Severus could not get warm. Perhaps, the temperature outside had gone down several degrees since the previous night. Or, he had been too tired to notice the previous night. Whatever it was, two blankets, even charmed to stay warm, were simply not enough.

"Mum?" he asked, finally, turning his head in her direction. "Are there any extra blankets?"

She sighed. "I'm afraid not, honey. I can ask Hilda for more tomorrow, but it's not likely. We're already running low on them for the guests."

Great. Just great. At this moment, Severus wished he was at school, where his bed was always warm without him having to apply charms to it, or worry about not having enough blankets. James and Sirius were probably sleeping well right now, if they weren't in the warmest, softest armchairs by the fire in the common room.

Then, he felt bad for this wish. He was happy to be here, and glad for the time with his mum.

It was just so cold...

"Come sleep next to me, if you like. Bring your blankets if you do," Eileen requested.

Was he too old to sleep next to his mother? Severus decided he didn't care.

He rose from the bed, but his mother floated the blankets over to hers before he could touch them. They landed neatly on top of hers, and Severus nearly raced over and crept under the covers.

One of his mum's arms pulled him close, and the other tucked the covers under their legs and under their frames. The extra blankets, plus his mother's warmth, removed the chill from Severus almost immediately, and he felt himself relax, nearly ready to fall asleep.

They both wore dressing gowns over their night shirts-nightgown in Eileen's case-but Severus could feel the outline of his mum all the same. He knew that she was taller than average, closer to six feet than five, and he didn't reach her shoulders when they stood. And she was still thin-Severus could feel it-but as he lay with his head against her shoulders, she felt comfortable. Especially now that both of her arms had wrapped themselves around him, drawing him close.

"Better, honey?" Eileen asked, tucking some stray hairs out of his face.

"Much. Thanks, Mum," Severus answered, now feeling both wonderfully warm, comfortable, and pleasantly tired.

"You're welcome. Sweet dreams, Sevvie," she answered, holding him a bit tighter.

Within moments, Severus was sound asleep.

When he awoke, the space his mother had inhabited was empty, but still warm. Severus rubbed his eyes. A simple lamp was lit, and looking outside, it was only just starting to turn light. Eileen was dressed in her undergarments, which were almost as long as her robes, so Severus only felt a bit embarrassed. He watched as she pulled her robes over them, then straightened the sleeves and the skirt before adding an apron that covered most of her front. Eileen then brushed her long hair back into a low bun, tying it back with several pins. She turned around to see Severus watching her, and he flushed.

"What are you doing up so early?" she chided, teasing. "You're on holiday!"

He yawned, proving her point. "I just woke up." After a moment, he realized why. "I, er, need to use the loo."

She laughed. "Well, I'll expect you back in bed afterwards," she said, placing her hands on her hips. "Get some more rest, then come down for breakfast. Understand, young man?"

"Yes, Mum," Severus answered, grinning as he headed to the bathroom.

She had left by the time he came back, but he was still quite tired, and headed back into the bed. As Severus pulled the covers over his frame (it was just as cold as the previous night), he noted that there were three. Which meant that his mum had been willing to sleep under only one, so he could have two.

Still, he'd been cold. She must have been even colder. Severus was glad he'd joined her in bed-for both of their sakes.

Severus stretched out in the bed, then pulled the covers back over him, tucking them under his feet and sides. Leaving the bed to use the loo had made him realize it wasn't much warmer than it had been the previous night, and he hoped his mum would be all right. Hopefully, she'd spend the morning in the kitchen.

This bed was larger than his bed at Hogwarts, which could easily fit two of him, and three in a tight fit. Both were quite soft...

He yawned, and his eyes closed once more.

When he rose for the second time, the sun was up. Severus stretched, enjoying the motions, and then got out of bed. There was a chill in the air, and he was glad that he was wearing his dressing gown. After brushing his teeth, he decided to take a hot shower and use the new shampoo and conditioner alongside it. He hadn't bathed since the day before last, which wasn't unheard of back when he lived at home, but at Hogwarts, he'd gotten into the habit of showering daily. Severus didn't think he smelled, yet, but he would if he put it off much longer.

The water became warm without having to wait long, and he stepped in, soaking it up like a cat. Well, he knew a cat would hiss and run away from the water, so he revised his comparison to a cat taking a sun bath. The Evans had a ginger cat, Rosie, who delighted in those.

Severus also relished the gentle massage of his scalp by the shampoo, which felt even better than he remembered. The knowledge that the suds wouldn't get into his eyes (not that he'd had much experience with that-his mum had always been gentle when she'd bathed him) certainly enhanced the experience.

Once his hair was free of the shampoo, Severus applied the recommended amount of conditioner to the middle of his hair. Immediately, the invisible hands working, not massaging his scalp, but combing throughout his hair. Severus let out a contented sigh. It almost felt better than the shampoo, certainly just as good. Unbidden, suddenly, a memory of his mum brushing his hair came to mind. He was four, maybe five? And his hair was soft, not at all dull or lanky. And she was gently brushing his hair, murmuring to him, and he felt safe and happy.

His eyes opened on their own accord. Where had that come from? Severus knew about long-term and short-term memories from a book at the muggle library. Most of human science was lacking, because it didn't account for magic, but muggles had explained the brain fairly well. And that memory felt so real! Had his current experience triggered it?

He stood still as the combing ended, then moved to the center of the water stream to rinse it out. A few moments later, fully clean, he reached for the towel. When he combed his hair a few minutes afterwards, he experienced no tangles, and even though his hair was still damp, he knew it was softer than before.

Smiling a bit, Severus dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast.

Author's note:

Next up: Severus becomes quite the explorer. Also, the start of a long overdue talk.

As always, constructive feedback is most appreciated!