A/N: First of all, a big apology for this awful delay. Things have been a bit stressed in my world this last month.

It was a bright, sunlit day; without a single patch of cloud in the sky. Harry was flying in his new, shiny Firebolt. It was fast, incredibly fast. He flew past some of his teammates and some of the Slytherins they were playing against today. Below him, he could see the quaffle being passed around the chasers. Fred and George were lashing the bludgers unmercifully on their opponents.

In one of the stands, he could see his parents and sister. They were cheering for him, his father and sister the most.

He pulled up his gaze higher, and finally, his eyes landed on Draco Malfoy. The silvery-haired boy was trailing behind him desperately, but why, he didn't know. He then looked ahead and came across the reason behind the Malfoy heir's desperation.

In front of him, a couple of yards away, speeding and fluttering madly, was the golden snitch.

He charged after it and could see from the corner of his eyes that Malfoy was doing his best to gain on him. He, however, held his gaze firmly on the snitch. Seconds and minutes passed after that, and he lost track of time. Then, suddenly, it hit his senses that something was wrong. His surroundings weren't bright and alight anymore. He even was feeling a little chilly. He gazed upward and found the previously vivid blue sky was now covered with the never-ending veil of cloud. Then the whitish shade of the cloud started to get filled with black, and the chill in the air intensified parallelly. He was trying to catch on to the strange happenings when his eyes fell on the mass of cloaked figures over the horizon. His heart froze inside his chest as he felt his blood freezing in. He stared in sort of a rigid, glacial trance as the dementors floated toward him. He didn't know why he was still there, why not fleeing away from the spot. The Dementors were advancing on him, and he knew nothing about how to fight them off. It was the only thing he was aware of at that moment. He thought of what had happened the last time he came within the closest proximity of those creatures and knew it wouldn't be any less this time.

The Dementors were just a few yards away when he finally closed his eyes and braced himself for those horrid, sickly memories that he knew were going to engulf him any moment now. But to his utter dumbfoundment, it didn't come. He waited for what seemed like hours, but nothing happened. He finally opened his eyes, but there was nothing in front of him other than the horizon afar. He glanced sideways, but couldn't find any of his teammates, or opponents for that matter. Everything was dead silent. Everyone seemed to have disappeared of some sort. Even Malfoy had discarded his chase after him.

He then turned toward the stands, and his whole body went numb at the sight. The whole stadium was empty except for three people. Three particular people who did bear his heart and were now under the assault of thirty soul-sucking Dementors.

"Nooooo!" He yelled out aloud and urged his broom to rush toward them when another horrific realisation hit him. He was trapped in his spot. He desperately tried to break out of the invisible enclosure around him but to no avail. He could see their body getting paler with every rotten breath of the Dementors, but he couldn't do anything. He yelled out for them agonizingly, cried out for help, but it was all useless, just like him. No one could hear his pathetic voice. Even those vile, worthless creatures considered him unworthy of their attention.

But then, from far away, he heard someone calling him. At first, he thought he had mistaken, but then it happened again, followed by someone shaking him. It was then everything started to get blurry before his eyes and eventually, darkness captured his whole vision.

The next time he opened his eyes, three very familiar pair of eyes were looking back at him. They were full of worry and concern, but bright and alive nonetheless.

His mother was seated at the edge of his bed while his father and sister stood beside her.

"It's okay, honey," Lily spoke up in a tender voice, caressing her son's cheek. "It's just a dream."

Harry didn't answer. For the next few moments, he just looked into those eyes that so mirrored his own. Then, at once, he leapt up to a sitting position and lunged at her, hugging her fiercely.

Lily was surprised by the strength in his hug. She didn't know what the dream had been to cause her son such heartbreak and desperation. But one thing she was sure about from his reaction; it must have included her.

She enfolded her arms around him and pulled her even closer, offering him the comfort and reassurance he was silently asking for.

"It's okay, baby," she rubbed her hand up and down his back, "We're all here. It was nothing more than a nightmare".

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked moments later. Harry was still in her embrace. It was more of a comfort for him now than need.

He pulled away from her and looked at each of them one by one. He finally settled his eyes on his mother and then lowered it a bit before he said, "It was you, dad, Daisy and ... ", he choked in his words, "And the Dementors".

Both the girls gasped at the last mention, and Lily yanked her son back into her embrace. Those certain words were enough to describe his dream. And now she knew why he had screamed so agonizingly. It must've been an excruciation for him to watch something like that, even in his dream. And no one should have such a dream, less a child, she thought.

"It's okay, sweetie," she kissed the side of his head. "It was just a dream. We're all here. And nothing is going to happen to us." Harry sagged in her arms, her comforting embrace and soothing words blocking out the memory of his dreams.

"Your mum is right, Harry. It was just a dream," James placed a hand on his son's shoulder. And when Harry pulled away from his mother, the older man pulled him into a hug.

"By the way," Harry spoke up, pulling away from his father, "How did you know I was having a nightmare? Did I scream?"

His father nodded his head while his mother answered verbally. "Yes, honey, you did."

"Sorry, if I did wake you all", Harry apologized.

"It's okay, Harry," replied his father. "We were already awake. It's seven-thirty in the morning." Harry turned toward the table-clock and found it showing three minutes less.

"Now come on", his mother called for attention, "Get dressed and come downstairs. Breakfast will be ready soon". With that, she and her husband walked out of the room. Daisy approached her brother and kissed the top of his head before following her parents.

Fifteen minutes later, Harry entered the kitchen and occupied the chair beside his sister, across his father. His mother served breakfast, and they all started to eat.

"Dad", Harry spoke up after swallowing a mouthful of scrambled eggs. "I was thinking if there is a way to fight off Dementors".

Though it was meant for his father, it caught the attention of all the three occupants.

"You see, son", James started after sharing a quick glance with his wife. " Dementors can't be defeated or destroyed. Even if possible, not known to the wizards how". He noticed his son's face fell at his information, so he quickly added, "But ... there is a way to repel them and shield yourself from their effect".

"Really?" Harry's expression brightened up.

"Yes", James nodded his head. "It's called Patronus Charm. It's one of the most difficult spells to master. There aren't many wizards and witches out there who can brag about their achievements here. Even your mum and I couldn't perfect it until the end of our seventh year."

"But I can try, can't I?" Harry asked, hopefully. His father looked at his mother for an answer. And he concluded that they should know his feelings in this matter before landing on a decision. "Mum, dad", he caught their attention. "I know maybe I'm too young for this, but I don't want to feel helpless anymore, in front of a Dementor".

The word help 'helpless' cut through Lily's heart like a razor-sharp knife. She was seated across the table, so she couldn't grab her son into a hug, but her emotion was clear from her eyes.

"Of course, you won't, sweetheart. You won't feel helpless ever again. And yes, you can learn how to cast a Patronus."

"Really?" Harry asked for confirmation, delightedly.

"Yes." Lily nodded her head while her husband added, "I'll contact Moony and see if he can teach you after the Christmas break".

"Thanks, mum, ... thanks, dad", Harry thanked gleefully.

"You're welcome", they replied with similar smiles.

"Mum, can Daisy and my friends learn it too?" Harry asked moments later.

"I don't think that's a good idea, son", replied James. "Like I just said, it's not an easy feat, even for adult and experienced wizards and witches. Your friends will be just heart-broken if they fail to gain any success. I think this time you should learn it alone. Once you master the charm, they can have a go for it. At least, they'll have a figure of motivation then."

Harry considered his father's words carefully and realised that the older man was, in fact, true. If it was really that hard, as his father was portraying, he had no work dragging his sister and friends into it.

"Okay, dad", Harry nodded his head. "I can see your point". He then turned toward his sister. "You okay with it?"

Daisy nodded her head. "Yes. I think dad is quite right."

Ten minutes later, breakfast was over, and the two kids retired back to their room to finish the last of their homework that was mainly potions. In fact, Snape was the only professor who had assigned them with homework — loads of them to say in particular. That git never ceased to haunt students even on vacations.

It was December 28th, three days after Christmas, and Harry and his sister hadn't been to the Burrow since their last visit three days ago.

After homework was finished, Harry made it to the study and selected a book on advanced charms from one of the shelves. He was excited to learn the Patronus lesson and couldn't wait to get a glimpse of what it would be like. He knew his uncle Moony was yet to agree for the lesson, but he doubted he would say no.

For the next hour, he flicked through the pages of the book, trying to gain an overview of the charm and how it worked. And the first thing he learned, was that his father wasn't kidding when he said it was not an easy feat. There were mentions like good memories and emotions, as well as strengthening one's heart and resolve. And he didn't have even a scrap of idea about how those things were going to help him in casting the charm. But he was sure about one thing; it needed a lot of focus and hard work for that matter, to master this charm. And he was determined to contribute in both the factors, to accomplish his goal.

One hour later, he finally left the study when his mother called for lunch, and his sister dragged him out of the room to the kitchen.

Harry was ready — both physically and mentally — to start his Patronus lesson, and the only thing he needed was for Remus to agree to teach him.

Harry, however, had not to wait for long. Remus accepted his mother's invitation to join them for dinner on New Year's Eve, and that day Harry got his answer, which was a yes, obviously.

On the morning of the January first, the Potter family was seated around the breakfast table after their morning and new year greetings when a barn owl came soaring through the window and landed elegantly in the middle of the table. Lily untied the letter from its leg, and Harry offered it a piece of toast which the owl accepted with an appreciative hoot of its wings. The letter was addressed to James, so Lily handed it to her husband, and the owl flew off the table and out of the window. A look of satisfaction and delight appeared over James' face as he read the letter. He then handed it to his wife, and they shared a knowing glance after she finished reading it.

"What's the matter, dad?" inquired Harry, looking between his parents. "What does it say?"

"Yeah," added his sister, "You two are looking rather happy".

"Yes, we both are happy", replied the Potter patriarch. "And I believe you two would feel the same way after knowing what it holds."

"Really?" both the kids looked excited at this implication.

"Yes," James nodded his head. "This letter ... is from Professor Flitwick". Now it was no mystery to the kids what the letter was about. Their excitation pumped up, coupled with a sheer amount of anticipation.

"He says the inspection of both the broom and the mirror had been concluded. And ...," James paused mid-sentence, just to peeve his son and daughter a bit.

"Dad, don't play cliff-hanger", cried out, the younger of the siblings.

"Yeah, dad, don't do that to us," added the older one.

Both the parents chuckled at the edginess of their children, and James decided not to irritate them anymore.

"Okay, kids," he started again. "The inspection has been completed. And there were no harmful enchantments places on both the objects. So, they are completely safe to use".

"Really?" Harry and Daisy cried in unison.

"Yep," James nodded his head.

"Yehhh!" Both the kids jumped to their feet, crossed the table and hugged their parents delightedly.

Once back in their seats, Harry spoke up, "So, dad, when we can have those back?"

"Hmm," James made a thoughtful face, "Professor Flitwick has written if I want him to send those gifts here. But I think it would be best if you collect them once back in Hogwarts. After all, it'll be a matter of just a day as you two are returning back tomorrow."

"Okay, dad", replied Harry, "I think we can wait a day more". His sister nodded in expression of her opinion. She then seemed to have some sudden realization and snapped her head toward her brother.

"Harry?"

Harry turned his head and found her eyes radiating wonder and amazement.

"Do you realize that you're going to have a Firebolt? A Firebolt! Harry, A Firebolt!"

He nodded his head with a wide smile. "Yes!"

"You are going to let me have rides on it once in a while, aren't you?" she asked with hopeful looks.

Harry acted thoughtful as if considering his answer.

Daisy lunged at her brother and grabbed his neck but didn't put too much pressure to choke him.

"Daisy!" Lily cried out scoldingly while Harry laughed out, and his father echoed him.

"Okay ... okay ... okay," Harry admitted finally, and she released him. "You know, I will, Daisy. I was just faking".

She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I already knew that. I was faking too." This triggered another round of laughter between them, and they started exchanging little jokes between themselves.

Lily and James looked at each other, their eyes mirroring the happiness of their children.

That night after dinner, Harry was in his room, packing his trunk for his back-to-school journey the next day. However, it was only his hands doing all the work as his mind was tied up elsewhere. He was reminiscing the events of the last few days, looking over his Christmas break once again. This had been one of the best Christmas ever. Firstly, he had spent Christmas with his parents and sister after three long years. Then, it was the Christmas dinner and the day in the whole with the Weasleys. And finally, the Firebolt, his best-ever Christmas present. When he thought this Christmas could have been no better, a knock at his bedroom door poked his consciousness. He walked up to the door and pulled it open, and there were his parents standing outside.

"Are you busy?" asked James.

"No," Harry shook his head. "Come in".

Lily and James walked in, and Harry followed behind them.

Once beside the bed, Harry sat on the edge while James occupied the chair before the desk. Lily, meanwhile, decided to lend her son a hand on packing and started folding some of his jeans and t-shirts.

"So, you've started on your packing, I see", James started the conversation.

"Yeah," replied Harry, taking a quick glance at the pile of clothes and books upon his bed. "I thought it would be better than leaving for the last minute."

"Oh," the older man smirked teasingly. "I thought you're doing it just to give your mother's wrath a wide berth".

"There is that too," admitted the younger one.

James chuckled, but it turned into a snort when Lily gave the two boys her 'I'm here' look.

"By the way, son", James quickly changed the subject. "We're here for a reason". Harry didn't say anything, just waited for his father to continue. "Christmas break is at its utmost end. So we thought it's time that we give you your Christmas present."

"Really?" Harry got excited at the mention of Christmas present.

"Yes", James nodded his head.

"So, what you're going to give me?"

"As you've got a Firebolt this Christmas," James started. "I suppose it has already captured the position of best Christmas gift in your list."

Harry smiled sheepishly. His father had hit the mark.

"So", James continued, "Your mum and I have decided to give you something that can give the Firebolt some competition, if not outshine it."

"Really?" Harry cheered out, "What is it, dad?"

"What about your privilege to go to Hogsmeade with your friends?" he proposed dramatically to emphasize his words.

Harry was stunned. Had he just caught that right? His parents were actually giving him his well-deserved permission to visit Hogsmeade.

"Are you serious?" he asked sceptically.

James smirked at the look on his son's face and then nodded his head. "Yes!"

Harry gave a whoop of joy and ran forward to hug his father. "Thanks, dad."

"You're welcome, son," his father replied with pats on his back.

Harry then looked at his mother, who was currently watching and smiling at them. He walked over to her and hugged her too. "Thanks, mum".

"You don't have to mention that, sweetie," she kissed his forehead tenderly, "In fact, we are happy that now you would not have to feel out of place when your friends will be talking excitedly about their Hogsmeade trip".

The next morning, the Potters arrived at King's Cross at half-past ten, packed with their trunks and owl cages. They knew the Weasleys wouldn't ruin their reputation arriving so early. So Harry and his sister selected an empty compartment for themselves and loaded their things there. They then came back to stand with their parents in a less crowded area of the platform and watched other students and their families interacting with each other, all the while waiting for the Weasleys and Hermione.

As time started to cut the distance to eleven, more and more students along with their families entered through the magical barrier, causing things to get a little crowded around them. Harry and Daisy caught glimpses of some of their classmates and waved to some of those who they managed to make eye contact with. Harry noticed Draco Malfoy appear with his parents, but the two adults left soon after their son got into the train.

Finally, around ten minutes before the train was to leave, Hermione, along with her parents, emerged out of the barrier and walked toward them.

"Sorry, I'm late," the bushy-haired girl jumped into an explanation just as she approached the Potters. She was a little out of breath too. "We got stuck in a traffic jam".

"It's okay, Hermione," Harry said with a smile. He knew she was feeling guilty for being late. "You still beat Ron. They haven't arrived yet".

Harry told her about the compartment he and his sister had chosen, and she set off to board her luggage while her parents came to stand with them.

Just as Hermione stepped on to the train, the loud voice of Molly Weasley reached Harry's ears. He was currently facing away from the barrier. So he turned around and so did the other five.

No one could deny that it was a sight. The group of seven was marching like a war-ready battalion. Their dresses were not uniform — but their hairs compensating for that. Molly Weasley was in the lead like the mighty general, and her ever-obedient minion husband and five children were trailing behind her — their red hairs standing out over the mass of every other hair colour.

The group of seven reached the group of five, and they started exchanging their greetings.

Ginny approached Harry after she was done greeting her best friend and hugged him. "Happy new year, Harry".

He hugged her back. "Happy new year to you too, Ginny".

They were smiling at each other, and for some mysterious reason, it was too much for the youngest Weasley male. Ron was looking at his best friend and sister, his face screwed up in a frown.

"Hey, Ginny," he called out, and when she looked at him, he continued, "Let's go and board our trunks. Then we can come and say bye to mum and dad."

Ginny nodded, and the two siblings left with their trunks, shortly followed by the twins. About three minutes later, Ron came back alone to say bye to his parents and left quickly. Hermione, however, came back to bid farewell to her parents and left along with the Potter siblings after the whistle was blown.

Harry, Daisy and Hermione entered their compartment and found only Ron seated there.

"Hey, where is Ginny?" inquired Harry immediately.

"I think she wants to sit elsewhere," Ron tried to sound casual.

"What?" Harry asked incredulously, "But why?"

"Maybe she doesn't want to sit with us," Ron tried to sound convincing.

"You're lying," snapped Daisy right away. She could believe Snape had a charming smile but not it that her best friend didn't want to sit with them.

"No, I'm not", pushed on, the ginger-haired boy.

"Huh!" snorted the younger girl. "I may have known her for not more than seven months, but I know her a lot more than you do. You must've told her not to sit with us".

Harry's eyes widened. "Ron!" he cried out in a raised voice. "Tell me you didn't".

"I ...," Ron started but then stopped when he didn't find anything convincing.

"Why do you always push her away, Ron?" Harry asked in a confused but irritated voice. "Why do you treat her like a bother? You seemed to have learnt nothing even after the chamber".

Ron didn't say anything, just kept his gaze down. His face was red. Though, in anger or shame, Harry wasn't sure.

Harry, sensing that his best friend wasn't going to answer, turned toward his sister. "Why don't you go and get her here, sis?"

Daisy averted her furious gaze from Ron and looked at her brother. She nodded at his suggestion and took a step toward the door but then stopped.

"I think You should go and convince her to come here", she said, looking at her brother. "She won't turn you down".

Harry thought for a moment and then nodded his head. He left the compartment after an exasperated glance at his male best friend and set out in search of Ginny. He walked along the corridor toward the end, and found her in one of the last compartments, with a few of her classmates.

"Hey," he called out, sliding open the compartment door, and she looked at him. "You're here. I've been looking for you all over the train".

She gave him a feeble smile and tried her best to look casual. But Harry knew she was hurting inside — her eyes saying it all.

"Harry, I ..." Ginny started, but Harry cut her off.

"Don't give an excuse, Ginny," he brushed off whatever reason she was going to deliver, "Come on, I've something exciting to tell you". With that, he took her by the hand and dragged her out of the compartment, leaving her classmates stunned and befuddled.

Harry was facing ahead, so he didn't notice the droplet of tears slid down Ginny's face as he dragged her along.

Ginny didn't know what to feel as multiple emotions were flooding through her. Earlier, when her brother had told her not to tag along and leave them alone, it had hit her — a lot — but why, she wasn't sure. She knew it hadn't been because her brother had said those hurtful words to her. No, she had grown out of it — especially after her experience last year. Had it been because she couldn't sit with her best friend? But then again, she knew her best friend would've found her way to her no matter where she was. Then why had it squeezed her heart that way? True, there was another reason she could think of, but she didn't want to deliberate too much about it, just as she didn't want to think too much about that sensation inside her heart when she had spotted that messy black hair outside her compartment door. She just wanted them at the deepest of mind, just as they were now. Those were the kind of thoughts and feelings she would rather not think about.

But then why the hell she was feeling so overwhelmed right now?

Harry released Ginny's hand outside the compartment his sister and two best friends were seated in and slid the door open. He motioned Ginny inside and followed her into the room.

Daisy sprang up to her feet as she spotted her best friend and took a step forward to hug her. Both the girls then occupied their seats, but not before the younger of them gave the red-haired boy a glacial yet threatening glance.

Harry smiled at the two redheads and went to sit beside his sister.

"So, guys," he spoke up cheerily, trying to rub off on the others. "I have some news to share."

"Really?!" the bushy-haired girl spoke up for the first time since she entered the compartment. "What is it, Harry?"

Ron, who had his gaze down until now, also looked up.

"I got the Firebolt back", he spoke out at once.

"Wow!" Ron cried out, amazedly. "That's fantastic, Harry. I can't wait to see Malfoy's face when he sees it".

"Congrats, Harry", applauded Ginny, smilingly. "I told you".

"Thanks, Ginny", Harry smiled back at her. "And yes, you did".

"Have they checked it properly?" inquired Hermione in an investigative, doubtful tone.

"Yes, Hermione, they did," Harry replied convincingly.

"Why do you ask that by the way?" Ron asked Hermione back. "Did you expect it to be bewitched or wrong somehow and for Harry not to get it back for that matter?"

"Ron!" the bushy-haired girl snapped back. "Why do you think I'd think that? Harry is my best friend. I just want him safe".

"But you didn't sound like that", Ron commented arrogantly and made his biggest mistake. Hermione popped up to her feet — her face red as Weasley-hair — and started shouting at Ron. Ron, in return, refused to stand back, and their first fight of the year kicked off.

The rest three shared irritated glances among themselves and sighed exasperatedly.

"Shut up, guys," Harry shouted out when his two best friends showed no sign of settling down. "I just wanted to share a piece of good news with you, not to give you the topic of your new-year argument".

It was then the two took notice of their spectators and got red in embarrassment. They reoccupied their previous seats but faced away from each other.

For the next few minutes, everything was quiet inside the compartment — everyone soothing their ears with the silence.

In the meantime, the trolley-witch appeared at their doorway, and like the last time, they bought a lot which they shared with each other.

"By the way, guys," Harry spoke up, swallowing the chocolate frog he had just put into his mouth. "There is something else I have to tell you".

"What is it, Harry?" asked his red-haired best friend with a mouthful of pumpkin pasties, and the three girls glared at him, which he took no notice of.

"I'm now allowed to go to Hogsmeade like everyone else", he announced with a smile.

Ron stopped chewing as he looked at his best friend, disbelievingly.

"Really?" he once again spoke up with his mouthful, and Harry nodded his head.

Ron finally swallowed his food. "That's awesome, Harry".

"Yeah, Harry, that really is some good news", complimented Ginny, while Hermione just smiled at her black-haired friend.

"There is just one downside though", spoke up Daisy with a straight face, swallowing her bite of jelly-slug.

"Downside?" Ginny looked puzzled, and so did Harry.

"Yeah", Daisy gave her best friend a wink before continuing; "He won't join us for our girls talk anymore".

Harry looked horrified, but not more than his male best friend. Ron had stopped chewing on his next bite and now looking between the two red-haired girls and his black-haired friend with his mouthful of food. He couldn't believe his best friend had been having girly conversations with their sisters while he and Hermione were away.

Ginny, however, thought the look on Harry's face was very amusing, so she decided to play along. "Oh, that," she made a subdued face, though inside, it was all she could do not to laugh out loud. "Yeah, we'll really miss him".

"Hey, what you two are talking about?" Harry asked up in a horrified yet confused tone. "I never had girls talk with you".

"Oh, you don't have to hide it, Harry", his sister spoke up in a sympathetic voice. "I know you'll miss it too. Oh, how pleasant those times were, we three, at the bank of the black lake". She finished with a mock dreamy expression.

Harry's mouth fell open as he shifted his gaze from one girl to another. His brain was searching for words to protest their claim. But before he could spell out any, the girls could not hold it anymore and burst out laughing. They leaned on each other as their stomachs started to hurt, and Harry breathed a sigh of relief as he understood what the girls were doing until now.

"We're just joking, Harry", Ginny finally admitted, wiping a stray tear from the corner of her eyes.

"But you have to admit", spoke up the youngest, through her fits of laughter, "His expression was priceless".

"You almost gave me a heart attack", Ron also sighed in relief.

Sometime before the afternoon, Malfoy paid them his usual visit with his two cronies and made some criticising comments on Harry's broken Nimbus 2000 and their upcoming match against the Gryffindors. But Harry and his friends held themselves back from slipping out any information about the Firebolt, for they didn't want to ruin it for the moment when Malfoy would finally see Harry on it.

Things settled to normal after that, but the rest of the journey was no less fun. Talks, jokes, games and some gossips; these were all that kept the five children entertained throughout the rest of their journey. Once the train came to a complete stop at the Hogsmeade station, they got out of the train and set off for Hogwarts in one of the horseless carriages.

A new school term was ahead, and so was a whole new year. Harry was excited about many things; the Firebolt, the Patronus lesson and especially the Hogsmeade weekends.

But was that all life had planned for him, or there was something else bound to happen, that would completely change his life, the way to his destiny?