Justin had been petrified while Nearly Headless Nick had received the full blast of it as he was black like smoke and fumes were setting off from him. The whole school was tensed. 

Teachers had been assigned extra duties to escort the students from one class to the next, sneaking out after curfew was banned, students were not allowed to go anywhere alone and the time duration for the students to be in the school grounds had also been limited. 

However in all this glum atmosphere there was a tiny distraction: Christmas was drawing near. We had all decorated our common room and even though it was all much celebration time, I felt sad. 

I remembered that it was Christmas Eve when Sirius had said that he loved me for the first time, the first time when he had made his feelings clear to me and the first time he had addressed me by my real name. 

Christmas is a time for happiness but for me it was all past memories surrounding me. Those twisted hymns Sirius sang at the top of his lungs, Marlene's festive spirit and enthusiasm, Lily's infamous lectures, Peter's suggestions regarding the Christmas feast, James's thoroughly mind blowing ideas of awesome pranks and Moony's bets which he never lost (like always) as well as the never ending games of Gobstones or Exploding Snap or Wizard Chess.

I wrapped the presents I had to give and hid them under my bed. Though there was one present which I hadn't yet packed. Opening my diary, I carefully rifled through the pages and took out a picture that was pasted. It was of the four Marauders and Lily and Marlene. Gently smoothing it, I placed it under my pillow. 

This was the most special gift that I had to give. So special that I would go in person to deliver it to the worthy recipient. 

***

Glancing at the watch, I knew it was time that everyone would be asleep by now. Silently I crept out of the dorm and made my way to the opposite side of the common room where the other dorms were located. 

Browsing cautiously through the doors, I stopped in front of the door which had the plate of Second Years hung on it. Creaking it open I went inside and there were doors upon doors to the dorms. I had been here before to drop off some of Ron's belongings which he had dumped in my trunk when we were coming to King's Cross as his trunk was full. 

Cautiously I went towards the door to Ron's dorm and pushed it open. Ron was snoring noticeably as I softly closed the door. 

"Who's there?" Someone sat up. Harry Potter, who else? He has been a lot anxious these days due to all the Heir of Slytherin accusations do I wasn't surprised to find him awake. 

"Harry, its just me; Kat," I spoke. 

He relaxed, "oh." I came to his bed and sat down as he scooted over to make room for me. 

"Uh, why are you here? I mean... Any special reason?" 

I gestured him to keep his voice down as I didn't want the others to wake up. "I brought you a Christmas present," I took out the photograph and gave it to him, "couldn't give it in the morning so had to come all the way up here." 

He reached out for his glasses and putting them on, he lit up his wand. Seeing the photograph, a strange expression took over his features. For a while, he was silent simply taking in all the happy faces. 

"Wh-where did you find it?" His voice was breaking and his green eyes were sad. Eyes so exactly like Lily's. 

"Don't you like it?" I asked trying to change the topic. 

"I... I love it," he replied and smiled as he stroked the picture of his parents. James and Lily. "But still, how did you find a picture of my parents? I mean, I absolutely love this gift and I know that it's better than any of the gifts I'll receive tomorrow. But you..." 

I interrupted him, "I found it among old things, of course, when me and Mom were clearing up the cartons that contain old stuff in the Burrow." 

Now that was a lie. But of course what else could I tell him. 

He spoke up all of a sudden, "you know, I have an album of my parents' photos, Hagrid gave it to me last year. Do you want to see it?" I agreed and he took out a binded book from under his pillow. 

On every page were those people I knew so well laughing and smiling at us, waving and pointing, playing with little Harry. The four friends together. Alive. My hand automatically went up to wipe a few tears that were threatening to streak down my cheeks. 

"Kat, are you crying?" Harry asked. 

He was sometimes as observant as Lily used to be. "No... Of course, not. I just..." 

Then Harry spoke, "I don't know what my parents would have thought of me if they were alive now. While the whole school thinks that I'm the Heir and I'm setting off that Monster on students. I don't know." 

I looked up at him and told him what I knew, "they would have believed you. I believe you. You're not the Heir and even if you were, you would never set that Monster on people. You would never do that. Because you are James and Lily's son and that alone is explanation enough." 

He nodded, "but it's hard, isn't it, when everyone fears you and runs away from you?" 

I spoke, "yes it is. But you should keep one thing in mind, Harry, your parents died for you, they wanted you to survive and to live with courage. You shouldn't lose hope because it would make them sad. You have to prove that their sacrifice was worth it. You are worth the sacrifice and you have to show it by staying strong." 

He looked down at the smiles of his parents, "I'll be strong. I won't let their sacrifice be in vain." 

I patted him gently on the back, "now that's what will make them proud, trust me." 

He smiled at me, "thanks for coming, Kat. You've given me the best present I could ever get." 

I nodded, "don't forget, your parents believe in you and even if a lot of people think you're evil, we don't. All the Weasleys believe in you, Harry." 

And it was true; we all believed in Harry. Despite the fact that it hadn't been long since I had known this kid but still there were many reasons for me to believe that he had a kind heart that was free from all the Slytherin-like blood purity discrimination. 

There was no way that Harry was the Heir, no possible way at all.

***