Presents - Part I

.

"Merry Christmas, Dudley!"

"Oh, Merry Christmas, my sweet Dudders. I hope you like the presents Saint Nicholas brought you!"

In the cupboard under the stairs, Harry tried to block out the sounds of his relatives as they opened presents and enjoyed this very special day. Without him. Again. For the last four years, he had silently endured this day and others like it in his "bedroom" while his family ignored him. Christmas, New Years Eve and New Years Day, Easter, Halloween, and Birthdays.

This was the first time he'd ever been forced to endure it without Holly though.

As Harry closed his eyes, tears rolled down his cheeks. It had been days since Holly disappeared. He had begged his Uncle to go and find her. But all he had earned was a few slaps for his effort. Uncle Vernon didn't care. For him, it was one less freak to take care of.

But to Harry, this was his sister. Who had protected Harry from Uncle Vernon's harsh treatments. Who had given him her bits of what little food she had. Who held him when he had scary dreams. Who had promised to be with him. And now she was gone.

All he had left to remind him that Holly was here not that long ago was a thin book. She had taken it from the trashcan of one their neighbors when they didn't want it anymore. They couldn't read the words, but they still liked to look at the pictures.

The pretty pictures told the story of a girl that was hurt by her mommy and sisters, but an old lady with a stick came and sent her to a castle, where she met a prince and lived happily ever after.

"One day, Harry, a lady will come and rescue us too!" said Holly with a determined whisper as they looked at the pictures in the dim light that came through the cracks in the door. "And we'll live in a castle and have pretty clothes, just like her!" she said as she pointed to the now smiling girl in the arms of her prince.

"I don't wanna pretty dress," said Harry with a wrinkle of his nose. "I'm a boy! Boys don't wear dresses!"

"Then you can have the prince's clothes, 'kay?" Holly smiled. "You'll be a prince! Prince Harry!"

"That means you'll be a princess!" Harry said happily. "Princess Holly!"

"And we'll rule the land, and get rid of all the Uncle Vernon's and Aunt Petunia's!" declared Holly in a whisper that was soon accompanied by a giggle.

"Don't forget the Dudley's!" put in Harry.

Both laughed quietly in the dark until they heard a particularly loud snore from upstairs. They went silent instantly, but that night, they slept with smiles on their faces as they dreamt of balls, castles, and carriages made out of pumpkins.

Reaching out to the shelves, Harry pulled the thin and dusty book out of its hiding place. He stared at the cover, which had the girl with a pretty dress climb into a large orange pumpkin that was being pulled by white horses. She had bright blond hair and warm blue eyes. Even though she didn't look a thing like Holly, Harry couldn't be but reminded of his sister.

Sniffling, Harry held it to his chest as he curled up, cold as usual since his thin blanket did not to protect him against the cold, and neither did his extra-large clothes.

"Where are you, Holly?" Harry whispered as the Dursleys laughed happily, probably without a thought about him or his sister. "Why did you leave me all alone?"

~o0o~

Severus gritted his teeth. He was going to kill Dumbledore.

Or at least take away his stash of sherbet lemons.

"Wow, Mr. Sev'rus!" said the girl with amazement as she stared at the many presents under the tree. "You must be real po-poa- you must have a lot a friends."

"I don't believe they are all for me," growled Severus. When the girl looked up at him, blinking in confusion, he pointed towards the presents. "I believe you will find more than a few presents addressed to you."

"Me?" squeaked the girl. She shook her head. "That's not right, sir. I don't know anyone here who would give me a present."

"Do you think I am mistaken?" Severus said lowly. "Or an idiot? There is no other person here that would receive those gifts."

Biting her lip, the girl pressed her index fingers together, and the firelight illuminated the tiny scars on her hands. "I'm sorry. But- its just... I've never gotten a present before..."

For a millisecond, Severus felt sorry for her. He remembered when he was young, and he barely gotten anything for Christmas. To not get anything at all... But then he snapped out of it and asked his next question in a sneering tone. "And how do you know that if you have no memories?"

Silent for a long moment, the girl finally shrugged. "I don't know," she muttered. "I just..." She glanced over at the presents. "I just know."

Huffing, Severus nudged his guest forward, who stumbled a little before looking up at him. "To prove to you that they are indeed your presents, go pick one out and tell me who its addressed to." That should solve his problems.

At that, the girl's face fell even more and she dropped her head, now staring at her feet. "I... I can't read," she mumbled.

Raising an eyebrow, Severus continued to look down at the girl. "And how did you read that book last night?" he asked.

Cheeks flushed, the girl shuffled her feet and clasped her hands behind her back, like most children did when they had been caught at something they weren't suppose to do. "I didn't," she muttered. "I just looked at the pictures."

That surprised Severus, even though he didn't show it. Most children had at least learned the basic's by her age - which he guessed was five or six. Sometimes earlier, depending on how much their parents taught them before then. "I see," said Severus a moment later.

"I know," the girl said softly as she kicked the floor with a bare foot - Severus briefly thought he should find some slippers for her. "You think I'm stupid."

"Strange, since I said no such thing," said Severus with a frown. "So how did you draw that conclusion?"

"'Cause," said the girl firmly. "That's what you think."

Seeing that he would not get a straight answer out of the girl, Severus crossed his arms and looked down at her with a look usually reserved for students that were doing something... well, stupid. "Fine. You're stupid. Now, does being called that make you feel any better?"

Not to his surprise, the girl looked up at him, shocked. But instead of crying, or even whimpering, she bit her lip, holding back something as she bowed her head again. "No, sir," she mumbled.

"Then since it did not make you feel any better, we will not be calling you 'stupid' again. Is that clear?" Severus didn't believe in name calling, unless there was a very good reason for it, but it made things worse that the girl was doing it to herself. If she continued like that, she would slowly tear her own self esteem apart.

The girl looked up, blinking in surprise, before she nodded.

"Good. Now, since you can not read yet, I will inform you which presents are yours." Sweeping forward and past the girl, he sat in his favorite chair, which happened to be only a few feet away from the tree. And he was sure that was no coincidence.

Severus raised an eyebrow when his guest didn't move a few long moments later. "Well? Come over here and hand me the first present."

"...What about breakfast?" asked the girl, looking back to the kitchen.

"Are you telling me you rather eat than open presents, which according to you, are your first presents?" said Severus with his eyebrow still raised. When the girl stayed silent, he sighed. "While the gesture is kind, we will eat after, in the Great Hall with the others, alright?"

It took a second, but the girl nodded again as she came forward. She knelt under the decorated tree and looked at each present carefully, her tongue sticking out of the corner of her mouth. Severus was starting to realize that she did that when she concentrated.

"Um, how about this one?" asked the girl as she lifted up a square present to him. It was dark red with golden snitches fluttering across it, a a large gold bow sitting on top. Not taking the present, Severus lifted up the tag attached to it. It was a little obvious who it was from.

To: Hogwarts' Surprise Guest

From: Mr. Dum'be

"Its for you," said Severus, pushing the box back. "From Headmaster Dumbledore."

Blinking in surprise, the girl stared at the present before carefully placing it on the ground. It took a second before she carefully started unwrapping the present, as if afraid she might break it if she went too fast. Severus rolled his eyes, but waited as placed the ribbon aside, then the paper next to it folded, and finally opened the box.

Her eyes went wide. "Wow!" she said in amazement. She reached inside with both hands and pulled out... a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavored Beans and a Sugar Quill. "There's so much candy in here! Mr. Dum'be sure is nice!"

Leaning over to look inside the box, Severus gave a small groan. Of course Dumbledore would give the child candy. A whole box of different candies from Honeydukes. Faintly, he wondered how the old man had managed to even get it, since Honeydukes and most other stories had been closed for the last few days.

"Is something the matter, Mr. Sev'rus?" said the girl softly. "Is there something wrong with the candy?" She then looked at said candy in her hands, and then slowly placed them back in the box, not showing any sadness as she did. "I should give 'em back, shouldn't I?"

Before Severus could stop himself, he placed a gentle hand on the girl's shoulder, who looked to him once she felt the touch. "That's not what I said," he said firmly. It seemed the girl liked to take her own interpretation of things. "I just question the Headmaster's choice. But you may keep the candy. Of course," he said sternly once he saw the girl smile, "you'll first have to promise not to eat any of it unless you ask me first."

"I promise!" said the girl with a wide grin. She dug a hand inside the box, and before Severus could tell her not to eat some now and ruin her appetite, she pulled out some candy and held it out to him. "You can have some too, Mr. Sev'rus."

At first, Severus wanted to protest - he usually didn't indulge in candy. But then he caught the name that was written on top in gold. Salt Water Taffy. It was his favorite, one of the few candies he actually enjoyed. And it seemed that he didn't have a choice anyway, for the girl threw it into his lap before turning back to the tree. "Next present!" she declared.

The next hour or so was spent unwrapping the presents under the tree. Severus received a pair of socks and a tin of sherbet lemons from Dumbledore, both which he gave to the girl. He received a smile and quiet thanks for that. A bottle of good and expensive wine from McGonagall. Homemade fudge from Hagrid that he would have to make sure was edible. New unbreakable vials from Pomfrey. A new scarf from Sprout (who actually was quite the knitter). A "good-luck" charm from Trelawney, which he promptly got rid of. And finally, a set of charmed quills that didn't drip from Flitwick.

The girl also got presents from all the professors. Besides the large amount of candy, she also got socks from Dumbledore that changed color. A spelled cloak and gloves from McGonagall that were resistant to rain. More homemade fudge from Hagrid and the Weasley boy, Charlie (probably as thanks for sparing a Christmas Eve detention). A drawing pad with a case of crayons from Pomfrey along with a small amount of everyday clothes. A hand-knitted scarf and hat from Sprout. A pair of charmed boots that wouldn't get soaked from Flitwick. And another "good-luck" charm from Trelawney that he threw away before the girl could see it.

It seemed that all the professors had gotten together and decided to get her clothes, the girl having enough for at least a few days and for whenever she went outside into the snow. That would save him from looking around for clothes at least.

But despite that most of her presents were all clothes, the girl didn't seem to mind in the least. With each clothing item she received, she looked gleeful, and even put some of it on. By the time all the presents were open, with all the paper and bows set aside carefully, she looked strange, a still too skinny dressed in all outdoor clothing and still in her nightgown. "That was nice for all the pre-pra- other teachers to get me this stuff," said the girl as she wiggled her booted feet, currently bright pink socks just seen over their tops. "I wish that I'd gotten them some presents. That's what you do, right?"

"I'm sure all they will wish for is your gratitude," said Severus honestly. "But if you wish to thank them more, I believe maybe some homemade drawings will suffice."

Nodding in agreement, the girl looked over to the tree. "There's one more present left, Mr. Sev'rus."

"Is there?" said Severus ask he also turned to look. That was strange. There was no one he could think of that hadn't give him and the girl presents. He watched as the girl scrambled under the tree, emerging a few moments later with a scroll, wrapped with a green bow.

"It doesn't have any wrapping, or a tag," the girl said with a frown as she handed Severus the scroll.

Also frowning, the bow was slid off before Severus opened the scroll. He first notice that the ink smelled fresh, and it was written in fancy, but familiar script. As he read on, his eyes narrowed dangerously, and soon enough he snapped the scroll shut and stood up.

"I'll be back soon," Severus snapped out at the now shocked girl - who now seemed to be the source of all his problems.

"Kay... can I -"

"I don't care what you do," growled Severus before he marched to the portrait, which swung open without a command. "Just don't get into anything!" He didn't think he could be around her without making her cry at this point, so it was just best for her to stay in the room until he calmed down. And he couldn't do that till he had a word with that meddling old food Dumbledore. "Queenie!" he barked out.

"Yes, Master Severus!" squeaked Queenie as she appeared a moment later.

"Make sure she doesn't get into any trouble," Severus ordered before he marched out of the room, not even listening for her usual confirmation.

The walk to the Headmaster's office helped him calm down a bit, as it usually did, but he was still angry by the time he reached the stone gargoyle. He didn't even get time to snap out the password, for the guardian leaped aside just before he did. That meant Dumbledore was expecting him. And that did not make him feel any better.

"Merry Christmas, my boy," said Dumbledore cheerfully as Severus stepped into his office. "I see you received my present."

"Present my -"

"Severus! Language, please. Now why don't we sit down and talk about this?" With a wave of his wand, Dumbledore conjured Severus a more comfortable chair and motioned for him to sit down. "How about some tea, mm? Maybe peppermint?"

~o0o~

It was getting close to dinner time when the girl peered around the corner, making sure no unfamiliar one was around before stepping into the hallway. In her hands was a small stack of pictures that Queenie had help her make. She was trying to find Mr. Sev'rus, who hadn't been back since this morning.

But the only problem was, she had no idea where he was. Or where she was, for that matter. Queenie had given her directions to the Headmaster's office, where the house-elf said he probably was. But she had gotten lost after wandering around for a half hour.

She glanced up at portraits, wondering if any of them could tell her where she was. Or maybe how to find any of the other professors. She had made each of them a homemade picture! But she also want to see the snow! At least she was dressed warm since it was still chilly outside Mr. Sev'rus' rooms - wearing a pair of jeans, a black turtleneck, and all the outdoor wear she'd received. She was even wearing the color-changing socks, which were now a neon green.

"Excuse me," the girl called out. "Could one of you please tell me -?"

"Want to go play in the snow, girly?" said a nearby portrait of an old woman, dressed in strange clothing. "Too cold if you ask me," she said with a sniff.

"But I didn't ask you that," said the girl with a tilt of her head. "I just wanted to know -"

"Well, I never!" screeched the woman, turning on her heel and marching out of the portrait. The girl blinked. All she had wanted to do was ask how to find one of the professors. It looked like this was going to be harder then she thought.

"Hey, its you!"

Turning towards the voice, it took the girl a moment to recognize the boy running at her. It was the red-head from before - when Mr. Sev'rus tried to give those boys detention after finding her hiding in the cupboard. He was being followed by an older boy and girl. Suddenly very nervous, the girl tried to back away.

"I wondered when I'd see you again," said the red-head with a grin. "I don't know if you remember me, but you saved me and my brother's butts the other night. My name's Charlie, Charlie Weasley. Did you get the present I sent you?"

"Yes, thank you very much," said the girl in a mumble.

"Well hello again," said another boy with a grin. He looked a lot like Charlie, but older by at least two years. "The name's Bill, I'm Charlie's older brother. What's your name, little lady?"

Shrinking, the girl bit her lip and shook her head.

"What's wrong, deary?" asked the girl as she reached her, looking down at her with a small frown. She was older than both the boys, with short and choppy dark black hair and light brown eyes that looked warm, like melted chocolate. "Are you alright? They aren't hurtin' you, are they?"

"I don't 'member," forced out the girl softly. "I don't 'member my name."

The older girl nodded in understanding. "Ah. My aunt told me about you and your... situation." She smiled gently. "My name's Robin McGonagall. Where are you trying to go, missy?" she asked. She had a accent that sounded... hearty. Warm.

"Tryin' to find the other p'fessors," answer the girl shyly. "I-I have a drawin' for them. Oh!" She started shifting through her pictures, and held one out to Charlie. "I made one for you, too!"

Blinking in surprise, Charlie took the card. She had carefully drawn out a cartoonish Mr. Dragon, who was smiling up from the paper as he held a tin of what was suppose to be fudge. And with the help of Mr. Sev'rus' house-elf, Queenie, she had written the words 'Thank You' at the top, though it was very sloppy.

"Let me see!" Bill looked over his brother's shoulder. "Hey, that's not bad!"

"Wow! This is really good!" Charlie grinned down at her. "Thanks! How did you know I liked dragons?"

"I didn't," said the girl with a shake of her head. "That's Mr. Dragon - Mr. Dum'be gave him to me when I first came here."

All three of the students stared at her. "Mr. Dum'be?" asked the three in unison. Then Bill gave a lot snort.

"Oh man, that's priceless," Bill said as he started to laugh. At his side, Charlie had his hand over his mouth as he tried to silence his own laughs. Confused, the girl titled her head. What was so funny?

"Well," said Robin as she tried not to laugh aloud, "if you want, we'll take you to the Great Hall. The professors should all be there since it almost dinner time."

"Um actually, there's somewhere I want to go first..."

~o0o~

"I can not seriously believe you're asking my to do this, Albus," groaned Severus as he pinched the bridge of his nose between his long fingers. "Me. Of all people."

"Is it so hard to believe that you are the one I think suited best for the job?" asked Dumbledore with a chuckle.

Groaning again, Severus took a long sip of the tea he had been given, wishing that it was firewhiskey instead. "I still don't believe I am the right person to be asking. Me? Take care of a child? What are you thinking?" He knew, somehow, that he'd be forced into this. Ever since he read the scroll that Dumbledore had sent him. Telling him that he was being offered the change to become the brat's guardian until her real ones were found. And, if they weren't found within the next year, he would be able to adopt the girl. Why the old man had thought he'd want that, he didn't know. He concluded that Dumbledore must be out of his mind. Again.

"You take care of your Slytherins," pointed out Dumbledore. "And I haven't heard any of them complain. Besides, she trusts you."

"For some reason I don't understand," grumbled Severus.

"Are you saying no then?"

"... What would happen to the girl if I did?" asked Severus instead. "Placed in the care of the Ministry?"

Sighing, Dumbledore steeped his fingers and leaned back. "My best guess? We'd have to send her to a Muggle orphanage until her parents are located. If they are ever located."

Severus narrowed his eyes. Dumbledore was still trying to convince him, but damn it all, it was working. Once the Muggle children got a whiff of her being abnormal, they would harass her everyday until she was either adopted, unlikely, her parents were found, also unlikely, or until she was sent to Hogwarts. But even then, she would have to be sent back every summer.

"What about a foster wizarding family?" Severus suggested.

"They're aren't that many that would want to taken in a possible Muggleborn child," said Dumbledore sadly. "Less that I can trust. In fact, the only two I can think of are the Weasleys and Madam Longbottom. The Weasleys have enough children, though, and I'm sure Madam Longbottom would rather focus on her own grandson."

"You really are leaving me no choice, are you?" snapped Severus. "You're telling me the choices are that the girl is to be sent to a horrible Muggle orphanage or signed over to me?" It was these times that he understood the Dark Lord. Muggles hated and feared what they couldn't understand, hence the Salem Witch Trails, and the abuse Muggleborn children had to endure. If it was up to him, he would take the Muggleborn children away from their Muggle families if he felt they were in danger.

But no matter how many times he brought that suggestion to Dumbledore, the Headmaster brushed it off.

"I believe that's what I'm telling you, yes," said the same man with a grandfatherly smile and twinkle in his eyes. That look had won over many. But not Severus.

Still...

"And the Ministry approves of a former Death Eater taking in a child?" growled Severus.

"They approve of Hogwarts Potions Professor taking in a young girl who clearly needs help," said Dumbledore. "Please, Severus. I beg of you. She has no one. And she trusts you."

Huffing, Severus pinched the bridge of his nose again. "I don't know," he said after a moment. "You'll have to give me some time to think about it."

"It's a start, I suppose. Now, on to the next matter -"

"I am not helping her do that," snapped out Severus.

"Now really, Severus. It's just a name," said Dumbledore soothingly. "I'm sure she would like to be called something, even if it is only temporary. For the last three days, she's been only referred to as 'the girl'."

"She can pick her own name," argued Severus.

Dumbledore was going to say something, but he paused and looked passed Severus and to the door. "Its seems we have company," he said after a moment.

'Knock, knock.'

"Come in!"

The door creaked open, and Robin McGonagall poked her head in. "Sorry to disturb you, sir," she said, nodding politely to both. "But I found, err, the young girl Aunt Minerva told me about wandering the halls, looking for you, Professor Snape."

"Mr. Sev'rus!" The girl they were talking about moments ago came running into the room, launching herself at Severus and attaching herself to his legs as she clung to him tightly. "I looked all over for ya. This castle is so big! And I tried to ask for di-de- for help, but some lady in a picture was mean to me. I didn't know picture ladies could be mean. Oh, and I had breakfast with Queenie! She said my food was good!"

Chuckling, Dumbledore nodded at Robin. "Thank you for bringing her to us, Miss McGonagall."

"Not a problem, sir," said Robin with a smile. "I was glad to. She's a very sweet girl." She raised a hand and waved towards the girl. "I'll see you later, honey!"

"Bye-bye, Rob'n!" the girl said as she paused in her rant, waving shyly at the younger McGonagall. "Thank you for helpin' me!"

"What are you doing here, child?" growled Severus as Robin shut the door. "I believe that I instructed Queenie to keep you in my quarters."

The girl shook her head. "Nuh uh. You told Queenie to make sure I didn't get in no trouble. So I promised that I wouldn't get in any while looked for ya. And I didn't!"

Severus narrowed his eyes. That was a Slytherin answer. He wasn't sure whether to be proud or get after the girl for using it against him. Still, he would have to have a talk with her about twisting his orders later.

"Oh, here ya go, Mr. Dum'be!" said the girl as she let go of his legs so she could place something on his desk, but returned a moment later. "That's for you!"

"Why, thank you, my dear," said Dumbledore as he held up what looked like a drawing of a dragon, with the words 'Thank you' scrawled sloppily across the top. "I do believe that is the toy I gave you."

"Uh huh," said the girl with a nod of her head. "That's Mr. Dragon!" She looked up to Severus. "Are we gonna go to dinner soon?"

"No, we have to go back to the rooms first," said Severus, somehow standing even though the girl was still clinging to his legs. "We have something to talk about, something important."

And for the first time, the girl looked at him with fear in her eyes.