A Christmas Carol

“Wake up Severus!” He sat straight up in his bed, having laid down to rest. He must have fallen asleep again. The sound of music was coming from his library. He stood and walked slowly into the other room.



It was filled with a large table covered in food, and rich succulent deserts. Presents wrapped and decorated, were stacked against the walls. Musical instruments were playing themselves in a corner while they danced around and at the head of the table, eating heartily was Ron Weasley.



“Weasley?” He said, looking closer to make sure he had the right person.



“Severus!” He jumped up on the table and began singing. “It’s in the singing of a street corner choir/ it’s going home and getting warm by the fire/ its true wherever you find love, it feels like Christm…….”



“SHUT UP!” Severus screamed, holding his head against the volume. The instruments slowly died down and settled on the floor.



“Do you have a problem with music?” Ghost Weasley asked, looking down at him.



“Only when it’s loud and horribly sung off key by annoying ginger idiots.” He spat back.



Ghost Weasley jumped off the table and stood before him. As with the real Weasley, he was tall, and broadly built, a strong image of a man. But this Weasley was lively and confident, where the real one still dealt with insecurity. He would still need a few years to master it. He was dressed in casual robes, and dark blue jeans. He didn’t wear the traditional Weasley jumper, but instead was wearing a dark blue shirt, opened at the neck. As with Ghost Potter, this man looked more polished and put together than the real one.



“Do you have something wedged in your taint that’s making you so angry?” He asked. Severus frowned. “I am the Ghost…….”



“I’m sorry? Something wedged in my what?” He asked giving the ghost a confused look.



“Like I was saying, I am the Ghost of Christmas Present.” He said, lifting an arm. A bright red cloak trimmed in gold flew into his hand and he slipped it on.



“Why do you look like Weasley?” He asked.



“As with my predecessor, I am a representation of something. It is your job to figure it out.” He said with a ridiculous grin. “Now shall we shoot the shit all night, or are you ready to go?”



“Shoot the shit?” Severus repeated. This version of Weasley obvious was more educated not only in street slang but he had mastered irony and sarcasm in a way the actual Weasley didn’t.



“No time, let’s go.” He walked out of the library and headed for the door. When it opened, the same tunnel appeared, this time colorful and festive instead of the ethereal whiteness of the past. When they finally emerged they were at Hogwarts.



“How often do I have to see this place?” He asked.



“I thought you liked it here?’ Ghost Weasley asked.



“I do, but that doesn’t mean I want to come back here. I moved on.” He said, as they walked into the castle toward what he knew was the teachers lounge. On Christmas Eve the staff threw a party for themselves to let off steam. Having to be models for the students was something they all accepted, but this time was for them, and they used it.



The laughter was full and the room was warm. Several teachers were drinking or already drunk, and the room was absurdly decorated. “Did they party like this when you were on the staff?”’ Ghost Weasley asked, taking a seat on a nearby table.



“Yes, more so when Dumbledore was alive. That man could drink anyone under the table, and he had contests to prove it.” Severus said, looking over at Trelawney. She was already drunk, but then again she never could hold her liquor.



He moved to where McGonagall was talking with Madame Pomfrey. “This is the life Minerva. Every now and then we all need to just get pissed.” She said.



McGonagall laughed with her. The older witch had her hair down for a change and while it was streaked with grey, it was still full and wavy. “I know, I know. This was needed, as it is every year.”



“Any word from Severus?” Pomfrey asked.



“None, but since he left the school, he hardly ever comes back.” Minerva seemed sad, and Severus watched her with concern.



Dinner was called and the teachers, stepped aside as a huge table appeared laden with food. Beside Minerva was an empty place, and halfway through the meal, Professor Neville Longbottom, the new Herbology teacher asked who it was for.



“We always set a place for Severus Snape, even though he doesn’t come. He’s too much like family for me to not be ready for him.” Conversation continued on. Severus looked at the presents piled on the table behind him and noticed his name on several packages.



“Why does she see you as family?” Ghost Weasley asked. He was now lounging face down on the table, his weight balance on his elbows.



“When I was a student, I spent most of the Holidays here at the castle. I didn’t go home and she was someone I spent more time with. She seemed to be more endearing then my own parents had been and easier to talk to. She understood me more then anyone other than Dumbledore and she never judged.”



“She didn’t have children did she?” Ghost Weasley asked.



“No she never did.” Severus admitted. Perhaps Minerva saw him as a son she wanted but never had. Was that the case? Was that why she saved him a seat every year?



“Let’s go now?” Ghost Weasley opened the door and the tunnel reappeared. He found himself on a street but he wasn’t familiar with it.



“Where are we?” He asked.



“We are at the home of someone you are familiar with.” Ghost Weasley said, then vanished through a wall into a house. Severus followed, entering the home. Several children were playing on the floor. A delicious smell filled the house as Christmas dinner was made. A witch was moving about at record speed, setting up this and moving that, every now and then making sure the children stayed where they were.



“Happy Christmas everyone!” Douglas, his employee walked into the house.



“Happy Christmas father!” The children ran up and hugged their father. He kissed each one of them.



“This is his family?” Severus asked.



‘Yes, it is.” Ghost Weasley answered. “Adorable children aren’t they?”



“Why am I here?” He asked. “I don’t know him personally, I treat him fairly. He‘s hardly suffering in my employ.”



“Yes, he is paid well, considering how long he had been with you, but there is something you need to see.”



Severus watched the family share a Christmas dinner, envious of their joy. They were lively and chatty and shared things among themselves. Even the youngest girl was given equal attention and her siblings listened as she spoke. He wished his own family dinners were this cheerful.



“And now, my dears, a toast.” Douglas stood and raised his glass, his family raised theirs. “To Mr. Snape, my employer, a Happy Christmas to him.”



‘To Mr. Snape.” The family echoed and drank to his name.



“What on earth?” Severus was surprised. His employee, who he had never taken the time to know, had just toasted him at Christmas. “Why would he do that?”



“He knows that without employment he wouldn’t be able to provide for his family. He knows that he is paid fairly based on his competency in your labs. He knows that as long as he continues this way he will have a job. But tell me, is that all you see?” Ghost Weasley asked.



“What else should I see?” Severus asked.



“Dammit Severus, look at him and his family.” Ghost Weasley moved closer and spoke with firmness. “They don’t waste money but they don’t starve, and he is loyal and devoted to you, even though he could be elsewhere. With four children he could be making more money with his talent, but he stays in your shop. Look around Snape.” Severus looked at the home, the furniture wasn’t threadbare but neither was it brand new. It was lived in, most likely bought used. His children were dressed warmly but their clothes were obviously hand me downs and well made hand me downs. It was plain to see that clothes were bought based on quality to go through four girls.



“It’s no doubt that he lives frugally to stay where he feels he should be. His family is happy because he is happy. If he left your employ and found a better paying position then his happiness would suffer and so would his family. They support his choice to stay in your shop and that is what you should see. This family cares for one another and makes an effort to share happiness.”



Severus looked back at the man surrounded by the females he lived with. They were all helping out to clear the table. They were a genuine family and while the kids were distracted with wiping the table, Douglas pulled his wife under the mistletoe for a kiss.



“Come along, It’s time to go.” Ghost Weasley took his arm and in a swirl of smoke they vanished and reappeared in a grassy field. Severus looked about then turned around.



He faced a country style house that from the looks of it had been expanded or repaired time and time again. There was light coming from inside and the sound of jovial talking could be heard. “Where are we?” Snape asked.



“The Burrow.” Ghost Weasley answered, walking toward the house if excited strides.



“The Burrow? Arthur Weasley’s home? Why are we here?” He asked, following the specter through the door. The whole family had come for Christmas. Severus remembered the Weasley children from the oldest to the youngest. Bill, Charlie and Percy were in attendance with their wives. The twins were speaking with their sister. Potter was in a corner talking to Hermione Granger.



“You’ll get an earful over there.” Ghost Weasley said, nodding to the two friends talking. Severus rolled his eyes, as he walked over listening to Potter and Granger speaking.



“I told you he wouldn’t be here.” Harry told her.



“I know you told me, but I keep hoping that he may just spontaneously show up.” Hermione replied taking a sip of her champagne.



“Why invite him then, if he always refuses?” Harry wasn’t being condescending or malicious. He seemed just curious as to her reasons. Hermione said nothing, she just swirled her wine in her glass. “Hermione?”



“I just wanted to invite him, is that so hard to believe?” Hermione said, not looking up at Harry.



“Hermione, you’re in love with him aren’t you?” He asked in a soft voice. Severus felt his heart explode. What had he asked? He looked to Granger who only lifted her eyes briefly. “Hermione, you’re going to get hurt.”



“I know what you are warning me against, and I haven’t gone to him with how I feel. I wouldn’t be that daft.” She said, with a sadness in her eyes.



“I just don’t want you to get your hopes up.” He told her.



“I know. I’m not. I just thought he might enjoy coming to dinner rather than spending Christmas alone. Nobody should be alone on Christmas.” As she spoke a single tear slid from her eye, and she quickly brushed it away.



“Dinner is ready everyone.” Molly called from the other room and everyone got up moving to sit down at a veritable feast.



Severus turned to Ghost Weasley. “Is this why you brought me here!?” He shouted. “To show me a girl’s stupid crush!?”



Ghost Weasley stood up and faced him, equal in height and size. “That’s all you can see isn’t it? Haven’t you learned from the previous ghost and the places I took you that you need to look for more than the obvious? Of what you heard, you see a crush? Tell me Snape, how can such an intelligent man be a fucking idiot?”



“Was I supposed to feel joy and euphoria at that admission? She was right to keep it to herself. I don’t want to share my life with anyone. I am happy being by myself, and the last things I need is a complicated relationship with someone young……..”



“Shut the fuck up Snape!” Ghost Weasley yelled. Severus was too shocked to say anything. “Did it ever occur to you that the most brilliant witch of her age sees something in you worth feeling love for? She is a woman who admires intelligence and you have taught her for years. She sees a man that nobody else does, and rather then respect that and be flattered and complimented, you toss it off a silly crush. Think of this Snape, if it was a silly crush, she would give you shy blushes and flirt in stupid ways, but no. She has kept it to herself, because if she did, she knew you would reject her. You would make some asinine comment and then she wouldn’t be able to have what you call a friendship. If she is willing to remain in the dark with you just so she could be near you, doesn’t that say something?”



“She’s too young.” Snape said quietly.



“Let her decide that. She knows what she wants and by denying what you feel, you deny her too.” Ghost Weasley told him, letting the older man think for a moment before he continued. “Have you figured it out yet? Have you figured out why I take this form. The same way the Ghost of Christmas Past took his form, mine also has a meaning.”



“Family. What Granger, and my employees and even the Weasleys have that I don’t. Family.” Snape answered.



“Close. It’s not that you don’t have it Snape. It’s that you deny it. You have parents that would welcome you, all you have to do is accept it. You have a grown woman who could be yours and all you have to do it take it. It can be yours, it can all be yours. Don’t deny yourself what can bring so much more into your life. Hermione can be yours, all you have to do it take what she offers. She’s not a child anymore, she’s a woman, and a damned wonderful one at that.”



Severus looked over at Hermione. She was seated next to Harry and sharing in conversation with Ginny and her brother. He had been invited here, and he refused. He had no idea if the Weasleys would appreciate him being here, but after what he heard he knew Hermione would appreciate him. Did she really love him or did she just think she loved him? Did she honestly see something in him that she found attractive? He certainly had never given her food for thought, but tonight she had given it to him without knowing it.



“It’s time to go now.” Ghost Wealsey told him.



Severus looked over at the ghost and furled his brow. “Why this particular Weasley? Any of them can represent family?”



“Good question. You’re learning to look for more.” Severus rolled his eyes at the over exaggerated praise. “This Weasley is the manifestation of loyalty. No matter how many mistakes one makes, this one will always forgive, always remain loyal and always accept love. The two oldest are married, loyalty shifts to the spouse at that point, the third born may be married but his ambition in his career sometimes shadows things, the twins are pranksters and while they too forgive quickly, they seem at times unapproachable. This one however,” as circled his face with a finger, “anyone can approach him, anyone can talk to him, anyone can love him, and he will return it.” After a moment he turned. “It’s time to go now.”



The room began to darken and Severus kept his eyes on Hermione until the very end. In pitch blackness he looked for Ghost Weasley but couldn’t find him. He turned and found a faint light coming forward.



It was a figure, walking toward him. This was the third and final visitor and for some reason Severus was afraid of what he would see.



A/N: The song Ron was singing was from The Muppet Christmas Carol, sang by the Ghost of Christmas Present.

I also apologize for taking so long to post this next one. Please forgive me and yell at me in a review if you wish.