It seems as though autumn always passes by so quickly. The beginning of the term comes around, then Halloween, then boom. Christmas.

The fact that it is already two days away from Christmas reminds me of the fact that I haven't really spent much time with my family since last year's Christmas. I wish I could visit them, but I'm scared that I'll put them in danger if I do.

I sighed at these thoughts and got up from the sofa to put away my empty breakfast plate. The sound of footsteps brought my attention to the hallway where Severus had entered the kitchen from. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and made his way over to me.

"Good morning, Sev." I smiled at him over my shoulder while finishing up with the dishes.

Severus replied with a very deep and groggy sounding voice,

"Morning.."

I poured Severus a cup of coffee and handed it to him. He gave me a thankful look before taking a sip from it and sighing.

There was silence for a good minute before Severus spoke up,

"(Y/N)."

I turned my head toward Severus, who was currently leaning against the counter with one arm crossed over the one holding his coffee. Humming in response, I waited for him to tell me what he wanted to say.

"The trains for King's Cross are leaving in two hours. If you'd like, we can spend Christmas at my residency." Severus explained, sounding a little less tired than before.

"That would be wonderful, Sev." I smiled and leaned against the counter next to him, holding a coffee of my own.

"Good. I suggest you go pack the things you need. I'll inform Albus that we are in fact leaving for the holidays." Severus told me before setting his mug down and walking toward the main door.

"Alright. I'll do that." I responded before walking into the bedroom.

Severus and I had been some of the first people to arrive at the station. While waiting for the train, it began to snow, which seemed to make a lot of students happy. As soon as the gleaming red steam engine came to a stop on the tracks, we made our way into one of the front-most compartments meant for faculty. Soon, all the students going home for the Holidays had gotten onto the train and it began making its long trek to King's Cross Station.

As soon as we arrived at the station, Severus and I exited the train. But before we could walk over to the brick pillar entrance, Severus took hold of my hand and lead me in the opposite direction.

"Where are we going?" I asked him.

"That is a secret, (Y/N)." Severus replied.

I sighed and let him drag me to wherever he wanted to take me. Severus lead me up the stairs of one of the steel bridges that stretched over the train tracks, which confused me even more. Severus insisted we wait on the bridge and I had no idea why.

As I was about to ask Severus another question, I heard a familiar voice call for me,

"Sissy!"

I turned abruptly and saw (B/N) come running toward me from the opposite end of the bridge.

"(B/N)!?" I exclaimed as he jumped up to hug me.

"(Y/N)!" I now heard my mother's voice call as she walked over to us.

"Mom!? You were both waiting here for us?" I asked, both surprised and happy as I set (B/N) back down.

"Severus actually told me you'd both be arriving here today and insisted we come meet you." My mother told me.

I turned toward him and gave him a tight hug that must've nearly killed him,

"Thank you so much, Sev."

"You're welcome, (Y/N)." Severus replied with a small smile.

"My turn!" I heard (B/N) exclaim while tugging at Severus' robes.

I laughed and backed away so that

(B/N) could get his hug from Severus.

It seems as though (B/N) has grown a bit since the last time we saw each other. As well as broadened his vocabulary and speech capabilities. He doesn't seem to mispronounce words much anymore.

Soon after that, we all made our way out of the station and toward my mother's car.

The whole car ride I was excited to finally go home again. So as soon as the car came to a stop in front of the house, I hopped out and took in my surroundings.

I was finally home again.

The majority of the day was spent catching up and having lunch, as well as dinner. At this point in the night, (B/N) was already asleep in his room. The rest of us were in the living room talking about various things when Severus decided to go use the restroom. As soon as he was gone, my mother asked me something.

"I couldn't help but notice how much closer the both of you have become since last Christmas. Is there something going on between the two of you by any chance?" My mother asked with a smile of anticipation.

My face became very red and I gave her an awkward smile before replying,

"That's a bit of a sudden question Mom."

"Well it seems quite obvious, (Y/N). I just wanted to know for sure." She coaxed me to answer.

"Well.. You're suspicions are correct mom. Severus and I are together. Since last December actually.." I finally gave in and told her.

"I knew I was on the right track! But I'm even happier knowing it's Severus. I always knew the both of you would end up together." My mother told me, which caused my face to redden even more.

Apparently Severus had heard a portion of what we were talking about, because I noticed a tinge of pink on his face as he sat back down next to me.

"Well then! I believe it's gotten late enough. It was great catching up with the both of you." My mother broke the awkward silence with her statement as she stood up.

"Wait, are we not staying the night?" I asked.

"Unfortunately not (Y/N). Staying here would contradict the orders given to me by the Ministry." Severus explained as we both stood up.

"Oh, right.." I sighed.

"One more thing before you go.." My mother said as she walked into the room that used to be my father's office.

She walked out with none other than Benny, my owl.

"Benny!" I smiled happily as he landed on my arm.

He seems to have missed me a lot based on his reaction to seeing me again. I pet him and turned back toward my mother to thank her for taking care of him. After saying our final goodbyes, Severus and I grabbed our luggage and prepared to Apparate.

"I hope to see you again soon, Mom. Tell (B/N) goodbye for me." I told her before looking over at Severus to see if he was ready.

"I will. Have a good rest of your holiday!" My mother said to the both of us before we apparated.

Severus and I appeared at the doorstep of the house and got inside as soon as he unlocked it, being that it was quite cold out.

"I'm happy were back. This place has started to feel like a second home to me." I told Severus as we walked up to the bedroom to set our luggage down.

"A second home?" Severus restated in the form of a question.

I walked over to Severus who was unpacking a few things into the wardrobe and hugged him from behind,

"Yeah.. I feel at home here with you."

Severus turned around in my embrace and placed a soft kiss on my forehead.

"I'm glad you feel that way." He replied almost in a whisper.

I smiled at this display of affection and yawned.

"I believe it is time for you to sleep,

(Y/N)." Severus told me before turning back toward the wardrobe to finish unpacking.

I, in that same time, got ready for bed and fell asleep fairly quickly.