Severus Snape pulled his cloak around him tightly and hurried along the streets on London.

Albus Dumbledore had insisted that he return to Hogwarts for Christmas instead of him spending it along as he usually did at Spinners End.

Severus was going to use to the Floo as it was his preferred method of traveling, but unfortunately he was out of Floo Powder and since his home was protected by heavy wards he couldn't apparate inside, so he had gone outside his wards to apparate, but being Christmas Eve, there were too many muggles out and about for him to apparate without being noticed, so now he was on his way to Diagon Alley to pick up some floo powder and floo to Hogwarts as well.

Severus didn't want to go to Hogwarts to spend Christmas. He preferred to spend his holidays alone and besides that there was hardly any students at Hogwarts for him to bully during the holidays so where was the fun in staying if he couldn't have that pleasure.

As he was hurrying down the street, he heard the sound of laughter and screams. As he got closer he came across a chain fence and saw quite a few children playing in the yard and a brick building in the center and on the other side of the building there were even more children, who were playing on a playground.

As he passed the building he took note of a sign "Happy View Orphanage" and he couldn't help but notice that these children did appear to be happy, until that is he reached the end of the property. There sitting on the snow covered ground wearing nothing, but a simple summer dress was a little girl.

He wouldn't have known that she was sitting there if it hadn't been for her ear flickering ever so slightly when a snow flake landed on her. Severus stared at the small girl, and her unusual ears. He had never seen anything like it before expect once and that was only in a book, Lily Evans had.

Could this child be a Hanyou?" He thought to himself. It seemed unlikely that the Minesrty would allow a magical creature such as this little girl appeared to be among muggles, but then again maybe her parents had never registered her in the proper department.

Shaking his head, he continued on his way. Why should it matter to him if this child was all alone and in the cold.

Severus entered the Leaky Cauldron forgoing his usual drink and headed outside and quickly tapped his wand on the wall and entered Diaigon Ally.

Severus entered gringotts and immediately wished he hadn't. The lines were so long and it seemed to be forever before his turn finally came to go to his vault to get enough money to buy the damn floo powder, just so he could use the floo just so he could go to Hogwarts for a few lousy hours and then floo back home.

Severus left Gringotts and went to buy his floo powder. He was going to floo from the store directly to Hogwarts until he noticed a sign above the fireplace *Attention all customers. Do to the fact of the high traffic through the floo network we are now charging five gallons per person. Happy Holidays* Severus groaned. It looked like he was going to have to go all the way home just to floo as he didn't feel like apparating to Hogsmade and walking to the school from there. His way would be much easier.

By the time Severus left the Leaky Cauldron (which he stopped and had a meal and his drink) night had fallen and the weather was getting colder.

He kept a face pace not wanting to be out this late at night among those who were happy and of good cheer. It took all his will-power not to hex those passing by who wished him a Merry Christmas.

He came upon the Orphanage again and was shocked when he saw that the same little girl or hanyou or whatever she was, was still sitting outside while the rest of the children were all inside.

Thinking that maybe, she had just been overlooked he went up the steps nearly slipping and knocked on the door.

It took a few moments before a scruffy looking teenager opened the door. Taking in Severus's black robes he narrowed his eyes "What the hell do you want" he demanded.

Severus gritted his teeth remembering this was only a mere muggle, even if he was a dunderhead "I would like to inform you of the.." he paused thinking how to word it just right "the child that is still outdoors. With the temperature dropping, she could die"

The boy gave out a laugh "That Freak die! That would never happen. She's too much of a freak to die and besides she was told to come in, so it's not our fault if she wants to freeze her ass off. "

Suddenly there was a yell from someone in the building "WHO IN THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING TO THIS HOUR! SHUT THE DAMN DOOR YOU'RE LETTING ALL THE HEAT OUT!"

Severus looked past the foul mouthed youth to see an immensely fat women hurrying towards them "Madam I would like to inform you about the child who is currently outside and…"

The women stared at Severus for a few moments before speaking "I'll be right with you" she muttered and stomped off dragging the boy with her.

Severus didn't have to wait long, as the woman appeared again, only this time she was dragging the little hanyou with her.

The child made no sound or showed no emotion as she was being dragged by her long hair. Severus took note of her appearance. Long filthy hair matted and tangled. Cuts and bruises covering her body. She looked rail thing and kept her eyes downcast as the women suddenly thrust her into Severus arms .

"Don't you bring her back you hear. We refuse to take her back! Not again. If the government is cutting back our funds then we are getting rid of the bad apples.

The women shoved them out the door and slammed the door in their faces. Severus stood shell shocked. He hadn't wanted this to happen. He absolutely could not let this child into his life let alone his heart. He just couldn't. It had been painful enough with his mother dying during his second year at Hogwarts and then when his only friend and love of his life Lily Evans had left him as well, not only for James Potter, but also through death.

Severus looked down at the child who was staring at him with bright blue eyes "What's your name" the girl said nothing, but continued to stare.

Sighing Severus took her by the hand and dragged her towards his home. Once they were back at Spinners end, he took her up the stairs, filled the tub and set her inside. "Wash" Severus commanded before leaving the room.

He headed towards his own room, and pulled out one of his shirts, it would serve as pajamas for the night, and then tomorrow he would figure out what to do with the girl.

The little girl sat stiffly in the tub, she didn't know what to do. She had never been allowed in a bath tub before. Everywhere she had been before in her life she had been stuck outside to wash herself off either in the rain or with a garden hose.

Severus entered the bathroom and frowned. "I thought I told you to wash!" he snarled. Not seeing any reaction, he grabbed a wash rag and some soap "Forget it I'll do it myself."

Severus scrubbed down the child being careful of her wounds. After her body was cleaned he used his wand to clean her hair, having all, but lost the little patience he had.

Severus grabbed the child out of the tub and quickly dried her off, before jamming her into his shirt, then he carried her into a room and placed her on a bed "Sleep' was all he said before turning on his heel to leave when he heard a soft spoken whisper

"Serena" Severus turned around "excuse me"

The little girl was looking down at her hands

"My name is Serena" Severus nodded "Very well then… Serena. Go to sleep" he turned to leave when she spoke again

"Who's Lily?"

Severus once again turned around, only this time to walked towards the little girl

"Why do you ask"

Serena looked up in his face which had gone a deadly pale "sh sh she said to stop being sad" she whispered, instantly regretting asking her question.

She had messed up again.

This man was going to be like everyone else and get rid of her.

Why oh why hadn't she kept her mouth shut.

A/N I had to delete the old file and create a new one as the system would not let me update any of my stories.