Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I do, however own some hand-made soap scented with juniper, which was the inspiration for this story.
Author's Note: Eleanor and Owen are characters mentioned being sorted into Hufflepuff in GoF.
---
"Merry Christmas, Professor!" Eleanor chirped. She held up a small package wrapped in green and red tissue paper.
Snape's expression didn't change as he took the gift. "Thank you Miss Branstone," he said tonelessly. She smiled proudly. He opened the small package. In it were two little green soaps.
"I hand make them!" the bright-eyed first year said. Snape looked profoundly dumbstruck. "They're supposed to smell like juniper. I made them for all the teachers."
"Aren't you supposed to be in your common room?" Snape asked, irritated.
"No, it's not nine o' clock yet..." She looked at Snape again. "Yes sir." She ran out of the dungeon.
Snape watched her leave, her cheery mood never dampened by his depressing dungeon. He stared at the little soaps. He would never admit it, but he loved the smell of juniper...
---
"What'd Snape say?" Owen asked, smiling at her. Eleanor shrugged.
"He just kind of stared at it and then told me to get out."
"No detention?"
"Nope."
"Seriously?"
"Seriously."
Owen grinned at her, and passed her two galleons.
She stuck out her tongue at him. "Told you I could do it."