Fellowship & Fairydust

Never had Snape’s silent chambers seen so lively a morning. Their occupant jumped up with a start and felt more joy than he had in years.

“I’m still here!” he cried, feeling completely ecstatic. I’m still here!

He quickly looked at his clock on the wall, and noted that it was 6:50 in the morning… but on what day? Had he missed Christmas?

“Dobby!” 

Hopefully, the irksome elf wouldn’t waste too much time in answering the summons. He wasn’t disappointed. The house-elf quickly appeared.

“Happy Christmas, Professor,” Dobby said by way of greeting. “How can Dobby be helping Professor Snape, sir?”

“What day is it?” asked Severus.

“Why it’s Christmas Day, sir?” said Dobby, seemingly trying to decide if Severus had finally gone off his rocker or not.

It’s Christmas Day? Then I haven’t missed it! The spirits have done it all in one night. But of course, they can do anything they like… they’re spirits, thought Severus to himself.

“Are you in need of something, sir?” asked Dobby.

“Actually, yes!” Severus said, coming up with a plan. “I need you and maybe another elf to distract a few people for a couple of hours, if you wouldn’t mind?”

“Who is Professor Snape wanting distracted, sir?” asked Dobby. “Dobby will be doing his best.”

“The Headmaster, Minerva McGonagall, and Potter’s circle,” said Severus.

“You is meaning Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley, sir?” asked Dobby.

“Yes, if you wouldn’t mind?” said Severus. “Ginevra Weasley, as well.”

“Dobby will be on it, sir,” said Dobby happily. “Dobby knows the perfect way to distract Harry Potter and his friends. Dobby also thinks that Hooky will be glad to help, as well.”

“Very well,” Severus said with a wry smile.

With a pop, the elf was gone.

Now Severus had a lot of work to do.

After taking a quick shower, he rushed to and fro, pulling garments out of the wardrobe, sending some owls off to an assortment of shop owners, and then left his quarters.

As he was heading down the gloomy corridors of his dungeons, he lit the torches in their brackets and continued smiling brightly as he went down another corridor – past a clanking suit of armor which shrank back in fright – up the stairs – and out the castle doors to the edge of the grounds where he apparated to Diagon Alley.

Once he got to the Alley, he made a quick stop at Gringotts Bank, where he transferred a small sum into the Weasley’s vault, and also sent a note to Molly Weasley, which he then sent off with an owl.

Knowing he still had some time, he quickly apparated to Spinner’s End and searched through his boxes with a mission. He was looking for something in particular. He could have used a summoning spell and was just about to when he found it. After copying the item, he threw one into his pouch. He then apparated into town and grabbed gifts for Dumbledore, Minerva, Charity, and Poppy.

When he finally returned to Hogwarts, he headed directly to the Great Hall and snuck the staff’s presents under their tree. It was a tradition for the teachers to meet early to exchange gifts. He was luckily the first person to arrive. He then summoned an elf to place Potter’s gift under the Gryffindor tree back in the common room while they were still hopefully being distracted by Dobby.

The staff, to say the least, were shocked when they walked into the Hall that morning. Of all people, Severus Snape was smiling, and although still dark, his robes were not completely black; he had chosen something slightly more festive.

“Happy Christmas, Severus,” greeted Dumbledore.

“To you as well, Albus,” said Severus, returning the greeting. “And happy Christmas, Minerva, Filius.”

Minerva and Filius shared a look, not sure what Severus was playing at. To be fair, they never really knew what to expect from him. Severus had always done whatever he felt like, within reason, of course. 

“Happy Christmas,” they both replied.

“I’m so glad you could join us this morning, my boy,” beamed Dumbledore. “But, I do have a question.”

“Indeed,” replied Severus, smirking. “And what would that be?”

Who are you, and what happened to Severus Snape? Thought Minerva. She liked this happy Severus, but it was a bit unnerving.

“You wouldn’t happen to know why I was bombarded by house-elves this morning, would you?” inquired Dumbledore, chuckling with his customary twinkle in his eyes.

“Why would I have anything to do with that?” said Severus, feigning innocence.

“I couldn’t even leave my quarters because two house-elves wouldn’t leave me alone,” said Poppy.

“Me as well,” said Minerva.

“Don’t look at me,” said Severus, appearing way too innocent. “Maybe the house-elves are up to something. I don’t control them.”

“Very well,” chuckled Dumbledore. He knew it was him.

A few moments later, the rest of the staff walked in, and they all exchanged Christmas greetings.

“Now, let’s see what’s under the tree,” decided Dumbledore. “I’ll be Santa.”

Slowly they made their way through the gifts. It wasn’t long before Minerva opened her box of nut brittle from Severus, and the staff had quite a variety of gifts. Everything from Honeydukes to sweaters, to books.

Severus received a box of Honeydukes from Charity and a pair of socks and a potions research book from Dumbledore.

“I’ve been looking for this book for a while. Wherever did you find it?” inquired Severus.

“It took some time, but being me has its perks,” chuckled Dumbledore. “You’ve mentioned it on more than one occasion.”

“Thank you,” said Severus.

“Say nothing of it, my boy,” Dumbledore replied without hesitation.

Dumbledore was last to open his presents, and he was thrilled when he opened his gift from Severus. It was a Luxury eagle-feather quill, with a box of Sherbet Lemons.

“Aw, no socks?” teased Dumbledore, “I always loved our little tradition.”

Smirking, Severus reached into his pocket, used an enlargement charm, and tossed a pair to Dumbledore.

“You’re far too generous, Severus, thank you,” said Dumbledore, beaming.

“Just keeping the tradition, but I wanted to say thank you,” said Severus. “You’ve done a lot over the years, and I know I’ve never shown how much I respect you.”

“How touching, Severus,” said Dumbledore, eyes twinkling. “Thank you.”

“Severus,” began Filius tentatively, “are you feeling quite alright?”

“Never better,” said Severus, beaming. “I feel better than I have in a long time.”

Minerva and the headmaster shared a look.

“It’s just that you don’t seem quite yourself this morning,” said Minerva.

“And I’m not!” laughed Severus. “Not myself, and better off for it.”

At this, all the staff members looked at each other in shock before smiling and deciding to give Severus a chance. They didn’t know what had brought on this change, but it was certainly a welcome one. He had always made things slightly difficult for them, in that his demeanour was typically less than pleasant. He wasn’t one to suffer dunderheads lightly and, well… Severus generally thought most people were dunderheads. If you convinced him otherwise, well… just ask Miss Granger how well that went.

While this was going on, Harry Potter woke up to quite a surprise this Christmas morning.

“Harry!” cried Ron. “Come on, Harry, get up!”

Slowly Harry dragged himself out of bed and walked down towards the common room.

“Happy Christmas, Harry,” said Ron.

“Happy Christmas,” beamed Hermione.

“Happy Christmas, guys,” replied Harry.

The trio opened their gifts. Harry’s included a Weasley jumper, among other things. It wasn’t until the end when Ron realised there was another gift hidden behind the tree, wrapped in silver paper.

“Harry, this has your name on it,” said Ron. “Come on, open it.”

There was a letter attached, and Harry read the tiny scrawl.

Happy Christmas, Harry,

I know you’ll appreciate this, and it should have been given to you a long time ago. Keep it safe.

Harry opened the gift and was stunned to find a photo album filled with pictures of his mother when she was young. What shocked Harry most was the person with her.

“Snape sent me this,” said a shocked Harry.

“Are you serious?” inquired Ron.

“It’s definitely his handwriting,” said Hermione, looking at the note.

“And he’s in all of the photos,” said Harry.

“He and your mum must have been friends,” said Hermione.

“Or something,” Harry said under his breath. He didn’t know what else to say.

Eventually, the trio went down to the Hall for breakfast and, like many of the students, were surprised to see the Professor in such a good mood.

The choir was just wrapping up a rendition of “Cast a Christmas Spell” when Severus and Harry finally made eye contact.

Harry offered a quick smile in an attempt to say thanks, and Severus nodded in return, calling a silent truce. The exchange did not go unnoticed by the Headmaster, much to his joy.

Yes, it was turning out to be quite the Christmas, indeed.

And Severus was better than his word. He did not return to his old ways, and he became as good a friend, as good a teacher, and as good a man as good old Hogwarts ever knew. Some people laughed to see the change in him, but he let them, and it was always said of him that he knew how to keep Christmas well.

Now, this is where the story ends, and as he always says, “Happy Christmas and Merlin bless us, every one!”

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