Chapter 21: Christmas

On Christmas, the Slytherin common room was unusually quiet as most noble families were either hosting or attending holiday banquets. Only Lys sprawled on the sofa by the fireplace - a spot usually claimed by senior students that she rarely dared to approach before.

Lying on the sofa with her legs dangling above the ground, Lys contemplated what to do in the coming days. She could visit the library to look at those illustrated books, then check on Madam Pomfrey in the hospital wing. Above her head, through the dark lake water, a small fish kept swimming in circles, once, twice... She could also take a walk outside - with others gone, there would be no El chasing her up trees. Hopefully, it wouldn't snow.

As she walked out of the common room, she ran into Snape. "Hello, Snape, aren't you going home?"

She had hoped to have the common room all to herself - what a pity.

"If your brain hasn't been eaten by caterpillars during Potions class, you'd notice the train has already left, isn't it obvious?" His clear boyish voice was lowered and drawn out with displeasure, sounding rather odd.

"Yes, indeed. See you at the feast tomorrow then, Snape."

Snape, already agitated from his separation from Lily, felt even more irritated. His sarcasm was meant to make others share his misery, but this response wasn't what he expected.

El had left his Puffskein behind, and Lys would reach into her pocket to stroke its fur whenever her hands were idle. Thanks to the little pig's cuteness, her fear of furry animals had diminished to the point where she was fine as long as they didn't appear suddenly.

This also made her overlook Snape's sour expression, like someone who had just eaten a flobberworm. She had things to do - El's mention of gifts had reminded her that everyone exchanged presents at Christmas.

Since she had no money to prepare gifts, she decided to try her luck in the kitchen. Lys had noticed long ago that the house-elves' way of handling ingredients was very similar to potion-making techniques. As the only student who made potions alone in class, she figured kitchen work would come naturally to her.

Indeed, things went exactly as Lys had anticipated. Holding freshly baked cookies, she first popped one into her mouth. Though not quite crispy due to the warmth, the rich buttery aroma was delightful. "These taste better than Coco's," Lys couldn't help but comment.

After giving a cookie to each house-elf who had helped her, she floated away, basking in their somewhat exaggerated praise.

She had baked many cookies with different flavors, obtained some boxes from the house-elves, and packed them evenly - these would be her Christmas presents.

She even prepared larger boxes for the professors who gave her extra tutoring, especially Professor Flitwick and Madam Pomfrey - their boxes were much bigger than the others.

After packaging all the boxes, she asked the house-elves to have owls deliver them at the right time, then headed to the library while munching on a juicy chicken leg the house-elves had prepared for dinner.

At Madam Pince's insistence, Lys washed her hands and face twice at the corridor's end sink to ensure she wouldn't soil any books.

She had finished those illustrated books and was now looking for more. Where was that "Illustrated Guide to Magical Creatures for Medicinal Use" from last time? While searching earnestly between bookshelves, Lys thought she heard someone calling her name, but besides Madam Pince and a Ravenclaw writing an essay, there was no one else here.

Looking toward the direction of the voice, she saw a cordoned-off bookshelf area. The floor was covered in dust, and one bookshelf looked ready to collapse, with chains strewn about - quite frightening. "Stalis Black," the call came again, mixed with a sigh.

Lys stretched her neck as far as she could but saw nothing that could make such sounds. Frightened, she pulled out her little pig and held it to her chest.

After watching for a long time, she decided to seek help. "Madam Pince, I heard someone calling my name, but when I went over, there was no one by those shelves. Could you come look with me?"

Half-believing, Madam Pince, after finding no one and hearing no voices, warned Lys, "Stay away from that area. It's the Restricted Section. Students aren't allowed near it without a professor's note." However, she didn't explain why Lys had heard someone calling her name.

Lys did obey, and for a long time afterward, she never approached that area again.

Sitting there flipping through the "Illustrated Guide to Magical Creatures for Medicinal Use" that Madam Pince had given her, immersed in the world of potion ingredients, Lys thought it would be even better if she could sneak a couple of cookies while the librarian wasn't looking.

Lys didn't go to the Great Hall for dinner - that chicken leg had solved a major problem. She wasn't hungry even after playing in the bathtub back in her dormitory.

Waking up the next morning, Lys felt she had slept well. She put on the black shirt she had specially picked out the night before. Though it was her father's old shirt, it was Lys's best-looking piece of clothing, reserved for this special Christmas arrangement.

After getting dressed, Lys pulled back her bed curtains. Since she didn't know how to turn off the lights, she would always draw them closed when sleeping, regardless of whether anyone else was in the dormitory.

Grabbing her wand, she jumped out of bed, and look what she found - presents! Christmas presents! Something she had never received before!

Piled at her bedside, the red and green color scheme was striking. Lys unwrapped them carefully, not even tearing the wrapping paper.

The first was from Severus Snape: "If you've washed your hands, I might express slight gratitude."

Inside were two glass bottles of liquid. The labels showed one was essence of dittany, the other a teeth-strengthening potion. Though the colors were slightly different from those in the hospital wing, they were probably his own brew.

It seemed Snape hadn't forgotten that first night of school.

The second was from El - a black knitted vest with a warming charm, according to the note. Lys put it on immediately. Though it made her look more boyish, she liked it.

After carefully storing the two potions, Lys went to the common room. Though few people remained, the diligent house-elves had still managed to squeeze decorations and a Christmas tree into this underground room.

The star atop the tree spun, sprinkling snowflakes that accumulated on the branches and leaves. The tree would look its best at night.

In the morning, Lys went for breakfast. Only one table remained in the middle of the Great Hall, with the rest pushed against the walls. There were surprisingly many people, especially from Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, who made up a large portion of those who stayed.

Lys disgustedly avoided the Gryffindor area, sitting instead with El's friends whom he had introduced before. As she was sharing her homemade cookies, she saw Snape walk in.