A/N Yes, this has like, REALLY adult things after the first divider. If you tell me my facts are wrong, I don't really care. This is MY P.O.V mk? You know the drill. All characters and everything else besides the plot belong to J.K. Roses

Christmas Eve, and twelve of the clock.

"Now they are all on their knees,"

An elder said as we sat in a flock

By the embers in hearthside ease.

We pictured the meek mild creatures where

They dwelt in their strawy pen,

Nor did it occur to one of us there

To doubt they were kneeling then.

So fair a fancy few would weave

In these years! Yet, I feel,

If someone said on Christmas Eve,

"Come; see the oxen kneel,

"In the lonely barton by yonder coomb

Our childhood used to know,"

I should go with him in the gloom,

Hoping it might be so.

"The Oxen" Thomas Hardy

Chapter 10

The tankard came down with a heavy thunk as Severus emptied its contents quickly. He was sitting alone is his quarters, the desk he was sitting at was lit by a sole candle, scattered papers littered in front of him. He sighed deeply and looked regretfully down at his empty bottle of Ogden's Firewhiskey. He had just drunk his spare bottle and it was his last. Dark bags were under his eyes heavily and his hair was rather unkempt. Severus turned around as a soft and polite knock came at the door. He scratched his head and looked back to his work. Once more a knock came at the door and Severus moaned.

"Enter…"

He grabbed a quill and tried to look pensive even though he couldn't because his mind was swirling with thoughts.

"Severus…?"

His head shot up at the voice and he slowly looked around.

"Aren't you coming to the feast? Oh… well you really aren't dressed now then are you?"

Severus gaped at the figure in front of him speechless. Minerva stood before him, dressed in an elegant dress robe, a very faint lilac without straps or shoulders. Her hair was down from its bun and had been crimped lightly so that it bounced at her every move. Her legs were still thickly bandaged but she managed to hold herself up steadily and limped almost without notice. She looked Severus up and down, sighing and shaking her head.

"Oh Severus, you can't stay cooped up like this for ever. It's not… healthy."

Severus turned away, wishing now more then ever he still had his whiskey.

"I think I can do what I want… thanks."

Minerva came up to him, placing her hands on his shoulders.

"Oh Severus, why must you hate Christmas Eve so much?"

He looked down and away, sighing deeply. Minerva however would not let the subject drop that easily.

"You've hated it for as long as I can remember Severus… please just tell me why."

Severus shook his head, lost in the memory of why he had come to hate this Holiday so much so many years ago.

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"Merry Christmas Minerva."

Minerva whimpered softly and looked up to the eyes that had steadily been changing for the past few months. As much as she hated to admit it, he just seemed to change, just seemed… to be becoming more evil. He smirked as his hand slithered up her thigh and he laughed as she took a sharp intake of breath.

"Tom… please. Don't do this. I don't want this."

Even though she tried with all her might, her words had no affect on Tom Riddle. She looked up to him as her fingernails dug through his skin on his back as she continued to whimper. She could've sworn she saw some flicker behind his pupils and tendrils of red filtering into his once amber eyes.

"Tom… Tom… Tom stop!"

She thrust her palms upward as his chest shoving him off her as she scrambled off of the bed, clinging a gold sheet to herself as she did so.

"Tom. Something's wrong with you."

Tom clenched his teeth shut and slowly looked over to her, a look of pure loathing in his eyes.

"Minerva… come back to bed. I was going to quickly for you."

His eyes flashed scarlet and his pupils narrowed to thin lines. Minerva gasped and quickly grabbed for her robe, pulling it over herself.

"Tom, this is over. You're changing… and it's scaring me."

She opened the door and pointed out with her hand, tears burning in her eyes.

"Get out. Now."

Tom was quiet for a few seconds then just laughed as he crawled, almost slithered she noted, out of her bed.

Several hallways away, a very young Severus Snape paced the hallways. He was convinced, he would do it today, he had even found out from Albus what he was about to do was quite within the law. He sighed and headed off towards her room, certain of what he would do.

"Stop squirming Minerva, it only makes me want you more!"

Severus tilted his head and quickened his pace. Had he heard correctly? Then a scream of pain and Severus began to run faster. The screaming was coming from Minerva's room. He was ready to dash into her room when he turned and had to stop for what was in front of him. Tom Riddle was forcing himself on Minerva on the ground laughing. Minerva was now unconscious.

"Tom?!"

Tom looked up smirking and spent himself, shuddering as he did so. He grabbed the sheet Minerva had previously draped over herself and wrapped it around his waist.

"Hello Severus. Just having fun with a little cowardly lion."

He looked down and grinned maliciously. Severus' fists were shaking with rage, Tom noted this and smirked. He grabbed his clothing and quickly got dressed while Snape covered Minerva's body with the sheet Tom had dropped.

"Come Severus, we have things to talk about… and from now on, you will call me Voldermort."

He stopped as he looked down at Severus and grabbed his arm roughly.

"Your 17th birthday is soon am I correct Severus?"

Severus nodded, looking at Tom uncertainly. Tom pointed his wand at Severus' arm.

"This may hurt a bit… Blisterus Morsmorde!"

Severus gasped and pulled his arm away because his arm felt like it was on fire, looking down at the skull with a snake protruding from its mouth as it faded softly into his skin. Tom smirked.

"You should actually call me… Master from now on. Is that clear Severus?"

Severus nodded, still holding his arm and looking down to Minerva. This was undoubtedly the worst Christmas Eve ever.

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Minerva was quiet as the story unfolded from Severus' point of view. She couldn't believe Severus was actually pouring out these words openly. She looked down to the empty Firewhiskey bottle.

So that's why. Oh Severus, I'm so sorry…

She sighed and turned around, limping away from Severus as the story ended. She had remembered that night but she never even knew that Severus had found out, had seen the sickening tale.

"I'm so sorry Severus… I never meant to cause you so much pain. Have you always…"

She cut herself off, not wanting to ask it. Luckily, Severus hadn't responded. He looked over his shoulder at her.

"Why did you come here anyways?"

Minerva took a few tender steps forward, still facing away from Severus.

"Well… if I remember correctly, I owe you one for taking care of me."

Severus quirked a brow.

"And for that, I'm going to do something no woman has ever done to you before."

She turned around, her eyes full of mischief. Severus blanched.

"Severus Snape…"

She began to advance on him, her limp temporarily gone.

"I am going to…"

She neared him and pressed her palms into his shoulders.

"… wash your hair and take you to the Christmas banquet."

Severus moaned and rolled his eyes while Minerva chuckled to herself.

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