“It’s Christmas Eve,” Harry said at the table.

               “Indeed,” Severus agreed, not moving his Daily Prophet the slightest. Four days flew by fast in his opinion. And yet, it hadn’t been as dramatic and mischief filled as Severus had thought it might be housing Harry Potter in his quarters. For the most part, Harry had remained well behaved, asking to visit the library occasionally and working on schoolwork, writing to his friends who had quickly replied. The boy had even refrained from making cheeky comments, as well as from arguing when Severus insisted the boy head to bed for the night. The past few days had been . . . tolerable.

               “Well,” Harry began again, pushing his lunch around on his plate, “I was wondering if it would be okay if I visited Hagrid today for a while.”

               “And just how long is “a while” exactly?” Severus asked.

               “I don’t know, a couple hours or more. I thought I could also play in the snow for a bit, too.”

               “Play in the snow?” Severus finally lowered the paper. “What would you do outside by yourself and, might I mention, unsupervised?”

               Harry shrugged. Severus narrowed his eyes.

               “I believe we’ve already talked about shrugging, Potter.”

               “I know,” Harry quickly said. “I don’t know what I would do. I thought I could . . . build a snow fort or something. I’ve never really played in the snow before.”

               Severus did not doubt the boy’s words. After what he had witnessed of Harry’s relatives, he was sure Harry had no fond memories of a white Christmas.

               “I suppose allowing you some exercise outside would be acceptable,” Severus said. “As for Hagrid, you may use your time outside to visit him. You have two hours and I better find you back inside.”

               “Thanks, sir,” Harry smiled, quickly shoving his chair back only for the chair to push itself back in.

               “You will finish your lunch first,” Severus said in a stern tone. “And this is a privilege, Potter. I am allowing you to go outside and play unsupervised in this weather – do not make me regret this. If I find that you have disobeyed any rules in your outing, you will find yourself sitting in your room with nothing but schoolwork to occupy your time for the rest of the break. Understand.”    

               Harry sighed as he picked up his fork and pushed food around once more, muttering a “yes, sir.”

               Severus lifted his paper, but his irritation with Harry ‘s fork scraping around on his plate kept him from reading. Annoyed, he folded the paper and set it aside. He had already finished his meal five minutes ago, yet Harry had barely touched his. The past few days, he had made sure the boy ate every bite of his food, seeing as the child could use a little more fat covering his bones. Yet, today, he had barely ate his breakfast and now he was hardly eating lunch.  

               “Is there a problem with today’s menu, Potter?” Severus asked, “Is it not up to your standards?”

               “I’m just not that hungry,” Harry said, looking hopeful to leave the table.

               “That excuse will not do. You will finish what remains on your plate if you have any desire to go outside.”

               Harry’s face dropped even more as he pushed some broccoli around in the steak juices, nearly pushing it off the plate, before stabbing it and forcing it in his mouth, chewing slowly. Severus’s frown deepened.

               “Do you feel unwell? It would not be wise to send you out in the cold if you are sick.”

               “I’m not sick. I’m just not hungry. I’m really full now. Can I be excused?”

               “No,” Severus said, looking down at the boy’s plate. He raised an eyebrow at the boy. “What a waste it will be to have all that food thrown out. Obviously, something is bothering you if your are refusing to eat.”

               “I’m not trying to refuse, I just don’t feel hungry.”

               “Watch your tone,” Severus glared at Harry, who stared at his food with a slight pout on his face. After a minute, Severus sighed and said, “You will report to your bedroom for the remainder of the afternoon.”

               “What?” Harry’s head snapped up. “Why? I thought you said I could go outside.”

               “I did. That was before you chose not to eat your lunch and wasted a good meal. You must be either very sick or you are simply being defiant, neither of which will allow you outside privileges. Now, if you are finished, you may excuse yourself to your room.”

               Harry shoved his chair away and stormed off to the spare bedroom he had been using, slamming the door behind him. Instantly, Severus was on his feet. He did not like anyone slamming his doors but himself. He should have known the peace wouldn’t last much longer than three days. But why on Christmas Eve? Severus opened Harry’s door without bothering to knock, then froze in the doorway.

               Harry was lying face down on the bed, silently crying into the pillow.

               Severus took a deep breath, closing his eyes as he prepared himself for this. Wonderful, he thought, a crying preteen on Christmas: exactly what I want to be dealing with right now.

               Walking over to Harry, he stood by the boy’s bed.

               “Correct me if I am wrong, but your tears are not just about refusing to eat lunch and not being allowed to go outside. What is going on in that stubborn head of yours?”

               “Nothing,” Harry managed to say, though he spoke into his pillow.

               “I will not continue this conversation if you will not have the decency to look at me and speak clearly. You are not crying over nothing. Your attitude has been deplorable this entire day when we’ve had a pleasant few days before. What changed?”

               “Nothing changed,” Harry said quietly, turning his head so Severus could hear him and see his teary eyes. “I just . . . it’s Christmas Eve.”

               “This will be the second time you’ve pointed that out.”

               Harry rubbed at his eyes, pushing his glasses up to do so, then reached for a few letters on the nightstand, handing them over to Severus. Severus gave the boy a calculating look before scanning the words. The letter was from Harry’s friend, Mr. Weasley, and it was mostly about what his family was up to during the holiday and how the twins were causing trouble as usual. The second letter was from Miss Granger, who described in unnecessary detail her family’s traditions. He frowned.

               “I do not see how these are contributing to your behavior, Potter. I am not in the mood to play twenty questions, so if you will be so kind as to explain what about these upset you . . .” Severus paused and waited.

               “It’s just . . . my friends have traditions and stuff and their celebrating Christmas with their family. It’s nice and I’m happy for them, but even though I’m still at Hogwarts, I’m still alone and I have nothing. No traditions, no family. All I got was an early Christmas present from the Dursleys. This.”

               Harry held out a card with a fifty pence piece taped to it. Severus read the note: We received your message and enclose your Christmas present. From Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia.

               Severus felt anger swell in his chest as he kept from acting on an impulse and incinerated the note and coin – not that Harry would mind, he was sure. He could understand what the boy was going through – seeing normal, happy families spend their holidays in joy while his remaining family shared their indifference towards him. Setting the note down on the nightstand, Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. The boy simply wanted a way to feel normal and happy on his Christmas Eve, something he’s never felt before.

               Still, the boy needed to stay healthy.

               “I know this is hard for you,” Severus said, staring down at the sniffling boy, who glanced up at Severus’s voice, “having a family that wants nothing to do with you during the holidays. And I know spending your holiday with your least favorite professor doesn’t lift your spirits any.”

               “You’re not my least favorite,” Harry muttered, looking down.

               “However,” Severus continued, deciding against commenting on the statement, “I am willing to allow you to spend your Christmas Eve enjoying the snow and decorations, and you may visit your friend as well. My only request is that you eat a full meal before heading outside. You deserve to have an enjoyable Christmas Eve just as your friends do. I do not want to take that away from you.”

               Harry sniffed again. “I don’t even know what to do.”

               Severus sighed and looked away. What was he supposed to do now? Suggest fun ideas to the boy? If anyone were to walk in on them now, he would curse them to the high heavens.

“You said you wanted to play in the snow,” Severus reminded, “to build that snow fort you were talking about.”

“No fun alone.” Harry said.

“It can be fun,” Severus forced himself to say, pushing the last word out of his mouth with force. He had no clue of what other things kids did in the snow to play; in his opinion, it was far too cold to be out playing. But surely there was a way to make building a snow fort alone fun. “Do you know the freezing charm? It could help you form ice blocks to create an igloo. Why don’t you try that?” 

“But I don’t know that one,” Harry said.

“I could teach you,” Severus offered, then hearing himself, added, “if you are able to pay attention and follow direction, that is. And finish your lunch.”

“You would really teach me?” Harry’s eyes glistened as he stared up at Severus.

“You heard the terms I expect you to agree to.”

               Harry smiled and nodded, and after finishing his meal, Severus did teach Harry the incantation glacius, which created freezing air at the tip of the wand, allowing the caster to form ice bocks from the snow. Harry had caught on quickly, then, in a much happier mood, was allowed to head outside for a while.

               Severus was glad for a moment’s peace from the boy. It was starting to get a little too emotional for his tastes. Why he had agreed to a job working with preteen melodramatics was beyond him.

               A knock on his door pulled him from his thoughts. He opened it, and Minerva walked in without an invite.

               “Come in, Minerva,” Severus said as he closed the door, “Good day to you as well, really I am doing fine.”

               “Stop that,” Minerva said, shaking her head. “I won’t be long. I just saw Harry outside making an igloo of all things – using a spell taught to third years.”

               “The boy was capable of learning it, otherwise I wouldn’t have taught him.”

               “That was nice of you. What made you teach that charm in particular?”

               “Is this discussion really that important to you?”

               “Fine. Don’t tell me. I’m just happy that Harry is happy. That boy deserves a good Christmas. Speaking of which, what are you getting him?”

               “What do you mean?”

               “For Christmas, of course! What else would I mean?”

               “I’ve given Potter a place to stay for Christmas, I’m positive that that is plenty.”

               “Severus, you and I both know that you’ve become more than just Harry’s potions professor.”

               “And what is that supposed to mean?”

               Minerva didn’t answer. She shrugged, a smile on her face as she walked back to the door, pausing to say, “You should get him something. It doesn’t have to be extravagant. A new scarf or something. It would mean a lot to Harry. By the way, Albus asked me to inform you that the mold problem is resolved. You could head home now.”

               Severus knew he would wait until after Christmas to leave Hogwarts but refrained from informing Minerva as she left his quarters. Get Potter a present? Who was he supposed to be, Father Christmas? Harry was happy just being away from his relatives. That had to be enough. Besides, Harry had never inquired about receiving anything from him for Christmas.

               Severus sighed, and rubbed his temples. Perhaps he could give the boy a memorable Christmas Eve to make up for a lack of a gift. Yes, that was a grand idea. And he knew just the thing.

               “I was finished with my igloo in like thirty minutes!” Harry said, nearly skipping at Severus’s side as they walked down a trodden, snow-covered path. “Thanks again for teaching it to me. It was really fun being able to use magic in the snow.”

               “I’m sure,” Severus said.

               “Where are we going, sir?” Harry asked for the third time.

               “If I hadn’t answered the first times you asked, what makes you think I will answer this time?”

               “Worth a shot.”

               Harry gasped as they came to a dimly lit village. It looked like a Christmas card, a small village covered in a crisp snow, decorated in lights and wreaths with trees fashioned in ornaments and ribbon. Harry stared wide eyed and jaw agape. It was beautiful.

               “What is this place?” he asked.

               “This is Hogsmeade,” Severus answered. “A village inhabited by only wizards and witches.”

               “Wow,” Harry moved forward, admiring the houses and shops, peering through windows to look at the displays. “This is really incredible, Professor.”

               Severus followed slowly behind Harry, watching as Harry’s eyes soaked in every bit of Hogsmeade, lingering on Honeydukes just enough for the man to have noticed. Severus was glad Harry seemed very impressed by the night trip. After Harry’s two hours outside and dinner, Severus told the boy that he had an errand to run and that Harry would accompany him. Harry had seemed less than thrilled with the idea, especially on Christmas Eve, but his excitement had grown. A shout of excitement from Harry pulled Severus from his thoughts.

               “Look at this, Professor!” Harry said.

               Severus approached where Harry was glued to the window. On display in an antique shop was a striking red toboggan with a big red bow stuck to it. Severus looked down at Harry, the boy’s eyes never leaving the wooden sled.

               “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Harry asked, his breath fogging the window.

               “Not quite as beautiful as the town tree,” Severus said, pointing to the center of the village.

               Harry spun around and gaped at the huge tree decorated from trunk to tip with lights, ribbon, tinsel, and ornaments. Harry stood at the bottom of the tree, looking up at its enormous size and beauty.

               “Each year, the village comes together to pick a tree, bring it here, and decorate it. It is a tradition,” Severus explained.

               It really is beautiful,” Harry seemed overwhelmed in Severus’s opinion. The boy looked to Severus, and said, “This has been the best Christmas Eve ever, sir. Thank you.”

               “It is the least I could do,” Severus said, falling into a comfortable silence next to Harry, both admiring the tree. For several long moments, they were content staring at the lighted tree, then Harry yawned. Severus spoke, “I believe we should head back now. It is getting late.”
               Harry nodded and spared the tree one last glance before following Severus back to Hogwarts.

               The next morning, Severus fought a smile threatening to spread across his face as he listened to the boy open his presents through the door. The child’s laughter and happiness were undeniable. Harry deserved it after receiving his gift from the Dursleys’. The room grew quiet and Severus figured he should force the boy out of the room.  

“Potter, if you don’t come and take care of this large parcel in my living room, I’m throwing it in the fireplace,” he said, though he guessed it may have been unnecessarily harsh. Oh well, it got the boy out of his room.

“What parcel?” Harry spotted a large, wrapped package leaned against the wall near the fireplace. Curious, he searched it for an address. “It’s from you?”

“Congratulations Potter, you can read. Just open it.”

Harry didn’t need a second invite and ripped the paper off, gasping at the red toboggan from Hogsmeade. “Thank you, Professor. This is amazing! But . . . You didn’t have to get me anything, sir, you’ve already done so much and –”

“I am well aware of what I do and do not need to do with my life. It is yours and I will not take it back, so do not even try returning it to me as you did with those clothes.”

“Yes sir. Sir, can I please take it outside and try it out?”

“May you and you may,” Severus frowned as Harry grinned and ran to find his boots, “after you’ve eaten a decent breakfast and have changed into appropriate attire. For heaven’s sake, slow down. This is no reason to act like you were raised by trolls.

“Sorry, sir.” Harry have the Professor a guilty smile but didn’t seem any calmer than before.

Severus gave a nod of acknowledgement and gestured to the table.

"Really, sir, thank you," Harry said softly as he took his seat. "It's the greatest gift anyone has ever given me."

Severus fought to not let those words affect him. "Think nothing of it," he said, praising himself inwardly for not falling into another flashback.

Later that night, Severus walked through the halls of Hogwarts later that Christmas night for some alone, quiet time. It had been a good day for him and Harry. After Harry has played with his new sled for hours, he and Severus had attended the Christmas dinner and Harry had enjoyed the roast turkey and potatoes, along with the rich cranberry sauce. The boy had third helpings, and Severus couldn’t deny him from opening one more wizard cracker. Dumbledore had tried to get everyone singing Christmas carols, and no one but Harry joined him while sipping his eggnog. Severus had merely rolled his eyes.

               And through it all, Harry had been well behaved. Despite their rough Christmas Eve morning, the boy couldn’t have been more obedient. It made Severus feel slightly guilty for everything he had accused the boy in the past. He had been wrong about Harry. Severely wrong.

               And now he was housing him. How had that happened? When did their relationship take such a turn? Harry had to be behind this all – that insolent brat. Somehow, he had found Severus’s weak spot and exploited it, forcing the man to take him in over winter holidays.

               Severus snorted at the thought. As if.

               “Snape,” Filch’s voice said from behind him and he turned. The man had his cat curled in his arms, purring as she slept. “There’s been a disturbance in the library. Someone’s been in the restricted section. Where’s that wayward brat you’re watching?”

               “In bed, where I left him,” Severus said, frowning at Filch and crossing his arms. “A disturbance in the library? Are you sure Peeves isn’t causing havoc again just to mess with you for pure entertainment?”

               “I know when a student is out of bounds, Snape,” Filch continued. “And this had Potter’s markings all over it, I know it.”

               “I left my quarters not fifteen minutes ago,” Severus said, “And Potter was in his bed and asleep. Though I will certainly keep an eye out.”

               Filch turned his nose away and left the hall, Severus rolling his eyes as he continued on, traveling down a flight of stairs and falling back into his thoughts. After the past few days, it seemed unlikely that Harry would suddenly start disobeying his rules now. Of course, it was just his imagination that a child was walking out of an unused classroom right now.

               Anger swelled in his chest as he increased his pace and lengthened his strides to catch up to Harry and caught him by the shoulder, turning the surprised boy around. He had just defended the disobedient brat, too. Why did he think Harry could go more than one week without causing any trouble?

               “Obviously,” Severus said, glaring down at Harry, “your bed has learned to run away from you because I know you wouldn’t deliberately disobey one of my rules, now would you? So Potter, which way did it go?”

               Harry visibly gulped and stared down at his slippers, a long cloak draped over his arm. Severus thought it looked vaguely familiar but he was too furious with Harry to think too much of it.

               “Well?” he growled.

               “It didn’t go anywhere,” Harry said.

               “Then explain what you are doing out of bed and more importantly, out of my quarters.”

               When Harry shrugged his shoulders, Severus narrowed his eyes.

               “So be it,” Severus said, crooking his fingers as he turned, indicating that Harry should follow. “Let’s go.”

               “I’m sorry,” Harry offered as he followed the man.

               “It seems that you and I are overdue for a very long discussion,” Severus said, glaring down at the boy, who paled and looked away, choosing to invoke his right to remain silent. Severus clenched his fists as he tried to take deeper breaths. And they had been doing so well.