A Christmas Carol

“Minerva, is it straight?” Minerva McGonagall looked at the star Flitwick had levitated up to the top of the tree in the teachers lounge.



“Yes, it’s just perfect.” She said smiling brightly. “Sybil, is the punch ready?”



Sybil Trelawney was just finished emptying a bottle of vodka into the punch bowl. After taking a sip of the brew, she smiled. “Yes, it’s ready?”



Minerva laughed and took a cup for herself, then the two ladies walked to the table and set out the presents they had brought, adding them to the pile already there.



“Severus?!” Minerva and Sybil turned to Madame Pomfrey’s excited shout and saw the woman wrap her arms around Severus in a hug. “We didn’t know you were coming.”



Severus smiled at her. “I wasn’t planning to but I thought I might drop by.”



“Severus.” Minerva hurried over and offered her own hug to the man, which was followed by Sybil’s. “Why didn’t you let us know?”



“I didn’t know I would be coming by until this morning. I can’t stay but I wanted to bring you this.” He handed her a bottle and she took great delight in the fine Russian whiskey.



“Is this from your stock Severus?” She asked.



“Oh yes.” He said. “I know how much you like it and can’t get it that often.” He looked around the room and shook hands with several others. “Everyone else will have to wait for their gifts I’m afraid, I have so much to do, but I will send owls.”



“It’s no problem Severus, thank you for coming by.” Sybil wrapped him in another hug and before he left he spoke to a few others then took his leave. He noticed a tear in Minerva’s eyes and smiled to himself.





Severus’s next stop was his apothecary where he left, on the stations of all his employees, new supplies, fresh parchments and new quills, new potions kits, and new smocks for everyone. On the station of Douglas he left the same but with a sealed letter. Douglas would find out about his raise and promotion to head of staff when he opened it.





The next stop on his list was his parents house and he was nervous. He didn’t know if what he was about to do was wise, but after his visitors last night he felt the need.



He knocked on the door and waited. He wasn’t wearing his usual robes. He was in muggle jeans, black boots and a black V-neck sweater. He rarely wore muggle clothes but he thought if he dressed in something his father would recognize maybe it would make him feel more comfortable. Billowy black robes can be intimidating and that’s why he wore them. Maybe seeing them made his father feel even more distant, maybe that’s why he felt his son was part of another world.



“Severus?” His mother’s eyes widened as she opened the door, shocked to see her son standing there.



“Happy Christmas mother.” He said with a faint smile. She flashed him a huge grin and opened her arms.



“Happy Christmas Sev.” She was the only one who shortened his name like that, but he didn’t mind. “Come in. You can stay for dinner right?” She looked hopeful.



“I can’t tonight, I have plans to be elsewhere.” Her heartbroken look made him feel bad. “I can come for dinner this weekend though., if you‘d like.” Her smile lit up her face.



“You will?” She asked, wanting confirmation.



“Yes, but I wanted to come by today and give you this.” He handed her a dish and watched her begin to salivate at the chocolate cake. It was her favorite.



“Oh Severus, thank you. It will be gone tonight I promise. I may even save some for your father.” She said with a wink. She was partially serious. His mother’s addiction to chocolate cake meant his father may get one slice.



“Where is father?” He asked.



“In his library.” She told him, watching him. She made no move to walk him, nor did she call her husband. She must have known Severus wanted a talk with his father alone.



He made his way down the hall and knocked on the door. “Why are you knocking Eileen?” He heard from the other side.



He opened the door and walked in. His father’s face showed his shock as he stood from his chair. “Severus, this is a surprise.” He offered his hand and while Severus took it, his father took in his appearance. It was the first time in a very long time that he had seen his son in muggle clothing. A moment later the two men sat down. “We didn’t know you were coming.”



“I hadn’t planned to, but I decided I would just this morning.” He explained. “I brought mom a cake, if you have fast hands, you may even get some.”



“I will have to plan hard then.” He smiled faintly. “Are you staying for dinner?” He asked.



“Mom already asked, but I have plans tonight.” He said. “I told her I would come for dinner this weekend.”



“Of course. Your mother would love it.” He said.



“I wouldn’t want to disturb you though.” Severus was killing himself, he didn’t know how to go on. Of all people in the world to be able to speak to it should be his father, and he was having just as much trouble as when he was a child.



“You wouldn’t be. You are always welcome.” He said. “Severus, you said you hadn’t planned to come by, but at the last minute you did, what made you change your mind after all this time?”



Severus calmed down internally. His father was speaking calmly and that was a good sign. “I think, father, that things are quite strained between us.”



Tobias lowered his head. “Yes, they are.”



“I would rather they not be.” Severus said quietly. It was a simple statement, but it was a strong one. He father met his eyes.



“I would like that as well son.” He said.



“We’ve never been able to talk much.” Severus ventured.



“No, we haven’t,” his father agreed, “but I guess two smart men can find something to discuss.”



“Yes, I think so.” Severus said. “You haven’t seen my house. Maybe you could visit soon?”



Tobias’s face seemed to light up. “Yes, I could do that.”



Severus left his parents house two hours later, having been talked into a snack and wine by his mother. He talked more with his father about his shop and his home and felt his spirits rise. When he had left, his mother kissed his cheek and hugged him. He offered his hand to his father and instead found himself wrapped in a strong hug. It was the first time his father had hugged him in well over twenty years but it was welcomed. It lasted for a while as far as hugs go but neither man was ashamed of it. For Severus it was a long time coming.







He pulled his cloak closer and looked up at the house. He must be mad to be doing this, but it was now or never.



He took a step then stopped. What was he going to say? Hello Arthur, Hermione invited me for dinner, I refused but changed my mind. That sounded horrible.



Arthur Weasley stepped out onto his porch with a glass and took a long sip. With seven children, most of whom had brought a guest, he wasn’t surprised that the man needed a drink. He spotted Severus and moved closer, his frown vanishing into a smile as he recognized the face. “Professor, how are you?” He offered a hand.



“I’m just fine, thank you.” He said shaking the man’s hand. “Call me Severus please.”



“What brings you here?” Arthur asked getting to the point. Severus knew it was because he was always to the point. Had he been a man who partook in small talk, Arthur would have indulged him.



“Actually Hermione invited me.” He said.



“She showed up some time ago alone. Did she know you were meeting her?” Arthur asked.



“I’m afraid I refused her yesterday. I had some plans change this morning though. If she has brought someone else……..”



“No she hasn’t. Come on, let’s get out of the cold.” Arthur walked him to the house and took his cloak, hanging it with the others then moved to another room. “Everyone, look who’s here.”



Severus walked into view and the room silenced. Everyone was no doubt surprised not only to see him, but to see him in muggle jeans and a jumper. Nobody knew what to say, but Severus did see one person smile. A young woman in a red dress, was smiling brightly at him.