Twelve Days After Christmas - parts 1 - 6

Sequel to "To Light"; based on Twelve Days of Christmas song

Partridge in a Pear Tree

"Hello, Severus," said Harry after opening the door. "Please come in! How was your Christmas?"

Snape walked in and handed Kreacher his great-cloak. "Wonderful, I spent it relaxing at Duncan and Matilda's. They send their regards."

"Great! I'm glad the owl business is doing well. Are you still enjoying working with them, even with your sight and mobility back?" Harry asked as they walked to the parlour.

"Yes, it is much less stressful than teaching dunderheads, and I have been able to resume my potions research in private."

"That's wonderful. Would you like to exchange gifts now or later?"

"Now. Here." Snape handed him a tall, rectangular box with plain brown paper and red ribbon. Harry handed him a smaller box with festive paper and green ribbon.

They each opened their gift. Snape received a magically-enhanced telescope for stargazing. "This is a thoughtful gift, Harry."

Harry smiled in pleasure. He, in turn, received a plant. "Makes sense from a Potions Master."

"It is a bonzai pear tree. Cut it to remain small, but its fruit should be normal size."

"Brilliant! Thanks."

"Again, I should be thanking you. I've had a new lease on life."

"Really, Severus. It was my pleasure."

Two Turtle Doves

The following day found Harry relaxing in Number Twelve Grimmauld Place when he received a missive. "It's from Severus," he said to himself, smiling at the simple 'Harry' on the front in Snape's scrawl.

He unfolded the parchment. Two turtle doves entwined with red ribbon were emblazoned at the top along with 'Roussard's Beef and Bistro' and an address. Written on it were Snape's words: "I wish to accompany you to dinner. Be ready in formal dress at six o'clock."

At 6 pm, Snape flooed. "Are you presentable?"

"Of course, Severus. Come on through."

He stepped out in elegant robes and looked around. "Not as dreary as I recall."

Harry laughed. "Kreacher and I spent quite a few months clearing out the dark magics and redecorating. I even took out the section of wall with Mrs. Black's portrait to let more light through."

"Interesting solution. Shall we attend dinner?"

"Lead on!"

Dinner was wonderful. Afterward, Snape escorted Harry home via a cold walk under the moonlight. They paused outside his door and Snape fixed his intense stare on him. Harry's breath caught and he stood frozen in anticipation.

After a moment, Snape simply said, "Good night, Harry," and walked away.

Three French Hens

Harry felt absolutely wretched the next day. His head was stuffy and his bones ached. His muscles were shivering from cold and his eyes were burning. He ingested a Pepper-Up potion, but it only relieved the stuffy head.

"Another invitation from Severus," he muttered, when it showed up. "There's no way I can go." He wrote a brief reply declining and sent it back with the owl.

About an hour later, the floo flared. "'Arry? Are you 'ome?"

Harry dragged himself out of bed and downstairs to the floo. "Fleur, what's up?"

"You are looking so pale, non? Step back; we are coming through."

Harry retreated and two women and a child stepped out of the fire.

"Cherie, you look dreadful! Get back to bed immediately," Fleur said. "Gabrielle, fetch zat Kreacher and get 'Arry some soup. Victoire has ze potions."

"You should be in bed, Uncle Harry. Come on." Victoire took his hand and led him back up the stairs.

"How did you know I was sick?"

"Your Monsieur Snape told us and asked us to come 'elp. "

So they got him settled, fed, and medicated.

Drifting off to sleep, Harry smiled. Snape had sent him a care package.

Four Calling Birds

Harry woke the next day feeling much better. Snape's potions did the trick in ridding him of his fever and stuffy head, though he knew better than to push himself today. So he invited Andromeda and Teddy over for the day.

"How's Spartacus?" Harry asked.

"Fine. He's such a great owl."

Just then another owl tapped on the window. "A repeat invitation from Severus. Would you like to go see where he trains the owls?"

"Could I? That'd be awesome!"

So it was that Harry and Teddy met Snape and the Marlins for dinner. "We're honoured you came," Matilda said. "Dinner will be ready in half an hour."

"We were hoping to see the training barn first, if you don't mind."

"We'd be glad to show ye," the burly Duncan said. "We even have four new calling birds we're trainin' for some Muggle clients."

"Cool!" Teddy loved all the birds.

"Thanks for the invitation, Severus," Harry said.

"I trust you are feeling better or you wouldn't have come."

"Yeah, your treatment worked like a charm."

Snape nodded then hesitated. "Meet me for tea tomorrow?"

"Sure, I'd like that. But dinner first!" They collected Teddy and ate a lovely meal together.

Five Golden Rings

Harry spent the next morning checking his mail and groaning at the headline of the Daily Prophet: Boy Who Lived Falls Deathly Ill. He'd tried to maintain a low profile since returning to the Wizarding world, but the reporters still followed him around. How had they found out this time?

At tea time, he apparated to Snape's place, where a lovely service had been set with assam and cardamom biscuits. "These are delicious."

"Matilda sent them." He abruptly rose and walked over to the sideboard, returning with a gold wrapped gift. He handed it over.

Harry took it with great confusion. "I don't understand. We already exchanged gifts."

"I saw the article this morning. Either there is a mole in the Weasley household or someone is following you. These are an attempt at protection."

Harry opened the gift to find five golden rings.

"You wear them at neck, wrists and ankles. They will protect against basic spells and hexes, even poisons."

"That's amazing, Severus. I'll definitely be wearing them from now on." He put them on and they shrunk to fit, the magic activating and warming his skin. He looked up at Snape in gratitude.

Snape coughed and looked away.

Six Geese a Laying

The last day of the year Harry spent concluding his financial transactions and working on a presentation for the Wizangamot introducing the benefits of the new alternative medi-wizardry.

That evening, he received a floo call from Snape. "I wasn't expecting to see you today. What's up?"

"I heard from Weasley-Delacour that you were attending the festivities in Vertick Alley tonight."

Harry smiled. "Yeah, George invites me every year. Why?"

Snape, appearing apprehensive, said, "I wish to accompany you."

Harry's face lit up. "Sure! Come on through; we'll leave in a few minutes."

They went together to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. George greeted them with good cheer. "You're just in time to help me put the finishing touches on the fireworks. Thanks for the new ideas, Severus. The six geese laying gifts for the new year are going to be a hit display!"

Harry was taken aback. Snape had helped George? With something fun?

Snape, perturbed, hissed, "When will you learn discretion?"

"It's fine, Severus. I'm really touched you would help out my friend." Harry then dragged Snape out to join the crowd counting down the new year.

Snape took Harry's hand and stared into his eyes as the clock struck midnight.

A/N: Just a two-part story. The second part will be posted on Jan 6. Happy New Year!