Chapter 4-Christmas!

Disclaimer-don't own nothin'

It was Christmas Eve, and the snake egg had arrived. Minerva put the egg in a basket, with green and red cloth to protect the egg from hatching early. She decided that she would go and take a nice, warn bubble bath, to relaxe her tired muscles. She had just finish grading the last exam and decided that she would treat herself.

Minerva started the bath and got in. The water felt good around her tired body. She closed her eyes, and imagined Christmas morning. Instead of having their gifts put on the end of their bed, like usual, Albus decided that the gifts would be opened in the Great Hall after Breakfast.

It was about 10 o'clock when Minerva stepped out of the tub and put her robe on. She walked out into her room and found a scarlet letter on her bed. It was the usual letter inviting the teachers to the annual Christmas party. She opened the letter.

Dear Minerva,

You are invited to the annual Christmas party tomorrow at 8 o'clock sharp. Wear your best. I don't plan on telling the theme until we are all there. Please note that there will be drinking, so in case you do plan on riding a broom for what ever reason, don't do so tomorrow. No drinking and riding! I would hope to see you in the Great Hall tomorrow!

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

"Well, I guess I have to pick out what to wear." About half hour later, Minerva found the perfect dress. She tried it on to make sure that it still fit, and luckily it did! After hanging the dress up in her closet, she crawled into bed, falling asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow...

O.o

"Harry, Ron. We've got letters, but I didn't see any owl come tonight." said Hermione. "Well then why don't we open them Hermione." Ron teased. Ron grabbed his letter from Hermione's hand and looked at the envelope. Scratching his head in confusion he said. "Well, they can't be howlers, I mean, we wouldn't all have gotten one, and they would've blown up by now." Harry opened his letter and began to read aloud.

Dear Mr. Potter,

You are invited to the annual staff Christmas party. Even though you are indeed not staff, you, Ron, and Hermione, are the only students at they school. Please dress formal, and be in the Great Hall at 8 o'clock sharp.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

P.S. We have changed things a bit. Instead of presents being put at the end of your bed, we will all gather and open our gifts in the Great Hall after breakfast!

"Wow, a party! This should be great. But then again a party with our professors. Hmmm, oh well." Harry finished after reading his letter aloud. "Well, Ron's letter and mine are identical to yours Harry. I think we better get to bed, it seems that we will be having a busy day tomorrow!"

Harry, Ron, and Hermione all went up to their dormitories for a good nights rest.

O.o

"Harry, Ron, WAKE UP! It's nearly breakfast!" shouted Hermione.

"Well I guess she's not the only one interested in opening presents." Harry muttered to Ron as they walked down the stairs.

"Hurry! I can't wait to see what Aunt Kallie has sent me! She always sends the best gifts..." Hermione said to no one.

They were the last to arrive at the Great Hall. They decided that they would go the back way into the hall, this way they didn't get ambushed by snowballs again. And to their surprise, so did every other teacher. The only teacher that still had colored hair was Severus. It was now, brighter then Ron's!

"Merry Christmas everyone!" Dumbledore said excitedly. He went to sit down, and everyone followed.

The trio was trying very hard to hid their anticipation about opening presants.It seemed like forever, but finally they all finished their breakfast. "Ahh, yes, now presents. If you will all follow me to the 6th tree, we can get started." They hadn't noticed it before, or maybe they weren't there before, but gift after gift was pilled around the gigantic Christmas tree. Harry, Ron, and Hermione's gifts were all in the same area, which was right next to Albus' and Minerva's.

"I think it would be better to find the sweaters Mum made us Harry, that way; we can write Fred and George, to see who has the dorkiest." Ron told Harry.

They looked and immediately recognized the package, Labeled with their names, and to their surprise, Hermione received on too. Ron opened his first. "Well here it goes..." He tore open the paper and looked at the maroon sweater. In the middle was a picture of a broom stick and the goal posts in the Quidditch Pitch. Underneath the picture, the word "Keeper" was stitched in. "Well, it's not bad, but I don't want to even tell you what Mum made me last year." Next Harry opened his. It was a green sweater, with the picture of a Firebolt and the Golden Snitch. Just like Ron's, there was the word "Seeker". Hermione opened hers last. It was a beautiful, blue, with a wand illuminated by the Lumos spell. "Wow, Ron, does your mum do this every year?" "Yes." Ron answered.

Then they all went off to opening their own gifts. Hermione received a charms book from Harry, a box of Lemon Drops from Ron, and many gifts from her parents and Aunt Kallie.

Harry got an old sock from the Dursleys; Quiddich threw the Ages from Hermione, and a Chudly Cannons jersey from Ron.

Ron had a pile or parchment, some sickles, and a gift certificate for Fred and George's store. Fred and George also gave the Trio each a basket full of there new items, never before seen by the public.

To Dumbledore's surprise, they to, had given all the Professors a basket of items.

"Well, they are very generous. I will have to stop in and see their shop sometime." Dumbledore said.

They had finished opening their gifts, when Dumbledore said a spell that sent all of their gifts to the common room.

"I will see you all tonight at 8!"

O.o

I will add the final chapter sometime today. Sorry for the delay, I just hit a major writer's block!