Chapter 3-Running Out Of Time

A/N-Ok...you may think that this chapter is a bit boring, but, I promise, I will make it better. O yeah, thanks to everyone for all of those great reviews! Without them, I wouldn't know what the readers liked or didn't like. Thanks! One more thing, I would like to thank my best friend, Mary B. for editing my stories! Yes, incase your all wondering, im leading up to the party, so don't worry, I didn't forget about that.
Disclaimer-Like I said before, I don't own any of them, sadly :(

"Ahhh, yes well, we can change your hair color, but you see, the ghosts got tired of having to put a permanent charm on the people they already hit. And starting this year, they are using permanent snowballs. So im afraid, that you won't be able to change your hair back until it decides it wants to change back, which can take some time. Probably a week or two." confessed Dumbledore.

"So, you mean, Albus, that I will be stuck with green hair until Christmas? And if not that, until term starts? This is not good. Cant we take a potion or something?" begged Minerva.

"Its not that easy, Minerva, nothing will help it, only when the color fades. Now, since it is only us professors here, we will not let the students know, and I hope that we can trust Harry, Ron and Hermione, to keep our little secret."

"Yes sir." the trio said in unison.

"Good, now let us forget about the color of our hair, and eat." Just when Dumbledore said those words, food magically appeared on the table.

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A/N-Now we all remember that Minerva still needs to find the perfect secret Santa gift for Severus.

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Outside the Great Hall, there is a banner tied up on the walls, announcing how many days are left until Christmas, and to Minerva's dislike, it clearly states, 2 days.

"TWO DAYS! Great, now what am I going to do? I can't give him anything that reflects on his teaching, because he would just think of that as a crappy gift, and I have to admit, it would be. But what to get him?"

Minerva usually didn't like going threw the dungeons, but that has the only passageway to get all the way up to the Gryffindor Tower, and she didn't feel like walking all those stairs. She decided that she would stop in on the Trio and see how they were doing. They've been up in the tower all morning and afternoon, only coming out for breakfast and lunch. Just as she passed Snape's rooms, she saw a small, green snake come out from under the door. Snape quickly opened the door in hopes of catching it, but realized that it was a goner.

"Playing with snakes again Severus?" Minerva asked.

"Me? No! I'm just doing an experiment, and it appears that that snake doesn't wish to be played with. O well, I will just have to buy another after the holidays."

"Well good luck trying to find one, they have already gone out on owl order, as you would know, and snakes are very popular pets. Well I will let you be on your way then." and with that Minerva walked to the secret passageway at the end of the hall. Minerva was smiling after she turned her back to Severus, his hair had not gotten lighter, but the red just seems to be getting brighter. As for Minerva, her hair, was finally starting to fade, with just a few highlights of black and grey.

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Minerva made it up to the Fat Lady portrait, and like usual, she asked "Password."

"Periwinkle." Minerva said, and stepped threw the hole that was once covered by the Fat Lady.

She immediately heard the music, "Nice Guys Finish Last" by Green Day. The music appeared to be coming from the CD player that Hermione had brought. Harry was writing a letter, and it appeared to be an important one, or else Hedwig, Harry's owl, wouldn't be pecking him in the arm for a response. Hermione was listening to the music and was reading a magazine, Ron, who started playing Bass Guitar earlier in the year, was playing along with the music, and was doing a good job at it.

Harry looked up from his letter put it in an envelope and tied it to Hedwig's leg, and took her to the opened window. "Oh hello professor! Didn't hear you come in."

"Yes well I can understand why!" She gave a quick glance to Ron who then turned it down.

"Why aren't you outside? Playing in the snow, doing Winter Quidditch? Something to keep you from staying inside! It's wonderful out, go to Hogmead or something!" Minerva questioned

"Professor, are you trying to throw us out of the castle or something?" asked Ron.

"No! I'm just, saying, the weather lightened up a bit, and you should take advantage of it."

"Well, I wouldn't mind playing a bit of 1 on 1." Harry said.

"That's great, I can just watch, I really don't intend on getting on a broom stick in the snow." Confessed Hermione.

"That's settled then, I trust we will see you at dinner WITHOUT any injuries? Ok then." Then Minerva left.

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Harry and Ron were up in the air on the pitch and Hermione was in the stands, watching and shouting word of encouragement.

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Minerva still didn't know what to get Severus, so she bought a catalogue that contained just about everything. She flipped to the animal section, needing to buy some rabbits for the 3rd year transfiguration lesson. She scanned the page and then it hit her! There was a picture of a beautiful snake egg.

The sentience said "The Opheodrys vernalis, a.ka. Smooth Green Snake, is the ideal snake for an experienced snake handler. Hatching from and egg, then growing up, this snake can be very friendly to its owner, but hides when it sees strangers."

"This is perfect for Severus! He will love it, but he must keep it as a pet, and will do no such experiments on it." She summoned an owl to her room, and filled out the order form. It promised that the purchase would be here, this time tomorrow. That would be perfect, receive the gift on Christmas Eve!

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I think I made this chapter long enough, I will make sure to try and get the 4th chapter up by tonight. RR!