A hard, jarring shiver worked its' way up Harry's spine as he stepped out of the Owlery. Winter had come upon Hogwarts sharply, but it wasn't only the cold that made him shiver. As November drew to a close, Harry had come to accept the fact that there was something really wrong with Ginny, something that wasn't going to resolve before Christmas. She'd stopped spreading her lies, without taking back anything she'd already said, and had begun trying in earnest to seduce him away from the Potions Master. She seemed to believe he was "dating" Snape as a way of making her jealous. Harry was a little worried about how quickly she'd succumbed to her delusions, but he was out of ideas about how to fix her.

Harry leaned on the stone wall that bordered the stairs outside of the Owlery, staring out at the grounds of Hogwarts. He was angry, and he was heartbroken, and he found himself contemplating the Horcrux that resided inside him, and the death that would fix that. It was the closest he'd ever felt to being suicidal. Ron was, yet again, not talking to him, largely because of the letter he'd just sent with Hedwig; a letter for Mrs. Weasley, letting her know that she should not expect him for Christmas. Ron seemed to think that the house was big enough to let him easily avoid Ginny and refused to understand that Harry didn't want to put the rest of the Weasleys in the middle of this mess.

Harry wondered if Albus would consider taking care of the Horcrux during the Christmas Holiday. If he did survive, he could at least spend the break in the Hospital Wing, instead of tooling around the castle, reminded every second that he was alone. Hermione was going home for Christmas, same as Ron, and Harry couldn't recall a single Christmas where any of his other friends had stayed at Hogwarts. He was going to be the only one in his dorm for Christmas, and already he hated the tower for the loneliness it represented.

The Gryffindor jumped a little when a tall figure leaned back against the stone wall beside him. He looked to see the Potions Master, head tilted slightly to the side and arms crossed over his chest beneath his thick winter cloak. Harry blushed, but found himself smiling despite the depression gripping his heart. The two of them had begun spending more and more time together, and Harry felt the weight on his shoulders lift the slightest bit as he recalled that they were going to Hogsmeade later today.

"Knut for your thoughts?" Snape asked gently.

Harry grinned, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment at being caught in the midst of a pity party. "I don't think they're worth that much," He said.

Snape's brow furrowed. "I take it you've realized you're going to be spending Christmas alone," He spoke intuitively.

"How do you do that?" Harry asked in return, honestly baffled. "I know you aren't reading my thoughts, but… The way you know what I'm thinking is scary sometimes."

Snape shrugged, but didn't answer.

Harry turned towards him. "Well, however you do it, you're right, as per. I'm wallowing."

"Well, at least you're aware of it," Snape said, smirking.

The Gryffindor blushed, and shivered sharply as the icy wind gusted around them. He withdrew slightly into his threadbare cloak. He hadn't replaced his winter cloak since Mrs. Weasley had bought him one in Fourth Year but was wishing now that he had. Snape reached out and rubbed Harry's upper arms to warm them. Harry felt the heat coming off of the Potions Master and moved towards it like a moth to a flame. Snape smirked, straightening from his slouch, and drew his wand, casting a warming charm. Harry grinned, blushing harder.

He looked down, afraid to move away, although he knew he should. There was no one around to see, so he had no right to be so close, but the charm and the warmth the man exuded was making him feel the slightest bit better. He thought again of the Horcrux inside him, and of what it would cost to be rid of it. It was selfish, to think not of why it should be destroyed, and only how he would benefit, but he couldn't help it. It hurt him deeply that he had lost the only real family he'd ever known just because he'd been foolish enough to date their youngest member. A finger on his chin tilted his gaze up to meet onyx.

"I can't imagine the pain you must feel," The Potions Master said gently. "But this will pass, Mister Potter. The Weasleys still love you like their own. I cannot promise that Miss Weasley will accept your rejection, and I cannot promise that your future with her family won't be strained, but Molly and Arthur will always think of you as a seventh son, no matter what happens between you and their daughter."

"You really think so?" Harry murmured uncertainly.

"I don't have to, it is fact," Snape replied soothingly. "If there were but some way to take away your pain, I would, but I can only assure you that what you feel is temporary. Time heals all wounds, and this is no exception."

Harry gave a burdened half-smile. "Thank you," He said. "I know you're right, and I know I'm going to feel better soon. It just doesn't feel that way right now. I wish I had something to distract me, but I've already finished all my homework for the week, and Madame Pince won't let me work during class hours."

Snape smirked. "I can think of a few ways to distract you."

Harry felt his breath hitch as obsidian eyes glanced down at his mouth. He felt his cheeks warm, and he wanted to pull away, but found he couldn't. Then he heard what the Potions Master likely already had: footsteps and chattering coming towards them. He flinched when the man's other hand touched his side, drawing him even closer. His heartrate picked up speed, hammering in his ears, as the Potions Master slowly lowered his head towards him. The lump that had formed in his throat was making it hard to breathe, and Harry barely stopped another flinch when the man's thumb joined his finger, tilting Harry's head back slightly.

Finally, when it seemed there was nothing left but to really kiss, the approaching students came around the bend in the stairs. Their chattering stopped abruptly as the Gryffindor and Potions Master drew apart with feigned guilt. Harry swallowed dryly when he realized Ginny was among the group that had interrupted them. Blushing fiercely, he wrapped his cloak securely around him and pushed past the group, escaping down the steps. His racing heart ached at the betrayal on his stalker's face, and he wondered again how deep this rift would go, before he could never see his adoptive family again.