The real Herry Potter

The evening at the Grangers was, without a doubt, a refreshing change of pace for Harry. Everyone was so friendly and warm toward him, making sure he felt comfortable and included. He couldn't quite tell if it was because he was associated with Lord Black, or if they were just being kind because of the holiday spirit. Maybe it was a bit of both. Perhaps, Harry thought, the barrel of wine might have helped too. After all, the Grangers and their relatives seemed to enjoy it immensely, their expressions lighting up with every sip.

"This wine is absolutely incredible!" Hermione's uncle exclaimed, holding his glass up to the light as though trying to decipher its secrets. "Where on earth did you get this?"

Harry smiled awkwardly, glancing at the emblem on the barrel. "Oh, it's something my godfather had stored. Thought it might be nice for a large gathering like this."

Hermione's parents, Dan and Emma Granger, had been especially appreciative. "Thank you so much, Harry," Emma said, resting a hand on his arm. "This really is such a treat. I don't know if we've ever had anything quite like it."

"Yeah, it's... um, something special," Harry replied, trying not to cringe. He personally found the wine to be rather average compared to the magical varieties he was used to. The wines stored in Runestone Castle or McKinnon Manor were brewed from magical fruits, giving them flavors that no Muggle wine could match. But of course, he wasn't about to share that detail with the Grangers.

As the night went on, Harry noticed something rather curious. One of Hermione's relatives—her cousin, perhaps?—had snuck outside, only to return with a collection of empty bottles. With a few knowing winks, he and a couple of others began bottling the wine from the barrel, sealing them up with care.

"Looks like we're going to have souvenirs for weeks!" one of the cousins laughed as they worked, filling each bottle carefully. It didn't take long for Hermione's parents to start handing the bottles out to their relatives, who gratefully accepted them.

Harry chuckled quietly to himself. Maybe this was what Muggles did after all. It seemed everyone wanted a piece of the special wine, and who was he to object?

Meanwhile, the younger crowd—Hermione, Harry, and her cousins—had gathered in the living room. They spent hours playing various board games, laughing and joking the entire time. Harry, unfamiliar with many of the games at first, was surprised at how quickly he picked them up. Hermione's cousins were competitive, but in a good-natured way, and Harry found himself genuinely enjoying the lightheartedness of it all.

"Alright, Harry," Hermione said with a mischievous grin as she held up a card. "Your turn. Let's see how well you do at charades."

Harry grinned back, happy to be part of the fun. "Bring it on," he said, standing up, ready to take on whatever strange Muggle game they threw his way.

The evening passed with laughter and warmth, and before he knew it, dinner was being served. The Grangers had put together an incredible meal—roasted turkey, ham, potatoes, vegetables, and various puddings that made Harry's mouth water. It wasn't the elaborate feasts from Hogwarts or the magically prepared meals at Grimmauld Place, but there was something undeniably comforting about it. It was simple, home-cooked, and filled with the spirit of togetherness.

"Everything is delicious, Mrs. Granger," Harry said politely as he took another bite of the roast turkey.

"Oh, please, call me Emma," she said with a smile. "And thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying it."

Throughout the dinner, conversation flowed easily, and Harry found himself talking to Hermione's cousins about their schools, their interests, and the differences between Muggle and magical life—though he kept the magical part to himself, of course. Hermione's father, Dan, kept sneaking glances at Harry as if still amazed that his daughter had befriended someone from such a different world.

"So, Harry," Dan began during a lull in the conversation, "Hermione tells me you're quite talented in a lot of ways. Must be quite the life you lead."

Harry blushed slightly, shaking his head. "Oh, I'm not sure about that. I just... try to keep up with everything."

"Well, it sounds like you're doing a fine job," Dan replied, raising his glass. "To Harry, for joining us tonight and bringing such wonderful company—and wine, of course!"

"To Harry!" the table echoed, and Harry flushed a little more, raising his glass awkwardly but smiling all the same.

By the end of the night, Harry felt content in a way he hadn't expected. He had been nervous about spending Christmas with Muggles, uncertain if he'd fit in or if he'd make a mistake. But instead, he had been welcomed, appreciated, and even celebrated.

As the evening wound down, Harry and Hermione found a quiet moment on the back porch, the cool night air a pleasant contrast to the warmth inside.

"Thanks for coming, Harry," Hermione said softly. "I know this must've been a little strange for you."

Harry smiled, gazing up at the stars. "It's actually been really nice. Different, but nice. I'm glad you invited me."

"I'm glad you came," Hermione replied, nudging him playfully. "And I think my parents are glad too—especially with that wine."

Harry laughed. "I'm starting to think that wine was the real hero of the evening."

They shared a quiet moment of laughter, the festive sounds of the party still drifting out from the house behind them. For the first time in a while, Harry felt at peace—surrounded by good company, and the feeling that maybe, just maybe, everything was going to be okay.

As the night at the Grangers began to wind down, Harry heard the unmistakable sound of an engine approaching. His heart lifted slightly as he recognized the sleek red Ferrari pulling up to the curb outside the house. A small grin tugged at his lips. Of course, he thought, Sirius wouldn't just pick him up quietly—he had to make an entrance.

The rumble of the car's engine drew the attention of many of the Granger family members who had gathered in the front room. As the Ferrari came to a halt, several of them peered out the windows or stepped onto the porch, whispering and nudging one another in awe.

"Wow, that's some car," Hermione's cousin muttered, eyes wide as Sirius Black, looking as effortlessly dashing as ever, stepped out of the Ferrari with a confident smile.

Harry sighed. He could already tell what was going to happen next. Sirius, being Sirius, had that natural charm that seemed to make him the center of attention wherever he went, and tonight was no different.

"Is that your ride, Harry?" Hermione asked with a raised eyebrow, clearly amused.

"Yeah... Sirius doesn't really do subtle," Harry replied, shaking his head with a laugh. "I guess he wanted to make an impression."

And an impression he made. As Sirius approached the house, Hermione's relatives stared openly, a few of the women exchanging flustered glances. His tailored jacket, dark hair swept back, and a roguish smile made him look like something out of a movie star catalog. The Granger family members had never seen someone quite like him.

"Ah, there's my godson!" Sirius exclaimed dramatically as he reached the porch, spreading his arms wide as if he were arriving at a grand ball. "Did you have a good time, Harry?"

"Yeah, it was great," Harry replied, trying not to laugh. "Though I wasn't expecting that entrance."

Sirius gave him a cheeky grin before turning his attention to Hermione and the rest of her family, bowing slightly. "And you must be the Grangers. I've heard so much about you. Thank you for taking care of my godson for the evening."

As if on cue, several of Hermione's aunts and cousins giggled, a few of them whispering to one another. One of Hermione's cousins, a woman in her late twenties, stepped forward, eyes wide.

"Sirius Black, you said?" she asked, batting her eyelashes. "Are you—" she paused, seeming a little flustered. "Are you, by any chance, married?"

Harry groaned inwardly, knowing where this was heading. But Sirius, ever the charmer, took it in stride.

"Married? Me?" Sirius said with a mock gasp, placing a hand on his chest. "No, I'm afraid not. I'm a free spirit, you see—hard to tie down."

Several of the women exchanged delighted looks, clearly intrigued. More than one of them glanced from the Ferrari to Sirius and back again, their imaginations clearly running wild.

"Well, that's good to know," Hermione's aunt commented with a smirk, "because there's plenty of us here who wouldn't mind a little charm in our lives."

Harry shot Sirius a look that said Really? but his godfather merely winked at him, completely unfazed by the attention. Hermione, standing next to Harry, was trying not to laugh, her hand covering her mouth.

"Sirius," Harry said, clearing his throat, "I think it's time we got going."

"Right you are, Harry." Sirius gave a charming smile to the Grangers and their relatives. "It's been a pleasure meeting you all. Merry Christmas!" He waved grandly as he made his way back to the car, and Harry could hear more murmurs of approval from the womenfolk as they admired him.

As Harry followed Sirius to the Ferrari, Hermione leaned in and whispered, "I think half of my family just fell in love with your godfather."

Harry groaned. "Yeah, he has that effect on people. Let's just hope none of them try to follow us home."

They shared a laugh as they said their final goodbyes. Hermione's parents, still smiling warmly, thanked Harry again for the evening.

"You're welcome any time, Harry," Emma Granger said, giving him a hug. "And tell Sirius he's welcome too."

"I'll, uh, be sure to pass that along," Harry said, smiling as he waved goodbye.

As they drove off in the Ferrari, Harry glanced at Sirius, who was grinning to himself.

"You do realize half of Hermione's family is going to be talking about you for weeks, right?"

Sirius shrugged, clearly pleased with himself. "What can I say, Harry? Some of us are just born with natural charm."

Harry chuckled, shaking his head. "You're unbelievable."

Sirius grinned, the roar of the Ferrari's engine filling the night air as they sped away from the Grangers' house and into the quiet streets.

"Unbelievable or not," Sirius said with a playful wink, "I still managed to make your night memorable, didn't I?"

Harry couldn't argue with that. As they drove back to Grimmauld Place, he found himself smiling, feeling lighter than he had in a long time. Tonight had been different—unexpected in many ways—but it had also been fun. He'd shared laughter, good food, and made memories with people who didn't expect anything from him other than to enjoy the evening.

The Christmas celebrations at Grimmauld Place were among the best Harry had ever experienced. It wasn't just the decorations or the warmth of the roaring fire in the hearth—it was the company. Sirius, Remus, and the Lovegoods had made the day feel like an extended family gathering, the kind Harry had always dreamed of.

Sirius and Remus had spent the whole day with Harry, sharing stories, laughter, and food, while the eccentric Lovegoods added their own unique charm to the festivities. Luna's father, Xenophilius, brought over a peculiar dish he claimed was a holiday staple in their family—something with glittering fruit and bizarre spices—but everyone politely tried it and smiled through the odd texture. Luna, of course, treated it like the most normal thing in the world, chatting with Harry about magical creatures she'd read about and theories she had regarding the universe.

When it came time to open presents, Harry was overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness of the gifts. He had gifts from many of the Order of the Stars members, each wrapped with care. Hermione had sent him a new magical organizer that could sort his thoughts into neat little compartments. Unpredictably, had sent him a selection of sweets from Honeydukes, which he shared with everyone as they opened more presents.

One particular gift, however, stood out among the rest—a beautifully crafted package with an unmistakable shimmer. Harry unwrapped it, revealing an invisibility cloak. His heart skipped a beat as he held it up. The material was familiar—it had the same lightness, the same silken feel as his father's.

Sirius, who had been watching, leaned forward. His eyes widened as he examined the cloak more closely. "Harry," he said slowly, "this… this was your father's. I'd recognize it anywhere."

Harry blinked in surprise. "My father's?"

Sirius nodded, taking the cloak in his hands. "James always had it with him. I had no idea where it went."

"But... who would've sent it?" Harry asked, confused. He looked down at the note that had come with the gift. It was brief and unsigned, but Sirius recognized the handwriting immediately.

"Dumbledore," Sirius said, nodding toward the note. "This is his handwriting. But I have no idea why James would have given it to him."

Harry stared at the cloak in awe, his heart swelling with the connection to his father. "I can't believe it…"

"Well," Sirius said with a grin, "looks like you're going to get a lot more use out of it than anyone else has in the past years. I'm sure James would be proud."

Harry smiled, running his hand over the cloak. "It's incredible," he whispered.

But the surprises didn't end there. Sirius, of course, had gone overboard with his gift. As if trying to outdo everyone, he presented Harry with something that both excited and slightly bewildered him.

"I've arranged for twenty different species of magical creatures and plants for you," Sirius announced proudly. "They'll be going straight to Black Island."

Harry's eyes widened. "Wait, you did what?"

Sirius grinned and clapped Harry on the back. "I figured you'd want to put your own mark on the place. Black Island's your legacy now, after all. These creatures and plants will help it thrive—and some of them are even endangered, so it's a bit of a conservation effort too."

Harry was speechless. "That's… that's amazing! But… twenty species?"

"Don't worry," Sirius said, laughing. "You'll have help managing them. The house-elves are already trained to take care of most of them. Think of it as your own little nature preserve. It'll be good addition for you to focus on something outside of all this magical chaos."

Harry couldn't help but laugh. Leave it to Sirius to gift him something completely over-the-top. But despite the shock, he was genuinely excited. Black Island had been in his mind a lot lately—a place he knew where all his magical creatures protected. Now, with Sirius's gift, it felt like a real, tangible project.

After Christmas, Harry and Sirius threw themselves into preparations for Black Island. They spent their days researching the magical creatures and plants that Sirius had arranged for, as well as planning the best ways to introduce them into the island's ecosystem. Sirius, with his vast knowledge of magical flora and fauna, proved to be an invaluable resource. Lovegoods, fascinated by the creatures, even volunteered to help catalog them once they were settled on the island.

It was an odd but fulfilling task, a break from the usual magical conflicts they were used to. And for Harry, it was more than that—it was a chance to build something of his own, something he could take pride in.

And so, between the wine-filled celebrations, the laughter of new friends, and the excitement of his future project on Black Island, Harry Potter had experienced the best Christmas he could have imagined.