Second chance a new choice

Christmas Vacation

Early Christmas morning Severus woke to an empty, but surprisingly warm dormitory. Most other students were home for the holiday. Guess the elves were busy last night.

Cheery decorations adorned the room and welcoming candles spread a soft, golden glow. At least six or seven pine boughs filled with golden glitter and red Christmas ornaments hung on the walls. Each crimson globe sparkled and glinted in the candlelight.

Darkness still blanketed the world outside, but the twinkling stars and half-moon offered enough light to paint the snow-covered ground pale, shimmering silver.

To complete the scene, the spicy scent of ginger cookies beckoned, cutting through the pleasant, woodsy smell of pine.

Christmas... another sad excuse for everyone to act like fools and spend time on ridiculous decorations and frills they'll only take down in a week or two. And all the over-decorating. He grimaced at the memory of some other students' enthusiasm in years past. Plain and simple is far superior.

Severus lay in bed, letting the moment soak in. I suppose this is nice...

Almost thirty minutes later he finally sat up and yawned, still feeling strange for laying abed so long as it served no purpose.

In one corner, on a small table, sat a little tray of cookies and warm milk—the source of the ginger aroma. A golden Christmas star hung above the offering, and—

What in the—He did a double-take. At the foot of Severus' bed, atop the coverlet, heaped a small mountain of presents. Where in Merlin's name did all those come from?

Severus—in his previous life—always spent Christmas at Hogwarts, but he only received a scattering of presents: one or two from his mother, a few things from Lily, and in the last few years of school several from Malfoy. But the ones from him were far from gifts of affection. He sat up to study the pile. I'd bet none of these are from Malfoy. He smirked. Or Dumbledore.

In his years as a teacher, Dumbledore always gave him a pair of colorful socks or a set of ridiculous pajamas. Severus made a point of never returning the gesture. But if these aren't from them—except Lily, perhaps—then where did they come from? He jerked back. Are any of these Death Eater attempts to kill me? He shook his head. No. No, Dumbledore would've detected that. After all, we established my status as a target last summer, so Dumbledore knew quite well to check.

Severus eyed the colorful stack, anyway.

Lily's handwriting decorated the top gift's card, so he began with it. At least I'm fairly certain this one's safe... He removed the package carefully and allowed a relaxed smile as he held the large gift, wrapped in red paper. When he opened it, his smile broadened. A set of wizard's robes. They were a beautiful forest green with bronze lining and dark brown accents. Not too flashy. She chose well. He held the robes out. I actually quite like these. Granted they aren't what I'd have chosen for myself, but I wouldn't mind walking around in them. I suppose she remembers my... distinct lack of wardrobe aside from school uniforms. Nice of her to offer such a subtle solution.

Guilt tugged at him. Wish I could've bought her something instead of just charming an ordinary object.

Lily knew he'd never had any money, and the best gift he'd ever given her was when they were ten. He'd made Lily a necklace out of bird feathers. It embarrassed him even now to remember that, but it reminded him of this year's Christmas gift to her. He'd collected some lily petals and put them in a small jewelry box. When she opened the box, the petals would dance, arrange in a circle, and transform into a bright, silver petal necklace of Severus' design.