'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the manor

Not a creature was stirring, not even the hammer;

The wands were snug by the pillow with care,

In hopes that snow owls soon would be there;

The family were nestled all safe in their beds,

While visions of dark magic danced in their heads;

And voldie in his 'robes, and I in my mask,

Had just settled down for a long business class,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I ran in a flash,

Drew open the window and looked at the clash.

A group of the new house elves lay on the ground mashed,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature manger, with eight tiny figures,

With a little gold angel, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it was not from St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles my senses aroused,

And they whistled, and shouted, and called me by name;

"Now, Draco! Now, Lucious! Now, Peter and Voldie!

On, Crabbe! On Goyle! On, Pansy and Blaise!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now run away! run away! Run away all!"

Start a new life, grab a broom to fly,

When you meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top none of us flew,

No hand full of smiles, not even two.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard not on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little poof.

As I drew out my head, and was shifting around,

Nobody was there I did not hear a sound.

I was dressed all in black, from my head to my foot,

And my clothes were all tarnished with red blood and soot;

A bundle of bodies I had flung on his floor,

And I looked like a begger just going on tour.

my eyes -- how they looked! My dimples how sorrow!

My cheeks were like snow, I could not wait for tomorrow!

My little mouth was drawn down like a bow,

And the beard of my chin was as blonde as the snow;

The stump of a pipe I held tight in my teeth,

And the smoke it encircled my head like a wreath;

I had a stubborn face and no trace of round belly,

That didn't shook, when I laughed, I never gone to the deli

I was skinny and pale, and not a jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw them, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had something to dread;

I spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And hid all the bodies; then turned with a jerk,

And laying my finger aside on my waist,

And giving a nod, I took the punishment I face;

He sprang to his feet, to his team gave a whistle,

And away my life flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"I told you I'd kill you, and killed you tonight!"