Author's Note: I do not own A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, or the Harry Potter characters, I merely borrowed them for a little holiday fun! Also, there are spoilers for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince in this story. I decided to be nice and post this final chapter a couple days early. I thank all of my reviewers and readers for reading this story. A very Merry Christmas to you all!

-Foodie

Chapter 5

Snape woke up the next morning in his own bed. The sky was bright, and a gull cried mournfully from somewhere outside. He sat up in bed, and looked at the clock. Ten o'clock, how had he managed to sleep in so late? And what day was it? It was at least three days since all of this had started, but how long had he been asleep?

The aches and pains that normally accompanied Snape when he got out of bed in the morning seemed to be absent today. Or perhaps they really were still there, but because he was focusing on more important things, he didn't notice them. Whichever it was, it helped in putting him in a rather happy mood, something he couldn't remember since he'd been a student at Hogwarts.

They let me come back, he thought to himself with a smile. His hands flew to his face as he felt the smile grow. Was he really smiling? Was this really him? But it was him; he knew it. He had meant it when he'd promised to be a better person. He could feel himself growing warm inside, as though he was thawing out from years and years of freezing disuse.

As he walked up and down the floor of his room, his smile continued to grow. He felt younger, for some reason, though when he glanced in his mirror, there was nothing different about his physical appearance, except for the look of happiness, which in its own way, did make him look younger.

When he passed his window, he noticed somebody walking by the house. He hurried to open the window, and leaned out, waving to the person. "Oi, you there!" he called down.

A young girl looked up at him. She had striking blue eyes, and red hair. "Yes sir?" she called in return.

"What day is it?" he asked.

"What do you mean, sir? It's Christmas," the girl said.

"It's Christmas? Are you sure?" Snape asked, excited.

"Of course I'm sure, Father Christmas left presents in my stocking and I opened them this morning, see?" she said while fishing a crimson ribbon out of her pocket and waving it around.

"That's a lovely ribbon," Snape replied while leaning over to his nightstand, and grabbing a sickle that was lying around. He tossed it down to the girl. "Here you go, child, buy yourself a whole box of ribbons!" He was struck at her enthusiasm over something as simple as a hair ribbon. He couldn't help but be reminded of Lily's enthusiasm for all the little things in life.

The girl caught the coin and her eyes shone with happiness. "Oh, sir! Thank you! Happy Christmas!" she cried before running off to her home.

Snape chuckled at her reaction without even realizing it. Those spirits! What luck! They'd all visited him in one night, and now he had Christmas to begin anew. What a wonderful gift-it was perhaps, the greatest present he'd ever received or would receive in his entire life.

He began to formulate his plan as he dressed for the day. He had to get help for Neville and Ginny. He would join Draco at the school for Christmas dinner. And it was time he moved beyond his unhappy experiences at Hogwarts, and help Lupin, and others like him.

When he was ready to leave the house, he grabbed his wand, and apparated to Hogsmeade. There was still a shop open, and Snape purchased several armloads of gifts for the children, as well as food for the dinner. "I'll need a much bigger turkey, for the leftovers, you know," he said to the clerk while looking at the selection that was left. When he'd gotten all he wanted, he paid for it, and looked at it for a moment. I can't take it there myself, he thought to himself. "I'll pay you an extra five galleons to deliver this to Mr. Neville Longbottom," he offered to the clerk.

The clerk jumped up, grabbed the money out of Snape's hand, and used his wand to lift all the goods and carry them out the door.

"And don't tell them who it's from!" Snape called out after him. He chuckled again while leaving the store. What would Neville think when a huge pile of food and toys arrived at his house? He wouldn't know what to make of it!

He walked to the apothecary shop after that, and found a quill and sheet of parchment. Within minutes, he had a letter ready to owl to the Ministry of Magic. He'd written a proposal in which he would provide the werewolf community of Britain with Wolfsbane potion free of charge in perpetuity. He took another sheet of parchment, and wrote to the charity he'd refused to donate to the day before, and pledged to them a donation of five hundred galleons, and sent the promise off with an apology for his appalling behaviour of the previous day. He summoned a couple of his owls from the small shed in the back of the shop's property, and sent them off with the letters.

The clerk of the general shop had returned by the time Snape walked past it again. He had one last purchase to make. "I just need one more thing from you," he said with a smile. "A pair of shoes. Sturdy, black I think, my size," he instructed the man.

When they'd found the right ones, the clerk boxed them up, and Snape paid for them. It took three owls to lift the box off the counter and fly it off to Godric's Hollow.

With a nod of his head, Snape felt satisfied, and left the shop. He debated for a while over whether to go spy on the Longbottoms, or not, but decided in the end to let the family enjoy their day alone. He'd have some fun with Neville tomorrow. For now, he was going to join Draco at Hogwarts for Christmas dinner.

The walk to the school was quite peaceful. There was no one on the road, and he was able to concentrate on the clear, fresh air coursing through his lungs, and looking at the bright white snow as the sun shone down upon it. A few gulls soared overhead, calling out their presence to the world around them.

The school seemed a happier place now. It actually seemed brighter somehow. There were festive garlands hanging above the door, welcoming visitors. Snape opened the door and walked inside. He could hear singing as soon as he turned towards the Great Hall. Students were singing "Jingle Bells" and popping Christmas crackers.

He slowly walked into the room, and looked around. Everybody was happy, the children's faces were red from singing and merry-making, and the adult's faces were red from the drinking of wassail. He smiled while looking around for Draco, and seeing him sitting next to Annice. They were talking quietly and leaning their heads together, as though waiting for an opportunity to kiss. Snape waited for them to share a small kiss before approaching them.

"Draco...hello...," he said timidly. "I thought I would come to dinner today."

Draco looked shocked to see his godfather standing before him. "Severus, I can't believe you came!" he said while standing up and shaking Snape's hand. "You have no idea how happy this makes me."

Snape smiled and nodded his head. "I'm rather...happy as well," he replied before turning to Annice. "And who is this?"

Draco smiled. "Severus, this is Annice...my fiancé. Annice, this is my godfather, Severus Snape," he said, pointing to each one in turn.

Snape grinned and nodded his head. "Annice, it is wonderful to finally meet you," he said before kissing her hand. "And Draco, when were planning on telling me about your upcoming marriage?"

"Tomorrow, but now I don't have to," Draco said slyly. "So, why don't you sit down and eat?"

Snape quickly sat down and grabbed a plate. "I don't mind if I do. I feel like I haven't eaten in days," he replied. He piled his plate high with goose and gravy, roasted potatoes, and boiled peas. "I might even have seconds."

"That's rather unlike you," Draco remarked.

"I woke up this morning feeling quite unlike myself," Snape admitted. "I suppose it's fitting that my actions would follow suit." He took a large bite of potatoes, and savoured it. It was the first time he could recall enjoying the flavour of food in quite some time. He felt as though the world and all its experiences were opening up to him, and he couldn't wait to reacquaint himself with it.

After he'd eaten as much food as he could possibly hold, Snape stood up and walked over to Minerva McGonagall. "Would you care to dance?" he asked while holding his hand out to her. Minerva looked astonished to see him in front of her, and asking for a dance, but she wasn't too amazed to accept his hand. Together, they walked onto the floor and began to dance a waltz.

The day flew past quickly, and before he knew it, Snape was leaving Hogwarts with an armful of trinkets and hats he'd gotten from Christmas crackers and students. After leaving the schoolgrounds, he apparated back to Spinners End.

He laid the pink and lime green sombrero and miniature harp on his kitchen table, and walked through his house carefully, searching for any signs of spirits. Upon completion of his search and feeling confident that there was nothing lurking in the darkened corners, he retired to bed. In spite of his late start, it had been a very eventful day, and he was quite tired. It didn't take him too long to fall asleep that night.

The next morning, Snape woke early, feeling refreshed and ready for the day to come. He looked forward to seeing Neville again. After a well-balanced breakfast of orange slices and oatbran, he left for work. The shop was freezing when he arrived, and he fixed that by building a large fire in the fireplace. If the ingredients spoiled more quickly because of it, then he'd just buy new ones.

Neville arrived several minutes late, and quickly got to work, keeping his head down low, hoping not to catch Snape's eye. Snape cleared his throat before he spoke to him. He was really going to enjoy this.

"I suppose you assume I didn't notice you waltzing in here as late as you please," he growled at Neville.

"Sir...I'm sorry for being late. I promise I'll stay late today to make up for it," Neville stammered. "Yesterday was a rather merry day, being Christmas and all."

"I do not care for your pathetic excuses, Mr. Longbottom," Snape snarled. "If you cannot be here at the appointed time each morning..." He paused here, letting Neville squirm uncomfortably. "Then I have no other choice...but to shorten your hours by an hour each day. You'll start coming in at nine each morning instead of eight."

Neville's eyes widened. "But sir, I need that money," he cried. "It was just one day, I promise it will never happen again."

Snape folded his arms and narrowed his eyes. "I pay you generously, Mr. Longbottom, you should be more grateful. But since I am cutting your hours, I suppose I have no choice but to make up for it by giving you a raise," he said quietly.

"Oh but sir you can't, I-" Neville began before stopping himself. "Wait...did you say? A raise?"

"Yes, Neville, a raise," Snape returned. "This way you can work less hours, and afford to hire somebody to help out with the housework. I wouldn't be surprised if your wife was working too hard."

Neville looked confused over this. "I don't understand," he murmured.

"I see I have to explain everything to you," Snape sighed. "I am cutting your hours, giving you a raise, and I am making you a full partner in this shop."

Neville's jaw dropped open, and his eyes grew wide. "A partner? Me?" he squeaked.

"Yes, Neville, you," Snape said. "You have put up with me for years now, and it's time you receive what you truly deserve." He smiled sadly at the younger man. "I have been a horrible person to be around for most of my life. I want a chance to change, and believe that now is the right time for me to do so. And so, I am going to make you my partner. I hope you will accept this."

Neville was silent while he took all of this in. A partner! What a wonderful step up in life! Ginny would be so happy. He'd be able to hire a housekeeper to help her so she could rest more. She was so tired lately, and his parents were a lot to handle, and having help would be good.

"Thank you, sir," he said after a minute. "You have no idea how wonderful this is."

"Don't I?" Snape replied. "Oh, and I will be going home with you tonight for dinner."

"Um...all right," Neville said in a bewildered tone. "I'll let Ginny know when I see her at lunch today. I think we're having leftovers."

Snape smiled and nodded his head. "That sounds wonderful," he said approvingly.

That night, Snape went to Neville's house as a guest for the very first time, though it wouldn't be the last time. He ended up sitting in between Frank and Alice. He helped cut up their turkey, and Frank shared slices of his mandarin orange with him. Frank smiled at him. "Happy day," he said slowly while reaching out to pat Snape's hand.

"Yes, happy day," Snape replied softly.

Snape invited himself to dinner rather often after that. He found he enjoyed spending time with the Longbottom family, and began to insinuate himself more and more into their group. In Frank and Alice, he found forgiveness, and the wonder of all the little things in life. In the children he found openness, and the wonder of all the grand things in life. In Neville and Ginny, he found love, and a chance to make things right. He loved the Longbottom family, and allowed them to love him in return.

The lessons Snape learned that Christmas he made sure to take with him into the rest of the year, and on into the rest of his life. It had indeed been the greatest gift he had ever received.