‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through Hogwarts,
Not a wizard was stirring, not even Voldemort.
The stockings were hung by the fireplace with care,
In hopes that some presents soon would be there.
The students were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of chocolate frogs danced in their heads.
Ron wore pajamas that were made out of fleece,
He was still full from the Christmas Eve feast.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
Harry sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window he flew like an owl,
It creaked as it opened; it was almost a howl.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Shone bright like the Snitch on the objects below.
When, what to his wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.
But not reindeer, he saw, as they began to approach
Instead there were hippogriffs pulling that coach.
And inside the sleigh sat a bearded old man,
He whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Nitwit! now, Blubber! now, Oddment and Tweak!
On, Paulie! On, Gellert! on, Jim and Buckbeak!
Fly over the lake! and go past the Great Hall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
Like broomsticks with wings, that’s how they could fly,
But no Quidditch game could ever be played up so high.
So up the North Tower the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and the old man too.
And then o’er his head Harry heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each claw and hoof.
As he ran down the stairs to the house Common Room,
Down the chimney the driver came dressed in costume.
His attire can best be described as unique,
His tight dragon hide suit emphasized his physique.
The cape on his back kept on catching afire,
It was made from the feathers of a phoenix (How dire!).
His eyes-how they twinkled! And then, as a bonus,
His beard was as silver as Harry’s Patronus!
He grinned oh so slightly, a little half smile,
When he drew up his wand, you could tell he had style.
He was tall and quite slender, his face lined with care,
He looked so outlandish, Harry laughed as he stared
But quickly he hid ‘neath his Invisibility Cloak,
So the visitor wouldn’t know that someone had awoke.
The man raised his hand, which was holding his wand
And cast a few spells on the room and beyond.
He conjured a bag that was stuffed full of toys
That he knew would delight Gryffindor girls and boys
After filling the stockings, he then turned to vacate
But then something happened he did not anticipate.
Quite sadly his cape, which was still caught on fire,
Got hooked on the tree and lighted the pyre!
All jollyness was instantly lost from his face
But his kindly demeanor was quickly replaced.
A gleam of insanity shone in his eyes,
He let out of whoop, which came as a surprise!
The man looked around and let out a small chuckle
He tore off his robe and undid his belt buckle.
Then dancing ‘round the fire, he screamed with all his might,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
The wild man danced in ways that would appall
The students attending the Triwizard Yule Ball
But then just as suddenly as he had begun,
That crazy old man ended all of his fun.
He put out the fire with an Aguamenti charm,
Then put on his robe with the hole in one arm
He straightened his glasses, then climbed to the roof
Where the hippogriffs waited still stomping their hoofs.
Harry went back to bed, his mind still in shock,
He woke Ron (it was hard, as he slept like a rock).
He opened his mouth, and his words came out garbled,
“I think Dumbledore has at last lost his marbles."
A Magical Christmas Surprise by Ollirep
Chapter Notes: Inspired by Potter Puppet Pals and "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore.