Christmas was here, and of course Harry was staying. He wasn't going to go back to the Dursleys, not willingly anyway. His dorm mate, Theodore Nott, was also staying. Most of the muggle borns, including Hermione, had left, and so did the rich kids who had sprawling estates waiting for them. Draco stayed too, which surprised Harry.
On Christmas morning, Harry awoke to find a large pile of presents at the foot of his bed. Presents! He had never gotten presents before!
Next to him, Theo was ripping into his own parcels. ''You're awake!'' he said and tossed over a box. ''This is from your etiquette teachers.''
''Thanks!'' Harry beamed and opened it. It was a book on notable wizards and witches through history. He immediately placed it on his small shelf space above his bed, and unwrapped his own packages.
Hagrid gave him a wooden flute that looked like he had carved it himself, Hermione gave him two more very interesting books, Draco gave him an expensive looking cologne that was great for displaying but Harry was sure he'd never use it, and a big box from Ron's family. Inside was some homemade fudge and a knitted sweater in a brilliant emerald green.
''Neat,'' said Theo, his mouth full from helping himself to some of Harry's fudge. ''It's in your House colors too. Goes really well with your eyes.''
Harry slipped on the sweater over his pajamas. ''It's nice, isn't it? I'm going to the Gryffindor dorms, I'll see you later. Thanks again for the book.''
''Wait!'' Theo pointed to a small, light parcel half hidden under Harry's bed that he had missed. When Harry unwrapped it, he found something silvery gray and silky, long and pooling on the floor. Theo gasped. ''Wait - isn't that an invisibility cloak? They're super rare and valuable, how'd you get one? Try it on!''
Harry bundled the cloak around his shoulders. It was surprisingly warm for such a thin material. Theo let out a strangled yell. Looking down, Harry saw his feet were gone. And his whole body too! Just his head was visible, floating in midair. He couldn't help it - he giggled.
Rushing over to the Gryffindors, Harry hurtled through the portrait hole and scared Draco, Ron, Fred, and George half to death. ''Where did you come from?'' Ron asked incredulously.
Harry eagerly wrapped the cloak around himself and grinned at their shocked faces and open mouths. ''Where on earth did you get that?'' Draco asked. ''A real invisibility cloak - made from real Demiguise hair - wow!''
''It just... appeared,'' Harry shrugged, but the effect was lost since his shoulders were invisible. ''I don't know who gave it to me, but it was in my gift pile.''
''Huh,'' said Draco. Then he reached into the folds of the cloak and pulled out a note hidden inside. Dropping the cloak, Harry grabbed the letter and opened it to see four sentences in a cursive handwriting he wasn't familiar with.
Your father left this in my possession before he died. It is time it is returned to you. Use it well. A very merry Christmas to you.
Harry's heart leapt with excitement. So this was from his father! First he was becoming an Animagus, and now this! His mind churned with possibilities as to what his father had used it for.
''Wow, Fred,'' George said. ''Imagine all the mischief we could get up to if we were invisible.''
''Yes, I agree,'' Fred looked at his twin. ''Better be careful Harry, or George and I might just... snatch it!'' He made to grab it from him, but Harry held it tight. He reminded himself to put it in his trunk when he got back to the Slytherin dormitory, and magically lock his trunk. Maybe he could figure out a way to password protect it.
Harry spent the whole day at the Gryffindor Common Room with Draco and Ron. They made a blanket fort and put on a Christmas record, doing a one thousand piece puzzle. Around lunch time, Draco showed Harry the way to the kitchens to pick up a Christmas treat.
A creature walked up to Draco as soon as they entered. It looked like a chihuahua, except hairless, had a long nose, and looked like it was wearing an ivory pillowcase with a golden H stitched in the center. It looked like nothing Harry had ever seen.
''Hello!'' it said in a slightly squeaky voice. ''My name is Cooky. I am a house elf of Hogwarts. Any friends of Draco are friends of mine!''
''Er, hello,'' Harry said awkwardly to the elf. To Draco he asked, ''What are house elves?''
Draco seemed to think for a while about how he would respond to the question. ''Well, um... they serve people, they do all the cooking here at Hogwarts. Most rich families have them to do the chores.''
''They serve people?'' Harry asked incredulously. ''Is this slavery?''
Draco opened his mouth, but Cooky beat him. ''No, we aren't slaves! Well, we don't get paid in money, but we work for our meals and a warm place to rest. We are very lucky we are employed here at Hogwarts.'' Cooky gestured to the other house elves cooking up a storm. ''Dumbledore treats us very well.''
Cooky gave them a tray of hot chocolate and cookies when they asked for a snack. As they walked back, Draco said, ''If you want to show appreciation for the house elves' work, you can leave them gifts of milk and honey every night. I do it all the time and they love it.''
As the sky darkened and all the cookies and hot chocolate had been eaten, Professor McGonagall led them to the Great Hall for a Christmas dinner. Harry ate tons of turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, roast potatoes. Even though there weren't much students staying for the holidays, the house elves sure went all out.
Dessert was even more spectacular, with puddings, cakes, and Harry's favorite, treacle tarts! He ate four slices while pulling wizard crackers and swapping the prizes they got from wizard crackers. His favorite was his own set of wizard chess he traded with Theo. He hoped to practice wizard chess more so he could beat Ron at it. At least have a fighting chance.
It was late when Harry finally got back to his own dorm and collapsed on his bed. Even though he was tired, his mind was still thinking about his invisibility cloak and just what he'd do with it. A plan started to form in his mind as he drifted off to sleep.
YOU ARE READING
The Bravest Snake
أدب الهواةDraco Malfoy is determined to get away from his terrible parents and start a new life at the best wizarding school, Hogwarts. Maybe he'll even make a friend or two. Harry Potter is determined to learn more about his magic and his world during his ti...
