Never had Snape's silent chambers seen so lively a morning. Their occupant jumped with a start and felt more joy than he had in years.

"I'm still here!" he cried, feeling completely ecstatic. I'm still here.

He quickly looked at his clock on the wall, and noted that is what 6:50 in the morning; but, on what day? Had he missed Christmas?

"Dobby!"

Hopefully, the irksome elf wouldn't waste time in answering the summons. He wasn't disappointed. The house-elf quickly appeared.

"Happy Christmas, Professor," Dobby said by way of greeting. "How can Dobby be helping Professor Snape, sir?"

"What day is it?" asked Severus.

"Christmas Day, sir?" said Dobby, seemingly trying to decide of Severus had finally gone off the rocker or not.

"It's Christmas day? I haven't missed it. The spirits have done it all in one night. If they can do anything they like; of course they can they're spirits," thought Severus to himself.

"Are you in need of something, Sir?" asked Dobby.

"Actually, yes!" Severus said, coming up with a plan. "I need you and maybe another elf to distract a couple people for me, for a couple hours, if you wouldn't mind."

"Who is Professor Snape wanting distracted Sir?" asked Dobby. "Dobby will be doing his best."

"The Headmaster, Minerva McGonagall, and Potter's circle," said Severus.

"You is meaning Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley Sir?" asked Dobby.

"Yes, if you wouldn't mind," said Severus. "Ginevra Weasley as well."

"Dobby will be on it Sir," said Dobby happily. "Dobby knows the perfect way to distract Harry Potter and his friends. Dobby also thinks that Hooky will be glad to help as well."

"Very well," he said with a wry smile.

With a pop, the elf was gone.

Now Severus had a lot of work to do.

After having a quick shower, he rushed to and fro, pulled garments out of the wardrobe sent some owls off to some shop owners, and left his quarters.

As he was heading down the gloomy corridors of his dungeons, he light the torches in their brackets, and continued smiling brightly as he went down another corridor – past a clanking suit of armor which shrank back in fright – up the stairs – and out the castle doors to the edge of the grounds where he apparated to Diagon Alley.

Once he got to the Alley he made a quick stop at Gringotts Bank where transferred a small sum into the Weasley's vault and also sent a note to Molly Weasley which he then sent off with an owl.

Knowing he still had some time he quickly apparated to Spinner's End and searched through his boxes with a mission. He was looking for something very particular. He could have used a summoning spell and was just about to when he found it.

Finally having found it he made a copy and threw one into his pouch. He apparated into town and grabbed a gift for Dumbledore, Minerva, Charity and Poppy.

When he finally returned to Hogwarts he headed directly to the Great Hall and snuck the staff's gifts under their tree. It was a tradition for the teachers to meet early to exchange gifts. He was luckily the first person to arrive. He then summoned an elf to place Potter's gift under the Gryffindor tree back in the common room while they were still hopefully being distracted by Dobby.

The staff, to say the least, were shocked when they walked into the Hall that morning. Of all people, Severus Snape was smiling and although still dark, his robes were not completely black; he had chosen something slightly more festive.

"Happy Christmas Severus," greeted Dumbledore.

"To you as well Albus," said Severus returning the greeting. "And happy Christmas Minerva. Filius."

Minerva and Filius shared a look. Not sure what Severus was playing at.

To be fair, they never really knew what to expect from him. Severus had always done whatever he felt like, within reason of course.

"Happy Christmas," they both replied.

"I'm so glad you could join us this morning my boy," beamed Dumbledore. "But I do have a question."

"Indeed," replied Severus smirking. "And what would that be?"

"Who are you, and what happened to Severus Snape?" thought Minerva. She liked this happy Severus but it was a bit unnerving.

"You wouldn't happen to know why I was bombarded by house-elves this morning would you?" inquired Dumbledore chuckling with his customary twinkle in his eyes.

"Why would I have anything to do with that?" said Severus feigning innocence.

"I couldn't even leave my quarters because two house-elves wouldn't leave me alone," said Poppy.

"Me as well," said Minerva.

"Don't look at me," said Severus looking way too innocent; Dumbledore knew immediately that it was him. "Maybe the house-elves are up to something. I don't control them."

"Very well," chuckled Dumbledore.

A few moments later the rest of the staff walked in, and they all exchanged Christmas greetings.

"Now, let's see what's under the tree," decided Dumbledore. "I'll be Santa."

Slowly they made their way through the gifts. It wasn't long before Minerva opened her box of nut brittle from Severus, and the staff had quite the variety of gifts. Everything from Honeydukes to sweaters, to books.

Severus received a box of Honeydukes, a pair of socks, and a potions research book that he had been looking for. The socks and book being from Dumbledore. The sweets were from Charity.

"I've been looking for this for a while. Wherever did you find it?" inquired Severus.

"It took a while, but being me has its perks," chuckled Dumbledore. "You've mentioned it on more than one occasion."

"Thank you," said Severus.

"Say nothing of it, my boy," Dumbledore replied without hesitation.

After they had opened everyone's gifts Dumbledore finally opened his. Dumbledore was thrilled when he opened his gift from Severus.

It was a Luxury eagle-feather quill, with a box of Sherbet Lemons.

"Aw, no socks?" teased Dumbledore, "I always loved our little tradition."

Smirking Severus reached into his pocket, used an enlargement charm, and tossed them to Dumbledore.

"You're way too generous Severus, thank you," said Dumbledore beaming.

"Keeping the tradition, but I wanted to say thank you," said Severus. "You've done a lot over the years and I know I've never shown how much I respect you."

"How touching Severus," said Dumbledore eyes twinkling. "Thank you."

"Severus," began Filius tentatively, "are you feeling quite alright?"

"Never better," said Severus beaming. "I feel better than I have in a long time."

Minerva and the headmaster share a look.

"It's just you don't seem quite yourself this morning," said Minerva.

"And I'm not!" laughed Severus. "Not myself, and better off for it."

At this, all the staff members look at each other in shock, before smiling and deciding to give Severus a chance. They didn't know what brought on this change, but it was certainly a welcome one.

He had always made things slightly difficult for them in that well... His demeanour was typically less than pleasant. He wasn't one to suffer dunderheads lightly, and well... Severus generally thought most people were dunderheads. And if you convinced him otherwise, well... Just ask Miss Granger how well that went.

While this was going on Harry Potter woke up to quite the surprise this Christmas morning.

"Harry wake up!" cried Ron. "Come on Harry, wake up!"

Slowly Harry dragged himself out of bed and walked down towards the common room.

"Happy Christmas Harry," said Ron.

"Happy Christmas," beamed Hermione.

"Happy Christmas guys," replied Harry.

The trio opened their gifts. Harry's included a Weasley jumper among other things. It wasn't until the end when Ron realised there was another gift hidden behind the tree in silver paper.

"This has your name on it," said Ron. "Come on, open it."

There was a letter attached and Harry read the tiny scrawl.

Happy Christmas Harry,

I know you'll appreciate it, and it should have been given to you a long time ago. Keep it safe.

Opening the gift Harry was stunned; it was a photo album filled with pictures of his mother when she was young. What shocked Harry the most was the person with her.

"Snape sent me this," said a shocked Harry.

"Are you serious?" inquired Ron.

"It's definitely his handwriting," said Hermione looking at the note.

"And he is in all of the photos," said Harry.

"He and your mum must have been friends," said Hermione.

"Or something," Harry said under his breath. He didn't know what else to say.

Eventually, the trio went down to the Hall for breakfast, and like many of the students were surprised to see the Professor in such a good mood.

The choir was just wrapping up a rendition of Cast a Christmas Spell when Severus and Harry made eye contact.

Harry offered a quick smile in an attempt to say thanks when Severus nodded calling a silent truce. Something that did not go unnoticed by the Headmaster, much to his joy.

Yes, it was turning out to be quite the Christmas indeed.

And Severus was better than his word. He did not return to his old ways, and he became as good a friend, as good a teacher, and as good a man as good old Hogwarts ever knew. Some people laughed to see the change in him, but he let them, and it was always said of him that he knew how to keep Christmas well.

Now, this is where the story ends, and as he always says, happy Christmas and Merlin bless us, every one!