Between classes and friends, Christmas arrived, his first at Hogwarts, and the Ravenplanned to spend it there, in his warm room reading a few books and studying more advanced things, with maybe some hot chocolate or spiced Butterbeer in hand.

Aside from Evan, who had even gotten grounded for not going home, he was the only one staying and was basically happy that way.

He didn't feel in the mood to laugh and joke at all, especially after another letter from his mother where she was trying to show happiness. She had attached a picture of them, of her and her father, but even though she had tried to hide them, you could clearly see the bruises and scratches the bastard gave her every day.

Severus sighed.

"Maybe I should have gone, maybe he wouldn't have beaten her given my homecoming. Maybe he would have been proud of my grades and effort, he would have appreciated me."

The boy shook his head violently and closed his eyes wet with small hot tears.

The dormitory door opened and a sleepy, tawny-headed boy walked in.

-Sev? - Evan said uncertainly - Sev, what's going on?

- Nothing - murmured the other.

The friend shook his head.

-Is it your father, Sev? -he asked.

Severus sobbed.

- Yes, he answered. He suddenly jumped out of bed.

- I hate him, I hate him, I hate him! he shouted -I hate him and his being so mean! How dare he! HOW DARE HE?!

She threw her bag full of books on the floor.

-Now he'll see what I'll do to him when he gets home! -he kept shouting -I'll kill him, I'll deface him. I'll give him nightmares until he dies of fear!

Evan pinned his arm and forced him to sit up.

-Severus Snape- admonished him peremptorily- Do you think that by doing so you will repay the injustice? Hatred consumes, Sev, believe me, I know. I see it in my father and my family, I see it in their enemies, I see it in people who fight like dogs over futility. Evan smiled and stroked his friend's face. Severus felt like he was seeing it for the first time: it was so beautiful. He shrugged and continued to observe the tawny man.

-I fear for my mother- he murmured.

- When the time comes, you will help her," the other reassured him.

Severus looked at him appreciatively and fascinated. Evan blinked and took his hand.

- I'm here, Sev- he whispered.

A few moments of blissful silence passed. At a certain point Iago, who was leaving the next morning, entered the room.

- Sev, your friend is looking for you- he said with a smirk.

Severus sprang to his feet, forgetting Evan's big brown eyes, and ran all excitedly downstairs. If only he had turned around and noticed his tawny friend's expression of sad acceptance.

- So off you go, Severus said, bitterly. Lily gave a sad smile and took his hand.

- I hope you have a good time Sev- she murmured.

"'Yeah look, I'm going to have the time of my life' he thought sourly.

-Hopefully- he replied giving a fake bright smile. Lily hugged him giggling

-Come on, you can do it, Sev-.

It was a moment from a classic grade-school romantic movie, but it was magnificent in its cliché. These were the moments that gave him hope. Until that asshole Potter and his subjects walked by.

-Evans, why don't you give me a hug as well as your boyfriend? -the bastard laughed -What? Are you afraid I'm going to steal your girlfriend Snape?-

Black whispered aloud -Well I could understand her, think how gross it would be to be with him-

-How dare you IDI...- Lily shouted before being shushed by Severus

-Discussing with fools only lowers you to their level, Ly- she whispered trembling with anger.

- And there's no bigger idiot than the one who thinks he's smart - Gaspar said, appearing out of nowhere -Late start - he added after Severus' questioning look. He joined his two friends with a sarcastic smile and turned to James again.

- Have you finished strutting your stuff with the Gryffindors and now you come here to annoy us?-he asked mellifluously - It's not like daddy gives you the broom of the year and you immediately become superior to the others.

James was interjected for a moment, which gave the three of them a chance to turn and leave.

- Well, at least my father isn't in a cell in Azkaban- Potter shouted after him. Severus gasped and looked at Gaspar, suddenly rigid. Lily was confused. Avery turned slowly and looked the Gryffindor straight in the eye.

- Don't worry, Potter- he said with an icy calmness, 'My father is in a better place than Azkaban.

With that said he left with his friend and Lily. Behind them they heard Remus say

to say:

- That was heavy, J, that was really bad.

Gaspar didn't look back.

That bad episode was followed by the departure of Lily and Severus' Slytherin friends, who found himself woken up on Christmas morning by someone shaking him. He woke up with a start, which made Evan laugh a lot.

- Come on, Your Majesty, there are presents!- the tawny man said, pulling his friend out of bed. He seemed to have lost his usual mature and thoughtful air as he rushed into the Common Room. Severus rubbed his tired eyes, almost certain that he had received nothing. Instead, at least four presents bore his name. The first one he opened was from Lily: it was in a book by Severus's mother's favourite magical writer and therefore her son's too. It was about the various uses of plants in potions and where they came from. The second was from his mother's sister Aunt Karol, who was very close to her nephew, sending him a funny pop-up with real moving figures about the history of the four founders. The third was unticked, and when the boy opened it, a wave of laughter washed over him, leaving room for a hefty bag of various sweets.

Evan laughed heartily.

- That's my and the boys' present- he said. Severus thanked embarrassed.

-I didn't get you anything, he muttered.

-You're kidding? With all the Transfiguration and Potions lessons you've explained to us, that was the least we could do!-

The raven shrugged his shoulders in amusement.

The last gift was from his mother: the boy thought his father was probably too drunk to have just remembered he had a son. Expecting a potions kit or something, Severus was amazed to find himself holding a cage.

"To always have someone you can trust" the note read. Inside he found a small, black, bald chick.

In the next chapter there will be quite a long jump, if you want maybe a few more episodes before the House Cup, write it down.