It was winter holidays, before Harry and Draco asked, deciding Remus was likely their best bet. Harry and Draco were spending the holidays at school, their dads both coming on Christmas day, to be with them. Harry and his godfather had been growing so much closer, and his dad had refused to invite Remus this year, saying he had Harry all year now, and Harry was upset. He never understood what caused them to be so mad at each other, for they had once been practically brothers; Harry had the marauder's map as proof. He had told his dad he would remain at school, so he could have both men, and Sirius had given in.
Draco had noticed the man was never in potions when they had class, and he knew he was not insane, the man was avoiding Draco like the plague. They passed each other in the hall from time to time, but Severus would usually go out of his way, to avoid him if he could.
The last day before winter holidays Draco walked into the classroom. "Professor Slughorn, I forgot to give you this book back."
He had heard someone in the cupboard but it was the assistant who came out. The man shot him a look."What are you doing in here?"
Showing the man the book, he explained that he had borrowed it, but promised to return the book before the break. He had brought it to class, but he had forgotten to return the book and Harry had reminded him, so he had come back.
Severus motioned to a table."You can leave it there; I will see he gets it back."
Draco was about to leave but he stopped. "Do you know my family or something sir? I have noticed you look at me. Harry tells me you and his Uncle are friends."
There was a stormy look that passed across the man's face, and if he had not already been sure, he knew the man had been avoiding him for some reason. He was not certain why, he had only ever seen the name in the journal, and Harry spoke of him as well. Harry was not sure why, even when he went to see his Uncle on weekends or evenings after class, when he did not have practice for he was reserve chaser, the man was not around.
Draco tried again. "I think my grandfather mentioned you in his journal I have. You know my dad is coming for Christmas dinner."
The man snatched up the book."I have nothing to do with your family boy, now excuse me; I have some work to do."
There was such coldness to the man's voice, but he could have sworn there was more of a pained look in his eyes, which the man tried to hide. He knew they needed to find out either from Remus or from his dad what had happened, for there was something from the look, which peeked his interest.
Draco headed for the door."I am sorry if I upset you sir. If I don't see you, Merry Christmas."
Severus was silent for a moment but he called as Draco left."You as well."
Harry was waiting in the hall for him, and was wondering what was going on, for Draco said he would just pop in and out. Draco explained as they were heading for the stairs, what had happened, and Harry more then agreed with him on that. He had asked his Uncle and Dad fighting about the man, he asked them, but neither man would have told him who he was. He had not been certain till he came to school, but knew it was the same man.
Harry looked back over his shoulder."I wonder how he will react when our dads are here for two days."
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Severus watched the two boys go off, and he smiled at Harry, for he could see why Remus was so proud of him. Harry was smart, he played good quidditch and he seemed to have a good heart as well. He avoided Harry for he was worried about Sirius, for he knew Remus had trouble getting time with him, and that had been with him. He cared deeply for Remus, who he could not imagine his life without, and part of him wished he could spend some time with him, but he backed off.
Harry and Draco were such good friends, and he could not allow himself to see the boy, it was such a reminder. The news Lucius would be at school hit hard, he had not seen him in fourteen years, not seen him since the night he had been arrested. He wished he had a home to go to, but though Remus had finally saved up enough for the cottage, he would not have ownership till spring, the old owner wanted it for Christmas. He would just have to avoid Lucius as best as he could.
His mind went back to the last happy Christmas he had, for Remus was always in London Christmas day, with Harry. It had been a year before he was arrested, for he had been arrested on Christmas Eve, and spent the holiday in prison.
Lucius had pulled him under the mistle toe for a long passionate kiss, even though t was middle of the day, and most of them were around. Old Abraxas knew they were in love, the reason when Narcissa's parents had once again pressed the betrothal issue a week before, he said no.
Severus pulled away."You know Narcissa and her parents are right down the hall. You know we can't be doing this."
Lucius laughed. "I don't care about that bitch. You were under the mistle toe. Besides I wanted to give you your gift."
He could still remember the small silver package with the beautiful red bow, for a moment he had been worried it was a ring. He knew he could not say yes to Lucius not until they had the approval of his father at the very least, and he was not sure he would. He loved Severus as foster son, but not as a son in law. He found a beautiful pendant though, an ivory and ebony snake entwined together, and a small emerald in the circle created by their heads.
Lucius clasped the necklace around his neck."It will be a ring one day, I promise you. And one day w will be hosting this party together."
Only a year later he had been arrested, and the pendant, he had no idea where it was. It had gone missing from his dorm room before Christmas, and he reported it instead to the professors. Narcissa had claimed he had been wearing the pendant when she was attacked, and described it to a tee, even though she had never seen it; he had always worn it hidden. The pendant had never been found as far as he knew, and the aurors never questioned why he did not have it when arrested.
Remus appeared some time later. "I heard my godson mention you knew Lucius was coming. I am sorry; I should have told you sooner."
Severus shook his head. "You told me about Harry and Sirius, I should have known. I'll just have Christmas in my room."
Remus once again felt bad he did not have his cottage yet, but he convinced Severus to use his spare room for a few days. Sirius and Lucius were being given guest apartments in the school, one reason Remus never understood why Severus only got a room, and they'd celebrate there.
Severus was in bad shape. "I keep remembering the last Christmas with them. I am just glad Narcissa is not coming."
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Lucius had not come yet, but the marauders were talking, and really Sirius was not too unhappy his son forced his hand on this. The two had done well at shopping, and with James gone, they were the last of their little group. He knew how much Remus loved Harry, and the other way as well, and he assume he had been selfish. He had been offered the DADA job this year, for the old professor had retired, and he declined. He was tempted, for Harry, but he loved to be an auror.
Harry looked at his uncle. "Is your friend Severus going to join us for dinner? I kind of thought he doesn't have any family except you."
Remus shared a look with Sirius. "No cub. Severus is not much for the holidays. I have given him my gift, and he will spend it alone."
Harry never quite understood why the man never was around when Harry was with his Uncle, even though he knew they were close. He kind of thought his Uncle might be dating him, but Remus only blushed when he said it, and never responded even to deny it. But the way he was acting with Draco, added to it as well.
Draco spoke up. "Do he and my father know each other or something? He was a bit upset when I mentioned my dad to him."
Sirius was trying to remain as calm as possible. "He knew your grandfather before his stroke. Why don't you boys go and get ready to go to town for a bit?"
When the boys disappeared, the marauders shared another look, and were in agreement on the subject. They had different reasons, for though Sirius and Narcissa hated each other and he always suspected she was into dark arts before Voldemort was destroyed, but he loved Draco. Remus was respecting Severus' wishes.
Remus turned to him. "His stroke? I didn't know the old man had a stroke."
Sirius sighed. "A week after his foster son was arrested, your friend broke his heart. He spent near two months not able to move. Never really recovered."
Though he could hear the anger and knew that Sirius had blamed Severus for the man being ill, for he and Lucius were distant kin, before the wedding even. Remus though was hit with an answer, never understanding why Abraxas had not been at the trial. He knew Severus had been hurt, the man had sworn he believed Severus was innocent, and he would be there, and then never showed up. He thought it might bring some closure at least, to know the old man had never given up on him.
They were surprised when before they left for town, Lucius showed up a day early. "Hey boys, excited for Christmas?"