It was coming up to the Christmas holidays and everyone was talking about what they were going to do and which relatives they would see. Severus just sat there, trying to look slightly interested. He had planned his holiday already, it consisted of three things: alcohol, alcohol and alcohol. He hated it when people would sit and talk about their families; it just brought back bad memories for him. The last time he had seen his parents was when he was 18 and had just finished Hogwarts, his mother was crying and his father was yelling at him and telling him he didn't want another freak living in his house. So he had been kicked out and told that he was never to try and contact them or visit them. The thought brought tears to Severuss eyes. He was brought out of his past when Dumbledore interrupted him by asking
"Severus are you alright?" Dumbledore eyed him, knowing that there was something wrong with his youngest staff member. Severus sighed, "I'm perfectly well, Headmaster." Since Dumbledore seemed to have picked up on something all the staff immediately turned around to also see what was happening, Minerva how ever didn't want to see her favourite little boy upset so moved over to him and whispered in his ear "Severus my dear are you alright? You don't seem to be in the Christmas cheer, pumpkin I hate it when you are upset." Without another word, Severus stood up and left, leaving the staff looking flabbergasted and Dumbledore with an idea.