An unexpected Christmas- Set in sixth year.

Severus Snape woke up feeling apprehensive. It was Christmas Day and he was at Hogwarts. While both of those things we reasonable on their own, put together it was a cause for significant concern. Albus bloody Dumbledore that insisted on a Kris-Kringle among the staff and Severus had been forced to purchase a present for Pomona Sprout. It had grossly offended his sensibilities to be involved in such senseless frivolity. Especially as whoever had his name would be certain to have given him some inane, completely useless present.

When Snape deigned to look at his desk, (he had previously instructed the house elves to place his presents there- upon pain of death), to his utmost surprise there were three gifts awaiting him. At most he expected two. Albus always gave him something and unless Albus drew his name in the Kris-Kringle, that would equate to two presents. So who was the third?

Being the paranoid spy he was, Snape checked them all for dark magic and other curses. They were all clean, but the third package did show that it held some pretty strong preservation and protection spells. Against his better nature, Snape opened his gifts.

Dumbledore had given him a subscription to a muggle knitting magazine and a large bag of rainbow lemon drops. Shaking his head in exasperation he turned to the second gift. It was book shaped and he snorted, it was undoubtedly from his Kris-Kringle. It turned out to be a potions book that he already owned, but a newer edition. He resolved to read it and decide which one to keep. His secret gift-giver was obviously unimaginative, most likely Charity Burbage.

Finally, with curiosity that Snape refused to admit, he unwrapped his last gift. It was a mahogany chest, and on it was a letter addressed to him on a single piece of folded parchment. He opened the note and read it,

"Snape Inside the chest are some valuable potions ingredients. Do handle them carefully. Merry Christmas."

It wasn't signed, but now Snape's interest was piqued. Potions ingredients that required preservation and protection spells? He levitated the chest to his private lab and activated his own protective enchantments. Once satisfied that the contents of the box would be safe with the lid opened he gently flicked the clasp and lifted the lid.

And gaped.

Severus Snape, unflappable bat of the dungeons, stared in utter bemusement at the sight that greeted him.

Two Basilisk fangs, a roll of skin, two vials of a clear viscous liquid that he guessed was venom and some heart strings- from a basilisk?!

Snape realized he was still gaping and shut his mouth with an audible snap, appearance must be held, even when there is no one there to watch. Who on earth would have given him such a valuable present? It would have to be worth at least two years salary, and that wasn't even taking into consideration the danger required to even acquire such ingredients.

Snape was utterly baffled, but that didn't stop him placing each ingredient reverently in his personal store. His mind was racing excitedly, picturing all the potions and experiments he could do. With the chest unpacked, he admired it again. It was a handsome box, make from his favourite type of wood no less, and the spells on it were of fantastic quality.

He furrowed his brow and took the box with him through to his office. He made a space for it on his desk, knowing that it would come in handy in his teaching. He had no idea who had given him the present, but he wasn't going to let such an unexpected boon go to waste.

Severus looked at his presents, with an appreciative eye, not including the hopeless effort from the batty old headmaster and left to go to the great hall for breakfast.

And if his step was lighter than usual, and the right side of his mouth quirked amusedly, no one knew and no one noticed. After all, no one pays attention to the resident potions bat, according to Severus.

And if a certain dark haired boy, noticed Snape's good mood, he didn't say anything. And later, when he was called into Snape's office for a detention and noticed a certain mahogany chest, he definitely didn't say anything. After all, nothing would ever come of his attraction to the resident potions bat, according to Harry.

Hiya guys, have an update. Can't believe it's so close to Christmas already! The year is flying too quickly. If you haven't guessed by now, this story isn't happening in anything remotely similar to linear fashion. I have the entire story planned in my head, but when I start writing it just comes out all in the wrong order. Not that it's a bad thing; I quite like how it's going so far. That said, if there are any incidents from the end of book 4 onwards you want specifically covered or explained from the point of view of my story, please feel free to review of PM me and I'll work it in somehow! Thanks for reading!