Today was December 21st and while most of the students had gone home to celebrate the holidays with their families some still remained. Today was Chanukah and while Hogwarts didn't have a large Jewish community there were still plenty of student in the castle who wanted to celebrate. In fact, because of Voldemort's violence and prejudice against muggles and muggleborns, the amount of Jewish students was only around 20-30 students. After most of them left for celebrations with their families, only 10 of the Jewish students remained in the castle. This is why Professor Severus Snape could be found scowling while a room full of excited students were engaging in Chanukah celebrations.

While Hogwarts had a hanukkiah in the Great Hall, students also enjoyed an interactive menorah located in a room off of the entrance hall. There was even a window so the menorah could be seen from watched as the students spoke excitedly to each other as they moved around the large room placing presents at one of the tables.

Severus wasn't Jewish, he didn't even really know much about the holiday, but the different festivities were supervised on a rotation and tonight was his night. To top it all off, Potter's brat was here with Minerva as she celebrated with her lions. Still, the quicker they got started the quicker it would be over. Clapping he gathered the students around the large menorah. He called one of the older students, David, a 7th year gryffindor, up to start the festivities and light the first candle using the shamash.

David stepped up to the platform raising his wand to levitate the shamash to light the first candle but his actions were interrupted by a little hand grabbing his pants leg. Looking down he saw bright green eyes under a mop of curly black hair smiling up at him. Smiling awkwardly back he pat Harry on the head and tried to shoo him back to Minerva where she sat with the first years.

"Go on Harry, I'll come play in a minute." He explained.

Disheartened, Harry shuffled off in the opposite direction of Minerva to Snape instead. Harry looked up at the imposing man and lifted his arms in the universal 'up' motion. Sighing Snape complied not wanting to start an incident. Harry then turned in his arms back around to watch David.

David continued his privious activity, successfully levitating the shamash and lighting the first candle. After he stepped down a fifth year Slytherin, Jasmine, stepped up to lead the rest of the students in the blessing.

With the formalities finished the students rushed to the table to get their gifts for friends. Most of the gifts were small things: chocolate golden coins from Honeydukes, New ink and quills, and a few students gave their close friends knuts and sickles. Harry and Minerva went off to join them, as a few students had brought things for little Harry.

As the students settled down and started playing dreidel and eating latkes and blintzes together, Snape to the opportunity to sit back and relax in a chair off to the side. His quiet time was soon interrupted by a little hand slapping his knee. Snape looked down with a glare that softened when he saw the mesh bag clutched in tiny hands.

"He'ya go Mi'ssa Sna'! For Ha'i'kah!" Harry exclaimed.

Snape took the bag giving a small 'thanks' to the boy as he mussed his hair.

Perhaps Potter's brat had more Lily in him than he'd initially thought.

A/n:

So let's see here.

December 21st was really the day of Chanukah in 1981. So cheers.

Hogwarts has the hanukkiah and a menorah. The hanukkiah has 9 slots, the menorah 7, they like to keep the more formal one in the Great Hall.

Minerva isn't Jewish either but the three lions who stayed behind during the holidays begged for her and Harry to participate.

Harry recieved some of his very own Honeydukes chocolate coins and a dreidel of his own. It was a large plush one so he couldn't choke on it. It was also enchanted to spin for him.

As for me... I know nothing about Chanukah so any of this could be wrong.