Tobias : Long Day?

Wulfric : Yea, that's why this chapter got done in an hour.

Tobias : An Hour!

Wulfric : Yea.. creative breakthrough.

Tobias : Wow.

Wulfric : Mmmhmm.. Now wonderful readers, it's time for the disclaimer, I don't own this. At least I don't think I do, and if I do, then where's my check! Nah, nevermind , JK owns it all and she's not sharing with me personally, but that's okay!


Harry was out of the hospital before dinner like Albus had promised, and was enjoying a nice evening with his grandfather playing chess. The older man was losing once again, much to Harry's enjoyment.

"Harry, have you put any thought into where you'd like to spend Christmas," Albus asked hoping Harry wanted to remain at the castle.

"Is Weasley going to the Burrow?"

"Yes."

"Then I want to stay here with Gram, Draco and you," said Harry simply.

"Okay, would you mind if Severus joined the four of us for Christmas, seeing as we are the only ones staying here this Christmas."

Harry thought a moment before he answered Albus. "As long as he's civil to me, I don't care. Draco seems to care a lot for him now that he knows the truth."

Draco still was staying with Albus and Harry, but incase he ever needed more, 'alone time' Severus had the castle add another room in his own quarters, and the two Slytherins spent a great deal of time in each others company.

"Okay Harry. I'll talk to him and have him be civil, but you must also be."

"I will Granddad. I promise." Harry made a final move on the chessboard before he said, "And that's checkmate."

Harry awoke Christmas morning by Draco hitting him in the face with his own pillow.

"Get up Harry! Presents!"

Harry glared at Draco which caused the blonde boy to burst out laughing. When Harry asked why he was laughing, Draco told him that was the exact glare Snape used on him. At this bit of news Harry glared harder and hit Draco back with his other pillow.

"Fine I'm getting up."

As both boys walked into the sitting room, they met up with a slightly scowling Snape, a semi-annoyed Minerva, and a hyperactive Albus. Harry looked at his grandfather and laughed, he was more like a child than the Weasley twins.

Soon everyone was tearing into their presents. Harry ended up receiving a book from Minvera entitled , " Animagus Theory"; a new pair of seeker's gloves from Draco; a bunch of the Twin's new inventions and a note from them thanking him for the renewed investment and apologizing for everything Ron had done; a locket from Hermione which cause him to blush; a cloak from Severus that was black and scarlet with gold trimming.

From Albus, Harry got enough things to last him awhile including: a cloak pin, a family necklace, five books titled; "Phoenixes", "Advanced Defense", "Lost Charms and Spells", "Wandless Magic : Theory and Control", and "Famous, Extremely Hard Quidditch Moves for Seekers", and other gifts were among the pile too. Hagrid sent up a small handbook on the "Care of Extremely Rare Magical Creatures".

All in all, Harry felt he made a good haul. Severus was shocked when he found Harry's gift to him; a cloak. It was exactly like the one he had bought Harry, except Harry had gotten him a black and dark green one that had silver trimmings.

"Thanks Pott-- Harry. You have very nice taste,"said Snape.

"You're welcome Professor. It seems our tastes are quite similar when it comes to cloaks."

"It appears so."

Harry had gotten a broom servicing kit for Draco, a book called, " How to Train Your Old Coot" and a necklace for Minerva. Harry spent a great deal of time thinking about what to get for his grandfather and in the end settled on a pair of socks and a set of rings with the Dumbledore crest on them, that could work in the same way as two-way mirrors.

The house elves really outdid themselves with the Christmas dinner this year. Harry couldn't remember a time in the past when the food was better than what he received. He pulled a cracker with Draco, to which several mice appeared, a snake cloak pin, a 'Grow Your Own Warts' kit, and several little boats that motored around the table.

Harry and Severus ended up in a very civil conversation. Severus was beginning to see Harry for who he really was, and not the carbon copy of James Potter. As Snape was realizing this, Harry was seeing him as not being the evil git he had known for the last five and a half years, but as an actual person. Albus watched this all unfold with a smile and a twinkle in his eyes.

"So Harry, you mean to tell me that, you can brew the majority of the potions we do with ease, yet you slack in class to keep up appearances?" asked Snape.

"Yes sir. I thought you'd accuse me of cheating or something if I did appear to do well. I suppose without the distraction of Weasley this year, I could do even better," replied Harry.

"So, without myself and Weasley, you were able to excel on the OWL?"

"I suppose so."

Snape thought a minute before saying anything else. If Harry was finding the majority of sixth year potions easy, he may have a talent for brewing. "If you'd ever like to learn more, and it's alright with Albus, you could come down and assist me in the production of some post-NEWT potions."

"Are you serious sir?"

"Yes. I am." said Snape, without any tone of sarcasm in his voice.

Harry looked to his grandfather for approval and seeing him nod in the affirmative replied , " Then when you are brewing said potions, send a note, and I'll come."

It was late that night when Harry finally got to bed. As he shut his eyes, he felt the happiest he had been in as long as he could remember.


a/n: i'm so proud of myself with this! I got it up sooner than last chapter, and I like it.. woot! If I remember right, a few of you wished for Snape to be nicer since Harry and Draco are getting along so well, so here we go.. Nicer Snape! yay! See, i actually listen to you guys.. it might not appear that I do, but, ya know it takes a bit for me to work it all in.. cause I refuse to plan this out.. like majorly.. I just know where this will end and where my sequel will pick up, because I'm having too much fun writing this... Oh and Jordan.. thanks bunches.. dunno what I'd do without you!

Wulfric


Tobias : So think you'll get Thirty done soon?

Wulfric : Not sure..

Tobias : How come?

Wulfric : Because I don't know what's going on yet..

Tobias : Ooh..