Eleanor Snape- Book 2

My Early Christas Present

The days of November went by and the cool, dry winds were replaced by the even colder winds and snow of December.

It was announced after the First Task that a Christmas Celebration called The Yule Ball would take place on no other than Christmas Eve. Where most of the school was scrambling to find dates, out posse' had nothing to worry about. Everything was already sorted out. I was going with Draco, Vincent was going (reluctantly) with Penka, and Goyle with Sarah Beth, although her aunt thought that she was going with Rufus.

It seemed like every girl in the school was frantic the day of,except me. I personally thought it was no big deal. It would be like the Christmas Ball I had attended at the Malfoy's minus the Fyrewiskey.

It was almost noon when Uncle Severus found me sitting alone in the Common Room, reading a letter I had received from Lucius.

"Eleanor," He looked down at me while I put the book down.

"Yes?"

"I'm giving you your Christmas Present early." He pulled a big package, wrapped in black, from behind his back.

"Um, thanks I guess." I took it and sat it beside me. I was in no rush to open it. I got maybe a whole three Christmas presents a year, so why not let the surprise last me until the exact day.

"Open it." He encouraged. I put it on my lap and carefully started pulling off the paper.When I finished I was holding a brown Madam Malkin's box.

I looked up at him and he nodded, telling me to take the lid off.

Slowly, I put my hands on the sides and lifted the top off. Peering inside, I saw a square of thick, folded, red material starting back at me.

"Is this a dress?" I questioned, unfolding it in my lap and answering my own question.

It was deep red with a slit in the front that revealed another layer of black. Like the last year, it was straight cut with out any fluff or frills. The neck line was high on my neck, so high in the fact that it had to be buttoned at the nape of my neck and above. The sleeves were long and flared out the tiniest bit at the ends.

I'm not big on dresses or clothing for that matter, but this dress was gorgeous! My favorite part was on the chest three silver braids went across horizontally; similar to the ones on marching band uniforms.

"It's beautiful..." I laid it on my lap. "But how much did you pay for it?"

"Do not worry about it." He waved it off.

"But I still owe you for the ingredients I ruined during the summer. You said I had to pay you back."

"Never mind what I said."

I looked at him doubtfully. During the summer he had been extremely angry when I had pulled a shelf out of his ingredient cabinet. But never the less, I was off the hook. I wasn't going to let that offer pass...

"Thank you." I said gratefully. He lifted up the gown.

"There's more." I took back in the box. Laying in the bottom was a pair of short, black silk gloves.

"This is to much, Uncle Severus. I could have just worn my dress you got me last year."

"Nonsense. You are going to look lovely tonight." the corners of his lips twitched up for a moment, but quickly went back to normal. I couldn't help smiling back.