I never planned to continue this, but my other fics are beginning to get me down a bit, so what the hell. Hagrid/Snape friendships are good.

Chapter 2: Christmas Morning

Severus came to slowly, conscious only of warmth and a comfortable weight on his legs. His head was throbbing, but not badly. He'd had alcohol recently, but not enough to completely incapacitate him. He probably should get up, but he was far too comfortable to consider that yet. He had a warm fuzzy dream of staying here forever, snug and comfy, with a nice buzzing in his brain. Chuckling softly, eyes still closed, he indulged himself with the thought that he could do just that.

'How yeh doin' there, Severus?' came Hagrid's deep rumble somewhere above him. He cracked an eyelid reluctantly, grumbling slightly. Rubeus only chuckled at him. 'Guess yeh're not at yer best of a mornin', eh? Don't matter to me. I jus' wondered if yeh'd like a bit of breakfast.'

Breakfast. Food! Severus' stomach practically sat up and begged as he finally noticed the smells emanating from the fireplace. Bacon frying, some egg, and the smoky smell of burning toast. Merlin's beard, he'd died and gone to heaven! Nothing had ever smelled so good.

He struggled to sit up, fighting with Fang for possession of his legs. The old dog glared at him grumpily, slobbering on him, possibly in revenge but more likely in some misguided attempt at a greeting. Severus glared back with a viguor, good mood climbing another little bit. He pulled his trapped legs decisively out from under the mastiff, grinning in triumph, and turned to find Rubeus staring at him, a silly smile plastered over his huge face. Severus blinked, realising what a picture he must make, snarly potions master turned childish layabout, but for some reason he couldn't care less. He'd almost suspect Hagrid had fed him some mood enhancers or something last night, but he knew the gentle half giant would never do something that underhanded. That was Severus' job, after all. He simply felt like a weight of some kind had been lifted from him, although nothing had really changed.

'Grub's up!' Rubeus announced cheerfully. Severus made to move to the table, but Hagrid simply plopped the plate down in his lap before sitting opposite him with his own breakfast. Severus stared down at the plate. Two fried eggs stared back, slightly burned around the edges, surrounded by crispy sides of bacon, and a slab of bread, so thick it could be used as a floor slab, absolutely saturated in butter. He was conscious of Fang's covetous stare, and the stream of drool intensifying. Catalysed into action, he started on the meal with a will, determined that the animal wouldn't get a single crumb of his precious, precious breakfast. It was his, all his, and he was not sharing!

'Slow down there, Severus,' Rubeus muttered, a smile twitching his lips. 'Yeh'll make yerself sick.' Severus only grunted, completely absorbed in his eating. It was absolutely the best breakfast he'd ever had.

He finally gave up half an hour later, simply unable to stomach such a large meal after so long skimping on food. Regretfully sliding his final strip of rasher over to Fang, he glared reproachfully at the dog. 'Don't get cocky, dog,' he muttered. 'Doesn't mean I'm gonna let you have my bacon again. Just this once, y'hear.' Rubeus laughed delightedly.

'Yeh won't get away with that, yeh know!' he chuckled. 'He's gonna get yeh again. He likes yeh now, and he knows yeh'll give him stuff. He's gonna be yehr everlastin' friend now, just as long as yeh keep givin' him somethin' to eat and a rub now and then. Yeh won't get off that easy!'

Severus grumbled under his breath, delighted in his own way. He took the dog's great head between his hands and laid his forehead against Fang's. 'You're a sneaky old bastard, aren't you?' he murmured. 'Worming your way into my good books by keeping me warm last night, and then grabbing my breakfast. You sneaky, fuzzy, fat old animal you. You're lucky it's Christmas morning, or I'd give you such an earfull! Silly old thing ...' He trailed off, simply resting his head on the dog's, happily.

He felt Rubeus' warm gaze on his back, and sat back up to look at him. The half giant grinned at him, quiet joy in his crinkled, expressive face. Friendly. Friend. That was it. That was the weight that was lifted. He smiled back, surprised by the realization, but curiously comforted. He had a friend. That simple fact lifted his heart, bringing such a joyous feeling to the little sunlit cottage that he was loathe to ever think of leaving it.

But Dumbledore would be down to his rooms soon, looking to wish him a happy Christmas. He'd have to brew up that backlog for the hospital wing, and keep an eye on his Slytherins who'd stayed for the holidays. He had so much to do.

'Yeh need to go, eh?' Rubeus asked softly. Severus nodded slowly. Hagrid stood, holding out a large hand to help him out of his little nest of couch and blanket and Fang. He stood carefully, leaning a bit on the other man as his back twinged in protest after the night spent curled up. Hagrid propped him up onto his feet, still grinning a bit.

'Why don't yeh come back after tea and I'll make us somethin' for supper? Bit of a Christmas dinner, or somethin' like that. If yeh can stand my cooking, that is?'

Severus laughed, recognising the subtle reassurance that he could come whenever he wanted, that he'd always be welcome here, with Rubeus and Fang. He felt a warm glow, happy at that thought. 'Of course I'll come,' he assured. 'Your cooking, while not gourmet standard, is more than enough for me! Thanks for that!'

'Anytime,' Rubeus grinned. Fang slumped to the door to watch him leave, tail wagging lazily. Severus practically bounced up the grounds, only restraining his exuberence as he came in proper view of the castle. It wouldn't do for his students to see him all but skipping up to the doors. He had a reputation to keep up, after all. But he couldn't help feeling light and happy.

A friend. It was undoubtedly the best Christmas present he'd ever recieved.

Well? How was that for an unplanned update? R&R?