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Harry Potter: All I Want for Christmas

Chapter 1: Gryffindor

Letter from Hermione Granger

Date: November 9th, 1987

Dear Santa,

Sorry if this letter arrives a bit early, but better early than late, isn't it? I've calculated that at the most it should take a month to reach the North Pole, which gives you the better half of the month to respond to it in terms of your production lines. It must be so hard for you, all things considered, namely how you have to respond so quickly to all the late letters children send. Obviously you must start production in your workshop quite early in the year to meet the demands of all the children in the world, but obviously some specialization exists. I guess your magic must be really something.

But what do I want for Christmas? Well…that's the thing. Usually I'd ask for books, and I get them, whether it be in my stocking on under the Christmas tree. But…well, here's the thing. My friends don't seem to appreciate them. Or rather, when they're showing off dolls, popguns or some other gift, and they ask me what I got, they laugh. Not always-my closest friends, as few as they are, always give me the time of day. But still…

Really, I'd like something to show them that I can be one of the crowd. Some doll, some game, some…whatever. Whatever you want. I don't really know what's in fashion, but if you could get me something that might make it easier to fit in, it would be great. Plus a book also, if that's alright. Or two.

Lots of love,

Hermione

Letter from Neville Longbottom

December 7th, 1987

Dear Santa,

You probably don't remember me. You know, being a squib and all…do Muggles get presents from you? I don't know. But Gran is saying that if I don't start buckling up and being like my parents, I may find an empty tree. But then again, she's also saying that I should stop believing in you. That you don't exist. That…well, I'm writing to you aren't I? And you've been good to me in the past. And yes, I'm going to ask for two distinct things this year, as always. Don't get me wrong-the gifts are good, but, you know…

1: Magic. Please, I need it. I can't stand being a squib. Nor can my family for that matter. And I know how important it is for me to live up to my parents' legacy. Take transfiguration for example. Going to need a lot of magic to do well at that.

2: I know this might be unorthodox, but since I've always asked for the same thing each year, it shouldn't come as a surprise. If you could drop by St. Mungo's and…I know that you can't heal my parents. Now magic in the world can do that. But if you could give them something…anything, that might bring joy to them. I don't know if they even know me every time I visit them. But if life could be made better for them in any way, we'd all appreciate it.

Well, here's hoping.

From Neville

Letter from Ronald Weasley

Date: December 19th, 1987

Well, big, red and jolly, it's that time of year again. Ron Weasley, signing in. Don't worry if you've forgotten me. You've got six other kids to worry about also, not to mention all the others in the world. Others who actually get half-decent presents, but…meh. I know I'm not that good of a boy. Better than Fred and George at least. Don't know why Percy keeps getting all the good stuff though. You watching him at Hogwarts or something? From what I hear from Bill and Charlie, he's a bit of a prat, but…yeah, I said prat. You gonna punish me for that?

Anyway, in the vague hope I get something decent this year, I have a few suggestions.

1: Clothing. Decent clothing. And clothing that isn't maroon!

2: Vol. 1 of Martin Miggs, the Mad Muggle. Hardback, softback, either's fine. I lost the original comics to one of my brothers a few years back. Wouldn't mind a replacement.

3: A broomstick. A real broomstick. Heck, even a Shooting Star for all I care. Wouldn't mind a Cleansweep, a Comet or heck, even a Nimbus, but…you know, something. Everyone's fawning over Charlie's feats on the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, so if I'm going to live up to his reputation, I need to start practicing.

4: Some toys for Ginny. I'm sick of her breaking my own.

So yeah. Just a few ideas. Not expecting much, but hey, one can hope.

Here's to you big guy.

Letter from Harry Potter

December 25th, 1987

Dear Santa,

I'm not sure how I'm going to get this out to you exactly. I mean, getting paper and an envelope is one thing, but stamps are another. I need money for them, and the Dursleys won't give me any except in special circumstances. And something tells me that writing a letter to the North Pole won't qualify.

And why am I writing on Christmas Day itself you ask? Well, Christmas night actually. Haven't had time to write yet, considering how I've had to help prepare said dinner and clean up the dishes for that matter. Food was good…wish I could have had more of it, but Dudley needs to grow up big and strong or something. You always deliver presents for him, but…well, I appreciate the shoes…even if they are a bit big, but…well, I'm beginning to realize that in all likelihood you don't exist. Am I a bad boy? Is Dudley a good one? If that's the case, is the divide between us as wide as my aunt and uncle insist?

Yet I can't help but feel that there may be something out there. Strange things happen. Events I can't explain, not to mention that every so often, someone waves or shakes my hand and then disappears soon afterwards. Maybe it's coincidence, but in the vain hope that you do exist, I'll give you a whole year to respond to this letter.

Santa, I won't ask for my parents back. I've known that's impossible ever since I first asked Aunt Petunia about it. I won't ask for gifts either-I know how much it costs for the Dursleys to keep me, and if that's the case, it must be an extravagance for you to worry about me. Really, all I want for Christmas is…something? Friends? Family? Hope? I don't know. But if there's anything that you can do, I'd appreciate it.

Faintly hoping,

Harry Potter

A/N

I'd originally intended to post this around December of last year, but got sidelined. Anyway, got round to it now...and am posting it in the middle of the year. Still, I'd rather not wait another six months for Christmas to come again, and it's so cold right now (southern hemisphere seasons) that maybe I can get into the Christmas spirit anyway. Or post a Christmas-themed story at least.