Disclaimer: I do not own any of the people or places that belong to the wonderful world of Harry Potter, as they belong to J.K. Rowling. The OC (Katherine) is entirely my own.
A small stream of light danced across the floor of the dungeon bedroom. The only small window in the entire quarters just had to be facing the eastern horizon, for the morning light hit Katherine straight in the face.
With a groan, Katherine reached under her pillow to retrieve her wand. Casting a silent "occludo" towards the curtains, she rolled over towards the opposite wall. Cracking her eyes open, she glanced at the small clock on the night table that read quarter after seven.
"OH SHIT," and with a flash, she ripped off the bedcovers and hurried into the bathroom. Albus had requested that all remaining staff be present at Christmas breakfast, which meant she only had fifteen minutes to get ready and be seated in the Great Hall in time.
After ten minutes she emerged from the bathroom in Slytherin green robes and made her way to the Great Hall for the morning feast.
..................
Twelve giant Christmas trees lined the Great Hall, and a gentle snow fell from the ceiling. The remaining students buzzed around, talking with friends and showing off gifts. All in all only eleven remained; three Gryffindors, four Ravenclaws, two Slytherins, and two Hufflepuffs.
The remaining staff sat at the Head Table, a few of them exchanging gifts and sweets amongst each other. Katherine placed herself on Severus' left and reached for a piece of toast.
'Overdid it last night, did we?' Severus' baritone voice echoed in her mind.
'I did not drink that much Sev, you know that.' Katherine retaliated.
'I didn't mean the alcohol Katherine.' Severus stated as ate his eggs.
He was right of course, Katherine couldn't resist Narcissa's rich food, and ate more than her fragile stomach could handle. She paid for it after their return to the school, becoming violently ill and had to down a few anti-nausea potions before finally getting to sleep at two in the morning.
Her thoughts were soon interrupted by the scurry of owls flooding into the hall, delivering last minute gifts to the students and staff. She knew not to expect anything; she hadn't received a gift from her father or uncle in years, not even when she was a student.
To her surprise, a large owl landed before her, with a long slender box grasped in its claws. She tentatively took the package from the bird and watched it take flight again. Frowning, she removed the small note from the plainly wrapped gift.
Happy Christmas
Katherine.
Her frown grew deeper. There was no name of the sender. She looked around the staff table to see if someone was watching her, but there was none. Even Severus continued to eat as if he never even saw the owl land before her.
Quickly and quietly, she slid her fingers along the edge of the box and pried it open. Her eyes widened as the contents of the package became visible.
A broom. Not just any broom; a Firebolt. The last broom that she ever owned was a Nimbus 1700; a fast racing broom, but nothing compared to this. Her pale, slim fingers skimmed the surface of the boom's dark mahogany handle.
Katherine repackaged the broom and set it down beside her chair. She quietly grabbed another piece of toast and quickly glanced down the staff table again, but almost everyone else was engaged in a conversation.
..................
As eight-thirty chimed, the staff began exiting the Great Hall. Katherine seized her gift and hurried towards her quarters. Removing her wards, she bolted into her bedroom and rummaged through her wardrobe.
YOU ARE READING
The Potion Mistress & the Half-Blood Prince
General FictionSeverus finally gets the position he has always wanted, but it means dealing with a new Potions professor and a woman from his past. Takes place during the HBP, DH and beyond. AU. Rated M for later chapters.
