Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, except the one I created myself. All others belong to J. K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. I have only borrowed them for my amusement and hopefully yours as well.
November had rolled into December and Severus was unable to stay away from Jolicia. He had tried, very hard, but it was impossible. He was obliged to see her at meals. There was no way he could get out of that. She was in the staff room, in the halls, everywhere. For the first week he had stayed in his office, his lab, or his quarters. All of the others kept asking where he was. Finally, he decided he missed her company too much and had come to the conclusion that he could handle her and himself as well. Why should he deprive himself of one of his few pleasures – he would see to it that nothing more came of their relationship. He would allow himself to be her friend once more.
Jo had noticed that he was trying to avoid her and it made her regret her little incident with the chocolate. Obviously, he was not interested in her that way and was trying to send her a message. The message being – back off, Jolicia. She blamed herself for letting what Bubble said go to her head. She had realized that she wanted it to be true. Now she knew it wasn't. She decided that if Severus ever showed that he wanted to be friends again, she could handle it. She would keep herself in check and be just that, and only that, his friend. She would suppress the feelings she was developing for him. Yes, she could handle it and him as well.
One afternoon, Severus went to the staff room for afternoon tea. He saw that Jolicia was the only one there and had just finished pouring herself a cup.
"May I join you, Jolicia?" he inquired.
"Oh, yes please, Severus. Do sit down."
She poured him a cup of tea, adding lemon and a half spoon of sugar, just the way he liked it. She also served him his favorite sweet – a slice of Battenburg cake.
She was a little unsure of what she should say but finally ventured, "You'll notice that there's no chocolate here. There won't be, ever again."
He smiled ever so slightly and replied, "I liked the chocolate, but this cake is more suitable."
They both knew what the other was trying to say without actually saying it. Both seemed to be relieved; relieved that the ice had been broken and relieved also to be back as friends. They spent an enjoyable afternoon conversing, just the way they had done on many occasions.
"Will you be going home for Christmas, Jolicia? It's not that far away," he asked.
"No, not this year. My parents have decided to go away for Christmas. They are going to take a cruise around the Caribbean. I think it is actually a second honeymoon, if you ask me. They're still lovebirds, even at their age! It will be strange not to be with them at the holidays, though. I have only missed two Christmases at home. It will be hard not to be a little sad. I assume you stay here at Hogwarts, Severus."
"Yes. There is always myself, Hagrid, Albus and Minerva and a small handful of students that spend the holidays here. Potter is one who always stays."
"I was sure that he would go home with Ron or Hermione. I'm glad you told me. I'll make sure I find him something nice to open up on Christmas morning."
"Tell me about your family celebrations, Jolicia."
"On Christmas eve, we usually get dressed up very warmly and go out into the country to find the perfect tree. We bring it home and decorate it. We have a nice fire going in the fireplace and once the tree is up, my brother, Robert, brings out his guitar and we sing carols. Then we have a tremendous meal where we all eat like pigs. My Maman makes the best tourtière and bûche de Noël in the world. It won't be the same without those two goodies."
"Just what are those dishes?"
"Tourtière – that's a meat pie made from beef and pork and the bûche de Noël is a Christmas cake shaped and decorated like the log of a tree. They are both traditional back home. What do you usually have here, Severus?"
"The usual British fare - turkey with stuffing, ham, assorted vegetables, roast and mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, as well as every dessert you can think of. There are always the inevitable Christmas crackers on the table. Every year Albus wants me to wear one of those ridiculous paper hats. I have been thus far successful in avoiding that particular 'pleasure'."
Jolicia laughed, "Yes, I can't quite picture you in a pink tissue paper crown, Severus. The Headmaster, yes; you, no."
They suddenly realized that it was supper time; the entire afternoon had sped by without either noticing. The two friends made their way to the Great Hall to share a little more time together. Later that night, the shadow of an eagle owl was seen cutting across the shimmering moon as it left Hogwarts' owlery.
Jolicia awoke that morning to a great surprise. It had snowed during the night! She ran to her window and gazed out into the courtyard. Everything was covered in a blanket of pure white snow. Mother Nature had, in her infinite wisdom, decided that it was time for it to look like Christmas. As far as Jo was concerned, Christmas just wasn't Christmas without snow. She knew that there were people all over the world had never seen so much as one snowflake and still others who thought snow was one of nature's cruel jokes. Jolicia thrived on it. She adored all manner of winter sports – skiing, skating, sledding. You name it, she had tried it. She was itching to go outside but, alas, it would have to wait. She barely had enough time for breakfast before her morning classes. The snow would have to wait until lunch time.
Several times during the morning, she found herself staring dreamily at the fluffy white stuff that was floating lazily down from the sky. She had been brought back to reality by the arrival of her students, all ready and eager for their next class. She found it strange that none of them seemed particularly excited by the snow. Back home, all of the students would have been just as eager to get to it as she.
"I guess it's a cultural thing," she shrugged and proceeded to teach her lesson.
Jo went to the Great Hall, gobbled down a quick bite and then rushed outside. It was beautiful. The temperature wasn't too cold, there was no wind and the snow was still falling slowly. She walked beside the lake and then doubled back and passed as close as she dared to the Whomping Willow. Its branches began to rustle loudly, so realizing she had misjudged her distance, quickly moved away.
Minerva McGonagall was standing at the window overlooking the courtyard admiring the snow, just as Jolicia had done.
"Something interesting, my dear?"
"Albus! I was just watching the snow come down. So peaceful, isn't it?"
"Ah, yes. It certainly is. Buttermint?" he offered. "Look, here comes Severus."
As she popped the candy into her mouth, she cried, "Dear Merlin, look at that! Someone just pelted Severus with a snowball. I pity the child who was so daring and so foolish. I do hope he or she isn't from Gryffindor. I hate to think how many points Severus will deduct."
"I can't imagine who it could be, Minerva. Severus must be fuming. Dear heavens! They got him again!"
They both peered out the window, anxiously waiting to see who the culprit was.
Meanwhile, down in the courtyard…
"WHO DARES TO HIT ME WITH A SNOWBALL? SHOW YOURSELF," cried Severus. No response came.
"I DEMAND THAT YOU SHOW YOURSELF IMMEDIATELY. THE LONGER YOU WAIT, THE MORE POINTS YOUR HOUSE WILL LOSE." Still no reply came.
"200 POINTS…250…300."
It came again. Whack! Another snowball caught him on the shoulder.
"IF YOU DON'T SHOW YOURSELF AT ONCE, YOU WILL BE EXPELLED FROM THIS SCHOOL. COME FORWARD. NOW!" he screamed.
"I didn't know teachers could be expelled, Severus."
He turned around and there was Jolicia, hiding behind a column, another snowball in her hand.
"You!"
"Got you good, didn't I? You have to admit I'm a pretty good shot," she grinned.
Severus bent down, quickly formed a ball in his hands and threw it towards Jo. It hit the column.
"Come, come. You can do better than that." She threw hers, and it narrowly missed his head.
"Losing your touch? You'll not get me again." He made another snowball and ran towards her.
He chased her around the column trying desperately to get her back. She was laughing joyously as she dodged snowball after snowball. Before he knew it, he was laughing as well.
"Did anyone ever tell you that you were a brat, Jolicia?"
"Many times," she replied and stuck out her tongue at him just to prove it.
She took off across the courtyard. He followed after her, still trying to get in at least one hit. When Jo made a mistake, he moved in for the kill. She had turned around to taunt him a little more. That gave him the chance to get closer. At last, he got her with two direct hits.
"No, no. You're not supposed to get me, Severus. The brat is supposed to get her own way. Stop," she cried, still laughing. She held up her hands to cover her face.
He was still laughing as well as he started scooping up the snow and throwing it over her. Soon, she looked like a snowman.
"That will teach you to show some respect, Madam."
Jo tried to back away from him but didn't notice the rock behind her. She tripped over it and fell backwards into the snow. Before he realized what had happened, Severus tripped over Jo and fell on top of her. Both were stunned to find themselves on the ground, for all intents and purposes in each other's arms. Both began to laugh once again.
"A little decorum please, sir."
"You wanton hussy! In broad daylight, too. Unhand me."
As far as Jo was concerned, she could have stayed there forever, feeling his body next to hers, but she began to feel something else as well – wet. The snow had sunk right through her cloak and into her pants. They were soaking wet and cold to boot.
"Severus, as much as I am enjoying our little lark, I think we should get up. My ass is freezing."
"Quite. Mine is as well," he answered. He got up and offered his hand to Jo and pulled her up. He withdrew his wand and dried them both up in a flash.
"I am late for class, Jolicia. As are you, I'm sure."
She was and they set off for their respective classrooms.
Just before they went their separate ways, Jo said, "You should do that more often."
"What, freeze my ass, as you so charmingly put it?"
"No, Severus. Laugh. I've never seen you laugh like that before. It suits you."
She then leaned over and whispered in his ear, "I hope I get to see it again very soon." She was off, climbing the stairs, two at a time.
Back at the window, Minerva exclaimed," Ach, he should have kissed her when they fell but he didn't. What's wrong with that boy? He missed a golden opportunity. Albus, I'm starting to doubt you again."
"I have to admit, that this is taking a little longer than I would have thought. I think a little intervention is required. Severus needs a gentle push in the right direction."
"I think what he needs is a good swift kick in the seat of the pants, if you ask me. Just what kind of push are you going to give him, Albus?"
"I don't know yet, Minerva. When the time is right, I'll know what to do. Don't worry."
Minerva looked in to the Headmaster's twinkling eyes and just nodded.