The professor of charms had a plan.
Tomorrow was Christmas, and she had it all worked out. Dumbledore had given the teachers who remained behind "Secret Santa" partners. Hers had ended up being Severus Snape. Hermione Granger smiled inwardly at this. This played nicely into her hands. From the moment she drew his name, she knew EXACTLY what she wanted to do. Something that would teach him a most valuable lesson. The deal was, that you wouldn't know who your secret Santa was until the end of the day. Your gift comes to your plate at breakfast and at dinner you reveal yourself. Fun right? Oh yes.
Hermione had just put the finishing touches on her gift when her beautiful Falcon came to her window. She chuckled as he shook the snow from his feathers.
"Well hello Fauna. What do you have for me?"
She took the letter from her mouth and fed her a piece of bread before letting her go.
Hermione exclaimed in glee.
She opened the letter and read:
Dear Hermione,
Your plan sounds truly hilarious! I wish I could be there to see his face! If this doesn't work, I don't know what will. Oh, and be expecting a package from mother. This year she has moved from Sweaters to socks. So be prepared to be bombarded with SOCKS. Harry says hello and little Delia says hello too. Have fun tomorrow and Happy Christmas!
Love,
Ginny Potter
Hermione closed the letter and looked over at her gift for Snape. Lets see if he can take it as well as he dishes it out!
The next morning at breakfast, the remaining teachers and students were gathered in a somewhat cheerful manner. The teachers chatted amongst themselves, anxious to see what they would get from their secret Santas. Everyone but Severus Snape, of course. How he hated this retched holiday. All the cheerfulness and the laughter and the gifts and the giving. It reminded him too much of things he didn't deserve and didn't have. And then Albus had to get them involved in this silly gift thing! And then, to add to his frustration, who did he have to draw form the hat? Hermione Granger. The woman was so…..so…..well frustrating. They fought constantly. She fought him because she hated him and he fought her to hide his feelings for her. And what to get her then? It was Christmas after all. So he had gotten a peace offering of sorts. He had found a rare copy of Magical Theory and Lore for her collection. He glanced over at her and found her laughing at something Minerva was saying. He was caught.
"Well good morning Severus. Or is it?"
"It is a fine morning Hermione, thank you."
"No problem. Are you finding the holiday cheer to your disliking?" she said with a smirk.
He sneered at her.
"No more than usual of course. And you? Have you received any more intriguing gifts this year?"
She flushed a little at that.
"I can't say I know what you are talking about."
He grinned evilly at her.
"Why Hermione, what do you mean? I think we all remember The Weasley Twin's lovely Christmas present to you your seventh year. Who wouldn't want Red and White Roses that explode into thongs?"
She flushed again.
"Funny how they all disappeared too." he said with a smirk.
"Hmm…oh I remember that. Since you seem to know so much about it, maybe you've seen them around somewhere?" she replied, full of malice.
He simply scowled at her.
"Insufferable child."
"Greasy git."
"Know it all."
"Sarcastic whip."
Before he could make a reply, a flurry of owls came into the hall.
Each one dropped their parcels in their respective places.
Hermione looked at hers in anticipation while Snape looked at his with dread.
Dumbledore cleared his throat.
"Alright then. You may open your presents. As you can see, you've all received a ring from me. At the end of the day, a spell I have cast over it will reveal your Secret Santa. At dinner, when you look into the ring, you will see the face of your Secret Santa. And now to the presents!"
The teachers slipped their rings on and began to unwrap.
Ripping paper could be heard through the hall. Gasps of surprise could be heard as well. Dumbledore got Beautiful changing color mood socks. McGonagall got a Cat's Collar. Lupin received a carved walking stick. The other teachers marveled at their gifts. Hermione was stunned. She had always wanted that book, but it was so expensive! Not to mention hard to find! She loved hers. But, above the love for her gift was the suspense at Snape opening his gift.
His was an envelope containing a card. He cautiously opened it and immediately groaned. It was a Hoot. Being like a Howler in that it reads the message to you, but it wasn't menacing. More like a Singing Telegram of sorts. He could do nothing but sit and listen to it. It began in a sing song tune, the voice of which sounding like a boy's choir.
Christmas is a time of fun
Especially for you
The lonely One
Sometimes we only ask for just one kiss
But today you will get plenty of this
And in the end it all pays off
For your real present is a bit more soft
Unravel this gift
And you shall see
There is someone out there
To set your heart free.
Happy Christmas
Facere Mistlenare!!
Snape's face, which through it all had been a mask of indifference, opened in shock at the last words. And before he could protest, a sprig of Mistletoe hovered above his head.
He groaned.
Dumbledore laughed.
"Ah Severus. I guess you'll be getting lot of kisses for the next 12 hours. Midnight does seem a bit far away at the moment, but it will come in no time! Enjoy your gift!"
He got up fuming.
"This is what you call a gift?!?!" he said, pointing at the hanging shrubbery.
Minerva was trying to control her laughter. Of all people…She was sure Albus was behind that. To be stuck for 12 hours with mistletoe over your head with no counter spell was hilarious in itself. But for it to be Severus? She would be rolling on the floor if he wasn't sitting right there.
Severus Snape was definitely NOT laughing.
But inside a very bubbly Hermione Granger was.
TBC!!!