On September first, Headmaster Dumbledore had announced two major changes at Hogwarts. The first change, and the one dear to the old wizard's heart, was that Severus Snape, the youngest certified Potions Master in centuries, was the new professor of potions and head of Slytherin house. It was a lot of responsibility for a man so young, but he had been easing into the position for the last year. Albus knew that things were going well for Severus when at the end of the last school year the students made a point to say goodbye to him, especially the youngest students which he had been tutoring or teaching for nearly the whole year.
The second change was that house tables would not be enforced on weekend lunches. When it was first announced the only ones to take advantage were siblings that were split between houses, and one or two inter-house couples. Now, the final weekend before the Christmas break, there were many groups of students taking advantage of the new rule. Study groups, quidditch fanatics and other groupings were scattered around the great hall. The older children tended to mingle less, as did the Slytherins, but the headmaster was pleased that the school atmosphere now less severely divided. He was sure that over time inter-house relations would improve even more.
Albus would be spending a few hours on Christmas day with Harry at Arabella's. The Dursleys would be going this year, just like last year, to Vernon's sister for the day. Vernon would not let them tell his sister about the boy, not being able to explain his magic and all. The Dursleys of this universe were taking decent care of Harry. The boy was being fed and clothed and had a room of his own. There was still something a bit sour in his treatment though. The Dursleys took Dudley to fairs and carnivals and other places that two year olds enjoyed going. They never brought Harry along. They would ask Arabella to watch Harry for longer hours instead of taking the boy with. Arabella had also mentioned to Albus that she never saw Vernon interact with Harry. Albus decided to put aside his thoughts and instead concentrate on the final touches to the gifts he was going to give out this holiday.
-- Xmas -- Xmas -- Xmas -- Xmas -- Xmas -- Xmas -- Xmas --
When the headmaster arrived at Arabella's Christmas day, Arabella and Severus were scurrying around the house, putting the final touches on the decorations and finishing up the cooking. The little house looked very festive and smelled wonderful. Arabella could give the Hogwarts house-elves a run for their money in the kitchen. The tree was as spectacular as he remembered from last year, but now there were some hand made decorations from Harry hanging on it too. Albus thought the tree looked even better with these.
A roaring noise from outside broke Albus out of his musings.
"That must be Hagrid." Commented Arabella. Albus saw Severus cast several reinforcing and strengthening charms to the chairs and sofa.
Albus answered the door when Hagrid knocked. "Happy Christmas, Rubeus"
"Thank you, Headmaster. I'm mighty pleased to be joining you today." The half giant had to bend down and turn sideways to fit through the front door of the house. He handed Arabella a bottle of home-made wine, "Thank you, ma'am for the invitation. I've been looking forward to seeing little Harry again."
Everyone sat themselves in the living room waiting for Minerva to arrive with Harry. Hagrid sat on the couch while the others sat on individual arm chairs. When Harry and Minerva arrived, the boy first ran to 'his' bedroom to retrieve his stuffed dragon 'Puff'. He then ran back to the living room to greet everyone, but stopped short when he saw Hagrid.
"You big!" He said, his mouth hanging open and his eyes bugged wide.
"Yes, I am." Replied the half-giant. Everyone was quietly chuckling at the look on Harry's face.
"Harry, this is Hagrid. He gave you the book of monsters last year." Explained the headmaster.
Harry scrutenized Hagrid, tilting his head left... then right. Apparently he came to a decision about the large man.
"Hagid, you read?" the boy asked.
"Yes, I read"
"Good." Said Harry, and went to the book shelf to get his favorite book. It happened to be the book Hagrid gave him last year for Christmas. Harry went back to Hagrid and set Puff on one of the man's huge legs, and then climbed up onto the other. Once he was settled he said "You read." and gave the man the book he was holding.
Hagrid laughed at the boy's antics. Apparently, when Harry felt comfortable he took charge of his surroundings. As Hagrid read about the animals, he also told Harry other facts about the animals, and even personal stories about them. Harry was fascinated. Albus looked on at Harry and Hagrid. Harry could barely be seen the way that he was tucked next to Hagrid's arm.
Severus and Minerva were embroiled in a cut-throat game of chess while they were carrying on a conversation with Arabella about muggle mystery novels - they all enjoyed Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Hagrid and Harry were still looking at the book. Hagrid was trying to convince Harry that Puff was a Welsh Green, but Harry seemed to think Puff looked more like a Swedish Short-Snout. Albus was just soaking in the atmosphere. He was pleased at how comfortable everyone seemed with each other. He had nearly dozed off by the time Severus and Minerva agreed the game was a stale-mate and Arabella decided it was time to eat.
Minerva transfigured a regular dining room chair into an armless bench-sized chair and placed it at the head of the table for Hagrid. There seemed to be six conversations going on at once. Hagrid and Arabella were talking about how Arabella came to be Harry's babysitter, and his portal to the wizarding world. Albus and Severus were talking about the latest in potions and alchemy. Minerva and Arabella were discussing ways to create household products for squibs to use that would tap into their meagre magic. Albus and Minerva were talking about transfigurations, a subject they both loved and taught. And while all these cross conversations were going on, Harry would not let himself be forgotten.
The meal carried on this way for well over an hour. At once though, all the lively conversations halted when there was a sudden 'thunk'. Poor little Harry had gotten so tired he fell asleep at the table, and landed his face in the mashed potatoes on his plate. All of the adults jumped into action at once. Arabella lifted him while Severus cast a cleaning spell over him. He was then taken to bed by Arabella. By the time she returned most of the table was cleared off and the dishes were clean and put away.
When everyone had retired to the living room Albus pulled out his flask in preparation for a toast.
"It is time for a toast," he began. "To fixing mistakes."
"To seeing past facades and stereotypes." declared Arabella.
"To common causes and common goals." stated Minerva.
"To opening doors." Hagrid said in his booming voice.
"To personal growth and knowledge" finished Severus.
"I know it is unusual," Albus' voice cut in to everyone's thoughts, "but I wished this year to explain my toast. I have not had a close relationship with my brother for well over a hundred years now. I have been working to repair it, and last night, Aberforth agreed to meet me after Christmas dinner for drinks." Albus smiled at the memory, his eyes twinkling behind his glasses. "Normally toasts are about the people you are toasting with, and this was not. Perhaps, my sharing the reason for the toast would make up for my slight."
Moments later, while there was quiet conversation going on, a sleepy eyed Harry emerged from his bedroom, carrying Puff by the tail. He immediately went straight to Severus, climbed into the man's lap and snuggled himself in. Severus tried to look put-out by the boy's actions, but he did not fool anyone.
"Perhaps opening gifts will wake you up, Harry?" asked Severus.
Harry scampered off of Severus' lap and went to the tree to retrieve a gift. He returned to Severus and asked "Who for?"
Severus read the card, "Albus" he stated.
"Abus" Harry repeated, and walked over to Albus and gave him the gift. "Abus, pwesent"
"Thank you, Harry." Said the old wizard and began to open the gift.
As he did, Harry trotted back to the tree to get another gift. "Who for?" he asked Severus.
Severus looked at the card and told him, "Minerva"
"Minewma" Harry turned toward the tartan clad witch and handed her the box. "Kitty, pwesent."
And so it continued until all the gifts were handed out and opened. Many two year old cries of "NO! ME!" were heard when someone tried to retrieve a gift or help Harry carry the larger boxes.
When it was time for Minerva to take Harry back to the Dursleys, everyone walked out of the house together. Hagrid said goodbye and mounted the large motorcycle that was in the driveway and pulled away. Minerva and Harry began to walk toward Privet Drive. Albus, Severus and Arabella stood and watched them go.
"I had best be going." Severus said, breaking the silence. "I must check on the Slytherins that remained over the holidays."
The three went back inside and walked toward the fireplace
"Happy Christmas Severus, Albus." Arabella said and gave each of them a light, motherly peck on the cheek.
Severus floo-ed to his rooms and Albus to his office. Albus stood by the large window behind his desk and watched the snow fall. He was enjoying the peace and quiet while it lasted. He knew it would not last long.