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The Christmas Song

The castle was quiet with most of the student body gone. Only a handful of students had remained to enjoy the decorations which had been hung around the school. Now that term had ended only a few teachers remained behind with the students. Hagrid had opted to stay for obvious reasons though he would be absent on Christmas Day; Horace would also remain as would Poppy and Mr Filch and Madam Pince. Rolando would also be staying along Angela Formosa, the new Muggle Studies professor. The rest of the teachers including herself would be leaving to join their families.

She left her private quarters and re-entered the Head's office and placed her small trunk by the desk before sitting down to address some last minute issues before she would leave.

'Ah, which brother are you seeing this year Minerva?' asked her predecessor from his portrait. She looked up to see the two portraits whose advice had been essential over her years as Head watching her. Albus looked quite cheerful like always. And like always Severus was scowling.

'I'm staying with Malcolm for a couple of days though I will also be seeing the Potters and Weasley's,' she said as she read over a notice that the Ministry had sent earlier that day.

'Do be sure to send our best regards along,' Albus said and Severus snorted. Minerva hid a smile and nodded. It was a well-known fact that Severus cared for none of the children and even less for the adults in that particular family. This was a shame as there were several of the children whom Severus would most likely get along very well with if he gave them a chance. Al Potter for one who was very curious about his namesakes had met Albus already though still wished for a conversation with his second namesake. Victoire Weasley was another who he may find interesting if he gave her a chance as she was very smart and not too shabby at Potions. The others Minerva wasn't sure about as while Molly, Rose and Louis weren't as boisterous as the others and were very intelligent, Severus would probably not enjoy their company as Rose and Molly would remind him too much of the past and their parents while Louis was a very sweet boy who wore his heart on his sleeve, something which always annoyed Severus.

'How is young Albus?' Albus asked and Minerva smiled slightly as she lifted her head to look at the two portraits. Albus was watching her, waiting for a reply while Severus pretended to be uninterested when Minerva could see he was listening in.

'He is doing very well, glad to be home I think,' she said and Albus nodded.

'Yes, he's mentioned how he misses his sister,' he agreed and Minerva nodded.

'Yes, and I'm sure Lily has missed him just as much, they're very close those two,' she replied. Severus shifted slightly in his frame at the mention of Lily Potter and Minerva knew he both wanted to meet the girl and avoid her. On the other hand Minerva knew Lily would love to meet Severus.

'Also say hello to Malcolm for us,' Albus added and Minerva nodded.

'I'll pass along the greetings,' she said as she climbed to her feet having finished with the letter and quite ready for a small break. 'I shall see you both in eight days.'

'Merry Christmas Minerva,' Albus said cheerfully as she took hold of her trunk and moved towards the fireplace.

'Merry Christmas Albus, Severus,' she said and Severus inclined his head and she knew that was all there was going to be from him.

She took a pinch of floo powder and threw it into the flames before steeping amongst the now green fire before being whisked away.

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