A/N I always find it funny any time the Christmas chapters hit at Easter... and it's happened several times in the series. I really like this chapter... in fact, I really had a LOT of fun writing this book... although the sheer irony of the pandemic when one of the main themes of this book is curing a disease got to me by the end (for the record, this book's theme was planned years ago, and was a quarter of the way done when the lockdowns hit, which is why the first 15 chapters were released so quickly.) The rough draft of this is done now, 60 chapters all told, so expect very fast updates from now on. Also, if you can, please review the chapters... most of my reviews date from 2016 or earlier, and it'd be nice to see who's here and who's new on the views I'm seeing. This series is going on 19 years, do you believe that? And one of the things I'm sure I'll be doing before the 20ith is giving book 1 a deep revision so that it won't put off potential new viewers. Anyway, thanks for sticking with me all this time... Happy holidays, regardless of which they are. ~DQ

Chapter Forty

Unexpected Gifts

"It's snowing!" Quintin declared. Jennifer, Bael, and he had just Portkeyed over to Corey's doorstep, juggling birthday presents for Natalie and a stray Christmas present or two for the family. So when Jennifer paused to put the key away and get a better handle on the presents, Quintin took off to the nearest snowbank to get his hands full of snow.

"Come now, Quintin, you don't want to be late," Jennifer scolded him.

"We have two minutes and twenty-six seconds!" Quintin protested.

"What, are we that close to time? Bael, go knock on the door."

"Sirius once told me it was actually polite to be ten to fifteen minutes late," Bael commented, going to the door.

"Don't suggest that to my father tonight, you'll get an earful," Jennifer warned. "Come on, Quintin, the snow isn't going anywhere. I'm sure there will be opportunities to play in it later."

"Can we come back tomorrow?" Quintin asked.

"Don't you want to see your father?" Jennifer scolded him.

"I see him now. He's in the doorway," Quintin said. Jennifer looked up and sure enough, Severus had answered the door and was busy greeting Bael.

"All the more reason to come along. No more delay," Jennifer said sternly.

Quintin worked his way out of the snow, slowly slushing over to the door. Suddenly he dove through it.

"Seven o'clock!" he declared as he squeezed his way in. Severus rolled his eyes.

"He's been a handful since Yule," Jennifer told Severus as stepped up onto the porch.

"Yes, I can tell," Severus said, opening the door wider for her to get in then following behind with Bael.

"Lady Jennifer has been a handful since Yule as well," Bael murmured softly to Severus.

"I suspected as much. But I am officially on holiday now, be it a working holiday, since we'll be spending most of tomorrow at the Black Mansion," Severus replied quietly.

"Why does that make it a working holiday?" Bael asked.

"A bit of a long story. I'll tell you about it later when we get back to the house," Severus decided.

"I believe that can wait a day or two," Bael murmured back. "As much as I'd like to catch up, I think it'd be wiser for you to spend some quality time with Jennifer. It can wait until things are calmer. I'll be here until the spring."

"Hm. You're right, I suppose that's wiser," Severus agreed with a thin, almost apologetic smile.

"Much, much wiser," Bael agreed knowingly, the two of them walking into the kitchen.

Jennifer was already there, helping Ashley and Rose who were making up food trays.

"Now, where did Quintin run off to?" Severus asked.

"He's downstairs in the basement," Jennifer replied.

"Yes, we decided to move it downstairs this year to make more room," Rose explained. "The Blacks and the Lupins are coming as well."

"Yes, Anna mentioned they'd all be here, but since Anna and Carol aren't up here with you girls, I assume they aren't here yet?"

"It's polite to be a few minutes late," Bael explained to Severus. "That is what Zoe tells me."

"I'm sure they'll be here in ten minutes, Severus, they're never very late," Ashley chuckled.

Just then, Sirius burst through the front door, not even bothering to shed his coat and boots before he dashed into the kitchen out of breath.

"Haven't you ever heard of knocking?" Severus asked critically.

"Never mind that! I had to give you a heads about something important!' Sirius snapped. "Aunt Viviane has decided that this party counts as a family event and has invited herself here tonight."

"Oh no! I'd better go warn Ambrose!" Ashley said, hurrying for the basement.

"I'm going to warn Father," Jennifer added, going after her.

"Jennifer?" Severus said sharply.

"I know, I know, I'll stay out of her way too," Jennifer said as she hurried down the stairs.

"Why do you suppose she decided to come here? She's never done that before. Doesn't she normally go to your Christmas party to see your family?" Rose asked Sirius.

"Well, she's planning on visiting Tonks and the rest of her American family again this year. Usually she skips our party completely when she does that, but this time she's decided to come here," Sirius said. "She said she wanted to come so that she could have a chance to see Zoe, Bael, and Aubrey Lynn together, but honestly, she'll have opportunities enough to do that before she leaves. I think she's probably looking for someone else."

"Yes, I suppose I've brought this down on us," Severus admitted with a sigh. "I have been doing a bit of 'meddling' this year and she probably wants to make her thoughts known on the matter. Perhaps if I speak to her sooner rather later she won't stay as long."

"I don't think she's going to be rushed," Sirius warned. "As I understand it, she brought gifts for several people here."

"Does she normally bring gifts?" Rose asked anxiously.

"Sure, for Anna and the kids. Typically they're small but always very thoughtful... and always with a speech," Sirius said. "She's gotten me a couple, but typically, outside of Anna, Zoe, and Zack, it's pretty random whether or not any other family member will get another or not in any given year."

"Yes, I can attest to that, she has only given me one or two, although she never missed my birthday or Christmas as a child," Severus said. "Thank you for the warning, now we can be on our guard. How are the treatment potions? Are they holding?'

"I could use a better sleeping potion. At least for the next night or two until the holidays are over," Sirius admitted.

"Fine, but skip the morning treatment dose," Severus advised, handing him a potion bottle out of his cloak.

"Right. Thanks," Sirius said.

"Let's just get you through Christmas," Severus agreed. "How are things going with Conner?"

"My bank shot is getting better," Sirius shrugged.

"Hello? Who left the door open?" Anna asked.

"Oh, that was me," Sirius chuckled.

"Come on in," Rose called out.

Severus and Ashley glanced at each other and decided to get up to meet them. But as they stepped over, Severus was a little taken aback when the Lady of the Lake stepped in. She was holding Aubrey Lynn, and she was smiling softly. It was a gentle, kind, motherly smile, and she held the child's hood close to protect her from the snow. Severus found himself thinking back... back so many years when he was just a young boy. It was very similar to the expression that Viviane had any time she had held his sister as a baby. It was an almost human smile... no, that was hardly fair. He had seen such care and gentleness from other Fae he had met, Bael included. It has simply been a long time before he witnessed that side of his aunt before.

Laura, Carol and Remus stepped in behind them. It was then that Severus was struck with how Laura had the expression that his aunt typically wore; icy, strong, and unyielding, caused, he knew, by what horrors she seen both in the Otherworld and as an Auror... the things she had seen and couldn't unsee. It was then that Severus understood something of his aunt that he hadn't before; as well as just how much strength it took to stand day after day, century after century, looking in those crystals.

With that epiphany, Severus also found he had a new level of respect for her. Being Merlin's Apprentice and a proponent of Free Will, they were practically destined to be at odds with each other... and yet Severus knew that when they were in balance, Fate and Free Will together were an indomitable force... as they had been the night they defeated Ciardoth... as the night the parallel universes were brought into balance... and as the morning he proposed to Jennifer, he realized, glancing down at the diamond on his hand.

"Severus, are you all right?" Anna said suddenly, shaking him out of it. He had been standing in the front room like a stone statue, so lost in his thoughts that Anna, Laura, Zoe, and the Lady herself had stopped to gaze at him, wondering why he looked as if he had been struck by lightning.

"Sorry. I was feeling quite profound for a moment... please come in," Severus said as cordially as he could, aware that his aunt was giving him a secretive, soft yet approving smile.

"A profound feeling? Like when Merlin steps into a crowd of people?" Anna asked, taking off her coat.

"No, that is more of a feeling of dejavu," Severus explained. "This was more a feeling of validation. I believe it means I am currently on both my chosen path and my fated path at the exact same time."

"So it would seem," Viviane agreed, helping Aubrey Lynn with her coat before handing her to Zoe. "Well done, Severus. You have grown much in the last few years."

"Does that mean you two aren't going to be at each other's throats all night?" Anna asked, only half-teasing.

"Now, Anna, I did promise to keep things civil, did I not? I'm here to give gifts. The confrontations can wait for now," Viviane said calmly.

"Thomas is downstairs," Severus ventured.

"He will not mind my presence either, once I give Maurice his gift," Viviane assured him.

"Then perhaps we ought to do that one first," Anna suggested dryly, escorting her to the basement while the rest were still busy hanging up coats.

"Hello Bael, Happy Christmas," Remus said. "Do you remember me?"

"Ah yes, I believe we met at the Black's Christmas party the last time I was here," Bael recalled.

"So we did, briefly... I had my hands full keeping Sirius here out of trouble, so I don't think we were ever properly introduced. I'm Remus Lupin," Remus said.

"Ah, yes, Carol's husband. She and I spent some time talking when I arrived since she's been helping with Audrey Lynn. Are you feeling better? I was told you were ill," Bael said.

"In a matter of speaking," Remus said wryly. "Yes, I'm better, thank you."

"His condition comes and goes," Sirius said. Remus gave him a dirty look.

"Well, I hope we have a chance to talk while I am here. I admit I'm rather curious as to what life is like for a wolf living in a human world," Bael said. Remus stared at him. So did everyone else.

"Did you tell him?" Sirius asked Carol, who shook her head.

"Did I say something wrong?" Bael asked when he noticed everyone's reaction.

"How did you know that he was a wolf?" Severus asked.

"Well, Remus has an aura that is quite different than anyone else's," Bael explained. "But I've met a great deal of wolves before, especially in the forest near Tir Danaan, and you have the same aura. They migrate there for the summer hunt, and to bathe in Dana's waters, but they disappear deep into the forest during the winter. They're polite and cordial when they come to trade with other races, but quite wild in nature and like to keep to their own clans most of the time."

"They worship Dana as you do, then?" Severus asked with interest.

"Yes, of course. Wolves are considered children of Dana as well, but we call them the Keepers of the Moon... sometimes they're called the Firstborn, although sometimes our Mages debate whether they are or not," Bael said.

"That's all really interesting, but we really should get downstairs, especially since Viviane is down there," Sirius said impatiently, stopping in the kitchen long enough to help out by grabbing a couple of the plates to take down.

"He has a point," Severus agreed and followed behind. But Remus hung back, holding onto Bael's sleeve as the rest filed in front of them.

"Tell me... the wolves in your land. Are they slaves to the moon there like we are here?" Remus asked him quietly. Bael looked genuinely surprised.

"Slaves to the moon? Is it truly that different?" Bael asked.

"The full moon not only changes our form, but without the proper potions, we can lose all control of ourselves," Remus explained. "Is it that way in your world?" Bael shook his head.

"No, not at all, and I am sorry if that is true here. It sounds as if being a wolf in this world is more of a punishment than a reward," Bael said, Remus nodding somberly at that. "But in my world, being a wolf is a gift. No greater blessings were given than the race of Dana's first born," he explained. "Wolves are not slaves of the moon... they are the masters of it."

When Severus came down the stairs, Viviane was waiting near the bottom, watching the others greet one another and yet hanging back, observing quietly.

"Sorry if we were keeping you waiting," Severus said when he stepped down.

"It is of little consequence, things will occur when they are meant to happen," Viviane said. "I believe your friend Remus just had a 'profound' moment of his own just now."

"Did he?" Severus said, looking behind him and wondering what he missed, but the rest were coming down now, first Lindsay and Laura and then Carol, then last Remus and Bael. Remus was indeed wearing a very strange expression on his face that was quite unreadable.

"Is that everyone?" Thomas asked impatiently. On his left sat Fleur and Jennifer, making a futile attempt at keeping him on his best behavior, while on his right sat Beth and Maurice. In the seats next to them, sat Garvan and Natalie. Natalie in particular seemed quite ecstatic, and it didn't take much deduction to figure out why, since she was showing everyone who came within a meter of her the ring on her hand.

"This is everyone," Corey confirmed, stepping away from the rest of the family for a moment. "Before we get started with the birthday party, Aunt Viviane has asked to give out a few select Christmas gifts and wanted our attention. Of course, when Aunt Viviane is present, she always has our attention. Welcome to our home."

"Thank you, Corey," Viviane said cordially, walking over to the two young couples sitting side to side. She glanced at Beth and Maurice thoughtfully, then turned to Natalie and Garvan. Garvan's face had become white as a sheet; someone, it seemed, must have informed him who she was. "Aren't you going to show me your ring as well?" Viviane asked, and sheepishly Natalie did so. Viviane nodded.

"I will speak to you first, since it is your birthday, and for that fact I thought I might pass on a bit of knowledge that you and your family may not have been aware of, although one may have suspected it," she added, glancing over directly at Essie, who began to smile. "Many members of your family have referred to me as Aunt Viviane, since you were adopted into the Snape family. But the truth of the matter is that while you are far from being direct lineage, your family is of my blood, through Corey's mother Freida. Her father was a Dannon; and a second cousin of Anna's mother. Freida wasn't magicless as she herself believed, it was simply dormant, as Anna and other members of the line could explain to you. Perhaps you should study your family genealogy sometime."

"I will now. I'm greatly interested to find out more about that, thank you," Natalie said enthusiastically.

"Your Aunt Essie can point you in the right direction," Viviane suggested. Corey stared at his sister. It was obvious that it was the first he had heard of any of this. Essie shrugged at him with an apologetic smile.

"I also have another gift, but it is not for you directly," Viviane said, pulling out a silver-ribboned package. "Rather, it is a present for your child. You may open it after she is born."

Garvan's jaw dropped, his face turning bright red as Natalie graciously accepted the gift. Corey, not having had time to recover from the first revelation, dropped into a nearby chair at the second. Rose simply smiled at him and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"And this one," Viviane said, another silver package appearing in her hand. "Is for your first-born, Maurice."

"I haven't even proposed yet," Maurice protested.

"I'm sorry, but I'll be in America tomorrow," Viviane said. Maurice groaned and Beth laughed softly at that, nudging at Maurice to get him to accept the gift.

"I'm sorry, you said that they'll be able to open it when he is born?" Thomas interrupted insistently.

"I believe I told you the most important part of the information already," Viviane pointed out. Next to him, Jennifer was smiling widely. She had caught it, even if Thomas hadn't; the family line was unlikely to stay linear.

Viviane felt a tugging on her robe and looked down to see Quintin staring at her.

"Yes?"

"Do I get one?"

"I have never given any of your other siblings one. Would that be fair?" Viviane asked him. "And you, by far, are the most troublesome child of them all. You are too much like your mother."

"Yes. But I still want one," Quintin said resolutely.

"Quintin, that's not polite," Jennifer told him quietly.

"As I said, too much like his mother," Viviane said, but produced a gift for him as well.

"Politeness is overrated," Thomas retorted. "I'm sure Maurice's son will be rude as well."

"Not if I have anything to say about it," Beth suddenly interjected.

"Hush! You interrupted her," Thomas snapped, glancing at Beth. In the second that it took him to look back, Viviane had wandered towards Severus. "Damn!"

"Maybe she will come back to give Aubrey Lynn a present?" Fleur suggested, noticing Zoe was standing nearby as well.

"No, she dropped all out presents off at the mansion already," Zoe explained.

"I hope whatever's in Quintin's present isn't something I would object to," Severus commented when Viviane came closer.

"No, it is as innocent as he is at the moment. Enjoy it while it lasts," Viviane advised. "Walk with me, Severus."

"Very well," Severus said, glancing at Jennifer, who frowned at him worriedly. Giving her a reassuring gaze, he followed Viviane upstairs while Jennifer attempted to get Quintin to settle down.

The two of them grabbed their cloaks and went outside, Severus following Viviane out into the snow, neither making footprints as they stepped across the top. It was easy for Severus to guess that they were walking towards Keki's Grove.

"So what did you want to speak with me about?" Severus asked when they were well away from the nearest cottages.

"I have decided to give you the gift of my advice," Viviane said. "Not for my benefit, but for the benefit of you and your family. It is true that you are on your true path at the moment, but the way forward is perilous. Your advisor... as wrong as he often is, still offers some perspective, but he is not here at the moment. Therefore, I offer my perspective instead, if you wish it."

"You say the way forward is perilous. Does that have something to do with the time inconsistencies I have noticed of late?" Severus asked.

"What you are seeing are mere ripples...things altered in the past and present by something that will happen in the future. Merlin causes it, and you will be forced to clean it up to keep it from endangering your entire family. It will be the greatest test you will ever face as the Sentinel of Ancient Magic... but really, it has nothing to do with me, except for the fact that your family is connected to mine and it will therefore put my heirs into jeopardy as well."

"And there is no way to stop it before the fact?"

"If there was, we wouldn't be having this conversation," Viviane pointed out. "Nor would you be noticing inconsistencies."

"Fair enough, perhaps it can't be stopped altogether, but perhaps I can minimize its severity, and lower its danger to my family," Severus said.

"I would say that is possible, and yet it is also possible you could inadvertently make the situation worse," Viviane warned.

"Such as what happened with the Obol. I don't suppose there will be an occasion where I'll have to use it again?" Severus asked. Viviane frowned at him sternly.

"Ask me again when the crisis is upon us. It is still far off in the future, and just there are things that can't be changed, there are many more that can and probably will before that moment is at hand. In the meantime, you'll simply have to use your best judgment on that issue; this was not really the matter I thought you needed to consult me on. This is a matter you'll have to confront Merlin about when the time comes."

"I understand," Severus said. "Then I suppose if it is not that which you want to speak of, it must be concerning some of the meddling I've been doing lately," he concluded.

"If that is how you wish to label it, I will not argue," Viviane said, gesturing at the trees who were bowing on their way to stand by the Lia Fal. "I do not object to what you have done so far. The stars spoke quite loudly in the summer to your next course, and you chose to take it. I do not typically concern myself with the mortal's goals of achieving immortality, as you well know, so I see that incident as you taking forbidden knowledge out of the wrong hands. It is the task at hand I believe you need the most advise on," she said.

"Do you mean Laura?" Severus asked.

"You consulted Sagittari during the winter solstice, did you not?"

"I went to the Constellation for Yule, yes," Severus agreed.

"Then you already are aware that her path is filled with peril, and the future of your well being and your family is tied to it," Viviane said.

"I am aware of it. I would appreciate if you didn't mention it to the rest of my family, however..." he began, but Viviane made a gesture to cut him off.

"This consult is your gift, Severus, not theirs, and is your actions I am most concerned with. It is time your returned to your school."

"I hope you don't mean this very instant. I just got on holiday," Severus protested.

"You know perfectly well that is not what I mean. I mean that it is time to keep your focus on the school and let this matter of helping at the Ministry drop. If you must keep an open tie with the Ministry, go through your daughter, she will expecting nothing from you that you cannot give. But now is not the time to concern yourself with outside affairs. Regardless of what happens with Michael and his brother, you must let it go and keep your concern on your castle. You must not be distracted by the trials of others; you have your own affairs to attend to at Hogwarts. To do anything else will put Laura and your family in great danger. Your must put your attention back on your castle and leave it there, or you will fall off the current path. Do you understand?" Viviane said firmly. Severus' face had lost all color, but was still quite intent on her words.

"Yes. Perhaps better than you may know," Severus said quietly. "I was given such advice on one other occasion, and I chose not to heed it. It did not end well."

"Then consider this a chance to prove that your learned that lesson," Viviane said, and Severus nodded. "Then my advice to you is done. Come, let us walk back before Anna comes looking for us. I would like to see Aubrey Lynn before I'm off to America, for I plan an extended visit."

"I myself am looking forward to quality time with my own family. I have had so little of that lately," Severus admitted.

"And this from someone who should know by now that family is everything," Viviane chided him lightly.

"Yes, so it is," Severus said, the two of them walking back without further conversation.

When they neared the porch, they both noticed three bundled up children sitting on the porch, looking rather glum. They all looked up in unison as they approached.

"Destiny, Joey, Jack... what are you three doing sitting out in the cold?" Severus asked sternly.

"We didn't get presents," Jack explained. "We got here late."

"Your presents from me are at the Black Mansion," Viviane informed them.

"I sent ours on as well," Severus added. "And Destiny, I am certain that your present from us is under the tree in the front room. Didn't you bother to look? Now, inside, all three of you."

The three scrambled inside, leaving Severus shaking his head, keeping the door open for Viviane.

"Such a spoiled lot, aren't they?" she commented.

"Yes, so they are," Severus agreed as the two of them joined the party.