The legal stuff: Only the plot belongs to me, the rest belongs to J. Rowling. I make no money off any of this.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH

"For the first time in many years, there will be no students spending the Christmas break at Hogwarts," Albus Dumbledore paused to allow his staff their applause and whistles. "So as a result of Voldemort finally being defeated, we can now ALL leave for our Holiday breaks. I'm afraid there is some weather brewing though, so please do not dally, or conditions will become unsafe for apparition. I wish everyone Happy Holidays and Safe Journeys. See you all in 2 weeks."

The faculty and staff rose and began filing out of the Great Hall. Everyone was in a hurry to see his or hers family and friends for the Holidays. Holiday wishes were exchanged as everyone hurried from the castle.

Professor Hermione Granger checked her pockets for her shrunken luggage. Suddenly there was a pair of hands on her shoulders, spinning her around. She looked up into the smiling face of Remus Lupin.

"Happy Holidays, Hermione. Give my best to Sirius, Ginny, Harry, and the babies, would you. It's seems like forever since your 5th year reunion. Wonder how big the kids have grown since July. "

Hermione smiled warmly at her old friend. "Of course Remus, Happy Holidays to you. I'll make sure I bring plenty of pictures back with me. Care to escort me to the gates?"

She pulled her cloak tightly around her, raising her hood before venturing out into falling snow. It was pretty as a postcard now, but the gray sky warned of the blizzard that was moving in. "Crap, the babies. I almost forgot." She spun quickly. "Go ahead without me Remus, I promised Ginny I'd bring something along for her." She placed a quick kiss on his cheek and rushed back into the castle.

"OK, but you better hurry, dear. See you in a couple weeks."

Hermione flew through the corridors and down the steps to the dungeons. She ran into the potions classroom and threw open the supply closet door. She began rummaging through the various containers on the shelf. "It has to be here" she thought.

Hermione jumped, startled out of her search by the sound of silk behind her, "Is there something I can help you with, Professor Granger?"

She spun around, her face turning red, like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar. "Bloody Hell, Seve-Professor Snape. You scared the wits out of me. What are you doing here?"

"I might ask you the same thing." He was still eyeing her suspiciously.

"Oh, yeah, right. Well, Ginny Potter wanted some of that Mother's Potion that you made for her. She said it was a big help when Art was born. I forgot to ask you for it. I just assumed you had left. I didn't think you would mind if I found it myself. I'm sorry."

"No harm done. I will be remaining here at the castle over the Holidays." He reached up to a shelf above her head and pulled down a dark blue vial. "This should be enough to see her through until the birth. Give my best to the Potters."

He backed out of the closet door to allow her to leave. It was only then that she noticed the cauldrons simmering in the back of the lab.

Severus followed the line of her gaze, "I'm just going to use the time off to catch up on some work."

Before Hermione could answer Peeves came flitting into the classroom. He was howling at the top of his lungs,

"Everybody stops
and stares at me
These two teeth are
gone as you can see
I don't know just who
to blame for this catastrophe!
But my one wish on Christmas Eve
is as plain as it can be!"

"Oh, damn it Peeves. Get out of here before I sick the Bloody Baron on you. I am in no mood for your version of Christmas revelry." Severus Snape roared, as Peeves picked up various containers from the table.

He flew around, juggling the containers.



"All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth,
My two front teeth,
See my two front teeth!

Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth,
Then I could wish you, "Merry Christmas"!

It seems so long since I could say,
"Sister Susie sitting on a thistle!"
Gosh, oh gee, how happy I'd be, if I could only whistle,
(thhh.)"

"Merlins beard Peeves!!! Get away from those cauldrons. No, No, No, Those are Dragon's teeth…" Severus and Hermione rushed at the poltergeist, trying desperatly to grab the little white teeth that he was trying to flick into the biggest cauldron. "Don't throw that in there…." Luckily for both of them, Peeves had lousy aim.


"All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth,
My two front teeth,
See my two front teeth!
Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth,
Then I could wish you, "Merry Christmas"!

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth,
My two front teeth,
See my two front teeth!"

All of a sudden their luck changed. With a "plop" one of the teeth landed in the brew. Cloudy green fumes began to rise from the pot. Suddenly, Severus had Hermione by the waist. He covered her mouth and nose with his hands and picked her up. Before she had time to even think about struggling they were back in the supply closet. Severus sat her down and pulled his wand out. He issued a few charms, sealing the door.

Outside, they could hear Peeves.

"Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth,
Then I could wish you, "Merry Christmas"!

It seems so long since I could say,
"Sister Susie sitting on a thistle!"
Gosh, oh gee, how happy I'd be, if I could only whistle,"

His voice started to fade as the poltergeist moved out of the room, looking for more trouble.


"All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth,
My two front teeth,
See my two front teeth!
Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth,
Then I could wish you, "Merry Christmas"!"

Severus closed his eyes and ran shaking hands through his hair. Hermione could tell the Potions Master was furious. She looked at him, but was afraid to make a sound.

He realized she was staring at him. He glared at her from the corner of his eye, "I assume you are aware of what Peeves just did? The potion that he inadvertantly made?"

She spoke quietly, "It's a variant on Draught of living Death, nowhere near as strong, though. More of an extreme relaxant, a 'downer' as the muggles would call it."

"And you are aware that the fumes will take several hours to vent."

Her eyes filled with tears, she only nodded.

At the sight of her watery eyes, Severus closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He could see she was terrified and he willed himself to dispense the anger. His tone softened a bit, "I know you were looking forward to the holidays with your friends. I hope, for your sake, that the storm does not last long. Perhaps in a day or two you will be able to apparate. But, for the immediate future, Professor Granger, you may as well get comfortable."

She visibly relaxed a bit at his change of tone, "Yes, Professor," she answered quietly.

Severus looked at her curiously for a moment, his eyebrows knit together. Suddenly, he threw his head back and laughed out loud.

Hermione was torn between the fact that he was laughing at her and the fact that he was laughing at all given their current situation. She straightened her spine and raised her chin a notch. "I fail to see what is so funny, Professor Snape," she hissed.

He got control of his laughter, before he explained, "You sounded like the First Year Hermione Granger I remember. Yes, Professor. It brought back some amusing memories from your younger years. Trolls, cat whiskers, Rita Skeeter in a jar…."

Hermione started giggling, more at the sight of Severus Snape laughing than at the times he was remembering. "Are you sure you didn't get splashed with any of that potion?"

Realization shone in his eyes. "No I didn't get splashed, but I did get a lung-full."

"Well, Professor, I may have the house elves start slipping that stuff in your pumpkin juice. It does wonders for your personality." Her eyes got wide and she slapped her hand over her mouth, horrified at what she had just said.

Still Severus just laughed at her, "Sounds like someone else got a whiff as well. At least we can be sure we won't be brawling in here. While we're feeling especially warm and fuzzy, I suppose we could dispose of the Professor crap. We've only been colleagues for what, 5 years now?"

Severus pulled his wand from his sleeve and suddenly two chairs sat in the small closet. He gestured for her to sit and he sat in the other. "Might as well have a seat Hermione, this could be a long day."

They sat together quietly, side by side, not sure of what to say next. The relaxing effects of the potion had served to make them each a little more aware of the other, as well as having loosened their tongues.

Severus spoke first. "You know, I was very pleased when you decided to remain at Hogwarts and train under Minerva. You have been an asset to the staff."

Hermione was truly touched, but kept her face impassive, "Why, Severus, I never thought you noticed." She punched his arm lightly, trying to keep the mood light.

"Oh, I noticed. I knew, muggle born or not, that you were a very bright girl. The day you set my robes on fire, I realized that you were also a very powerful witch. The two things proved to be a very volatile combination."

Hermione was horrified. "You knew it was me. Why didn't you do anything? You could have had me expelled."

Severus grinned and lowered his head, looking at his hands. " I could have, but like I said, your strengths were very volatile. You needed to be trained; you needed Hogwarts. And as it turned out in the final battle, Hogwarts needed you as well." He looked up, straight in her eyes. Without thinking, he reached out, took her hand and added quietly, "We all needed you."

Her eyes searched his, trying to puzzle the meaning of his words.

Suddenly, they heard a low hum in the next room.

Severus seemed to realize, suddenly, that he was holding her hand, looking longingly at her. He quickly extricated himself from the contact and jumped to his feet. "The fan, someone has turned on the exhaust fan."

They listened to the fan run for several minutes, neither of them speaking. There came a knock at the door. Severus pulled his wand out and motioned for her to stand behind him. He lifted the wards on the door and with his wand at the ready, swung the door open.