Chapter 23: Christmas morning & Dobby
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER. IT BELONGS TO JK ROWLING.
A/N: Read, enjoy, and remember not to take either life or my writing too seriously.
Hermione woke early on Christmas morning to find several neatly wrapped presents waiting at the foot of her bed.
The first one she picked up was from her parents.
Seeing their handwriting made her pause for a moment. A small wave of guilt passed through her.
She realized she hadn't spent Christmas at home for three years now.
Next year, she promised herself.
Perhaps Harry could come with her.
The thought of Harry sitting beside her at her parents' dining table while they opened presents together made Hermione smile warmly.
She opened the card first.
Inside was a beautiful poem about Christmas and love. Tucked neatly behind the card was also a gift certificate to her favorite non-magical bookstore.
Her smile widened immediately.
Well, I know exactly where I'll be stopping on the way home this summer.
She then picked up the box attached to the card. It felt surprisingly heavy in her hands.
Hermione assumed it must contain books.
When she opened it, however, she discovered something unexpected.
The box was filled with weights… surrounding a much smaller box hidden in the middle.
Confused, Hermione opened the smaller box.
Inside rested a beautiful pair of diamond earrings.
She unfolded the note that accompanied them.
A princess can't go to a ball without something special to wear for someone special.
Hermione's eyes lit up.
"Thank you, Mum and Dad," she whispered softly.
Then another thought crossed her mind.
Someone special?
Had her parents figured out that she and Harry were now together?
She had written about Harry in her letters for years, but she had carefully avoided mentioning their relationship this year.
Hermione laughed softly.
She had been planning to reveal the truth in a much more dramatic way—by kissing Harry in front of them at King's Cross at the end of term.
Still smiling, she moved on to the rest of her gifts.
She quickly opened the other presents sent by relatives, but she had deliberately saved one gift for last.
Harry's.
Hermione found herself oddly nervous as she untied the ribbon.
She wondered how much effort Harry had put into choosing her gift.
Her thoughts drifted briefly back to the nightmare she'd had earlier in the month—the one where she had ended up with Ron.
Hermione snorted at the memory.
If Ron had been buying gifts for her, she would probably receive Quidditch books and Chocolate Frogs.
Hermione's fingers trembled slightly as she opened Harry's package.
Inside was a small velvet box.
Her breath caught when she opened it.
A delicate diamond necklace lay inside, shaped like a heart.
Hermione quickly unfolded the note tucked beneath it.
Mione love,
I hope this matches whatever you're wearing tonight. Someone once told me that diamonds are a girl's best friend. Since you've always been my best friend, I hope this reminds you of me.
Love,
Harry
Hermione stared at the necklace in amazement.
Then suddenly she realized something.
Her eyebrows slowly drew together in thought.
She reached back into her pile of gifts and retrieved the earrings from her parents.
Carefully she placed the necklace beside them.
The settings matched perfectly.
Hermione blinked.
Then realization dawned on her.
Harry must have written to her parents beforehand to coordinate the gifts.
She smiled softly.
So that's how they knew about Harry.
Her parents had even referred to him as "someone special."
Hermione had a strong feeling this Christmas was going to be unforgettable.
But she noticed one small thing missing.
There had been no gift from Ron.
Harry's Christmas Morning
Meanwhile, Harry woke up abruptly.
He had no idea what had disturbed his sleep—until he opened his eyes.
A pair of enormous green eyes were staring directly into his face from only inches away.
"DOBBY!" Harry shouted, scrambling backward so fast he nearly fell off the bed.
The house-elf jumped away in alarm.
"Dobby is sorry, Harry Potter, sir!" he squeaked nervously. "Dobby only wished to say Merry Christmas and bring Harry Potter a present!"
Harry took a deep breath as his heart slowly returned to normal.
"Dobby… next time just wake me up normally, alright?"
"Of course, Harry Potter!"
Dobby immediately handed him a small wrapped package.
Harry realized with embarrassment that he hadn't bought Dobby anything.
Quickly thinking, he rummaged through his trunk and pulled out an old pair of socks.
They were mustard-yellow and extremely worn—the kind Uncle Vernon used to wear.
"Here," Harry said awkwardly. "Sorry I forgot to wrap them."
Dobby gasped with delight.
"Socks! Dobby's favorite clothes!"
He immediately removed his mismatched socks and replaced them with Harry's gift.
"I has seven socks now, sir!" he said proudly.
Harry smiled.
Dobby then handed Harry his own present.
Harry opened it.
Inside…
were socks.
"Dobby made them himself!" the elf said happily. "He buys wool with his wages!"
The left sock was bright red with broomsticks.
The right sock was green with golden Snitches.
"They're brilliant," Harry said sincerely, pulling them on immediately.
Dobby's eyes filled with tears of happiness.
"Harry Potter is too kind!"
After wishing him Merry Christmas again, Dobby hurried back to the kitchens where the house-elves were preparing Christmas dinner.
Harry looked over at Ron, who was still snoring loudly.
Then he turned his attention to the rest of his presents.
Sirius had sent him a special penknife with multiple attachments capable of unlocking doors and untangling knots.
The Dursleys had sent him a single tissue.
Hagrid had sent a huge assortment of sweets—Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, Chocolate Frogs, Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, and Fizzing Whizbees.
But the gift Harry most wanted to open was Hermione's.
He opened the package eagerly.
Inside he found an entire set of Quidditch seeker armor.
Harry's eyes widened in amazement.
He quickly opened the note attached to it.
Harry,
You're far too important to me for anything to happen to you while you're flying. I know Quidditch means a lot to you, even if I think it's slightly reckless. Please wear this so I know you'll be safe.
Love,
Mione (only for you)
Harry stared at the armor with a huge grin.
She had somehow managed to give him the perfect gift—something he didn't even know he wanted.
Best Christmas present ever.
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Thank you for reading!
See you in the next chapter ✨
Thank you for reading!
See you in the next chapter ✨
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