Disclaimers: See the first chapter.
Snippets From the Potterverse
Chapter 62 - How The Potions Master Stole Christmas!
Christmas dawned bright and sunny, with several inches of snow on the ground. Harry and Ron woke promptly at seven, and began tearing into their presents. They got books from Hermione, candy from Tonks, the usual jumpers from Ron's parents, and lots of other things. Harry and Ron had, ironically, bought each other the same book on international Quidditch teams, which made them giggle. Sirius and Remus had bought Harry a beautiful set of books (again), featuring moving paintings of all kinds of magical creatures. For some reason, they had bought Ron a can of spider poison. Harry was perplexed, but Ron was very pleased. Harry had gotten another pair of socks from Dobby. It was a very good Christmas.
After putting on his Weasley jumper and his mismatched new socks, Harry followed Ron down to the kitchen for breakfast. They walked in on a 'loud discussion' between Sirius and Remus. Long ago, they had been informed that Remus and Siriusnever argued. They had 'loud discussions' instead.
"I'm telling you, it's going to ruin my whole Christmas!" Sirius was saying.
"Lower your voice, Sirius! He'll only be here for a few minutes or so!"
Harry and Ron exchanged nervous looks. There was only one person whose appearance at Grimmauld Place could ruin Sirius' whole Christmas.
"Are you talking about Snape?" they squeaked.
"Professor Snape, boys," Remus reprimanded them. "He'll be stopping by to drop off this month's supply of Wolfsbane for me."
"It'll ruin the whole Christmas!" Sirius wept.
There was a definite cloud of gloom over the table as Harry, Hermione, Sirius, Remus, and the nine Weasleys ate breakfast. Remus, Mr. Weasley, and Mrs. Weasley seemed to be the only ones who didn't associate Snape's coming with impending doom.
Around noon, the doorbell rang. All the children froze.
"Hide me!" Bill cried, jumping into the pantry with the twins and shutting the door. Charlie crawled under the table, hiding behind the long tablecloth. Ginny and Hermione bolted to hide in the broom cupboard. Percy quaked with fear and squeezed himself behind the Welsh dresser. Ron and Harry exchanged looks, and, deciding this was an emergency, wedged themselves into the tiny, smelly cupboard which had once been Kreacher's room. Sirius looked around wildly. All the hiding spots were taken. He hit the floor and squished under the table with Charlie.
"Hey -"
"Shh!"
"You're being ridiculous," Mrs. Weasley snapped.
"We don't want to see Snivellus!" Sirius whispered. "He's a thief of Christmas cheer! He'll - steal Christmas!"
A chorus of "Noooo!'s came forth from the various hiding spots.
"Shh! He's coming!"
Everyone fell silent as Snape and Remus entered the kitchen . Remus was carrying a small cauldron, which he placed in the icebox. "Thank you so much, Severus."
Snape glanced suspiciously around. He could see feet peeking out from under the tablecloth. A shock of red hair was visible from behind the Welsh dresser, and eyes were peeking out from behind the cupboard doors. He kicked out.
"Ow!" Sirius yelped.
Sniggering, Snape nodded curtly to Remus and the Weasleys before turning to leave. Then he had an idea. Snape got an awful, clever idea.
Everyone had finally emerged from their hiding spots when an almighty noise was heard. THUMP, THUMP. It was soon followed by the sound of something being dragged. The front door slammed. Mrs. Black's portrait began to scream.
"What was that!" Sirius said, leading the way upstairs. He stopped, looking at the floor in horror. The others peeked around him.
"NOOOOOOOO!" they cried.
"Snivellus stole our Christmas tree!" Sirius wailed, pointing at the trail of pine needles that led to the door.
Snape cackled, putting the tree on a sleigh. Then up, up the side of Mount Crumpet, he rode with his load to the tip-top... TO DUMP IT!
And that was how the Potions Master stole Christmas!
