"Oi, Harry! Wake up!" Ron tossed a pillow onto Harry's head to emphasize his point.

Only the excitement of the holidays would cause Ron to voluntarily rise at the crack of dawn, Harry thought sleepily to himself. He just stuffed the extra pillow under his own head and yawned, making no move to get up.

"It's too early, Ron."

"You've got a present," Ron cajoled.

Harry opened his eyes to see a box wrapped in blue and green paper resting at the foot of his bed. Ron was sitting on the edge of his own bed, holding an identical package in his hands.

"But it's not really Christmas yet," Harry remarked as he sat up and reached for his gift.

Ron shrugged. "Mum's jumpers, I'm sure. Since we're celebrating here today, I bet she's gone ahead and given everyone their jumper to wear."

"Well, let's find out," Harry suggested.

They ripped the paper off and sure enough, inside each box was one of Mrs. Weasley's hand-knit jumpers. Harry's was scarlet with a golden H on the front, while Ron's was royal blue with a golden R.

"At least I convinced her that maroon's not my colour," Ron remarked.

"I love your mum's jumpers," Harry told him. "Remember how she made one for me first year. I couldn't believe it. She barely even knew me then, but she made a jumper for me, just like I was one of you guys. I think I've loved your mum ever since."

Ron smiled. "Yeah, she is pretty great, isn't she? A little loud and bossy sometimes, but hey, she's a mum."

They took their time getting dressed. Harry wore a red and green plaid shirt underneath his jumper, jeans, socks and loafers. Ron dressed in a similar fashion but with a yellow shirt underneath his blue jumper.

When they were ready, they headed downstairs to the kitchen. Early as it was, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were already awake and dressed. Mrs. Weasley, in an pale yellow jumper and skirt, was leaning against the kitchen counter, using her wand to direct a whisk beating eggs in a mixing bowl. Her husband, in a white jumper embroidered with a brown A and brown trousers, sat at the table sipping a cup of coffee and browsing through a copy of the Quibbler.

"Oh, good morning, you two," Mrs. Weasley called as Harry and Ron entered. "Breakfast will be ready in a bit. Help yourselves to something to drink. We've milk, juice, and coffee."

Ron glanced over at Harry. "Want to try the coffee?"

Harry shrugged. "Sure."

So they each poured themselves a mug and took a sip, then promptly gagged and made faces at the strong taste. Harry managed to swallow his, but Ron spat his drink out in the sink.

"Ron Weasley, you clean that up! Honestly, where are your manners?" His mother demanded.

"Ugh, I can't believe you guys like that mess," Ron groaned. He reached for a rag, but then asked, "Mum, can't I just cast a quick Scourgify? I'm practically seventeen and the Ministry wouldn't know."

"Absolutely not," she retorted. "You will not be seventeen until March and how would it look, your father working at the Ministry and his own son flouting the rules?"

"Oh, I can't match half the things that Fred and George have done," Ron answered. He sighed and took the rag. As if on cue, a small explosion sounded above their heads from the direction of the twins' bedroom. No one even blinked an eye.

Mrs. Weasley looked up at the ceiling and smiled fondly. "Just like old times."

Harry spoke up. "I don't have a trace. I can cast Scourgify, if it's all right with you, Mrs. Weasley?"

"Of course, Harry dear," she replied.

Ron grinned and bowed to Harry. "By all means, Harry dear."

Harry arched an eyebrow at him as he cast the spell. "It's not too late to return your gift, you know."

Mr. Weasley glanced up from the paper. "You boys might like the coffee better if you added a bit of cream and sugar."

They did so and Harry decided that Mr. Weasley was right; cream and sugar greatly improved the coffee. Ginny and the twins, dressed in denim jeans and their own Weasley jumpers, wandered in a little while later, just as Mrs. Weasley declared the scrambled eggs and sausages were ready.

Time passed quickly as they all helped prepare for the Christmas celebration and about mid-morning Bill Weasley showed up with Fleur Delacour in tow.

"Happy Christmas, everyone!" He called while Fleur smiled her lovely smile at them. "Joyeux Noel. Eet iz good to see you all again."

Mr. Weasley and the twins greeted her with warm enthusiasm, but Mrs. Weasley only nodded coolly and Ginny ignored her altogether.

Harry blinked in amazement and turned to Ron. "I didn't know she was going to be here."

Ron was gazing raptly at Fleur. "I didn't either. Mum mentioned that Bill was bringing a guest, but she didn't say who."

Bill was introducing Fleur to his family. "Yes, we met last summer, when I was still at Gringotts. Fleur had an apprenticeship there."

She nodded. "Yes, to emprove my English. Bill was most ‘elpful."

Ginny snorted under her breath. "I bet he was."

"Your English is wonderful," Mr. Weasley beamed at her while his wife frowned at him.

"I knew he was seeing somebody," Ron leaned close to Harry and Ginny. "Remember I said he acted funny last summer, hardly ever coming by and always leaving as soon as he got here. I didn't know it was Fleur though."

"Look at her, all dressed up, lording it over us. I don't know what Bill sees in her. Well, actually I do, but I thought he had more sense than that." Ginny gave Fleur another dark look.

Harry didn't think that she was being entirely fair. Fleur did look like an ice princess in her white sweater-dress and matching white boots, but it wasn't exactly a formal ball gown, and Mrs. Weasley herself wore a nice jumper and skirt. And Fleur didn't seem to be snobbish. She was chatting easily with Fred and George and seemed perfectly pleasant.

But he decided that it would be wiser to change the subject. He turned to Ron. "Is anyone else coming? Besides my dad, I mean. Charlie or Percy?"

"Uh, no." With an effort, Ron dragged his attention away from Fleur. "Charlie can't get away. Mum and Dad are going to visit him in Romania after we're all back at school. And Percy...well, you know, he's still being a git."

"Oh, I'm sorry." Harry couldn't help feeling a little guilty over Percy's quarrel with his family. It had all started over him, after all.

But Ron frowned at him. "I know what you're thinking, Harry, and it's not your fault. Actually I think it may have been coming on for a while now. Percy always has been the odd man out here, and I guess some of it may be our fault as well. But he's acted horrible to Mum and Dad. But all that has nothing to do with you. You never did anything wrong to Percy and there's no reason for you to feel guilty."

They were quiet for a moment and then Ginny seemed to make an effort to shake off her mood. "Come on, let's not ruin the day. It's Christmas. We're supposed to be happy. Mum doesn't need me right now. Why don't we go outside and fly for a bit?"

Harry and Ron were happy to agree and the three of them grabbed their coats and hurried outside into the clear cold air.

Severus arrived shortly before lunch, flooing into the sitting room where Harry and Ron were waiting for him.

"Hi, Dad," Harry stepped close as Severus came through with a swirl of his black robes. Harry noticed he did have a small scarlet pin at his lapel in honour of the day, though.

Severus wrapped his arm about Harry's shoulders, holding him close for a few seconds. "Harry." It was all he said, but his tone was warm and his touch both strong and loving.

Then they stepped apart and Severus nodded to Ron, greeting his son's friend. "Ron."

"Happy Christmas, sir."

"Happy Christmas," Severus repeated. It was a testament to how much he had changed that he sounded only slightly awkward. He pulled several tiny packages from his pocket and enlarged them. "Where should I place the gifts?"

"They go under the tree. I'll take them, sir, if you want," Ron offered.

So Severus surrendered the presents and Ron went to add them to the pile under the Christmas tree standing tall in the corner of the room, almost hidden under a barrage of colourful lights and ornaments and with a glowing star on top.

The rest of the family came from the kitchen to greet Severus, and then there was the usual hustle and bustle of getting the holiday meal on the table. After a traditional dinner of delicious roast goose, potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and mince pies, everyone trooped back into the sitting room and the gift-giving began.

Harry gave new Quidditch gloves to both Ron and Ginny, as well as a broomstick kit to Ron. He had bought a ruby brooch for Mrs. Weasley and dragon-hide wallets for Mr. Weasley and the twins. He received a Chudley Cannons jacket from Ron, a plaid scarf from Ginny, a collection of joke products from Fred and George, and a small portable wizarding wireless set from the Weasley parents.

Severus brought a bottle of fine wine for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, while Mrs. Weasley presented him with a black jumper embroidered with a silver S. Harry had expected the adults to exchange gifts, but he was both surprised and touched when Severus presented monogrammed leather school bags to Ron and Ginny.

They were, too.

"Wow, sir. This is really nice. Thank you." Ron ran a hand over the smooth leather.

"You are my son's friends and you have shown him great loyalty during a difficult time. I appreciate that," Severus answered solemnly.

"Thank you, sir, but Harry's our friend," Ginny said. "We'd be loyal to him, no matter what."

Then she seemed to realize that she might sound rude and blushed.

"I mean, I love the bag. It's beautiful. Thank you. I just meant..." she stammered.

Severus simply nodded. "I understand what you mean, Miss Weasley. But I wanted to give a token of my appreciation."

"Well, thank you, Professor. The bag is lovely." She smiled at him.

Soon afterwards it was time for Harry and Severus to return to Prince Hall. Everyone said good-bye and hugged or shook hands. While his father spoke with the adults, Harry and Ron slapped palms.

"Happy Christmas, mate."

"You, too. I had a great time," Harry told him. "But I wish Hermione could have been here. It wasn't the same without her."

Ron nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I know. But she had family stuff going on and she said she needed to spend some time with her parents. We'll see her day after tomorrow though."

"Yeah," Harry agreed. Although she was not a true Quidditch fan, Hermione was going along with them to see the national team on Boxing Day. She and the boys were going to exchange their gifts then.

Ginny came over and Harry hugged her while she kissed him on the cheek. Then Severus stepped close and father and son left the Burrow, arriving back at their own home a moment later.

The evening passed quickly and quietly. They settled down before a chess board in the library, playing and talking as the sun set and the sky outside the leaded windows darkened. When the clock chimed ten, Severus announced that they had best go to bed.

Harry only yawned and nodded. Normally he would have thought that ten was too early for bed during the holidays, but it was Christmas and besides, he was tired from the busy weekend. He and Severus climbed the stairs together and in the corridor separating their bedrooms, Harry turned to give his father a hug.

"Good night, Dad."

Severus hugged him close in return and then they went into their rooms. Harry took a quick shower and then dressed in a pair of warm flannel pyjamas. There was a chill in the air despite the glowing fire burning in the grate and Harry slipped gratefully beneath the soft thick comforter of his bed. He fell asleep watching the cozy flames licking the logs and listening to the mournful wind howling outside his window. His last conscious thought was that, as much as he had enjoyed visiting the Burrow, he was very glad to be back home.

"Harry, wake up."

His father's hand shook his shoulder gently. As Harry opened his eyes and sat up, Severus arched an eyebrow at him. "I always thought it was the young people who woke early on Christmas morning."

Harry grinned at him. "Guess I was pretty tired."

He clambered out of bed, shivering in the cool air until Severus summoned his navy-blue dressing gown and slippers and handed them to him. "Thanks, Dad."

Severus too wore a fuzzy emerald robe over his matching pyjamas and slippers. They went downstairs to the parlour where a pile of presents sat beneath the tree and two bulging scarlet stockings hung from the mantel. Severus took them down and gave one to his son. Harry sat cross-legged on the floor by the tree and emptied his stocking, smiling at the collection of candies and fruits that spilled out.

"What did you get?" He asked as Severus pulled a chair close and carefully shook out his own stocking over a side table. Besides oranges, apples, licorice, and chocolates, Severus had a pair of golden cuff links.

"Check your stocking again," he advised his son. "I think you might have missed something."

So Harry examined his stocking again, and sure enough, two slips of paper were stuck down in the toe. Harry pulled them out and caught his breath as he saw what they were.

"Dad! Really? I can't believe it!" He jumped up and went to throw his arms around Severus. "How did you know I've always wanted to go to Disney World?"

"Your owl told me, of course" Severus replied calmly, though he did seem pleased at Harry's excitement.

"When are we going?"

"The last week of June. We shall leave as soon as school's out."

Harry tilted his head slightly. "But how did you know we'd be going back to Hogwarts?"

"I did not know when I arranged the trip, but even if you were going to continue studying at home, we would still follow the school calendar," Severus replied.

"How will we get there? By portkey?" Harry asked, remembering how foreign wizards had arrived for the Quidditch World Cup.

"Most likely," Severus agreed. "Apparating over such a long distance is dangerous and there is no international Floo system."

Harry went back to examining the tickets and exclaiming over all the sites he wanted to see at the amusement park until finally Severus remarked rather dryly that apparently Father Christmas had not needed to bring any other gifts.

So Harry grinned at him, laid the tickets aside, and went to select a present from under the tree. "Here. This one is for you."

"For me?"

Harry thought it was sad that Severus seemed a bit surprised. "Well, of course there are some for you." He ducked his head. "It's not nearly as good as what you've given me, but I hope you'll enjoy it anyway."

Severus reached out to gently rest his palm against Harry's cheek. "You have already given me more than I can ever repay."

"I haven't ever given you much at all." Harry shook his head, feeling a bit ashamed. Severus was always so generous with him, and what had he ever done in return?

"You have given me a life that is worth living," Severus replied softly.

Now he really felt awkward, but Severus promptly began unwrapping his gift, smiling as he lifted out a leather photo album.

"You gave me the camera, but I thought we'd need something to put all of our family photos in," Harry said.

"Very handsome," Severus approved. "Now why don't you see what's in that silver package with the red bow?"

A short while later Norie and Zan appeared with a tray of hot buttered rolls and a coffee pot. They admired Harry's stack of new clothing and books, and Severus' self-stirring cauldron and jars of rare potions ingredients. Harry and Severus exchanged a glance and then Harry set about distracting the elves by showing them the tickets to Disney World while Severus brought out two more gifts and laid them nearby.

"I believe we might have missed something," Severus remarked as he motioned to the boxes.

"Norie, Zan...Happy Christmas!" Harry beamed at them.

"But Master Severus, you've already given us that basket of potions and that special tea blend we like. We couldn't take anything more," Norie objected.

"But these are from Father Christmas," Harry told her. "You have to accept gifts from him."

Norie began to protest further, but Zan stopped her.

"Master Harry and Master Severus would like for us to accept these gifts, Norie. I believe we should," he said solemnly.

Norie hesitated, but then relented. "Oh, very well then, if it will please Master Harry and Master Severus."

She and Zan were speechless with delight when they saw the small finely-woven cloaks, hats, and gloves inside. A tearful Norie hugged them both, and Zan bowed so low that his nose almost touched the floor.

Christmas Day went by in a happy blur after that. The weather was clear and Harry talked his father into going outside and flying with him for a while. They raced and chased after a snitch, but though it was sunny, the wind was strong, moaning dreadfully across the moor with unearthly howls. Before very long father and son gave up and returned inside. They listened to carols on the wireless, read books before the fire, chatted with Dumbledore when he fire-called to wish them a happy Christmas, and shared a glazed ham, string bean casserole, and bread pudding for dinner.

Once again they retired early to bed for tomorrow was Boxing Day and the long-awaited Quidditch match. Harry had climbed into bed and was about to dim the lights when his father appeared in the doorway.

"May I come in?"

"Sure, Dad."

Severus came to sit beside him on the edge of the bed. "Have you had a good Christmas? I wanted our first one to be special."

Harry nodded. "It was the best Christmas I've ever had. Not because of all the gifts, even though I love them, but...well, I've just always wanted to have my own family to share it with."

"And now you have," Severus' voice was gruff with emotion and his dark eyes glimmered.

He cleared his throat. "Actually, there was one other thing I wished to discuss with you and today seemed an appropriate time."

Despite his words, he paused and seemed uncertain.

Harry reached for his hand. "What is it, Dad?"

Severus took a deep breath. "Do you remember that I gave you adoption papers at the end of the summer?"

As if Harry could have forgotten! His father must be nervous to ask such a silly question.

He nodded. "Well, yeah, of course I remember."

"I explained at the time that the papers were not legal," Severus began.

Harry sat straight up in bed, alarmed. "Is there any problem? They can't take me away, can they? And what about the slavery spell? I have to live with you!"

Severus caught him by the shoulders. "Harry. Relax, son. There is no problem. Everything is fine."

Harry took a deep breath. "Really?"

Severus nodded. "Yes, really. I only mentioned it because I wondered if you might be interested in going to the Ministry and making the adoption official now. You objected earlier because the vows we would make during the ceremony would reveal the slavery spell, but now..." his voice trailed off.

"It makes no difference in my feelings towards you," Severus added quickly after a moment. "You have been my son for a long time now and I love you with all my heart. I just thought that perhaps..."

"Dad," Harry interrupted.

Severus paused. "Yes?"

"That's my line," Harry smiled.

Severus frowned slightly in confusion. "Do you mean...?"

"I mean yes. Let's make it all legal and everything."

And then Severus hugged him so tightly that Harry almost couldn't breathe. But it was all right. Harry couldn't remember the last time he had been so happy. He wrapped his own arms around his father, holding him close in return.

Much later, after Severus had left, Harry lay in his bed, smiling to himself in the dark. It was funny how happy he was, because Severus was right. They had been father and son for a long time now and making the adoption legal wouldn't really change anything. It wouldn't make their relationship any more real to either of them.

But for some reason Harry was still giddy with joy at the thought of making it official. Of course the adoption would reveal the slavery spell, but everyone already knew about that now anyway. Maybe, just maybe, his father and friends were right about people being supportive. After seeing how practically everyone had been on his side at the Yule Ball, Harry could almost believe it.

Anyway, Severus had said that the adoption ceremony could be small and private. Then he would officially, legally be Severus' son. And being a son was more important than being a slave.

Wasn't it?

Yes, Harry nodded to himself. Of course it was.

Outside a particularly violent gust of wind shrieked in fury. Harry tugged his blanket over his head to drown out the sound and fell asleep, still smiling.