It was a cold snowy morning, the castle was surrounded by a blanket of thick snow, when you exhaled you could see it in the air.
'Christmas Eve' Severus thought to himself, Merlin he hated Christmas but this time it would be special as his love would be spending it with him. For a moment he could actually see past Potter being there.

Hermione sat with Harry in the great hall, it was a special festive feast. Hermione couldn't believe how many pigs in blankets Ron could devour within 2 minutes, it was literally disgusting to watch. So she turned her attention to Harry.
"So, I'm going to spend Christmas with Severus...." She began cutting into her turkey
"Oh, bet you'll have a good time" he grinned
"And I was wondering, if you would like to come too" she looked at Harry and his expression was priceless
"Please tell me you're joking Hermione" he laughed
"No Harry, I'm serious. I want to spend Christmas with you too" she smiled brightly
"Herms, Snape hates me..why on earth would I want to spend..." He trailed off
"He doesn't hate you, not really. And he said he would be happy to have you there"

Hermione lied, he merely excepted it. But happy about it? he was certainly not happy in the slightest.
"Really? He wants me there?" Harry asked looking rather confused
"Yes Harry, he does" Hermione pressed
"Well, OK then...I guess" he half smiled and they continued with their meal

After dinner they returned to their dormitory to pack.
"What will we tell Ron?" Harry asked
"Just tell him were going to my parents" Hermione smirked
Once packed they said their goodbyes and headed down to the dungeon
They entered the potions room and headed to Severus' quarters
Hermione walked straight in and threw her arms around Severus
But Harry just stood in the doorway looking uncomfortable

"Well come in boy. I do not bite....much" Severus half joked
Harry entered the room and reached out his hand to Severus
Severus looked at it as if he had just wiped his ass with it but took it anyway
'Maybe he isn't so bad' he thought to himself.
"How are we travelling Professor Snape?" Harry asked with a smile
"Severus, you may call me Severus... We will use floo powder" he answered coolly
Hermione couldn't believe what she had heard, it took her ages to get to call him Severus
He really was becoming a better man

They entered the unused fire place and before they knew it they were in Spinners End
Harry and Hermione looked around the house, it was small, dark and pretty dusty
"I really ought to get a house elf" Severus sighed, he pulled out his wand and performed a cleaning spell
Hermione followed him into the kitchen and helped him prepare some drinks
"Did you find your room to an adequate standard Mr Potter?" He sneered
"Yes its fine thank you. Call me Harry" the boy smiled at him

"So, Severus... Have you lived here long?" Harry asked once he made himself comfy in his chair
"All my life, I was born in this very house" Severus answered with a small smile
"You must have lots of good memories here" Harry smiled
"No, not really. I didn't have a happy childhood" Severus sighed
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that" Harry looked uncomfortable and looked at Hermione
"His father used to beat him" she told Harry sadly
Severus glared at her he couldn't believe what she just told Potter

"I'm sorry if I am being to nosey, I just want to try and get to know you because Hermione seems to think the sun shines out of your..." Harry was quickly cut off by Severus' arched brow
"So Harry, I can see that you do no approve of our relationship."
"If Hermione is happy, then so am I. It's just you have never been that nice to me...or her actually" Harry explained honestly
"I have my reasons" Severus sighed
"Harry, Severus owes you an explanation" Hermione looked at Severus with a very serious glare

"I was in love with your mother, but I detested your father, and you look just like him" Severus said bitterly then rose to pour himself another fire whiskey
"You loved my mother?" Harry asked with his eyes as wide as his grin
"She was my first love. And my only love until Hermione.... My best friend, well my only friend."
"Sadly my love for her was never reciprocated." Severus glared into Harry's eyes as he watched the smile drop from the boys face
"I'm sorry, maybe somethings weren't meant to be" Harry told Severus holding his gaze
Severus felt annoyed and it must have shown on his drawn face
"I mean, if it would have worked out with my mother then you wouldn't have that beauty sitting next to you" Harry smiled openly
Severus turned to Hermione and kissed her lips, He hated to admit it but Harry was right

"Why did you hate my father? Was it only because he won my mothers heart?"
"That's one of the reasons, the other being that he made my entire teenage years a living hell"
Harry didn't know what to say, everyone told him his father was a good man
"He bullied you..." Severus just nodded.
"Harry, I apologise if I'm hard on you sometimes but when I look at you it brings back many painful memories, I do not hate you as you assume. In fact one day soon enough you will see that actually I'm helping you" Severus cleared his throat
Harry had no idea what he meant and looked to Hermione for insight, but she looked just as confused.

"Right, it's getting late and I'm feeling quite emotionally drained so I will be heading to bed"
Severus gave a small smile and set his glass on the coffee table
"I'll be up soon Sev" Hermione smiled pulling him down to her for a kiss
Severus chuckled "I certainly hope so" he drawled in his seductive voice
Harry just sat there looking embarrassed
"Goodnight Harry, don't keep my love up for too long" he moaned as he exited the room