Severus Snape sat down in a black leather armchair by a warm fire. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he reflected that this was Christmas Eve, and tomorrow night he would participate in chaperoning young teenagers with raging hormones while they danced to the Weird Sisters, a Wizard Rock Band. He didn't understand all of the hype, not that he knew why.

Some people said that his shoes were too tight, some say that his head wasn't screwed on just right, but for whatever reason, he sat in his office tonight hating the season.

Dumbledore also wanted him to actually stay and socialize with the staff after Christmas dinner; at the very least he not entirely subtly hinted at it. Apparently Dumbledore thought he needed some warmth and happiness in his life, and should work more on his relationship with his colleagues, and actually try to enjoy the holiday. Normally Severus just went for dinner, and after a few minutes left. He didn't typically stick around.

Despite that Dumbledore always encouraged him to attend at least some of the staff party; he never seemed to give up hope that Severus would actually put his bitterness aside and enjoy the holiday.

He sighed and closed his eyes; perhaps it would be better than his past Christmases... Probably not though.

He gradually became aware of a distant clanking sound, and it was getting louder. Suddenly the flames in the fireplace flared up, and the clanking sound increased to a slightly painful volume.

Severus sat up and looked around frantically. What was going on? Then a ghastly face appeared in his fireplace. For a brief moment, Severus felt himself shiver in fear. As it got closer he finally recognized the face, as the figure of the Bloody Baron made his way into his living room area.

"Oh, for Merlin's sake, Baron! What kind of entrance is that? Are you trying to startle me into next week?" he exclaimed.

"My apologies, sir, if I frightened you," replied the Baron staring at Severus.

"You'd have to try harder than that if you truly wished to frighten me, Baron," Severus stated, with a snort, leaning back in his chair. "What brings you to my quarters at this late hour?"

"It's Christmas Eve," the Baron replied, floating down into another chair by the fire.

"And?" inquired Severus, raising an eyebrow.

"It's a night of reminders of the happiness and comfort of life wasted, Professor Snape," said the Baron. "I should like you to not suffer that fate as I myself have."

"How thoughtful of you," he mocked.

"Do not mock me, Professor," said the Baron sternly. "Tonight you will be haunted by 3 spirits."

"What do you mean by this?" he inquired.

"You will see," replied the Baron. "Expect the first when the hour strikes one."

And with that, the Baron vanished.

For another hour or so Severus stayed up reading up on his latest potions text when he decided to call it a night. He was tired, went to his four-poster, and closed his eyes to hopefully have a long relaxing sleep, but what awakened him made sure that he did not have a pleasant sleep at all that night... they had other plans for him.

As he tossed and turned in his sleep, he was woken up once again.

"What in bloody hell is this!?" said Severus now holding his wand and he was ready to destroy whomever or whatever it was.

Nearly Headless Nick was floating in front of Severus's four-poster.

"What. Are. You. Doing. In. My. Dungeon?" snarled Severus.

"I am the Ghost of Christmases Past," explained Nearly Headless Nick. "I am to show you your past Christmases and help you to change your ways."

"The Baron sent you?"

"I am not Nicholas. We just take the form of someone you recognize to make you more comfortable," explained the Spirit. "Now, all you need to do is watch and listen."

"I think that-" but Severus was quickly cut off when his bedroom was no longer a bedroom, and he found himself outside standing in the snow.

Severus was confused for a brief moment until he realized where he was. He was at the park in Cokeworth where he and Lily had always hung out.

There were three people on the playground. One was swinging unnaturally high and wearing a large emerald green Christmas knit jumper over red tights. She also had a green beanie on which covered her thick dark red hair.

The small boy looking at her in complete adoration was… himself.

"You seem exceptionally happy here," said Nearly Headless Nick.

"She always was able to make my day better," nodded Severus. "Can we please get on with this?"

"Not yet," said Nearly Headless Nick.

A bit farther away Petunia was standing with her arms crossed; she had always resented Lily's abilities and their friendship.

Getting off the swing, Lily threw a snowball at Severus.

After watching the two have a snowball fight, they made a rather large snowman. He then watched as the children were called by Lily's mother, and they went to eat dinner at the Evans home.

"I was always welcome in their home," said Severus. "Even when I was being a complete idiot, while we were friends, I was always welcome at the Evans'."

"Let's go see another Christmas why don't we?" inquired Nearly Headless Nick. "Take my hand."

"But –" said Severus a little unsure of how he was supposed to grab onto a ghost.

"Just do it," said Nearly Headless Nick and when Severus did the scene changed.

Now they were in the library and a young Severus was in the library studying by himself. He looked to be about thirteen. He opened one book and slammed the other down.

Students looked at him as they walked by with annoyed faces.

"Seems to me, you're driving everyone crazy," said Nearly Headless Nick.

"It's a talent," said he smugly.

The young Severus looked up at the table across from him. He made a face and went back to his books.

James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew were at a table laughing and enjoying the Christmas Holidays. They were pointing at something that seemed to be very funny. They were pointing at Lily. She was on her tiptoes looking for a book.

James put a finger to his mouth, but before he could make a move to get to Lily, Severus was already running over to Lily.

"Need help?" asked the younger Severus catching his breathe.

Lily smiled at him and nodded her head.

Sirius stood up, but James put a hand in front of him to sit him back down. They watched as Severus pulled the book down for Lily.

He turned to walk off, but Lily grabbed his arm before he could.

"Happy Christmas Sev," said Lily.

"Happy Christmas to you too Lils," said the younger Severus quietly.

Then something happened that scared both Lily and Severus. There was mistletoe hanging over their heads. Lily looked up first, and her eyes widened when she saw it. Severus looked up next and almost choked on his words.

There was mistletoe toe over Lily's head, behind her.

"Don't you celebrate Christmas?" Sirius laughed as the younger Severus ran, leaving Lily with a shocked look on her face.

"You idiot," Severus called after himself.

"He can't hear you," explained Nearly Headless Nick shaking his head.

James and his friends laughed, and had come over to Lily standing in shock in front of the mistletoe toe; gaping at the remainder of Severus' shadow. James then proceeded to talk in his suave voice, attempting to hit on Lily, even grabbing her waist trying to kiss her.

"Can we see something else?" pleaded Severus.

"Oh, fine!" retorted Nearly Headless Nick and moments later they were back in Severus lonely cold bedroom back at Hogwarts.

"What? No more punishment?" Severus said as he laughed at his terrible state.

"You know," said Nearly Headless Nick, "if you keep feeling sorry for yourself, you'll always be lonely and it'll all catch up with you eventually. You already look older than you are."

"Care to discuss anything else besides my health?" inquired Severus sardonically.

"Alright, alright," said Nearly Headless Nick. "Just keep it in mind. Much of this you've done yourself."

"How considerate," snorted Severus.

"Well, you're getting a visit from the ghost of Christmas present in about an hour," said Nearly Headless Nick. "I recommend resting."

With that, Nearly Headless Nick waved and disappeared.

Severus rolled his eyes. He laid on the bed, and almost instantly he fell back into a deep sleep.