Me own nothing just the OCs and the plot

10- A Different Kind of Christmas

The holiday spirit had arrived at Hogwarts. The castle buzzed with excitement as Hagrid, hauled in towering Christmas trees to line the halls, filling the air with the scent of fresh pine. Lessons would soon come to an end, and most students were eager to return home for the break. Severus, however, was one of the few who would remain behind—by choice. He wasn't one for holiday cheer. In the past, he might have spent this time with Lily, escaping the dreary isolation of Spinner's End. But since the events in June, that bridge had burned beyond repair.

As he and his friends made their way to Defense Against the Dark Arts, Severus kept his expression guarded. DADA was one of the few subjects he truly enjoyed, second only to Potions, and this was their last lesson before the holiday. The Slytherins entered the classroom, already filled with chattering students. Severus's gaze drifted across the room until he spotted Evangeline Easgriff, engaged in a conversation with Remus Lupin. Unlike her usual exchanges with Potter or Black, there was no hint of irritation or hostility, just polite conversation.

As soon as she caught sight of Severus, she offered Lupin a brief nod and broke away, weaving her way through the crowded classroom until she reached him.

"Hey, Sev!" she greeted, smiling brightly.

"Hello," he replied.

"You alright?" she asked. "Come on, I saved you a seat."

Severus inclined his head in agreement and followed her to a pair of desks near the side of the room. It didn't take long to notice the setup in the room was different today; desks had been moved to make way for a clear space in the center, and the atmosphere was tinged with anticipation. By the looks of it, today's lesson would focus on practical defense skills, likely dueling and non-verbal spells.

Severus and Evangeline practiced a few spells together, honing their technique with sharp precision. She took the task seriously—he expected nothing less from a Ravenclaw. Her enthusiasm, though, was particularly focused; she loved Defense Against the Dark Arts as much as he did. Severus found it refreshing, almost satisfying, to work alongside her in this way.

After about ten minutes, Professor Olympus called for attention.

"Alright, everyone, we're starting the competition now. Remember, no dangerous spells, no hexes. Consider yourselves lucky—dueling is an art you'll need but won't often get to practice in this class. Now, I'll select the first pair."

His eyes roamed over the students, landing on Evangeline.

"Miss Easgriff," he called out.

"Yes, Professor?" She responded, her tone respectful but guarded.

"Who is your partner?"

Evangeline shot him a look, clearly unimpressed by the question. "You assigned the pairings, sir."

Professor Olympus's expression hardened. "I'm aware of that, Miss Easgriff. I asked for your partner's name."

"My partner is Severus Snape, sir," she answered quickly.

Olympus's eyes shifted over to Severus, a glint of challenge in his gaze. "Mr. Snape, you'll begin with… Miss Evans."

Severus's expression went rigid. Facing Lily was the last thing he'd wanted. He glanced at Evangeline, who gave him an encouraging nod. Brushing off his reluctance, Severus moved to the platform, his face set with determination as he took his place opposite Lily.

Taking a deep breath, Severus raised his wand, determined to keep his focus. He wouldn't allow the situation to rattle him.

Lily, standing opposite him with a mixture of determination and caution, gave a slight nod. Her wand flicked sharply, casting a non-verbal jinx that Severus barely managed to shield.

"Protego!" he muttered, deflecting the spell, then flicked his wand back at her with a murmured "Rictusempra!" A small smile tugged at his lips—he'd chosen something harmless.

Lily countered with ease, muttering "Expelliarmus," and with a swift flick, his wand flew from his grasp, skidding across the platform.

"Excellent, Miss Evans," Professor Olympus praised. "Mr. Snape, retrieve your wand. You'll have your chance again soon. Miss Easgriff, you're up."

Severus quickly retrieved his wand, feeling the sting of defeat. As he passed Evangeline, he muttered, "Don't let him show you up."

Evangeline smirked slightly. "Wouldn't dream of it."

She climbed onto the platform, her wand already raised as James Potter stepped forward. His ever-present grin only seemed to widen as he saw his opponent.

"Ready to lose, Easgriff?" he taunted, his voice loud enough for the class to hear.

Evangeline's eyes narrowed. "I'm not losing to someone who barely knows which end of his wand is which."

"Let's see if your spells are as sharp as your tongue," James shot back, his wand already raised.

"Enough," Olympus interjected, casting a stern look between them. "Begin."

James wasted no time, flicking his wand and casting the stunning charm with a quick, precise jab.

Evangeline blocked it effortlessly with a non-verbal shield charm and retaliated with a sharp flick, casting a silent jinx that sent James stumbling slightly, a surprised look on his face.

"Oh, it's on," James muttered, smirking "Expelliarmus!" he said aiming to disarm her. Evangeline deflected it with a whispered Protego, then shot back nearly catching him off-guard.

James raised his shield in time, grinning. "Not bad. But you'll have to do better than that."

With a quick flourish, he cast Levicorpus, a spell that, while non-verbal, Severus recognized instantly. Evangeline barely managed to dodge it, retaliating immediately with a whispered Incarcerous, which sent ropes darting toward James.

James sidestepped, flicking his wand with a non verbal spell that sent a slight shockwave in her direction, nearly knocking her off balance.

Evangeline steadied herself, her eyes narrowing as she cast Circumvolator! The spell caught James off-guard, throwing him backward. Before he could react, she flicked her wand, calling out "Accio!" James's wand shot from his hand into hers.

"Well done, Miss Easgriff," Olympus said, barely concealing his surprise. "Return Mr. Potter's wand, if you will."

She handed it back, a faint smirk on her face. "Better luck next time, Potter."

James accepted his wand and muttered, "I'll remember that."

Eva returned to her seat next to Severus, who couldn't help but glance at her with a mixture of curiosity and admiration. The spell she had used against James was unfamiliar, even to him, and that didn't happen often. He wanted to ask her where she'd learned it, but before he could speak, the bell rang, signaling the end of class.

The bell rang at last, and Professor Olympus announced the winners of the friendly competition. Lupin and Potter claimed first place, with Avery and Black following in second, and Severus and Evangeline taking third. As students leaving for the holidays eagerly rushed off to pack, Severus noticed Evangeline lingering behind, apparently in no hurry. Curiously, he turned to her.

"Aren't you heading up to get your things?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.

She shook her head. "No, it seems I'm here for the holidays. My parents are off to Salem for another summit, and my choices were staying at Hogwarts or spending it with Grandfather Easgriff. And believe me, I'd rather stay here."

Severus raised an eyebrow, still processing the information. "So, you're staying at Hogwarts?"

She nodded. "Yes, I am. What about you? Are you heading home?"

"I'm staying," Severus replied, his tone clipped. "None of my lot are staying. They're all going home."

Evangeline's smile widened. "Well, I'm glad we won't both be spending the holidays alone." She cast him a warm look. "David's heading home, and Grace and Mariana are off to France. Only a few of us will be around, so I'll see you at dinner?"

After a brief farewell to his Slytherin friends, Severus made his way down to the Great Hall. It felt strange to see the hall so empty, even though a few students had also stayed behind. He spotted Evangeline easily, waving him over to where she sat with a handful of other students.

Severus took the seat beside her, noting the rare peace of the nearly empty hall. It was… oddly pleasant, sharing a quiet meal and hearing her lighthearted chatter over the stillness.

The day after breakfast, Severus and Eva walked around the snow-covered castle grounds, discussing their usual topics of Potions, charms, and spell theory. But Severus's mind lingered on the spell Evangeline had used on Potter during their Defense lesson. He'd spent hours in the library trying to track it down without success.

"Eva," he began, breaking their comfortable silence.

"Yeah?"

"That spell you used on Potter during the duel," he said, his voice low and cautious. "I've looked everywhere, but I can't find a record of it in any book."

Evangeline hesitated, her eyes flickering with something he couldn't quite place. "I… well, you wouldn't find it in a standard book."

Severus stopped, turning to face her. "What do you mean?"

Evangeline bit her lip, clearly weighing her words. "It's... not exactly a common spell. My family—on my father's side, the Easgriffs—well, they've been known to craft a few of their own charms and jinxes over the years."

"It wasn't Dark magic, though, was it?" he pressed.

"No," she answered, a touch defensively. "It's just a jinx Severus." She hesitated, then continued, her tone softening. "My family—well, they're known for their… exclusivity. The spells aren't widely shared."

Severus nodded, intrigued but unsatisfied. "Why keep it hidden, then?"

Evangeline hesitated. "Oh… nothing important."

"Don't dodge the question," Severus said, his tone firm. "What did you mean?"

She looked at him, clearly weighing something in her mind. Finally, she lowered her voice. "Alright. But not here."

They made their way back into the castle and slipped into an unused potions lab. Severus cast a silencing charm over the room, his wand movements precise and controlled. He turned back to her, waiting.

"Me and my big mouth," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Eva," he said evenly, his tone carrying both insistence and a faint softness, "you know I'll keep this between us."

Evangeline nodded and took a seat on a stool, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the floor. "My family… The Easgriff side, they take pride in their spells," she said quietly. "It's a point of heritage, really. The jinx I used on Potter is just one of several spells they've created. Most are harmless enough, but a few... well, you won't find them in standard texts."

"It's just… "Evangeline took a deep breath, jumping from her seat eyes still on the ground as she walked back and forth. "I'm not proud of all of it. The Easgriffs aren't exactly… well, they've got a touch of the old pure-blood ideals, as I've said before. But if you want to talk about Dark magic heritage that's more on my mother's side of the family. My father's family… they have their quirks, but they don't really venture into Dark Arts."

She looked down, her fingers tracing the hem of her cloak. "Some families keep their own spells, Severus. They pass them down, selectively, and don't exactly publish them for the world. That jinx I used… it's one of those."

His interest sharpened. "You mean you've got a whole collection?"

"Not quite," she replied, smiling faintly. "But I do have a family book that lists some of them, the ones we have access to. I don't know all the details; they're… discreet. Reserved."

"What kind of spells, then?" he asked, his tone gentler, sensing her hesitation.

She hesitated. "Like the jinx I used on Potter. A few charms, some protective enchantments… but only those I've been taught." She looked at him thoughtfully. "Maybe you could look at the book one day."

They fell into a comfortable silence until Severus spoke. "We're still on for Occlumency practice? And the Patronus?"

"Of course," she replied with a smile. "We've got time before everyone returns. And speaking of which—Christmas is only days away!"

As they made their way back outside, Evangeline suddenly flicked her wand without warning, sent a small snowball straight at his shoulder, a grin spreading across her face. Surprised, Severus barely had time to react before a second snowball sailed his way.

"Really?" he muttered, as a third snowball hit him square in the chest. "You're quite skilled at starting pointless battles," Severus said dryly.

Evangeline's grin widened. "Oh, I wouldn't call it pointless. Come on, show me what you've got, Sev."

For a fleeting moment, Severus let himself relax, lifting his wand in mock defense as the snow continued to fall around them.

Evangeline led Severus into the cozy warmth of the Ravenclaw common room, where she lit a fire with a flick of her wand. They settled into armchairs by the hearth, the flames casting a soft glow over their faces.

"So, why are you staying here for the holidays?" she asked, her tone light but curious.

"Personal reasons," he replied, his gaze fixed on the fire.

Evangeline tilted her head. "Care to share?"

His gaze remained unyielding, but he felt a faint tug to reciprocate; she'd shared something of her own family. After a moment's silence, he finally muttered, "My father… doesn't care for magic. Or for much of anything, really, except his drink."

Evangeline's face softened. "I'm sorry, Sev. That sounds... rough."

Severus stiffened, his tone turning sharp. "I don't want pity. Especially from you."

"Pity? I don't pity you," she replied. "Severus you're my friend. And that means my door's open to you whenever you need it. Stay over if you want to—"

"Eva—"

"No listen!" she said with a grin, holding up a hand to stop him. "My family's perfectly fine with it; trust me. No one will mind. David's stayed over loads of times, and even Remus onc–"

"Remus… Lupin?" Severus interrupted, his expression darkening. "Since when are you close with a Marauder?"

Evangeline sighed, sensing the familiar irritation rising between them. "Sev, I've told you before. Remus is different from the others."

"And that excuses him standing by while his so-called friends run wild?" he shot back, his voice colder now.

"Sev, please," Evangeline said, irritation creeping into her tone. "I told you, Remus is different from the others. He's a good person. He's not like Potter and Black."

Severus scoffed, his disbelief clear. "Not like them? I suppose he's harmless in your eyes, always turning a blind eye while his 'friends' hex anyone they please."

"He's…not perfect," She admitted, her tone hesitant. "I know he could stand up to them more. But he's got a good heart, Severus. He just…doesn't always know how to put it into action."

Severus's expression hardened further. "And you believe his excuses? He conveniently disappears every month, and no one questions it."

She looked away, frustration etched across her face. "I know he's…secretive. But it's not my place to pry."

Severus scoffed. "So you ignore it? Trust him without question?"

Evangeline's temper flared. "I believe him because he's my friend. He's never done anything to deserve this—this suspicion of yours."

"Why would he lie, then?" Severus asked coldly, refusing to back down.

"Maybe," she snapped, "because people like you are always looking for reasons to hate him!"

There was a tense silence, the crackling fire the only sound between them as their argument hung in the air. Severus's face was set in a stony expression, but there was a flicker of something darker in his eyes—a deep, buried anger that Eva couldn't quite reach.

After a few more biting exchanges, Severus abruptly stood, his cloak sweeping dramatically behind him as he headed for the door.

As he reached the threshold, Evangeline called out, her voice laced with anger. "And don't let the door hit your self-righteous backside on the way out, Severus!"

Severus paced restlessly in the empty corridor, the echoes of his own footsteps ringing in his ears. He had been walking for nearly two hours, trying to clear his mind, but no matter how far he wandered, the tension remained coiled in his chest. He had lost control. Again. And it had cost him—perhaps more than he wanted to admit.

Evangeline had become his friend, someone who saw past the cold exterior he wore like armor. Yet, the argument lingered, and for the first time since their friendship began, he was afraid he might have shattered it.

Severus hesitated outside the Ravenclaw tower. His mind was still racing, but his resolve was firm. He wouldn't let this be the end of their friendship. Not after everything they'd shared. He approached the entrance, ready to find some way to make things right.

Just as he arrived, Evangeline was coming down the corridor. She saw him first, pausing in surprise.

Severus swallowed. "Eva..." He hesitated for a moment, struggling with the words. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..." He trailed off, unsure how to fix what had been broken.

Evangeline looked at him for a moment. "Sev, you don't have to apologize," she said quietly. "It wasn't just you. I said things I shouldn't have, too. We're friends... friends argue sometimes. I shouldn't have pushed you. We don't have to agree on everything, you know. That's not how friendships work."

Severus blinked, caught off guard. He had been so sure he had ruined everything. But there she was, offering him a way back.

"Friendship," Severus repeated quietly. "You... don't hate me?" he asked cautiously.

Evangeline rolled her eyes, though there was a smile tugging at her lips. "Of course not, you idiot. I'm not going to stop being your friend over one stupid fight." She paused, her voice softening. "You're important to me, Sev. That doesn't change because of one argument."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Finally, Evangeline extended her hand towards him, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

"No hard feelings, then?"

Severus eyed her hand for a moment, hesitating. Physical gestures like this weren't easy for him, but he took her hand nonetheless.

"No hard feelings," he echoed, his voice low and sincere, though he quickly withdrew his hand after the brief shake.

Evangeline's smile widened, the tension fully dissolved now. "Good. Because, honestly, you're a terrible enemy to have. Far too clever for your own good."

Severus couldn't help the small smirk that tugged at his lips. Evangeline then gave him a playful nudge to the shoulder. "Come on, let's go grab something to eat before the kitchens close. You need to stop brooding. It's bad for your skin," she teased, a grin spreading across her face.

Severus rolled his eyes but allowed himself a faint smirk in return. "I don't brood," he muttered, falling into step beside her as they made their way down the corridor.

"Yes, you do Severus. If not then I am the founder of Hogwarts."

The days passed, and soon Christmas Eve morning arrived. The castle was alive with anticipation, the festive spirit even reaching those who'd stayed behind. Just the day before, Evangeline and Severus had practiced Occlumency together in the potion lab, with Eva explaining how her father had taught her the basics of Legilimency. She wasn't particularly skilled yet, but it was enough for them to practice. Today, they planned to try the Patronus Charm.

Severus entered the potions lab to find it decorated with subtle Christmas touches—garlands hung along the shelves, and a small enchanted wreath glowed softly in the corner.

"Merry Christmas Eve, Sev!" Evangeline greeted him, pulling him into a quick hug.

"Erm… yes, same to you," he replied, a little stiffly. "Shall we get started?"

She laughed lightly, letting go of him. "Always straight to the point," she teased. "Alright, I've got the book here. It says you need to think of a happy memory. That's the key to casting a Patronus."

"Seems simple enough," Severus remarked.

Evangeline rolled her eyes. "If it were simple, everyone would be walking around with Patronuses by now."

Without further delay, they raised their wands and tried their first attempts. White wisps of light flickered from their wands, but nothing more substantial appeared. Severus frowned, clearly displeased with his lack of progress.

"This spell," he muttered under his breath, "is annoyingly elusive."

Evangeline smiled, though her own frustration was starting to show. "We'll get it, Sev. It's just... not going to happen in one go."

Severus nodded curtly, but the tension in his posture remained. After another half-hour of failed attempts, Eva sighed and lowered her wand.

"Alright, let's call it for today," she suggested, wiping a strand of hair from her face. "We'll come back to it after a break. It's not a spell you can force."

They wandered the castle, talking idly and doing their best to avoid Peeves, though they weren't lucky for long.

"Well, if it isn't Easgriffy and Snapey! Always together, I see—Snapey lurrrves Easgriffy!" Peeves taunted, twisting through the air with a manic grin.

Severus felt a rush of heat rise to his face. His grip on his wand tightened, but before he could react, Evangeline's face had turned a deep shade of red.

"Shut up, Peeves!" she snapped. "No one's laughing!"

Peeves cackled even louder, zipping around their heads. "Oooh, Snape and Easgriff sitting in a tree—K-I-S-S-I—"

"Langlock!" Severus interrupted, flicking his wand at Peeves. The poltergeist's tongue instantly stuck to the roof of his mouth, silencing him mid-song. Peeves flailed dramatically, making garbled noises as he flew off down the corridor, still trying to speak.

"Amazing," Evangeline muttered, a grin spreading across her face. "Will it wear off soon?"

"Two hours," Severus replied, his tone nonchalant.

"Perfect. You might've just done the whole school a favor."

As they strolled down a quiet corridor, Evangeline suddenly spotted Professor Flitwick and darted off to speak with him, casting a quick glance back at Severus as she talked. After a moment, she rejoined him, looking pleased.

"Why was Flitwick looking over here?" Severus asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

Evangeline smiled, trying to look innocent. "Wow, right to the point, aren't you? I asked if you could spend Christmas Eve in the Ravenclaw common room with me. There are only about ten of us left here, anyway."

He raised an eyebrow. "And he said…?"

"He said yes! Said you can be trusted and even offered to make sure your gifts would arrive in the Ravenclaw common room."

"But isn't it against the rules for students outside a House to enter another's common room?"

"Maybe," she replied, waving her hand dismissively, "but he made an exception. I didn't want you waking up alone tomorrow. So… will you?"

After a moment, he sighed. "Fine."

"Perfect. Just us and the common room."

After another round of failed Patronus attempts, Eva brightened suddenly. "Let's go sledding!"

Severus raised an eyebrow. "And where exactly is this sled?"

"Improvisation!" She grinned, finding a flat piece of wood and tossing it to him.

He gave her a skeptical look but finally sat on the makeshift sled, with Eva hopping on behind him. With a quick spell, they were off, hurtling down the hill. Severus held on tightly, his eyes widening as they picked up speed, Eva's laughter ringing in his ears.

At the bottom, she jumped up, beaming. "That was brilliant! Again?"

"No."

She laughed. "Didn't think so."

Severus rolled his eyes as they walked towards the Great Hall, the sounds of students already gathering for the Christmas feast echoing through the corridors. He didn't share Eva's enthusiasm for the event, but attendance was expected. After the feast ended, they headed down to the Slytherin dungeons so Severus could collect a few things for the night and the following day.

Evangeline followed him, lingering in the Slytherin common room while he went to his dormitory. She glanced around, taking in the room's shadowy atmosphere. The greenish glow from the lake cast flickering, wavering light across the stone walls, and she spotted fish darting by the windows. The room was dark and stately, decorated with tapestries depicting medieval Slytherins, all with an air of cold dignity.

As she wandered, she noticed a cluster of framed photographs. One picture caught her eye.

Severus came down the stairs, his belongings in hand, and noticed her fixated on the photograph. "Recognize anyone?" he asked.

She nodded. "I do, actually. You see that man? That's my grandfather. Aurelius Easgriff," she said softly.

Severus raised an eyebrow. "Your grandfather was a Slytherin?"

"Mm-hmm. Like his parents, his wife, and… as you already know, my father. He—" she hesitated, glancing at the photo again. "Grandfather thought I'd let the family down, getting into Ravenclaw instead of Slytherin. To him, it was practically a disgrace."

Severus's expression softened a fraction. "I see. And your mother?"

"She was an exchange student from Ilvermorny, actually. Came here at the start of her sixth year. She was sorted into Ravenclaw because—" Eva hesitated, then chuckled. "Well, mostly because she hated snakes. The Sorting Hat gave her a choice, like it did for me."

"The hat gave you a choice too?" Severus asked, intrigued.

"Yes, Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. I chose Ravenclaw in the end; it was easier for my father. Grandfather would've been… less than thrilled otherwise." She smirked slightly, though her voice held a note of tension.

They made their way to the Ravenclaw common room. After changing into their pajamas, Eva waved her wand, transforming two blankets into thick, quilted bedrolls. They lay on the floor, the fire crackling beside them, and chatted softly until sleep finally overtook them.

When morning arrived, Severus was jolted awake by Evangeline shaking his shoulder insistently.

"Sev! Wake up! It's Christmas! And… you've got presents!" she announced with a bright grin.

He sat up, slightly disoriented. Presents? It seemed almost absurd that anyone would go out of their way to get him something. But as he looked over to the small tree in the common room, he saw several parcels with his name on them.

Evangeline had already started sorting them. She handed him one with a knowing smile. "This one's from David," she said.

Inside was a book filled with Muggle riddles—a surprisingly thoughtful choice. He supposed it was David's way of making amends for all those attempts to engage him in Potions.

Next, he opened a package from Grace and Mariana: an intricately charmed silver bookmark that moved along the pages as he read, perfect for keeping his place in thick texts without constantly having to look for one. It was unexpectedly practical, and he managed a curt nod, wondering why these gifts had come his way at all.

Evangeline then handed him a slim leather notebook, embossed with silver, from her parents. The quality was clear; it was something that could hold his private thoughts, spells, or brewing notes.

Before he could think of anything to say, she held out a final package, her expression turning softer. "And… this one's from me."

Severus took it cautiously, unwrapping the paper to reveal a sleek, black quill with his initials, "S.S.," etched in silver along the shaft. He looked at it, speechless, running a finger over the polished surface.

Eva raised her eyebrows. "You know, 'thank you' is usually what people say."

He cleared his throat. "Yes. I—thank you." he said, feeling the weight of the gifts around him.

She chuckled, "You're welcome. And for the record, I'm not asking for a speech."

"What did you get?" he asked, hoping to shift the focus off himself.

"Oh, the usual," she said, holding up a book and some robes. "A notebook from my aunt and a little charm from Salem. Enough to keep me busy, anyway."

Suddenly, he remembered the gift he'd picked up for her in Hogsmeade. He reached for a small box hidden behind the tree and handed it to her, his eyes shifting away. "Here. It's… well, just take it."

Her eyes widened. "You got me something?"

He looked away, trying to appear indifferent. "Just open it."

She carefully unwrapped it, revealing a small, leather-bound pocket notebook. Embossed on the cover was a fine outline of an owl in flight—a subtle but thoughtful nod to her own owl, Hestia. "Severus… it's perfect," she said quietly. "Thank you."

"Severus… it's lovely," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I… thank you. Truly."

He shrugged, still uncomfortable. "It's nothing," he said shortly. "Don't make it into a whole thing."

She smiled warmly, clutching the notebook to her chest. Without warning, she leaned in to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you," she said simply.

Severus's cheeks flushed as Eva's quick kiss left him momentarily frozen. He cleared his throat, brushing imaginary dust from his robes. "Yes, well," he muttered, awkwardly, "no need to make a spectacle of it."

The rest of Christmas day passed quietly, and to his surprise, Severus found it oddly pleasant. He felt a brief twinge of irritation at the thought of the students returning soon, but Evangeline's arrival pulled him from his thoughts. She dragged him outside, where building a snowman quickly spiraled into a snowball fight. Her laughter filled the air, and though he would never admit it, Severus felt something close to enjoyment, if only for a moment.

~~~~~~~~END OF CHAPTER~~~~~~~~

(1) from Latin that means to roll over

I hoped you liked this chapter. Thank you for reading this and following it as well.

Until next time *Sees Peeves in a distance* "Oh Gosh why!"