Goldhawk - You are so behind... That review was for chapter 22, Snape's Missive... You are like six chapters behind. I can't believe I am even gifting you with a reply Stephen! *sigh* Oh well, I am glad you see my out of character Snape as inevitable because it truly was... I swear it was!

Siriurfan7711 - Well don't you worry, you'll have this story around to read for a very, very long time! Years maybe! I don't know... I am really touched to hear this is your favorite. That is so sweet! As of this moment this chapter is dedicated to you because you rule!

Dedication! Yes I am making dedications now! This one is to Siriusfan7711 because you rule! And said this was your favorite fanfiction! Thus I dedicate this chapter to you... Well to you and way too much time and caffeine and sugar during the drive to and from Maine... Yeah!

A Change of Fate

"True perfection has to be imperfect. I know that that sounds foolish, but it is true..." - Oasis

True Perfection

"Dad?" Severus looked up from the essay he was grading. It belonged to a Miss Granger; a B. Severus sighed. She was the best of the Gryffindors, while Harry, the best of the Slytherins, had a straight A+. "Yes, son?" Harry was standing in the doorway, completely alone. 'Marvolo must be with Draco and Tracy.' Severus thought. Harry stepped into the room almost nervously, which alarmed Severus to say the least. "Is something the matter?" He asked, barely able to keep a slight edge of panic from his voice. Harry looked up from the floor. "Christmas is coming up soon." "Yes it is." The older man agreed wondering what was going on that had made Harry at all nervous. "Sirius wants me to go back to his and Aunt Krista's house over the holidays, but I don't want to."

Severus nodded. Krista had told him something about Sirius' demands to see both her and Harry over break. "What do you want to do, Harry?" The boy had apparently found his shoes very interesting as he was staring at them while he muttered a response. "What was that, Harry? I couldn't understand you." Severus whispered and knelt before the boy, his hands on Harry's shoulders. "I want to stay here with you, dad." Harry sniffled. "I don't want to go spend Christmas with those Gryffindors." Severus sighed deeply. "So that is what is troubling you?" Harry nodded. "Who would be staying with you, if you stay?" "Draco, Tracy, and Blaise all said they would stay if I could... and of course Marvolo." "Alright, write your uncle telling him you can't leave your friends here alone over the holidays. Remind him that he will have all summer with you, and make sure you say nothing about me." Harry looked up with a smile. "Do you think that will work?" Severus smirked. "If I recall, your uncle stayed here every holiday because his friend Lupin did. So I don't think he will deny you." "Thank you dad!" Harry gave Severus a hug before running off to the Owlery to send the letter.

That night, while Sirius and Remus were reading Harry's letter, Krista was sitting on the cough with Snape in his library. She looked up at the other side of the couch where Severus sat reading a book on some new research on his Wolfsbane Potion. 'He can become so engrossed in the things others are doing that sometimes I think he forgets to live himself.' She mused while she watched him. Quietly, she closed the book she had been reading and moved closer to him. "Severus..." She murmured. A grunt was the only response. Krista smiled and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Severus..." His name came from her lips slightly louder this time. "Yes?" He asked distractedly. Krista sighed and plucked the book from his fingers. Closing it, she placed it on the table and curled up in his arms. The Potions Master sighed. "Yes Krista?" He inquired with an upraised eyebrow. She put her head on his shoulder. "You were ignoring me." Snape sighed again. "You are worse than a cat sometimes, you know that." Krista merely purred and smiled.

Sirius of course had no idea what his wife and avowed enemy were doing because he fully believed Harry's previous letter of reassurance that Dudley was lying. "Remus, have you read this?" Sirius asked, waving a letter from Harry around. "No, what does it say?" Remus calmly sipped his tea while watching the other man in near hysterics. "He wants to stay at Hogwarts over Christmas break!" Sirius growled. "How can he not want to come home, Rem?" Remus plucked the letter from Sirius' hand. "Well I am sure he gave a reason that you are simply not seeing." Remus muttered as he perused the letter. "Look! There it is! He wants to stay because his friends all are. I remember a time when you stayed at school every break because I was staying." Sirius sighed. "But this is different. I miss him." "How is that different than James staying with you and me over break? His parents missed him." "Remus... sometimes I really hate how bloody logical you are." Remus reached over and patted Sirius' arm. "I know, but cheer up! I mean soon the school year will be over and you'll have the whole summer with him, Sirius." "You are right, Rem. Like always." Sirius sighed and shook his head. "I just miss the little guy, but I suppose if he really wants to stay at Hogwarts, then he can."

The next morning at breakfast, Harry received a note from Sirius and Remus telling him to have fun and that he presents would find him at Hogwarts Christmas morning. "What does that say to have put such a smile on your face, Pharames?" Blaise asked. "I can stay at Hogwarts, which means I don't have to spend Christmas with those idiot Gryffindor uncles of mine." Harry smirked. "That is great Pharames." Draco smiled. "Yes, it is." Harry mused looking up at the High Table. Tracy however didn't look overly happy. "What is wrong?" Harry asked when Marvolo brought her to his attention. "I can't stay. My father won't let me. He said I have to come home at least this one break because my dumb grandparents are sick." Harry patted her on the shoulder. "Don't worry about it. You can go see them and then when you come back, I'll have something special for you." Harry winked at the grin on Tracy's face. Draco watched the exchange with growing jealousy. It was a jealousy he couldn't understand, and he wasn't about to let anyone else know about it... not quite yet at least.

As the Slytherins piled into the common room after dinner, they were a bit shocked to see Professor Snape sitting in front of the fire as calm as could be. "Is everyone here?" He asked finally. Everyone was because it was a Friday and not one Slytherin went to the library on Fridays. "Good. Anyone remaining at Hogwarts over Christmas break will sign this piece of parchment. Anyone going to his or her home may leave. Finally anyone going to a friend's home will wait until everyone else has signed and will see me personally. Have your note of permission from your parent or guardian ready." The students going home drifted out of the common room, they covered most of the Slytherin house. The only ones staying were Harry, Draco, Blaise, and a few upper classmates. About five or six students remained with notes to go to a friend's over break. When Harry signed up to stay, Severus smiled very briefly and nodded slightly.

As the man was leaving, Draco quietly hurried to catch him. "Sir?" "Yes, Mr. Malfoy?" "May I have a word with you in private please?" "Certainly. This way." Snape swept through the short expanse of corridor to his office with Draco in tail. When they were both seated in the sanctuary of Snape's office, Severus knew something was wrong with the boy. Draco sat in his seat, fidgeting and staring at his hands. "What is the matter, Draco?" The boy's eyes flitted up for a tiny instant before they darted back to his hands. "I... well... I don't really... um... Professor, I don't know what is wrong with me?" He gulped. "Well obviously there is something you wanted to talk to me about." "Yes... Well, you see, I am not really sure of what you'll think after hearing what I have to say." Snape raised an eyebrow. "Whatever you have to say will not change my regard for you, Draco. What is wrong?"

Draco sighed and stared at his hands another moment or two before finally looking up to meet his professor's eyes. "I... Well I think... I'm not really sure, but I think I... um... might well..." "Please Draco just say whatever you have to say." Draco nodded. "I think I am in love with Harry." He muttered. Severus had only just barely heard him and wasn't sure he could believe it. "I mean when we were growing up, it was always just me and Harry and Marvolo. I never had anyone to be jealous of for getting more of Harry's attention then me because no one ever did. But now... Well now he is with Tracy, and I can't watch them kiss without feeling like they are wrong together and that... well that it should be me he has pinned to the wall." Draco blushed and bit his lip as he reverted his gaze to his hands. "And that isn't all. It isn't just him with Tracy, but the other day, well Blaise and Harry were doing... something, but it wasn't that, and I got so jealous I couldn't believe it." "What were they doing?" "Just stuff. You know, like homework." Draco lied. He was of course referring to Blaise swearing himself to Harry, but Draco couldn't tell Snape that.

Severus nodded. "I see..." Those words felt like a bell's death-knoll to Draco. "Well, I think you should let Harry know how you feel, Draco." "What?" Draco stared at his professor with wide-eyes. "I am sure Harry will listen. Just don't tell him in front of the others. Wait until Christmas break, then get him alone, truly alone meaning no Marvolo, for a moment or two and tell him. Just like you told me, only less procrastinating." "Really? I should just tell him everything?" Severus nodded slowly. "Draco, listen to me. A long time ago, I felt the same way you do, only about someone I met here at school. I never told him and it ate away at me from the inside. I was lucky and found love with another only a few years later, but you might not be so lucky. Tell him." Draco nodded vigorously. "Thank you Professor." Severus smiled. "Please Draco, in private you may call me Severus, but don't let others know." Severus narrowed his eyes in a mock glare, which only made Draco smile broader. "Thank you again, Severus." The boy gave him a hug before darting happily from the room.

Snape leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes. He could remember his love for Remus in their first year very clearly. "Yes, I was lucky." He told the empty walls and jars full of potions ingredients. "Instead of finding love where I first felt it, I found love in his twin sister. What a pathetic fool I am."

"Where have you been, Macras?" Harry exclaimed as soon as Draco's head poked back into the common room. "I've been looking everywhere for you!" "You have?" "Well of course! Come on, I need your help with something." Draco smiled slightly. 'He does still need me. Probably just for homework though.' He mused as Harry pulled him to a table. An owl-order form was spread out on the table. "I need your help picking out a present for Tracy."

AN: *screams* This is turning into such a Soap Opera! I hate it! Ok... I don't hate this story, just the end of this chapter pisses me off, but it is the only way to demonstrate 'True perfection has to be imperfect' adequately. So yeah. Next chapter, Christmas! Wee!