This will be a short series with a total of nine chapters set over Harry's Christmas break. I was inspired to write this because of the holiday spirit. I hope you enjoy it!

April 9, 2016: I've fixed some minor things that have caused a few readers some confusion, like some details that weren't in line with canon. I made some improvements in the writing as well. I hope this version is better.

Chapter One

"Headmaster," Snape greeted upon the entrance of the old wizard. Dressed in his favorite violet robes adorned with silver star patterns, Dumbledore stood calmly at the entrance, smiling serenely at the younger man.

"Lovely place," said the headmaster, his eyes glinting. He paced the room momentarily before sitting down on the lone couch, waiting for his colleague to do the same.

"It wasn't funny the first time, Albus," said Snape, his tone sharp. He knew that these visits were not mere social calls, and he did not have the patience for small talk. The headmaster's odd taste in humor added to his irritation.

Dumbledore chuckled. "Of course, of course. I'll go straight to the point, as you wish."

Snape raised an eyebrow, waiting for the other man to speak. Just then, two steaming cups of tea materialized on the table.

"I have always enjoyed the soothing effects of chamomile," said Dumbledore as he took a sip from his cup, which was, incidentally, violet.

"Straight to the point, Headmaster," reminded the younger man as he glanced at the cup in distaste. Through his years of working with the old wizard, he had developed an aversion to anything violet.

"Ah, yes. Forgive an old man for getting distracted," said Dumbledore.

Snape sighed. This was going to be a long night. He decided to drink the tea despite the atrocity that contained it, scowling when he found that it was laced with a mild Calming Draught. He chose not to comment on it lest their conversation go off topic again.

"Christmas break is approaching—"

"Albus!"

"Severus, I assure you I am getting to the point. As I was saying, Christmas break is approaching, and we have a... minor problem, I'm afraid."

"What problem?" asked Snape, disliking where this conversation was heading. He had a feeling this problem concerned him. Why else would Dumbledore be in his quarters, leisurely sipping tea?

"You see, this year, none of the staff members can stay in the castle to watch over the children," said the older man, looking at his colleague meaningfully. The Potions Master didn't budge. "That leaves one other option, which is to close down the school over the holiday."

"Forgive me, Headmaster, but I do not see what the problem is," said Snape, looking at the other man with a hint of curiosity.

"There is a student who cannot go home for personal reasons. As all the staff members are busy, no one can take the boy."

The professor had a sneaking suspicion he knew who the said boy was. "Who is this boy?"

"Harry Potter."

Of course. Potter was always the problem. Snape narrowed his eyes at the headmaster and said, "And why are you telling me this?"

"You have to take him, Severus," said Dumbledore, the usual twinkle in his eyes gone. "We both know you don't have any obligations this Christmas, and there is no one else I would trust for this task."

"What of his relatives? Isn't the boy the safest with the Blood Wards?"

"Unfortunately, they are... unavailable."

"Can't I just watch the boy here then?" asked Snape, resigned to his fate. If he was going to be forced to take care of the Potter boy, he would, at the very least, do it in Hogwarts, where there were plenty of places he could send the brat to.

"Unfortunately, there is a Ministry rule that requires the presence of at least two staff members in order to keep the school open," said the old wizard.

"Are you telling me that even Filch is unavailable?" asked Snape in disbelief. He refused to accept the fact that he was the only one who didn't have obligations this Christmas.

"I promised him a holiday break early this year in exchange for releasing two fourth year Ravenclaw students from detention. Please, Severus, you are the only one available for this."

"And what do I get in exchange for this... request?" asked Snape. If Filch could get something then why couldn't he?

"I cannot imagine what might interest you, Severus, but I do seem to recall having the first edition of Most Potente Potions, complete with the author's handwritten notes, sitting somewhere in my office," said the headmaster, the twinkle back in his eyes. There was no way the Potions Master would refuse this.

"Sometimes, I wonder if you should have been a Slytherin."

Dumbledore chuckled. "So do I. I will send Harry down here a week from now."

With that, the headmaster left, leaving Snape to brood. Potter. Oh, how he disliked that boy. Perhaps if he were lucky, he could just lock the thirteen-year-old in his room until the end of the Christmas break.

He found himself momentarily amused by the thought and sighed, wondering if his lack of emotion was due to the mild Calming Draught in his tea. If he was going to live with Potter, he was definitely going to need more of those. Retiring to the potions laboratory, he wondered if the rare book was worth this.