Severus looked around. The merriment must be getting to him already.
"Pssst, Severus!"
He glanced around again. "Lupin where are you?"
"In here. Molly's gingerbread house."
Severus looked from one gingerbread house to the next. They were all between five and six feet tall, numbered for judging and covered in more sugar than could be produced in Jamaica in a year. There were at least a dozen, one sappier than the next. "Lupin!' Severus hissed. People were closing in on him looking as if they wanted to talk.
"The one with the red candles, red flowers in the flower boxes and the red door."
Red door. Got it. Severus bent to slip inside the slightly opened door. It was shut and sealed behind him. Remus sat cross-legged on the floor with a bottle of Firewhisky and a cheese tray.
"Planning to be in here all night, Lupin?" Severus smirked.
"It pays to be prepared." Remus said smiling.
Severus settled himself down and took the glass he was offered. "If you intend to hide, why did you come in the first place?"
Remus chewed thoughtfully on his brie covered water biscuit. "Because I couldn't say no. Why did you come here?"
"Minerva made me."
Remus chuckled. "How?"
"I lost a wager." Severus mumbled as he downed his drink and poured himself another.
"Ah. Care to share what it was?"
"No!"
"So you're here trapped with me in a gingerbread house."
"With alcohol and food."
Remus grinned slyly. "And I have no appeal?"
"Is there something about you I should find appealing?'' Severus asked.
Remus' smile grew. "Beyond my good looks and sparkling personality you mean?"
Severus coughed a small cough. "Erm…yes."
A wolfish smile covered his face as Remus' hand reached for his fly. "Would you like a peep?"
"Here?" Severus gasped.
"Rumour had it you were quite a size queen in your youth." Remus' fingers touched his zipper.
"Damned Lucius!" Severus said in a low voice.
"Ah. The senior Mr. Malfoy I understand is a solid nine. You will find me a perfect ten." Remus waggled his eyebrows.
Severus rolled his eyes and waved his hand. "Very well let's have a look." A gasp escaped him before he could stop it. Perfect didn't describe the sight in front of him and the ten was perhaps eleven. Christmas had come early and Severus didn't plan on wasting a moment of it.