| Takes Place: 0 - Before Harry is born, 0 - Pre Hogwarts (before Harry is 11), 6th Year | Chapters: 7 |
| Snape flavour: Snape is Angry, Snape Comforts, Snape is Desperate, Snape is Kind, Snape is Loving, Snape is Mean, Overly-protective Snape | Completed: Yes |
| Categories: Healer Snape, Teacher Snape > Trusted Mentor Snape, Teacher Snape > Professor Snape, Parental Snape > Guardian Snape | Genres: Angst, Drama, Family, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Supernatural |
| Tags: Adoption, Alternate Universe, Child fic, Snape-meets-Dursleys, Spying on Harry! Snape, Time Travel | Word count: 7692 |
| Main Characters: .Snape and Harry (required), Dumbledore, Hermione, Lily, Ron | Read: 47284 |
Summary: [Christmas Special 2014] One Christmas Eve, after a particularly unpleasant Occlumency lesson, Severus is visited by a ghost. Lily is furious over how he has treated her son—and determined to make Severus see just how much Harry needs him. Loosely based on "A Christmas Carol". This story is part of the series, Christmas Promises.
Awards:
Rated: 16+
Warnings: Abusive Dursleys, Character Death, Neglect, Romance/Het, Suicide Themes, Violence
Series: Christmas Promises
Challenges: Christmas
Warnings: Abusive Dursleys, Character Death, Neglect, Romance/Het, Suicide Themes, Violence
Series: Christmas Promises
Challenges: Christmas
Story Notes:
Ship is Severus/Lily. AU. Compliant with post-OotP canon. Ignores HBP and DH (that includes the backstory revealed in them). One or two of the ‘what-if' scenes are based on some of my other fic ideas (none posted yet). Plot is loosely based on A Christmas Carol.
Table of Contents
1. Prologue: Planning Ahead by Alexannah [Reviews - 5] 
(591 words) 
2. Broken Promises by Alexannah [Reviews - 6] (1329 words)
3. Taking Responsibility by Alexannah [Reviews - 5] (1109 words)
4. Painful Routine by Alexannah [Reviews - 5] (1352 words)
The first scene in this chapter is based on my fic “Catharsis”, in case anyone’s interested. (It’s not posted anywhere yet but I’m hoping it will be soon.)
5. Imminent Tragedy by Alexannah [Reviews - 6] (1347 words)
6. New Hope by Alexannah [Reviews - 5] (965 words)
7. Epilogue: First Steps by Alexannah [Reviews - 23] (999 words)
There will be a sequel. I couldn’t just leave it here, after all. I’ve begun the writing for it, but the plot’s much less formulaic and it’s going to take longer. I can’t make any promises about when it will be posted. It’s called “A Christmas Pledge” and I will begin posting as soon as I can.
The End.
Alexannah is the author of 15 other stories. This story is part of the series, Christmas Promises.
This story is a favorite of 59 members. Members who liked A Christmas Vow also liked 1588 other stories.
This story is a favorite of 59 members. Members who liked A Christmas Vow also liked 1588 other stories.