The Spirit of Christmas
By Phoenix Angel
Part Two
Harry awoke with a gasp. He was panting for breath. He looked around, and started to panic when he didn't recognize where he was. He scrambled out of bed and tripped over a pair of shoes. He realized that they were his own. His memory then came back. He was in Snape's house. He was going to spend Christmas with the greasy git. He was in for it.
Harry sighed and got up off the floor. He figured that he might as well enjoy the hours he had left. It was only a matter of time before Snape decided to torture Harry for bothering him over the Christmas holidays. It wasn't as if he actually wanted to stay with Snape; there just wasn't anywhere else for him to stay. He could have gone back to the Dursleys', but after last summer, he would have preferred to go to anywhere than to go back to that place. Harry shuddered from the memories.
Harry slowly walked around the room, observing it. It was decorated in different shades of blue, with a couple pieces of furniture here and there. He walked over to a door on the other side of the room and opened it to find a large bathroom, complete with its own huge bathtub. He then turned around and jumped in surprise. Snape was standing in the doorway of the room, smirking evilly.
"P-professor!" Harry yelped.
"Potter." Snape didn't look happy just then. "Are you done fooling around then?"
Harry blushed and nodded. "Alright then. Come along," Snape ordered briskly.
Harry followed Snape silently as he led Harry down the hall. He stared at the many sights, astounded by the majestic beauty of the house. Snape led him into a large room near the front of his room.
"This is the dining room. You will be having your meals here. If you are not here at meal times, you will have to go without food. I don't have time to baby-sit you," Snape drawled coldly, and continued down the hall. "Come, Potter! I don't have all day to waste, you know!"
Once again, Harry fell into position behind Snape. This time, he was led to a small room that was off to the side of the house. "This," Snape hissed, "is where you may entertain yourself in." He stepped aside to allow Harry a look at the room.
The room was a small study. It had a desk in one corner, with a full bookshelf beside it. There was a fireplace in the middle of the room, with couches placed around it. The room itself had a cozy feeling to it.
Harry turned back around to look at Snape, who looked utterly bored. "Um, sir, do you know where my owl is?" he asked tentatively.
"Where else would it be but the owlry, Potter? Have a house elf take you there." Snape replied, twirling his wand in one hand. He snapped his fingers, and immediately, a house elf appeared. Harry recognized it to be the one who had led him to his room previously.
"You called, Master?" it asked in a squeaky voice, bowing low.
"Indeed. Take Mr. Potter here to the owlry, then give him a tour of the house," he ordered in his cold, silky voice. He turned back to Harry. "If you wish to speak to me, ask the house elves where you can find me, though I doubt that you will wish to." He turned on his heels and glided out of the room.
The house elf bowed again as he left the room, and turned to Harry. "Master Potter," the elf said in a high pitched tone, "follow me please."
The elf walked briskly through the house and up the stairs, with Harry on her trail. She led him to a large, open room on the rooftop. "This is the owlry, Master Potter."
Harry nodded, and tilted his head up, searching for Hedwig. He found her resting several roosts down. He whistled a single, low note, and she flew down to rest on his shoulder. He reached up to stroke her, ruffling her feathers gently. "Hey girl, how are you doing? Have you settled in?"
Hedwig hooted in reply and gently nipped his finger. She then took off, returning to the perch she was previously occupying.
Harry turned back to the elf. "Um," he began awkwardly, not knowing the elf's name. The elf realized that Harry was trying to address her.
"Izzue, sir, my name is Izzue. Are you done here, sir?" she asked timidly. At Harry's nod, she continued. "Would Master Potter like to see the rest of the house?"
"Yes please," was Harry's reply. "Please just call me Harry."
"As you wish, Master Harry. Please follow me, Master Harry." Izzue left the roof, expecting Harry to follow her. When he didn't, she looked back. "Is Master Harry coming?"
"What? Oh!" Harry snapped out of his daze. "Sorry about that." He followed Izzue back into the main structure of the house.
***
Several hours later, Harry sat up straight, screaming in pain. He clasped his hand over his forehead, trying to numb the pain radiating off his scar. He was, of course, unsuccessful. Slowly, the pain faded, leaving behind a very sore Harry. He remembered the pain of Voldemort torturing his victims. It was truly unfortunate that Harry had to feel the pain through his scar. He tried to remember what had happened in his vision. The death eaters had brought in a pair of muggles, and Voldemort had the pleasure of torturing them with the crusciatus (is that how you spell it?) curse.
Harry sighed and lay back down onto the bed, trying not to remember the pain and torture. He tossed and turned for the rest of the night, unable to go back to sleep. Caught up in his thoughts, he did not realize that others could have heard his scream.
In another part of the house, Snape sat on his couch with a cup of scotch, wondering what had caused the boy to scream. He lay back, sighing, wondering what he had done to earn such a punishment. Looking after the boy-who-lived would not be an easy task, especially over Christmas.
~Author's Note~
Here ya go! Hope you liked the chapter. Plz review and tell me what you think. Merry Christmas everyone! For those who don't celebrate Christmas, Happy Holidays!
~Phoenix Angel