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A/N: Thanks to all the wonderful people who reviewed, you are amazing, beautiful specimens of humanity. (…please keep doing it!) Hope you enjoy the next chapter! :)
Christmas arrived almost too quickly for Lily. On one hand it felt like they'd only been at Hogwarts a few weeks and yet the year was half over already! But on the other, it seemed like an age since she'd seen her parents. Normally there was no time to think about it; classes, pretend-Quidditch, homework—but every now and then, at night or during the few quiet moments throughout the day, especially when writing or receiving a letter, homesickness would hit her like a physical blow. She missed her Mum's gentle touch and warm smile, longed for her Dad's strong presence and rib-crushing hugs. There had been so much to see and do at first, so much to experience, but Petunia's accident and her resulting phobias had shaken Lily out of her happy glow and made her crave the comfort and security of home.
Granted, Petunia was improving slightly—true, their telescope had taken up permanent residence in its awkward spot on the Astronomy tower and she still degenerated into a nervous wreck at the mere thought of heights—but she was also able to glance up every now and then during Hooch's lessons and her anxiety vanished completely whenever they got together for a mock-match even if she couldn't be compelled to approach a broom to save her life. They'd decided not to mention the episode to their parents, afraid they'd be pulled out of Hogwarts and forced to go to a muggle school instead. Still, a small part of Lily wished she could pour it all out and let them fix everything like they used to when she was little and cut her knee.
She missed them so fiercely it ached. Petunia obviously felt the same, if not more so. It was clear by her increasing edginess as Christmas approached, her constant talk of home and the traditions they had and how much she wanted to help decorate the tree this year. Frank was looking forward to seeing his family as well. Apparently his uncle Algie was coming for the holidays and always brought the most incredible gifts.
Lily simply assumed that Severus was returning home too. It was Christmas, after all. Where else would you rather be than with your family? So it was with some shock that she saw his name on the list of students staying at Hogwarts. It was a short list and his name was right at the top. She waited until they were in the library, at their usual table tucked away in the dusty Divination section before broaching the subject.
"Severus?" she began hesitantly. He grunted to show he was listening but didn't look up from his Herbology essay. Frank and Petunia watched him struggle through it with suppressed amusement. Severus hated being bad at anything, but despite his best efforts he simply had no talent for nurturing plants.
"I was just wondering why you're not going home for Christmas," she asked in what she hoped was a nonchalant manner.
Severus' quill jerked and he cursed viciously at the resulting smear of ink.
"Oh crap!" Lily cried guiltily, "I'm so sorry Sev, I didn't mean to distract you!"
Severus threw the parchment away from him in disgust and sighed wearily.
"Its fine, Lily," he said heavily. "It's not like it was going anywhere anyway. Honestly, why does it matter what phase of the moon has maximum potency for nightshade?"
"It matters if you want to use them as ingredients for Potions," Petunia pointed out helpfully.
"Well it's not like I'm going to wander around picking the stuff myself is it?" Sev snapped, glaring at his ruined essay. "I'd just go to an Apothecary like a normal person!"
Frank laughed and motioned to his own book. "Well, I'd prefer to buy my potions readymade," he complained, "but I still have to suffer through melting cauldrons and noxious fumes. And if I have to do that; then you have to kill unfortunate plants and avoid the sentient ones killing you. It's only fair!"
Lily grinned as Severus muttered darkly that he'd rather kill Frank instead and ended up completely forgetting her earlier question. It was only later, as they entered the Great Hall in time to see the Marauders make an unsuspecting Hufflepuff's robes explode with tinsel that Lily recalled the letter Sev had shown her in the beginning of the year. Were things with his mother really so bad that he'd rather miss Christmas at home than face her? She found that hard to imagine. It jarred with her experience of family in general but she found herself uncharacteristically glad of her ignorance. She'd never known a mother who didn't care for her child more than anything and Lily's heart hurt at the thought that Severus should have to avoid his.
It was lonely when the train left, carrying his friends away for two weeks. Severus was actually a little disgusted with his resulting melancholy. When had he let himself become so dependent? He was fully aware that despite his aversion to sentiment, some had finally leaked in; but he was more surprised to find that he didn't regret it in the slightest. He'd walked willingly into the trap he'd always sworn to avoid—he never used to be lonely after all. Then again, he'd never known any better either.
Still, even being near Lily and Tuney wasn't enough to entice him back to Spinner's End. Christmas had always been his least favorite time of year. An excuse for a drunk when none was needed and a time for maudlin introspection when his mother was already hip deep in self-pity and impotent anger. His parents would inevitably clash and one of them always dragged him into it. His mother used to try keep him out the fights but ever since the letter arrived on his seventh birthday, she'd become less and less concerned as the bitter seed of resentment took root, until one year, she'd been the one that drew him into the argument. He'd cried from more than bruises that Christmas but it was also the last time he gave anyone the satisfaction of his tears. It used to infuriate his father but it gave Severus some small measure of control which he refused to relinquish. When he got smarter he used to spend the nights in the playground but that wasn't always feasible in the heart of December. He'd be glad to miss the drama this year.
Christmas at Hogwarts promised to be spectacular. Hagrid had already dragged in numerous fir trees which Flitwick and Dumbledore had led the staff in dressing. Lily had been enthralled at the display and even Severushad to fight to keep from looking impressed. Dumbledore's trees were easily recognized; they were the brightest ones, with garishly clashing tinsel that still managed to look festive. Petunia had been like someone at the scene of an accident, horrified but somehow unable to look away. In response, Frank had promised to teach them simple decorating charms next term. Severus wasn't really bothered but seeing Lily and Tuney's excitement he'd forced himself not to sneer.
Since Mulciber, Nott and Avery had left as well, he had his dorm to himself and Severus intended to luxuriate in the long forgotten feeling of privacy as much as possible. In fact the only dampener on his cautious contentment (apart from three gaping absences) was the fact that one of the Marauders had stayed behind as well. Intellectually, Severus had known that Sirius Black wouldn't want to go home so early in the year. His parents probably still needed time to recover and accept the fact that he'd dodged Slytherin. On the up side, Sirius couldn't prank him under full view of the teachers so he was safe. Unfortunately, that meant Severus had to play fair as well.
As there were only a handful of students staying over, they were all forced into something called Secret Santa. Severus didn't see the point but Professor Slughorn had assured him that it was mandatory. He was certain that Dumbledore was behind it. A muggle tradition designed to make the participants anxious and uncomfortable, who else could it be? He probably thought it was fun—which left Severus to somehow find another gift despite the fact he had no money.
He'd brewed potions for Lily, Tuney and Frank and spent quite a bit of time on them. It was lucky that he'd so quickly and consistently impressed Slughorn. The Potions Professor had given him full access to the student ingredients for projects. It was unheard of for a first year but Slughorn had shouted down all opposition, insisting that as Head of House, it was his duty to 'cultivate such talent.'
Sitting on his bed with the curtains open for once and enjoying the silence, Severus narrowed his eyes as an idea struck him. He still had some of Frank's present left over that he could re-use as a gift. Abandoning the half finished rewrite of his essay, Severus headed towards the potions lab with a sinister glee that would have made Peeves nervous. He hoped for their sake that 'Morgan Bradshaw' was a boy.
oOoOoOo
On Christmas Day, Severus woke late and stretched lazily. His feet hit something heavy and his thin face lit up at the sight of three small, brightly wrapped presents clustered together at the end of his bed. He tore into them, shredding paper with little thought in his excitement. From Lily, he received a new quill—a black raven's feather—and a box of chocolate frogs, while Petunia gave him a muggle organizer and a book called 'Tips for Black Thumbs'. Utterly perplexed, he flipped through it until he realized it was about muggle gardening before tossing it aside with a snort of amusement. Frank had also given him a book; 'Quidditch through the Ages' along with a card wishing him a Merry Christmas and promising to try out some of the moves when they got back. That was far more interesting than decorating charms.
He'd just gotten dressed when another present wrapped in obnoxious red and gold popped into existence. From his secret santa obviously. He approached this gift with far more care, performing a few simple detection spells before opening it slowly to reveal an expensive box with 'Anti-Grease Haircare Kit' emblazoned across the top. Severus shoved it away from him with a scowl, not bothering to retrieve it when it slid under his bed. He knew his hair had gotten worse since he'd started brewing more, it had always been on the slightly greasy side but now it was lank and plastered to his head no matter how often he showered or stole Avery's shampoo. His friends were too tactful to say anything but he knew they noticed. Lily didn't put her arm around his shoulders as much anymore. He couldn't blame her; even he thought it was disgusting—there just didn't seem to be anything he could do about it. Severus thought it said a lot of her, Tuney and Frank that they were willing to overlook it, especially a clean-freak like Petunia. He certainly didn't need a reminder. With a final glower in the direction of the offending item, he stormed out of the room, his good mood shattered.
Severus didn't need to see Sirius Black's smug grin to know who had sent his 'gift' but he did attempt to calm himself down. No need for Black to realize how much he'd pricked his pride. Instead, he focused on the food. It was nothing like the rare anorexic chicken during the few good years in Spinner's End. He'd never had a Christmas dinner like it! Dozens of fat, roast turkeys; mountains of boiled and roast potatoes; mounds of stuffing; silver jugs of gravy and pots of cranberry sauce, with stacks of Wizarding crackers heaped every few feet along the tables. The Hall rang with laughter and shouts of delight punctuated by the occasional blast of a cracker being pulled.
An older Slytherin offered him one and he eagerly grabbed the other end and yanked hard. An explosion rattled his teeth and when the cloud of blue smoke cleared, he found himself holding a brand new set of Wizard chess. His Housemate didn't seem to mind, just grinned and turned to pull another with her friends. Severus stroked the box reverently. He'd heard of the game, read enough to know the rules, even seen other Slytherins play in the common room, but had never expected to own a set himself. They were notoriously expensive, yet here they were, free in Hogwarts crackers! His previous elation returned and he set it safely on his lap before attacking his food with a vengeance.
There was a bit of commotion when a Ravenclaw girl suddenly sprouted a rich golden beard as long as the Headmaster's. As he watched, she closed her eyes tightly in concentration before it fell out leaving a perfectly trimmed goatee in its place. He'd had to combine no less than three cosmetic potions to create that effect and suffered through six separate explosions and one pile of sludge before he'd got it right. He'd been hoping Morgan was a boy's name but apparently not. He supposed it was lucky she was a Ravenclaw, far more taken with the cleverness of a thing than with its actual effect. As the cries of hilarity continued, he felt relief bubble up inside him and hid a smile. Having discovered firsthand just how humiliating a prank gift could be, Severus found he was pleased that she'd managed to turn it to her advantage.
He paused, watching as Professor Dumbledore swapped his pointed Wizards hat for one with a wide brim piled with an assortment of fruit, and ran through that thought again. A quick glance at Black showed him laughing in the middle of a bunch of fifth years, completely oblivious to his scrutiny. How sick would Black be if Severus turned the Gryffindor's calculated insult to his own benefit? He mused on the idea as he finished his dinner, savouring the food and enjoying the merry atmosphere, even if he didn't contribute to it. Taking his prize back up to his dorm, he carefully placed the chess set into his trunk before stepping over to his bed and frowning thoughtfully. With a sudden decisive movement, he pulled the distasteful gift out and opened it. Not bothering to be gentle, he tore the bottles out and lined them up along his nightstand. Opening each, he performed a generic diagnostic spell that he'd begged off Madam Pomfrey when they'd been haunting the Infirmary waiting for Petunia to be released. If used on people, it listed the state of their health but Severus had inadvertently discovered that if used on potions, it listed their ingredients.
Upon ensuring that Black hadn't added anything potentially embarrassing, Severus sat back in satisfaction. Typical Gryffindor; never bothered beyond the obvious. By the look of the packaging, the idiot had spent several Galleons simply to make a point. A jagged, painful point, true, but Black clearly had no issues with spending his 'evil Slytherin' inheritance. Such blatant hypocrisy made Severus all the more determined to throw this prank back in his face. Of course, there was always the risk it wouldn't work. Nothing else had, and Avery's shampoo had been of decent quality too.
Not wanting to tip his hand to Sirius, Severus decided to wait until the day the other students returned to school to try it. It was a risk. The spell he'd used wasn't meant for this purpose, he could easily have missed something. The undeniable fact was that this substance came from a questionable source, who may or may not have tampered with it. True, he didn't think Sirius stopped long enough to consider anything other than a cheap dig, but it was inadvisable to underestimate your enemy—even if they were a Gryffindor. That being said, a kit this expensive had a greater chance of working and to Severus, that was almost worth the risk of ending up the butt of a Marauder joke. Although it certainly wouldn't be pleasant. But if he used it and succeeded, if he made Black spend who-knows-how-much on making Severus Snape look good…
The mere thought of his face when he realized was enough to make up Severus' mind. Not to mention Lily's face…or Frank or Tuney's!
Severus supposed he'd just have to gamble.
A/N: What did you think? Review and let me know!