Authors Note: I don't normally have author's notes but there are quite a few characters in this scene so I thought I'd have some explanations. I was planning on having this at the bottom because I didn't want to give elements of the chapter away but I figure you can skip this if you like or read it? I won't know.

Guests for Christmas:
Lucius Malfoy
Abraxas Malfoy (Lucius' father, referred to as Mr Malfoy)
Lucretia Malfoy (Lucius' mother, referred to as Mrs Malfoy)
Arcturus Malfoy (Lucius' grandfather)
Thurkell Malfoy (Lucius' uncle, brother of Abraxas)
Belvina Malfoy (Lucius' aunt, wife of Thurkell)
Rebelina Malfoy (Lucius' 1st cousin, daughter of Thurkell and Belvina)
Cygnus Black (Sirius' uncle)
Druella Black (Sirius' Aunt and Lucretia's cousin)
Andromeda Black (Cygnus and Druella's daughter)
Narcissa Black (Cygnus and Druella's daughter)
Bellatrix Black (Cygnus and Druella's daughter)
Voldemort (You-Know-Who, heehee)

Lucius' parents are referred to as Mr and Mrs Malfoy because that is how Severus sees them, even though there are several other Malfoy's in this chapter. I will outline the guests here so hopefully there won't be any confusion.

The Half Blood Prince

"Snivellus."

"Mudblood."

Chapter Eight

Severus only had minutes to get ready before guests started to arrive. He got into his dress robes and tried several times to tie the ribbon Narcissa had given him. He ended up letting his hair fall long about his face, throwing the ribbon to the floor in frustration.

"Severus?" Lucius called, sticking his head into the room where Severus was getting hastily finishing up.

"Yes," Severus replied scowling and snapping his trunk shut.

"My uncle's here come on."

Severus followed Lucius as he leapt down the stairs. At the landing were Lucius' parents greeting another family warmly.

"Severus," exclaimed Lucius' mother, "this is Thurkell Malfoy, his wife Belvina and their daughter Rebelina."

"Call me Turk," said Lucius' uncle, stretching out his hand. The man had the same blonde hair as the rest of the Malfoy men and a neatly trimmed blonde beard. Severus looked at him for a moment before remembering his manners.

He grasped Turk's hand a bit late and shook it limply before turning around to greet Belvina.

"Severus is a friend of Lucius' from school," Mrs Malfoy was explaining. "Rebelina goes to Durmstrang she'd be in about your year Severus, you'll have a lot to talk about."

Mrs Malfoy and Belvina walked arm in arm into the lounge room while the Malfoy brothers spoke.

Rebelina looked much older than Severus and not at all kind. She glared at the boys, Lucius punched her lightly on the shoulder which only caused her glare to deepen.

"Rebs," Lucius greeted animatedly.

"Lucy," she replied waspish. Severus grinned at the nickname. "So, who else is coming?"

"Aren't I company enough?" asked Lucius.

"Merlin, no."

Rebelina snapped her fingers and a house-elf appeared. Severus had heard of house-elves but he had never seen one before. He tried not to stare at it's large eyes. The elf was only two feet tall with floppy ears and a white cloth to cover a brown and grey gangly body.

"Hang this up," she ordered dumping her cloak and scarf on the floor, "bring me some coffee and a slice of cake."

The tasks were down with a snap of the house-elf's fingers and it then disappeared with another pop. Rebelina, satisfied, pushed past the boys and went into one of the drawing rooms to have her snack.

"Charming girl," muttered Severus as she left the room.

Lucius chuckled, "be careful, she has a temper nastier than yours."

Severus and Lucius joined the adults in the lounge room. Severus watched as they all talked animatedly about their lives. The Malfoys, it seemed, didn't work so they were embroiled in all sorts of exciting travels and political mayhem. What's more is they often involved Severus in the conversation. The conversation was kept light and shortly the arrival of the Black Family was another scene of friendly welcomes.

Andromeda, Narcissa and Bellatrix had arrived with their parents, Cygnus and Druella. Severus found it hard to hear of the exuberant cries of the household.

"Merry Christmas!"

"Abraxas where is your father?"

"Where's Rebelina got too?"

"Narcissa, beautiful as always."

"Oh, just dump them on the floor. Perhaps we can move into the dining room."

Amid all the commotion Lucius' grandfather walked through the door. The old man looked terrifying with electric silver hair, a thick black cape and a long cane topped with a carved silver serpent head. He was shouting something offensive as Lucius' father tried to calm him down and walk him through to the dining room.

"Severus," Narcissa cried pushing through the crowd and hugging the stringy Slytherin. "Isn't this great, we're all here for Christmas!"

Severus didn't get to reply though as Narcissa and the other girls went off in search of Rebelina. As suddenly as all the activity had began the witches and wizards had dispersed leaving Severus alone in the landing.

He looked around nervously considering whether he ought to go look for Lucius or stay put until someone called him. He didn't fancy running into all the girls alone.

He stood there uncomfortably for a few moments before the front door was opened. There stood a tall man, he had short well kept black hair and quick eyes. But the most disconcerting thing was the amount of power the man seemed to radiate.

Severus stared, mouth agape.

The man stepped inside and spotted Severus immediately. His eyes turned on Severus and seemed to look straight into his inside.

"You must be Severus," the man greeted. "Lucius has told me a lot about you."

"Lord Voldemort," Severus whispered, bowing his head.

Next Update….Tomorrow!