It's become all too familiar to him.

A thick layer of fresh snowfall coats the school grounds, the courtyard now missing its usual disarray of crisscrossing footsteps. The first trimester has passed, with students and teachers alike having gone home for the winter break to spend their well-earned time off with their families.

The school stands in eerie silence, a stark contrast to the usual hum of activity that fills its corridors. Empty classrooms, dimly lit by the weak winter sun, seem frozen in time. The grand hall, where laughter once echoed, now lies mostly still, its long tables bare and untouched. Even the wind, usually howling through the towers, is subdued—as if it, too, is resting.

Not very many stayed at the school during winter break, the select few that did either didn't have the resources to go back home or just didn't have anyone to go back to.

Severus, again, had become much too familiar with the routine. Every winter break for nearly forever had been spent like this: at the school, with no place to return to.

The great hall is decorated to the tops for the few students and teachers huddled together at the ends of the long tables. Severus found himself in his usual spot, taking a sip of his wine when he was interrupted by a chair being moved right next to him.

Inky eyes settle on the figure that came to settle next to him, {{user}}, another member of the staff. “You’re back earlier than expected,” he starts slowly, eyes narrowing in thought. Pale lips press together again as he decides to leave it at that.