Witches, Wine, and Wizard Crackers

Witches, Wine, and Wizard Crackers

Christmas. Again.
Severus seriously considered feigning some sort of illness to get out of having to appear for Christmas dinner. The affair was just not to be borne - the Christmas trees, the ice fairies, the stars - everything twinkled. As if the impromptu caroling sessions between the portraits and the suits of armor weren't enough, the Hall ceiling at the moment flashed never-ending displays of the aurora borealis. And somehow, Flitwick had managed to housebreak a few real live reindeer, which stood beneath the largest of the Christmas trees, munching on moss. Since some of them had already lost an antler or two for the winter, the overall effect was less than impressive. Not even the strings of fairy lights Flitwick had conjured around their necks did much to improve on their scraggly appearance.

But Dumbledore believed in Holiday-Spirit-with-capital-letters, and skiving off was not encouraged. He usually even managed to coax Trelawney down from her tower for the occasion, which was quite an accomplishment. In the end, Severus decided that attending the dinner was preferable to having the Headmaster sic Madam Pomfrey on him - something Severus knew the old wizard was more than capable of.

At least with the less formal seating arrangements during the holidays he had the freedom of avoiding the worst offenders in the Cheer department. Looking around, he saw a seat next to Professor Sinistra, and breathed a sigh of relief. With a nod, he sat down beside his fellow Slytherin.

She appeared every bit as enthused as he was.

"That time of year again," she muttered. "Hope you don't mind if I get completely and utterly soused. Care for some?" She held up a silver carafe of steaming mulled wine.

"By all means." He held up his goblet for her to fill.

"Well, Happy Christmas, Severus."

"Same to you." They clinked their goblets together morosely.

"Any reason you didn't go home?"

She shrugged. "No family left. My brother died year before last. Even this is less depressing than sitting in an empty house."

"The war?"

"Of course."

He didn't bother asking which side. It didn't really matter.

Sinistra picked up a gold and green striped wizard cracker. "Come on. Might as well."

Resignedly, he pulled the end she held out towards him. After the blue smoke cleared, she looked with amazement down at the table top. Picking up a delicate golden necklace with a horseshoe pendant, she grinned. "Well, I'll be jiggered. Sure beats the live budgie I got last year." She nodded towards the pile of crackers. "Come on, Severus, you try one."

"No."

"Chicken. Buck-buck-buck..."

"Excuse me?"

"I dare you."

"What are we? Ickle Firsties?" He disdainfully looked down his nose at her. "You disappoint me, Sinistra. I didn't think you would sink to such an infantile level."

"Come on. Maybe this year it'll be different."

He obstinately shook his head. "I'm not going to."

Raising her voice, Sinistra shouted over in Flitwick's direction, "Hey, Filius, Severus is too chicken to..."

"All right, all right," he hastily interrupted her. Apparently, sitting next to Sinistra had been a colossal miscalculation. Scowling, he picked a silver cracker off the pile on the table. "There." He shoved one end in her direction. "Let's get it over with." They pulled; there was a bang, smoke, and then the sound of Sinistra trying hard not to laugh and failing miserably.

Snape closed his eyes, and cursed under his breath. How whoever was responsible managed it, he did not know. But there it was, again. A vulture-topped hat. For the sixth year in a row. He would never, ever live that boggart incident down.

He held out his goblet to Sinistra, who was still giggling helplessly. "Some more wine, if you please. I will need a lot more wine."