Lily Potter and the Potions Professor

AN: Here's another chapter for you. :) Hope you like it. Sorry but it's another short one. :P

Chapter 10: Christmas Surprise

It had been weeks since Lily had spoken to Malfoy. She was still angry with him for being so weak, for being... such a coward. Mostly she was angry because he'd been avoiding her so much; he would arrive to class just in time for the period to start and would leave immediately as the bell rang. He didn't make eye contact with her and if she looked up and saw him looking at her he'd quickly glance away. Lily was getting increasingly depressed and welcomed the arrival of Christmas break and the chance to spend some time with her family away from Hogwarts.

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Lily stopped her hand as it reached for the door knob. She could hear voices coming from the kitchen. It was nearly midnight; who could still be up this late on Christmas Eve?

"What yer think Harry?" asked Hagrid's gruff voice.

"I guess he needed the work and well I don't think he'd really be welcome many other places," her father replied.

"With good reason," muttered Hagrid.

"Look, Hagrid, I know you're just concerned but I think he's paid enough for his mistakes, let's just leave it."

"Alright Harry but only because you said so. I'll still be keepin' an eye on 'im though."

"I don't doubt it."

Lily heard the shuffling of chairs and knew that they'd be coming her way any moment now. She quickly darted to a nearby cabinet and climbed in. She seemed to be spending more time hiding in cupbards this year than she usually would have. A moment after she'd pulled the door shut, leaving a tiny gap to peek out of, her father and Hagrid emerged from the kitchen.

"Good night, Hagrid."

"Night Harry."

They parted ways and headed for their rooms. Lily exhaled and climbed back out of the cabinet. She knew who they had been talking about and was strangely grateful that her father had decided to not cause Draco Malfoy any trouble.

x

"Lily, wake up! It's Christmas!" shouted an excited Rose, whose bedroom Lily had been sharing.

Lily's eyes flew open and she was suddenly wide awake and looking at a beaming Rose.

"Aren't you a bit old to still be this excited on Christmas morning?" asked Lily, smiling.

"No way!" replied Rose. "You're never too old to be excited about Christmas. C'mon, the presents are down stairs."

Lily got out of bed and followed Rose downstairs to the Weasley's living room where the whole congregation were gathered; her mother and father, Uncle Ron, Aunt Hermione, Hagrid, James, Albus and Hugo. Her grandparents and other aunts, uncles and cousins would be coming over later in the day but it had always been a tradition for the two families to spend Christmas Eve together and open their presents together before a huge breakfast on Christmas morning. As soon as Rose and Lily entered the room they all started tearing their presents open. Lily made her way over to her own pile of gifts and began to open them.

When she had almost finished she noticed a small package right at the bottom of her pile. Looking around and seeing everyone else still occupied with opening and comparing gifts Lily picked up the package and read the tiny card attached to it, her heart skipped a beat before hammering loudly in her chest as she recognised the writing; For Lily. Happy Christmas. DM. Lily looked up again and noticed her mother watching her. She slid the package down the sleeve of her dressing gown and smiled.

"Merry Christmas, Mum."

x

Later that afternoon while everyone else was recovering from lunch, Lily sat under a tree in the backyard of her aunt and uncle's place. The tree protected her from the gently falling snow that had already created a thick blanket across the rest of the yard. She held the small package in her hands and wondered what could be inside. He'd thought of her, he cared enough to get her a gift, this was from him; not all was lost. At the thought of him her heart fluttered and she blushed; any anger she'd felt before had now disappeared. Unable to wait a moment longer she began to unwrap the paper surrounding the mysterious object. Finally a small silver pendant fell out into her open hand. She looked closely and noticed it was on a delicate silver chain. The pendant itself was oval shaped with a detailed lion engraved on the surface. Lily smiled as she took in its intricate beauty. A small piece of parchment fell out of the wrapping paper and landed on the ground. Lily picked it up and read the text; Patronus Charm, it said and she giggled at the pun. More words had been hand written underneath the label, in the same writing that had been on the card; So you'll always be safe. Lily closed her eyes and held the charm close to her heart, smiling. She let the euphoria fill her. This was the best Christmas she had ever had and suddenly she could not wait to return to Hogwarts.

AN: As usual thanks so much for reading and please leave a review on your way out. :D