Chapter 11
Severus Snape stalked through the hallways of the castle, tapping lightly on one of the doors in the long corridor. The door opened and he stepped inside, looking around until he saw the woman he was here to see.
"Minerva, I believe that Albus is losing his mind." he stated as he walked over and sat down on one of the armchairs. "He has given me the task of finding a way out of Mr. Potter's contract with the Ministry."
She sighed and waved her wand to conjure a tea set, then poured for both of them. "What did he say, Severus?"
"He told me that he has to regain control of the boy. When I told him that it would be impossible for him to nullify the contract, he ordered me to tell them about the prophecy." he told her, then picked up his tea and took a sip. "He told me to tell them that he has to train the boy."
She sat for a minute, quietly. "His guardians will have to be notified that he is trying again. The gentleman from the DME will most likely come to the castle to watch over Harry."
"You know that he will try to have the man removed from the castle."
She smiled at him. "He was here for two weeks at the beginning of the year and no one knew. The DME has several ways for him to remain invisible to everyone." she explained. "Harry could probably use the protection if Albus is getting that desperate."
Snape put down his cup, "I'm pretty sure that Potter has all the protection that he needs."
She scowled at him, "They are just children, an adult would be able to protect them better."
"Better than a pagan god?" he asked.
Weeks passed with no issues for the group, Loki remained vigilant in keeping the possessed teacher away from them. Travis had returned to the castle to keep an eye on what the Headmaster was up to, and to protect Harry if he needed to.
Harry walked into the Great Hall and dropped into the seat next to Neville. "What is everyone doing for Christmas?" he asked, reaching for a plate of sandwiches.
Neville pushed the plate of potato chips closer to Harry. "I think that my Gran is making me come home." he told them.
Hermione took a chip from Harry's plate, "I think that I am going home. My parents miss me."
"Mum told us that we're going home with Harry." George told them. "She said that Harry's uncles invited us to spend the holidays with them since they were going to see our brother Charlie."
"Uncle Remus told me that he had invited Hermione and her parents too. I'm supposed to invite Neville, so that he can ask his Gran. Loki has already been invited. Uncle Siri told me that he would take care of asking Greg's parents." Harry told them, taking a sip of his pumpkin juice.
Hermione took another chip from Harry's plate, "Do you know what my parents said?" she asked.
Harry shrugged, "I'm supposed to talk to them tonight, so I'll let you know. I'm pretty sure that Uncle Remus talked to them yesterday, I think that he talked to Neville's Gran but she wanted him to ask."
The first day of Christmas break came quickly. The group was all packed, standing near the doors of the Great Hall.
"Everyone is here. What are we waiting for?" Ron asked.
"Professor McGonagall has the portkey, we're waiting for her to bring it down." Harry told him. He reached into his school bag when he saw Professor Snape heading up from the dungeons. "Professor Snape!"he said loudly.
The professor scowled and headed toward the group. "What can I do for you Mister Potter?" he asked stopping in front of the boy.
Harry handed him two wrapped packages. "Merry Christmas!" Harry said. "The one is from my guardians, but I wrapped it, so no pranks."
He looked down at the gifts. "Thank you, that was very thoughtful." he said. "I will open them on Christmas morning."
Professor McGonagall had walked up behind the potions professor. "Mister Potter, I have your portkey." she told them. "I hope that you children enjoy your holiday."
Harry took the portkey, "When will it activate?"
"You have 1 minute, so I would grab on if you are going with him." she told the rest of the group.
They all gathered around Harry, each of them reaching out a finger to place it on the book that the teacher had given him. "Merry Christmas Professor McGonagall, I have Aunt Minnie's gift with me so she'll have to come visit to get it." he said with a smile.
The professors stayed until the portkey activated. "Cheeky little brat." McGonagall said.
"He gave me a gift." Snape told her.
She smiled at him. "Harry has a loving heart. He knows that you knew his mother, and he's hoping that one day you will tell him some stories about her, one's from when she was in school. Bobby tells him about her before he left home, but the only stories that Remus and Sirius have about her are from after she was dating James."
He watched as she adjusted her tall pointy hat. "I will write some down for him, I also may have a few pictures that I can make copies of for him."
"I always knew that there was a heart in there Severus, but you've exceeded my expectations this year." she told him, then patted his arm and walked into the Great Hall
The large group of students appeared in the salvage yard. Harry was tackled to the ground as soon as the portkey dropped them. "Harry!" Sam yelled.
The group laughed, helping the two up from the ground.
"Why don't we all get out of the snow." Dean said reaching over and taking Hermione's bag from her.
"I can get that." she told him.
He shook his head, "I wouldn't be any kind of a gentleman if I let you carry it." he said walking toward the house, the rest of them falling in step behind the two, Sam's voice the only sound besides the crunching of snow.
