Christmas Eve, 1989, 22:10

The Riddle mansion was filled with many happy sounds as always. Tom Riddle observed this all from his comfortable armchair in the corner of the room.

He held a glass of fine red wine in his hand and gazed calmly into the roaring fire to his side.

A huge Christmas tree stood in the middle of the living room. It was dark green and decorated with many pretty lights and baubles. Now that the children were older, glass and crystal ornaments were included as well. A few candles were placed around the entire room, bathing the space in a warm glow.

Severus, his right-hand man, sat cross-legged on the floor. The children; Draco, Hermione, and Harry sitting around him, not put off by his slightly sour disposition to the holiday (and really in general).

Draco, his and Severus' godson, was hugging his half-sister. Hermione seemed content to be embraced by her brother and leaned into his touch, making purring cat-like sounds.

Harry had his head on Severus lap and was watching the beautiful toy train puff along. Severus, probably unconsciously, was carding his fingers through the boy's messy raven hair.

Narcissa and Lucius sat side by side, shoulders touching and hands entwined. They were watching the children and Severus play with brilliant smiles on their faces.

His happiness sank a little bit when he realized that he was a bit lonely, sitting in the corner all by himself.

Hermione, his daughter with Narcissa, must have noticed something off. She stood up and walked towards him, before climbing onto his lap and burrowing her head into his chest. His arm came up out of habit, and hugged the girl fiercely to him.

"Are you okay, daddy?" she asked him. She was ten years old already but she still called him daddy.

"I'm okay, sweetheart," he answered her, rubbing his hand along her back.

"Good," she stated with conviction, and he smiled lightly at her bossiness.

She gave him a parting kiss on the cheek before racing off to join the boys back on the floor.

Narcissa walked over to him now and sat in his lap as well, though there was nothing childlike about her position.

"Severus is going to take care of the kids for the rest of the night, love. Do you want to go upstairs with me and Lucius?" she asked in a whisper.

He gave a slow smile and nod, his mood lifting. He saw Narcissa give Lucius a grin and they all rose to leave.

"Children," Narcissa called, "be good for Severus, okay? We're going to bed."

"Okay, mum," Hermione and Draco chimed.

"Okay, Aunt Cissy," Harry answered. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, loves," Cissy answered, and with a last round of 'Merry Christmases' they left upstairs.

Christmas Eve, 1989, 22:18

"Uncle Severus?" Draco asked, climbing into his godfather's lap.

"What, Draco?" Severus Snape inquired with a sigh, still combing the raven hair of the other boy laying on his legs.

"What are Mother, Father and Uncle Tom doing upstairs?" Draco asked with wide eyes.

Severus hid a smile. "Nothing that you should concern yourself with."