Gabriella woke with the rising of sun on Christmas morning. The sunlight suffused the room with a soft, pale light. Severus still slept on his cot, his cloak wrapped about him tightly as well as his blanket. He had insisted that Gabriella take his second blanket and wouldn't let her sleep until she had agreed. Judging how comfortable she was, she guessed he had added a warming charm to it.

Gabriella quickly and quietly got dressed (in the muggle way) and went to her canvas bag. Just to be on the safe side she crawled into the bag and the bag instantly expanding to fit her comfortably like a small room (of course it still looked the same from the outside.) She searched through the accumulated junk before finding what she was looking for; a small box of black velvet. She opened it to reveal a beautiful, silver, handcrafted ring. It was set with an obsidian stone that glowed darkly. The silver wrapped around it in waves like a lover's embrace. It reminded her of Severus, mysteriously dark yet beautiful. She also had a small charm on it to make sure that it fit his finger perfectly and wouldn't fall off.

She closed the box again carefully. She hoped that Severus would like it; a ring was an odd gift to give to a man, and it wasn't your usual gift ring considering that it was not an engagement or a promise ring. It just seemed right. She selected a green ribbon and wound it about the box with a meticulously knotted bow. She tucked the box into a pocket and hastily grabbed the gift she was giving to her grandmother; a small stationary set with her name embossed at the top. Simple, but something her grandmother could not complain about. She doubted that the gift she would receive would be half as nice, if she received one at all.

When she crawled out of the bag she met the gaze of a very groggy Severus. He was leaning over one of his bags full of potions and, at Gabriella's appearance, renewed his search with more vigor. He selected a small bottle and hastily swallowed its contents.

"That's better." He sighed. "Far more effective than coffee." He looked to Gabriella curiously. "Did you really just crawl out of that bag?"

Gabriella smiled. "I had to get your present out, didn't I?" Severus stood and strode to the closet where his new clothing hung. He closed the door behind him and re-emerged a minute later wearing black trousers and a green silk shirt. He had wanted to buy a black one, but Gabriella insisted that he wear some color in honor of the holiday. She smiled to see him; he had chosen a casual cut for his trousers and the shirt had no collar, but he carried himself well and looked rather distinguished. Gabriella still wore her regular clothing, she was saving the dress Severus had insisted on buying her for later when guests arrived.

"Do you want your present now or later?" She asked, hoping that he would spare her the agony of waiting for his reaction to it.

Severus smiled, detecting what she wanted in her tone. He sat down on his cot, pulling it closer to hers so they could sit facing one another. Gabriella sat as well. She extended the small box to him. He accepted it gingerly, pulling the ribbon off gently. He opened it. Severus stared mutely after opening it and for a moment Gabriella thought that he didn't like it. He pulled it out and placed it on his finger softly.

Gabriella gasped in surprise. She leaned forward, surprised to see a tear welling in his eye. He tried to turn away. "Severus, what's wrong?"

He smiled thinly, with little sarcasm. "Nothing, it's just that this is the most beautiful thing anyone has ever given me." Severus pulled Gabriella to him closely. "Thank you." Gabriella returned the hug to him, greatly relieved.

"You really like it? I was afraid you would think it odd, me giving you a ring."

"I like it." A slight sneer returned to his voice. "Now, you had best let go of me if you wish to receive your gift." Gabriella pulled away reluctantly.

"I didn't have time to wrap it, and I think that it is nice enough without a bow." He reached to one of his bags and pulled out an old book. Its cover was dragon hide of a dark, muted green. Its cover was embossed in gold. Gabriella accepted it reverently. She opened it gently.

"Merlin's Grimoire." She gasped. "Oh Severus! It's a spellbook for wandless witches!" She turned its pages gingerly. "It's beautiful. Is it really Merlin's spells? Ones that he used?" Severus nodded, pleased with himself.

Gabriella got up and set herself in Severus' lap. "Wherever did you find it? It must be ancient!" She kissed him on the cheek. "I'll keep it safe, I promise! I'll treasure it forever."

Severus sneered. "I'd rather hoped you would use it as well. And I also hoped that you would place your gratitude kiss a bit to the left, directly under my nose." Gabriella willingly complied.

Gabriella and Severus had been working in the kitchen most of the morning in preparation for the people coming at two o'clock who would remain until past dinner. Halfway through the preparation Severus had left the kitchen to charm a few household items such as brooms, mops, and dusters to clean the house. When he returned to the kitchen he heard a strange, yet cheerful song coming from one of the muggle devices (he thought Gabriella had called it a radio.) Gabriella evidently liked the song because she was dancing while preparing the roast to go into the oven.

Severus leaned against the doorway, intrigued by the sound of the song and Gabriella's dancing. His interest increased when she began to sing along as well. Most interesting of all was the words.

"Wouldn't it be nice if we were older
Then we wouldn't have to wait so long
And wouldn't it be nice to live together
In the kind of world where we belong
You know it's gonna make it that much better
When we can say goodnight and-"

Gabriella broke off. "I didn't know you were listening, Severus. Sorry you had to hear that, I'm not a professional singer or anything."

"Interesting lyrics." Severus sneered.

"Hmm? Oh yeah, I've always loved this song. It's amazing that it's even playing. This is the only station that isn't playing Christmas music."

Severus nodded distractedly, listening instead to more of the lyrics.

Maybe if we think and wish and hope and pray it might come true
Baby then there wouldn't be a single thing we couldn't do
We could be married
And then we'd be happy

"Are you alright? You look kind of pale." Gabriella touched her hand to his face gently. He placed his own hand over hers. They stood like that for a moment before being interrupted by the entrance of her grandmother.

"Would the two of you stop it?" Ms. Phillips moved about the kitchen, making a mess as she went. "Make sure you shower him before the guests arrive. His hair is filthy!"

"Grandma!"

"And stop gazing at each other like that. You're acting like newlyweds or something." Her grandmother left the kitchen crossly.

Severus kissed Gabriella's hand softly. "Wouldn't it be nice…" he whispered softly to a confused Gabriella.

"What?" Gabriella gazed at him curiously.

"Nothing." He said using magic to make the kitchen clean and the food prepared. "Let's get into the shower."

"Severus?" He was looking about the bathroom in interest. Gabriella poked him. "Severus. Do you know how to work a shower?"

"Yes, of course." Severus sneered.

"Alright. All the shampoo and stuff is in there, I'm sure you can read the labels. I put your towel on the shower door and you can hang your clothing up against the door. When you're done we can comb out your hair and maybe tie it back." Gabriella smiled. "Did I forget anything?"

"No, you explained everything quite thoroughly. Are you sure you don't want to join me in the shower?" He didn't smile, but there was a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

"Tempting, but I hate to think of my grandmother's reaction." Gabriella grinned as she left the bathroom. She was almost to her own room when she heard a surprised yelp from the bathroom. She ran back and opened the door with her grandmother close behind. Severus had a towel hastily wrapped around him and he was regarding the shower with a suspicious look.

"What's the matter? Are you all right?" Gabriella asked. Her grandmother glanced away.

"That water was freezing!" Severus hissed. Gabriella stepped past him into the shower stall.

"You had it on cold! You have to turn it to the left to get it to come out hot. But not to far, because then it will be scalding hot." She turned the handle for him. "Just pull on that when you're ready." She stepped back out of the stall.

"What a fool. And you say he is a professor." Her grandmother remarked snidely.
"He teaches potions, not muggle studies. There was no way for Severus to know." Gabriella glanced behind and rolled her eyes in the direction of her grandmother as she closed the door.

Gabriella and Severus had both showered and dressed when the guests began to arrive. The neighborhood that Gabriella's grandmother lived in was not one of the richest, but it was, never the less, a nice neighborhood. Due to this it was not so strange that Ms. Phillips held a formal Christmas party for all of her neighbors. The dining room had a large table that was decorated with candles and a lovely lace tablecloth. Wreaths adorned the walls throughout the house and a large tree stood festooned with bright ornaments in the parlor. Small snacks were provided for the start of the party as well as cocktail drinks. Ms. Phillips herself was dressed in a mauve gown that made her look more like a plum than usual. She greeted the guests cheerfully as she put on her façade of being a caring neighbor.

Gabriella and Severus had stayed in the kitchen for as long as they could before they were dragged out by Gabriella's grandmother. Severus had his hair tied back and was wearing the green shirt and black trousers from earlier. Gabriella was wearing the dress that Severus had chosen for her. It was a dark blue color that matched the eyes that Severus loved so much. The gown was draped off of her shoulders in delicate folds and the skirt fell in equal gracefulness from the silver sash around her waist. Gabriella was worried that she looked like sparrow caught wearing a peacock's feathers, though Severus assured her otherwise.

Once they emerged from the kitchen Gabriella and Severus were practically attacked by well meaning neighbors and were soon the center of a small crowd.

"Gabriella dear, how are you enjoying your school?"

"Where did you say it was again?"

"Oh what lovely snacks? Did you make them?"

"My, who is this young man?"

"What sort of school is it that you are attending?"

"I want you to meet my son, I'm sure you would get along fine!"

"What was your name again, young man?"

"Gabby! You look so pale!"

"Who are you young man?"

"Gabriella! How good to see that you are back."

This chattering continued to the point that Gabriella could see Severus' nerves fraying.

"One moment everyone!" Gabriella paused as they became silent. "I have been attending a small college in England since I finished high school early. It is very small, and I doubt that any of you have heard of it." Gabriella smiled in relief as she finished her rehearsed lie. Her grandmother had instructed her to say it, knowing that the thought of Gabriella being in college already would impress the neighbors. "This man with me is Severus Snape. He is also at the school that I have been attending."

Mrs. Edmont, a middle-aged woman with died blond hair pulled a young man Gabriella's age forward. He had soft brown hair, muscular shoulders and a dazzling smile. "This is my son that I wanted you to meet! His name is Michael. He's captain of the football team at Northern Heights High School. You should see how the girls swarm all over him!" She giggled.

The crowd began to disperse until Gabriella, Severus, Mrs. Edmont, and Michael were the only ones left. Michael took Gabriella's hand causing Severus to bristle, though only Gabriella noticed.

"I never saw you in school, but if I had I would have asked you out. Better late than never, so how about tomorrow night?" Michael gave her one of the smiles that made other girls swoon.

"You never saw me because I wasn't worth your notice. I was the girl in the back who was always reading and never listening to your sports stories." Gabriella tried to pull her hand away. Michael kept his hold on it.

"No wonder I never saw you, what with all of those silly girls around me. So how does six o'clock sound?" Gabriella began to protest again when she felt Severus step behind her protectively. One hand moved to around her waist while the other one was lower down on her thigh. He held her possessively and glared at the young man.

"Gabriella is not available for dates." Severus snarled. "Only I have the privilege to do anything remotely romantic with her." He pulled her tighter against him.

Michael clung to her hand. "How old are you? She shouldn't be dating someone like you when she could have me!"

"I am 21, which is not too old for Gabriella! And she should not date someone like you solely based on the fact that you did not notice her when she was available to you!" Severus' voice raised in volume until the entire parlor's occupants were looking at Severus and the girl he held so intimately. Their gaze was quickly drawn away by the soft cough of a strange man who stood in the doorway. He had a long silver beard and wore funny looking robes that looked like something from the medieval era.

Severus stared and Gabriella gasped meekly.

"Professor Dumbledore."