Once Upon a December

Dancing bears,
Painted wings,
Things I almost remember,
And a song someone sings
Once upon a December.

Harry took a step back and smiled as he examined his work. The little tree twinkled with thousands of fairy lights, little balls and garland catching the lights and shinning. Hermione smiled at Harry before flicking her wand, making the tiny gold star on top light up. Dean bewitched the nut cracker ornaments to sing and the Gryffindors bounced around to the sound of the carols.

Harry slid an arm around Ginny's waist, holding her close as they watched the tree, watching the snow fall in each ornament. Ginny held up Harry's 'ball world' as Seamus kept calling them and Harry looked down at the merry scene inside, wishing, ever so slightly, that he could join the happy family and black dog.

Someone holds me safe and warm.
Horses prance through a silver storm.
Figures dancing gracefully
Across my memory...

"Harry, no!" Lily yelled, running and picking up her toddler before he unwrapped every present under the tree. "Those are for tomorrow, and for your daddy, come on." She sighed, carrying him into the kitchen and gave him mashed up cookie. "What am I going to do with you sport? You keep trying to open those presents and you know Santa doesn't come to little boys who unwrap things."

Harry babbled happily before slamming his hand down into his cookie mush, sending it flying. Lily laughed and opened her cupboard, pulling out a washcloth...and a small wrapped box. "Well, what have we here." She turned the package over and found her name, grinning.

Far away, long ago,
Glowing dim as an ember,
Things my heart
Used to know,
Things I almost remember

Harry kissed Ginny's cheek before hanging his ornament on the tree, running a finger over the glass as the small black dog nipped at his finger. He was suddenly pulled away from the tree by Seamus who lead him in a lively Irish jig, causing Harry to laugh as he tried not to trip over his feet as he danced.

Ginny laughed and clapped in time to the music, watching the pair before being pulled out to dance by Ron. Red curls flying around her head as she jigged she didn't see Harry behind her and promptly tripped over his foot, laughing as she lay on him before standing and pulling him to his feet, dancing again. Hermione shook her head at Ron's look and got him dancing again before he could interrupt Harry and Ginny, smiling more as she watched Seamus get everyone to their feet.

Someone holds me safe and warm.
Horses prance through a silver storm.
Figures dancing gracefully
Across my memory...

Lily saw her name on the package and grinned, looking at Harry. "Well I'm sure a little peek won't hurt...after all, it's not like you're going to tattle on me right?" she said and Harry laughed, clapping his hands. Lily slid a fingernail under the tape and slowly edged it open, taking care not to rip the wrapping as she opened it.

Setting the paper on the counter she smiled as she ran a finger over the velvet jewelry box before opening it.

"Oh James," she whispered, staring down at the blood stone necklace inside. She hesitantly touched the stone just as the fire in the living room flared, indicating someone coming through. An alarm sounded and Lily jerked her head to the clock, yelping as she saw James's hand spin to home. Shoving the lid back onto the box she grabbed the tape and started wrapping, all the while staring at the kitchen door. She yelped again as she realized she wrapped the paper and her finger to the package and quickly extracted herself, shoving the present back into the cupboard before hurrying over to Harry, wiping his face, humming a Christmas carol.

Far away, long ago,
Glowing dim as an ember,
Things my heart
Used to know,
Things it yearns to remember...

Harry sat in his dorm room, watching his mother's smiling, happy face in his photo album, a small smile on his face as he watched her dance around with his younger self. He smiled more as he watched himself laugh and clap with his mother, well, this mother was clapping, Harry was smacking himself in the face. "Merry Christmas mum," he whispered as Lily Potter started to hum.

And a song
Someone sings
Once upon a December