Disclaimer: Harry Potter does not belong to me.

Thank you guys soo much for the awesome reviews. I've decided to answer a few of them before this chapter.

Lulu50000: I agree it would be weird if the romantic relationship started too young. Harry will be older when all the romance starts. Severus is not a pedo in this story.

Goddessonmyknees: Lol. I'm sorry but this is not a threeway Sev/Har/Luc story. But don't worry, Lucius won't be left out. He'll find true love by the time I finish this story

SevLoverKat: I promise the hat will be avenged but I don't want to give away too much on whether or not Harry will be resorted.

RRW: At this point in the story Lucius is a little preoccupied with other matters but Sirius will not be forgotten for long.

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For the first time in his life, Harry was actually excited for Christmas. It had been a little sad to say goodbye to Draco and Hermione as they left to spend the holidays with their parents but at least he wasn't alone. Ron was staying behind as well since his parents had decided to go to Romania to visit his brother Charlie. Harry had been a little confused as to why they would not have taken their other children with them but just shrugged it off. He had felt sorry for Draco though because it seemed his friend wasn't looking forward to the holidays as much as he was.

"I don't understand, aren't you spending it with your parents," Harry asked. He had often wished he could spend the holidays with his own parents.

"Exactly, my mother's going to be there," Draco sighed kicking the snow. They were taking a walk around the grounds together after finishing their homework one weekend.

"What's wrong with your mom," Harry asked remembering how Snape had mentioned that her presence had been bothering Mr. Malfoy.

"She doesn't care about anything but herself. She's always saying mean things about other people and looking down on them. Meals are always so awkward and tense when she's with us," Draco complained. "She's always screaming at the house elves or my dad. She sometimes gets to the point where she throws things."

"That sounds horrible," Harry said. He hadn't realized how bad his friend had it. It seemed he wasn't the only one with the horrible childhood.

"The worst part is, I know she doesn't like me," Draco confessed. "I found out that after I was born she never even held me until I was two and only because it was at a party and she wanted to look good. My father was the one who raised me."

"Draco," Harry said sadly putting an arm around his friends shoulder. Draco gave him a happy grin. Harry was surprised that he didn't seem sad at all.

"Actually I'm okay with it. I'll tell you why but you have to promise not to tell," Draco smiled lowering his voice.

"I promise."

"I don't think of her as my mother. Ever since I was little I've pretended that Father was actually my mother."

Harry was shocked and Draco laughed at his face.

"I know he wouldn't mind but for now I'm keeping it to myself," Draco explained.

Harry laughed and shook his head at his friends' antics. He had to admit Mr. Malfoy did seem like the mothering type.

Harry had spent the days leading up to Christmas with Ron and his twin brothers Fred and George. They would play chess and fool around. Sometimes he would meet Snape in his private rooms and have conversations over tea. This had been the best holiday break Harry had ever had.

Christmas morning Harry had woken up to Ron calling his name. He jumped out of bed and hurried to the common room. Ron was sitting there with the twins and Percy. He noticed that all of them were wearing knitted sweaters with their first initials on them.

"What are you guys wearing," he asked.

"Oh our mom made them. She knits us all something every year," Ron explained.

"It's tradition," the twins said in unison.

"Aren't you going to open your presents Harry," Percy asked.

Harry was stunned. This had never happened before.

"I've got presents?"

"Of course," Ron answered. "Looks like you have a few, there over there in a pile."

Harry looked over to see three packages sitting right there for him. He rushed over and grabbed the first one. He read the note and frowned in confusion.

"Your father left this in my possession before he died. It is time now that I pass it onto you. Use it well," he read out loud.

"What is it," Ron asked curiously. Harry unwrapped the present to find a soft silky material inside.

"It's some kind of cloak."

"Well Harry try it on," one of the twins suggested.

"Model for us," the other twin added.

Harry draped his fathers' old cloak around himself. Everyone in the room looked at him in shock. Percy, who hadn't really been paying any attention, looked up at him and nearly fell out of his chair. Harry looked down to find that he could not see the cloak or even his body.

"My bodies gone," he cried.

"That's an invisibility cloak," Ron said in awe.

"Wicked," the twins said together.

"Harry you are not allowed to let the twins borrow that," Percy said sternly. The twins rolled their eyes at their brother.

"We wouldn't ask to borrow it," one twin started.

"That would make things too easy."

"We like a challenge."

"Who gave it to you," Ron asked.

"It doesn't say," Harry said folding up the precious cloak.

Harry grabbed the next present. He silently read the note this time.

Harry,

I just want to congratulate you on making Gryffindor and I would like to wish you a merry Christmas. Hopefully next year you and Severus can spend the holidays with us. Oh,and don't feel shy about sending me letters. I would love to hear from you. Study hard and have fun!

Lucius Malfoy

Harry was stunned at first then smiled. He hadn't expected Mr. Malfoy to give him anything. He opened the box and smiled at the collection of sweets the man had packed inside. It was literally filled to that every inch of space was filled by some kind of tasty treat. Harry briefly wondered if Mr. Malfoy had ever played tetris before. Harry noticed that Ron was already eyeing it. He closed up the box and placed it protectively behind him and away from his drooling friend.

The last present caught his eye. It was wrapped in dark green wrapping paper and it had a note with it like the others. He heard Ron start arguing with the twins about something but he didn't really pay attention. The note was short and simple.

Harry,

Merry Christmas

Severus Snape

Harry smiled to himself. It was typical Snape. He was never one for words. He unwrapped the gift to find a large red book. On the front it read, "Family Memories." Harry opened it up to see moving pictures inside. It was a photo album. He looked down to see his parents smiling up at him holding a baby version of him. Harry flipped through it and found wedding pictures and even pictures from when his parents had went to school. Below each picture there was a caption that would give a brief description of the picture. Harry stopped at a page with two large pictures on each side. On one side was his father and four other people all standing together in their school uniforms. The caption read, "Start of sixth year at platform 9 ¾. Sirius Black, James Potter, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew." These seemed to be his fathers close friends. On the other side He saw a child version of his mother smiling next to a boy with shoulder length black hair. The boy was smirking as he had his hand protectively on his mothers' little shoulder. The caption read, "Start of first year at platform 9 ¾. LilyEvans and Severus Snape."

Harry could feel tears stinging his eyes. This gift was perfect. He now felt a little closer to his parents. They didn't seem like his aunt and uncle. They looked kind and happy. He loved the picture with them holding him because he could see that they had truly loved him before he died. Harry flipped through the book and noticed that it wasn't completely filled. He stopped at the last picture and felt his chest tighten.

It was the picture Mr. Malfoy had Dobby take the day they went to the train station. Harry and Draco stood together smiling with their Hogwarts trunks and Mr. Malfoy and Snape were standing behind them as well. Mr. Malfoy had a big grin on his face and Snape was rolling his eyes at his friend. Harry stared down at the picture. It looked like a family photo.

"Harry, I'm going down to breakfast," Ron announced.

"I'll be there in a minute," Harry answered not even looking up from the picture.

"Wow," two voices said in unison.

Harry nearly jumped out of his skin. He hadn't noticed the twins looking over his shoulders on both sides.

"Ron told us that Snape was the one to take you to the train station," one of them said.

"But he didn't say you went with the Malfoys as well."

"I don't think I've ever seen a Malfoy smile," the twins finished together.

Harry shut the book and gathered his things so he could take them to his room. It wasn't a secret there was some kind of family feud between the Malfoys and the Weasleys. He didn't want to give the twins anything they could hold against Draco.

"Do they smile a lot when no one's looking," one twin asked before Harry left the room.

"We're just curious, we won't tell anyone."

Harry looked at them over his shoulder. They seemed to be genuinely curious.

"They smile and laugh just like everyone else," he answered them.

XxxxHeeheexxxX

Severus had not been surprised when Harry had come to visit him right after breakfast Christmas morning. He was carrying the photo album Severus had given him. He quickly led the boy to his private rooms so they could sit comfortably and chat. Normally there were barriers that wouldn't let any student enter a teachers' private area for obvious reasons but since the school recognized Severus as Harry's legal guardian, it lifted the barrier so that he would be able to come and go as he pleased.

Harry plopped himself down on Severus' couch and put the photo album on the coffee table. Severus couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. He wasn't used to the whole family during the holidays thing. Since being on his own he had usually spent them alone. When he was young he would usually send it with his mother until the afternoon when his father would finally wake up and verbally abuse the both of them.

"Merry Christmas Professor," Harry said brightly.

"Merry Christmas," Severus returned sitting down on the couch next to him.

"Thank you for the gift. I'm sorry I didn't get you anything," Harry apologized.

"Nonsense, you're just a child. You're not expected to give gifts just receive them and smile cheerfully," Severus said dismissively. "I'm glad you like it."

"Oh yes, I've only ever seen a picture of my parents once before my aunt burned it," Harry admitted.

"I figured as much," Severus sighed. Petunia was always such a petty girl.

"Um, I noticed you added this one," Harry said opening the book up. He flipped through the pages and stopped on the last one. Severus chuckled.

"Truth be told I had Lucius help getting some of the photos. I hadn't noticed he added that one."

"It looks like a family photo," Harry said quietly.

"I'd rather you not say that."

"Oh I'm sorry," Harry said quickly jumping a little.

"No you're right it does but Lucius had noticed that too and teased me mercilessly about it," Severus explained calming the boy. He thought back on how Lucius had teased him about how it looked like they were parents together and even as far as to call him his little Sevypoo. Severus couldn't help but grimace at the memory. As much as he loved Lucius it was purely a familial thing. Lucius had been like a brother to him since they met at Hogwarts. Severus shook himself out of his thoughts and turned his attention back to Harry. He was looking up at Severus, seemingly unsure of himself.

"You know, Lucius and Draco accept me as family even though I am not related to them. I think what Lucius is telling you by putting that photo in your family album is that he has already accepted you as his family as well."

"His family," Harry asked in a voice so quiet Severus had almost not heard him.

"Of course, Lucius is my brother in all but blood. His family is my family and vice versa. Since I am now your guardian it is only natural that you are a part of their family as well," Severus explained simply.

Harry looked back down at the picture and gently touched it.

"I've never had that before. When I was with my aunt and uncle I knew we were related but I never felt like we were family," He said quietly. Severus' chest tightened. He watched as a single tear slip down Harry's cheek. A small smile spread across the boys' face. "I have a family now."

Severus couldn't take it anymore. He did something he hadn't willingly done since Lily died. He wrapped his arms around Harry and pulled the small boy into a hug. The boy was still at first but then he relaxed and started to sob. Severus held the boy for what seemed like hours as he finally gave into his sadness and cried out all the pains and hurt of his childhood. He comfortingly rubbed the boys back ignoring his now wet shoulder. This was probably this first time Harry had let himself cry about it for years. Severus didn't dare release his hold on the boy until he had fully relaxed and stopped crying.

"I'm sorry," Harry murmured wiping his eyes. Severus summoned a box of tissues for him.

"There is no need for apologies. I'm glad you finally got it out," Severus dismissed casting a drying spell on his shoulder. Harry gave him a smile and everything fell into an awkward silence. "So, how are your studies going in your other classes?"

Severus wanted to change the subject to something less depressing. It was Christmas after all.

"Mostly good but I hate DADA," Harry admitted. Severus nodded.

"Understandable, even if no one wants to say it Quirrell is hard to follow sometimes with his stutter. I'm surprised his spells work correctly," Severus wondered. A lot of spells needed to be pronounced correctly in order to be cast and it was a little weird that they weren't affected by the stutter. "You'll just need to rely on your textbook more."

"Oh no that's fine it's just that," Harry stopped looking unsure of himself. Severus raised an eyebrow.

"Yes," he prodded.

"Whenever I'm in his class my scar hurts," Harry admitted.

Severus was taken aback. Harry's scar was created by the killing curse from You Know Who, for it to react like that, it must have something to do with dark magic.

"Does it only hurt in his class," he asked trying to sound casual.

"From time to time it will sting a little but not as much as it does in his class," Harry answered. "I think it's a warning. My scar never hurt like this before I came here."

Severus was so going to have a talk with Dumbledore. As much as he hated informing the thought of telling the old coot anything about Harry, this could become dangerous. He already knew that something was off about the man but know it seemed Quirrell was hiding something other than a fascination with getting to the Mirror of Erised.

"Don't worry about that stuff," Severus said turning his attention back to Harry. "Just have fun with your friends and don't neglect your studies."

Harry just nodded. They spent the rest of Harry's visit having light conversation about quidditch and Severus answered a few questions Harry had on potions. Harry eventually left holding his photo album close to his chest.

"Thank you professor, for everything," Harry said before exiting Severus' private chambers.

"Just don't tell anyone. Wouldn't want the other students to think their evil potions professor has a soft side," Severus said sternly but couldn't stop a faint smile from appearing on his face. Harry laughed as he left. Severus allowed himself a few seconds to feel a little peace before he got serious again. Dumbledore never listened to anyone who tried to talk with him about serious matters on Christmas. He said that just because they were all still technically at work didn't mean they had to act like. Severus sighed. He was going to have to wait till tomorrow to talk to him about the Quirrell issue.

XxxxHeeheexxxX

Lucius walked back to his room. Today had been exhausting. Narcissa had done nothing but point out all the things either she didn't agree with or was slightly out of place. She nearly flew into a rage when Draco had come down to breakfast in a blue sweater and light blue jeans. She said they were too muggle and pulled Draco back to his room and to his closet where she proceeded to throw out anything she deemed 'too muggle looking'. Draco had been forced to where a formal suit for the rest of the day. Lucius had tried to persuade his wife to letting him keep the clothes if Draco promised to only wear them in the manor but it was useless. Later she had criticized Lucius' choice in presents for their son. Lucius chose to ignore her that time since he knew Draco loved everything he had gotten from him.

Narcissa had always been obsessed with blood purity and would often fly into a rage if Lucius or Draco did anything she disapproved of. Lucius had often contemplated slapping the women but he knew what would happen. She would go straight to the ministry and report him for spousal abuse. Lucius hated this. He felt trapped within his marriage. He used to wish that he had just disowned himself and ran away. He would have gotten a nice lover and wouldn't have to deal with Narcissas shit but he no longer regretted marrying her. If he hadn't he would have never had Draco. All his pain and hardships from his marriage was well worth it for it had given him an amazing son. Lucius sighed again as he opened the door to his room. Draco didn't deserve this. He deserved a real mother but Lucius knew he would never get it. Even if he divorced Narcissa there was no way he would marry another women. Marrying her had successfully turned Lucius from bi to full out gay. Lucius briefly wondered if Draco would feel weird thinking of a guy as his mother.

"There you are."

Lucius rolled his eyes and turned to face his wife. She looked livid. What the hell had pissed her off this time?

"How dare you! Did you think I wouldn't find out," Narcissa demanded entering his room.

"What are you talking about," Lucius asked genuinely confused.

"I found the picture. How dare you bring such filth into my house? Near my son," she screeched.

"Narcissa, I have no idea what you're talking about. I have never brought anything dangerous near Draco," Lucius explained still trying to think about what she was talking about. Pictures? Did he have a stash of porn he had forgotten about?

Narcissa pulled out a handful of pictures and through them at him. Lucius caught two of them and studied the source of his wife's' latest freak out. He recognized the pictures he had taken of Draco and Harry the day they left for school. He had taken a bunch when they weren't looking. He liked pictures without stiff poses and forced smiles. Lucius cursed to himself. He may have been a spy for the light during the You Know Who days but his wife was a true follower. Unfortunately she hadn't been marked so he couldn't prove it. Of course she would freak out if she found out the one who defeated her master had been in her house.

"Severus was in charge of taking him to the train station so we all went together. There is nothing wrong with it," Lucius stated calmly. He decided to leave out the part where they had stayed the night twice as well. "You weren't here so I don't see the problem."

"You don't see the problem with the person who made our lord disappear strutting through home! He's a filthy mudblood just like his mother and Severus is no better. I forbid you from ever letting them dirty my manor again," Narcissa yelled. Lucius literally felt his patience snap.

"Who do you think you are women," he said in a low tone that caused Narcissa to instantly go quiet. "I am the head of this family. You have no right to give me orders and another thing, that thing was never my master. My father may have supported him but I saw him for the monster he truly was. If he had been allowed to live he would have brought the wizarding world to ruin."

Narcissa stood there looking stunned. Unfortunately it didn't last.

"I will not allow that killer near my son," she said in a low tone as she glared at him. Lucius decided to go with a different tactic.

"Narcissa dear, can you tell me when Draco's birthday is?"

"Excuse me," Narcissa asked looking more than a little confused.

"Since you care so much about our son you should be able to answer this simple question right," Lucius reasoned calmly. "When…is Draco's birthday."

Narcissa was quiet for a long time. Lucius kept his face blank as he waited for her to answer.

"March-"

"It's June fifth you bitch! If you hate Harry Potter because of what he did to your precious 'lord' then just say it but don't you dare say it's because you're protecting Draco. You don't give a shit about our son," Lucius raged. Narcissa glared at him.

"He's still my son and I will not have him be friendly with that mudblood," she said turning on her heels and exiting the room. Lucius waited until she was long gone before he shut his door.

"Dobby," he called. He heard the pop behind him.

"Yes sir what can Dobby do for master," the little elf asked.

"Keep an eye on my wife. She's going to want to talk to Draco alone. If things get violent in any way I want you to inform me right away and I'm not just talking about physically I mean the second she raises her voice I want you to get me no matter where I am or what I'm doing," he ordered.

"Yes sir," Dobby said before disappearing again.

Lucius plopped down on his bed not even bothering to change.

"Merry Christmas," he mumbled before passing out.

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Oooh drama! Guess what's in the next chapter? More drama! Severus talks with Dumbledore and Draco has a painful confrontation with his mother. Meanwhile Harry continues to have a peaceful holiday break. Unfortunately you guys will have to wait until next week since I am drowning in class assignments. Hopefully I'll have most of them done by then. TTFN!