Author's note:
I hope you like this chapter! Merry Christmas!🎅🏻
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Word count: 1.3k

Today is Christmas. All students have gone home to celebrate with their families. Well, everyone except for Y/N and Draco.

They can't go to Malfoy Manor as the Dark Lord is there, and Y/N's father is working. So they have decided it would be best to stay at Hogwarts.

Of course, Y/N doesn't know about the Dark Lord. Draco told his friend that Lucius and Narcissa had urgent business to attend to, claiming he doesn't know what it's about.

And she believes him. Draco feels bad for lying to her, it's however necessary. If only her own father would tell her the truth...

Severus is currently sitting by his desk in the Potions classroom, waiting. He has requested Draco to bring Y/N here, saying he has something to tell her.

In reality, it's something to give her. He has decided to give her a Christmas present - she gave him the book for his birthday, so it's only fair he gives something in return, right?

As he looks outside the window, he sighs. He usually loves watching the snow fall, but right now, it just reminds him of the cold.

A few days ago, he lost his favourite and only scarf. He has looked everywhere, but alas, it's nowhere to be found.

He has been meaning to buy a new one, but he simply hasn't had the time. It was a miracle he actually had time one day to go to Hogsmeade to buy Y/N's present.

He hopes she will like it. He's obviously not rich like the Malfoys, so it's a rather modest, simple gift.

His train of thoughts is interrupted as a knock on the door can be heard.

He clears his throat. "Enter" he states.

Y/N then enters, giving her Head of House a big smile. "Hi, Severus. You wished to see me?" she questions as she approaches his desk.

He nods. "Yes, I do. I just wanted to give you something" he says as he hands her a small present wrapped in green gift wrapping with a silver ribbon.

She gasps. "You didn't have to!" she exclaims, lost for words as she looks at her present. It's small enough to fit into one of her hands.

"Nonsense, you gave me the book for my birthday last year. Which I have really enjoyed reading, by the way. Now, open it" he insists, gesturing for her to open her present.

Nodding, Y/N eagerly opens it, revealing a black box. As she opens the small black box, she looks at its content in awe.

"It's beautiful" she whispers, taking it out of the box. It's a silver necklace with a small cauldron pendant.

"Draco always joked about how Potions is your favourite subject, and you did mention once that I'm your favourite teacher. So, I thought a cauldron necklace was in order" Severus explains, smirking.

It however turns into a frown as the girl keeps staring at the necklace. "I can take it back if you don't like it" he says, looking unsure.

Y/N's eyes immediately divert to his as she shakes her head.

"No, I love it! I love it so much. Also, Draco wasn't joking. And neither have I been, I do really love Potions and you are in fact my favourite teacher" she says, shyly smiling.

She suddenly runs towards him as she hugs him.

"Thank you so much, Severus!" she says, her arms wrapped around him.

At first, Severus stiffens. He however decides to slowly return the hug after a few seconds.

As he does so, he can feel something in one of the pockets of her robes.

"What have you got in there?" he questions, looking curious.

Y/N stops hugging him as she gives a shy smile. She then retrieves something - a present. It's wrapped in black gift wrapping with a green ribbon.

Severus stares at it, looking surprised. "For me?" he hesitantly asks, not believing his own eyes.

The girl nods. "Yes, for you. Here you go" she says as she hands him his present.

Sitting down, Severus slowly opens it. It's a black scarf - only it's warmer, cosier as well as newer-looking compared to his old one. It feels extremely soft in his hands.

"I noticed you haven't worn your old one these last few days, so I figured you had lost it and wanted a new one" she explains, smiling at him.

Severus tries his best not to show any emotions. He however fails as a single tear leaves his left eye.

Y/N's smile immediately fades. "I'm so sorry, don't you like it? I can take it back and help you find your old one-" she rambles on as Severus wipes off the tear and shakes his head.

"No, no, I like it... I love it. I apologise, I don't know what came over me" he says, sighing in frustration.

Perhaps the stress of being a spy has finally gotten to him. Why in Merlin's name did he cry? Severus Snape never cries.

"I truly appreciate your gift, it's very... thoughtful" he says, touching the soft scarf.

Y/N's smile returns. "I'm glad you like it. Oh, could you help me with this?" she asks, holding the necklace.

Nodding, Severus puts down the scarf on his desk as he rises from his chair. He gently grabs the necklace and wraps it around her neck, locking it in place.

"It suits you" he mutters.

Blushing, Y/N gestures to the scarf on the desk. "Why don't you try it on?" she shyly suggests.

Severus immediately grabs it as he wraps it around his neck. It feels very fuzzy and warm.

"It suits you" she says as she smiles, repeating his words.

He can't help but chuckle at that. He's sure she's just saying it to be polite, but it still makes him happy.

Just then, somebody knocks on the door.

Severus raises an eyebrow at that. "Enter" he states.

Draco enters as he smirks. "Nice scarf, professor" he says.

The Potions Master rolls his eyes at his Godson. "Don't get too cocky, Draco. I won't refrain from giving you detention" he tells him, smirking as well.

Draco huffs. "Whatever. Anyway, in case Y/N didn't already ask you, we were wondering if you would like to spend Christmas with us. Unless you want to stay hidden here, away from people" the boy says, shrugging.

Severus gives him a warning look. His expression however softens as he looks at Y/N.

"I would love to" he tells them.

He conjures two chairs in front of his desk, gesturing for them to sit down. Once they do so, he calls for a house elf, requesting a Christmas feast for the three of them as well as three mugs of hot chocolate.

Nodding, the elf immediately gets to work. A few seconds later, there are three big plates filled with food and three big mugs of hot chocolate with whipped cream on top.

As the elf disapparates, the three of them sit down and eat their delicious meal.

Severus decided to drink hot chocolate as well - it wouldn't be appropriate for him to drink firewhiskey in front of them.

Once they are full and satisfied, Severus conjures a game of Wizard Chess. They take turns to play against each other, laughing as they are having fun.

Yes, Severus Snape is actually laughing, having fun. This is truly a Christmas miracle.

They end the day by looking outside the window, observing the snow fall while sitting next to a cauldron fire.

Except for Draco, the boy fell asleep and is currently snoring.

Y/N can't help but laugh. "Happy Christmas, Draco" she tells the sleeping boy.

"And happy Christmas, Severus" she says while smiling, her body wrapped in a green blanket.

"Happy Christmas, Y/N" the Potions Master says, the corner of his lips turning upwards as if smiling.

This is truly his best Christmas ever.