Severus' Christmas with the Evans

Chapter One

Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling, nor do I own the Harry Potter Series.

A meaty fist slammed into the paneling just over Severus' head. "And just where do you think you are going, boy?"

Severus glared at it before resuming putting on his Muggle coat.

"I said, where do you think you are going?" It was half-past four on Christmas Eve, but Tobias Snape's cheeks were puffy and he braced himself against the wall. Several cans littered the floor by the threadbare chair he'd been sitting at for the past Merlin-knew-how-many hours, blending in with the matted carpet floor and the walls whose paint had started peeling in a few places.

Easily a head taller than his son, Tobias Snape's arms were long but piled high with muscle. He was clean-shaven with matted black hair he kept short, but it was his eyes he shared with Severus, beetle-black ones that squinted out over a hard, thin-lipped face.

Severus looked toward the man, an uninterested expression fixed upon his face. "Out for a walk."

"And where to?" Tobias loomed over him.

"Meeting with Lily." Severus allowed his lip to curl, not reaching for his wand, but rather letting his hand drift lazily toward it. It was a simple message: 'I will do what I want and you can't stop me, you stupid Muggle filth, because I have magic and you do not.'

Tobias' eyes narrowed and he backed up several steps before his lips twisted into a sneer. "On Christmas Eve? Shouldn't you be spending that with your 'loving family' instead of some tart?"

Severus' wand was in his hand in an instant. "Don't call her that!"

Tobias glared down at it before letting out a snort and lowering his head in a parody of a bow. "Whatever you say, boy," he said and returned to his chair.

Severus' breath hissed in his ears, but he managed to bring his temper under a smidge of control before yanking on the rest of his coat and boots and slamming the door behind him.

Its shutting caused a layer of grey snow to topple from the top of the building, which seemed to glower down at him through boarded-up windows and a drooping roof that looked as it might collapse in a year, ten years, or maybe a week.

"Damn Muggle," Severus cursed under his breath, before stalking through the snow away from the hovel he'd had no choice but to call home for sixteen years behind him. In a street lined with dingy houses, whose cramped yards were filled with weeds and not much else, the Snape home seemed to take pleasure in being the dingiest and ugliest of the lot, perfectly suited for the man soaking his brain in alcohol inside.

Only two more years and he could leave it all behind.

The home before him wasn't much bigger than the house he'd just left, but the white paint upon its sidings was smooth and even, the driveway was shoveled, and under a layer of snow, the bushes were in perfect alignment. It had a large wreath upon the front door, in the center of which was a 'Welcome!' sign and below which as a big brass door knocker. It was about a third of the way up a street of almost-identical houses.

The Evans family's home. It had been... what two years since the last time he'd visited here? It hadn't changed much, save for the wreath. It was nice enough, he supposed, but too Muggle for him. Were it not for Lily, Severus wouldn't give the place a second glance. Still, he didn't want to be impolite, so he fixed a neutral expression upon his face before grabbing the door-knocker and slamming it against the door three times.

The door opened, but it was Petunia's skinny frame that came out of it. A long, pointed face poked out of a jacket whose colors had started to fade from heavy washing, and a blue dress that cut off a few inches above the ground, as if afraid the dust might leap up and cling to it. Her lip curled as she peered down at the boy whose presence littered her family's front step. "And what are you doing here? Don't you have other things to do, like getting drunk on newt vomit?"

"I am not my father," Severus hissed.

Petunia's smile was downright wicked. "Never said you were."

Severus cursed the instinctive reaction in his head. Every time he was around the damn Muggle, his temper flared. Forcing his anger down, he said, "Lily invited me."

Petunia's eyes narrowed. "Surely she wouldn't... " She shut the door and shouted something Severus couldn't quite make out, receiving an indistinct shout back. Two more shouts later, and she opened the door sullenly. "Get in here then, before someone sees you, and don't muck up our front hall."

"Merry Christmas to you, too."

The inside of the Evans family home was much the same as what laid outside. Everything was clean to the point of shining, and there was a plastic snowman with a dopey grin hoisting a plastic sign saying 'Happy Holidays' upon the table in the front hall, beside which the Evans family's coats hung on hooks. Severus felt a surge of pleasure at the way Petunia huffed and flounced away at the sight of his coat being put up beside them.

'Muggles', he could almost hear Lucius say, probably while looking down that perfect, aquiline nose of his at the decorations.

It wasn't the worst, but after last year, when he'd attended the Malfoy family's Christmas Gala and seen the sight of their manor lit up with perfect crystalline ice sculptures, house elves smoothly asking him if he would like a bit of firewhiskey-braised salmon to go with his butterbeer, all topped with a Christmas Tree the Evans' home could fit underneath of… Severus found himself sighing at the cheap store-bought ornaments.

But then, he supposed, it wasn't like he'd be seeing the inside of Malfoy Manor on Christmas, or ever again, probably.

There was a creaking sound from down the hall, and Severus looked up to see Lily's father, Richard Evans, tottering down the hall with a massive pile of presents in his hands, each one wrapped in shiny gold, green or red wrapping paper with a little bow on top.

A balding man with a paunch to his belly that had grown with the years, he was dressed in a thick yellow Christmas sweater and suspenders, but he had the same smile Lily did and used it when he noticed who else was with him. "Merry Christmas, Severus! I'd shake your hand, but," he hoisted the pile of presents a little higher, "well, I'm sure you understand."

"Mr. Evans, sir," Severus said, before remembering his manners and adding, "Merry Christmas."

Richard didn't seem to mind the forgetfulness though, as he chuckled, before saying, "Follow me. We've got the tree in the living room. Almost wasn't there - Lily wanted to try the dining room, but Marigold overruled her, you see-"

He continued talking away about some minor family squabble.

Severus didn't say much, just nodding along and humming in agreement at the appropriate times. There was something odd about Mr. Evans…

Severus furrowed his brow in thought, then it came to him.

In the past, although not as big as his own father, Richard had towered over Severus, but now only a few inches separated them. To be fair, it has been two or three, or was it four? Four years since they'd last seen each other.

Severus wasn't sure how he felt about that. It hadn't been out of any sense of hate or anger for the man, but between everything that had happened, he had just had other priorities. At least what had happened possessed one silver lining.

"So Severus," Richard said, "Lily tells us school has been going well for the two of you?"

Severus curled his lip. That wasn't even remotely accurate, although it could just be that Lily had kept what had happened to herself. "Well enough, I suppose," he said, deciding that if she wanted to keep the peace it wouldn't do for him to ruin it. Besides, she'd invited him to Christmas with her family to cheer him up, and even if it was a Muggle Christmas, he wasn't ungrateful for her company. "It's easier now that O.W.L.s are over."

"That's good," Richard panted, shifting to try to keep the packages up. His face was rather red from all the exertion.

"Did you need some help with carrying those?" If it had been Petunia, Severus would have watched with a smile on his face, but he didn't dislike Richard.

"I shouldn't really accept help from our guest," Richard sighed, shuffling again, "but honestly, I should have done this in two trips. Some help would be great."

Severus nodded and started taking some of the packages out of Richard's hands. He might not be able to use magic outside the home until for another couple weeks, but he was strong enough to manage a little less than half of what Richard was carrying.

With both of them working together, everything went smoothly and it seemed like mere moments before Richard said 'here we are'.

Severus set them down with care - it wouldn't do to break anything - before reaching into his pocket and adding four shrunken parcels to the pile - the shrinking charm he'd placed on them was a weak one, and would expire sometime later that day. Still, he sighed - wrapped in plain parchment, they would look downright dreary next to the colorful gifts for the Evans.

"What did you bring the ladies, if you don't mind me asking?" Richard said as he put down his own load.

Severus' eyes narrowed. It wasn't like with magic he couldn't come up with a decent gift for a bunch of Muggles. "They're fine," he said shortly.

"That's great," Richard said with a grin before leaning forward conspiratorially, "I got Lily a few shirts myself - it's hard to buy much for a witch, you know?"

Oh, that's what he meant... "Right. Lily can be a bit picky about her gifts, perhaps a little spoiled-" He paused, realizing who he'd just told this to. "Please don't tell her."

Richard chuckled. "Your secret is safe with me."

Severus nodded, before surveying his work.

The Evans family Christmas tree was a short little thing, only going up to Severus' chin. There was a single line of lights that wrapped three times around from the bottom to the top, and resting on the boughs were ornaments and metal balls with names and dates written on them in glitter. A wooden angel hung on the top, one wing badly chipped.

Underneath it, there were perhaps twenty-five or thirty gifts, most from various members of the Evans family, but a fair number from others whose names Severus didn't recognize - probably more of Lily's relatives. He was just wondering how many relatives the Evans family must have to get so many when Marigold Evans swept into the room, Lily behind her.

A hair net covered Marigold's hair, save for the blonde and grey bits that poked out in places, and her arms were flecked with bits of dough. She still made a powerful figure though, possessing a set of thin, graceful eyebrows that even Severus found himself jealous of. With a simple raise of an eyebrow, she could make someone question their life... or at least feel very stupid. Her features reminded one of her eldest daughter, if more lined and greying, yet she carried herself with the poise of a woman who was perfectly content with who she was and the life she led.

"-Lily," Marigold said, "I understand that you're only trying to improve it, but," Her eyes fell on Severus. She blinked a moment before offering a polite nod. "It's good to see you, Severus. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Mrs. Evans," Severus said, bowing stiffly before turning to her daughter, "and you too, Lily." He barely kept his voice from stuttering.

"You too, Sev," Lily chirped, a teasing light in her eyes. She must have been helping her mother in the kitchen, as she had a few spots of dough over her chest. She had her long red hair tied back in a loose ponytail and was wearing a t-shirt over a pair of jeans that hugged her hips tightly and whose knees had been worn to nearly nothing by long use. Her face was made for easy, friendly grins, and she used it for that purpose now, smiling at Severus before returning her discussion with her mother about the decorations.

Severus didn't pay much attention to it though, too enchanted by Lily. Her clothing clung to her a little too tight for propriety in his opinion, but Severus' baser instincts enjoyed the show, and it was with great effort that he prevented his eyes from trying to peek constantly where her t-shirt wrapped about her cleavage.

"Hey Sev," Lily said, disengaging from her argument with her mother for a moment, "want to try some of the biscuit dough? It's chocolate chip."

Being offered free food by Lily? Severus didn't even have to think it over. "Yes, I do. Thank you."

"Don't have too much," Marigold said. "Dinner is soon, Severus, so be sure not to spoil your appetite."

Lily huffed. "Don't worry, mum, I won't stuff him on sweets."

"So how do you like it?" Lily asked as Severus licked clean a small spoon of the dough. She bit her lip. "Is it good?"

He actually hadn't had biscuit dough before, although he was hardly going to tell Lily that. It was almost half made up of chocolate chips, and the rest of it had a sort of sugary flour taste mixed with melted butter and a bit of egg. Somehow it worked together well. Severus swallowed. "Delicious," he said, putting the spoon in the sink.

Lily's face lit up before she returned to getting the dough ready for baking.

The Evans' kitchen was cramped. More than a couple people would make it awkward to move around, and the counter was too short to work on more than one thing at a time. Still, everything was placed so that everything was within reach of a single step, with a toaster on one side and an olive-green microwave on the other. The oven sat right next to the hallway entrance, which had the slight downside that nobody could come inside if the oven door was open.

It was Muggle, but Severus couldn't help but be a bit envious as he looked it over. When he got his own potions laboratory, he would have to make sure it was as neat and orderly as this kitchen.

Lily hummed as she got everything ready, arranging the dough into these thin little circles. She made it look easy as she bustled about, all with a little smile on her face. It was just like in Potions and Charms, on the Quidditch field or anywhere, really - she always belonged, everywhere she went.

Severus watched out of the corner of his eyes, trying to keep from being too obvious. Lily was beautiful, he knew. It was one of the reasons for her popularity at school, but here it was an active beauty, a loveliness in motion with a grace that outstripped anything Lucius Malfoy possessed with all his vaults and generations of pure blood.

Twenty minutes later, the smell of melting chocolate wafted through the kitchen as the platter came out of the oven.

"Very well done, Lily," said Marigold, offering her an approving nod as she entered the kitchen, "those look downright wonderful."

Lily beamed. "Thanks, mum!"

"Unfortunately," Marigold said as she gently pushed past Severus to the refrigerator and pulled out some a roast beef, "I'm sorry, Severus, but we're a little behind schedule here. Lily and I have got to finish the last of the roast and we need to get some more firewood." She set the platter in the oven and sighed, massaging her forehead. "To make a long story short, dinner won't be ready for another half-hour."

At the mention of dinner, Severus' stomach let out a gurgle. It had been… what, seven, maybe eight hours since he'd eaten? That had just been a bologna sandwich to boot. "I could help."

Marigold raised an eyebrow and looked to be considering it before she shook her head. "I wouldn't dare ask our guest to help us prepare for dinner."

"You aren't asking. I'm offering, and as hungry as I am, letting me help you get it ready is to my benefit as much as yours." Not least because it would give him time with Lily, he mentally added.

"Sev is just as good at Potions as I am," Lily chimed in support. "he'd be an excellent cook."

Marigold looked at her daughter's pleading eyes and sighed. "Very well," she turned to Severus with the first smile she'd given him all night, "if you want to help, I will allow it."

"I cannot believe I am stuck out here with you," Petunia hissed as they traipsed through the Evans' family's backyard.

Severus smirked back, but privately thought she had a point. Admittedly, Marigold had a point in that the kitchen was already plenty crowded with two cooks, and it wasn't like Richard needed much help in going to the store for the last few items, so it was Petunia he'd been sent to aid.

He was going to fetch firewood like some Muggle laborer, of all things. As Marigold had further explained, while the Evans family relied upon central heating, apparently there was just something about a lit hearth that was 'magical' on Christmas. He wasn't sure if he fully accepted that, but given he'd volunteered…

Their breath frosted in the air in front of they worked. It wasn't a terribly large back-yard, but the wheelbarrow they'd been given was an ungainly beast, and it was taking them an age and a half to get across.

"Why are you even here?" Petunia said.

"Because I offered to help your mother, I believe."

Petunia growled, only for her anger to be undermined by how her teeth chattered.

For once, Severus found himself ever so slightly grateful to his parents. His coat was over-large, its sleeves having to be rolled up to prevent them from drooping down to past his hands, and it was hard to move his arms much with how thick and bulky it was, but it was warm. Petunia's, on the other hand, was thin and impractical, perhaps enough to keep her warm on a regular winter day, but today… his smirk widened as her teeth chattered away.

Petunia growled again but didn't otherwise respond, rubbing her hands together for warmth as she apparently decided for once that getting their task done rather than bitching about him was a better use of her time.

A sensible decision, he supposed, sacrificing her bitching now for the greater bitching later.

It wasn't until they'd finished loading their logs in the wheelbarrow and were halfway to the house when Petunia spoke again. "So why are you here?"

"'Because I offered to help your mother. Is your memory failing, dear 'Tuney'? I said it no more than five minutes ago."

"No, not here outside - why are you here at all? Don't you have something better to do with your freak parade than ruining my family's Christmas?"

Severus raised a single eyebrow. "Rest assured, I have no intention of ruining your 'quality family time', and there are many places I'd rather be than here dealing with you."

"Ah, so your nasty friends didn't want you to come. Got uninvited from whatever freak party, hmm?"

Severus glared back. "As if I would discuss my social calendar with a Muggle."

Petunia wasn't bothered by his anger though, her smile only growing wider. "You're filth," she said, voice soft rather than its normal high-pitched shrill, "and Lily may not mind it, but I'm going to make sure my parents throw you out of here if it takes all Christmas."

Severus sneered. He'd endured the Marauders' bullying and the machinations of Slytherins, what could a Muggle chit do to him?

Author's Note: Hello everyone. It's been a while since I posted a Harry Potter story, but I've been working hard to improve my writing. I plan to use this style for my future fanfics, and if you like it I may even go back and edit some of my old work in the same vein. If I did, what stories would you like to see improved?

P.S. Originally this was supposed to be published by Christmas, but then, it was originally supposed to be no more than 5,000 words. Both estimates proved wildly inaccurate. It's all finished now, save for some slight edits on the later chapters, and I plan to post one chapter a week for this.