Chapter Thirteen- Christmas Gifts
Harry gaped at Hermione. "Why did you ask McLaggen?"
"I figured he would annoy Ron the most."
"Huh? What?"
"Oh, right. You don't know. Well, Ron caught Ginny kissing Dean and he got angry about it and Ginny mocked his kissing skills or lack thereof. Well, after the match, Ron hooked up with Lavender Brown and they have been…snogging all over the place," Hermione answered, her voice choking on the last five words which told Harry how Hermione felt about Ron. She loves him.
"In any case," she said, recapturing her normal tone. "Nice choice in choosing Luna. She seems to be having a good time."
"Yeah and I'm glad I asked her. She's a lot of fun."
The two were silent before Hermione said, "You get Snape a Christmas present?"
"Yeah and a birthday one as his birthday is next month. I know he'll love both."
Harry then excused himself to mingle and enjoyed the strokes and scratches of different people. After a couple of conversations, Harry ducked into a secluded spot and enjoyed the solitude until he smelled Snape's scent. He opened his eyes and smiled as his mate entered and briefly hugged him. "We'll be spending the holiday at the Burrow," he said in Harry's ear.
"Wonderful," he said. "Will Sirius be there?"
"I don't know, but Lupin might."
Harry smiled; after Snape, Lupin was his favorite Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Then Snape leaned down and kissed Harry who was surprised by the public display. Snape straightened and pointed up. "Mistletoe," he said as he left. Harry looked up to see the white clump above him. He blushed. How did I miss that?
Snape emerged with a smile that quickly vanished. He liked catching his mate off balance every now and then. He'll be just as surprised by my present to him. A commotion drew his attention and he turned to see Filch dragging Draco by the ear to Slughorn who was now a bit drunk. "Professor," Filch said. "I caught this boy lurking in an upstairs corridor. He claims he was invited and was late in setting out."
Draco pulled away from Filch. "All right, I wasn't invited. I was gate-crashing, happy?"
Before anyone could respond, Snape said, "Draco, I want a word."
"Oh, come Severus," Slughorn hiccupped. "It's Christmas, the boy can stay, don't be hard on him."
"As he is in my House, I will decide how hard to be on him." Snape took Malfoy by the arm and pulled him out of the room and into an empty room, closing the door almost closed. He faced him. "Draco, you know you are not allowed to roam the corridors at night unless you have permission to do so, like attending this party. Very reckless of you."
"Like you care," Draco answered.
"I do care. I want the plan to succeed as much as you do and I again offer my assistance."
"I don't need your assistance and I have other people I can count on, better people."
"I'm sure you do but that plot with the necklace was clumsy and foolish. Others already suspect you had something to do with that."
"I told you I didn't do it. I was in detention." He saw Snape staring into his eyes and scowled. "I know what you're trying to do, but I can stop you."
Snape felt the strong push of Occlumency that was batting aside the wizard Legilimency aside so he switched to the fox one but got the same result. He smiled grimly. "You learned Occlumency."
"Yeah, to keep you out. I have a plan and I don't need you butting in."
"What plan?"
"None of your business."
"Tell me. I can help."
"You don't want to help. You just want to steal my glory!" Draco stormed out of the room, leaving Snape to shake his head and return to the party. Draco, you need to swallow your pride and ask for help.
Harry snuggled by Snape's side in front of the fire as the wireless played Celestina Warbeck songs. Snape smiled as he put an arm around Harry's back and fondled the boy's tail with his own. He caught the smile on Lupin's face as he looked at them. The werewolf looked way and tried to engage Sirius in conversation. Sirius was listening but he kept an eye on the cuddling fox. Black and I have a civil relationship for Harry's sake; to see his godson showing me affection like this must be strange for him.
"Is something wrong, Black?" he asked neutrally, causing Harry to sit up straight.
"Nothing's wrong. I just never saw your true form. It's nice. I've also never seen Harry so affectionate."
"That would be because his loving side only shows when I'm around and in private."
Harry got up, went to Sirius, and hugged him before sitting down and talking to him. Snape heard every word, but decided to give them privacy by saying to Lupin, "You don't look well, considering the full moon is not for another three weeks."
Lupin forced a grim smile. "Well, as I'm undercover, that's to be expected, isn't it?"
"Undercover?" Snape nodded as he understood. "You're living among other werewolves."
"Yes. Voldemort's gathering them with the help of Fenrir Greyback."
"I heard of him. He's supposed to be the most savage werewolf alive."
"Correct. His brand of logic is more convincing than mine. I try to report what I can to Dumbledore."
"I would help if I could Lupin but it's not safe to do so and I have my own mission."
"True and I understand you have enough to deal with anyway." Lupin stared into the fire as did Snape before the former said, "Greyback was the one who bit me when I was young."
"I did not know that. That must be difficult for you: To be faced with the one who cursed you and knowing that arguing against him is practically impossible."
"You are correct, Severus, but I do my best."
Snape awoke when he heard a clatter from upstairs. He opened his eyes and sat up from the couch to see Fred and George come down. They saw him and all three nodded before Snape turned to see he had not one, but three packages. Last year, he had only gotten one: A wand box from Harry. Curious, he opened them to find a package of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes from the twins and a candy box from Hermione. He picked up the last one, knowing it was from Harry. He ripped off the wrappings and a handsome book on Defense Against the Dark Arts was revealed. Snape flicked through the pages and knew he would enjoy reading it and that it was part one of a two book set. I'm willing to bet my wand that part two is my birthday present.
Another clatter sounded and he caught Harry's scent as the fox came in. "Merry Christmas, Severus," he said before kissing a cheek.
"Merry Christmas, Harry. Thanks for the book. I love it."
"I knew you would. I'm a little confused about this." He held up a scroll.
"Well, when I was your age, I invented a number of spells and wrote them in my Potions book. I thought maybe you'd like to use them."
"Spells you invented?" Harry opened the scroll and looked down it. In handwriting only Harry saw, was a list of spells. Each one contained a pronunciation and what it did. Harry grinned at one that glued one's tongue to the roof of his mouth. He could see amusing potential for that.
"Severus, these are amazing. Hang on. Didn't Dad use this on you in your fifth year?" He pointed near the bottom.
"Yes. I had a bit of trouble getting the spelling right, but I got it. The counter spell wasn't as hard." He tapped the counter which was below the spell before pointing at another spell further up the list. "This one is highly useful if you don't want anyone listening in on you."
"Oh, I can think of a few time to use that."
"I'm sure you can. Let me tell you of when and how I discovered Muffliato and the times I used it. I warn you though, I was quite the petty, vindictive fox at your age." The two mates sat on the couch and Snape regaled Harry with tales of his youth.
