A/N: Usual disclaimer.

Chapter 17: Plans for the Holidays

Mom,

I will be home for Christmas. I enjoyed the pictures and I am trying to fulfill that lovely request you made in the card. I can't say much now about it but we will talk later on.

See you soon,

Ash

Ashley rolled up the letter and attached it to her barn owl. It had been one week sine her encounter with Professor Snape. His attitude hadn't changed towards her, he was still not talking, with the exception of sarcastic remarks towards some of her comments at meal times. With Christmas break only a week away, she wondered what Snape would be doing. As little as she knew of him, she knew that he would probably be staying at Hogwarts.

Her quarters were void of noise with the exception of Brandon sleeping by the cozy fire, all of her other dogs were back in the states for Christmas holiday. Brandon would be flying with her, since he was still small enough to be considered carry on.

Dumbledore's face appeared in the fireplace. Brandon was startled and scurried under Ashley's desk. "Ashley, may I see you in my office for a minute?"

"Sure, I'll be up there in a sec." Ashley said while comforting a terrified Brandon. Dumbledore nodded and vanished from the fire. Brandon peered around and then resumed his place by the fire.

Ashley said the password, "Sugar Quill", and entered Dumbledore's office. Snape was standing with his arms crossed glaring at Ashley. "I hear that you are going home for Christmas Holiday." Dumbledore mentioned idly.

"Yes, I am. I was planning on leaving right after the students left, unless you want me to stay longer."

"Would it be alright if Professor Snape accompanied you?"

"Sure, but may I ask way?"

"Well Hogwarts has never been so directly connected with America and I thought that it would be fun for a professor to experience life in the States. Since Snape here has no plans for Christmas Holiday, he will be the professor joining you." Dumbledore explained with a twinkle in his eye while waving two plane tickets in the air.

"Well, ok, but I won't say that you'll enjoy it. My family isn't exactly what you would call normal, let alone sophisticated or welcoming towards people that are different from them." Snape snorted as he took the tickets and handed one to Ashley. He turned and left as Ashley followed right behind him. She easily caught up with him. "Did you volunteer for this?"

"No, it was one of Dumbledore's wonderful ideas, I guess." Snape sneered at her while noticing how easily she caught up with him. "Is there anything else you wish to warn me about?"

"Yeah, one side of my family is a bunch of rednecks that know how to throw a party, and the other are hillbillies that love to smoke and play poker." Ashley said with a quick smile and snort of laughter.

Snape eyed her curiously. "That is the only warning that you can think of."

"Well it covers everything. Their accents will be hard to understand, heck even I have trouble understanding what my uncle Jay-Bird is saying sometimes. They are huge so you will probably have trouble remembering names. They are Baptist and church is a must on Sunday's also praying at mealtimes is a must too. They hunt and use dogs to hunt. Also, like most American wizards they wear muggle clothes most of the time. It is cheaper. Poker games have been known to last well into the morning and usually consist of everybody getting drunk and losing a bunch of money. Also because of the smoke, I will be in my room a lot watching TV with my brother, we can't stand it."

"You can't be serious."

"I am being honest and blunt. Some things you will find out for yourself, like who to hang around and who to avoid because they talk to much about things you really don't want to hear." Ashley walked into her office and smiled at Brandon, who was still sleeping by the fire. Snape followed behind her as she shut the door.

"So how many people are going to be there?"

"Well when we go to North Carolina, there will be at least 40 people there. When we go to Roanoke, probably less than 20."

"Are those the only two places we will be going to?"

"No, I plan to visit my friends in Midlothian and hope to spend time at my house in Sandbridge since there aren't any more tourists there."

"Anything else?"

"Also if you hate hugs then tough. You will probably be hugged by every member in my mom's family at least six times. Everybody is no matter if they are a part of the family or not. Another thing, my aunt has a bad habit of shortening people's names so she will give up with calling you Severus before she even tries it. Hell she might even give you a new name that you will be expected to respond to unless you want to be called something nasty."

Snape grunted in protest, "Sounds like fun, I get to deal with people doing things to me that I can't stand."

"It is only for two weekends. The rest of the time will be much more enjoyable, I promise." Ashley commented sweetly while gazing thoughtfully into his dark eyes.

"Right and what else do you have in mind?"

"I don't know, probably spend most of the time in Midlothian. I really want to see my best friend, the last time I saw her was during the auditions and we barely got to talk to each other. She has already informed me that we need to have another girl night. Which we haven't done since college. Plus I haven't seen some of my high school friends in a long time so I want to make the rounds by visiting people. Unless you want to do something else."

"I really don't know what there is to do in the states. I think what Dumbledore had in mind was just for me to follow and go along with what you do normally."

"Ah, my normal life in America. Fun, the writing music, showing dogs, sit on my ass, watch movies and tv, side of me. Sounds fun and yet some how oh so boring. I did that for 26 years."

"Ok, fine never mind that then. How about show me around where you used to live?"

"Now that I can do. I can take you to all of the places that I like to go to. Like the mall, movies, and Cold Stone. Can't wait." Ashley said cheerfully while trying not to drool from thinking about Cold Stone.

"Sounds enjoyable. Maybe we can finish this discussion over dinner before we leave?"

"Sounds great see you then." Snape turned and walked out Ashley's office as she called after him "Can't wait til then Snapey."

Snape turned hard on his heels "What did you just call me?"

Ashley smiled and winked at him "Just getting you used to how badly my aunt is going to mess up your name."

"Right. See you then." Snape nodded and walked out with his black robes billowing behind him.

A/N: Tada! More to come! I would like to thank my Calculus teacher yet again for letting me write the beginning of this chapter during her class. Also I would like to thank the mechanics for letting me write to middle and to Joey for letting me write the rest while I didn't talk to him. Joey you are my muse!

Please read and review! Thanks! Next chapter is already in the works so it will be coming in a much more timely manner.