Harry's First Happy Christmas
Chapter 7- Harry’s First Happy Christmas
Harry Potter was probably the most excited kid in the entirety of England for Christmas to come. It was the first year where he was going to be with his family, well his family that loved him. His Aunt Maya promised him that there was in fact going to be presents for him under the tree this year.
Mattie is getting so close to trying to walk now. He is very skilled at holding onto chairs, couches, and tables while standing. He has been constantly babbling the words that he knows. Harry was over the moon when his first word was ‘Hawwy’. Aunt Maya cried when he called her mamma for the first time.
He had honestly never seen anything as pretty as the snow that was gently falling and blanketing the hills and trees around Sutcliffe house. It was a week until Christmas and he was thrilled that today Aunt Maya was taking him to go and help pick out the tree so that they could decorate it.
Harry was never allowed to help get the tree or decorate it before. So, that found Harry Potter-Sutcliffe sat at the kitchen table eating a hearty warm breakfast with Winnie speaking excitedly about Christmas. He was dressed in his warmest layers as his aunt asked him to the night before.
Winnie was telling him all about past Christmases when the Sutcliffe family used to be so much bigger and full of people. “Master Harry it was wonderful. Master Henry loved to play Father Christmas for Mistress Maya and Master Matthew. Mistress Cara would sit at the piano and sing carols. Mind you Master Harry, Mistress Cara was the only one who could sing, the rest sounded like sick kneazles.” Winnie finishes in a whisper.
Harry bursts into giggles as Maya comes into the kitchen narrowing her eyes slightly at the pair.
“Why do I feel as if my name has been besmirched?” She questions before lowering herself into the chair across from Harry.
“Mama!” Mattie cries reaching out egg covered hands at his mum. Maya’s eyes soften as she reaches over with a napkin and gently cleans off his fingers before placing a kiss on his forehead.
“Winnie was telling me about past Christmases! She told me that you Uncle Matthew, and Grandpa Henry couldn’t sing.” Harry tries to say through another burst of giggles.
“Et tu, Winnie?” Maya states with a wry look on her face. The little house elf blushes from her nose to the tips of her long ears. “No matter, I believe it’s the spirit that counts in the holidays.”
Harry nods along vigorously for he’s never sung before in his life and he’s not so sure he’ll be good at it. “So where are we going for the tree?” Harry asks redirecting the conversation.
His aunt grins at him. “There’s a forest a couple of miles from here that has the best-looking trees around. My Dad would take Matty and I there all the time when we were younger. After that we just walk until we think that we have the tree to best all trees!” Aunt Maya’s happiness is infectious.
“So, no car lot full of trees already cut?” Harry confirms. She scoffs at that.
“Silly muggles and their laziness in tree finding.” Maya states before spooning some porridge.
“Is Mattie coming with us?” Harry asks as he pulls a face at his little brother. Mattie squeals and tries to mimic him to little success.
“Not this time. He’s too little, and I don’t want him to accidentally get hurt. You on the other hand, are glorious at following directions.” Maya replies and Harry blushes at the compliment. He knows that he’s not the most obedient child or the easiest child, but his aunt is always full of praise and pride for him. It warms him, and makes his love just that much greater.
“Are you done there love?” She asks him and Harry looks down at his empty plate then to hers.
“Yes! Can we go now?” He cries, attempting to give her his best puppy pout. His aunt’s laughter and nod are all that he needs to spring from the table.
“Get your warmest coat, gloves, scarf, and hat Harry, and put on your boots!” Maya calls after him. He buzzes as kiss to his brother’s head and races to the hall closet to get his winter gear out. Fifteen minutes later Harry and Aunt Maya were bundled up in their warmest clothes and stepping out the front door.
“So, Harry, we’re going to have some company today while we’re out. I hope that’s okay…” His aunt tells him with an uncertain look on her face.
“Is it the Weasleys?” Harry asks, as that’s really the only family they’ve associated with. His aunt shakes her head.
“Do you remember a while back when you had your sleepover?” At his nod she continues on. “Do you remember the woman I introduced you to?”
“I think so… she had red hair, right? Like the Weasleys.” Harry states. Maya chuckles, hoping that Harry won’t say that in front of Amelia.
“Yes, Amelia Bones. She’s going to be joining us with her niece Susan.” She tells him, the uncertain look back on her face. Harry shrugs his shoulders.
“Okay. As long as they don’t take our tree!” He cries miming a sword fight. Their laughter echoes around their little part of the country side.
By the time Maya and Harry show up to the perfect tree part of the forest, they’re out of breath, and Maya is silently cursing the throbbing of her blasted knee. They’re greeted by the amused looks of both the redheaded aunt and niece.
“Hello Harry. Hello Maya. Did you have fun on your way here?” Amelia Bones asks with a little wicked grin on her face. Susan giggles from beside her practically bouncing in her excitement.
“Ha, ha, Lia. Some of us don’t have all functioning limbs.” Aunt Maya puffs, leaning heavily on her cane. Harry groans from beside her.
“I found bunny tracks in the snow…” He trails off blushing. He wanted to see if he could find the bunny.
“Well Harry, you definitely have the Sutcliffe gene for distraction then.” Amelia chuckles along with Susan’s giggles.
“Okay, enough with picking on us poor defenseless souls. There are trees to find.” Aunt Maya says, patting Harry on the shoulder.
“Indeed. Susan this is Harry. Harry this is my niece, Susan. I believe that you’re both the same age.” Amelia is quick to introduce the two children.
“Hello.” Harry greets shyly.
“Hiya Harry! Let’s go find the best tree!” Susan says grabbing Harry’s mittened hand in hers, tugging him forward.
“Don’t go too far, stay in sight please!” Aunt Maya calls after them. Harry and Susan trudge through the knee-high snow while examining the pine trees around them. Harry can hear the two adults behind them slowly walking while having a conversation.
“So, how is it living with your auntie?” Susan asks him breaking their chatter about the pros and cons of each tree.
“Fantastic. I love it.” Harry says immediately. “It’s the first home that I’ve had.” Susan gives him a funny look at that, but doesn’t pry.
“I live with my Auntie too. I have since I was a baby. My mummy and daddy died in the war.” Susan admits softly. Harry’s heart pangs. He knows exactly what that feels like.
“So, did mine.” Harry says. Susan nods her head, biting her lip.
“I know… everyone knows honestly. Auntie told me not to badger you.” She tells him. Harry sighs and closes his eyes for a second.
“Susan, I’m just Harry. Harry who loves his aunt and little brother, likes to take care of flowers, play with friends, and fly on a broom.” He says softly. “I think that makes me like any other kid.” He really hopes that does.
The little girl next to him nods her head and gives him a smile. “It does. You’re just plain old boring Harry.” Susan states with a twinkle in her eye. Harry gasps offendedly.
“Take that back Susan!” He shouts, before taking off after her retreating form. Ten minutes, a stern talking to by the adults, and apologies later Harry comes across what he thinks is the best tree that he’s ever seen. It’s tall with thick branches and gaps between the branches for ornaments like his aunt told him about.
“Aunt Maya! Over here! I found it!” He shouts, jumping up and down excitedly. He can hear her laugh all the way over here.
“Keep your hair on Harry, I’m coming.” She assures him and carefully trudges through the snow to him. The pair of them circle the tree looking for anything that looks like the tree had been hurt.
“So?” Harry asks, hoping that this tree is the one. His Aunt looks down at him and smiles.
“Good eye love.”
The two families depart after the Bones’ find their tree and Harry and Susan have a game of tag, running and subsequently falling in the snow. By the time they’re back home with the tree they’re exhausted. Aunt Maya orders Harry up to the bathroom for a hot shower and to warm up.
Winnie greets them and promises cocoa with marshmallows in them when he’s done. Harry had never enjoyed hot water so much before in his life. Once he was done and dressed in some warm flannel pajamas and slippers, he made his way back downstairs. His aunt was changed into warm clothes and she was sitting in her chair icing her knee while staring happily at the tree.
Harry felt his jaw drop open at the sight of it standing there in the corner of the room by the fireplace. It was perfectly trimmed to size for the room and dry. Mattie squealed at the sight of Harry and let go of the couch he was standing next to and attempted to toddle over to him before falling on his bum.
Harry smiled and went over to pick up his brother. While today had been fun with just him and Aunt Maya, he did miss the little guy.
“So, what do you think?” Aunt Maya asks gesturing to the tree. Harry grins at her.
“Perfect.” He says.
“Yes!” Mattie agrees. Maya lets out a happy laugh.
“Well, there you go, the boys have spoken.”
Winnie comes into the room with a tray of hot cocoa floating in front of her. Harry sits down on the couch with Mattie beside him. Everyone gets a mug except for Mattie and his sippy cup of milk.
As the days draw nearer to Christmas Harry finds himself increasingly busy in decorating the house and trying to figure out what all to get everyone as a present. It’s the first time he’s had people to get gifts for and there are so many! The house is warm and full of Christmas cheer. The fire crackles happily with stockings hanging over the mantle. Maya and Winnie both have red stockings with gold lettering, while Harry and Mattie have green stockings with gold lettering.
Their tree is decorated with wooden ornaments and paper chains that Maya helped Harry make. There was even now an ornament on the tree with Harry’s name on it along with one for Mattie. A shiny gold star is at the top, and Harry had fun putting candy canes on tree branches he could reach.
The wizarding wireless was crooning holiday tunes that Harry thought sounded a little funny compared to what he was used to growing up, but he enjoyed them nonetheless. At the moment he was sitting at the desk in his room attempting to make a list of people and gifts that he needed to get or make.
He was making Christmas cards for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, he thought that they would like the effort that he put into making them special. For Ron, Harry went with Aunt Maya to Diagon Alley so that he could get some small things with her for presents, and got him a poster of his favorite Quidditch team the Chudley Cannons. Harry tried not to grimace too much as he brought the orange monstrosity to the counter.
He got Ginny a Holyhead Harpies poster as well since she loved Quidditch just as much as her brother if not more. For Winnie, he got her a new cookbook which Maya helped him pick out, so he got her one that she didn’t already have. They also went shopping in the muggle world, so Harry with the help of Maya picked out a great push toy walker that Mattie could use to get around the house on his little feet.
Both Harry and Aunt Maya were hesitant to get it because Mattie already was becoming a little escape artist. When he had asked his aunt what she would like for Christmas, she had waved him off and stated that she had everything that she already needed with Harry, Mattie, and Winnie.
So that led Harry to determine that he had to make something for her. Something that would really show his feelings for her and his thankfulness for taking him in when she didn’t have to. As he looked down at his list, he wasn’t sure if he did the whole gift thing right, but he hoped so.
Harry decided that he had done enough pondering and that he was now hungry. Maybe if he was lucky, he could get Winnie to give him a piece of gingerbread before dinner. As he pattered down the stairs, he stopped at the sound of something he hadn’t heard before. Soft melody was coming from the living room.
Harry crept forward and sees to his shock Aunt Maya at the piano with her eyes closed. He had no idea that she knew how to play. She doesn’t notice him until he’s right beside her. He doesn’t see any music on the stand in front of her so he’s very impressed.
“Hello Harry.” Maya says softly lifting her fingers off of the keys.
“I didn’t know you could play the piano too.” He says looking at the large instrument impressed.
“My mum taught me. I hated that she made me take the time to learn the blasted thing, but it brought us closer. Sometimes I can almost see her when I’m playing music.” Maya explains, and scooches over some patting the bench beside her. Harry sits down and hesitantly reaches out and pushes a key. A rich sound comes from the instrument before fading.
“W-would you teach me?” Harry asks, unsure why he suddenly feels the need to try. Aunt Maya’s eyebrows raise in surprise.
“You want to play the piano Harry?” She sounds as surprised as she looks. Harry fidgets in his seat and feels a blush rise to his cheeks.
“Maybe… it sounds cool, and you looked really peaceful while you played.” He says trying to figure out how to say what he wants to say.
“This was my first time playing this piano in many years. I’ll have to thank Winnie for keeping it in tune…” She trails off before looking at him again. “Why do you want to play Harry?”
“Well… Grandma Cara played… and you play… I-I thought it would be nice to be able to do something that my family does as well. Like playing quidditch like you and my dad.” Harry says happy that he was able to say what he wanted to. Maya reaches out and cups his cheek in her hand.
“It’s lovely and very flattering that you want to do things that we’ve done, but Harry… you are very much a part of this family whether you like and do the same things we have. Harry Potter-Sutcliffe can do whatever he wants, and I along with our ancestors will be very proud of you.” She tells him. Harry blinks a few times before smiling at her.
“Thanks, I really appreciate that, but I would still like to learn how to play the piano. It’d be cool to be able to make music. I never got the chance to learn one before with them.” Harry admits. Maya smiles at him before pulling her wand from her sleeve. She taps the keys and magically letters appear on each one of them. With a swish a beginner’s guide to the piano is on the stand.
“So, let’s see how smart you are love. Can you point to which key is middle C?”
At six in the morning on Christmas day Harry Potter-Sutcliffe throws back his covers, and slips into his slippers. Pulling on his blue robe, he quickly moves into the hall while tying it shut. He makes his way to the end and pushes open his aunt’s room. He can hear her slow and even breathes which lets him know that she’s still asleep— well not for much longer.
“It’s Christmas! Aunt Maya wake up! It’s Christmas!” Harry shouts jumping onto the bed and bouncing up and down merrily as his aunt lets out a groan.
“Harry… it’ll still be Christmas in another few hours.” She moans reaching out and grasping the giggling boy around his middle and pulling him into her arms. Harry’s still excited, but he snuggled into the embrace. They lay like that for a while and Harry must fall back asleep for when he wakes up again, Maya is pulling on her yellow robe.
“Good morning sleepyhead. I told you it’d still be Christmas.” She grins at him and Harry scrambles to get up.
“It’s time for presents! There’ll actually be presents for me! We have to get Mattie!” Harry exclaims running out of her room and back down the hall to the room across from his. He opens the door peering inside to see his little brother sitting in his crib wide awake and playing with his stuffed dragon.
“Happy Christmas Mattie!” Harry says, smiling as his brother scrambles to stand up in his crib.
“Hawwy! Mama!” He cries, before holding his arms out. Aunt Maya picks him up with a groan, and Harry wonders whether its exaggerated or not. The small family of three make their way downstairs to greet a happy and excited Winnie. They make their way into the living room, where Harry squeaks at the sight of all the gifts underneath the tree.
“Happy Christmas Harry and Mattie!” Maya exclaims and sits down on the couch with Mattie in her lap. “Will you be the gift passer love?”
Harry nods his head and starts reaching under the tree. In all Harry had more presents than he’d ever gotten before on Christmas. He received a Weasley sweater from Mrs. Weasley in Tornado blue, a book on Quidditch from Mr. Weasley, and an assortment of wizarding sweets from the kids.
Winnie made him a new soft yellow blanket for his bed, and he even got a gift from Amelia Bones and Susan that was a pack of exploding snap cards and a beginner’s wizarding chess set. It was the gifts from his aunt Maya that meant the most though. She got him tickets for the Tutshill Tornados for the family for the rest of the season. If that wasn’t cool enough, she gave him a photo album full of pictures of his parents. She was in some of them as well as their friends which she pointed out. Harry saw that a young Amelia Bones was with his aunt in a lot of them.
Just when he thought all the presents were done, Aunt Maya pulled a small box out of her pocket. She handed the box to Harry who looked at it oddly. “This gift is a tradition in my family. When the head of the family deems you old enough and responsible enough, they give these to the younger members.” She explains.
With shaky hands Harry unties the simple ribbon and pulls the lid off the box. Inside on a little velvet pillow lays a silver medallion. Emblazoned on it is a standing bear with two castle turrets in the background. Underneath the bear it says Sutcliffe, at the top are the words semper vera. Harry can’t speak.
“I know that the Potters didn’t have any traditions like this until their children was of age, but I wanted you to have something of the family.” Aunt Maya says and Harry looks up to see that she has pulled out a chain from underneath her sleep shirt upon which dangles the same medallion.
“Keep it close to your heart and remember semper vera. Always be true.”
Harry pulls out the medallion and slips the cool metal chain over his head, shocked when it resizes to fit him exactly. Unable to say anything Harry gets up and embraces Maya in a big hug. It’s like she understands that still even after the adoption, the countless conversations, and tears Harry needs reassurance that he belongs to someone.
“I’m glad you like it.” She says placing a kiss to the top of Harry’s head as Mattie squeals in the background playing with the discarded wrapping.
“I have something for you too.” Harry says slipping off the couch and reaching around the back of the tree, pulling out a sheet of paper. He presents it to her nervously. Maya is quiet for a long time and Harry gets concerned. Tears are in her eyes, but she reaches out and pulls Harry into a crushing hug.
That night as they sit by the fire eating cookies and drinking cocoa the family picture that Harry drew sat framed on the wall looking over them. Harry, Mattie, Winnie, and his Mum.