The 25th of December 1971

-Surprise-

Severus counts the steps it takes to get to Lily's house.

When it is snowing it takes 764, his chin buried into a frayed woolen scarf. On Christmas day it takes 1232.

He takes the long way around; the thick smog from the factories clogs his nostrils threatening to engulf the air he breathes. His feet fall heavily on the cobble-stones, the soles of his boots leaving imprints on the frosted ground.

She must have been watching him from the living room window, because she throws the door open when he is 23 steps away.

He hands over her present, wrapped in an old newspaper, allowing a small smile to play on his sunken face.

"Surprise."