Disclaimer: All characters belong to JK Rowling.

As the time for dinner neared, Severus and Hermione decided, once they had finally began speaking to one another again, to send for the house elves and eat in their quarters. Dumbledore, meanwhile would announce the 'story' to the staff and ask them to support them all as best they could when the students returned for the new term.

After a rather lengthy conversation with the children about what food they would like for dinner, they all sat down in awkward silence as they ate.

The lack of conversation was driving Hermione insane, as were the looks of hate Snape was sending her. She thought she'd try and involve the kids into a conversation.

"Now, eat up Russie. That's good hearty fair right there, you are much too thin." She said with concern and an affectionate smile.

"I've always been thin Auntie, mum tried to feed me as much as she could. But it was hard when daddy spent most of her money on beer and whiskey." He said with a shrug.

Severus was obviously tense at hearing the boy's answer, a long forgotten sting was felt in the depths of his heart. The look of pity from Hermione was enough to make him want to curl up into a ball and die.

"Well, that is unfortunate. But, don't you worry love. I'll take good care of you, we'll fatten you up like a Christmas Turkey! And then we'll eat you because you'll be so delicious!" She tickled his ribs lightly and was pleased as Russie gave a genuine giggle. "I like you Aunt Hermione, I think you're lovely."

Mya and Severus watched the exchange with complete attention. Mya's eyes, as were Hermione's, were filled with tears at such a touching moment. Severus looked on with his mouth open.

I didn't expect her to act like that towards him…me. She really is lovely, to be honest I always knew that, she's just so infuriating sometimes that I forget. Perhaps I have been a bit of a dick to her, I'll practice being nice to Mini Mione first, perhaps then I'll have a bit of practice by the time I use it on the real thing. Not that I think she would ever want me, she was obviously disgusted at my teasing earlier, gods I was so close to kissing those beautiful red lips….

"Um…Uncle 'fessor? Russie and I were wondering if we can watch the Polar Express tonight, it's an anim…anima….it's a cartoon… about Christmas and stuff! I think you'll love it!" Mya asked him with big brown eyes.

Silently relieved Mya's question had steered the conversation away from his pathetic childhood, Severus turned to Mya with a soft expression on his face.

"A Christmas cartoon? Child, it is only the end of September, why would you want to watch a film about Christmas so early?" his ever famous eyebrow raised at the question like some kind of weird question-mark.

Hermione and Mya both spoke at the same time, "It's never too early for Christmas stuff!"

Everyone gave out a giggle and even Snape managed a small smile.

"Very well Miss Mya, you may watch this movie with Russie after dinner."

"Oh but you and Aunt Mione have to watch it too. There's loads of room on the sofa!" Mya threw him her most adorable and pleading expression, little Rus had walked around the table and grabbed Severus by the hand.

"Please Uncle?" he whispered so only the two of them could hear. "Can we all sit together and watch? It'll be nice to have a proper family won't it?" His black eyes were teary as he looked into those of his older self.

Severus couldn't deny that he really thought this situation would be a way to experience having a family, something he believed he would never have. A beautiful young woman and two adorable children in his quarters was a sight he never thought he'd see. At least this way, he could have a taste of what that type of life would be like. The fact that the beautiful woman in question had been the object of his affection for the past two years was just an added bonus, despite the fact that they argued like cat and dog.

Looking at the adorable and pleading faces of Mya and Russie, Severus gave in; "Very well, although I believe you should be asking your Aunt for permission too, as these are as much her chambers now as they are mine." Snape nodded to Hermione who unceremoniously choked on her wine at his words. Russie and Mya exchanged secret smug and triumphant smiles.

She was startled as all three pairs of eyes looked at her for a response. This made Hermione feel insanely nervous, "Um…thank you Se-Severus. Um…I think that us all watching a movie together would be very nice. I can't remember the last time I watched Polar Express." She smiled directly at Severus earning her a rare toothy smile back.

"Um, we…you watched it a month ago Aunt Hermione." Mya giggled and Hermione blushed crimson.

"Ever the child, aren't you Hermione?" Severus said, not meaning it to sound as snarky as it had come out.

Oh shit, well done old chap, you've just taken a step forward with her and now you're two steps back again.

He bristled as her faced turned hurt, "And there was me thinking we were starting to get along Severus, how silly of me."

Merlin, there was me thinking he was going to be nice. Well bully for me! Stupid bitch that I am.

Hermione was quite pissed off now. Truth be told her heart had skipped a beat when Severus had smiled at her. He looked even more handsome when his face was not scowling. Now, she was just disappointed that his usual demeanour was back and she'd signed herself up for almost two hours sitting next to him watching a movie. The rest of the dinner was spent in stony silence.

Russie and Mya sat on either ends of the sofa causing Hermione to sit in the middle on Russie's right. As Severus entered the room, he looked at the space on the couch with hesitancy. It was right next to Hermione and she was looking everywhere but him.

He didn't get to delay for long as Mya grabbed his hand and plopped him down on the sofa in the vacant spot.

"Sit down Uncle Sevie-rus, the movie is about to start. Make sure Auntie Mione is all nice and warm please." Mya caught Russie's eye and they winked to one another.

Severus was extremely aware that his and Hermione's thighs were touching. He felt his heart rate increase, the smell of her jasmine perfume imbedded in his nostrils. She smelled divine.

Hermione was in an equal amount of turmoil, painfully aware of his muscular thigh resting next to hers, his hand on his left knee was a few mere centimetres away from her bare one. Her heart was beating out her chest, he smelled delicious. This man oozed masculinity and she felt as though she was up to her neck in him and slowly drowning.

I may as well get comfy and enjoy the movie. I rather like being this close to him, bastard or not. Hermione shifted back more, rubbing shoulders with Severus and wrapping her left arm around Russie.

Little Mya sat content by Severus's side and wrapped her tiny arms around his, snuggling into his side. He was extremely uncomfortable with such affection but reminded himself that this was the family experience he'd always wanted. He eventually let his arm wrap around little Mya's shoulders and felt rather fatherly as she snuggled into his chest.

His eyes looked left and saw Hermione smile fondly at the movie, slightly teary eyed, and she was so beautiful like that. She was beautiful always.

He had to admit to himself that the little poor boy 'Billy' in the film reminded him of his childhood – a life where Christmases were few and far between.

His sight was drawn to little Russie, snuggled into Hermione's breast.

Lucky little bugger! He just bloody winked at me! What a wee perv, you'd think butter wouldn't melt! Shame I can't get away with that now. I'd be snuggled right in there and she'd love every minute of it.

Severus was snapped out of his pervy thoughts as Hermione's hand twitched and was now lying with her pinkie finger on his leg. He looked at her face, her expression never faltered, she was too engrossed in the movie to realise she was touching him.

In an act of pure insanity and perhaps…bravery, Severus acted out a fake yawn and stretch, lazily laying his arm on the back of the sofa behind Hermione. He was rewarded more when Hermione unconsciously snuggled into him more.

Little Russie's eyes connected with him again, this time it was Severus who winked and smirked.

What Severus didn't see was the 'thumbs up' Mya and Russie were giving one another, cheesy grins adorned their small faces. It seemed their plan was coming together nicely.

Or rather it was, until bed time occurred.

A/N:

Oh no, what is going to happen at bed time? Keep with it folks. I'm loving writing this story!

Please review, they make me happy.