Remus and I waited several hours for Severus to arrive for dinner. He finally did at five o'clock, his face looking more worn and hollow than usual.
"Happy Christmas Severus!" I said running over to him.
"Happy Christmas Allison." During dinner Remus and Severus talked about the happenings at Hogwarts and the Triwizard Tournament. It was obvious to me that Remus was lonely being stuck here all alone and what he really needed was some adult conversation. Severus must have sensed this too because for the first time it seemed it Severus actually wanted to talk to Remus, rather than his usual indifferent tolerance of him. They were both lonely men who needed each other in their lives. I loved them very much and hated to think what they'd be like without me to bring them together.
When dinner was finished and dishes were washed, Severus and I once again had to return to Hogwarts, leaving Remus behind.
"Alice don't forget this." Remus said handing me a large package I had forgotten about.
"You haven't opened those yet?" Severus asked suspiciously.
"You said not to open them till Christmas. So I waited till I could open them with you." I answered placing the large box on Remus's coffee table. I slowly lifted the lid off the box, praying that my dress robes were not as hideous as Ron Weasley's. I gasped taking in the sight of them. Laying delicately in the box were Emerald Green silk dress robes. They shimmered against the candlelight as I removed them from the box. After closer examination I realized the emerald green at the collar of the robes faded around the waistline slowly transforming to a deep charcoal black at the hem. The entire dress was covered in sparkling silver flicks, of what I couldn't imagine.
"Sev they're beautiful!" I told him as my eyes began to water.
"I thought you would find them adequate." He said smirking I Carefully folded the dress robes and placed them back in their box.
"Thank you." I whispered throwing my arms around his neck.
"One more thing Alice." Remus said handing me a long flat box. I suspiciously lifted the lid to reveal a silver bracelet filled with emeralds and diamonds. I gripped the box tightly as I wound my hands around Remus's neck.
"Thank you." I pulled away look at the two men who raised me. "Thank you both, really this is all too much." I expected Severus to agree with me. He was never one to believe in excessive spending and those things had certainly been expensive.
"Your parents only wanted the best for you Alice. We're just doing our best to make that happen. Merry Christmas." Remus told me, his perpetual sad look returned.
"Merry Christmas Remus." I smiled. "We'll be home again soon." I assured him stepping into the fireplace.
Back in Severus' quarters he instantly ushered me to the door.
"Hurry along, I imagine Miss Smith is eagerly awaiting your return." Severus had been right about that, Emily sat perched on her bed staring at the door expectantly. At least that's how I found her once I returned to our room.
"You've been ages!" She whined as I crossed the room to my bed.
"I'm sorry, how was your day?"
"It was fun." She stopped to think. "This afternoon there was a huge snowball fight with most of the Gryffindors. Ron almost won, but then Fred and George took him out with a bludger covered in snow. Should we start getting ready?" She asked excitedly.
"Yes." I answered removing my dress robes from the box. Emily and I pulled on our dress robes carefully not wanting to reveal them to each other until we were wearing them. I was surprise how well my dress robes fit me. Severus had never taken me to purchase my school robes and it had been years since he had gone shopping with me as Myra Prince. (A fictional niece he had created so Death Eaters would not become suspicious of Severus being with a young girl.) Now that I had the dress robes on, I examined their style and shape. The long trumpet sleeves followed the same fading patterned as the body. The cut of the dress was formed for my body, with the hem stopping a few inches past my knees. Thankfully I had a pair of strappy black Sandals that would work with the dress robes. I was suddenly aware of the Slytherin crest necklace I was wearing. It had been a Christmas gift from Draco our first year at Hogwarts and I had worn it every day since. I wondered if I should take it off, but decided that Draco and I were still friends and there was no reason not to. Clasping my bracelet from Remus on my wrist I called over my shoulder.
"Ready over there?" I asked Emily.
"Yes. You?"
"Yes! One three then?"
"One!" She called back excitedly.
"Two!"
"Three!" We shouted together turning. Emily was wearing bright blue short sleeves dress robes. From the waist the front of her robes exploded into a fluff of white tule and ruffles. Across the waistline deep blue ribbon wound around and turned into an elegant bow in the back.
"Those are so you!" I thought out loud.
"You look amazing!" She complimented. We finished getting ready together before heading out into the common room.
"I'm meeting Ron in the entrance Hall, where are you meeting Fred?" Emily asked once she had every one of her perfect curls in place.
"He's meeting me at the top of the dungeon stairs." I told her.
"Well let's get going! You don't want him to be waiting long!" She exclaimed pulling me up the stairs.