Thanks a lot to my wonderful beta, saiyanwizardgurl, for correcting my story and improving it.

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to J.K. Rowling, and I am not earning anything by writing this story.

Summary: Poppy releases Severus in time for the Christmas feast. How will he spend Christmas with Minerva and the others? Sequel to "Taking Care"!

Dear readers,

Like I promised, I wrote a sequel to my story "Taking Care." It will be 2 or 3 chapters long. Here is the first for you. I hope you like it. Please review to let me know if it is worth it to write on!!!!

Sunny

Chapter 1 – In the Infirmary

It was Christmas Eve, and Severus was on his knees in front of the fireplace in the infirmary. Merlin, please let Poppy be occupied with Hagrid for some more time. Why can't that stupid hag move a little faster? he thought, eyeing the jewelry shopkeeper's every move closely.

"How do you like this one, Mr. Snape?" the middle-aged witch, who had a lot of similarity with Trelawney, asked him while holding a necklace under his nose.

"Merlin, I said something with a lion, not with a cat," he spat. But after short reconsideration, he said, "No wait, let me see it again."

The shopkeeper, who had already turned to search for the next item to offer the grumpy costumer, turned back and beamed. "I knew you would like it."

Severus looked closer at the pendant. It was a deep red ruby, surrounded by a curled up golden cat. "I'll take it. Put it on my bill and send it to Hogwarts, addressed to Charlie Weasley."

"Of course, Mr. Snape," the shopkeeper said.

At that moment, Severus felt a cold hand on his shoulder that pulled him out of the fireplace. "What in Merlin's name do you think you are doing, Severus Snape?" Poppy scolded.

Being face to face with the nurse, who had pestered him for the last week, was not how Severus had wished to end his Christmas shopping.

"You didn't let me go to Hogsmeade to buy Christmas presents, so this was my only chance," Severus said, in hopes that Poppy would soften at the realization that he actually planned to really celebrate Christmas this year.

"And the fact that I didn't allow you to go to Hogsmeade made you think that it was okay to worsen your condition by exhausting yourself through flooing?" she asked, cocking her eyebrow.

"First, your glare is not as good as mine. Second, of course, I knew that you wouldn't let me use the Floo network, and therefore I did it surreptitiously." He grinned at her and went back to his bed.

Poppy was shocked at his bluntness. "Severus, that's not funny. The Floo network must have drained your magic," she said while moving over to his bed. She waved her wand over him. "Like I said, you are exhausted."

"Nothing that an hour of sleep won't heal. So I will be a good little patient and do what is necessary." With that, he turned around and closed his eyes.

Poppy opened her mouth to say something, but only took a deep breath and turned to her office. "Insufferable man," she muttered.

Severus grinned, as the nurse left for her office. He had learned how to treat her. I have all I need and an hour of sleep won't hurt. Poppy will be happy that I slept freely, and I will have enough energy for the evening. It's the first time, he was looking forward to the Christmas feast. Minerva and Severus had found a good way to handle their relationship. Severus enjoyed the hours, Minerva spent at his bed to read for him or tell him what happened in the castle. Sometimes they kissed and snuggled together. Poppy did not complain. Once, Alastor had caught them snuggling and pretended to have a heart attack. 'Merlin, rent a room, you two,' he had said while closing the curtains around their bed with a flick of his wand.

Whenever Minerva was around, he felt much better. He did not fear any longer that she just wanted to be with him out of pity. He was looking forward to the first day Poppy would release him because he could finally spend his nights with Minerva as well. Not just the sex; just waking up with her in my arms will be so nice, he thought dreamily. Right now, 'sex' fell under the 'too exhausting activities' that Poppy prohibited. Among it were leaving the infirmary, speaking with Mr. Conner about his detention, and drinking butterbeer with Alastor. I don't even want to think about what Poppy did to Alastor after dragging him out of the infirmary by his ear. Speaking with Charlie about the cretins in the new potions journal and flooing had just been added to that list today.

"You are not sleeping, Severus," Poppy scolded him. She had come back to check on him and was now rummaging in his night table.

"I'm trying."

"Then stop thinking about whatever it is you are thinking about right now. Just close your eyes and relax," Poppy said.

"Yes, yes," Severus answered and closed his eyed again. I have all the presents. Now I will just sleep.

_________________________________

He woke up to the smell of fresh coffee.

"I knew this would wake you up," Alastor said, waving a cup of coffee at Severus.

"Hmm," Severus purred. "That smells gorgeous." Severus moved the headboard up and took the offered cup of coffee.

"Do you know when Poppy will release you? Charlie wanted to come by in an hour. If you are released before, you should seek him out in the potion lab. He still is brewing the Wolfsbane," Alastor said as he sat down in a nearby chair.

"She said, she would check on me at four o'clock and that if I leave, I would have to be back by midnight. Can you believe that? Midnight! As if I'm a stupid teenager who needs a curfew. And you talk about releasing. I wouldn't call it releasing. It sounds more like parole."

Alastor laughed. "Don't let Poppy hear you."

"Midnight, Alastor! I can't believe it." Severus shook his head.

"I'm sure it's to prevent you from doing what she is calling 'too exhausting activities,'" Alastor said, grinning.

"Very funny, Alastor. That sentence will surely haunt me in my dream for years," Severus said, groaning.

"Drink your coffee and stop sulking. You will have enough time with Minerva, but I'm sure Poppy has already instilled in her what is allowed and what is not."

"You are enjoying this, aren't you? Mock the grumpy Potions master until he blushes. But it won't work, old man. I have learned more in the last few days than I have in the last years about the people around me and how to deal with them. So you won't get me blushing, and if you have to know, I don't plan to do anything exhausting," Severus said grumpily.

"Oh, of course not," Alastor pretended to be shocked. "How could I believe that you are a normal, thinking man, Severus? You have definitely been too long in the company of my wife."

"Minerva would never...." Damn the old codger, he thought when he realized that he was blushing.

Alastor grinned, as Severus groaned in annoyance. "I wouldn't be so sure about that, but you should listen to Poppy. She will find out if you've done anything 'too exhausting' when she checks on you when you return, and I'm sure the blush you would have would beat this one considerably."

Severus sighed. "Oh yes, but I still think midnight is too early."

Alastor laughed again, vanished his empty cup, and stood up. "Tell that to Poppy, and you will be back here immediately after the feast, Severus. It's Christmas. Try to enjoy the time she gave you. Minerva doesn't want a sulking man at her side. I'm sure you will be released, and this time I really mean released, soon." When he saw Severus look hopefully at him, he added, "She didn't say anything to me, but you look much better. Albus and I are already trying to work on having her to let you leave at least in the daytime."

"And how did she react to that idea? Will she even think about it?" Severus asked, agitated.

"I would think about it if you would not only drink coffee, but also eat something," Poppy said, heading in his direction. She had just come out of her office to see if Severus was already awake for his afternoon snack when she realized that her sneaky husband was giving Severus ideas.

"I think I have to go," Alastor said quickly, avoiding the glare his wife was sending him.

"Oh, don't think you'll get away with what you just told him, Alastor," she said dangerously and blocked his way.

"Remember, it's Christmas, my dear. The feast of love and forgiving," Alastor said sweetly.

"Pour your sugar somewhere else," she said sternly to Alastor and turned to Severus. "And for your information, young man, the two old men couldn't convince me to release you in the daytime because only you can persuade me by eating something and following my rules for a change."

Alastor looked apologizing at Severus. "We will see us at the feast." He turned to Poppy and, seeing her stern face, decided to not try to kiss her. "I hope I will see you as well, sweetheart," he said mockingly.

"Impossible old fool," she said and pretended to give him a swat on his bum.

With the quickest jump, he could manage with his peg leg, he darted for the door, laughing. "I love you too, my dear."

When Alastor had left the infirmary, Poppy went over to Severus. She waved her wand over him. "You are much better, Severus, and, of course, I realized that you have been more cooperative over the past days. I am willing to release you for the daytime in a few days, but how you behave today will affect my decision enormously," she said in a normal and friendly tone.

Having the opportunity to leave in the daytime ,and only having to sleep in the infirmary, was so tempting that he did not dare to argue with Poppy about his curfew today. "I will be a good boy, Mummy," he said mockingly, but could not hide his excitement about having the chance to leave the infirmary soon.

Poppy rolled her eyes. "Eat your snack and drink the strengthening potion, Severus. If you want, you can leave after. Do you want me to keep you company while eating?"

"It's not necessary, Poppy. I know you still have a lot to do. Mr. Weasley will come soon," Severus said, already shifting to sit more comfortably in front of his tray.

"Yes, you are right. I have a lot of work to do, and I want to finish it before the feast. You will call me when you start to feel unwell or have any problems, right?"

Severus rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Poppy I have not thrown up in the last three days. And I will not today. I feel well, and you already stated how behaved I have been lately." When he saw her crossing her arms and raising her eyebrow, he added, "Yes, I will call you."

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