All too soon Christmas dawned on Hogwarts and, before anyone knew it, the last day of term arrived. Severus had been discharged from the Hospital Wing after three weeks staring at the ceiling. Mr and Mrs Evans had been kind enough to invite him to spend the holidays with them, and so he had packed his trunk and now sat around waiting to go downstairs.

"Excited to be free at last, Sev?" Questioned Remus.

They sat in the largely deserted common room, since most people were still feverishly packing. Severus sighed in relief.

"No more Madam Pomfrey breathing down my neck, no more rules to follow... Yes, I'm extremely pleased to be spending Christmas in a different environment."

"Happy Lily invited you?" Remus asked curiously.

"It's very kind of her parents to let me stay," Severus replied slowly.

"That's not what I asked, Severus. Are you happy?"

"Well it's not like Christmas with my father would be any better," Severus pointed out irately. "Before I met Lily, I didn't even know what Christmas was so I guess it's down to her that I do now understand the pointless customs."

"Alright, Severus, don't let the hedgehog show," chided Remus. "It's a simple question - there's no need to get defensive."

Silence reigned and Severus preferred it that way. He was nervous about spending Christmas with Lily, if he was honest. He had last year but that had been ruined by Petunia. Lily had woken up early, excited, and naïvely got into bed with him even when he'd said no. That had then led to Petunia telling on them and Severus being roughly manhandled by an overprotective Mark, which had in turn led to a distinct lack of festivity throughout the day. Christmas was a complicated time and he'd prefer it came with as little fanfare as any other day.

However, he'd still exchanged gifts with Albus, Minerva and Poppy. He'd suspected that the headmaster would so had borrowed some wool off a first year and then magically knitted a pair of woollen socks. For Minerva, he'd translated a Transfiguration book written entirely in ancient runes and for Poppy he'd brewed a batch of Wit-Sharpening Potion which the matron could use to work out the Daily Prophet's crossword puzzle each day. In return, Albus had been kind enough to get him a subscription to the Daily Prophet, Minerva had bought him a book on rare herbs and their uses, and Poppy had given him several vials of Dreamless Sleep from the store cupboard, should he need it over the holidays. He'd also given Remus another batch of Wolfsbane Potion to last him the holidays.

"Earth to Severus?"

Nicholas now stood in front of him.

"We're leaving for the station now; are you going to come or are you going to get left behind?"

"I thought you were staying this year, Nicholas," Severus stated as he, Nicholas and Remus walked down to the Entrance Hall.

Nicholas looked smug.

"The ministry ball was such a hit at our house last year that we've been commissioned to do this year's one as well. With any luck the Goldstein family will be commissioned for years to come."

Severus smirked.

"I'm sure they will, Nicholas."

"Sev!"

Lily ran down the nearest set of stairs and flung herself at him.

"Ready for Christmas, Sev?" She asked, arms round his neck.

"You know how I feel about Christmas, Lils," he said awkwardly, trying to prise her arms off him.

Remus gave him a commiserating look from behind Lily. Lily slowly disentangled herself.

"Nicholas, you're hosting the ministry ball, aren't you?" She asked. "Mary said she was going."

"As are Potter and Black then, I assume," commented Remus.

Nicholas nodded ruefully.

"Those three were a nuisance last year. Really ruined the whole image."

Severus left the ministry ball talk and approached Regulus, who stood alone.

"Ready to go home?" He inquired.

Regulus seemed thoughtful.

"It's not bad when Sirius isn't there and my mum doesn't go on about pure-blood supremacy. Kreacher and I get along well."

Severus remembered Kreacher, a house elf he'd hated with a burning passion, and wondered how on earth the Slytherin and house elf got on so well. But, then again, the house elf unfortunately couldn't get over anyone half-blood or lesser so perhaps he was actually a decent being when you got to know him. Just then, it was announced that the carriages had arrived.

"Shall we?" Severus grinned, gesturing in the direction of the carriages.

"Trying to make Lily jealous?" Regulus responded, mischievously. 

Severus only smirked wider.

*

If there was one journey Severus didn't need to make ever again, it was Hogsmeade to Kings Cross. The scenery was stunning, even he would admit, but some things can be overdone. As it happened, the wonderful views sent Lily and Regulus to sleep in the first forty minutes and Nicholas' ongoing conversation with Remus at the ministry ball sent Severus to sleep after two tedious hours of nonstop chatter. When he awoke it was dark, the lamps were lit and they were just pulling into the station.

"Good timing," Remus commented on seeing him awake.

"Sleep at all?" Asked Severus.

"When Nicholas finally shut up," he yawned in response, nodding at the sleeping Ravenclaw. "I like him but Merlin's beard he can go on about that bloody ministry ball!"

"I've got a useful spell I can teach you," he muttered.

Remus looked curious but it was at that moment that Nicholas reawakened.

"Ah! Now, where was I? Yes, the ministry ball has been a tradition for centuries_"

"Nicholas, we're at the station," Remus interrupted. "I'm afraid I've got to run - I've got to catch a train to Devon otherwise I'll be stuck in London."

"Well, I suppose Severus could listen_"

"No, sorry Nicholas," Severus said apologetically, "Lily and I live in Manchester. If we're lucky, we'll be home at midnight but we don't need to delay that. Not all of us have the luxury of living in London."

Regulus glared at him.

"Or the luxury of being the brother of Sirius bloody Black, I'm sure," he muttered, annoyed. "You can bet we'll be here for hours saying goodbye to his soulmate James bloody Potter."

"I wish you luck, Regulus," Severus said solemnly, "but Lily and I must be off. Remus, catch your train. Nicholas - enjoy your ball. Lily, we're leaving."

And with his customary flair, Severus swished his cloak and left the compartment with Lily.

*****

A.N. Sorry for another filler chapter - it's this or confusing time skips!

Thank you so much for reading and please comment anything. Criticism is welcome, feedback is welcome... Give me everything you've got. :)