First time in my life, I finally have my own Christmas tree. I wish I could sit all of you around it and make you eat some gingerbread cookies to show my love. Unfortunately, I cannot do that, but I can give you a new chapter. So here you go.


πŸŽ„ πŸŽ„ πŸŽ„Surprises πŸŽ„ πŸŽ„ πŸŽ„

o.O.o

Incidents like this were why Severus so deeply despised surprises. Why would people have believed he liked surprises? Was there anyone who truly enjoyed feeling shocked? The rapid heartbeat, the nervous sweating, the slight tremor as instincts kicked in to scream danger even though there was none, and most of all the humiliation – who would willingly put themselves through this?

He had been surprised enough times, Dumbledore made sure of that, and caused some surprises himself as well, yet his feelings had changed not. He just simply hated it. There was always a catch with them. Surprise visit from Minerva when he planned a quiet night? Awkward. Surprise gift when he had nothing to give back? Awkward. Surprise Death Eater meeting called together while he was dining in the bloody Great Hall? Extremely awkward.

Why couldn't people understand that living as a spy made him hate surprises as they meant nothing good. Spells, mental shields, or healing potions could mean the difference in life or death for Severus and surprises robbed him of being prepared. While some sought the adrenalin rush a surprise might cause, being ready for whatever shock life would bring was calming to Severus.

Maybe that was why he didn't like Potter. Because Potter was unpredictable. Severus never imagined he would willingly come back to Hogwarts, especially not to teach. He never expected him to be any good at it, yet he was. He never expected to be forgiven by the boy for all the terrible deeds he had done, yet Potter held no enmity towards him.

He never expected that Christmas shopping with Potter could be fun.

He never expected that rolling around in cold snow with Potter would make him as aroused as it did.

He never expected that colourful fairy lights looked so beautiful on Potter's bare skin.

And most importantly, he had never in his life would have expected that he longed to ride Potter – be it as a stag or in his human form.

Why would they not tell him the stag was Potter? Why would Minerva lie? Just to humiliate him? To her own amusement? She had known yet said nothing, even when Severus asked where Potter was, she just lied, though Potter was right in front of them and she knew it. Despicable, outrages. A damn betrayal.

The next morning, on Christmas day, Severus was working in the Headmaster's office, ready to avoid everyone for however long it took to forget last afternoon's accident. The urging knocks on his door however didn't seem to let him hide in peace.

"Just leave," he murmured quietly, hoping that whoever disturbed him on Christmas morning would have better things to do and would leave once not hearing an admittance.

Unfortunately for him, Minerva had ears as good as cats' and she walked in. "Merry Christmas," she said as a greeting. "Why aren't you down, having breakfast?"

Severus placed his quill down and looked at his professor. Minerva did not quail under his frown.

"Why?" He asked simply, ignoring her question.

"Why what, Severus?"

"You know perfectly well what I mean, Minerva."

"Would you have sat on him otherwise?"

The wording made Severus blush. "I would have preferred to make that decision myself." He grunted, rising from his chair. "You lied to me. Potter's lies I can tolerate, but not yours, Minerva."

"I didn't lie," She waved nonchalantly. "A reindeer was supposed to come, but it arrived injured. It got into a blizzard, the poor thing. Harry and Hagrid took care of it, but by the time they finished, we were out of time. I suggested he changes into his Animagus form and I handle the rest."

"Oh, so it was your idea?" Severus sneered.

"Mostly, yes." Minerva nodded. "Though might I add, he could have changed any moment, he finds the situation unwanted. But he thought the children were more important. Or perhaps, he just does not have a problem with being under you." She smirked.

"MINERVA!" Severus sputtered, cheeks flushing, because, honestly, he wouldn't have a problem with that either.

Knowing, smug smile still in place, Minerva just said, "That was very vulgar of me, I admit. Come, Severus, let's have breakfast and we shall discuss my punishment."

Sighing, Severus straightened himself, and headed after her. Maybe breakfast wasn't a bad idea after all. As they both walked outside the office and down the staircase, Minerva resumed chatting.

"So, did you figure out, who was your Secret Santa?"

"My secret-what?" Severus thought for a moment, then remembered that what started all this was the Secret Santa and him asking Potter's help to find the perfect gift for Sinistra. "Oh, no, not yet." He answered but failed to admit that the reason for that was that his thoughts were otherwise occupied. He looked back towards his chamber with some curiosity.

"I'll do it after breakfast," he noted then followed Minerva.

After breakfast an urgent business called him away, then Poppy needed some help in the Infirmary. By the time, Severus got back to his chambers to open some presents, it was almost late evening. There, at the feet of his bed was a small pile of nicely wrapped gifts, most of them from his colleagues. He opened all the ones with names on them and left the only nameless one to last.

The box was slightly heavy and something was sliding in it as he turned it around. He did not shake it, thinking of the bottle of Laphfroaig. He sat down onto the bed and carefully started unwrapping the gift, using only one hand while also pointing his wand at it, just to be sure.

He peaked inside, then almost tore the box open in his haste to take a better look at the content.

It was a small dragon. And not even any kind of dragon, but Smaug. Red and gold scales glinted in the candle light and golden eyes peered up at Severus. It was so lifelike, Severus' breath hitched for a moment. He lifted it carefully from the box and a small piece of parchment fell out with it.

He tapped it with his wand and the parchment unrolled.

I told you I know your secret, said the message and immediately, Severus knew who it was from.

He stood from the bed and headed out with fast strides, carrying the plastic toy still in his hands. He didn't even stop to knock, he just stormed inside Potter's room.

The man was there, leaning against the mantel, staring at the fire, then once he heard the bang of the door, he looked up. As he noticed the toy on Severus' palm, he smiled.

"I see you got my message."

"What's the meaning of this?" Severus demanded. How could Potter possibly know about this?

Confusion clouded Potter's expression for a moment. "Was I wrong?" He asked disappointed.

"No," admitted Severus, though his voice was cold. "Which is exactly why I demand to know how you knew."

"Oh," Potter smiled relieved. "Occlumency lessons," he shrugged as if an invasion of Severus' mind would be perfectly alright. "You remember I saw some of your memories? This was among them." He said softly as if the memory was his own. "It wasn't as vivid as the rest, more like hazy pictures really." He looked away from Severus and into the fire again. "A saw the book and a woman and you, holding the toy. I saw you play with it. I saw it fly. I… felt your happiness."

As Potter talked, Severus felt the dragon move on his palm. He looked down and Smaug looked back at him. Golden eyes blinked, and the dragon tilted its head.

A small gasp escaped Severus as he watched the dragon sniff him, tilting his head left or right. Clawed legs and warm body slid on Severus' palm as Smaug perched on his hand, stretching his long neck, serpent tongue flickering out to taste the air. He opened his great wings as if to test if they still worked, then sharp talons pricked Severus as he suddenly pushed away and rose into the air.

He circled around Severus' head, roaring in small voice, flying higher and higher. Mesmerized Severus watched as fairies rose from their branches and dashed away from the dragon, but he chased them, fast, vicious, but beautiful.

Potter's eyes weren't on the dragon, they observed Severus. "Merry Christmas?" He asked hesitant with a light smile.

Severus huffed then walked to the fireplace as well.

They stayed quiet for a while, and Severus knew an explanation was expected. It took him a few minutes to collect his thought, his eyes following the dragon as it ate up Potter's fairy lights.

"Fantasy has been a… sanctuary to me." Severus admitted quietly. "It fascinated me what Muggles could come up with and I found I can get lost in their world – a world I knew existed. It fuelled my desire to enter the Wizarding World as soon as possible."

"I thought this would make you happy," Potter noted. "But you look sad."

"Because I had to realize that that world does not exist and I'm not the selfless hero, I once hoped to be."

"You're a hero alright," Potter shrugged, smiling. "And perfect characters bore me stiff anyway."

Severus watched him for a moment, bright green eyes and messy black hair, all grown up but still playful enough. He could no longer deny it, there was something in Potter he positively liked. Not just his looks, but maybe his daring nature, his insufferable smile or the warmth in his eyes when he looked at Severus.

Potter produced two glasses or red wine and then handed one to him.

"So," he started cheerfully, trying to lift the heavy silence. "Did I manage to surprise you?"

"You always do," Severus admitted with a huff.

"I rephrase. Did I manage to get you the perfect gift?" Potter asked taking a sip from his wine.

There was one thing Severus would want more perhaps, but that was more of a fantasy than a talking dragon could ever be. "Yes, Potter, you did." He said though.

"Good," said the young man. They stood around for a while, drinking the wine, while Potter chattered about the other professors and the gifts they received. Slughorn had picked his name, who sent him a box of chocolate and some parchments from Chile about local beasts.

It was a good gift, but not the perfect one, clearly.

"So, what was your wish for Christmas, Potter?" Severus asked.

"I just wanted all the kids who are stuck here to be happy. Simple as that." He smiled.

It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the full truth either. At least Severus hoped it wasn't.

"Oh no, don't tell me you're even less interesting as I originally thought." He sighed looking Potter dead in the eyes as he leaned against the mantel. "There must be something, a drop of selfishness in that Gryffindor heart of yours. Tell me, Potter, if you were the most selfish human being on this planet, what would you truly wish for Christmas?" He didn't intend his voice to go as low as it did, to sound so raspy, almost alluring. "What is your deepest desire?"

Potter took a deep, shaky breath, chest rising, as his eyes raked over Severus' whole body. His intention was unmistakable as his eyes flared up for a moment. Then he took a step back as if something had frightened him.

"I've got a job I love, children who adore me, friends, good food, good wine," he raised his glass. "What else could I wish for?"

"Are you telling me, you have absolutely everything?" Severus asked. He walked towards Potter's couch and placed his glass on the coffee table that was still littered with wrapping paper and ribbons. He took one, a pretty red one, and sat down.

Potter watched from a couple feet away, standing still at the fireplace as the silky ribbon became animated and slid between Severus' fingers like a crimson snake.

"Everything I can have, yes." Potter said quietly, carefully.

"You asked me, back in London," Severus started saying, his eyes on the ribbon as it slipped up on his arm, "what I would give you for Christmas. I thought about it for a while, and I think I finally got it."

Even from this distance he could hear the shaky exhale from Potter as the man watched the red band of cloth reach Severus' shoulder then slip underneath his shirt. From now on, Potter could only imagine where the silk was, and Severus had not a single doubt the man was doing just that.

"Do you want to know what it is?" He asked, a deep sigh leaving his mouth as the ribbon slithered down his chest and slipped beneath the waistband of his pants.

"Yes," grunted Potter, almost panting as he stared with intense eyes at Severus.

"Well then," said Severus in a deep, sultry voice, "why don't you come and open your present?"

Legs wide apart with ribbon perfectly in place, he waited.


πŸŽ„ πŸŽ„ πŸŽ„ To be Continued πŸŽ„ πŸŽ„ πŸŽ„