Day 2:

At lunch, Snape watches vigilantly for the gifts he knows will arrive that day. He expects the same treatment as the day before. Why wouldn't he? He crosses his arms and watches some students getting gifts and smiling, or in the youngest Weasley's case, squealing and he frowns. He can't see himself in a position of getting a gift he would enjoy. He nibbled on a treacle tart and watched the Gryffindor table, trying to keep his eyes off of the one person who would cause his heart to race. He noticed Hermione opening a necklace and winking at Ron. Ronald rolled his eyes, but smiled, revealing himself as her gifter. 'Go figure.' Snape thought with a grin. He couldn't help but to look at Harry, who at that moment looked confused as hell. Snape tilted his head and didn't notice the owl who dropped a gift in front of him til he heard the thump and looked down.

Snape had a sickening feeling in his stomach as he noticed a second owl heading his direction. It was like yesterday already. He set the gifts to the side and waited for more. He watched some students head out and sighed. Maybe no more was coming. He may as well face it and open them. He opened the first and was pleasantly surprised to find a stirring tool. The second gift was a little larger. He opened it carefully and found a new set of vials. A fine set at that. He found himself smiling and rolled his eyes. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

Harry watched a smile form on their professors face and found himself grinning. He turned to Ron and pointed out the smile. "That's so unnatural!" Ron said, watching the professor. Hermione just shrugged. "At least it's not another joke gift. He didn't deserve that."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Only you'd care if he got something nice Mione."

"Obviously not the only one." Hermione scoffed. "His gifter thinks so too." She turned to Harry. "Have you gotten your gift yet?" She asked, watching him. "I know yesterday you didn't, so…"

"Oh, I did get one!" Harry said, realizing he hadn't told her. "I got a couple of joke coins. I thought there was only one, but there was a second one when I woke up this morning. Must be a Gryffindor, to be able to pull that off while I slept. Kinda a cute gift, although I fear that's all they'll give me."

"You think?" Hermione asked with a frown.

"Why else would there be another there? It must be my day 2 gift. Perhaps they'll just add one a day. Sounds like something one of your brothers would have done Ronald." Harry laughed. "Unfortunately I am pretty sure you aren't my gifter now. I just have to figure out who is."

"I could help you try to find out mate." Ron said with a smile. "I'm trying to guess who each person's gifter is."

"Oh really?" Harry asked and felt a slight blush go up his cheeks. "Who do you think got stuck with Snape then?"

"Dunno. It's hard to tell when he had five people gift him yesterday. Could be anyone really. At least I know it's not the 5th year who got him the condoms."

"Fifth year?" Harry asked, wondering who had ruined his day one. "You know who got him the gag gifts?"

"Only a couple of them." Ron admitted. "Although I am still watching to see if either of them are his real gifter."

Harry nodded. "Well, I wanna help you watch. Mind telling me who to watch out for?"

Ron shrugged and nodded. "Sally Birchgrove got him a box of chocolates. She'd put a love potion in them. I thought that was amusing, but it doesn't seem like he had any. Likely he threw all his gifts out. The other one I know is Christian Alexander who is a half blood who thought it would be amusing to shake snape up with a box of condoms. I thought it was an awesome idea!"

Harry nodded and acted like he was ok with it, but in reality, those were some of the people who had ruined his day one gift and he'd get his revenge. He noticed Snape walk out and sighed. At least he'd gotten a smile today. perhaps he'd see another soon.

Snape walked to his classroom and placed them in a spot on the shelves. His special potions tools. He'd definitely make use of great gifts like these.

He then made his way up to the Headmaster's room. He had to make sure his gifts to Harry would not be an issue. However once he'd gotten done talking to the Headmaster, he felt more confident in his gifts. The Headmaster approved and wrote a note, acknowledging the safety of the gift. Snape included that along with his own note in the box. He placed a couple holes at the top for them to breath and then sent along his gift.

Harry was sitting in his dorms when the portrait opened to allow the owl access to the room. He watched it fly directly to him, placing the box in his hands before taking off. That action alone caused Harry a bit of surprise, but also caught the attention of his Housemates. He opened the box and stared down at two live albino snakes, small and dainty. He reached in and pet one lightly on the head. They both slithered up the wrist and curled around it like a bracelet.

Harry found himself slightly amused by the gesture, but also in awe. The snakes were gorgeous. He could feel their cold scales against his arm and he liked it. "Wow Harry, they're well-trained." Hermione said and watched one of them open the eyes and look at her. She wouldn't go near them though. She bit her lip. "Are we sure they're safe though?"

Harry picked up the letter and smiled. "Apparently. Dumbledore has approved of them as pets for me for my remaining years."

Hermione smiled gently and nodded. "Alright Harry. I trust his judgements."

Ron rolled his eyes. "They're kind of creepy."

"They're just snakes Ron." Harry said and held out his wrist. The snakes stayed very still and Harry managed a smile. "Go ahead and touch one. They won't harm you."

"How do you know?" Ron asked.

"They told me." Harry said with a laugh. He frowned at his friend's reluctance. "Trust me?"

"I trust you Harry, but I feel like your gifter is some Slytherin. And the fact that you said they left joke coins and now snakes is truly bugging me."

Harry frowned. "I-.." He didn't know what to say. "Maybe they just know me. Dumbledore did say to watch your giftees. Well, if mine knows me or has asked around, maybe they found out I was a parseltongue." Harry said, hoping to calm Ron's nerves. Ron scoffed. No success.

Harry sighed. "I'll be careful Ronald."

Harry found himself questioning the gifts himself now and he frowned. He pet the snakes gently. One stuck it's head up and gazed at him. 'You ssssmelll of fear. Do not be ssscarred of usssss.' It hissed gently and lay it's head back down.

Harry got up and walked upstairs. He needed to come up with an environment for the snakes as well as plan his next gift. Now that he'd combined two, he was short. He dropped the box on the floor and noticed another parchment fall out. He walked over and grabbed it, reading it slowly.

"Harry,

My gift for yesterday was rushed and not well planned. Tonight I wanted to make sure you understand it. You need to give the coins to the Goblins at Gringotts. The coins will then stop doubling, except in your account. They are set to double for five days.

Your secret Santa"

Harry gaped at the coins and frowned. He didn't need money. His parents had left him a good amount. Did the gifter not know that or not care? Also, what kind of student had so much money to allow that kind of gift? He sighed and thought of the possibilities. Certainly not Ron. Maybe a pureblood? Hopefully not Malfoy. Harry shuddered at the thought.

No, it couldn't be him anyways. Harry thought with relief. He wouldn't gift Harry that kind of stuff, especially not the snakes. Harry gently caressed the snakes as he thought before ushering them into his drawer at the side of his bed, to curl into for the night. He made his way back down to the party and went over by Ron and Hermione who were curled by the fire. "Enjoying the heat?" Harry asked, tilting his head and watching the two.

"Of course." Hermione said and looked at Harry. "How about you? You should go hang out with some of the Gryffindor girls. Half of them have crushes on you. Might as well put that to good use. God knows you're likely to get most wanted Bachelor of the year this year. The Prophet's been eyeing you all year and now that you're old enough, soon you'll have all the witches at your feet."

Harry felt his stomach drop at her words. It was true that he had a lot of people watching him for a potential mate. That meant whoever had him was likely to boast after the 12th day and Harry was not prepared to allow someone to claim him when it was getting so close to the war. He wasn't willing to have someone give him their heart when it was likely he wasn't going to make it past this war. He just nodded. "I'll go mingle and then I best go to bed."

Hermione nodded. "Enjoy yourself!"

Harry made his way across the room and found Neville. He smiled at his friend and grabbed a drink, before making his way over to chat. "How's your second day going? Did you get your gift?"

Neville nodded. "I got an essence that will make my flowers grow quicker." He said, smiling. Harry nodded. "That sounds nice."

"It will certainly be useful. Although I think I know who my gifter is." Harry perked up at that. "Oh?"

"Yeah. Luna has been taking more interest in me lately and she even came with me to watch me care for the herbology plants the other day. She wasn't exactly subtle, although it surprised me some to get the gift identifying her so quickly." Harry nodded and smiled. "You guys would make a great couple."

Neville nodded. "I think so too. Any clue who your gifter is?"

Harry shrugged. "Not a clue. Ron and Mione think it's a Slytherin though."

Ginny coughed and shook her head. "No way in hell is a Slytherin compatible with you Harry." She said and came over wrapping an arm around him, flirtingly. "Besides, who says that Slytherins are the only ones who like snakes?"

"Are you- Are you Drunk Gin?" Harry asked, frowing and not sure what to do with her. He thought of her like a sister and her arm made him really uncomfortable.

"O'ly a bit." She said, giggling. She kissed his cheek. "I just want to know whose flirting with ma' man." She said, smiling and nuzzling against his cheek. Harry pushed her away gently and looked her in the eyes.

"Ginny, I am not YOUR man. Get that through your head." She frowned and pouted a bit. "But Ha-arry..."

Harry shook his head and stood up. "You should go to bed Ginny. I am going to bed too."

"Can I join you?" She asked, winking.

Harry growled and shook his head. "I am not into you Ginny. You only want me when you're drunk. You're like a sister to me. Get to bed."

She frowned and stood up, "You are not my friend Harry." She said, growling.

Harry rolled his eyes and turned to make his way towards his dorms. Ginny would likely forget all this in the morning. And he would have to live through another time of pushing her away and hating himself for it. She was like his sister and she always had been. But as his sister, he cared about her. And he definitely did not want to hurt her. He sighed and lay on his bed, closing his eyes, which were filling with tears. How could his day start so well and end so poorly?