Christmas Story 2018 - In the Spirit, part 6 (H/D)

Title: In the Spirit – Part 6
Author: sesheta_66
Prompts used: slythindor100’s early bird prompt 21: Hogwart’s in winter (picture under the cut) and dracoharry100’s prompts 1: advent wreath and 3: ice castle
Word Count: 1.2K
Rating: PG, for now
Warning: none
Summary: Harry had a rough Christmas last year, to say the least. But things are looking up this year, and he plans to embrace the season, even if he is still single.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Author's Notes: Written for the slythindor100 Early Bird 25 Days of Draco and Harry and the dracoharry100 Christmas Challenge.

On LJ: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

OR on AO3



In the Spirit – Part 6



Harry stood at the gates of Hogwarts, soaking in the view. In the distance, snow fell around the castle that had been the first true home he could remember. Despite the chill in the air, his heart warmed at the sight. Sure, he could have arranged to Floo directly into the castle, but he wouldn’t have missed this for the world.

He announced his arrival with a patronus and the gates opened for him in short order. He took his time walking the well-worn path, now lightly dusted with white, and breathed deeply of the fresh, Scottish air. It felt like home.

As he got closer, he quickened his pace, looking forward to a hot cup of tea and a visit with his friend.

"Harry, you tosser! Why didn’t you take me up on the Floo?" Neville asked, shaking his head and smiling indulgently as he stood just inside the oak doors. "It’s bloody freezing out here."

Harry took out his wand and waved it in Neville’s direction. "Wizard, remember? I cast a warming charm."

"Still." Neville opened the door wider and motioned Harry inside. "The damp air cuts through those charms in short order, especially when it’s windy."

"True," Harry said, rubbing his admittedly chilled hands together, "but I wanted the full effect, you know."

"Wanted to freeze your balls off just in time for the holidays?"

"No, I think I’ll keep them, thanks. But I did want to do the walk. Made me feel like ... well, like when we were students here."

"You’re barking, you do know that."

"So Ron tells me every chance he gets."

Neville led the way, not to his own rooms but in the direction of the Headmistress’s office. "Minerva’s been after me to let her know the next time you drop by, so I thought we’d have tea with her. Hope you don’t mind."

"Not at all. I’m planning my usual visit later in the month, but I was hoping to pop in to see her while I’m here." He smiled at the portraits framing the halls, and the decorations everywhere. It really did feel like Christmas here. "I see Hagrid’s been busy with the decorations again this year."

"Oh, yeah." Neville grinned. "Still his favourite time of year."

"I’m sorry I missed him."

"He’ll be back in a few days. You can see him next time." Neville stopped at the bottom of the stairs. "If it’s nae Scottish, it’s crap."

Harry blinked, not quite sure he’d heard correctly. "What?"

The entrance to McGonagall’s office opened and the spiral staircase stood before them. Neville grinned at Harry. "Her idea of a joke while the students are away."

Harry laughed. "She’s getting feistier in her old age," he said.

"Don’t let her catch you saying that," Neville warned as he stepped onto the staircase. "Truth be told, I think she’s always been like this, only she puts on a stern face for the students."

Harry followed, remembering his former head of house fondly. "She was always caring, that’s for sure. Tough but fair, you know. But funny? I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure Dumbledore was the one for humour."

"More like mad, he was. I think maybe she put on a tougher exterior to counter his eccentricities. Now she doesn’t have to make up for that, so she’s able to let her hair down a bit." Harry tried to imagine her with her hair down, but found he couldn’t. As though reading his mind, Neville added, "Figuratively speaking, of course."

Harry grinned. "Of course."

They entered the office and Harry was struck by how different it was from his days at school. He’d been here multiple times before, since McGonagall had taken over, but he’d never really absorbed the changes, so that every time he visited it was like the first time all over again. He never stopped expecting to see all of Dumbledore’s gadgets strewn about, and most of all, Fawkes.

The Christmas spirit was alive and well in her office, as in the rest of the castle. On the side table, where, if he remembered correctly, she usually had a collection of tartan knickknacks, rested an advent calendar and a replica Hogwarts Express parked at a festive Hogsmeade Station. At the centre of the display sat what looked to be an ice castle, an astonishingly accurate Hogwarts in miniature.

"Harry, so good to see you." McGonagall greeted him with a hug.

He returned the hug, feeling once more like he’d come home. "Great to see you too, Minerva." He still struggled with calling her by her first name, but she’d insisted on more than one occasion, so he made the effort. But he never stopped thinking of her as Professor McGonagall. He doubted he ever would.

She showed them to a table set for tea in the far corner of the office. "I missed you last year," she said. "I’m glad to see you’re out and about again."

Neville pulled out a chair and sat down. "Christmas wasn’t the same without a visit from you," Neville agreed.

Harry took off his cloak and scarf before taking his seat, feeling a bit badly about bailing on everyone last Christmas. After the falling out with Ginny, he couldn’t very well have gone to the Burrow. And with his face and name on every newspaper and magazine in what seemed like the whole country, he hadn’t been able to go anywhere in public without being accosted. It had been easier to just hide away for the season, even if it had included hiding from his friends. And this was his first time since the all too public breakup that he’d visited his old school. Sure, he’d seen Neville and Hagrid, but he’d met up with each of them in town. Strange that he hadn’t thought about that before now.

"It was a tough one," he admitted, "what with the media storm fueling the fire." McGonagall frowned and looked like she wanted to say something, but Harry continued. "But that’s all in the past, and I’m determined to make the most of the season this time around. Make up for the mess that was last Christmas. And, even if they still want to write about me, I’ve been through worse."

McGonagall considered him before pouring their tea into familiar cups. "I should say you have at that."

"Indeed." Harry chuckled and thought about where life had taken him and these two people, and so many others. "Haven’t we all?"

They spent the next hour catching up on the comings and goings in their lives and Harry had to agree with Neville. Their former professor seemed more relaxed than he’d seen her before, and had quite the sense of humour when she wasn’t putting on a tough face. Harry found he rather liked this version of her and had arranged for another visit before the holidays were over. Harry had a brief chat with Dumbledore’s portrait and the rest of the afternoon was spent with Neville, touring the castle and visiting some of Harry’s old haunts.

When evening approached, it was with a light heart that Harry walked back to Hogsmeade – no, he didn’t want to take the Floo, thanks – and he vowed to never miss Christmas back home again.

Part 7