Chapter 24

"Merry Christmas!"

Severus Snape batted irritably at the young man perched at the end of his bed.

"Severus! Come on, you have presents!" Harry bounced slightly at the end of his bed. Severus shoved him slightly from beneath the covers. The move was unexpected, given that Harry could not actually see what he was doing, and Harry fell with a thump from the bed, dragging the duvet with him. Severus sat up and glared.

"Sorry." Harry grinned up at him from the floor. Severus' glare deepened, and Harry received a startlingly clear image of a middle-aged Severus, dressed in black robes rather than green pyjamas, sending this same glare down onto Harry and his friends.

"What are you doing, Potter?" Severus asked, his voice calm but bordering on exasperated.

"Sitting? Come on, you're up now anyway. You'll miss breakfast if you don't hurry."

Severus summoned a clock from Rodolphus' bedside table and checked the time.

"Breakfast won't be over for another two hours," he pointed out.

"How long do you normally spend unwrapping your presents?"

Severus gave a deep sigh, acknowledging that he would get no further sleep, and climbed out of bed.

"Fine." Harry jumped off Severus' bed and the two went downstairs to the large, silver-clad tree at the bottom of the stairs. Severus sat down on one of the armchairs while Harry flopped down beneath the tree.

"What are you doing there?" Harry asked, twisting around to see his friend.

"Sitting." Severus replied dryly. "Accio."

A green-wrapped gift settled in his opened palm. Harry grinned and leaned back to watch him. Severus stopped, uncomfortable.

"Are you not going to open your own?"

Harry blushed slightly. "I don't think… Umm…"

"Spit it out, Potter."

"I don't think I have any."

Severus rolled his eyes. "Don't be daft, Potter. Of course you have some."

Harry grinned. "Really?" He dived into the pile. "Ooh." Harry emerged with a small wrapped parcel in dark blue. He turned over the plain blue tag.

"To Neville, from Remus. Please try not to get me into any more trouble with Sirius." Harry's face fell. "Oh no! I didn't get Remus anything. Well, not him personally."

Harry had, in fact, bought the marauders as a whole a book, called 'Moon Magic'. It was a study of magic that could only be performed at different times of the moon's cycle. He hoped it wasn't too forward, and wouldn't give away his knowledge, but it seemed something they could all use. It might also be the olive branch that finally forged their friendship.

Severus gave him a searching look but didn't comment. Harry turned his attention back to the present and carefully peeled back the spellotape holding one side closed. He tipped up the end over his lap and watched a small piece of parchment slide out. Another, smaller bit of parchment fell out with it. Harry picked it up

Dear Neville, to use this, tap the parchment with the tip of your wand and say 'I solemnly swear I am ready to snoop'. To wipe it clean say 'Snoopiness Satisfied'. It will tell you what people are doing at the time, and what you should be doing. Hopefully, this will prevent further 'incidents' as well as get your homework done on time, rather than the morning before class. Yes, I have seen you writing at the Slytherin table. All the best, Remus

Harry picked up the parchment and pulled his wand from his pyjama pocket. "I solemnly swear I am ready to snoop."

The parchment opened up to show Harry's name in black ink, green words scrawled beside it.

"Opening presents."

Harry laughed, mentally thanking Remus. As his friend's name crossed his mind, the words morphed and changed.

"Remus Lupin: Reading 'Moon Magic'"

Harry smiled. At least Remus was getting use out of his gift. He tapped the parchment again and spoke the closing password, "Snoopiness Satisfied". Setting the parchment to one side, he dived into the pile again. Emerging, he saw Severus still sitting in the same chair, a small but finely made gobstone set balanced on the arm.

"From my Mother," he answered the unspoken question. "She was gobstones champion of Hogwarts three years running."

"What about your Dad?" Harry asked.

"Muggle."

"Oh," it seemed odd to Harry, for a parent not to know about such things as gobstones, especially if their spouse was a champion. Even the Dursleys knew about Quidditch. Severus interrupted this line of thought with a wave of his hand.

"Well? You have other gifts, I believe."

"So do you!" Harry pointed out, handing him a package, this time wrapped in shimmering purple-gold. It looked as if Dumbledore had wrapped it and Harry had a tough time connecting the bright parcel with his stern friend.

Severus accepted the small box and watched as Harry pulled out one from himself.

"Open yours then," Harry told Severus. Severus pulled the paper back and revealed a dark green sweater, adorned with a great curling S. Harry felt a brief pang of loneliness as he remembered the Weasley sweater he would not receive this year. Severus slipped the sweater over his head, much to the surprise of Harry.

"What is it, Neville?"

Harry blinked. "Huh?"

"You are staring at me. I would appreciate you stop."

Harry shook his head to clear it. "It looks good on you, the sweater I mean."

Severus inclined his head in thanks before nodding to the box. "Are you going to open it, then?"

Harry read the label. "From Professor Slughorn," he informed Severus. Since his skills were no longer obstructed by a great bat-like shape swooping across the classroom, Harry had much improved in potions. That, along with his Quidditch skills, has earned him an invitation to the Slug Club, a 'gathering' of gifted students who could help Slughorn in later life, or so Harry heard. Severus had also been offered an invitation. Both had refused, but Slughorn hadn't quite given up yet.

The gift, as it turned out, was a book on Quidditch manoeuvres. Rather interesting too, even Severus took a quick look, "so as to better anticipate your suicide attempts".

This brought an end to Harry's gifts. Slytherins did not really give each other gifts like the Gryffindors did. They weren't that chummy. Harry had bought a gift for Severus regardless. He hoped the other boy would like it.

Severus quickly worked through his own small pile, also having few family and friends to shower him with gifts. Finally, he reached the last one. Harry's. He opened up the long, thin box and drew out a silver, self-inking, spell-checking quill.

"Thank you Neville," he said with a small smile. "This will be very useful, I am sure."

"I know it's a bit lame," Harry said, blushing. "But I couldn't think what to buy you, and I thought you'd definitely use this. I know you hate impractical gifts."

Severus nodded. "Yes, and this is both practical and attractive. Thank you. Now, here is yours."

Severus reached into the pocket of his dressing gown and brought out a small, cylindrical tube. Harry took it curiously, mindful of Severus' warning that it was fragile. He unscrewed the lid and tilted it slightly so that the contents slid out onto the rug. A bottle.

Harry looked up at Severus in confusion. His lover swallowed, as if to clear an obstruction before speaking and whispered

"It's the time potion, Neville. You can go home."