HP and Godric's Vault - Chapter - 32

The day of Christmas Eve arrived, and Harry found himself reflecting on the plans he had made with Hermione. He had already sent her a magical gift in advance—a rare, enchanted book he had discovered at Runestone Castle, something he knew she would appreciate immensely. But now that the day had come, he needed to focus on the second part of his promise: celebrating Christmas Eve with Hermione and her muggle family.

Knowing that Hermione came from a non-magical background, Harry wanted to blend in seamlessly and give her a thoughtful muggle gift to match the occasion. After much deliberation, and after discussing ideas with Sirius, who was insistent that jewelry made the best gift, Harry settled on the idea of buying Hermione a bracelet. He spent some time searching for the perfect one—something elegant but understated, a piece that reflected both her intellect and her gentle nature.

The bracelet he chose was delicate and beautiful, made of silver with a subtle, intricate design that caught the light just right. It was simple, yet it carried a certain charm, much like Hermione herself. Though the price was steep, Harry didn’t mind. He wanted to give her something special, something that would show how much he valued their friendship and everything they had been through together.

Harry paced around the living room at Highgarden, glancing at the empty space where Sirius usually lounged. “I really wish Sirius were here to help me with this,” he muttered to himself. “I have no idea what to get Hermione’s parents!”

Just then, Rosly, one of his most trusted house-elves, appeared with a soft pop. She had large, expressive eyes and wore a neat, well-fitted outfit that Harry had enchanted for her as the Christmas gift. “Master Harry is looking troubled,” she said, her voice gentle and soothing. “How may Rosly assist?”

“I need a gift for Hermione’s parents,” Harry admitted, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve never really celebrated Christmas with Muggles, so I’m kind of lost on what they’d like.”

Rosly nodded thoughtfully. “Muggles often enjoy wine during Christmas celebrations. It is a common gift, especially for gatherings.”

“Wine?” Harry echoed, intrigued. “That’s actually a great idea! But what kind?”

“Rosly remembers that Muggles prefer wines that are not too strong, something enjoyable for everyone. Perhaps a barrel of ordinary wine?” she suggested. “It would be perfect for a gathering of many.”

Harry’s eyes brightened as the idea took root. “That’s perfect! Hermione mentioned it would be a big gathering with her cousins and their families. A barrel would be enough for everyone.”

Rosly clapped her hands excitedly. “Yes, Master Harry! Rosly will assist you in selecting a fine barrel from your collection in the McKinnon Manor. They had so many wines in the cellar just like Runestone Castle.”

“Thanks, Rosly!” Harry grinned, feeling a rush of relief. “You’re a lifesaver.”

They quickly made their way to the Floo network, where Harry stepped into the green flames and called out, “McKinnon Manor!” He felt the familiar rush of being whisked through the fireplace, and moments later, he stepped out into the grand foyer of the manor he inherited from his godmother.

The scent of aged wood and faint floral notes from the enchanted gardens filled the air. Harry navigated through the manor, finally reaching the wine cellar. Rows upon rows of bottles sparkled under the warm light of the enchanted chandeliers, and barrels lined the walls, each carefully labeled.

“Which one should I choose?” he pondered aloud, looking at the options. “I want something nice but not too fancy.”

Rosly inspected the barrels, her eyes narrowing as she read the labels. “This one here is perfect!” She pointed to a barrel marked “Chardonnay,” a well-balanced wine known for its smooth flavor. “It is a muggle favorite and should please Master Hermione’s family.”

“Great choice, Rosly !” Harry said, feeling more confident. “Let’s get this one.”

Harry stepped out of the fireplace at Grimmauld Place, the warm glow of the room contrasting sharply with the chill in the air. He was carrying a large barrel of wine, its surface cool against his palms. As he turned to set it down, he was met with the incredulous gaze of Sirius Black.

“What the hell, Harry?” Sirius exclaimed, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. “What are you doing with a barrel of wine?”

“This is a gift for Hermione's parents,” Harry replied, a hint of pride in his voice.

Sirius shook his head, trying to process the sight. “Who told you that gifting wine was a Muggle tradition?” he asked, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow.

“Well, Rosly did,” Harry said, referencing the house-elf. “She mentioned that muggles often enjoy wine during celebrations, especially Christmas.”

“Rosly? Good ol’ Rosly,” Sirius said, chuckling slightly. “Well, it is a good tradition, I’ll give her that. But Harry, we don’t gift an entire barrel of wine to anyone as a gift!”

Harry stood firm, his expression determined. “But it’s going to be a big gathering! Hermione said her whole family is coming—cousins, aunts, uncles, everyone! A couple of bottles won’t be enough for all of them. I have hundreds of barrels in the cellar, so it made sense to bring a whole one.”

Sirius sighed, scratching his head. “I guess I can see your point, but you know this is going to be a bit… unconventional, right?”

“I know,” Harry replied, grinning. “But it’ll be fun! Plus, it shows I’m really putting in the effort to fit in.”

Sirius chuckled, still shaking his head. “This is going to be really funny. I mean, arriving at a Muggle home with a barrel of wine? You’ll be the talk of the party.”

“Well, you promised you’d give me a ride to the Granger’s,” Harry reminded him. “And going there through the fireplace or the Knight Bus wouldn’t be an option in a Muggle neighborhood.”

“Fair point,” Sirius conceded, his amusement still evident. “But if we’re going to do this, I think it’s time to show off a bit, don’t you? I was thinking we could take the Ferrari.”

Harry’s eyes widened. “The Ferrari? Sirius, we can’t! With the barrel of wine, it won’t fit!”

Sirius’s face brightened with a mischievous glint. “You’re right. Imagine the look on everyone’s faces when we pull up in a flashy sports car taking out a barrel of wine from the trunk like muggle magician taking rabbit out of his hat. It will be hilarious! But fine, we’ll take the SUV.”

With that settled, they made their way outside. The night was cool, and the stars twinkled overhead as they climbed into Sirius's sleek SUV, which was much more practical than the Ferrari. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with plush seats and the faint scent of leather.

As they pulled out of the driveway, Harry settled the barrel of wine securely in the backseat, making sure it wouldn’t roll around. “Hold on tight,” Sirius said with a grin, slamming the gas pedal. The SUV lurched forward, taking off down the winding road.

They sped through the streets of London, the city lights flashing by in a blur. Harry could feel the thrill of adventure coursing through him, and he glanced over at Sirius, who was wearing an exaggeratedly serious expression.

“Just think about it, Harry. We’ll roll up to the Grangers’ place, barrel of wine in tow, and they’ll be completely baffled,” Sirius said, laughter bubbling just beneath the surface.

“Maybe they’ll think I’m some kind of wine connoisseur!” Harry joked, chuckling. “Or that I’m trying to bribe them for Hermione’s hand in marriage or something!”

“Now that’s a thought,” Sirius replied, grinning. “Just don’t actually propose anytime soon; I’m not ready for that kind of responsibility yet.”

As they raced towards the Granger’s residence, the air filled with excitement. Harry felt a mix of anticipation and nervousness about meeting Hermione’s family. The car swerved around corners, the engine roaring as they laughed and joked.

“Just remember,” Sirius said, his tone mock-serious as they neared their destination, “if anyone asks, we’re just two normal blokes delivering a barrel of wine to a lovely family gathering. Nothing to see here!”

“Right,” Harry replied, rolling his eyes. “Normal blokes, indeed.”

As they approached the Granger household, the glow of festive lights illuminated the front yard, and the sounds of laughter drifted through the air. Harry felt a rush of warmth at the thought of spending the evening with Hermione and her family, all while carrying the weight of a barrel of wine that he hoped would be a hit.

“Ready?” Sirius asked, flashing a mischievous grin as he parked the SUV in front of the house.

“Ready,” Harry said, his heart racing with excitement. They climbed out of the vehicle, the barrel of wine in tow, and he couldn’t help but smile at the absurdity of it all. Whatever happened next, he knew it would be a Christmas Eve to remember.


Harry stared at the large barrel of wine, unsure of how to transport it to the Granger’s house. He glanced expectantly at Sirius, hoping he’d take the barrel on his shoulders and march it inside like a knight with his shield.

Sirius, however, hesitated. “Harry, I’d rather not,” he said, scratching his head. “If this were a magical house, we could just levitate the barrel inside, but…” He gestured to the cozy Muggle neighborhood surrounding them. “It’s just not that simple.”

Just then, Hermione’s voice cut through the tension. “Harry!” she called, running toward him with an infectious smile on her face. Harry felt his heart lift as she approached, and he smiled back, the earlier anxiety dissipating.

Before he could respond, Hermione wrapped him in a bone-crushing hug. “I’m so glad you came!” she exclaimed, her enthusiasm drawing the attention of several onlookers.

Harry noticed a few relatives watching curiously, their expressions a mix of surprise and intrigue. It seemed to Harry that they were all wondering who this boy was that Hermione had invited—particularly since she had never brought any friends to a family gathering before. The Grangers and several family members approached to meet the new guests, their expressions a mix of curiosity and surprise as they took in the scene.

“Hermione!” one of her cousins exclaimed, eyes widening. “Who’s this?”

Before anyone could ask too many questions, Hermione turned to Sirius with a graceful bow, a twinkle in her eye. “Lord Black! Welcome! Please come inside!”

Sirius shot Harry a look of betrayal, as if to say, Really? We’re now ‘Lord Black and his godson’ in a room full of Muggles?

“Merry Christmas, Hermione,” Sirius said, his voice a mix of amusement and reluctance. “Sorry, but I’ve made other plans for the evening.”

Harry’s heart sank as he realized what Sirius was trying to avoid: being interrogated by Muggles about his status or his past, all while trying not to do magic or mention anything magical.

Sirius quickly turned to the gathering crowd of relatives. “We brought a gift!” he said, raising his voice slightly. “It’s in the trunk of the car. We’ll need a few strong hands to help carry it inside.”

The Grangers exchanged confused looks but nodded, curiosity piqued. Sirius opened the trunk, and the relatives gasped collectively as they beheld the massive barrel of wine nestled inside.

“What in the world?” Hermione’s mother exclaimed, stepping forward. “Is that… a barrel of wine?”

“Yeah!” Sirius grinned, waving a hand dismissively. “Hermione mentioned it would be a big party, so we thought we’d bring something nice for everyone. Hope that’s alright!”

As they gathered around the trunk, a few relatives who were still skeptical about Sirius being a lord were suddenly convinced. Etched into the wood of the barrel was a noble emblem, glistening in the fading light. “It’s from 1786!” one of the older relatives exclaimed, leaning closer. “This must be rare!”

Sirius watched as the Muggles examined the barrel with increasing excitement, the atmosphere shifted as they began discussing the wine’s pedigree, each one eager to know more.

“Well,” Sirius said, glancing at Harry, “I’d best be on my way. You’re in good hands, Harry. Have fun!”

“Wait—what?” Harry began, but Sirius was already climbing back into the SUV, a cheeky grin on his face.

“Have a great night!” Sirius shouted as he started the engine, the sound of the SUV purring to life. With a wink and a wave, he pulled away from the curb, leaving Harry standing with the barrel of wine and a gathering crowd of curious Muggles.

As the reality of the situation set in, Harry turned back to the Grangers, who were still gaping at the barrel. He could feel their eyes on him, the weight of their curiosity pressing down. He took a deep breath, ready to dive headfirst into this new adventure with Hermione's family.

“Alright, then,” he said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. “Shall we get this inside?”

Hermione beamed at him, her excitement infectious. “Yes! Let’s get the party started!”

With that, the relatives rallied together, rolling up their sleeves, and they set to work carrying the barrel inside, Harry following close behind, ready to embrace the festivities of a Christmas Eve he would never forget.