harry sat up. "Happy Christmas to you too, Boa," he said as he rubbed his eyes.

"Oh yea, I forgot that part, didn't I? Happy Christmas, Harry." Draco smiled.

Harry yawned, snapped his fingers, and his robes were on. "Let's go, then," Harry said, still rubbing his eyes.

"They're in the parlor," Draco informed him shortly before Disapparating. Harry sighed and Disapparated also.

The atmosphere was excited. Apparently Patricia had wanted to spend Christmas with her family and Remus, so Padma and Parvati were there too, talking to Hermione. Lily and Narcissa were giggling together. Arabella was talking to James. Sirius stood up.

"Is everyone here?" he said loudly.

"Yes," everyone chorused.

"About time, Harry," Sirius said. Harry yawned in response. Sirius rolled his eyes in response.

"Can we start now?" Draco asked loudly.

"Yes, Draco, we can start now," James said, pushing Sirius aside. "Everyone just give each other presents already! Ignore Sirius!"

Everyone headed to the giant Christmas tree that reached the ceiling. Harry picked up a few of his gifts for other people and walked over to his parents.

"Happy Christmas, Mum and Dad," Harry said happily. He handed them each a present.

"Happy Christmas, Harry," James said, giving him a hug.

"Yes, Happy Christmas," Lily said, giving him a kiss on the cheek. James handed him a present.

"From both of us," he said, smiling at Harry.

"You didn't have to..."

"But we did," Lily said, grinning. Harry sighed and opened the oblong package. He lifted the cover off the box and his jaw dropped.

"That's a Firebolt 3000 Deluxe Edition," he said in awe. He looked down on it with a look of reverence. He ran his finger along the broom's handle and looked up at his parents. He hugged them. "Thank you," he whispered in shock.

"That's fourteen years' worth of Christmas and birthday presents from your mum and me," James smiled. "On one condition. I get a test ride this afternoon."

"Done," Harry said quickly. He smiled. "Open yours," he ushered. Lily unwrapped the tiny box and giggled.

"It matched the ring," Harry grinned. Lily held up the necklace. It said SUFAMS in golden letters.

"Thanks, Harry," she said, smiling at him. "I'll be sure to show Draco." Harry's grin faded a little as he told his father to open his gift.

James removed the paper slowly. He opened the box and pulled out a box of Chocolate Frogs, a box of Fizzing Whizbees, three bags of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, a six-pack of Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, a sample pack of all Honeyduke's different kinds of fudge, and four - strawberry - lollipops. "I didn't know what to get you," Harry admitted with a blush. "But I thought that you might miss it after so long..." He trailed off. James grinned.

"Thanks, Harry. I've been dying for one of these," he said, opening a Chocolate Frog. "I'm still missing Ptolemy... I have all the other cards, they're actually in a Gringotts vault... darn, and I got Merlin again." James grumbled something under his breath as he shoved the card in his pocket, grabbed the Chocolate Frog before it could hop away, and popped it into his mouth.

"He could do that all day," Lily laughed. Harry smiled and James swallowed.

"I love Chocolate Frogs," he said wistfully. Harry laughed.

"Harry! HARRY!" Hermione called.

"I've got to go," Harry said quickly. "Happy Christmas, and thanks again!" Harry grabbed the Firebolt 3000 box and shoved it under the tree as he walked towards Hermione.

"Happy Christmas, Harry," Hermione said, kissing him quickly.

"Happy Christmas, Hermione," Harry smiled, kissing her back. "Here." He handed her a present. Hermione opened it and gasped.

"Oh, Harry, they're beautiful!" she exclaimed. It was a golden necklace with a matching golden ring. They both were engraved with amethyst. Hermione squinted. "Harry, what is SUFAMS supposed to mean?"

Harry smiled. "We never told you about that, did we?" He explained briefly what SUFAMS was and Hermione tutted.

"Harry, that's not nice," said Hermione.

"I know," Harry shrugged. "But... it was just too tempting."

Hermione smiled. "I'll always wear it," she said. She put on the necklace and slipped on the ring. "Happy Christmas, Harry." She kissed him and handed him a parcel.

"Ugh..." Harry struggled with the weight of it. "Hermione, what is it, bricks?"

"You'll see," Hermione smiled. Harry set it down on the floor and opened it. He smiled.

"Five Thousand and One Ways To Prank Your Worst Enemies (and Best Friends)," Harry read. "Wow, Hermione, thanks, I'll be sure to use this often..."

"I know you will," Hermione smiled. "And Draco and I get to help you. Fun, fun."

Harry smiled. "I've got to go, Hermione, I've got about a thousand more presents to deliver... I feel like Santa Claus..."

"See you, Harry," Hermione said. Harry kissed her.

"See you around, Mrs. Claus." Hermione giggled as Harry lugged his presents to the next victims: Sirius and Narcissa. He dropped the book next to his Firebolt 3000 as he headed towards them. He smiled at them when he got nearer to them.

"Happy Christmas, Mr. and Mrs. Black," he said cheerfully. Narcissa beamed.

"Happy Christmas, Harry," Sirius and Narcissa said simultaneously. Harry handed them each a present and they handed him one.

"From both of us," Narcissa said.

Harry shrugged and removed the wrapping. It was the largest bag of Dungbombs Harry had ever seen.

"Since I have no way of stopping you in your evil schemes," Sirius sighed, "the only thing I can do is encourage you. But if you ever turn me into a Munchkin again, I swear, I will have my revenge." Harry smiled.

"These," he said, "will be put to good use. Thanks, Sirius and Narcissa. Open yours."

Narcissa opened her present carefully and Sirius watched her. When he saw what it was, he burst out laughing.

Sitting in the box was a necklace and ring identical to the one he had given Hermione, except this one had rubies on it.

While Harry launched into another brief description of SUFAMS, Sirius opened his present and smiled. "Oh, Harry..." he said. "I don't believe it..."

It was a stack of pictures. Sirius flipped through them. "Harry... these are pictures from Chicken Boy, and our blackmail session, and Pooping Potion..." Sirius wiped away a tear. "These will be most treasured possessions," he informed Harry. "Thank you so much, Harry."

"You're welcome, Sirius," Harry said. "I knew they would be precious to you." Sirius sighed with happiness.

"Happy Christmas," Harry said.

"Happy Christmas," Narcissa said, watching Sirius flip through the pictures.

"Yea, Happy Christmas, Harry," Sirius said. Harry, careful not to tip it over, carried the bag of Dungbombs over to the tree and placed them next to the Firebolt and book. He picked up another few presents and walked over to Arabella.

"Happy Christmas, Arabella," Harry said cheerfully.

"Happy Christmas, Harry," Arabella said. "Here." She handed him a present. Harry handed her hers.

"Wow!" Harry said. "It's a wizard chess board and set! Not to mention the same exact thing I got you," he added as an afterthought as he watched Arabella open her present.

"Great minds think alike, do they not?" Arabella smiled. "This gives me another chance to beat Remus! Oh Reeeeeeeeeemus..." she called. "Happy Christmas, Harry, and thanks!"

"Right back at you!" Harry called. He ran over to Parvati and Padma, throwing the chess set on top of his growing pile of presents.

"Happy Christmas," he panted. Parvati and Padma giggled.

"Happy Christmas, Harry," Parvati said.

"I got you both something," he said. He handed them each a parcel. Parvati and Padma 'ooh'ed over the exclusive first editions of Witch Weekly Harry had gotten for them.

"Oh, we have something for you too, Harry, don't we Parvati?" Padma said.

"Oh yes..." said her twin, pulling out an envelope. "We both pitched in..."

"We hope you like it..."

Harry, puzzled, opened the envelope. It was a very long list of names. "What is this?" Harry asked, scanning through the list. "A list of all the girls at Hogwarts?"

"No," Padma giggled. "It's a list of all the girls who'd love to kiss you. Although they're basically the same thing."

"Just in case complications ever arise with Hermione," Parvati added. "But I doubt that will happen. You were meant for each other. Witch Weekly says so."

"Gee, uh... thanks," Harry said, smiling. "Happy Christmas."

"Happy Christmas," Parvati and Padma said absentmindedly, already absorbed in the magazine. Harry sighed and turned. He threw the parchment on top of his book and headed to Remus and Patricia.

"Happy Christmas," Harry said for about the billionth time. He smiled.

"Happy Christmas, Harry," said Patricia sweetly.

"Happy Christmas - Beaky," Remus grinned.

"Moony," Harry nodded.

Harry handed Remus and Patricia each a present. "You didn't have to..." Patricia smiled.

"But I did," he said. Patricia smiled and handed him a present.

"Remus and I both chipped in at the last minute," she said. "I hope you like it."

"He will," Remus said confidently. "He has to." Patricia laughed and kissed him as Harry removed the wrapping paper. He felt his jaw drop.

"Wow," he whispered.

"Told you," Remus said, smiling.

"You are awesome," said Harry, in a daze. In his hand he held - already prepared - ten vials of the temporary Animagi Potion and fifteen of the Pooping Potion.

"You are awesome," Harry repeated.

"Put them to good use," Remus said. "Show Snape that just because we graduated doesn't mean he's safe."

"I will," Harry said happily. "Go on, open yours."

Remus unwrapped his and was only halfway through when he almost dropped it. "No way," he whispered. "Harry, how did you get these?"

"Bought them," Harry said quietly. "From the three of us. Me, Draco, and Hermione."

"Why?"

"Because," Harry shrugged. "You're our friend."

"Thanks," Remus said quietly. Harry could just make out the words on the jar: Wolfsbane Potion. Take one tablespoon for the two days before the full moon and just before it rises.

"It's enough for six months," Harry said.

"Tell - tell them I said thanks," Remus said. "Thanks."

"Not at all," Harry said quietly. There was silence for a moment. "Open yours, Patricia."

Patricia unwrapped the small box. (Can you possibly guess what it was?) Remus laughed.

"Harry!" he said. "You're still doing that?"

"Yup," Harry smiled.

"What's SUFAMS?" Patricia asked. Remus launched into an explanation and Patricia laughed.

"I gave it to Lily, Narcissa, and Hermione too," Harry smiled. "All the guys already had them. Even Draco," he said, grinning evilly. "Speaking of Draco, I still have to give him his present. Happy Christmas."

"Happy Christmas," Remus and Patricia said. Harry put the potions down and picked up the last present he had to give. He smiled. Draco was going to go ballistic.

Harry walked toward Draco. Draco looked up and grinned at him. He held up a present. Harry smiled. "Happy Christmas, Boa," Harry said. He handed Draco his gift - a small box with a golden bow on it. Draco handed Harry an envelope. They stared at each other for a long time.

"You first," Draco said finally. Harry opened the envelope and his eyes widened. There were twelve tickets to the Quidditch World Cup - top box, of course - for the next summer, which was to be held in America.

"How did you get these?" Harry asked, holding them up to the light, as if determined to find they were fake. "I didn't think they were selling these yet."

"They're not," Draco said.

"How did you get them?" Harry asked.

"Special connections," Draco smiled. "By the way - I'm coming."

"Duh," Harry said. "Oh my gosh - thanks, Boa."

"There's something else in there," Draco persisted. Harry pulled out something that looked like a coupon as he read it, he started to chuckle. Slowly it became laughter. Pretty soon he was laughing so hard that the whole room was watching him. Lily had finally had enough and snatched the parchment form him, determined to find out what was so funny. Then she burst out laughing too. Harry leaned on her to support his weight as he wiped away tears.

"What on EARTH is so funny?" Arabella screamed. Lily handed her the parchment. She started to chuckle too. Pretty soon she, Lily, and Harry were leaning on each other for support as they laughed so hard they almost ran out of breath.

"Draco, did you put a curse on them or something?" Hermione asked. She picked up the parchment and smiled. She read out loud:

"This coupon officially certifies its bearer to a lifetime supply of aspirin."

Harry had finally had enough. He fell to the ground laughing, pounding his fists on the floor. When he finally took a deep breath and stood up, he smiled at Draco.

"Thanks, Boa," he said, still short of breath. "I'll definitely be using that."

Lily and Arabella laughed once more and finally stopped.

"Nice gift, Draco," Arabella said, still smiling.

"Your turn, Boa," Harry said, also smiling.

Draco took the bow off the present, stared at it, and stuck it on Harry's head. Harry was smiling too hard to really care. "Now, promise me you'll use this every day," Harry said as Draco unwrapped the present. When he opened the box, he smiled and chuckled.

"Now don't start that again!" Sirius exclaimed.

But Draco did start to laugh. Not as outrageously as Harry, but it was a deep, booming laugh that filled the hall. Harry joined in. When they finally slowed down, Draco took his new Rolex watch and put it on. Everyone stared.

"What's so funny about a watch?" Lily asked.

"You wouldn't get it," Harry grinned. "Just - don't - ask."

"Thanks, Harry," Draco asked, smiling.

"Wait," Harry said. "I almost forgot..." Harry reached to Draco's neck and yanked something off it. "Happy Christmas, Draco." Draco blinked. He put his hand up to his neck. Suddenly he hugged Harry.

"HARRY!" he said loudly. "I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! I'M FREE! I'M FREE! YES!" Draco started doing a little victory dance. Harry just smiled. He tried very hard not to stop laughing, and his cheeks turned red from holding it in. He doubled over. Finally he had to let it out. He laughed once more and let a thin gold chain fall to the floor.

Suddenly realizing what had happened, James started to laugh too. Soon Sirius and Remus joined in. Lily started to chuckle. Arabella was hysterical. Narcissa, Parvati, Padma, Patricia, and Hermione looked at each other and shrugged. Hermione went up to Harry and picked up the thin gold chain. Then she started to laugh too. Then she showed it to Narcissa, who snorted and passed it to Patricia, who burst out laughing. She dropped it to the floor again as she doubled over with laughter. Parvati and Padma looked at each other, blinked, shrugged, and picked up Witch Weekly again.

And so the golden chain with SUFAMS imprinted on it, that had imprisoned Draco for what seemed like forever, lay on the floor for ten minutes as the rest of the room desperately tried to stop laughing.

Christmas brunch was served at 10:30 (according to the Rolex, that is). Everyone ate heartily, some still chuckling. When brunch was over, everyone split up. Harry, Draco, and Hermione alone remained in the parlor.

"Remus says thanks," Harry said quietly. Hermione and Draco smiled.

"He liked it?" Hermione asked.

"Liked it? He was ecstatic," Harry said.

"That's good," Draco said. "It cost enough."

"It was worth it, though," Hermione said. "Wasn't it, Beaky?"

"I'm not saying it wasn't, Winger," Draco said. "I'm just saying now I'm downright broke. Aspirin ain't cheap, you know."

Harry snorted. "Well, hopefully I won't be needing that much of it, Boa."

"Was that an accusation, Beaky?"

"You know, speaking of that..." Harry said. "Hermione... we need to do some more research on that."

"Oh, I already have," Hermione said. "I found the cutest little library..."

"It never stops," Harry said, throwing up his hands. "It never, ever stops."

"What never stops, Beaky?" Draco asked.

"Hermione's research obsession."

"Ah," Draco said, sitting back. "Say, Beakster, what say we test out that new broom of yours? I could use my Nimbus 2001 and Mione could use your old Firebolt."

"What? Me? I don't do Quidditch," Hermione said firmly. "I watch."

"Well, then, we could round up Sirius, Remus, and James... I wonder if Arabella plays Quidditch? Nah, she's too old..."

"Padma and Parvati do," Hermione said.

"So does Mum, or at least, she could," Harry said. "Patricia and Nar probably wouldn't be that bad, either... You have some spare brooms around here, Draco?"

"Oh, yea, back out by the Quidditch pitch."

"You have an actual QUIDDITCH PITCH?" Harry shouted, jumping up. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Slipped my mind," Draco said honestly. "We've got at least one set of balls out there, too. Come on, let's go. Coming, Winger?"

"Oh, yes," Hermione said. "This should be interesting..."

And indeed it was interesting. The teams were broken up like so; Harry as Seeker, James and Parvati as Chasers, Remus as Beater, and Lily as Keeper on team gold, and Draco as Seeker, Padma and Patricia as Chasers, Sirius as Beater, and Narcissa as Keeper on team silver. Hermione was keeping score and Arabella was playing referee. Interesting, you would agree.

"Let's have a nice clean game!" Arabella said, pacing the ground in front of the players who were mounting their brooms. "Sirius, that means you too!"

"Darn," Sirius muttered.

"Everyone shake hands!" Arabella demanded. Everyone shook hands with their opposite player.

As Harry shook Draco's hand, he said, "Don't think I'll go easy on you."

"Right back at you, Beakster," Draco said. "You're going down."

"No, no, I think you're mistaken. I believe it's you who's going down."

"Nevertheless, I get to try out that broom afterwards."

"Hmm. That seems fair. You should at least get a chance to fly the winning broom."

"Oh, you're going down."

"Right back at you, Boa."

"Mount your brooms!" Arabella demanded. They did so. "Kick off! Hover! Stop!" Arabella released the Snitch, and Harry and Draco watched helplessly as it flew away. Arabella said, "Ready... and... go!" Arabella threw up the Quaffle and released the Bludger. (Since there were only two Beaters, they were playing with one Bludger. It was plastic.) Arabella ran off towards the stands.

James grabbed the Quaffle and started zooming through the air. Sirius sent the Bludger headed straight for him. James ducked it and passed the Quaffle to Parvati, who zoomed towards the opposing goalposts. Narcissa clutched her broom tightly. Sirius was about to send the Bludger her way when she passed the ball quickly to James, who put it through the goal easily.

"Ten points to team gold!" Hermione's magically magnified voice rang.

"Yes!" cried Parvati. James and her high-fived. Sirius sent the Bludger at them in anger, but Remus zoomed in front of it and sent it towards Patricia, who had the Quaffle. She dropped it in surprise, but Padma zoomed underneath her and caught it. Padma chucked it towards the goalposts, but Lily caught it and threw it to James. Suddenly, and quite abruptly, Harry zoomed downwards and Draco, spotting him, followed. Everyone paused and watched them zoom - even James, who had the Quaffle, was still, and Sirius didn't even try to swing the Bludger at him. Everyone was watching the two Seekers.

"They're going to crash!" Lily cried.

"No they aren't!" Narcissa roared.

"It's a Feint!" Sirius shouted suddenly. "Draco! Pull up, pull up! IT'S A FEINT!"

Luckily Draco heard him in time and pulled up. Harry turned and punched the air.

"Nice try, Harry!" Parvati shouted.

"And an excellent Wronski Feint is pulled off by Potter of team gold, but it failed..." Hermione said.

Suddenly the game was going again. Remus took advantage of Sirius's shock to send the Bludger towards him, but he noticed and chucked it at James, who was now moving towards Narcissa again. James passed flawlessly to Parvati, who threw the Quaffle, but it didn't get past Narcissa, who knocked it over to Patricia. She zoomed to the other end of the field, passing to Padma. Padma threw the Quaffle, taking Lily by surprise, and it got past her.

"Ten points to team silver!" Hermione cried. "And it's a great match so far..."

Sirius swung his bat in victory and it connected with the Bludger. Although Remus tried to stop it, it hit Lily, who grimaced and clutched her arm.

"Mum! You okay?" Harry cried.

"Yea..." Lily said. "Yea, I'm fine!"

"FOUL!" cried James and Remus.

"You cannot attack the Keeper unless the Quaffle is within the scoring area!" Arabella shouted. "Shot for team gold!"

Patricia, who had the Quaffle, resignedly passed it to Parvati, who took the free shot.

"Sorry, Lils!" Sirius shouted as Parvati approached the other side's goals.

"It's okay!" Lily called back. Narcissa sat hunched on her broom. Parvati chucked the Quaffle. It zoomed past her.

"Another ten points to team gold!" Hermione cried. "They lead silver twenty-ten!"

"Nice try, Mum!" Draco shouted to Narcissa.

James took the Quaffle again and tried to pass back to Parvati, but Patricia intercepted it. She passed to Padma, who dodged a Bludger and passed to Patricia again just in front of the goalposts. Patricia threw without hesitation. And it flew past Lily again.

"Another ten points to silver!" Hermione yelled. "It's getting to be quite a match, with the score tied twenty-twenty!"

"Yes!" Draco cried. "Keep it up, guys!"

Lily made a face. "Keep trying, Lily!" Remus called as he hit a Bludger at Padma, who had the ball. Sirius soared in front of her and sent it towards her twin.

Parvati dodged the Bludger and punched the Quaffle out of Padma's grasp. James caught it and threw it straight at the far left goalpost. Narcissa caught it and tossed it back to Patricia, who zoomed towards Lily and put it past her easily. Lily gave a frustrated sigh as Hermione shouted, "And ten more points to team silver!"

Patricia had the Quaffle and kept passing it back and forth with Padma as they circled the pitch. Finally Padma put it past Lily again.

"And silver leads gold forty-twenty..."

"TIME OUT!" James called. "TIME OUT!" He signaled to Arabella, who blew the whistle.

"TIME!" Arabella called. Lily tossed her the Quaffle as she floated back down. She soared towards her team, who was huddled on the ground.

"We're behind twenty," Parvati said. "We've got to win. I'm not letting Padma beat me."

"Parvati and I will try to get us ahead," James whispered, "but we need a flawless defense. Moony?"

"They won't know what hit them," Remus said, smiling. "Lily?"

"They won't get another one past me, I swear," Lily said. "Nar would never let me live it down. Harry, it's up to you to catch the Snitch."

"We can't let them get too far ahead, or you could catch it and we'd still lose," James said. "Can you do it?"

Everyone looked at Harry expectantly. He smiled. "Draco won't even get to see the Snitch," he whispered. "We can win this thing. Team?" He put his hand out.

"Team," Parvati said, putting her hand on top of his. Everyone added their hands.

"BREAK!" they all cried. They walked towards the middle with new confidence. The other team walked towards them from the other side of the field. Lily and Narcissa flew to their posts.

"Mount your brooms!" Arabella commanded. "Now up! Hover... and... GO!" Arabella threw the Quaffle up again and backed away as James grabbed it. Sirius had barely even raised his bat to the Bludger when James passed to Parvati. She zoomed towards the goal when Padma almost collided with her. She yelped and threw the ball to James as she swerved out of the way. James hesitated but hurled the Quaffle at Narcissa. Narcissa ducked and the Quaffle went through the goalposts.

"Ten points to gold! They're behind silver by ten!" Hermione called.

Sirius aggressively hit the Bludger at Parvati, who held the Quaffle. She dodged it, but had to drop the ball. Patricia picked it up and threw it uncertainly at Lily. Lily caught it and tossed it back to Parvati.

"And an excellent save is made by the team gold Keeper!" Hermione cried. "Oh, wait... Seeker Draco Malfoy seems to have seen the Snitch!"

Indeed, Draco was zooming toward the ground with a concentrated look, but Harry didn't dive.

"Harry! GO!" Parvati shouted.

"FEINT!" James called. Draco, having been caught, scowled and pulled up. Suddenly Harry saw a glitter of gold about thirty feet above him. He gasped and put on speed. A Bludger flew past him but it missed entirely... he was almost there... the Bludger flew back by him again, but he didn't notice... it was only a few feet in front of him... Draco wouldn't even have time to get to it. He stretched his arm out as the Snitch flew to the right. Harry followed it like a cat follows a mouse. It plummeted down, and Harry followed. Harry could feel Draco behind him now, but he was going to get it... just a little farther...

Suddenly Harry felt the tiny Snitch in his hand. He flew up about ten feet.

"I'VE GOT IT!" he shouted.

"Harry Potter catches the Snitch! Team gold wins 180 to forty!" Hermione shouted.

"YES!" James cried.

"WE WIN!" Parvati screeched. Harry smiled and swooped down to the ground. Everyone followed.

"Nice catch, Harry," Lily said. "I can't believe we won! I haven't played Quidditch in ages..."

"That was so much fun!" Narcissa exclaimed. "Even if you managed to get three past me..." she scowled.

Draco flew next to Harry and got off his broom. Harry smirked at him. "It's not my fault your broom is faster than mine," Draco said. He smiled. "Good game."

"Right back at you," Harry said. They did their secret handshake they had fashioned over the last few days. (A/N: You want to know what it was? Well then, it wouldn't be a very secret handshake now, would it?)

"Nice game, guys," Arabella said. Harry secured the Snitch in her hand and she put it in the trunk. James tossed her the Quaffle, which she put away. "Now... you two," she said, pointing at Sirius and Remus, "go get that stupid Bludger!" Sirius and Remus shook their heads, mounted their brooms, and chased after the Bludger. It took them about twenty minutes just to catch up to it. They approached it hesitantly and it flew away again. Harry had finally had enough. He flew up to them and snatched the bat out of Sirius's hand.

"Give me that!" he said, frustrated. He rocketed over to the Bludger and put it between his free hand and the bat and brought it back down to Arabella.

"If you want to get something done right nowadays," he sighed. "You just have to do it yourself."

Arabella took the Bludger and wrestled it into the box, securing its shackles. She sighed and took the bat Harry was holding. Remus and Sirius shrugged and landed again. Remus tossed his bat to Arabella.

Hermione rushed towards them. "That was great!" she cried.

"You," he said, pointing at Parvati. "You are taking Colin's place." Colin Creevey, who had been on the team for a few months, had quit, and Harry, as Gryffindor captain, had to choose another Chaser.

"And if I don't want to?" Parvati said, crossing her arms and smiling.

"Did I say you had a choice?"

"No."

"Well, you don't."

"Oh." Parvati smiled. "Thanks."

"You are good," Harry said. "Quidditch practice is six to eight every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday."

Parvati grinned. "Okay, I'm hungry," Hermione said. "Can we eat?"

"What time is it?" Sirius said. "I'm starved too."

Draco proudly looked at his watch. "It is seven twenty-six and thirty-three seconds... no... make that thirty six seconds.... Wait... forty seconds... no, forty-five... fifty? Fifty-six? Okay, it's seven twenty-seven now, and - "

"Let's just go eat," Harry said, shaking his head.

"Not yet!" Draco and James cried.

"I get to ride Harry's broom!" Draco shouted.

"Me too!" James said childishly.

"Oh yea," Harry said. "You guys go on. We'll be in soon."

Everyone grumbled a reply and headed in. Harry handed the broom to James.

"Here," he said. "I told Draco he could use it when you're done." James shrugged and hopped on it. As he zoomed off, Draco and Harry headed up to the stands.

"He's good," Draco muttered. "Really good."

"No crap, Sherlock," Harry said, watching him. "He's amazing."

"So now we know where you get it from."

"I'm not that good."

"Yes you are."

"No I'm not."

"How much would you like to bet?"

"Three Knuts."

"That's all?"

"That's all I have."

"Oh. You're on," Draco smiled. "Tonight at dinner we ask everyone if they think you're as good as James. If more than six people say you are, I get three Knuts, and if more than six people say you aren't, you get three Knuts. Ok?"

"Okay," Harry said. "Shake on it."

Harry and Draco did their secret handshake (that will remain secret), and James landed next to them.

"That's amazing," James said, handing it to Draco. "Well, I suppose I'm just judging next to my old Shooting Star, but... here," he said, handing it to Draco.

"Oh, I'll have fun with this," Draco said, taking off. James sat next to Harry.

"So... how's Hermione?" James said, smiling.

"Good," Harry replied innocently. James smiled.

"She kisses good?"

"Yes... where is this going?"

"Nowhere."

"That's what I thought."

James was silent. "Do you still have that letter?"

Harry nodded, suddenly remembering them. They were in his trunk.

"Remember that thing I told you to find?"

"Yes..."

"Forget it. Rip it up. Shred it into a thousand pieces."

"Why?" Harry asked.

"Because... well, don't let me get into that. It's not there. Don't go."

"Okay..." Harry said. Draco landed again.

"Here," he said, thrusting the broom into Harry's hand. "Take it. It messed up my hair." Draco tried helplessly to put his hair back into place. Harry and James burst out laughing.

It had been a very happy Christmas indeed.