Title: Our First Christmas
Present For:Giry, Madam'zelle Giry
House:Slytherin
Name:Dramionefan4life/Tiff
Christmas Eve, 2001
Severus Snape sat on a chair and looked on as his 21-year-old son, Harry Potter, and his new wife, a 20-year-old Muggle named Samantha Potter nee Ryan, put ornaments on the Christmas tree in the couple's living room. It had surprised almost everyone when it came out that Severus was Harry's father after the war had ended.
You see, Severus Snape and Lily Evans had married after their graduation from Hogwarts, though only a few knew. They kept it secret to protect not only themselves but their son as well. The only ones who knew were their best friend, Remus Lupin, and their cover story, James Potter. It had been Severus who had approached James about "marrying" Lily to hide her relationship with Severus. He had agreed, glad that he could help his friend and her small family. In the end though, the deception hadn't helped, in fact, it was the reason his wife was dead and his son hadn't known him for sixteen years.
Severus was pulled out of his thoughts by a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and saw Harry standing next to him. "Dad, you okay? You were kind of starring at us," Harry said, looking down at his father.
"I'm fine. I was just remembering your mother. Have I ever told you about the first, and sadly, the only Christmas your mother and I spent together as a married couple?"
Harry and Sam sat down next to each other on the sofa. "No, I don't think you've told me that story before," Harry said, smiling. He had heard plenty of stories over the last few years of his parent's lives together. It saddened him that he didn't remember his mother, but he was glad that he still had one parent around who could tell him stories of the other.
Severus smiled as he leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. "Well then, it was on a night just like this, many years ago…"
Christmas Eve, 1978
Severus Snape walked up to a small house, at the end of a dead end road, on the north side of London. He looked around him as he knocked on the door, making sure one last time that no one had followed him. He had Apparated all around the city, trying to throw off any tails he may have picked up. While he believed that no one had been able to keep up, he couldn't help but be a little paranoid when it came to the safety of the woman he loved.
As if she knew his thoughts were on her, Lily Snape nee Evans opened the door to the small house. "Sev! Thank Merlin!" she said, pulling him into the house. She shut the door before pulling him into a big hug. "I was so worried when you didn't come back. You left days ago to get food!"
Severus pulled back from his wife only to cup her cheek with his hand. "I'm sorry, my love. I have been trying to get back here for days. Malfoy and some of his goons followed me once I got into the Alley. They cornered me, wanting me to join the Dark Lord. When I told them no they threatened me and anyone that was close to me. I knew then that I couldn't come back here. I had to keep you safe. It took me a couple days to lose them and get back here." He leaned down and gave her a soft kiss. "I'm so sorry for worrying you. I just had to make sure it was safe before I came back."
She nodded, knowing that he was right. They both knew that the Dark Lord would try to recruit him. They also knew that neither would be safe if either side found out that they were married. It was the reason why they lived in the Muggle part of London instead of the wizarding part.
She took his hand and led him into the living room. She knew he was in for a surprise when he walked into the room. To keep herself occupied while her husband was gone she had put up the Christmas tree. She hadn't planned on putting all the decorations on it but it served as a distraction from worrying about when Severus would return. She heard him gasp as he walked into the room. "I know we said we would do it together but I couldn't sit still while you were missing. It was all I could do not to go out there and look for you."
Severus wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and pulled her close to his chest. "It's fine Lils. You did a great job. I'm just sorry that I'm the reason we couldn't do it together." He kissed her on the head and placed his chin. "Do not worry about the tree, love. It is unimportant. What is important is that we are together. We have the rest of our lives to put up the tree together and one day, with our children as well."
Lily turned in his arms. "You're right. I'm being silly." She took a step back and once again took his hand. "Come. Let's sit, there is something I want to give you."
The couple walked over to the couch where there was a gift sitting on the small table in front of it. They sat and Lily handed the gift to her husband. "Here, I wanted you to have this."
He took the gift, a small, square box wrapped in green paper with a silver bow. "Why now? Why not tomorrow?"
She laughed. "I wanted to give it to you while we were alone. With Remus and James coming over tomorrow, I wanted to give this to you when it could be special."
He smiled and gave her a quick kiss. "Well in that case," he said as he pulled a rectangular box out of his pocket, "you should open this one."
She took the box from his hands and smiled. "Okay. You first."
He carefully untied the box and tore the paper. He was surprised at what he saw when he opened the box. Inside was a beautiful silver chain and locket. He picked it up out of the box and opened the locket. What he saw brought a smile on his face. One side of the locket held a picture of his beautiful Lily, taken recently if he had to guess. The other side held a smaller version of the picture hanging above their mantle across the room, their wedding picture. He placed the locket back into the box and turned to his wife. "It's beautiful, love. I will treasure it always. Now, it's your turn."
She smiled at him. She opened the gift and gasped. Inside was a silver charm bracelet. Pulling it out she said, "Sev, it's beautiful! How did you know I wanted this? You weren't with me when I saw it."
He smiled. "I didn't. I saw it while I was walking the Alley and just knew I had to get it for you." He leaned over and gave her a soft kiss. "I love you."
"I love you too." She placed both gifts on the table and took one of his hands. "Now, are you hungry?" At his nod, she pulled him to his feet. "Let's get you something to eat." The couple ate and enjoyed the rest of their night together before their friends came over to celebrate the holiday.
Christmas Eve, 2001
Severus pulled a chain from under his shirt, the chain that Lily had given him all those years ago. "I put this on the following day and have worn it every day since. That year was really the only year that we were able to celebrate together. By the following year, your mother was pregnant with you and in hiding with James. It was too dangerous for me to visit her. I hated it, especially when James got to be more of a father to you in the first year of your life than I was. Your mother was my heart, my soul, and the only thing that kept me going all these years was the hope that one day I could have these moments with you."
He hadn't realized he was crying until he saw Harry holding a tissue in front of his face. He took it with a mumbled thanks. He looked up and saw that Harry had moved to sit on the table in front of him. "Dad, you may have missed a lot in the past, but there is so much left for you to be a part of in the future. Look around you. You are sitting in my house, with my wife, celebrating our first Christmas together. You're here now, that's what matters."
Severus smiled. "You're right." He stood and walked over to the bar in the corner of the room. There he poured three shots of Firewhiskey and levitated them to the table Harry had recently vacated. Once everyone had one he raised his glass in a toast. "To your first Christmas."
"Our first Christmas," chorused Harry and Sam.
The following morning, the family enjoyed the first of many joyous Christmases together.