Disclaimer: As much as I would love to own Harry Potter . . . or a certain Draco Malfoy . . . I really don't own a thing.
Noël
A strong gust of chilly winter wind continuouslydrifted through the window of Severus Snape's quarters, pushing back the white cotton curtains that glowed in the moonlight. Thousands of tiny snowflakes flew with the wind, landing gracefully among the carpet and instantly melting into nothing.
Severus Snape sat in the darkness of his quarters, the sounds of cheerful students running up and down the hallways. Oh, how he wanted to run out there and tell each and every one of those insufferable idiots to shut their mouths, to stop being so bloody cheerful at every possible moment of the day. He didn't care that it was Christmas. No one should be that hyped up and giddy on such a holiday that brings both happiness and pain.
Leaning back in his armchair, Severus tilted his head to the ceiling, his eyes falling to a close. This holiday was the most painful one for him. While others were exchanging gifts and spending time with their loved one's, Severus remained in his quarters, his nose either buried in a book or stuck out the window, breathing in the winter wonderland that ever constantly resembled his heart.
Quite frankly, Severus could never recall a time where he was given a gift of any sort. Growing up, his mother and father could never possibly afford to buy him gifts. They were always either drunk or running off to work, leaving their child in care of the house and all their possessions. He had never found himself under the presence of mistletoe. He had never received the joy of finding a tree and decorating it with ornaments. From birth and to the present time, Severus Snape had never accepted the joys of Christmas into his life.
His eyes opening, Snape rested his chin in the palm of his hand, his eyes scanning the environment placed in front of him. This was his tradition. This was his life. To him, Christmas was unnecessary, absurd, overrated. It was nothing more than an excuse for people to buy their way into the hearts of others. He preferred this. He preferred to be alone, to be miserable, to end his life knowing that he remained content throughout the pain and heartbreak that he had faced.
With yet another strong gust of wind, a single snowflake floated through the window, landing gracefully on Severus' cheek. Much to his surprise, it remained there, not a single edge of the crystal clear formation melting into his skin. Memories of his childhood floated back into his mind. He recalled the countless times that he would run out into the snow and stick his tongue into the air, the tiny snowflakes landing on his tongue and melting into nothing. He would spend many peaceful hours in the snow, packing it around his body almost as a blanket of security. He felt at one with the cold that surrounded him, that took him in when others blocked him out.
With the snowflake on his cheek, Severus laid his head against his shoulder, the refreshing breeze taking over his senses. His eyes coming to a close, he slowly slid into sleep, the sounds of cheerful students fading with wind.
Author's Note: Hey there! I'm sorry that this is so short. It was just something I had in my head and needed to write down. I've decided to write this for my uncle, for he was just diagnosed with cancer and was given only six months to live. It's really been difficult to write after hearing of this, and it's going to be even more difficult going to Christmas, knowing that it might be his last. So please, as always, be kind and review. It means a lot to me.
Jess aka Frizz