By the time Christmas arrived Severus had almost adjusted to the surreal turn his life had taken, though he couldn't quite shake the feeling he was perpetually waiting for the other shoe to drop. Escaping the house had become nigh unto impossible, it seemed his parents, especially his mother, were watching him like hawks. He couldn't help but think, somewhat yearningly, of all the times he had disappeared and they hadn't noticed; now he couldn't even go outside for a breath of fresh air without being asked where he was going and when he was coming back. He was really starting to wish he had just stayed at school, since he hadn't been able to see Lily more than once it hardly would have mattered if he hadn't come home.

On the other hand, that day had been exceptionally good. After he and Lily had finished talking, he had climbed back out of her window, despite Lily's protests he didn't need to. He had then hurried to the front door and knocked, waiting for her to come down and open it. She had pulled him into the house with a laugh, telling him that he was crazy and he could have just walked down the stairs like a normal person. But Severus didn't want Violet to know he had climbed in Lily's window, just in case he ever had to do it again. After an absolutely gargantuan breakfast he, Lily, Violet and Petunia piled into the car and drove to the tree lot. He literally lost count how many trees he held while the three women examined each one minutely for flaws. Having finally bought the very first tree they looked at, they drove home, Violet, Lily and Petunia singing carols at the top of their voices.

When they reached the Evans' house, Severus discovered part of his job was carrying the tree inside and setting it up in the stand, a task that sounded easy, until he actually attempted it. Apparently setting a tree in the stand was an act that required sawing limbs, and repeatedly trying to thrust the tree in a metal contraption. Once that was done, the Evans women stood in front of the tree constantly telling him to adjust it to the right or left or turn it clockwise or a myriad of other instructions that were just mind boggling. Adding to the confusion was the fact that it took him several directions to figure out that when they said left what they really meant was right and vice versa. When the tree had at last been positioned to their specifications Violet declared they would have lunch while the tree rested. Severus had less than no idea what that meant but figured at some point he would be able to ask, once Petunia was gone and couldn't hear and pick on him for not knowing something that should have apparently been obvious. He never got the chance, because for once Petunia wasn't fleeing at the mere sight of him.

After lunch, Violet and Petunia said they were going to the market to shop for Christmas dinner and Lily declared she was going to take a nap. Before leaving, Violet had thrust a huge box at him and asked him to put the lights on the tree while she was gone. Severus figured it was time to come clean about not knowing what he was doing, but Violet had breezed out before he had gotten the chance. Severus reluctantly opened the box and was met by the sight of a tangle of green cords and miniature coloured light bulbs. He gingerly pulled at one of the strands, though the only thing that accomplished was to snarl them more. Sighing he gave it up as a lost cause and went to wake Lily and beg for help. She seemed startled by the information that the Snapes had gotten their first tree in memory this year and there were no lights on it. Thankfully she didn't say much on the subject before graciously agreeing to come downstairs and help. They spent a good hour laughing and untangling the lights while carols played softly in the background. By the time Violet and Petunia returned he was stringing the last of the lights on the tree while Lily sat on the sofa and offered tips.

After all the marketing had been brought in and put away, Violet carried two large tattered boxes into the lounge and set them on the floor near the tree. All three of women stood looking at the boxes with tears in their eyes. Lily had taken Severus' hand in hers, ignoring the dirty look her sister gave them. Eventually Violet had wiped her tears away and began removing ornaments from the boxes. Each one seemed to have a story, some about Violet or Daniel, and some about one of the girls. Her daughters seemed to only half listen, unless the story particularly interested them but Severus listened intently to each one. It hadn't been like this when he and his parents had decorated their tree with the green and silver glass balls his mother had bought. Violet finally declared the tree was finished even though there was a gold box that remained unopened. Severus wondered why they didn't hang those as well but assumed these decorations were special to Violet and Daniel and she couldn't bring herself to hang them this year.

After a mug of hot chocolate Severus had begged Lily to go Christmas shopping with him, since he didn't have the slightest idea what to get May or Violet. Lily happily agreed and Violet chauffeured them to the shops, feeling it was too far away for them to walk and not keen on the teenagers taking the bus given the fact there had lately been several robberies at some of the stops. Violet left them outside a favourite shop and told them she would be back in three hours to collect them so they wouldn't be late for dinner. It had taken some time but Severus finally settled on presents for everyone, even going so far as to buy a small porcelain box for Petunia. Lily had gone off on her own for a half hour, to give them time to buy one another a gift she said, leaving before he could once again protest he wanted nothing else from her this year. He had immediately gone to the book shop and bought the rather expensive art book he had seen her eyeing over the summer. It now lay, wrapped to precision in the green and red paper she had talked him into buying, in his trunk with his other gifts. What wasn't in the trunk was the gift he really wanted to give her, that had been bought years before and currently lay in his secret hiding spot under a loose floor board.

During Christmas holidays of their third year Lily had invited Severus to go shopping with her and he had gone, happy to be her carryall if it meant spending an afternoon alone with her. They were passing an old, run-down shop when she had stopped abruptly and gazed transfixed at the cameo on display in the window. It seemed to Severus they stood looking at the piece of carved shell for hours. Finally she had turned to him and told him, even though cameos where considered old-fashioned she loved them and had always wanted one. After that, every day she drug him to the shop to look at the piece in the window.

Then, Christmas Eve, Tobias had come home, more than a little intoxicated and thrust a wad of money into his son's hand. Severus always wondered if his father had realized he had given him twenty pound notes instead of the usual fivers. Normally, Severus would have given them back or at least taken them to his mother but this time he took it as a gift from the heavens and raced downtown to the shop. He breathlessly had told the shopkeeper he wanted to purchase the cameo. The old man had looked a little doubtful; apparently sceptical such a young, ragged boy would have the funds for such an item. Severus had thrust the money on the counter, stating he hoped it was enough as his mother was quite ill and had particularly wanted that cameo. The man's blue eyes had filled and he had quickly removed the necklace from the case and wrapped it. With a smile he handed the box and a tenner back to Severus and wished the boy and his mother a happy Christmas.

Severus had slept many nights with the box under his pillow, dreaming of the look on Lily's face when he gave her the much-coveted gift. Then, at the last moment, he had lost his nerve, so instead he had brewed her a complicated potion and the cameo lay hidden. Severus had few Christmas traditions but pulling out the black velvet box and debating whether or not to this was the year give it to Lily was one of them.

The other tradition also involved someone he loved. Glancing at the clock, he saw that it was almost time; every year at precisely ten o'clock he did the same thing. With only two minutes to go he crossed to the door and locked it. This was his time and he wanted no interruptions. He silently pried up the loose floorboard next to his bed. His hand quickly found what he was searching for and he pulled the jar containing his gram's remains from its hiding spot, He gently placed them on his bed and looked reverently up at them. Normally he would prop her picture against the clear glass, but somehow he had misplaced it the last day of term. Severus fervently prayed he had dropped the photo on the floor in the dorm, because the idea that his gram's picture was lost to him forever was devastating.

"I'm sorry, gram. I didn't mean to loose it." He spoke in a quiet whisper, so his parents wouldn't hear if they happened to go by.

"Everything is so queer here. Mum and father they're being – well odd. Lily's well. I still love her more than anything in the world, but I suppose you know that. You must know everything now. I've been thinking, if you know everything, are you disappointed in me? I know Lily was for a little while – maybe a long while, and you're so much alike I can't help but think you must be disappointed too. I hate the idea you wouldn't be proud of me.

"It all seemed so simple in the beginning. I just wanted to be someone better, someone great and respected; someone people wouldn't pick on. I didn't think it through all the way I guess, because I don't hate muggles, gram. That would mean hating you and I could never do that. Does it make it better, the fact that I am trying to change? Or am I wicked because I still want those things? I'm trying not to, but somehow I can't seem to help myself. I wish I could be good, like you. But I have such horrid thoughts.

"All those people who hurt me, I can't forgive them. Especially Potter, I hate him so much for wanting Lily. I know I'm jealous. The way she looks at him sometimes. I can't stand it. Every time I see it I wish she would look at me like that, like she wanted me to kiss her. What if she doesn't pick me, gram? I don't think I can live without her, she's my whole life.

"I wish you were here, then maybe it wouldn't be like this, maybe I wouldn't be like this. I've never told you before, but I heard, that day you were talking to your barrister. I know you wanted to take me away, raise me yourself. Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like, living with you. I know you would say it does no good to dwell on it and you would be right – but still.

"Do you even hear me, gram? Or do angels have better things to do? If you can hear me, then please watch over Lily for me. Keep her safe. That's all I really want – no, that's not really true. I want – I want us to be a family, a real family. I promise you, I will love her forever and when we have children I'll be a good father. I'll never yell, or call names or lay a finger on them and they would never want for a single thing. I will love and protect them all, always. Just give me this one thing and I swear I will never ask for anything else. Please gram, please."

Severus reached up and ran his hand lovingly down the side of the jar. "I miss you so much."

He knew he was dangerously close to crying and as there had been talk of going to church at midnight he didn't think it would do to be so obviously upset. So he picked up the glass and whispered, "Happy Christmas, gram," before carefully putting it back in the space.

His hand rummaged among the treasured items until it lit on a circular box. He pulled the faded blue object out and released the catch, revealing a diamond set in a platinum band. It had been Elizabeth's, bought back in the days when the Snapes had money to spare. His grandmother had given it to him the last time he had seen her, telling him to keep it safe and give it to the woman he married one day. He understood now, as he hadn't at the time, that Elizabeth had known she was dying. That was why nothing had ever been said about him going to live with her. One day he was going to ask Lily to be his and slide this ring onto her finger. With a sigh he closed the box and put it back, careful not to wrinkle the wrapping in the corner of the opening. His hand was reaching for the velvet box when he heard a shout echo up from downstairs.

The other shoe had dropped, the peace was over and he felt oddly relieved. This he understood, this he knew how to deal with. Years of practice had given him the ability to tune out whatever was going on with parents and immerse himself in what he was doing. So he ignored the shouting and contemplated the box in his hand, was this the year to give her the cameo or not? As he thought, his finger lightly traced the delicate carving. It seemed to be the right time. After all, could there be a better way to tell her he was unendingly grateful for his second chance then by giving her the long desired cameo?

He had almost made up his mind to give it to her when the sound of shattering glass ripped through his reverie. This was no ordinary argument. Severus tossed the box onto a pile of notes Lily had written him over the years and thrust the plank back into its rightful spot. Then he tore open the door and raced down the stairs. He could hear Eileen crying before he ever even entered the kitchen.

He cautiously pushed the door open a crack and peered into the room. Tobias was standing by the backdoor, face purple with rage. Where his mother was Severus couldn't see. The kitchen was filled with an ominous silence and he knew whatever was going on was bad. He debated whether or not to enter the room since there were times when his presence only seemed to make things worse. The tension continued to build, but the yelling had stopped, so he decided to let them have it out.

He had begun slowly easing the door closed when he heard a wince and his father say coldly, "just couldn't leave well enough alone could you? Stupid bint you deserve what you get."

That was all Severus needed to hear, he swung open the door and walked into the kitchen. Eileen was kneeling on the floor, picking up pieces of broken glass, blood running down her hands and onto the dingy tiled floor. "Mum, your hand!" he exclaimed dropping down next to her.

"Leave her, boy!"

Severus ignored his father and reached to take the glass from his mother's hands. "Here, I'll get it."

She seemed reluctant but handed the shards to him before rising, crossing to the sink and turning on the water. Severus continued to kneel on the floor and pick up the glass, all the while watching his parents covertly from behind his lowered lashes.

"How long, Tobias?" whispered Eileen.

"How is that any of your business?"

"I'm your wife! I gave birth to your son, in case you'd forgotten!"

"Don't even know if the brat's mine."

Severus' head shot up, he hadn't known there was any question about his paternity.

"Who knows how many men you got your kit off for. Kid could be anyone's."

"He's yours and you know it."

"Couldn't tell by looking at him. Ask me he looks like the bastard's. Is that what you did Eileen? Huh? Did you get sprogged up with his kid and try to pass it off as mine?"

"You disgusting wanker! How dare you disparage me?! You are nothing! I'm…" Eileen stopped abruptly as Tobias crossed the room and grabbed her by the arm.

"I'm nothing!? And what are you? A useless, stupid whore! You're no wife to me!" Tobias raised his hand.

Severus jumped to his feet, throwing the glass to the floor. "Don't touch her!"

Both of his parents turned to look at him, apparently startled he was still there. It was all he needed, he raced to his mother's side.

"Severus." she whispered warningly.

But Eileen was too late. Severus could see the anger growing in Tobias' eyes. "This is none of your business! Get the hell out of here!"

He stood, prepared to defend his mother but he already knew he had no chance, Tobias was at least twice as big as he was. A large hand closed around his upper arm and pulled him away from Eileen. Severus turned, his hands curled into fists by his side. Tobias eyed him dangerously, self-preservation made Severus want to run but he wouldn't leave his mother when Tobias was in this state, heaven only knew what would happen.

"I told you to go, boy." Tobias' voice had taken on the same cold, calculated tone Severus' did when he was angry.

Tobias began advancing slowly towards his son. Severus knew there was no question of Eileen being in danger now; he was the one about to bear the full brunt of his father's anger. Everything in his gut told him to run, but his feet seemed glued to the dirty black and white tile.

"Tobias, leave him! It's me you're angry with!"

"The boy needs to learn some respect, like his mother."

Eileen rapidly crossed the room grabbing her husband by the arm. "Tobias!"

Instantly her husband turned, backhanding her across the face and Eileen fell into the pool of her own blood on the floor.

"Mum!" Severus shouted, shoving his father aside in an effort to reach the prostrate form on the floor.

Straight away Severus knew he had made a mistake. The next thing he felt was a rush of pain as his face hit the kitchen table. Blood began to pour from his nose, draining down the back of his throat. He gagged and tried to spit the blood out. A boot connected with his back and Severus knew he was in real trouble. He frantically crawled under the table, hoping to be able to escape the worst of the beating. Another kick caused him to double over in pain. There was nothing else to be done, so he instinctively curled up in a ball, trying to protect the most vulnerable parts of his body. His mind began to drift and he barely noticed the next few blows. He could see himself, lying with Lily in the spot, gazing up at the stars on a far distant summer's evening. If he could just hold onto this then he might be able to make it. The kicking seemed to last forever and then he heard the indistinct sounds of shouting. Suddenly the impacts stopped and he felt wave after wave of nausea surge over him.

He could hear his mother screaming and wondered if Tobias was now hitting her. Quickly he uncurled himself and looked towards the sound of the shouting. He was met with the sight of Eileen pushing Tobias out the back door. The man seemed to be going quietly enough, Tobias' rages never seemed to last long, though they were so frequent it hardly mattered.

Severus began to gingerly crawl out from under the table, desperately fighting back the urge to be sick all over the kitchen floor, there was no way he could clean that mess up tonight. He knew he had to be a sight. Tentatively, he raised his hand to his eye, testing to see how bad it was. The blood was still running from his nose and he contemplated trying to get to the stove and pull the dishtowel from the handle, but his back hurt and he was certain if he moved then his fight not to vomit would be lost.

Out in the back garden his parents were back to screaming at each other. Normally they would never yell like that where others might overhear them, but they were beyond caring who heard them, just as he was beyond caring about much of anything. He wrapped his left arm around his back, trying to ascertain just how swollen and bruised it was but the pressure was agonizing. Severus supposed he should have known better than to try and stop his father from going after his mother. He really didn't think he had ever been this bad after Tobias was done with him. The shouting had stopped outside and the door opened. He tried to look at who had come through the door so he'd know if he should crawl back under the table but his right eye was swollen shut.

"What were you thinking, Severus?"

"Mum?"

"Who else do you think it would be?" She snapped dismissively. "Of all the stupid things to do! Do you have no intelligence?"

He wanted to protest, tell her he was only trying to help her but she continued before he could get so much as a syllable out. "Look at what you've done, Severus! Look!" She grabbed his chin and turned his face until his non-swollen eye saw the bruise rising on her cheek.

He wanted to laugh. Her! Look at him. She roughly jerked her hand away. "This is all your fault – Get out!"

"Mum." He couldn't move, and was even tempted to sleep right here, rolled up under the table.

"Get out! Now!"

He could feel his own temper rising. After all he had done! The adrenaline rushed back through him as he scrambled to his feet, hands shaking.

Eileen was glaring at him "Don't you dare come back tonight."

He knew that meant, like his father, he was being thrown out for the night. With a huff he stormed from the kitchen, leaving a trail of blood behind him. He grabbed a jacket from the stand and slammed the door behind him as he exited the house. Raw fury carried him all the way down the street. His heart began to gradually slow and he felt the cold night air surround and cool him. Nausea rushed up to claim him again and this time he couldn't stop it. Pivoting quickly, he threw up into the scraggly bush.

Not knowing what else to do, Severus turned the corner and made his way down the street, trying to staunch the blood flowing from his nose with his shirt sleeve. He aimlessly wandered towards the play park, thinking he would sit on one of the swings until he was sure his mother had gone to sleep and he could sneak back into the house. When he got to the park he found any desire to sit was gone, it was just too cold to not keep moving. So he kept walking, looking at the decorations on the houses as he passed.

Severus looked in the windows at the happy families gathered around trees and dinner tables. He hated them, hated all those people for being happy when he was miserable. Hated Tobias for ruining yet another Christmas. He was even angry with his mother for yelling at him instead of appreciating that he had tried to stand up for her. He wondered if he was the only person his age who hated Christmas. What was there to enjoy? He knew there would be no peace in his house this year, the cycle had started again and now there would be no escape from his parent's arguing or the drudgery of Spinner's End. The only escape was this, wandering the streets with no hat, no scarf, no gloves, freezing cold, body aching. Severus petulantly kicked at a fallen piece of greenery and instantly regretted it. His back throbbed and he fought not to be sick again.

With a start he realized his meanderings had led him to the Evans' house. He gazed wistfully at the lounge windows, hoping Lily was having a better night than he was. Heaving a deep sigh he turned away, determined to wander his own neighbourhood, where people didn't have the money for showy displays of happiness. Just then he heard the front door open. He spun around quickly, hoping to have a glimpse of his beloved Lily. It was the only thing he could think of that would make the night bearable. But it wasn't Lily that staggered out of the door holding a large box.

Severus crossed the road as swiftly as he was able and grabbed the box from Violet, his back protesting loudly. "Let me get that for you."

"Severus, is that you?"

"Yes."

"What are you doing here?" Violet tried to get a good look at him, but he dodged her glance, hiding in the shadows cast by the house and box.

"I just fancied a walk and ended up here without thinking about it."

"In this weather? Well, I suppose it's lucky for me you were here. I was going to try and hang these wreaths before the girls got home from church."

So much for getting a quick look at Lily. "You didn't want to go with them?"

"Not this year." Her voice choked a little but then she bravely carried on "Maybe you could help me. That is if you don't have to be home right away. And if you stay until the girls get home Petunia could drive you and save you the walk. It really is much too cold to be wandering around outside."

Severus wanted to stay but he knew it was only a matter of time before Violet got a good look at him and there was no way to hide his battered eye.

"I could make you some choco…Severus what on Earth happened to you?"

He winced, it appeared Violet had finally seen the state he was in. "Oh – I – I slipped and fell – hit my head – stupid really. I'm fine, truly."

Violet took the box from his arms and eyed him critically. It was dark so he wasn't sure how much she could see. Apparently it was enough because she briskly stated "Nonsense, you're practically covered in blood. You get inside right this moment so we can get you cleaned up."

She ushered him through the front door, the wreaths lying forgotten in the garden. "Go in the kitchen and wait for me."

Severus watched as Violet hurried up the stairs, muttering to herself. He wondered if he should do as she said or just leave. He stood in the entrance, hovering on the brink of indecision. He had almost made up his mind to leave the comforting warmth of the house when Violet bustled back down the stairs, her arms once again full.

"Come with me," she said gently.

Severus nodded, causing his nose to throb and a drop of blood to fall on the carpet.

"I'm sorry, Violet."

"It doesn't matter."

He wanted to ask for a rag to clean it up but she had entered the kitchen. Kneeling down, he scrubbed at the spot with the sleeve of his shirt. "Severus – leave it. I'll clean it later."

He hadn't heard her come back out. Slowly he looked back up at her.

"Come on," she urged gently.

He followed her through the swinging door, for once not glad to be entering the usually cheery kitchen. Violet pointed at a bundle of clothes on the table. "Change into these and I'll wash your things for you.

"My clothes are fine," he protested.

"No, your jacket and trousers are covered in blood. I can't let you go out like that and if I don't wash them soon then the blood will set and your things will be ruined."

Severus looked down at his clothes, hearing a soft plop as another drop of blood fell from his nose. Cris had given him this particular set of clothes, they were the nicest things he owned and were undoubtedly expensive. He hesitantly shrugged out of the coat, surprised Violet said nothing at the quantity of blood on the front of the blue shirt. She merely held out her hand for the jacket.

"Now the shirt and trousers."

Severus could feel the balls of his feet grow warm. He couldn't change in front of Violet, couldn't let her see his back.

Clearly she misinterpreted his reluctance, "Severus, I'm a mother, I can assure you, I have seen it all before."

Slowly he began to unbutton the shirt, maybe if he could just keep his back out of sight it would be alright. Several buttons down Violet looked at him and muttered, "vest."

After she had left the room, Severus shed his trousers and grabbed the fresh pair from the table. He thought that most of the bruising was far enough down they would hide it. He just hoped she wasn't going to try to make him change his pants. Since he didn't see any, he figured he was in the clear. He had slid the trousers on and fastened them before she returned, but from the small gasp that escaped Violet when she returned to the room he knew either the bruising was higher than he thought or worse than he had imagined.

He waited for her to ask what had happened but she simply handed him the white cotton garment. "Here, put this on and take this," she said giving him a small, white pill.

He took it from her, swallowed it down and then pulled the shirt on over his head. His back screamed in pain and when the neckband passed over his nose he could feel his eyes start to water.

"Alright, sit down and let me have a look at you."

He sat in the chair she offered, a little apprehensive about what was going to happen next.

"First thing's first." Violet crossed to the sink and held a faded red washcloth under the tap. Then she returned to the table and gently took his chin in her hand, turning his face upward and began to delicately wipe the blood from his face. "Do you think your nose is broken?"

"No."

"You're certain?"

"Fairly."

She looked a little doubtful. So hesitantly he whispered, "there'd be a lot more blood if it was."

"I'm afraid it will be rather swollen in the morning."

"That's okay."

"And I think it likely you'll have a black eye."

He shrugged. It was hardly the first black eye he had ever had.

"There's not much we can do but put some ice on it."

"I don't need it. I've been outside in the cold since it happened."

She frowned, "still."

Violet went to the freezer and dug around, emerging a moment later with a bag of frozen peas in her hand. She wrapped it in a towel and handed it to him, looking pointedly at his eye. With a sigh he took it and pressed the bag to his face. He watched out of his uncovered eye as she sat down in the seat opposite him.

"Severus, you didn't really fall, did you?" she asked, looking at him intently.

He couldn't look at her, couldn't stand to see her pity so he tore his eyes away and looked fixedly at the fleck of blood on his left hand. "Yes, I did."

"Severus," Violet whispered reproachfully.

He knew she didn't believe him, knew that Violet had most likely figured out his father hit him. Yet some deeply ingrained part of him wouldn't allow him to confirm her suspicions. Better she think he was some sort of imbecile who couldn't walk than for her to know he was a weakling that allowed himself to be beaten.

"I think you should stay here tonight. It's late and I don't think it's a wise idea for you to be walking around in this state."

Severus looked up quickly, ready to protest, and to see a face filled with the much hated pity. Instead the bright green eyes that met his were filled with understanding and compassion and behind that was a smouldering rage, though for once he knew that rage wasn't directed at him.

"Why don't I phone your parents and let them know you're sleeping here tonight?"

Severus panicked. She couldn't call his house. "No! You can't. Our phone – it – it isn't working. They haven't come to fix it yet." Merlin how he hated all this, all the lies and subterfuge, just once he wanted to tell the truth. "They – they won't be looking for me tonight anyway," he muttered.

He hadn't thought she had heard that last bit, but clearly he was mistaken because she said, "if that's the case, how about I make you a nice cup of chocolate, then you can go upstairs and get some sleep. Tomorrow I'll take you home myself."

This was getting worse and worse. There weren't words for how much he wanted to stay and just once be part of the happy celebrations he saw in other people's windows. It was a hopeless dream, he couldn't stay, letting Violet take him home tomorrow could only end badly. "Thank you, Violet, but I…"

"Shh," she shushed him as she rose from the chair. "I won't say anything to them. Alright?"

He could feel himself weakening and hated it. He wanted to believe this wasn't pity. And if he didn't stay then who knew what he would do. The idea of walking until all hours and hoping his mother didn't lock the door with the bolt that neither he nor his father had a key for was not even the tiniest bit appealing. Conflict swirled inside him.

"Severus, stay. Stay for Lily. So she knows you're okay."

That was it, he was sunk. "Alright, I'll stay," he croaked.

"Good." She started to walk towards the stove, then abruptly turned and stooped down to give him a hug, her hands gentle on his back. "You know you're always safe here," whispered Violet, before standing and placing a swift kiss on the top of his head.

"I know," he answered gruffly.

Soon Violet was bustling around the kitchen, preparing chocolate at the stove. As he watched her Severus couldn't help but wish, not for the first time, that Eileen was like Violet. That she would take care of him after a fight with Tobias, be the one to comfort him and tell him he was safe, even if it wasn't true. It was a foolish thought, his mother just wasn't that way. She showed her love by trying to toughen him up, by telling him what a distinguished line of witches and wizards he came from. He knew his mum was trying, doing the best she could but what he really wanted was this.

He and Violet drank the chocolate in silence. When his mug was empty, she smiled at him sweetly; a smile so like Lily's his heart ached. "Let's see if I can find you a pair of Daniel's old pyjamas."

"Violet, please don't, I'd feel guilty about wearing Daniel's things."

She reached up and pressed her hand to his left cheek, "he would want you to have them."

He followed her up the stairs and stood in the doorway of the bedroom while Violet rummaged through a dresser nicer than anything his family possessed. The room smelled faintly of vanilla and he could feel a lump growing in his throat, and swallowed hard. Of course other women would wear that scent, it couldn't be just his gram. Violet turned, a pair of maroon pyjamas in her hand.

"Here you are."

"Thank you, Violet."

"Of course. Good night, Severus and Happy Christmas."

"Happy Christmas to you," he replied before slipping into the guestroom.

Violet waited until the door had closed behind him and then walked wearily down the stairs and into the kitchen. She sank into the seat she had left only moments ago and looked across to her husband's vacant spot. She wished more than ever Daniel was here, he would know what to do for the boy upstairs. But if Daniel was alive they would have gone to church with the girls and there would have been no one here to take care of Severus.

It was going to take an enormous amount of will power on her part not to scream at the Snapes in the morning. She didn't know which of them she was angrier with, the father for hitting his son or the mother for allowing it to happen.

Violet felt tears rolling down her cheeks. She had to figure out some way to protect him, to keep him from harm. If only there was some way to get him out of that house for good. She remembered the return drive from London in September and what Crispin had told her about Severus. Like her, Crispin thought Severus was abused, in large part due to a bruise he had seen on the boy's upper arm the week of the funeral. Violet had been proud when Cris had told her he had deliberately bought new clothes so he could give Severus his old ones without the boy feeling like it was charity.

Crispin had also asked her if she thought Severus would come if Crispin asked him to visit over the holidays. Violet had been unsure but told him to ask, after all the worse that could happen was that Severus would say no. That had been the plan until the Halls had arrived home full of schemes for a grand holiday house party. Cris had decided Severus was likely to be uncomfortable and so hadn't asked him to stay but perhaps she should phone him in the morning and see if he would be willing to have Severus come to stay a for a few weeks during the summer holidays.

The sound of a car pulling up caused Violet to brush the tears from her face. The first thing she was going to have to do was impress on Petunia how important it was to be sensitive to Severus' plight. The front door opened and she heard the two girls come in.

"Mum!" Lily called anxiously voice down the hall.

Violet immediately remembered the spot of blood on the hall carpet. She rose from the table and walked through the door. Right away Lily rushed to her, while Petunia stood unmoving just inside the door, seemingly immobilized by the dark red stain on the tan carpet.

"Are you alright, mum?"

"I'm fine, dear."

"But the blood!" Lily's eyes were already frightened. Telling her daughter what had happened to her best friend would not be easy.

"I want you girls to listen to me carefully. Severus has had an accident."

"Sev?!" Lily turned away from her mother and headed back towards the front door.

Violet reached out and grasped her daughter's hand. "He's upstairs in the guestroom. He doesn't want to talk about what happened and you both need to respect that. Understood?"

"Yes," Lily whispered "Is he alright?"

"He looks a mess but I think he'll be fine after some rest."

Lily nodded her head, broke away from her mother and raced up stairs. There was no doubt in Violet's mind where she was going. And perhaps Lily was what Severus needed right now.

Looking at her other daughter Violet saw she was still standing motionless in the hall. "Petunia, were you listening to me?"

Petunia's eyes had gone dark at the mention of Severus' name and were now filled with unconcealed fury. "Yes, mother. Tell me, how many more private family moments is that – that boy going to intrude on?" Biting off the question she walked in the direction of the stairs.

"Petunia Irene Evans, get back here right this instant!"

Violet didn't often raise her voice to one of her children so when she did they obeyed. Petunia turned slowly, knowing she had angered her mother. Violet's eyes snapped and raising one finger she pointed to the lounge. Petunia petulantly drug herself into the room, her mother marching behind her.

"I have put up with this nonsense long enough! I know you don't like Severus, though heaven only knows why."

Petunia opened her mouth in preparation to tell her mother everything that was wrong with the freak her sister seemed so enamoured of but before she got a single word out, her mother held up a hand.

"I don't want to hear it. Whatever your reasons for disliking Severus the fact is, that boy is hurt and he is a guest in this house. My guest and you will treat him with the proper regard and civility. You will be the lady I have raised you to be and put aside any personal prejudices you may have against him as long as he is under this roof. Do you understand me?"

"Yes."

"Good. You may go upstairs and go to bed."

"And Lily?"

"Lily is my concern."

"They've slept together. Under your roof."

Violet sighed; she was weary of her daughter's hatred for the boy. "Petunia, things are not always what they seem to be."

"They love one another."

"I know that, but they're not doing anything inappropriate. Even if they were, you are not Lily's mother and it is not your place to interfere."

"None of you will be happy until that – that impoverished freak is a part of this family!"

"Petunia! Enough! I will hear no more about this. If you can think of nothing nice to say about Severus you will refrain from saying anything at all. You still live in this house and therefore you still live by my rules are we clear?"

"Perfectly."

"Then go to bed and I expect you to act amicably in the morning."

Petunia left the room with a huff. Violet could hear her thunder her way up the stairs and slam the door to her room. Thankfully the pain pill she had given Severus should ensure he sleep through her elder daughter's tantrum.

In the guestroom, Lily listened to her sister storm by. It seemed whole house shook when Petunia slammed her door. Lily couldn't take her eyes off of the boy in the opposite bed. Even though she had not turned on the light, she could see his nose was swollen and there was a large ring of black around his right eye. She was glad he was asleep, that way he didn't have to see the tears streaming down her face for him. Lily knew he would hate that she was crying for him, she could only hope her tears would be gone by morning.

She knew things were bad in his house, knew his parents "argued" but it had never crossed her mind Severus would be part of those arguments. Not for one moment had she thought he might be hurt. Now all she could think of were all the times when they were young, or during holidays when she hadn't seen him for days on end. Sometimes she would imagine he was angry at her and didn't want to be friends anymore for some unknown reason, but he had always been so happy to see her after those short separations she would dismiss the thought. Now she knew why he would disappear, it was because of this, because he was hurt and couldn't hide it. How could she have been so blind? Perhaps it was because he always seemed to have a good reason why he had been gone, or was wearing a long sleeve shirt in the summer or moved a little too slowly and gingerly.

With a soft moan Severus rolled over, causing the top of the pyjamas to hitch up. Lily pressed her hand to her mouth in an effort to stop the gasp from escaping. His entire back was black and blue, there even appeared to be a waffle pattern in places. She reached out with shaky hands and lightly touched the bare flesh. He instantaneously rolled up into a ball, his arms wrapped around his head. Lily couldn't stop herself and began to sob silently. She had to be the worst friend in the world not to have realized what was happening.

"Sev, I'm sorry. So very, very sorry."

He seemed to relax a little at the sound of her voice, his arms sliding down from around his head.

"Lily."

She turned towards the door at the sound of her mother's whisper. Violet quietly crossed to the bed and took her daughter in her arms. "I know, it's hard to see him like this."

Lily looked worriedly at Severus, afraid he would overhear them.

"Don't worry, I gave him a pain killer, he'll be out for awhile."

"Did you know, mum?"

"Not absolutely, no but I did suspect."

"What do we do now? We can't let him go back there."

"I'm afraid we have no choice."

"But – did you see his back?"

"Yes."

"Then how can you let him go back to that place?"

"Because I'm not his mother. And however much I may wish it – I can not take him away from them."

"Mum." Lily's voice caught.

"Lily, all we can do is love him and protect him while he's here." Violet looked deep into her daughter's eyes. "Don't underestimate how much your love means to him, or how much it helps him."

"I know that he – fancies me."

"I wondered. And how do you feel about that?"

"I don't know. It's Sev and that makes things complicated." Lily sighed and decided she would tell her mother the truth. "There's this other boy, James Potter and he's – funny and talented and handsome – so handsome and I want…" Lily looked down at her hands and felt the blush spreading to every part of her body. "Every time I see him I want to snog him senseless, but I'm not sure he's a good person. The way he treats Sev is – appalling. And Sev, he's my best friend and of course, I love him, I'm just not sure if I'm… I know Sev's got a good heart and in the end he'll do the right thing. And something's changing, I just don't know what. But somehow I can't picture – you know…"

"Snogging Severus senseless."

"Yes."

"I understand."

"Do you?"

"Yes. The first time your father tried to kiss me I laughed like crazy. It just seemed like the stupidest thing in the world, to snog my best friend, but then one night he took me by surprise and it was the most wonderfully perfect thing I had ever felt. It turned out being in love with my best friend was more amazing than I had ever imagined." Violet pushed a strand of hair back from her daughter's face.

"Did it worry you? What would happen if you and dad didn't work out?"

"Of course."

"And?"

"In the end I thought it was worth the gamble. – You should get some sleep."

"Yes. Do you care if I sleep in here?"

"No." Violet kissed her daughter on the top of her head, and started to leave.

She was stopped at the door by the sound of Lily softly calling after her. "Mum, do I fancy, Sev?"

"Only you can answer that, Lily."

Violet could tell Lily was hoping for a straight yes or no answer. While she, and seemingly everyone else in the family, knew Lily loved Severus, almost as much as he loved her, it was clear she had yet to figure that out. Violet knew, from experience, no one could tell you who you loved, even if it was absurdly obvious to them. With one last gentle smile at her daughter she whispered "Sweet dreams to you both and Happy Christmas."

"Happy Christmas, mum."

Lily waited until her mother had left and then slipped off to change into her nightdress. When she came back Severus was stretched out on his side, facing the other single bed. Lily pulled a blanket from the wardrobe and gently covered him. He winced as the blanket fell onto his back. She decided she would not get in that bed with him for fear of causing him more pain. She slid in between the sheets on the other bed and turned to face him. She watched him breathe slowly in and out, his lips slightly parted. For a moment she considered getting out of bed and pressing her lips to his, just to see. But perhaps it was pity that caused this impulse in her. Sighing she snuggled further under the covers, she could do nothing until she was sure, until James Potter was completely out of her system.

"Happy Christmas, Sev. Next year will be better, I promise," yawning she closed her eyes and fell asleep.