Owls and Musings - The Sequel

Chapter 8 - Christmas at the Cottage

The following week was the start of the Christmas holidays, and the five were really looking forward to the break. There were very few students, besides those that lived permanently in the castle, who were spending the holiday at Hogwarts. Over the years, after the war had ended, it had become a tradition amongst the married professors to take those children in over the holidays to give them the feel of a homey Christmas.

This year three students, who had chosen to remain behind rather than go back to their orphanages for the season, joined the Snapes and Lupins at the cottage for three weeks of snowy fun. Adeline Skinner and Fannie Potts, third- and fifth-year Gryffindors, had both been regular guests for Christmas; Chadwick Carver was another first-year Gryffindor from the same orphanage Alisha and the Lupin boys had come from, and this was his first holiday away from there.

Being mutual godparents to each other's children, the two families had decided to join their Christmas celebrations from the first year they'd both had children.

The families waved off the rest of the students to the carriages, then took a large one for themselves to the Apparition ward edge and Apparated everyone to the edge of the property. The adults strolled along the crusty ground while the children ran on ahead to dive into the piles of snow that had blown up against the field stone fence walls. Before the adults had even reached the stile gate, sides had already been chosen and a snowball fight had begun.

As Tonks and Esme hurried the two babies inside while laughing, Severus and Remus were the unfortunate victims of their children's wayward balls and decided to join in the fun. Each taking a side, the two men delighted in catching an unwary student and dumping snow on them. When everyone tired of the activity, Severus waved his hand and started a ball of snow rolling around the yard, picking up snow as it went and getting bigger and bigger. Remus and Alisha caught on and joined in with their own snowballs until three graduated balls of snow were on the ground near each other. The children cheered and ran to put the snowman together.

The rest of the afternoon was spent in making and decorating more snow statuary, some being very creative. Eventually a snow family and several pets were arranged in the meadow, and the wet and snowy, but very happy children were trooping inside to warm up by the parlour fireplace drinking mugs of hot chocolate laced with pepper-up potion at Severus' insistence.

Chadwick was amazed at seeing his normally staid and proper professor throwing snowballs, making snowmen with the rest of the children and then laughing in front of the fire. Professor Lupin he knew was a jovial sort, but not the Potions Master! Adeline and Fannie delighted in his gawping; they were used to this by now, and both were considered a semi-permanent part of the extended family.

As all three came from Gryffindor they knew what to expect from Madam Snape, she was always kind-hearted to her 'little lions' and was constantly making sure they were taken care of - but Chadwick did not know much about Professor Snape. At school, while he occasionally cracked a joke in class, they were still somewhat snide in content, and he was still the stern Professor willing to deduct points from any House if they were not paying proper attention to their cauldrons, or while stalking the hallways with his robes flaring behind him. Roger and Emrys never said much about him either when they discussed their families late at night in the dorm. Tonight though, he was the one making sure Chad felt welcomed, and eventually he was the one who showed the children to their guest rooms on the second floor.

"Are they all in bed?" Remus asked as Severus re-entered the parlour accepting a glass of mulled wine from his wife.

"In bed, yes. Asleep?" He shook his head amusedly. "No, but they should be soon. I think I've totally messed up the mind of Mr Carver, my dear," he said, not whole-heartedly apologetic to his wife.

"I'm sure you have." She grinned back. "Why is it always the Gryffindor's who get left at school? Hardly any of the other Houses have stay-overs during the holidays," she asked reflectively.

"Just the way it works out, I suppose," interjected Remus. "Merlin, that was fun this afternoon!" He yawned and stretched out his frame along one of the sofas, grinning as the Snapes laughed at his cracking and creaking joints, and laid his head in his wife's lap. She smiled down at him as she ran her fingers through his thinning hair.

Tonks looked over at her best friend. "Is Minerva joining us for the holidays?"

"Auntie said she would be coming in on Christmas Eve. Said she was going to enjoy the peace and quiet of an empty castle for a few days!" She giggled. A cry from the bedroom caused her to sigh though. "Accio milk bottle," she mumbled and pushing up from her chair grabbed the bottle from mid-air and headed for her bedroom and the crying infant.

In a few moments she re-entered carrying A.J., who was already beginning to grab onto the bottle and try to hold it himself. She sat next to Severus who put an arm around her and smiled down at his youngest child who gazed solemnly up at his father for a moment before breaking out into a brilliant toothless smile around the bottle's nipple.

"That's my boy!" Severus murmured. Remus laughed from his prone position, he was just as fond of this godchild as all the rest.

Severus looked over at his friend. "How are the changed DADA classes going? Is Harry working out?"

"Actually they are going quite well, if I say so myself. Harry is working out brilliantly - well, he already had teaching experience from the DA club all those years ago - the older children really respect him and his experience, and he just has the gift to teach the subject. It was really quite sickening watching the adoration on the students' faces when they realised they had him for a teacher. But a few well placed hexes brought them back to earth rather quickly." Remus sniggered at the memory.

"And what about your venture among the wild packs?"

"Slow going. They do not trust the Ministry, with good reason. But now that Arthur is in charge, things are changing for the better, and as the wild packs see this, they are more apt to trust the changes that apply to them. Those that have come back to society are experiencing those changes and telling others from their old packs and encouraging them to come back. I've been going around with samples of the new potion and talking one on one. Like I said, it is slow going but worth it." He sighed as Tonks kissed his forehead in sympathy.

Severus took the baby from Esme as she vanished the empty bottle and started playing with him on his knee. "If you need any more help, let me know."

Lupin was stunned. "Thank you, Severus, I'll keep that in mind." He yawned deeply again and grinned when Tonks laughed at him. "I think it's time for me to get some sleep. Come along, Dora my 'dorable. Let's go upstairs and scare those children into being quiet." He stood up and, tucking her arm in his, headed up the stairs to the second floor.

Severus tossed the baby in the air, tickling him as he came back down causing the baby to giggle madly. "It's time for you to go back to sleep as well, my little man!" He tucked the baby in one arm and offered his hand to his wife who gladly took it as he led them back to their bedroom.

The next week was a flurry of activity. Decorations were brought out; the right tree was found in the nearby woods after much searching on the part of the children and the two wizards. Wizby was in her element baking and cooking up a storm in the kitchen. She was always happiest when she could be doing something for her family. Then came trips to Diagon Alley for gift buying and an afternoon where everyone disappeared into separate corners of the house to wrap those gifts.

Outdoor activities were not neglected as forts were built, skating occurred on the frozen pool, and of course a lot more snow fights. The boys were even able to get Brigida to participate.

Christmas Eve was always special as the Snapes held a party for all their associates, friends and their families. McGonagall arrived to spend the next few days with her family and helped prepare the house for the arriving guests. The children of the household were decked out in party robes and eagerly awaited their friends showing up for supper. Soon enough the first knock came at the door, and the Longbottoms were ushered into the front room followed quickly by the Weasleys, the Potters and others. The house was soon filled with laughter, good smells from the kitchen, good music in the background and even the arrival of Father Christmas (also known as Professor Longbottom) to the great delight of the smaller children. A.J. was not amused and broke out screaming after taking one look at the kindly saint. Esme had to take him into another room before he quieted down.

After the departure of Saint Nick (and the amazing reappearance of Professor Longbottom), the parents and their children began to take their leave to prepare for Christmas day at their own homes, and the children of the cottage were sent to bed as well. Remus, Severus and Wizby set out all the presents under the tree before taking to their well-deserved beds.

"Wake up, wake up! It's Christmas morning!" Rebecca jumped up and down on each of her sisters' beds in turn and then headed for Adeline and Fannie's beds. Alisha grumbled and made a grab for the imp, but missed entirely and grimaced as the child ran away laughing and bouncing from bed to bed.

Similar noises could be heard coming from across the hall as the younger Lupins woke up the boys and their parents. The children all found stockings hanging from their bedposts and amused themselves emptying out the mounds of treats, new quills, and small toys for the younger children. Soon enough smells of bacon and coffee wafted up the stairs, and McGonagall and Tonks were calling down the hall that it was time to come downstairs.

The children pulled on their housecoats and slippers and piled out into the hallway to troop downstairs, Alisha carrying Becca, who was sucking on a Sugar Quill, and Roger taking the hands of his younger brothers.

Chadwick was amazed at the sight that met his eyes when they reached the front parlour. The tree was all lit with fairy lights and wizard candles, and the piles of presents surrounding it were amazing. Professor Snape insisted on breakfast first, though, so the family went into the kitchen and gathered around the laden country table to feast on everything Wizby had produced.

Esme gazed from the head of the table over her extended family gathered round. A.J. was content in her arms with his morning bottle, dressed in red footed pyjamas that had Santas moving all over it that all looked remarkably like Professor Dumbledore - a gift from his great aunt Minerva. Everyone was talking and laughing, enjoying the food and passing the jugs of pumpkin and orange juice while the adults sipped on cups of tea or coffee. She caught her husband's eyes at the other end of the table and joined him with a contented smile. Life was very good this Christmas.

Remus was the first to notice that everyone was finished eating and made the announcement that the opening of presents would now commence. A veritable stampede took place as the children all headed into the parlour. The adults strolled in after them and commandeered the seating while the children sat on the floor; each awaiting their presents with barely contained enthusiasm.

Emrys and Alisha took charge in checking tags and handing out the piles of presents. All the children received various assortments of school supplies, books and warm jumpers from the adults, and various other items of enjoyment from each other and their friends from school.

Each family had received baskets of home-made goodies from Molly Weasley, and the three guests had received jumpers from the kind-hearted witch as well. Severus' gift to Esme that year was another half-kneazle from the same family he had obtained Casey from all those years previously. The kneazle they currently had preferred staying with Rebecca, and he knew Esme missed her own cat. He enjoyed watching her bond with the kitten as it clambered all over her lap, chewing and tugging on the long plait of hair before curling up next to the baby on her lap.

For her part, Esme had managed to obtain an extremely ancient potions scroll from her contacts in the Eastern European region for her husband. She chuckled to herself as she saw him gently unroll the scroll and start reading. He was lost for the rest of the morning. In fact, he eventually wandered down to the basement lab to try out some of the potions listed.

The rest of the holiday was spent enjoying presents, working on homework - which Severus supervised - and playing outside. It didn't take young Chadwick long to join in as one of the family, and by the end of the holiday he was wishing he could stay at the cottage with this boisterous extended family forever. The trip back to the castle was a near reverse of their arrival. Wizby took the luggage back and locked up the cottage, resetting the wards, and the adults Apparated the children back. They arrived just as the train pulled into the station, and grabbed a large carriage back to the castle.

The families split apart as they entered the castle with Severus and Lupin heading to their classrooms to set up for the next day, Tonks and Esme leading the younger children back to their flats and the students heading toward their respective common rooms after saying a hearty thanks to the professors for hosting them for the season.