Time flew as the days got shorter and the weather colder. Before Severus knew it, the children were departing for their Christmas break. For his part, he was looking forward to some solitude away from his students. There was only so much he could take from that ignorant lot. He sat in his office avoiding the ruckus outside as Hagrid tried to corral the unruly mob as they waited for the Hogwarts Express. He smiled to himself as he thought of Dolores in the midst of the chaos trying to gain order.

A rap on the door pulled him from his musings. "Enter," he called. The door slowly opened, and a mass of brown curly hair emerged from behind it.

"Sorry to bother you, Professor," she said tentatively. "I just wanted to stop by to drop this off and to wish you a happy Christmas." She put a small wrapped package on his desk.

"That was unnecessary, Miss Granger," Snape said eyeing the gift as if it would attack him at any moment.

"I know, sir. I wanted to, and it's not much, truly." She looked at him expectantly.

Reluctantly he stretched out his hand to retrieve the package. The wrapping paper was green with a silver bow. He slowly removed it to get to the gift inside then frowned.

"I know, I warned you it wasn't much," Hermione said nervously. "My gram used to love them. They were her favorite, and she always made sure that everyone in the family got a box of them each Christmas" she explained.

Snape looked down at the box of biscuits. "Thank you, Miss Granger. I'm sure I shall enjoy them," he said.

Hermione smiled broadly at that. "And what of your holiday plans, Miss Granger. I had thought you would have left last night with Potter and the Weasleys." The attack on the Wesley patriarch had been brutal, and it was fortunate that he'd been found alive.

"Oh, uh, no that was family only and well Harry. Which makes sense when you think about it. I mean I'm sure he would have wanted to make sure that Mr. Weasley was alright after, you know, what he saw," she said.

"Of course, what was I thinking," Snape responded. "And your plans?" He asked again.

"I'm going skiing with my parents. I'm not much for skiing truthfully, but I do love the snow and the mountains. I usually find a good book and sit in front of a fireplace and read. Oh, I do like sledding though," she added happily. "My dad promised to go with me. It's always fun and takes very little skill."

"That indeed would be for the best, Miss Granger. I have seen you on a broom before," he smirked.

Hermione huffed at this and then laughed. "Yes, I'm pants at riding a broom. I prefer to keep my feet to the ground as opposed to flying around or strapping boards to my feet and hoping for the best."

Severus let out a small chuckle. "Well, enjoy your break, Miss Granger. I will see you went next term begins."

"Yes, thank you. I had better go before the train leaves without me," she said as she left the room.

He waited a few moments to make sure she didn't return, then examined his gift. Cornish Fairings, they'd been a favorite of his as well as a child. His family never had enough money to waste on such frivolous things as biscuits, but his neighbor did. Mrs. Davies was a widow that lived next door. She had been kind to him and his mother. She'd even opened her home to them a few times when things got a bit too rough at his own house.

Mrs. Davies always snuck him and his mother a box of Cornish Fairings every Christmas. It had been a secret between him and his mother. Late Christmas night, they would wait until his father passed out. Then his mother would get out her good tea service. The one she always hid from his father for fear he'd pawn it or simply destroy it in a fit of anger. She'd make them a pot of tea and sneak to his room. There they had their own Christmas celebration. Drinking tea from fancy cups and eating "fancy" biscuits.

The memory was bittersweet. Mrs. Davies passed away shortly after Severus's ninth birthday, and his mother… Well, she "passed away" later, although she wasn't given the mercy of dying in her sleep from old age. He sighed; he hadn't had a Cornish Fairing since Mrs. Davies's death. It didn't seem like the kind of thing one bought for oneself. Now, he'd been gifted once more. He decided that he would wait until Christmas to eat them. Maybe, for once, he'd be able to dwell on those few pleasant memories from his childhood.

*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*

He was interrupted later that same day by yet another knock on his door. Severus let out a long-suffering sigh. "Enter," he called. This time Albus poked his head in.

"Are you busy, Severus," the old man enquired.

"Does it matter?" Snape retorted.

"Now, Severus. No need for unpleasantness," Dumbledore admonished. "I merely wanted to give you an update on Arthur. I thought you'd like to know that he survived the night. The healers say that he's not out of the woods yet, but they are hopeful."

Severus nodded. He was glad the man survived the attack. Most didn't after an encounter with Nagini.

"Oh, Cornish Fairings! May I have one?" Dumbledore asked.

"I'd rather you didn't, Albus," he'd just gotten this treat, and he had no intention of sharing.

"Certainly, Severus. Forgive my eagerness. I always find it hard to resist sweets," the wizard said jovially. He eyed the wrapping paper. "A gift then? From whom? I didn't think Slytherins were apt to give such presents."

Nosy old coot, Snape thought. "If you must know, Miss Granger gave them to me."

"Ah," the old man responded. "A thank you for the lessons, I suppose?"

"I suppose," he repeated neutrally. And there is it, he smirked. The old busy body finally decided to confront him about teaching Hermione.

"I must say, Severus. I was most surprised when I learned that you were still teaching her after I'd asked you to stop," Dumbledore said pointedly.

"You did not ask me to stop the lessons, Albus. You told me that they were a waste of my time, a distraction from my duties. That is why I continued them in my own spare time," he said calmly.

"Hmmm. Is that why you relocated the classes to your personal quarters," the old wizard asked.

"Precisely," Snape smirked. He had no intention of giving the man any more that he had to.

"Don't you think that is somewhat….inappropriate?" Dumbledore inquired.

Now, that stoked his ire. "And what precisely are you trying to imply, Albus?" he asked. "I am certainly not the only professor here that has hosted students in their quarters. I know for a fact that both Minerva and Filius have had students over for tea, and let's not forget Hagrid."

Dumbledore put a hand up, "None of that Severus. I was only asking. I wouldn't want rumors to start."

"There is nothing "inappropriate" going on between myself and Miss Granger. For Merlin's sake, Albus. She's a child."

"I am well aware of her age, Severus. I'm just looking out for you and her, nothing more," the wizard replied calmly. Like hell you are, Severus thought.

"Hem, hem"

Both men turned to the door to find Dolores Umbridge in all her pink glory, standing and smiling.

"I hope I'm not interrupting something," She said primly.

"Of course not, Dolores," said Dumbledore. "Just discussing our holiday plans."

"Oh? It sounded like a disagreement," she responded sweetly, eyeing them both.

Severus again had cause to roll his eyes, had Albus seriously forgotten to put up even a single privacy charm. "Not at all, Dolores," Albus said. "I was only trying to convince Severus here to share his biscuits, but alas, I was unsuccessful. Come," he said offering the stout witch his arm. "Why don't we go up to my office for a spot of tea. I know that the house elves have made some lovely little cakes that would just go perfectly with it."

Umbridge paused for a moment as if she might refuse the invitation. "I also heard," Dumbledore continued. "that you just acquired the most delightful new plate for your collection. You simply must tell me all about it."

Dolores beamed at the change of subject and took the older wizard's arm. "Of course, Albus. You must see it. It has the sweetest little Russian Blue on it with the cutest little markings.

Severus flicked his wand to shut and lock the door as soon as they vacated. He couldn't think of the last time he was this eager to return to Spinner's End. He stood. He really did need to continue his packing if he wanted to leave that evening. He looked down at the package of biscuits again. He snatched up the box and wrappings and returned to his quarters smiling. For the first time in forever, he actually had a reason to look forward to Christmas.