Harmoni:  No worries. I will continue to write.  You're welcome.

beautifulelf:  I've updated.  I hope you didn't actually die waiting.

Christina:  I don't care who writes ficlets with my characters so long as they emailed me first, and if posted, link this story.

The Insane Floo Pot:  Well, the gift has to be somewhat predictable.  Otherwise, it comes out of nowhere, and that's just bad writing.  The time travel will work.  I've already got it all worked out.

Daisy8187:  Thinking of Alan has proven to be helpful to one's health.

Mak:  I'm glad you decided to review.  I love to hear from my readers what they're liking, and what they aren't.  Even though their opinion doesn't really affect this story, I do keep them in mind for future stories.

Tine:  You do kind of sound like Hermione, scolding me about the rules of time travel.  Yes, there will be time travel, but don't worry, I've got it all worked out.  *wink*

Part Twenty-Six:  Holidays

"Morning, Daddy," called Kali in a sing-song voice as she opened the heavy draperies in Snape's private rooms, allowing sunlight to stream through.  Due to a slope that the school sat on, in addition to the location of Snape's rooms in the dungeons, there were windows that extended from the floor to the ceiling on one end of the rooms.  Kali suspected that Professor Dumbledore was somehow behind this as, her father thought it was ludicrous to have windows in the dungeons.

"Go away, Kailah," he mumbled.

"Daddy."

A large, fluffy pillow hit Kali in the back of the head.  Turning around, she picked it up off the floor and strolled over to the large four-poster bed that Snape was still half-asleep in.  She lifted the pillow high over her head then brought it down on his head with a dull blow causing feathers to go flying everywhere.  Her lips twitched into something like a grin as she imagined having to pick up every single feather sans magic.

"What did you just do, Kailah?"  His eyes were still shut but he would have to be dead to have not felt the pillow crashing down on him.  Of course, it also may have had something to do with the feathers that he was picking out of his mouth.  "Are these feathers?  Did you split my pillow?"

"You have to wake up, Daddy."

"It's Sunday.  Go away."

"I know, but tomorrow are our exams before the Christmas holiday, and you said that you'd help me study."

"Kailah, I know what's on the exam.  I don't think it's fair to the other students if I help you and not them."

"First of all, professors tutor their students who ask for help all of the time.  Second, you're only saying that because you were probably up late giving the younger students bad grades and now you're sleepy this morning.  If you think I'm going to let you sleep in, you've got another thing coming.  Ron always tries to squeeze ten more minutes out of me but I simply won't have it with him.  There's nothing to make you believe that I'll have it with you."

"Why don't you just have Mister Weasley assist you with your studying?"

"Because you're my daddy, and as a parental figure it is your responsibility to help me in my studies.  Furthermore, you are also my professor and it is in your job description to give help to anyone who asks for it.  Here I am.  I'm asking for help.  There's no way I'm letting you talk your way out of this one."

"How long did you spend practicing that speech before you came down here?"

"About fifteen minutes.  Ron was really getting sick of hearing it.  He covered his head with his pillow, kicked me in the shin, and told me to get out of his bed because he couldn't sleep."

Snape's eyes flew open and he rolled over onto his back to stare at Kali, who had now seated herself on his bed.  Feathers were still laying about everywhere.

"Please tell me this is one of your highly unamusing, sick jokes."

"What?"

"You did just say that Mister Weasley told you to get out of his bed, didn't you?"

Kali frowned in confusion.  "Er - yeah.  So?"

"You were sleeping in Mister Weasley's bed?"

"I didn't tell you?"

Snape looked positively murderous.  "You've certainly told me now.  Why were you sleeping in the Gryffindor boys' dormitory?"

"I wasn't sleeping in the Gryffindor boys' dormitory.  Ron's Head Boy, remember?  He has his own room."

He blinked, slowly and hard as he stared at Kali.  She looked like she wanted to laugh and he didn't know if he wanted to strangle her for it or just kill the Weasley and get it over with.

"He has his own room," he repeated.  "Why are you sleeping in your boyfriend's room?  In his bed, no less?"

"It's nothing to get your knickers in a twist over," she said, rolling her eyes.  "I don't like sleeping in my dormitory because Lavender and Parvati are annoying.  All they ever do is ask me questions about what it's like to have you for a father, talk about hair, clothes, and makeup, or ask me about what I've done with Ron.  None of those are topics I like to pursue.  Ron's room is quiet, and the only other person there is him.  I like that."

"I don't like that.  Your boyfriend shouldn't be the only other person there."

"We don't do anything, Dad.  I just don't like being around Lavender and Parvati.  Ron's great company.  He isn't just my boyfriend, you know.  He was my friend before he was my boyfriend and I've been sleeping in his room on and off since I first came to Hogwarts."

"I can't say that I'm comfortable with that, Kailah.  I think you should be sleeping in your own dormitory."

"I hate it there, Dad.  If you're really that uncomfortable with it, I could probably ask Hermione to share her room, though I feel a lot more comfortable with Ron.  He doesn't mind if I clutter up his space with my things and I share his bed because whenever I sleep on the couch, I fall on the floor and it wakes me up.  When we sleep in the same bed, all we do is sleep."

"Kailah -"

"I'm seventeen, Daddy.  I'm a grown girl.  I'm not doing anything with Ron right now, but if I wanted to, there isn't really anything you could do to stop me."

"I hate that, Kailah."

"I know, but you're going to have to give me some freedom.  I know you feel like you have to make up for everything you missed, but I don't need to be protected anymore.  I'm going to need my Daddy, but not like I used to."

"I know.  It doesn't mean I like it."

"I don't expect you to.  We're still going to Ron's for Christmas, right?"

"If you insist.  I suppose I should have a talk with his parents.  I have a sinking feeling that we're going to need to be acquainted on a level that goes past parent-teacher relations."

"Just checking.  Come on now.  Get out of bed and face the world with a snarling, cynical face."

Snape grumbled and pushed past Kali on the way to the bathroom, his last things said before exiting the room being, "Clean up all the feathers, Kailah.  You've made a ruddy mess."

~*~

It was a Monday evening, the twenty-second of December and the last day of classes had already been completed before the Christmas holiday began.  The next morning, students who hadn't signed up to stay for the holidays (plus Professors Lupin and Snape) would be filtering out of the school to take the Hogwarts Express back to King's Cross Station until the New Year began.  The Gryffindors were lying around their common room or packing to go home for the holiday, and the seventh years were especially exhausted.  Snape had given his long, nearly impossible exam this morning and most of the students were expecting failing grades waiting for them when they returned from the break.

Kali was up in the dormitory, packing for Ron's while Lavender and Parvati asked her about her relationship with Ron.  Harry had gone off somewhere or another with Draco, perhaps waiting while his boyfriend said a temporary good-bye to his precious library before they left for Godric's Hollow.  He was already packed, far too excited as it was his first time actually leaving the castle for the Christmas holidays.  Not only was he going somewhere for Christmas, but he was going to spend it with his father's best friends and his boyfriend.  Nothing could be more perfect for Harry when this holiday was concerned unless his parents were there, themselves.  Both Hermione and Ron had already packed by now and they were seated in a corner of the common room dancing around the subject both were thinking about.

"I'm nervous," said Ron, finally.  "What if she hates it?"

"She won't hate it.  I mean, she may not want to do it but the fact that you even thought of it will mean a lot to her.  You both obviously care very much for each other and just by trying to do this for her . . . it's amazing of you, Ron."

"What if I don't do it right?  What if I screw it up?"

"You can do this, Ron.  You've been practicing, and I know you can do it.  Just remember everything we talked about and you'll do fine.  Have some confidence in yourself.  You've always had a really amazing ability, Ron.  You've just never had enough faith in yourself.  How are you going to do it?"

"I don't know yet.  I'm planning on telling my mum about it so she'll give us some time alone.  I don't want any interruptions."

"That would be bad," said Hermione.  "You'll do fine, Ron.  That's a good start to a plan.  I can't believe you actually considered this."

"I can't believe I might be able to pull it off.  Thank you so much, Hermione.  I'd have never been able to do this without your help.  I wouldn't have even known where to start."

"It's no problem, Ron.  Anything to help out a friend.  She's going to love it.  I know it."

"I hope you're right."

"Hey," said Harry, coming through the portrait hole and wandering over to join Ron and Hermione.  "What are you guys talking about?"

"Just Ron's gift for Kali," said Hermione.

"I thought you couldn't find her anything," said Harry.

"I couldn't."

"So what did you get her?"

"It's not exactly a 'what'," said Ron.  "It's more like I'm doing something for her."

"What are you doing?"

"I can't tell you yet, but I promise I'll tell you what happened when we come back from holiday."

"You told Hermione," he accused.

"That's only because I couldn't do it without her help.  Really, Harry.  I'll tell you as soon as we get back.  I don't want to tell anyone about it before I actually do it."

Harry shrugged.  "Fine.  Be that way."

"Oh come off it, Harry.  So where were you?"

"With Draco in the library.  He was finishing up an essay to turn in before holiday break.  Then we went to see Professor Lupin.  He keeps complaining about wishing we had already passed our apparation tests so we wouldn't have to ride the train but I think he secretly wants to ride the Hogwarts Express.  I mean, seriously, that's how he got to school when he taught third year."

"Lupin's coming on the train?" asked Ron and Harry nodded.  "Snape's coming on the train, too.  Kali said that he doesn't want to ride on it, either, but that he has to since neither she nor I can apparate yet.  Maybe he and Lupin can complain about it on the trip back together."

"If they do, they better not be sitting in my compartment.  I'm too excited over getting to go home for Christmas.  I don't have to get off that train and look for the Dursleys.  I'm going home.  I actually have a home besides Hogwarts for a change.  Lupin and Snape complaining are not bringing me down."

"Good for you, Harry," said Hermione.  "How's Draco?"

"Down.  I don't know what to do.  He says that all he wants from me is to try and understand, and just be there for him.  I'm doing that but I don't feel like it's enough.  I don't know how to cheer him up, and every time it seems like he's getting better, things end up worse than they had been before.  He has some really good days, but he's got some really bad ones, too."

"I'm sorry, Harry," said Ron.  "I wish there was something we could do."

"I wish there was something I could do," said Harry, sighing.  "You know what, I'm really tired."

"We should probably get to bed," said Hermione.  "There's so much to do tomorrow morning between breakfast and leaving for the Hogwarts Express."

Harry and Ron nodded and the three went in separate directions for bed.

~*~

Kali woke the next morning before anyone else, not really to her surprise since she seemed to be the only morning person besides Hermione in all of Gryffindor.  Figuring that Hermione would hate her the least for waking her up, she let herself in Hermione's room using the password and shook her awake.  Instead of being angry, Hermione seemed grateful and headed for the bathroom while Kali left and crossed the common room to wake up Ron.

Waking Ron had been a struggle, and it took Kali grabbing him by his ankles and yanking him off the bed until he finally spoke to her.  She had dragged him into the bathroom and threatened to put him in the shower herself by the time he actually cracked open his eyes.  Seeing that she wasn't kidding (she had already started the water), he got up and pushed her out of the bathroom before she could drop him in the tub, pajamas and all.

Hermione and Kali were in the Great Hall before most.  Harry and Ron, however, were later than they really should have been, and they had a hurried breakfast as the girls went back to Gryffindor tower to retrieve their trunks.  Shoveling forkfuls of eggs and pieces of toast into their mouths, both Harry and Ron gulped down their pumpkin juice and raced out of the Great Hall, almost running into Professor Lupin on the way.

"Running a little late?" asked Lupin, a knowing smirk on his face.

"We slept in," Harry quickly explained.  "I'm just going to go get my trunk."

"You don't have your trunk yet?" asked Draco, coming down the hall.  "What's taking you so long?"

"We slept in," said Harry once again.  "Announce it to the whole school and save us some time, okay?"

"Hurry up," said Draco as Harry and Ron scuttled away.

"This school has too many stairs," said Ron, out of breath, as he and Harry climbed.  "Some one should do something about that."  Too tired to answer, Harry only nodded.

They were on the third floor when Kali and Hermione came into view, not even appearing to be in a rush.  In fact, they looked rather calm and pleasant, almost as if they had all the time in the world.  Upon closer inspection, they saw that the girls were dragging two trunks each behind them and Ron wanted to scream, if not cry and kiss her, when Kali shoved the end of his trunk in his hand.

"Thank you so much," said Harry, hugging Hermione.

"We knew you wouldn't make it back in time," said Hermione.  "Just come on.  You can thank us later."

Ron and Harry followed the girls back from the way they came.  When they made it to the entrance hall, Harry made his way over to Draco and Lupin, both of which seemed to be getting great amusement out of Harry's flushed face.  Hermione told them about what had happened.  The entire carriage ride to the Hogwarts Express consisted of Draco snickering about how Harry was incompetent and how he couldn't even take care of himself.  If Harry hadn't cared for the little git so much, he would have smacked him.

Ron, on the other hand, was riding with Kali, Snape, and Ginny.  Had it not been for Kali, who wouldn't shut up whether she was talking about classes, the upcoming holiday, or teasing either Ron or her father for something or another, the ride would have been very uncomfortable and quiet.  Ron couldn't help but notice Ginny eyeing his girlfriend and Snape, apparently trying to figure out what to make of them.  According to a letter from home, his father, Fred, and George had all been prepared for Snape's visit, and being at Hogwarts, Ginny had known of their relation.  Something about Snape going to the Burrow, however, made it that much realer for her.  Ron knew how she must feel.  It was how he was feeling, himself.

"Kailah, will you please shut up?" said Snape, reaching over and fastening her cloak.  "For Merlin's sake, Kailah, it's freezing out here.  You're going to catch pneumonia if you don't take care of yourself."

"Oh, Daddy," she said, rolling her eyes.  "I'm not going to catch pneumonia . . . You know what's funny about that?  When I was little, Aunt Serena told me to button up my coat when I played in the snow or I was going to catch pneumonia.  I thought pneumonia was some kind of insect so I made sure I buttoned up my coat all the time, but then one of the big kids told me it was a disease that grownups made up so you didn't have any fun in the snow so I stopped buttoning my coat."

"Is there a point to this fabulous little tale of yours, Kailah?" he drawled.

"Not really.  I never had pneumonia so I still believe that kid who told me it's made up.  Besides, I'm sure you'd just whip up one of your fancy potions and I'd be right as rain again in a jiffy."

"Right as rain?" he asked.

"I don't know.  Harry's been saying it a lot lately."

"Remind me again why you associate with Mister Potter?"

"Because it bothers you."

"Like calling you a Hufflepuff bothers you."

"Something like that," she grumbled.  Pulling up to the station in Hogsmeade, they unloaded their trunks and Kali sent Snape ahead with both his and hers to find an empty compartment.  "I do hope this won't be an inconvenience for your family, having both me and dad."

"No problem at all," said Ron and Ginny shook her head in agreement.  "Admittedly, though, it is going to be strange having Professor Snape around for Christmas."

"I'm so glad you said something," said Ginny.  "It's really odd but I didn't want to say anything to upset you, Kali."

"It's okay.  I know how everyone feels about him.  I mean, I can see where you get it.  He does try awful hard to be cruel and heartless.  Daddy can't help that he's awful at it.  It's going to be weird having him around for Christmas for me, too."

Heading for the train, Ron, Kali, and Ginny climbed inside.  Ginny separated from them immediately to find Neville and her friends while Kali and Ron went looking for Snape, Harry, Hermione, Draco, or Lupin.  It was luck of the draw for whomever they found first, and it just happened that they stumbled upon them all at once.  Apparently, it had been Harry's bright idea to squeeze all these people who don't get along into one compartment.

Things had went surprisingly well.  For most of the way back, Draco and Hermione had discussed, compared, and contrasted the work they were doing in their classes while balancing the advantages and disadvantages of the independent study program.  Kali had lost ten times to Ron in wizards chess before leaving Harry to be beaten by Ron and went back to bothering her father.  Lupin was jumping between conversation and by the time they pulled into King's Cross, Lupin and Snape were actually getting along, even if it was just because the other made better conversation than the teenagers.

"Good luck, Ron," said Hermione once they had unloaded their things.  "I'm going to want to know what happened the minute I see you."

"Don't worry.  I'll tell you everything," Ron promised and Hermione hugged him good-bye before heading over to where her parents were standing.

Saying good-bye to each other, the group parted.  Harry, Draco, and Lupin headed for where Sirius was standing.  Ron, Kali, and Snape headed over to where Mrs. Weasley was waiting to greet them.  Five minutes later, they were off to spend their Christmas holidays, one group with the Weasleys and one in Godric's Hollow.

Next Monday, chapters 27 and 28.  I only posted 26 because I wanted to group the Christmas chapters together.  27, 28, 29, and 30 are all Christmas Chapters, actually, so, you know…

27 – Harry and Draco in Godric's Hollow.  The title?  Draco Versus Buckbeak

28 – Snape and Kali at the Burrow, featuring Fred, George, Percy, Charlie, and the quote, "There comes a time in every young wizard's life when Snape scares him."

Such a nice preview, wasn't it?