"My Black Thorned Rose"

Chapter 8: Christmas At Hogwarts

*Sevy drops the letter on my bed*

'Ah, a letter from my parents I presume. I guess they'll be going somewhere for Christmas again'. I opened the letter and read it. 'Yep they're going to a Hotel (Hotel The Savoy) and yep, my favorite muggle candies are here and my old book titled "Eye of a Panther". They're going to leave their daughter here in Hogwarts. Well, I love it here. No complaints'.

As I was walking through the halls, I saw Prof. Snape walking fast towards his office. I jumped in front of him and I asked, "Professor, why did you jinx Harry's broom?". He widened his eyes and looked at me and answered coldly, "Ms l/n, how did you know I jinxed the broom? Were you the one who lit my cloak on fire?". I just stood there and didn't answer his question. He tries to walk past me but I managed to block him again "Again Prof., why did you jinx Harry's broom?". He rolled his eyes and grabbed my arms and answered me angrily, "DON'T. MAKE. ME LOOSE MY PATIENCE Ms. l/n". I stepped aside and let him walk past me. I just sighed and went to the Great Hall to meet Harry and Ron. Inside the Great Hall, students are leaving and the ghosts are singing. I saw Ron and Harry playing chess. I ran up to them and sat beside Harry.

"Knight to E-5". When Harry said that, the chess piece starts to move across the board. Hermione arrives with her luggages. Ron thinks for a moment, "Queen to E-5". The queen chess piece walks over to E-5 and clinks the knight away. Hermione complained "That's totally barbaric!". Ron looks at Hermione and told her "That's wizard chess. I see you've packed". Hermione answered back "See you haven't". Ron continued "Change of plans. My parents decided to go to Romania to visit my brother, Charlie. He's studying dragons there!". Hermione turned to me and asked the same thing "And, how 'bout you y/n? You're not going to pack your bags?". I crossed my arms and told Hermione, "Nope, my parents are going to some fancy hotel for Christmas so I'll be staying here instead of being home alone thank you very much".

Hermione rolled her eyes at me and told us "Both of you can help Harry. He's going to the library for information on Nicholas Flamel". Ron complained "We've looked a hundred times!". Hermione leaned closer and told us "Not in the restricted section... Happy Christmas". Before she leaves I called her "Hermione!", she looked back and said "What??". I approached her and gave her 10 galleons. She looked at me, confused then I whispered to her "The bet... Happy Christmas". She smirked and left. As I went back to them, we looked at each other and Ron said "I think we've had a bad influence on her" and I just laughed.

*The next day (Christmas Day)*

I woke up and turned to the other side of my bed, it was snowing outside!. I got up and did my usual morning routine (well more like, afternoon routine) and I grabbed my old book. I might give this to someone, someone who loves books. I thinked for a moment and I got an idea. I'll give it to Prof. Snape. I ran towards my luggage to find a black box with a gold ribbon. 'I know it was somewhere here', I muttered to myself. I finally found it so I put the book inside the box. I grabbed my book and tore one page for a letter and a quill.

"From: y/n l/n To: Professor Snape Happy Christmas Professor!"

I then put the letter under the ribbon. After that, I ran towards his office. I knocked on his door and he didn't answered. I knocked multiple times and he still dosen't answer. So I pushed his big door quietly and I saw him, sleeping on his throne-like chair with a book on his head, his hands on his stomach and his feet on the table. I quietly walked towards his table and put the box on his table. I thought to myself 'He must be tired from the other kids and from teaching, I feel bad for him'. I tiptoed towards the door and shut it quietly. After I exited, I ran towards the Common Room.

Severus' POV

I heard someone saying 'He must be tired from the other kids and from teaching, I feel bad for him'. After a few seconds, I heard someone left. I opened my eyes and saw a black box on my table. Is this a prank from the Weasley's again? If it is, I'll let them be just because it's Christmas. I put down my book and got my wand ready in case something happens. There was a letter below the gold ribbon. I opened it and it says "From: y/n l/n To: Professor Snape Happy Christmas Professor!". I muttered to myself 'Why would she give me a gift since I was rude to her'. I put my wand down since it wasn't a prank from the boys. I opened the box and inside it was book, titled "Eye of a Panther". I grabbed the book and placed it beside the one I'm currently reading. I stretched and went towards my chamber. I placed the books on my bed side table and started cleaning my office. I need to thank her too.

Y/n POV

*Night time*

As I was about to go to the Common Room, Prof. Snape was blocking the hallway. I tried to walk past him but he blocks it. I crossed my arms and looked at him "Huh, cheeky Prof. trying to do the same thing as me?". He looked at me with those black eyes, his eyes were like a panther. He sighed and told me "Thank you Ms. l/n for the gift you gave me. I find it amusing and interesting". I put my hands down and replied "I'm glad you like it Professor". He questioned me "Where did you get the book Ms. l/n?". I answered "It was mine Professor. I got it from my parents when I was just a mere muggle". "Interesting..." he commented. There was silence for a while then he broke it "Ms. l/n do you know what Potter, Weasley and Ms. Granger are planning? I asked because you're closed with them and they look rather suspicious". I crossed my arms and raised one eyebrow "Oh, so you want me to answer YOUR question now?". He nods and I ignored him and walked past him. I ran quickly inside the dorm. I changed into my pyjamas and went to bed early.