A Fairly Harry Christmas

"Do you have a Christmas present for me?" asked Severus, wicked mischief in his eyes. He knew full well she had a gift for him.

Breakfast was over and everyone had scattered, showering, getting dressed and preparing for the guests who would arrive shortly. Severus was sitting by the Christmas tree with Zelda, wondering what she would say. He needed nothing, so he could not imagine what it would be.

"I do, but it's not exactly, um, glamorous," she said. "Come open it in the bedroom."

In their bedroom, she brought out quite a large box. There was an odd little smile on her lips as she watched him open it.

Severus stared in amazement, and a slow smile lit his black eyes as he began removing items. "Merlin! I must be married," he said. "I was foolish enough to think I needed nothing, my girl. Come here."

He slipped an arm around her, still smiling. "You've given me my own Muggle clothing. Thank you, I shall want it when we are not at Hogwarts. And it is such a wifely act, supplying socks and underwear to last for a year. I 'm embarrassed, but I detest bothering with such paltry details."

"That's obvious," she replied dryly. "I don't want you to feel embarrassed, though. It's obvious you don't think of these little details."

"I feel smug and well cared for," he murmured. "The quill is very fine too." The more he looked, the more delighted he felt. She had given him precisely the things he needed.

"Your socks aren't the only used and abused things I saw," she said. "The quill on your desk looks like it's done the job of ten quills. Do you like the Muggle clothes?"

"All excellently black. You understand me, it seems."

She kissed his chin. "You're delightfully predictable in some ways. Was it encroaching of me to give you clothes for Christmas?"

"My girl, I never imagined someone would care enough about me to attend to such irritating details. Will you promise to do it again?"

"Of course," she said. "Now, why don't I unwrap the most splendid present in the world."

Gently she pushed the curtains of hair back and kissed his forehead.

"Don't you want your Christmas present?" he asked.

"I told you I don't want anything except to be with you," she said, pouting.

"Bah! That attitude is baggage leftover from your repulsive ex-husband. My wife will accept whatever I choose to give her."

He pulled out quite a small bundle and handed it to her. Slowly she undid it, and soft, green silk fabric slithered into her lap. It was a robe, long and very feminine looking, that somewhat resembled the blue robe she wore the night they married.

"It's exquisite," she told him. "Thank you, Sev. Your taste is perfect."

"It will look fine with your new slippers," he commented with a smirk. "But there is one more thing."

He held out a tiny box, and when she opened it she gasped.

"It's too much! Oh, Severus," she whispered, shocked, as he took the gleaming necklace out and fastened it behind her neck. A single, shining blue sapphire glowed at her throat, and he congratulated himself on finding the perfect jewel.

"It looks quite nice," he said mildly, leading her to the mirror.

She took one look and burst into tears, flinging her arms around him. "It's too gorgeous," she said.

"Don't I have the right to give gifts to my wife?" he asked, patting her back comfortingly.

She looked up at him, between laughter and tears. "I gave you socks, Sev!"

"Socks are precisely what I need, and I would look foolish in jewels," he snapped. "Cease weeping at once!"

"Okay, thank you. But I should put it safely away for special occasions," she said slowly. "I lose things all the time."

"Absolutely not. I put protective charms on it. It will not be lost or broken, and while it will not repel curses, it carries some protection for you within it. So I hope you'll wear it as often as you like."

Her eyes were still moist when she looked at him. "No one's ever given me anything so extravagant. I don't mean to seem ungrateful."

"I know it," he said. "But you must learn to accept gifts from me. I've found that I enjoy giving things to you."

"Then will you please give me a kiss?" she asked.

&&&&&&&&&

Harry had no time to knock on the cabin door before it was flung open.

"Merry Christmas, Harry," Zelda said as he entered the cabin. "And to you, Hermione and Ron."

She hugged Harry and looked into his eyes. "How are you, kid?" she asked affectionately.

"Fine, Zelda," he replied, smiling as she kissed his cheek. It was odd, he thought, how easy it felt to hug her. For most of his life no one hugged him, so it normally felt weird. But Zelda didn't give him time to think, she just hugged him.

"I'm really glad you could come. Elijah's looking forward to seeing the magical cleaning implement," she said. "That must be it."

He laughed and went in to join the rest of the company while Zelda greeted Hermione and Ron. He saw Professor Snape sitting on the couch with Kingsley Shacklebolt. They turned around when he entered the room and those familiar black eyes met his intently.

"Merry Christmas, Harry," said Kingsley smiling broadly. "Come and join us."

A door opened and Lily appeared. "Hi, Harry! Merry Christmas!"

Harry had forgotten how gorgeous Zelda's daughter was, and when she kissed his cheek, he flushed slightly.

"Hi, Lily. Thanks for letting us invade your family Christmas," he said, setting down his Firebolt on the table. "It's good to see you again."

"You guys get your stuff put away, and then we're going to have a Muggle entertainment orgy for the next few days," she said, her eyes sparkling.

"Muggle entertainment?" asked Ron, having followed with Hermione. "Happy Christmas, Lily. What's the plan?"

Hermione had paused to chat with Zelda, when a gleaming chain caught her eye.

"Zelda, is that a present from Professor Snape?" she asked softly.

Zelda smiled, blushing slightly. She pulled it out and the sun caught the gleaming sapphire, lighting it from within.

"Lovely, isn't it?" she asked. "I've never gotten such a beautiful thing from anyone before."

"It's gorgeous," replied Hermione. "Like a tiny piece of summer sky in your hand."

"Thanks. I really love it. Hey, Lily and Elijah have plans for you kids to go do Muggle fun while you're here. Since you're Muggleborn, you won't think it's boring, will you?"

"When I'm home, my parents still treat me like a kid. It'll be really fun and I can't wait to see what Ron and Harry make of it all. What are we going to do?"

"Movies were mentioned, going out to eat too. They want to have a video game competition before dinner today," she said, rolling her eyes. "That's one of our Christmas traditions."

A loud hissing from the basket by her feet reminded her that they weren't alone. Rowena bounded toward them.

"Crookshanks, be good," murmured Hermione, opening the carrier.

A grouchy orange face appeared first, and then the cat exploded out and ran through the room, pursued by a delighted dog.

"You're sure they like each other?" asked Zelda. "I see Rowena likes him, but I don't see him exuding joy."

"Crookshanks doesn't show joy," said Hermione, chuckling.

"Hey!" called Michael. "Before things get too crazy, I have an announcement. Gather 'round, please."

Obediently they all clustered around the Christmas tree, and he smiled fondly at them.

"You all know that I'm selling my house and staying in London," he began. "I also needed to decide what to do with this place. I can't imagine selling it. We've all lived through some significant events here and it's a special place. So I decided to share it with all of you. So as of this minute, it belongs to us all, to come and go as we please. Merry Christmas to you all."

"Michael! Thank you, I still can't remember everything from last summer, but I love this place. How brilliant you are," said Zelda, kissing him.

Harry, Hermione and Ron looked at each other in amazement, never imagining that they would receive such a gift.

"But, Michael…" Harry began, looking shocked and doubtful.

"Harry, we went through a battle together, didn't we? We've shared something few people do, and as time goes on, you'll learn how much that matters. I want you kids to have this place to come to, if you need to get away. And I'll be there for you too, if I can do anything to help you."

Tears filled Hermione's eyes. She realized that Michael was giving them more than a piece of real estate, and was deeply touched.

"Thank you," she said, spontaneously hugging him. "I hope we can all come here together sometimes, Michael."

"I'd love that," he assured her. "Now, I've talked to Kingsley and he says he can set wards. You can bring friends here with you, but the magic will recognize only us as having the right to be here. So there'll be no intruders. How does that sound?"

"Wonderful and amazing," replied Lily, chuckling. "You've always loved giving big surprises, and this is the biggest of them all." She turned to Harry, Ron and Hermione and said, "Welcome to the family, kids. I always wanted a big family, and now I guess I have triplets."

Everyone laughed then. Even Severus was smiling as his eyes met Michael's.

"I know this is anticlimactic, but I have something for the three of you," said Zelda.

Under the tree were three packages. Harry and Ron had controllers and video games for the Nintendo that was already in the cabin.

"Thanks, Zelda," Ron exclaimed eagerly.

"Yeah, thanks," echoed Harry. "I really like these games. I wish they worked at Hogwarts."

Severus rolled his eyes at the comment. He was extremely grateful to be spared such rubbish at Hogwarts, and Kingsley grinned sympathetically at him.

Hermione, meanwhile, had opened a large box containing books, of course. The boys looked at her compassionately, but her eyes lit up as she browsed the titles.

"Oh, Zelda," she said excitedly. "I never have time to read fiction. What are all of these?"

"Some fun reading," Zelda replied with a smile. "Having boys for best friends, you might not have had time to read these authors. Amy Tan is wonderful, everyone should read Jane Austen, in my opinion, and the rest are an assortment from my colleagues' book group. With a few of my favorite mysteries thrown in too. I hope you find some that you love."

"Much better than video games," she said, already opening covers and trying to decide which to read first.

"Hermione, aren't you going to play?" asked Ron, dangling a game controller temptingly in her face.

"Maybe later," she said distractedly, carrying three books over to the big armchair and curling up to browse.

Lily, Elijah, Ron and Harry clustered around the TV and began setting up the Nintendo as Michael and Kingsley watched.

Zelda grinned at Severus. "I'll make popcorn and then we can have some time to ourselves. Family togetherness on Christmas is good, to a point…"

He followed her to the kitchen. "Did you know what Michael intended?"

"I was completely surprised," she replied. "It's wonderful though.

She got out a huge pan, poured oil into it and set it on the stove to heat. Then she put butter into a cup and set it in the microwave, ready to heat.

"I wondered for a minute why he didn't add Ginny to the list," she said softly as she poured popping corn into the pan. "But they had to draw the line somewhere, didn't they? And Ginny can come here too, of course, with Ron and Harry."

"I suppose I can tolerate Potter here."

"Sev, you know better than anyone, the pressure on that boy for his whole life. He needs a refuge. Not all the time and not alone. He needs his friends. Michael's obviously worried about him."

The popcorn began making explosive noises, so she shook the pan a bit. When it was ready, she poured it into several large bowls and two smaller ones, then drizzled on melted butter and salted each bowl. She held a bowl out for Severus to taste.

"Delicious," he said, helping himself to more.

"Here, keep this for us," she replied. "Whatever I bring out there will be gone in two minutes and they can make more for themselves."

Hermione was curled in a chair, already turning the first pages of Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver. Zelda put the small bowl of popcorn on the table next to her and received a quick smile of thanks.

The gamers were already under the spell of colors and electronic music, but paused the game to fall on the bowls of popcorn like locusts. She smiled cheerfully and returned to sit across from Severus.

"Everyone's happy," she said. "Even Crookshanks, I think. He's teasing Rowena, sitting on top of the bookshelf and sneering down at her."

"If your work is done, will you come outside with me while the sun is shining?" he asked, tossing a last handful of popcorn into his mouth.

"Of course," she replied. She went to the bedroom and put on her tall winter boots and ski jacket. He put his heavy winter cloak on over his Muggle clothes and they slipped out the door without arousing any comment.

"Do you want to go any place special?" she asked, breathing in the cold, fresh air and smiling.

"Not at all. I simply want to walk, and hoped you'd like to accompany me."

"Always," she said with a smile.

They blazed a trail through the knee-deep snow in companionable silence. The blue sky seemed endless, and the sun reflected off the snow. They walked steadily until they arrived at the forest pool where they'd gone swimming the past summer. Severus brushed the snow off the fallen log and they sat down, side by side.

"This is truly our place now," he said thoughtfully. He kissed her and wrapped his cloak around her shoulders, drawing her close.

"Severus," she murmured, looking hesitantly at him, "I'm sick of not remembering. I know there must be sad, scary things, but from the long faces I see on some of you, I'm starting to imagine horrors. I don't want to ruin the holiday, but after the holidays, will you help me remember?"

He frowned as he looked into her eyes and saw her unyielding determination. Reluctantly, he nodded.

"We shall do it, but you must let me decide how to keep you safe in the process," he said heavily.

She nodded. "I don't want to suffer unnecessarily," she replied. "But I can't stand the blank places and the fear of remembering. I need to just do it."

"All right."

"Don't worry," she begged. "It's silly to say it, because I know you'll worry. But I'll be fine as long as you're with me."

His arm tightened around her. "Shall we continue walking?"

They walked on as the shadows grew longer and found themselves at sunset, chilly and far away from the cabin.

"Come here," Severus said softly, holding out his arms to her.

She went to him and held on tight. They Apparated back to the cabin clearing and she paused.

"Let's enjoy the silence for a moment more before we go in."

Obligingly he hugged her, making his cloak swirl around them both. They stood holding each other and watched the sun slip gradually down below the horizon.

"Can you stand to come in and face your students again? I think tomorrow Lily and Elijah are taking them away to do young people things, so after tonight we won't see them constantly."

"Good," he muttered sullenly. "For your sake I shall tolerate them."

She smiled and took his hand as they entered the cabin.

&&&&&&&&&

After dinner the party grew quiet, with people separating and going about various activities.

"Professor Snape," said Harry in hushed tones. "I've been looking into things at Hogwarts and, if this is a good time, I'd like to tell you about it."

One black eyebrow rose curiously. There had been no major events since the Whomping Willow, but Severus doubted that the disturbances were over.

"Of course, Potter," he replied, glancing around to be sure they would not be interrupted. "What have you learned?"

"I don't believe it's Malfoy," Harry said bluntly. "He's been acting strange for a while, but someone's doing things to him. I dunno why he's not defending himself, though."

"Interesting," muttered Severus. "If you do not believe it, who have never been his, ah, friend…"

Harry snorted impatiently. "That was kid stuff. He made his choice, Professor, and saved Ginny's life that day. He wasn't going to kill Dumbledore either. He's still an irritating git, but someone's using that fact to set him up."

"Who would do that, and why?"

Harry's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "It's not a single person. I've been watching the Marauder's Map much more…" he broke off at the challenging gleam in Professor Snape's eye. "I know you don't like it, but it comes in handy."

"It is not the darkest of Dark magic, but it is far from innocent. Use it cautiously," said Severus softly.

"Yeah, I know," replied Harry slowly. "Sometimes I see things I'd rather not know, and knowing too much of other people's business is… ugly. But if I'm watching at the right time I might see who it is."

Severus nodded reluctantly. As a spy he had often learned things that he'd have preferred not to know about others. He was pleased that Potter was not enjoying what he learned.

"What have you seen?"

"Professor, no one walks anywhere alone any more. I don't know when it started, but students go in groups. I asked Hermione, and she says even Prefects patrol in groups of three and four." He frowned. "Most people seem honestly scared, but whoever's doing it, they aren't alone."

"Interesting," commented Severus. "What about Malfoy?"

Harry grimaced. "Yeah, well, he walks alone. I think no one wants anything to do with him, except Ginny. She wants to adopt him, like a bloody lapdog or something. But he'll have nothing to do with her any more."

Severus bit his tongue hard, to prevent his first mocking reaction from escaping. So Potter was jealous of his girlfriend's interest in Draco Malfoy! Still, Potter was under no obligation to assist him, yet here he sat.

"Have you tried speaking with Malfoy? It seemed that you were briefly able to tolerate each other better."

"He won't talk to me. He's acting bloody strange. He's not mad at me, and I'd know if he were. He avoids everyone."

Severus pondered this. He wondered if Michael could tell him anything of his meetings with Draco. "Thank you. I don't know what it means yet, but you have helped," he said slowly.

"I'm glad," replied Harry, looking tentatively at him. "It feels wrong, the way things are at Hogwarts and I hate it."

Their eyes met briefly, causing Severus to feel a surge of anxiety. He schooled his face to calmness.

"I will speak with Shacklebolt. Have you told Professor McGonagall about this?"

"Not yet. Should I do it right away? I can go in the morning," Harry offered.

"That seems unnecessary. There are only eight students spending the holidays at school. All different ages, from different Houses."

"Okay. I'll tell you if I find out anything else," Harry said. "I don't want what's left of my last year at Hogwarts ruined by this stuff," Harry said, rising.

With one last look at Severus he headed for the room he shared with Ron, leaving an irritated wizard behind.

"Sev, is everything okay?" asked Michael, sitting down across from him.

"Who is causing these incidents at Hogwarts?" he asked, scowling. "Potter believes several people are participating. What do you think?"

"You know I can't reveal what Draco tells me," said Michael. "But I there are many kids who are disturbed by this sudden change in the world they've known. It's too bad you don't have school counselors who discuss issues like this with students."

"That is the task of teachers and the Heads of Houses at Hogwarts," replied Severus.

"Is it being done? Or done effectively? This is more than breaking up a fight. Voldemort's downfall has had serious repercussions in every wizarding family, I'd say. I read the Prophet, Sev, and as someone who's concerned with mental health, I believe your society has problems."

Severus studied his friend's face. "I'd like to discuss this further with you," he said thoughtfully. "Perhaps while the young people are gone tomorrow."

"Of course," replied Michael.

"There is something else," continued Severus. "Zelda wants to do whatever is necessary to regain her memory as soon as possible. I hope you'll give me your opinions about how to do it."

Michael frowned. "It's going to be difficult, isn't it?"

"Very difficult."

"When you do it, I'll be here if you want me," he offered. "The kids shouldn't be here, but you'll probably need help."

"I shall need help," he muttered grimly. "I shall use the Memory Potion and Legilimency to stimulate her mind. If she remembers, it may be partial or it may all come at once."

"Hey, she'll be okay," said Michael. "You can play your helpless little wife game with her if you want to, but she's a tough woman."

"I know it. But… Michael, I have been alone so long. If I lost her…" he said, his voice falling, "I would lose everything."

Severus was actually showing his fears, thought Michael in surprise. He had wished the man would talk to him, but such intense terror and insecurity shocked him. In fact, Severus was a frightened, co-dependent man who now allowed himself to be connected to others, but through Zelda. Since it seemed he'd allowed no connections before, this could be called progress, but to be so bound only to one other person was a fearful thing.

"Don't worry too much. I'll be worried too and it'll be hard. But she'll be fine."

"I shall do more research," he said and rising, he strode to the small desk and sat down to make notes.

Michael smiled. The scholar would comfort himself by learning everything he could. Hopefully it would give him some peace of mind to make that precious list. After that, he and Kingsley would tease Severus to distract him. The guy was a freaking genius and a major pain in the ass, and it was starting to feel like Severus was his impossible younger brother. What a good thing he'd always longed for a family, he thought contentedly.