Mistress Of Magic

26 ~

Waking up on Christmas morning in a magical castle was not something I ever thought I would do. But I was happy. Almost everyone had gone home for the holidays apart from a select few. Draco and his family were spending the holiday together. I had been offered to join but decided against it, telling them that I wished to stay with my godfather. My friends must have seen how desperate I was to spend time with my dad and had stopped asking, going as far as to explain the reason to their parents.

I had given a list of things for Radhiork to buy using money from my vaults and sending the correct presents to the right people so I didn't have to worry about Christmas gifts. I had also spoken to him about a few business proposals that would increase the amount of money coming into Gringotts.

I had gotten a sugar pot from a rare tea set for Minnie since it would complete her collection. I had gotten dad some rare potion ingredients as well as a book on runes. I had marked the pages about heat runes so he could use them in his class.

Draco and Blaise had gotten new brooms along with quidditch uniforms for next year since they all wanted to try out. Neville had a new book about herbology as well as a few rare plant seeds that he could try growing himself in his dorm room. One of the plants if grown correctly could become a friend or pet, similar to Groot which I couldn't wait to see.

I had given Lucius a new pair of leather gloves with the Malfoy family crest stamped into the cuff while Narcissa and the girls got few beauty items from the muggle world. I also got Narcissa a pair of Louboutin stilettoes since 'every queen needed a pair to rule the world'. I had even given the twins their own apartment trunks with a fully shocked hidden potions room for their pranks. I know I had gone a little overboard with their presents but I just couldn't help myself.

Lastly, I had finished the Moon ring for Remus. I including a note explaining what it was and how it worked. I had addressed it to 'Uncle Moony' and signed it with 'hugs and howls, Your pup'. I knew from Mum's diary that he had taken to the habit of calling me Pup or Puppy when I was a baby and thought it would be a nice touch.

I change into a T-length green nightdress along with matching slippers and a black fluffy robe that had my name sewn in a silver thread over the breast pocket. Astara wraps herself around me and rests over my shoulders. I had grown a few inches since coming here so it was a little easier to carrier her now since her tail wouldn't drag on the floor.

I join the others in the common room and smile when I see dad had been roped into wearing his pyjamas as well. Apparently, it was tradition for whatever Slytherins were left to open their presents together and have the head of house hand them out. I sit next to Dad. "Morning Papa Merry Christmas"

"Merry Christmas, little snake" he kisses my forehead and hands me a present. The others had gotten used to seeing Snape show emotion and no longer questioned it, they actually enjoyed knowing the Professor could act human.

I take the green-wrapped gift with a smile and set it aside a grab his from under the tree. I pass it to him and pick mine back up. We both open it at the same time and I almost drop mine in shock. Inside was a teardrop glass jar, about the length of my little finger, with a cork stopper and silver chain attached. Inside the glass jar was a baby white and pink stargazer lily. "It was your mother's. I thought you would like to keep it."

"Dad it's perfect" I admit I did get a little emotional when I saw it. I carefully lift it out of the box and clasp it around my neck. I stacked nicely with my other necklaces without it looking tacky. I give him a hug before watching him open his. He smiled when he saw my rune book and sent me a mocking glare. I simply shrug and wait for him to get the ingredients.

He looks at me shocked, turning each jar to read their labels and uses. "Where did you find these? some of these are so rare I've never even seen them"

"I called in a few favours" I smile at his reaction and he gently places the crate on the end table before hugging me, placing a kiss on the top of my head as he does. He lets go and starts handing out presents from under the tree. I was shocked to see how much I had actually received.

By the end of it, I had some new clothes from Narcissa and Blaise's mother, Madeline. I would have to remember a gift for her next year. Draco had given me an empty charm bracelet, I was very confused until I opened my gift for Blaise, he had given me a silver tree of life charm. The two were so adorable and had actually coordinated on a gift for me. Draco also got a few things to decorate my room with for Astara. Like half of a dead tree, that had a shrinking charm on it, for her to sleep in. Astara was very happy about it.

From Minnie, I got a few new books on charms and transfiguration. Neville and the twins had given me a selection of wizarding sweets, even going as far as writing something about each since I told them I hadn't tried wizard candy before. I was shocked to see a gift for Molly and Ron. Luckily I see the label before I take it. Dad gave me a weird look when I flinch away from it.

"My magic is telling me not to" He moves it away from me knowing how sensitive my magic could be. He takes out his wand and uses his magic to open the box as well as removing the items inside. Inside there was a hand-knitted jumper as well as a box of homemade fudge and a note. Each object turns before glowing different colours. The jumper and Note turn different shades of yellow while the fudge turns to light pink.

The other student watch surprised when dad starts getting mad. "Papa, what is it?"

"It's all been laced with compulsion and love charms. The rest of you stay here I will take it to Professor Dumbledore" Right before he leaves I sense another charm in the room. "Wait! There is another" I point to the only present left under the tree.

"That's impossible. That one is for you from Dumbledore. It's James's old invisibility cloak" Everyone is lost for words at that, I thought the cloak had been left in the vault since I took control of everything. He would have had to have taken it out before summer for me not to have noticed. The idea of him stealing something from my father and possibly using it for himself made me madder than I think I have ever been.

Dad does the same charm on the cloak that he had done on the other present and it glows a bright yellow along with a flash of green spiralling around it. "You are to all keep this information to yourself. Do not look Dumbledore in the eye. I want all of you to stick together even more than usual." We all agree with him before he leaves, taking the presents with him.

"Everyone gather around. I'm going to teach you all Occlumency. After you have perfected it along with Legilimency I will pair you each up with another student after the break and you will teach them in return. I want the whole House protected in any way possible."

They all nod and I teach them the basics for them to get used to it. I made sure to explain it in a similar way that I did when I helped Draco in Transfiguration class. My dinner time I was proud to announce that my snakes could now detect when someone was trying to enter their minds and place a wall around their thoughts. It wasn't entirely perfect but It was better than nothing. I was going to have to teach it to Neville and the twins during the rest of the break and then Susan and Mandy when they return since they weren't in my house to be able to do this privately. I made sure that my House knew how proud I was of them and they all spent the rest of the day looking a mixture between smug and prideful.