(25th December 1991)
When the alarm clock struck 6:00am myself and the others jumped out of bed and ran out in the dormitory hall way. None of us bothered to get ready or bother making ourselves look presentable. My hair was a huge mess, it has the resemblance to a bird's nest almost.
"Happy Christmas, Harry!" Ron shouts. To my left Harry is leaning over the railing down at Ron who is next to the small Christmas tree near the fireplace.
"Merry Christmas, Ron." Harry smiles then pauses, "What are you wearing?" I walk over to where Harry is and look down at Ron. He is wearing a knitted jumper with his initial on the front.
"Oh, my mum made it. It looks like you got one too, same for you Iris!"
"I-I have presents?" Harry questions Ron. "Yeah!" Ron nods then gestures to the presents on the floor. Harry grabs my hand and drags me down the stairs with him towards the wrapped boxes. Harry frantically searches for the one with his name then throws away the wrapping paper and finds a note.
"What are you waiting for? Read it!" I beg him.
"Your father left this in my possession before he died. It is time it was returned to you. Use it well." Harry finishes reading the note aloud before moving the lid off the box.
"What is it?" Ron impatiently asks. Harry reaches inside and pulls out a black cloak, not wanting to wait much longer he pulls the cloak over his shoulders. By my surprise, as soon as the cloak makes contact with Harry his body disappears and the only thing that remains is his head.
"My body is gone!" Harry shouts.
" I know what that is, that's an invisibility cloak." I speak.
"I'm invisible?" Harry looks down at his body.
"Harry who was the gift from?" I take a closer look at the cloak but my mind is blank with no answers. "I don't know, there was no name it only said 'Use it well'." Harry takes off the cloak and places it back into the box it was gifted in.
"Iris?" A familiar voice says behind me. I turn around and find a tired looking Fred. His hair is all ruffled but he still manages to put on a wide smile. He passes a box into my hands and pats my shoulder. "It's a gift from my family and I." I open the box and inside is a nicely knitted navy-blue scarf. "I know you may not of wanting to keep Avery's one so I made sure to get my mum to make you a scarf instead of another jumper."
"Oh Fred, it's beautiful. I wouldn't have scared what I received but I can't help but feel bad because I never got you anything."
Fred hands land on my shoulder as he stares into my eyes," Iris, having you here as one of closest people I have, to have such an amazing friendship with, is the best gift I could ever ask for." He leans in and kisses my cheek before giving me a tight hug however not soon after it was interrupted by people screaming.
"Mistletoe!"
Fred pulls away and looks in the direction people are screaming and we find Lillian and Cameron underneath the mistletoe that Tesha and I placed only a few days ago.
"Lillian! Go on girl!" Cherry screams. With anxious hands, Cameron cups Lillian's face into his larger ones and gently and lovingly gives Lillian a tender kiss.
"Yes Lillian!" I cheer and Tesha starts to applaud them. "Yes girl! The planned worked!" Tesha shouts to Lillian.
"A Christmas miracle, am I right?" Fred says as he once again wraps his arm around me and brings me to his side. It's crazy to say that my life has changed so much in the matter of a few months, I wouldn't change it for the world. These months might have been challenging at times but the bonus is that at the end of the day I get to spend every minute and second of everyday with the people I care for. And most importantly I was able to keep the promise I made to my mother when I was younger. I have protected Harry, made sure his life is full of happiness. Fred looks down at me beaming, smiling ear to ear before leaning down and planting his lips softly onto my cheek. My life has never felt so complete: Fred was right.
It Really Was a Christmas Miracle