The Best Christmas Present Ever
Disclaimer: All characters are owned by the wonderful J.K. Rowling and I'm just borrowing them for a while. I got my inspiration from Strega Brava's awesome story Precious Gifts, so you might recognize ideas from there as well.
Hermione Granger, Arithmancy Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, looked out her small window and sighed deeply. The wind was mournfully howling outside and snow fell like savage white arrows piercing the frigid air. Hermione's mood rather mirrored the weather. Today was Christmas, and she had no one to share it with.
In Hermione's seventh year, Lucius Malfoy had murdered her parents, at Voldemort's command. After she graduated she had nowhere to go, so she was asked to fill the Arithmancy position vacated by Professor Vector. Believing this to be an act of charity, Hermione worked doubly hard to ensure that she did indeed belong there. She soon became a favorite with students and professors alike. She was a favorite with one professor particularly, as she realized when the dark eyes of the Potions Master often rested on her with a mixture of apprehension, longing, and an irresistible, powerful force that made her tingle.
Her friends were doing quite well for themselves. To nobody's surprise, Harry became an auror, and to everyone's surprise, Ron started working at the Ministry of Magic alongside Percy, earning criticism from Fred and George. "Oh, hell, there's another humongous bighead in the family!"
Hermione had dearly wished for a visit from Ron and Harry, but as there had recently been a fresh wave of attacks by Voldemort, this was impossible. Harry sent her a large book "for a bit of light reading." Advanced Arithmancy-A Boring Book for Boring People. Ron sent its companion volume-Advanced Arithmancy, Volume II-Shouldn't You Go Out and Get a Life? She also received and unmarked gift- a blood red rose, with a card attached written in silver ink, which read "Meet me at the Astronomy Tower tonight at 9:00." It was signed in emerald ink with the sketch of a serpent.
Hermione puzzled over the origin of the gift. She could not imagine who sent it, did not want to try, because her mind kept drawing a picture of a tall man in black robes, with rather sallow skin and long black hair, a man that set Hermione's heart ablaze as much as she tried to deny it. A man named Severus Snape.
Hermione appeared in the Astronomy Tower at 9:00, her eyes irrationally searching for a certain black-clad figure. There was no one there. She sat down and waited. After a short while, she stood up and began pacing. She stopped when she heard a small creak and felt a cool touch on her collarbone. A necklace was being slipped over her shoulders, a silver chain with a ruby rose interlocked with an emerald serpent. Hermione's hands were clasped and she was whirled round, suddenly staring into a pair of warm, enigmatic, and hungry black eyes. These eyes contained a wordless affirmation of all the innermost desires of her heart. As she was pulled towards him and his lips claimed hers, she had but one thought, "This is the best Christmas present ever!"
Disclaimer: All characters are owned by the wonderful J.K. Rowling and I'm just borrowing them for a while. I got my inspiration from Strega Brava's awesome story Precious Gifts, so you might recognize ideas from there as well.
Hermione Granger, Arithmancy Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, looked out her small window and sighed deeply. The wind was mournfully howling outside and snow fell like savage white arrows piercing the frigid air. Hermione's mood rather mirrored the weather. Today was Christmas, and she had no one to share it with.
In Hermione's seventh year, Lucius Malfoy had murdered her parents, at Voldemort's command. After she graduated she had nowhere to go, so she was asked to fill the Arithmancy position vacated by Professor Vector. Believing this to be an act of charity, Hermione worked doubly hard to ensure that she did indeed belong there. She soon became a favorite with students and professors alike. She was a favorite with one professor particularly, as she realized when the dark eyes of the Potions Master often rested on her with a mixture of apprehension, longing, and an irresistible, powerful force that made her tingle.
Her friends were doing quite well for themselves. To nobody's surprise, Harry became an auror, and to everyone's surprise, Ron started working at the Ministry of Magic alongside Percy, earning criticism from Fred and George. "Oh, hell, there's another humongous bighead in the family!"
Hermione had dearly wished for a visit from Ron and Harry, but as there had recently been a fresh wave of attacks by Voldemort, this was impossible. Harry sent her a large book "for a bit of light reading." Advanced Arithmancy-A Boring Book for Boring People. Ron sent its companion volume-Advanced Arithmancy, Volume II-Shouldn't You Go Out and Get a Life? She also received and unmarked gift- a blood red rose, with a card attached written in silver ink, which read "Meet me at the Astronomy Tower tonight at 9:00." It was signed in emerald ink with the sketch of a serpent.
Hermione puzzled over the origin of the gift. She could not imagine who sent it, did not want to try, because her mind kept drawing a picture of a tall man in black robes, with rather sallow skin and long black hair, a man that set Hermione's heart ablaze as much as she tried to deny it. A man named Severus Snape.
Hermione appeared in the Astronomy Tower at 9:00, her eyes irrationally searching for a certain black-clad figure. There was no one there. She sat down and waited. After a short while, she stood up and began pacing. She stopped when she heard a small creak and felt a cool touch on her collarbone. A necklace was being slipped over her shoulders, a silver chain with a ruby rose interlocked with an emerald serpent. Hermione's hands were clasped and she was whirled round, suddenly staring into a pair of warm, enigmatic, and hungry black eyes. These eyes contained a wordless affirmation of all the innermost desires of her heart. As she was pulled towards him and his lips claimed hers, she had but one thought, "This is the best Christmas present ever!"