Severus Snape: The Half Blood Prince

*(51) A Christmas to Remember

Together, they stood, their shoes morphing back into what they originally were. Hand in hand, they made their way back to the common room, cherishing the magical memories of their last shared Christmas at Hogwarts.

They awoke the next morning to find a small Christmas tree adorned with twinkling lights and delicate ornaments standing next to the window on Severus' side of the room. The tree's glow added a warm ambiance to the dormitory, and Sophie couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement as she saw the presents tucked under its branches. As she prepared her gifts for Severus, she carefully wrapped her injured fist with gauze and tape to ensure it wouldn't hurt as she tore open the presents from whoever had left them there. The dormitory was quiet, a rare moment of serenity in their otherwise eventful lives at Hogwarts.

Sophie was the first to wake up, eager to see the look on Severus' face as he unwrapped his gifts. She checked under the tree and found five presents already waiting. Satisfied with her preparations, she placed her gifts for Severus underneath the tree, making sure they were beautifully presented. She then brewed some coffee, the rich aroma of Arabian coffee filling the room and gradually rousing Severus from his slumber. Sophie's black coffee was a bold and invigorating start to the day, and she felt a sense of contentment holding the warm cup despite the slight pain in her injured hand.

Severus woke up to the delightful scent of the coffee, his senses awakening instantly. Though he refrained from yawning, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the thoughtful gesture. The dormitory was unusually calm, most of their peers having departed for the Christmas break. The peacefulness outside their door was a welcome change from the usual hustle and bustle.

"Morning and Merry Christmas," Sophie greeted, savoring the taste of her coffee. She held the glass with her hurt hand, steadying it without any sign of discomfort.

"It's Happy Christmas, not Merry... Merry means you've already gotten a bit drunk this morning and you're in that haze right before regret," Severus corrected her, his lips twitching into a faint smile as he approached the coffee.

Sophie playfully shrugged her shoulders, responding, "I guess I got drunk on my love for you then; it is pretty powerful." She giggled and settled into the armchair by the small fireplace, feeling cozy and content.

"That's probable," Severus replied with a hint of amusement, taking a sip of his coffee and sitting cross-legged on the bed like a young child. He didn't expect gifts from his family or fellow Slytherins, so the sight of presents under their tree came as a pleasant surprise.

With eager anticipation, Sophie began unwrapping the first present addressed to Severus, handing it to him as she took another with her name on it. They decided to open their presents simultaneously, making the experience more enjoyable and avoiding any awkwardness. It reminded Sophie of her family's Christmas mornings, and she felt a wave of nostalgia and gratitude for this intimate moment she was sharing with Severus.

"This is technically my first Christmas without my parents," Sophie mumbled softly, her voice tinged with a touch of sadness. She gingerly pulled out a black and grey knit sweater from the pile of presents, adorned with a giant white 'S' on the front in a fancy italic font. She knew immediately who it was from, The Weasley family. Attached to the sweater was a short and sweet note that read, 'Welcome to the Order, a warm welcome from the Weasleys.' Sophie loved the thick sweater, and it was perfect for the snowy day with the temperature constantly dropping.

As she looked up at Severus, she noticed he was holding a pendant of some sort. Intrigued, she walked over to him after placing the sweater on the nearby chair and sat next to him on the bed. The pendant turned out to be a locket. As she peered into the open locket, she was greeted with the sight of Severus and his parents, Tobias and Eileen Snape. A six-year-old Severus was smiling next to his father, who had the characteristic resting Snape face. Eileen, despite what Severus had previously said, looked beautiful in the photo.