Armonie's POV

I hope we don't linger too long I'm eager for my heating lamp Kaa said as I made my way towards the Great Hall.

I was about to leave Hogwarts for the holidays but I wanted to give Harry something before leaving. Severus decided he would spend a few days away from Hogwarts but he would leave on Boxing Day.

He had his residence he occasionally stayed at whenever he wasn't at our place of employment. My flat was already ready for me thanks to my Aunt Arete. She was my father's older sister and she had no children of her own. She and I were close and she kept my flat in reasonable order whenever I was away from London.

Kaa was tucked away in the satchel I carried with me. He wasn't fond of the cold and he also didn't want to scare the students. I found Harry and Ron in the Great Hall playing Wizard's Chess.

"Who's winning?" I asked the boys as I came to them.

"Ron is" Harry answered looking to me. "Are you leaving for the holidays Professor?"

"Yes my parents are going to be in London" I answered. "Which reminds me"

I drew out a package of Chocolate Frogs and gave them to Ron. The red head thanked me and he opened a package already which amused me. I then handed Harry his present and I hoped he'd like it. Harry thanked me and opened the gift and he smiled at the moving picture of his parents dancing around in front of a fountain having a good time.

"Thank you Professor Straus I will treasure this"

He then gave me a hug and I returned it. Once we pulled apart I wished Harry and Ron a Happy Christmas before I took my leave.

That photograph meant a lot to him my phoenix half said.

I'm glad you suggested it I told her.

I didn't apparate until I was a good bit away from the school. Once I arrived in my flat I immediately put my satchel down and Kaa slithered out of it.

At least it is warm in here the snake said as I picked him up into my arms.

I took the python to his tank and he hissed his delight as it was warm and comfortable to his liking. As I closed the lid with my wand Kaa slithered until he was underneath the heating lamp and it wasn't long until he fell asleep. As I unpacked my belongings Artemisia arrived and she had a note from my parents.

I didn't read the note until I placed Artemisia onto her perch that was in front of her cage. Mom and Dad were safely in London and we would meet up at my father's house on Christmas Day.

"Oi! Where's my favorite niece?!"

I smirked and found Aunt Arete in the living room. My paternal aunt was a pretty witch despite her age. Her hair was jet black and she had the same lilac eyes as I did.

"Its good to see you darling!" she greeted me and we embraced.

"Likewise thank you for taking care of my flat"

Arete had been a Ravenclaw at Hogwarts and she also had been on the Ravenclaw Quidditch Team.

"Fancy some dinner?"

That was her hint to go out so after unpacking and changing clothes we went out. There was a good muggle pub that we frequented whenever I was in town. Once we ordered our drinks did Arete demand how life at Hogwarts was. I filled her in with the usual things until I brought up Harry.

"Blimey are you referring to the Harry Potter?" she demanded. She almost choked on her drink when I said that.

"Yes of course that's who I'm talking about, he's very sweet and he's on the Gryffindor Quidditch Team"

"A First Year? Damn what position is he?"

"Seeker and he's very good at flying, he's also the youngest house player in a century to join a team, Gryffindor beat Slytherin in the first game of the season"

"About bloody time I have nothing against Slytherin but it's time another house won"

"Cheers to that" I agreed as we clinked our wine glasses. The rest of dinner passed uneventfully and by time we left the pub we were both stuffed.

Christmas Day

I slept in on Christmas morning which felt damn good. By the time I woke up it was past nine. I showered and did my usual morning routine before deciding to give Artemisia and Kaa their Christmas treats. Artemisia ate her entire packet of frozen mice while Kaa ate three rats.

The day passed in a blur and before I knew it I was on my way to my Dad's place. No sooner had I arrived did Mom open the door and she pulled me into her arms.

"Ack Mom!"

"Xephyra" came my father's voice.

"Oh shush Daren I haven't seen our daughter since last summer" the pure blood phoenix snapped at her mate after letting me go.

My father rolled his eyes before coming to give me a hug of his own. Despite being in his late forties my father was a looker as a wizard and human. He had the same black hair as his sister but his eyes were brown while my mother his perfect match had chestnut colored hair and black eyes. After exchanging gifts did we have dinner which was damn good as always.

"So who made dinner this time?" I teased eying my folks.

"I did, your mother tried to sneak her way into the kitchen but I kicked her out"

Mom shot her mate a glare and I snorted. Like with Arete I told my parents how the school year was going and that Harry was at Hogwarts. Dad didn't seem surprised but Mom was. She hadn't been in England when the wizard responsible for killing Lily and James fell from power. The bastard also had tried to kill Harry. If there was one person I despised it was You-Know-Who or what I referred to him as Snake Bastard.

"How is Severus doing?" Mom asked changing the subject.

I blushed at the Potions Master's name and answered he was well. Time flew and before I knew it I was back at my flat completely full from Christmas dinner. I checked on Artemisia and Kaa and the two of them were fast asleep.

"They've been asleep for awhile"

I jumped to see Severus behind me and the bastard was smirking. I then smacked his head for scaring me.

"I thought you weren't going to be here until tomorrow"

"Dumbledore said I could leave earlier so I did"

He gazed around the flat.

"I see Arete has been doing a good job keeping this place in good condition"

I smacked the black haired male again and told him to watch it.

"Damn it woman if you don't quit hitting me I won't give you your present!"

"Your still a cheeky bastard Severus Snape" I scolded him.

"I've heard that plenty of times" Severus replied with his usual smirk.

Instead of answering I blushed and I hoped my best friend didn't notice. The Head of Slytherin then handed over a small box and I took it from him. Inside the box was a necklace with two pendants of a snake colored like Kaa and a Great Horned Owl.

I thanked Severus and without thinking I kissed his cheek. My phoenix half wolf whistled.

"I'm sorry" I suddenly apologized to Severus now feeling like an idiot.

But to my surprise Severus drew me into an embrace. My blush deepened and I buried my head into the black haired man's chest. We didn't separate for a good while and I didn't care. All that mattered to me at the moment was the man who held me in his arms and I hoped one day I could finally tell him how I felt, I didn't care if he didn't return my feelings I just wanted Severus to know eventually I loved him.

The name Xephyra came from the Crown of Feathers series so the original name belongs to the author. Check it out because it's a good trilogy.