Christmas Gathering and Conversations

Harry with Jet on his shoulder was walking down the hallway to the great hall when they found none other than Ronald Weasley blocking their path.

"Potter." Ron glared at him.

"Weasley." Harry said in a calm voice as he nodded to him. "Nice jumper." Harry added upon noticing the maroon colored jumper Weasley was wearing, it had a gold 'R' on the chest, no doubt for his name.

"Shut it Potter, your snakes aren't with you today. What's the matter? They go home and leave you alone?" Ron smirked.

"Yes, they went home because they have families that love them, my family is dead, what's your excuse Weasley?" Harry asked, raising an eyebrow. "Did your parents simply not want you?" Harry added with a smirk of his own. Ron's smile quickly disappeared, he reached for his wand but Harry was quicker. He flicked his wrist and his wand came into his hand, he was really glad he had spent some time practicing because it would have been embarrassing if he dropped his wand in front of Weasley, Harry aimed his wand at Ron who paused just before he was able to pull out his wand. "I wouldn't do that if I was you, Weasley." Harry warned him.

"Going to use your dark magic on me?!" Ron spat.

"You do realize that I'm a first year student?" Harry asked in a bored voice. "The most advanced knowledge I know is some spells from second year."

"Maybe but I bet it's only going to be a little bit of time before you start learning dark magic!"

"Look Weasley," Harry rolled his eyes. "I'm highly tempted to hex the snot out of you then drop you outside of a teacher's office, but since it's Christmas, I'm going to be nice this one time and let you go. Shut up, don't talk, don't say anything, just walk away and we can get back to me embarrassing you tomorrow." Ron growled but to his credit he did turn and walk away. Once Harry was sure that Ron was gone he rolled his eyes and continued walking to the hall.

Once Harry got into the great hall he couldn't help but notice that the four long, rectangular tables were replaced with a single large, circle table. Apparently there were so few students that they could afford to have them sat at one table. Harry, seeing no other available seats, walked forwards towards the table.

Nearly every Professor was here - apart from a few like Binns and Snape - along with Professor Dumbledore and the few remaining students, which included the Weasley brothers, the four glared at Harry as he sat down. Harry simply winked at them before sitting down.

He found himself sat in-between Professor McGonagall, who gave him a small nod, and Professor Babbling who smiled at him.

"Hello Mr Potter, merry Christmas." Professor Babbling said.

"Thank you, you too." Harry replied just before Jet hissed into his ear.

"What did he say?" Professor Babbling asked.

"He says merry Christmas as well." Harry translated.

"Oh, thank you Jet." She smiled at Jet who nodded in response.

"Mr Potter," Dumbledore nodded in greeting. "how are you enjoying your Christmas so far?"

"It's been the best one I've had so far." Harry answered honestly. "Well...my first one really."

"Your first?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"Well I probably had one when my parents were alive but I don't remember that one." Harry shrugged. "The Dursley's never really let me celebrate Christmas."

"Did they not?" She frowned.

"No, I usually just made the food then stayed out of the way." Harry replied.

"Hmm." Professor McGonagall's lips thinned so much that Harry thought they might disappear, she glared at Dumbledore who had a pained expression on his face.

"Well...did you get any good presents?" Professor Babbling asked, hoping to bring the conversation back to a more cheery topic.

"Quite a few," Harry grinned. "mostly just sweets and books but I still liked them."

"I'm glad." Professor Babbling smiled. "Hopefully the next Christmas you have is as good as this one."

"Thank you." Harry smiled back. "I'm hoping that by the end of the year I won't be living with the Dursley's anymore."

"You are not the only one." Professor McGonagall nodded in agreement. As everyone finished eating Harry tugged on Professor Babbling's sleeve.

"Excuse me, can I talk to you in private?" Harry asked.

"Um...sure." Professor Babbling nodded, after they left the hall the two walked up to Professor Babbling's office. "Okay," She said once she closed the door. "what can I..." She found herself cut off as Harry suddenly wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a hug.

"Thank you." He quietly spoke, just loud enough for her to hear. "That was the best Christmas gift I've ever gotten." Beth paused for a second, unsure of what to do, she let instinct take over and slowly hugged Harry back.

"You're welcome." She whispered before kissing him on the forehead.

...

Later that night Harry had snuck out of the Slytherin common room, he had Jet wrapped around his neck and they were both under his invisibility cloak. Say what you want but Harry was an eleven year old boy with an invisibility cloak, of course he was going to explore a castle at night. At first Harry had started by exploring the restricted section of the library, he was able to read partway through a book when he heard Filch, the caretaker walking around.

Harry was quickly able to put the book back before sneaking away, though during his escape he had somehow entered a room with an ancient, ornate mirror. It has clawed feet and a gold frame inscribed with the phrase 'Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on wohsi'. Harry looked into the mirror, for a few seconds he was able to see himself, despite wearing the cloak.

That caused Harry to panic, was the cloak not working anymore? Would he have to sneak back to the common room while being visible? But before Harry could do anything he saw two other people in the mirror, standing behind him.

Harry glanced backwards but couldn't see anyone, he looked into the mirror and took a closer look at the people. One was a tall, handsome man with brown eyes and black hair that looked exactly like Harry's hair, the other was a beautiful woman with red hair and green eyes just like Harry's. Realization hit Harry and he took a step back before he could even think about it.

"Harry?" Jet hissed.

"That's not funny." Harry growled.

"I...someone's coming!" Jet hissed suddenly. Harry turned around and saw Professor Dumbledore enter the room, Dumbledore paused and looked in the direction of the mirror for several moments before he pulled his wand out. He pointed his wand in Harry's direction for a second before flicking it in the direction of the door behind him. The door quickly but silently shut.

"Hello Harry." Dumbledore casually greeted. "I see you like many before you have discovered the mirror of erised."

"You can see through my cloak?" Harry asked as he removed his cloak.

"Not quite." Dumbledore shook his head.

"A tracking charm then." Harry replied. "You're the one who gave me the cloak, aren't you?"

"Excellent Harry," Dumbledore smiled. "may I ask how you came to that conclusion?"

"Well I knew it wasn't a gift from muggles, for obvious reasons."

"Obviously." Dumbledore nodded before gesturing him to continue.

"If I didn't have the note then I'd have guessed that it would have been an expensive gift, which would have ruled out a few people, but the note gave me a few clues. It eliminates anyone my age or younger, and I recognize your handwriting."

"Oh?" Dumbledore asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I went to Gringotts before school, I found a letter to my parents, from you." Harry replied. "You congratulated them for having me." The letter was just one of many things Harry had found, he was also thankful that Dumbledore hadn't drawn any money from Harry's trust vault or family account, that would've made the next few years at Hogwarts very awkward.

"That I did," Dumbledore smiled. "I would be hard pressed to find another witch who looked as happy as Lily when she was pregnant with you."

"Thanks," Harry said in a quiet voice before shaking his head and continuing. "as for how you saw me, I have three guesses. The first would be wards."

"Wards?"

"Yeah," Harry nodded. "I am not an expert in wards but I know that you can be keyed into them and that Hogwarts has them. I'm guessing that it could be possible for you to be keyed into the wards and use them to keep track of people but I figure that's probably not the case in a school where there is so many people."

.....

Can't wait to read more exciting chapters then what are you waiting for Join my patreon right now.

2+ FREE ADVANCED CHAPTERS FOR ALL FREE MEMBERS.

60+ Premium chapters.

Link: p#atreon.com/InfinityWeaver (Remove the #)