Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.

A new home for Christmas

Harry gazed up at the gothic-style mansion with appreciation, admiring the gargoyles which seemed as if they were going to come to life every second, his eyes following the brown vines that crept up the gray stone. Although it was winter time, there wasn't snow around the house. It looked like it was frozen in time.

When Harry entered the manor, he found himself standing in an oversized foyer with a huge fireplace. He put his trunk and Hedwig's cage on the floor. Two marble staircases connected on the second floor, curved along the circular walls that held moving portraits of black haired, pale faced people sneering eerily at the newcomer. He took another glance around the room and noticed a tall, dark figure walking straight towards him. Unknowing what it was, he immediately pulled out his wand and pointed it in the direction of the figure.

''I would advise you to put your wand down, Harry. We wouldn't want to scare Miss. Madeleine.'' Severus entered the room, slightly amused.

''Who?'' Harry asked confused.

''Hello, young Harry, I'm Madeleine, the housekeeper. It is nice to finally meet you.'' The thin older woman stretched out her hand toward him. She was wearing a simple brown dress and a small silver medallion around her neck. Her hair was tied up like Professor McGonagall's.

''It's nice to meet you as well.'' Harry muttered, turning around sharply towards his father with a questioning glare.

''Madeleine is taking care of the house while I'm at Hogwarts.'' Severus explained. Miss Madeleine nodded with a light smile. ''I don't like to leave my house empty.''

''Severus, there is something I need to talk to you about.'' Madeleine spoke with a somewhat serious tone.

''Of course, but first, I'll escort Harry to his room. Please, wait for me in the study room.'' Severus said and gestured Harry to follow him up the curved stairs. Harry noticed, as he walked behind his father, that a man on one of the portraits was speaking parseltongue. He couldn't quite understand what the dark haired man was saying because he was whispering. But the look that the man gave him was disturbing.

''Harry, this is your room.'' Severus opened the nearest door in the hallway.

In the middle of the largest room he had ever seen was a huge four-poster bed, like the ones at Hogwarts. The sheets were blue, and so were the curtains on the large windows. Opposite the bed was an enormous fireplace. On Harry's left was a huge bookcase and a closet. On the other side was a desk with four drawers and more books on it. His eyes soon shifted to another portrait, this one was life-sized and Harry recognized it as the portrait of Salazar Slytherin similar to the one he had seen in the Chamber of Secrets. He didn't know why it was there, his father had obviously forgotten that he was a Gryffindor and not a Slytherin as he probably wished. The man with a stern look on the portrait wasn't showing any signs that he had even noticed Harry entering the room.

''So how do you like it?''

''It's cool! I never had a room as big and bright as this one.'' Harry said in awe; his eyes still fixed on the portrait.

''Fine then, I'll leave you to unpack.'' Severus said satisfied just when Harry wanted to ask him about Salazar.

Severus left the room, closing the door behind him. Harry took his time to explore the room and found out that he even had his own bathroom. He unpacked his things and put all of his clothes in the closet that was bigger that the cupboard in which he lived for a while at the Dursleys. In the closet he found some new clothes that Severus obviously bought him himself without Harry's knowledge. Otherwise he wouldn't accept it. After he finished unpacking his things, he went to the bathroom and took a long bath. It was about 2pm when someone knocked on the door. When Harry opened it, he saw Madeleine standing in front of him.

''Your father is waiting for you to join him at lunch.'' She said with a smile.

''Thanks, I'll be right there.'' Harry replied and closed the door. He changed his clothes and went downstairs.

He wondered where the dining room was; if the door wasn't opened he would be lost for sure. Severus sat by the long oak table, he gestured towards the chair next to him when his son came closer. The food appeared on the table as soon as he sat down.

''I hope you like the room. If you want to change anything just tell Miss Madeleine.'' Severus said.

''No, the room is perfect. She won't join us for diner?'' Harry asked.

''I invited her, but she thought we needed to be alone.''

''Is she a witch too?''

''Yes, she is. She came to the house five years ago, when the woman that took care of my house died.''

''What happened to her?'' Harry asked.

''One day she left the house to visit her sister and in about two days I heard she had past away. She probably died of old age.'' Severus concluded.

''Does Miss Madeleine know I'm your son?'' Harry asked as he put some more potatoes on his plate.

''Of course she does. She insisted on meeting you, the famous Harry Potter.'' The last word was said with a somewhat bitter voice.

''Will she tell anyone?'' Harry said, ignoring his father's bitterness.

''No, no one knows you're here and it's going to stay that way. I trust Madeleine, or else I wouldn't have brought you to stay here.''

After the diner Harry went back to his room and Severus went to the library, to write a letter.

It was two days before Christmas; Madeleine asked Harry to help her decorate the house. Severus wasn't so happy with the idea; he didn't like the decorations, but at least he made sure they would be green and silver, much to Harry's disappointment. They even put adornments on the portraits, never minding the cursing that came from the frames. Every time Harry or Madeleine asked Severus to join them, he responded that he has better things to do than to hang mistletoes around the house. Secretly, he enjoyed watching his son in the Christmas mood.

When they were done with all the decorations, in the middle of the living room was a tall Christmas tree with silver ornaments. It was beautiful, a real Christmas tree, just as Harry always wanted. That night Harry went to sleep happy, the last time he decorated a house for Christmas was when Sirius was still alive. When he made sure everyone was sleeping, Severus put presents under the tree. He couldn't remember when the last time he did something like that was, probably never.

''Wake up, sleepy!'' Madeleine entered Harry's room and moved the curtains to let the sun in. Harry wearily rubbed his eyes putting his glasses on again, he glanced on the clock; it was 10am.

''Good morning.'' Harry muttered with a yawn.

''Merry Christmas! Come on, the presents won't open on their own!'' The woman said, obviously in a very bright mood. She was wearing a red hat that was similar to the one muggle Santa Claus wore; she smiled at Harry and went downstairs.

Harry mentally cursed; he had just realized that he didn't get a present for anyone. So he decided to improvise, he rushed to his trunk to search for something which would do as a decent present. Finally he came up with two things he thought would do as presents; his crystal ball for Divination and a book he forgot to return at the Hogwarts library. He quickly wrapped it and hurried downstairs. Severus was sitting in the living room on a sofa, reading the newspapers.

''Merry Christmas.'' Severus greeted as he noticed Harry coming downstairs. ''Did you sleep well?''

''Yes, I did, Merry Christmas to you too.'' Harry answered holding the presents behind his back.

''Aren't you going to open your gifts?'' Severus asked mischievously.

''You go first.'' Harry said and handed his father a book. Severus unwrapped his gift and smirked.

''You shouldn't have bothered. Thank you.''

''Oh, it was nothing. Just don't show the book in front of Madame Pince.'' Harry said and they started to laugh.

''Now it's your turn.'' Severus gestured towards the presents under the tree; there were at least eight of them.

Harry kneeled by the tree and started to unwrap his presents. He got more clothes, things for school, a chess board and a lot of candies. Just as he was about to open the last two presents, someone rang on the door. Severus immediately glanced towards Harry warning him to stay where he was. A few seconds later Madeleine came into the room.

''Severus, Lucius Malfoy is here to see you.'' She sternly said.


Sorry for the cliff hanger, I couldn't help it! What do you thing about bringing Madeleine in the story? Should Lucius find out about Harry and Severus?

Thanks very much to Aine, who edited the chapter.

Lily