Fellowship & Fairydust

Christmas came quickly, and Harry was excited to spend it in a home where he actually felt welcome and appreciated. It was something he had never experienced before, and the idea left him feeling light and cheerful as he prepared to board the Hogwarts Express with Severus. Snow had fallen, and he couldn’t believe how it transformed the grounds and brought out the colours in the bricks, the trees, and the little things you typically didn’t notice. He felt it was a shame that he didn’t have a camera to capture the scene before him.

As the train pulled away, Harry could hear kids oohing and ahhing as they watched Hagrid drag a massive Christmas tree towards the castle with ease. Hagrid seemed to have the strength of three or four men. How had he come to be so large and strong? Was Hagrid a giant? Did giants even exist?

“Harry? Come on, let’s take a seat,” Severus said, pulling him from his thoughts as he guided him towards a compartment.

“Are you sure your mum doesn’t mind me coming back for Christmas? I can understand if she doesn’t,” Harry said, wanting to make absolutely sure that he wasn’t being a bother or an inconvenience.

“She wouldn’t have it any other way. Besides, she is actually excited to see you again. She has enjoyed your letters and has started referring to you as ‘one of her boys’,” Severus said smiling.

Harry flushed at the words. This is the first time that he’d heard a grown-up refer to him as ‘their boy’ in a positive way. His heart fluttered at the idea of having a parental figure who actually wanted him around for something other than free labour and a punching bag. The idea brought a smile to his face.

Severus had told him about how they decorate a Christmas tree, do presents, and bake special treats. Severus even told him about some of the spells Eileen would cast to make it appear like it was snowing in the living room. Harry couldn’t wait to take part in everything Christmas had to offer. Just the idea of not being forced to cook the meal or clean up after Dudley’s binge-eating was enough to make him want to dance with joy. But to be able to sit at the table and eat Christmas dinner with the family… That was something he had never expected in his lifetime.

When the train finally came to a stop, Harry and Severus hurried off. Harry marveled at the beautiful surroundings, all covered in snow, and how everyone at the train station seemed to smile brightly, radiating joy. Overhead, he could hear Christmas carols playing. Trolleys were loaded with presents as people went to stay with friends or family. The station had a spectacular Christmas tree, at least thirty feet tall.

“Harry! Severus!”

Harry turned around to find Eileen waving at them, with her arms outstretched. He found himself pulled into a tight embrace, and was kissed just like Severus. His cheeks heated up. Though he still wasn’t used to hugs and kisses, he welcomed the contact.

“Harry! You look so much healthier, and you even put on some weight!” she gushed, regarding him as though he were her son and not just a boy she was stuck with. It made him feel amazing. “And I hear you’re both doing very well in your studies! I’m so proud of you.”

The ride back to Cokeworth was uneventful. Harry enjoyed staring out the car window, seeing all of the decorated houses, and children playing in the snow. He could see people on ladders stringing lights, people carrying bags filled with food and presents, and the occasional man dressed as Father Christmas.

When they reached home, Harry was pleased to find lights on the outside of the house. Severus seemed surprised.

“I wanted to get the outside done before you came home, so we could focus on the fun things, instead. Mr. Evans brought us a tree when they went to get theirs, but don’t worry, Sev; I haven’t put a single decoration on,” Eileen said as she caught Severus’ face falling. “Let’s get your trunks situated and then we can have some lunch.”

The days leading up to Christmas involved a lot of decorating—the tree, the living room, the lawn, and the windows. They had decorations for the bedrooms, the hallways, and even the bathroom.

Harry was astonished every time he entered the living room and saw magical snow falling on top of the Christmas tree. He was allowed to eat holiday cookies, sing along with Christmas carols, and even go out and buy presents with some pocket change Eileen had given him. He wasn’t even punished when he knocked over a bag of sugar.

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