Petunia smiled as she put the last finishing touches onto the turkey. If it were any time other than Christmas, she'd be sat down in her recliner in front of the fire by now, with the elves at Potter Manor preparing her dinner; as per tradition however, they spent Christmas in the house she'd known since she was a baby, in Manchester.

"Harry, Dudley!" She shouted, making her way to the bottom of the staircase. "Get off your arses and get dressed. If you aren't dressed before Severus and Minerva arrive, you can kiss goodbye to your dinner!" She relented when she heard the thumping,they were quickly fumbling for their clothes, knowing full well the witch would follow through with her threat.

Returning to the kitchen, she pulled out the tablecloth and began setting the table, pausing as both boys entered the room, and nodded in acceptance of their attire. If only she could do something about that hair of Harry's, she thought to herself. No amount of Sleekeasy would fix that rat's nest of his.

Harry grunted as he lifted the heavy tureen of gravy onto the table, straightening up as he heard the doorbell ring.

"Go answer the door, you two. I'll sort this out." Petunia instructed them, levitating everything carefully into place with a few waves of her wand.

Harry swallowed as he opened the door, Dudley was almost shaking with excitement. "I can't believe he's here!" He whispered; Harry was thinking the same thing, albeit for completely different reasons.

"Professor Snape, Professor McGonagall. Come in, please." Harry welcomed them. Dudley offered to take their traveling cloaks and hung the up on the hooks beside the door.

Minerva chuckled. "Call me Minerva, Harry. Just because you've started at Hogwarts doesn't mean I never changed your nappies, young man."

Severus choked down a snort at that. "Mr Pot-Harry," he corrected himself, ignoring the grin on Minerva's face upon hearing this. He pulled a small bag from his pocket and handed it over as his colleague followed Dudley out of the porch.

Harry blinked.

"The presents." Severus gruffly informed him.

"Oh, right. Well, er... Come on through to the kitchen then, si-Severus." Harry blushed and looked down at the floor, not wanting to be stuck in the porch alone with the man for another moment.

Severus swiftly made his way to the kitchen, knowing the layout of the home like the back of his hand. "Tuney," he greeted her, his lips turning upwards into the semblance of a smile as she made her way over to him, overjoyed at his presence. He was not, however, prepared for the almost bone-crushing hug she bestowed upon him. He swallowed as she breathed into his ear.

"I'm so glad you're here," Petunia whispered. She pulled away from him, smirking at the bewildered look on his face. "Right, you all know where to sit. Severus, you can sit between myself and Minerva." She sat down and placed her napkin into her lap. Smirking again as Severus' awkwardness became evident by the stony look on his face, as well as the clearing of his throat. " Why don't you carve the turkey, Severus?" She asked.

Severus nodded, picking up the carving fork and knife. He swallowed minutely as he felt everyone's eyes upon him. He looked over to Petunia, who winked at him. He fought the tightness that was stirring in his chest as he resolutely craved the turkey and handed out the slices.

Forks rustled as everyone tucked into to their meal, Severus remained quiet as talk of previous Christmas memories washed over him, with the occasional chuckles and laughs breaking out. Even Minerva had a tale or two to tell. He felt extremely out of place, he hadn't spent Christmas with anyone since he was sixteen, in this very kitchen; he could picture it now, sitting beside Petunia, who would hold his hand and smile at him, just like she was now.

Wait, what? He came back to himself as he felt her squeeze his hand lightly. He tentatively squeezed back and felt his chest tighten again at the wide smile that adorned her face, and the twinkle in her eyes that rivaled Dumbledore.

"Mum, that was gorgeous!" Dudley congratulated her, sitting back with a groan as Petunia simply waved her wand and set the dishes to wash themselves, and food placed in the fridge. "Can we go open the rest of our presents now?"

"Yes, go ahead." She answered, trailing behind the boys as they raced into the living room. Minerva and Severus followed sedately. He froze in the doorway upon seeing where the only free seat was... next to Harry.

Petunia looked up from her armchair, quirking a brow with a silent instruction. Severus ignored the muttering in his mind that the meddling woman had probably planned it that way and sat down heavily on the sofa.

Dudley grabbed the bag as it zoomed into view via Petunia's summons, pulling out delicately wrapped presents. His eyes brightened upon seeing presents for each one of them, and handed them out as their presents to both Severus and Minerva floated over to them.

Harry slowly unwrapped his, not believing that the severe man had gotten him a gift. He drew in a breath when he saw what it was. He stared at it as he watched the red haired the woman in the photo slowly rock to and fro; smiling lovingly at the bundle in her arms, singing a silent lullaby that he could almost hear ringing in his ear. He watched transfixed as a tuft of black hair peeked out from the ivory blanket, it was moved aside by a gentle hand to reveal a forehead without a lightning scar, a tender kiss placed exactly where, ten years later, the scar was now.

Suddenly glass was sprayed everywhere as the windows imploded. Severus pushed Harry down and shielded him, wand in hand in an instant. Screams sounded as he shot up, shielding against a barrage of spells along with Minerva and Petunia. The trio spaced out into a triangle, protecting both Harry and Dudley as much as possible. Furniture was either flying, catching fire or exploding violently.

Harry grabbed his wand and jumped up, eager to help defend everyone. His aunt had taught him a large variety of spells during his childhood, and now was the time to use them. "Confringo!" He aimed at one of the masked intruders, before he was bound by one of the elders. He tried to duck as he saw something come his way, but it still hit; knocking him out cold.

Severus cursed in his head as the last person fell, he bound them in ropes as tight as he could and turned to the others. He paled as he saw the crimson looming, he stood stock still, his world turning off kilter as it sunk in.

"No," he whispered shakily.