The Boy The Snake and The Stone

Chapter 17: Christmas (Yule) Plans

It is now nearing Christmas break, and everyone seemed to forget the Halloween incident. Everyone was excited about leaving the school to go spend time with their families, especially the first years who aren't used to staying away from their families for long periods of time. The students were talking about what they hoped to receive and what they thought their parents would love to get from them. Draco, of course, was excited. Yule was a yearly tradition dating way back; it is a Pagan holiday that most have forgot as the time has moved forward, but for a few Pure Blood families it is much a tradition when it was first taught. He would get to spend time with everyone since they would throw a huge new year's ball as well, so it wasn't too long before he would see his friends again. He had also just received a letter saying that his Uncle Sev and Harry would join them at the manor for Yule traditions, or as most muggleborn known as Christmas. This, to Draco, would be the best Christmas ever, and Yule as well, since he got to teach Harry of the old holiday.

Harry sorted through his thoughts of Christmas, or what is known as Yule in the wizarding world according to Draco. It was planned, recently, that Harry and Draco make a trip to Malfoy Manor where Harry would stay a couple of days before Severus joined them, from there they would start the arduous journey of adoption. Harry was both excited and scared, excited because this would be his first time he would have a family that would love him, but he feared that Severus would turn on him just like his Uncle did. Of course that was ridiculous to think of, since the older wizard went through the trouble of rescuing Harry from his relatives, but that didn't stop the fear since that is all he has ever known of a home life.

Since it was growing closer to Yule, every first year was excited, and the teachers didn't put a lot of work effort in their classes, mainly because the effort would be wasted. They were going through the exercises of different fun spells that contributed to the season, as well in Potions class they were brewing a wizarding like candy cane. Sadly it seemed that no one read their books, and had even managed to botch up the easiest of potions. Harry was really looking forward to Christmas this year, and even had owl ordered almost all the presents he needed; for Hermione, he found some transfiguration texts as well as a Charms texts, for Neville (with some help from Snape), he had found some seeds that can be useful in Potions that he can grow, since it seemed that he a knack for Herbology. For Draco, he had found a cloak that was green much like their house colors, with a silvery trim, and a silver dragon acting as the clasp with emerald eyes. For the twins he had found a prank book that he bought them, unsure if they would like it, he also got him a few pranks from the local prank store. For Madam Malfoy, he found a beautiful emerald dragon necklace, and he got Lord Malfoy a pair of cufflinks to match. For Severus, he was unsure of what to get him, what would you get your soon to be father? Harry knows that he loves potions, but was sure that everyone got Severus potions related things, but he couldn't just give him nothing since he was doing so much for him. So for now, Harry was left present hunting for Severus keeping his eye out for something that would fit his soon to be father perfectly. For Harry this would be the first Christmas he would participate in, as well as celebrating with his new family as well. Harry wondered if Severus would allow him to call him names such as "dad" or "papa", but he shouldn't start to get his hopes up just in case something went wrong, and he would not become family with the dark haired wizard.

"Harry!" Harry snapped his gaze back up to Draco who was just staring at him from his seat across the library table. They had come in here to find out about the three head dog that was on the 3 floor. Fred and George told them about it when they played a prank and Flinch was chasing them around the castle. They hid behind the door just to find a giant three headed dog growling and drooling in front of them. Of course they didn't believe them, but here they are sitting at the library to find out what type of mythical creature they had made up.

"Sorry Draco, I was thinking about Christmas." Harry gave his friend a shy smile, "I'm just really excited about it since this will be my first Christmas."

Draco gave a soft smile back, even after all Harry has gone through here he was smiling at him. "Its fine Harry, don't worry about it. It's just going to be us at Christmas, and then everyone will be joining us at New Years, and that is in a couple of weeks there is no fear. Now, I think I found the strange creature it is a Cerberus." Draco said and flipped the book around for Harry to read, there in the book was a crude picture drawing in the book a description about the creature and the weaknesses that they had. The only strange thing that seemed to be common was the music made the creature sleep. It might have to do with the only Greek tales that Harry read about whenever he escaped the house or the books Dudley refuse to read.

Harry started to copy down the notes to a parchment before rolling it up. "There made a quick note about it. I just don't think a Cerberus could possibly be in the school, I mean it is a killer and it is HUGE! How could the school possible keep such a beast hidden, when the school is designed to protect the students from such things?" Draco just shrugged his shoulders, unsure of how to answer his friend question.

"Alright Draco ready to go? We have to start packing if we are going to get on the train tomorrow." With that the two boys left with more questions than answers, but it didn't matter to them, all they thought about was the fun that they were going to have this Christmas.