Chapter 9

Christmas

December 24, 1996

I walked through the doors of the great hall. It was like walking into a true winter wonderland. Enchanted snow fell from the ceiling and huge decorated trees lined the walls. I was also surprised to find that all the house tables were gone. One smaller table sat lonely in the middle of the hall. Most people didn't stick around after the end of term; they have their families to return to, but not me.

Smack. I dropped the small package I was holding. I turned around to see who had just so rudely run into me. It was Draco Malfoy. He sniggered as I bent to retrieve the parcel. So it looks like it is just Malfoy, me and all the teachers, merry Christmas, I thought bitterly.

I followed Draco as he walked towards the table. When we reached it, Professor Dumbledore smiled welcomingly to the both of us and gestured to some seats. I sat. Malfoy was to my left and Professor Trelawney was to my right.

"It would have been a pity to use the house tables with so few of us." Professor Dumbledore told Draco and me. I looked up and down the table twice, until my eyes fell on the empty seat on one side of Dumbledore and then to the festively wrapped gift in my hand. Professor Dumbledore seemed to notice this. "Severus should be joining us shortly," he told Professor McGonagall out of the blue, a little louder than necessary. I placed the parcel underneath my chair.

And sure enough, a moment later Professor Snape skulks into the hall. "Ah, Severus we were just talking about you," Dumbledore smiled at Snape. Professor Snape Scowled. "Well, anticipating your arrival, actually," Dumbledore informed. Snape walked awkwardly to his place. And as soon as he sat I remembered how hungry I was.

The gold plates in front of us magically became heavy will delicious food.

The evening started out extremely awkward. The teachers attempt to make forced conversation with Malfoy and me about lessons. It soon became clear to me that they were trying exceptionally hard not to stray from school related topics. I assumed this was to avoid bringing up the fact that my family was murdered and that Draco's father was spending his holiday season in Azkaban.

"And, how do you like Hogwarts, Alexandra?" Professor Sprout asked me kindly.

"It's Alex, I think, Pomona," Snape said roughly to Professor Sprout.

"Excuse me?" Professor Sprout asked him.

"You prefer to be called Alex, do you not?" Professor Snape asked me.

I felt my face going red. "I do prefer Alex," I told him as the color in my face deepened. I turned to Professor Sprout, "But, Alexandra is fine." The atmosphere suddenly became thick. "Um," I started remembering that I hadn't yet answered Professor Sprout's question. "I like it here at Hogwarts very much."

"What was your magical training like before coming to Hogwarts?" Professor Flitwick, the charms teacher asked.

"Um…well, my mom used to home school me on weekends and holidays, because I usually attended…muggle school." I finished feeling completely embarrassed. I heard Malfoy let out a little cough beside me. Jerk. Images from Malfoy's unfortunate monkey incident entered my thoughts, making me feel much happier.

"An extraordinary witch such as yourself only studying on weekends," Slughorn said flabbergasted. "You should have seen what she brewed up for me, last potions lesson." Slughorn told the staff excitedly. "Potions talent must run in the family, ay, Severus." The potions master nudged Professor Snape in the side playfully. Snape throw Slughorn a look that plainly said, if you touch me again I will curse you into oblivion. But of course this didn't faze Slughorn. I sunk in my chair as he continued to praise me heartily.

After a few more minutes of this unique kind of torture, Draco obviously had had enough and got up and left without a single word. Whatever my feelings were towards him, I was sorry he had gone. I felt completely foolish sitting there, the only student among adults.

"So," spoke up Professor Trelawney trying to break the silence which was brought upon by Malfoy's sudden departure. "So," she said again in her usual misty tone, "Tell us of your gift of," she paused for dramatic effect, "Antilegilimency."

I blinked. "I wouldn't call it a gift, Professor," I said softly. It is more like a curse, I though cynically.

Professor Trelawney stared at me curiously, waiting for me to elaborate. There was not much more to say, so I remained silent.

Finally after what seemed to be a life time of wordlessness and blinding stares of confusion from everyone at the table, Dumbledore spoke. "Ah, what is wanted by others is never needed by the one who possesses it." I smiled at him gratefully.

After that, the night went more smoothly. You could have actually said that I had fun. There were popper and cheerful Christmas carols. I was having such a good time; in fact, I had almost forgotten the package that I had set underneath my chair.

Everyone had bid each other a happy Christmas and good night. The hall was nearly empty when I remembered. "Professor Snape," I called out as he headed towards the exit. He turned on the spot and I ran up to him carrying the Christmas present that I made.

"What is it," he asked with obvious annoyance in his tone.

"This is for you," I said holding out the parcel wrapped in green and silver paper. He glared at it for a long time before actually talking it from me. He started towards the door again. "Professor," I said as I followed quickly behind him, "wait."

He completely ignored me and walked in hurried strides through the entrance hall, his black robes swishing behind him. I continued to follow the professor as he entered a deserted classroom. As soon as I was inside he shut the door. The room was pitch black. I felt a bit unsafe.

"Do you take pleasure in causing me irritation?" He hissed at me through the darkness.

I thought about this for a second, "yes," I answered truthfully, "I do." I knew he must have been scowling. I lit my wand. I was right.

"What exactly is it that you want from me," he said as he ignited his wand as well.

I looked into his face, wondering if he was really as irritated as he was letting on. "I wanted to make sure that you opened your Christmas present." I told him.

I really was sincerely worried that the moment he reached his office he would throw the parcel away. And by the look of disgust on his face, I guessed that my suspicions were correct.

"Would you like me to open it now?" He asked his tone annoyance.

"Okay."

He eyed me carefully before slowly unwrapping the paper.

"Did you make this?" He asked holding up the green scarf. It wasn't a question, more like a mockery.

I nodded, looking at the misshapen scarf that I was so proud of. "You don't have to wear it," I told him angrily.

"I wasn't planning on it," he assured me.

"I just thought I could have brought some color into your wardrobe." I pointed out mordantly.

He grimaced. "Why didn't you use magic?" He asked me sharply, gesturing towards the distorted scarf. "Or is your spell work just sloppy."

I looked at him for a look moment trying to think of something hurtful to say, but I couldn't think of anything. "I just wanted you to have a Christmas present and I didn't use magic because I thought it might mean more, but that was stupid; I see that now. What was I thinking anyway?" I didn't really feel angry, just frustrated with my own stupidity in thinking that Professor Snape would ever desire a green, knitted scarf. "Merry Christmas, Professor," I said softly as I left the classroom. I walked slowly back to my common room, wishing that I still believed in Santa Claus.

December 25, 1996

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, I sang in my head as I slept. A clock chimed somewhere in the distance, it was officially Christmas day. I shifted in my sleep; the fire in the common room was so soothing. Thud!

I sat bolt upright, my wand raised. It wasn't Santa Claus, but Professor Snape beside the tree. I did not lower my wand. By the looks of it, it seemed that he had run into an armchair in the dimly lit room.

"Put that thing away." he ordered viciously. I glared at him, but obeyed never the less and lowered my wand slowly. "What are you doing down here?" I have every right to be here, you git, I thought venomously.

"What are you doing here?" I asked rudely. He looked at me as if he were asking himself the exact same question. "I was reading and I fell asleep," I said saving him the trouble of answering.

He knelt down to pick up the book that had fallen on the floor. "A text book?" he mused as he held up my copy of Confronting the Faceless.

"Yeah, I was studying for your next exam, Professor." I paused for a moment, wondering why again I was trying to impress him. "Did you know that none of the unforgivable curses will work on hummingbirds, their brains are formed in a certain way, not allowing the curses to work properly?" It was not something from my text book, just a random fact that I found interesting. Why am I telling him this? I thought, now he is aware of two creatures whose brains don't work right.

He considered me for a moment. "I am aware of that." He lied convincingly. "You may or may not remember, that I am in fact the defense against the dark arts teacher," said Professor Snape sarcastically.

"Why are you here?" I asked somewhat wearily.

"We may not be in a lesson, but you are still expected to show a bit of respect." The professor hissed.

I took a few cleansing breaths, to keep myself from losing it. "Forgive me, Professor." I said with a forced calm. "Would you please tell me…why you are here…please?" I waited.

"Here," he held something out to me. I took it. It was a small, black, velvet box. "It's a Snape family heirloom." He looked disgusted with himself. "And I have no use for it, nor do I in any way want it," he explained. "But I thought maybe you would…like it." He concluded furtively

I smiled slightly. "Is it like a present," I asked him.

"No."

"Should I open it now," I said, imitating him from earlier.

"It makes no difference to me," he said as he began to leave.

"Don't you want to see me open it?"

"Not particularly." Professor Snape said with his back to me.

"Thank you," I called out just before he slammed the portrait hall entrance shut behind him.

I ran my fingers over the smooth little box. I opened it slowly and gasped. Inside was a golden ring with a single, yet very large ruby in the middle. My eyes widened as I looked at it and my heartbeat was out of control. I carefully placed it on my ring finger and admired it in the light from the fire, smiling to myself.