Christmas for Cats
Author's Note: Disclaimer here, no money, no own, no character, 'cept Adamantia.
A couple of definitions for everyone.
Hogmanay: New Year in Scotland
'First foot': The first person to set foot through the door of a home must be tall and dark and bring coal for warmth, salt for wealth and wine for cheer. My dad was always the first foot when we were kids as he was six feet tall and very dark hair. In a family where people tended to be on the short side, he was considered exceptionally tall.
A Note: There was a question about Minerva and Molly and their relative ages. Now Zarathrustra was quick to assure me that I was not a complete dunce Quote "No, Molly is a generation – at least – younger than Minerva, who graduated in the late 40's and Molly in the 6 0's. So there!"
The wicked Bunjiny sent me this:
Via the Lexicon...
Minerva was born around 1925, started at Hogwarts around 1936 and left around 1944, then started teaching Transfig at Hogwarts around 1956 or 1957. Albus was the Transfig teacher starting around 1938 (certainly while Riddle was there). Albus took over the Headship around 1955 or 1956 and probably recruited under that Headship Minerva to replace him in teaching Transfig.
Molly was born around 1950, with Molly's oldest son Bill born in 1970, 1971 or 1972. Molly started Hogwarts about 1961.
So, clearly not of the same generation!
Now, I'm a good child and I listen to the BeST ladies, my best critics and most nit-picking betas, who could live without them?
An apology: Sorry this is so late in posting. Real life is a bitch and she does bite every now and then.
oo0oo
"What do you buy for your best mate who is a bloody cat?" Ron asked petulantly, tossing himself down on the sofa next to his round-bellied wife. He was immediately distracted by the proximity of his child and reached out to smooth the soft blue robe over Hermione's waist to outline the next Weasley with a fatuous smile. "Hey, Babe…"
Hermione rolled her eyes. Ron's fascination with their first child was probably cute the first few occasions it happened but it made holding a conversation with him difficult at times. "Ron? Ron! Concentrate on me, now," she coached, grabbing his chin and forcing his head up.
Ron gave her a sheepish smile and kissed the tip of her nose apologetically. "Sorry, My Own, just got distracted there. Still, it's a valid question. Harry is a cat and if what Snape says is true, then he is not aging or growing up at all; he's perpetually stuck as what, seventeen years old, in a magical time-warp."
Hermione nodded sadly. "That seems to be the case. It happens when someone suffers such a trauma but in Muggles, it's usually just a mental thing. With magic, it seems to be physical, too. There was some talk at St Mungo's last month about doing some research into the phenomenon but Severus firmly squashed that one on the head…"
"I would have liked to have seen that battle," Ron smirked, doing a creditable imitation of the patented Snape expression.
"Yes, well, when a world-renowned potions expert and the director of the premier hospital in the British Isles for Magical Maladies get down and dirty, it does get rather nasty. Things like 'unique opportunity', 'withdrawal of special brewing services', 'you bloody Death Eater' and 'yes, indeed, Death Eaters do do it better!' get volleyed across the office at the top of their voices. I believe a few curses might have been thrown, just for flavour but most of them hit the walls, thank Merlin. It finished with Severus marching out and declaring over his shoulder that 'Harry is my son, not some sort of research animal for you to dissect. If I catch so much as a hint of your magic anywhere near Harry, I will remember why I was so successful as a Dark Wizard!' Then the office door exploded."
"Snape blew up the office door?" Ron asked in amusement.
"No, the Director fired a curse at Severus' head and he deflected it back but the office door got in the way."
"Wow, your Director is a brave man to take on Snape but I'd back Snape any day when it comes to defending what he believes is right and proper, even if it is Harry and his right to be a bloody cat." Ron sighed and crossed his arms with a grunt. "Which brings us back to the original question of what to get the bloody cat for Christmas."
Hermione laughed and shook her head. Trust Ron to remember the important things in life!
oo0oo
"Harry James Potter! I am warning you; get down from there this instant!"
The black cat in the Christmas tree continued to growl and mutter to himself as he studiously ignored the growing crowd around the tree's base. Severus was being completely unreasonable, complaining because Harry had only made a tiny hole in one piece of wrapping paper and perhaps a small tear in another; nothing to get so unstrung about, surely. And he had only played with a couple of ribbons, just a little bit. How was he supposed to know they would shred so easily and into so many small pieces? He had tried to hide the bits and pieces of evidence but was it his fault that the rug had not been accommodating about lifting up so he just had to claw it out of the way, just a little, little bit. How was he supposed to know it would unravel like that? Honestly, if Severus was that worried about the wearability of his possessions, he really should get more durable things in the first place! Feeling completely within his rights to be put-out with Severus, he turned his back and unconcernedly continued to sharpen his claws on the pine bark.
Below, Severus' colour was far too high for the good of his blood pressure as he stood, hands on hips, and stared up into the recesses of the Christmas tree that graced the Gryffindor corner of the Great hall. After spending far too much time wrapping and beribboning Christmas gifts at the little black menace's behest, he had returned from a short visit to Diagon Alley to find every piece of wrapping paper shredded into postage stamp-sized pieces and every ribbon slashed into strings barely as wide as pieces of sewing cotton. To add insult to injury, the blasted animal had torn up the rug, pulling out great tufts of pile and left them mixed in with the destroyed wrappings all over the floor; even stuffed down the backs of the sofa cushions!
As soon as he tried scolding the wicked little devil in disguise, Harry shot out between his ankles - knocking him on his rear, incidentally - and bolted down the corridor with Severus in hot pursuit. There were few pupils left at Hogwarts but those who remained gathered to see what all the noise and fuss was about as Severus gave chase. The growing crowd dashed into the Great Hall hard on the heels of the unrepentant black streak of fur. Harry skidded around the corner, claws shrieking against stone and disappeared up the nearest Christmas tree where he proceeded to shower their upturned faces with pieces of shredded pine bark!
"Humm, seems you have a bit of a conundrum on your hands," Filius remarked, doing his best not to laugh outright at the fury and indignation on his younger colleague's face.
"I'll conundrum that bloody cat, if he isn't careful. I'll take him to the vet's and have him FIXED!"
There was a furious yowl and a pinecone bounced off Severus' shoulder, making everyone duck as the Head of Slytherin's fury jumped up another notch, drawing his wand with a hiss. "Accio Harry Cat!" he roared at the top of his lungs.
Harry wrapped both forepaws around the branch and dug in his claws solidly as the spell tried to wrap around him. Still hissing and spitting in fury, he tried to cast a wandless Protego but failed to get enough strength into it.
Severus felt resistance and ramped up the power in his spell, then smirked in satisfaction as he felt the black cat slowly move toward him.
"Er, Severus, the tree… not a good idea. Severus … look out!"
Someone yelled 'timber' as the whole tree slowly and majestically tipped toward the Potions Master. The gathered pupils screamed and fled the hall completely, Sinistra and Flitwick threw themselves to the side and Severus back-pedalled hurriedly as gravity proved it worked once again. Red and gold coloured baubles and sparkly tinsel strands flew aside as the twenty foot tall pine crashed down with the tinkle of breaking glass and tiny, high-pitched screams of frightened fairies. A small, black streak shot out of the catastrophe, clawed its way up Severus' robes and disappeared into the nearest pocket with a wild screech of terror.
A stunned silence reigned.
"Severus Ibrim Snape, what do you think you are doing, young man?" The rolling burr in Minerva McGonagall's voice was quite pronounced as she stood in the doorway with wide furious eyes surveying the devastation of the Christmas decorations.
Severus stiffened, ghosts of yesteryear looming thick in the shadows as he turned to face the irate Transfigurations teacher, one hand automatically cupping the lump where Harry was hiding. "A slight misunderstanding, nothing serious," he replied blandly as he moved his wand behind his back, and muttered 'reparo' as unobtrusively as possible. The tree groaned and heaved itself back into place, the damaged baubles trying very hard to repair themselves with very little success. Filius Flitwick, well hidden behind Severus' back was almost creased with laughter as he tried valiantly and as sneakily as possible to add his own reparos to Severus' efforts. No one in their right mind wanted to voluntarily invite the Wrath of Minerva.
The older animagus was obviously not convinced but refrained from any further recriminations as pupils began to filter back into the hall, a few well-hidden sniggers breaking out as fairies continued trying to dive-bomb Severus' head as he stalked majestically up to the round table that had taken the place of the usual long House tables for the Christmas break. "Sometimes," he muttered out of the corner of his mouth at his squirming pocket. "Sometimes, you are a right pain in my bloody arse!"
A muted mew sounded as Minerva cleared her throat. "Did you say something, Severus?" she asked pointedly.
"Oh, not at all, my dear Minerva, not at all," Snape deadpanned as they both took their seats and the food appeared right on cue.
oo0oo
Molly had prepared a feast. The engorged table groaned under the weight of roasted meats, baked, boiled and raw vegetables. No less than four Christmas geese lay brown and glistening, stuffed with sage and onion with little sausages, surrounded by a court of baked and browned carrots, potatoes and caramelised pumpkin. Rich plum pudding steamed under the heating and stasis charms, jugs of custard and white brandy sauce flanking the monster pud. Trifles and jellies beckoned temptingly under cooling charms while bowls of lollies and chips were scattered around the thoroughly enlarged dining room overseen by a monster Christmas tree with all the trimmings. Almost as an after-thought, she cast Protego over the lot, just in case. After all, Harry cat was also coming along.
Arthur looked around his home in quiet satisfaction, admiring his wife's preparations. They were having all of their family, and their families, their friends and their families over for the celebrations. Charlie had even made it back from Rumania with a very strange-looking young lady who resembled a weight lifter and spoke only fractured English. Thank Merlin for translation charms as Fleur's extended family, which included grandparents, parents, sister, brother-in-law and children, spoke very little English, too. Andromeda Tonks was bringing Teddy. Angelina's parents were coming and Katie's father and grandfather, which were all that was left of the twins' wives' families. Even Percy was bringing Penny and their two daughters, although the rest of the Clearwater family was not coming.
From Hogwarts, Minerva, Filius, Severus and Harry were coming as well as the very frail and bent headmaster. Albus was the first to admit he was more of a head mascot than a head master these days but he enjoyed puttering around the school and interfering with Minerva's carefully arranged plans every now and then just to liven her up, he admitted with a twinkle in his eye and a grin that was more suited to a five-year old.
Kingsley, his wife and family were also coming as were the Grangers, Hermione's parents. Ginny's husband Ben, a tall, studious brunet with large hands and feet was bringing his parents too, as well as his sister and her fiancé. It was no wonder the humble Burrow had to be extended quite dramatically. All the Weasley men had worked in concert to add enough magic to the spell Molly orchestrated. They had engorged the lounge and dining areas, added another two bathrooms and enlarged the kitchen big enough to accommodate the number and size of ovens needed to produce such a massive feast. Minerva even sent two Hogwarts House elves to help with the more mundane aspects of preparing the spread for such large numbers and Molly had welcomed the older woman's generosity, much to her husband's surprise.
And now it was time; Christmas was here and each was arrayed in their very best. Even the weather had adorned the garden in a blanket of pristine white lace for the occasion. Arthur wrapped a long arm around his plump wife and dropped a kiss on her greying hair. "You have worked a miracle, my girl, a pure miracle," he complimented softly as the tree lights lent a festive glitter to the perfect napery and cutlery laid out ready on the huge horseshoe-shaped table.
"Grandmother's linen lace table cloths and napkins certainly look good against the old wood, don't they?" Molly remarked in domestic satisfaction. "Well, I think we are all ready. Our guests should be arriving in an hour or so."
"Just enough time to have a nice rest and open your gift, Molly, my dear," Arthur told her with suppressed glee as he led her away from the dining room into the sitting room where a heap of presents lay under the tree waiting for the whole family to arrive.
oo0oo
Harry Halfway patted down Severus' pockets with quick darting hands, making sure the shrunken presents were stowed away. Severus slapped his paw-hands away and dramatically rolled his eyes as the half-human half-cat skipped back with a purring giggle.
"Are you going to get dressed?" Severus demanded, pointing to a pile of dark blue velvet neatly folded over an armchair.
"Naow! AI don't want toooo," Harry protested as he carefully backed away and began to morph into Harry Cat but without shrinking down to cat size. "Carry me!"
Severus eyed the puma-sized animal seated at his feet and snorted in disgust. "Not bloody likely!"
The cat yowled a cat-laugh and shrank down as he sprang; landing lightly in the arms that automatically came up to catch him. Sighing deeply, Severus scrubbed roughly behind the bat-like ears, then picked up the forgotten robes and shrank them down to manageable size. Harry purred his approval and coiled his prehensile tail around Snape's wrist as they exited the dungeon and went up to the Headmaster's office to meet up with the rest of the party.
Minerva smiled at the unlikely pair as she offered an arm to Albus, and Filius bounced over to toss Floo powder into the enormous fireplace.
"The Burrow," the Charms Master called as the older couple stepped into the green flames and were swept away. "Couldn't get him to stay human?" Filius remarked as he selected his own portion of Floo powder. "Oh well, Molly certainly won't mind."
"No, Molly won't mind at all," Severus agreed softly as the small man spun away. Placing Harry inside a fold of cloak, Severus Flooed to the Burrow in his turn.
oo0oo
There were four generations of people represented at the Weasley Christmas bonanza, all vying to be heard over the hubbub of yelling children, laughing adults and singing grandparents gathered around the Weasleys' old upright piano in what used to be the parlour. The twins and their wives had started a mad game of Blind Man's Buff for the young children which the adults had joined in with gusto. The very youngest children were gathered at Hermione's feet listening enraptured to a Muggle tale about the Grinch while Ron carefully and surreptitiously animated the story over her head while she was unaware.
Snape sat quietly in his corner, a glass of very fine brandy in his hands as he discussed current events with Monsieur Delacour and Mr Granger. The three unlikely men had struck up a friendship that was as fascinating as it was unexpected, especially as Mr Granger did not speak French until Severus hit him with a translation spell, Snape speaking fluent French without aid. Harry lay over Snape's lap, purring in contentment as one long hand absentmindedly stroked his fur, content to take refuge from the masses after a dinner that would never be forgotten.
Molly had welcomed her guests with a glass of eggnog and a slightly disappointed expression as Harry Cat miaowed a greeting at her. Hermione immediately came to claim her best friend, hugging him gently and stroking between his ears as she carried him over to the gathering of his peers. He had patted her rounded belly with soft paws, purring when the baby rolled under him. The twins laughed and poked at him until he dropped to the floor and tripled his size to hiss at them, then morphed into Harry Halfway to tell them to bugger off!
That had caused some consternation with the Delacours and the Granger seniors to suddenly have a fey creature appear in their midst. Before wands could be drawn, Snape's voice called to Harry and the large changeling bounded over and leaped at him, morphing and disappearing into his robes. Suddenly the twins felt about twelve years old again, facing off their Potions Master and quietly slunk away, much to their mother's surprise and their wives' amusement. Fleur told her family the animal was Snape's familiar and not very dangerous, Hermione said something similar to her parents, who glanced at each other, then shrugged acceptance. Once again, both Hermione and Ron were extremely grateful for the elder Grangers' easy-going unshockability over all things pertaining to the magical world.
Once Harry decided to venture out again, he was wandering along the edge of the sitting room when he was pounced upon by Victoire and Teddy who dragged him off to play house. As the two four-year-olds had no malice in their heart, Harry was quite content to sit in the doll-pram Saint Nick had gifted Victoire with. He even allowed Teddy, as the Father, to sit him in the highchair but when the bib and bonnet were attached to him, he was at a loss as to how to recover the situation as more doll clothing was produced. Unfortunately, Andromeda came looking for Teddy whom, she believed, had been far too quiet for too long and kindly rescued Snape's cat, presenting the small creature back to the Potions Master still arrayed in his finery which had been augmented by a dress and a nappy, too.
Snape stared at Harry Cat, Harry Cat stared at Snape Father and all but dared him to say one word. Snape bit his lip, he recited all the ingredients for Draught of Slow Torture, backwards, thought of everything except the ludicrous sight before him but then he lost it and burst out laughing as Harry swore at him in loud Cat! Since very few people had ever heard the Bat of the Dungeons laugh aloud, they were suddenly the cynosure of all eyes. Victoire's piping voice remarked that 'Baby was all ready for Santa' merely added the last push and the whole crowd fell about laughing as Harry pointedly turned his back on the lot of them and cleaned his paw in disdain!
Minerva kindly rescued Harry and disrobed him, muttering that she too had to suffer the attentions of small children when it was not politically correct to tear their heads off. That assurance soothed Harry's battered self-esteem and he forgave Severus his laughter before dinner was served. Even Andromeda, who had no idea that Harry Cat and Harry Potter were one and the same, came to apologise to Severus quietly for her grandson's misbehaviour but Harry didn't mind, he was over his sulk and simply purred at her contentedly from his perch on the back of the sofa.
Dinner was everything Molly Weasley was capable of producing -- completely delicious, plentiful and catering to every palette. There were a few raised eyebrows when Snape allowed his cat to sit at table on a specially heightened chair. There were even a few raised eyebrows when he and the rest of the Hogwarts Staff addressed the sleek black creature as if he understood. While Harry's cat form was not exactly a secret, it was information not bandied about generally and Snape had decided that not advertising it was probably best for all concerned. Harry's table manners were reasonable as a cat and he waited until Severus cut up goose and some sausage, then doused it in rich pan gravy before Harry began to eat, only to have his nose tapped firmly. He hissed at his protector then blinked in embarrassment when he realised everyone else was waiting for Arthur's small speech of welcome to friends and family.
When it came to dessert, Harry morphed into Harry Halfway and begged for some plum pudding and custard. Severus shook his head in resignation and told him he had to use a spoon, not fingers if he wanted to eat in company. The cat sighed in a most put-upon way but used the spoon carefully enough to please his guardian and keep the Grangers totally fascinated.
Albus was elected Saint Nicholas and handed out the presents with twinkling eyes and a merry word or two. Harry purred in appreciation when he received a complete grooming kit and a couple of new collars. Severus was surprised to receive rare potions ingredients and a vintage book he thought was long out of print from the Weasleys. There were sweets and jokes and bon-bons to pull. Toasts were given and Christmas Cheer shared, the outlying relations finally departing, leaving the Weasley family alone in the extended dining room with only Harry and Severus, as the rest of the Hogwarts party had departed earlier as Albus tired quickly these days.
"The dinner was perfect as always, Mum," Bill congratulated his mother with a hug.
"My mother wanted to know if you would share your brandy sauce recipe?" Fleur asked, making Molly blink in surprise. Mrs Delacour was after all a celebrated Cordon Bleu Chef with her own restaurant in France that was very prestigious and quite expensive.
Hermione lay back against Ron's chest, both of them cradling their baby. Harry was draped across Hermione's lap too, purring in contentment as the baby moved lazily under his furred body. Severus glanced around at the grouping and nodded to Arthur, who smiled slightly and nodded back. Severus did not move but suddenly everyone's attention was fixed on the tall, black-robed figure standing by the fireside.
"Harry asked me to give you all his gift now, rather than presenting it at the general gift giving earlier. He says that it is for all of you, Molly, Arthur, your offspring, and their spouses and children. As you well know, there is a world cup Quidditch match this summer, although we do not know who will be contesting the final as yet. As a group present to all of you, a floor in the east wing of the Whitehorn Hotel has been reserved as well as a box for the week of the games. For those of you who are, er, Quidditch –challenged, the Whitehorn has day-spa facilities as well as a golf course and lawn bowls. At night the hotel presents cabaret shows, dancing and card tables. The children will be catered to with day trips, nannies and baby-sitting services so that those of you with young children can also take a rest with peace of mind. All you will have to do is enjoy a carefree week of good Quidditch and great fun."
There was stunned silence, then a babble of questions broke out until none were clear enough to be answered. Finally, Severus held up his hands and glared pointedly at the cat in Hermione's lap who slunk over and morphed to Halfway, rubbing his cheek nervously on Snape's robes. A long hand dropped to rub between his ears reassuringly. "AI want you all to have this. To have fun without anyone trying to destroy… Please enjoy it," he finished and immediately shrank into a cat to be swept up by Snape, who gave a simple bow and disapparated.
oo0oo
Hogmanay passed without incident, Severus taking his charge up to the highlands to Minerva's ancestral home to celebrate the turning of the year. Being tall and dark, Severus was taken to first foot half the homes in the village with his basket of salt, coal and wine on his arm and his black cat on his shoulder. It was odd to be greeted as an omen of good luck rather than terror as the highlanders bade him enter and be welcome, drams of fine scotch whiskey thrust into his hands. By the end of the village street he was quite tipsy and had to cast Sobrietus over himself, much to Minerva's amusement.
Severus' birthday fell on the ninth of January as usual and was celebrated with very little fuss. Harry presented him with a book of Muggle science fiction stories and a bottle of twenty-five-year-old scotch from the distillery near Minerva's home.
oo0oo
Adamantia sat in her carriage in the Hogwarts Express in a much better frame of mind than she had left the school for the Christmas holidays. Her father had hauled her into his study and read the results for her first half year, with a sneer of disdain. He was still bitterly disappointed that this useless female offspring of his had been sorted into Ravenclaw rather than Slytherin. The girl often made him feel stupid with her contradicting of his pronouncements or when she sprouted off some ridiculous thing she had read in one of the hundreds of books she seemed to have accumulated over her short life. When he had snarled at her for something, she handed him the sheet of parchment she had been mangling in her sweaty hands. He read the note his Head of Family had sent and immediately backed off, sending the girl to her mother with not another word.
Her mother, very quietly, had given her a tight, pleased hug and encouraged her to explore the south cellars where Adamantia found an ancient potions lab that was obviously disused. Exploring the cupboards and shelves, she made elaborate plans for collecting her ingredients over the next year and trying some practice potions in her book she got from Harry.
At the Christmas feast she had tried to keep a low profile but her father had actually pulled her out from the crowd of women and girls to brag about her prowess at potions. Of course, she had had to recount what she had been making and how she had performed but she kept it as simple as possible, which seemed to please her father. After all, girls should be seen but not heard. It was a triumph and her mother was quietly thrilled that her daughter had managed to earn praise from her husband. It went a long way toward off-setting her crime of bearing a girl-child instead of a boy.
For Adamantia, it had been nerve-wracking but ego satisfying as her cousins had given her admiring looks and deferred to her for the first time in her life. However, she had known better than to try and lord it over them, instead acting demure and conciliatory, airing her Slytherin side, her mother teased her gently the next day as they discussed the party. All in all, it had been an exciting and satisfying Christmas, kudos from her father and her own secret potions lab in the cellar. Life was certainly looking up and she was really looking forward to school so she could share her new secret with Harry.
