Disclaimer: As I'm not JKR, the Harry Potter universe is in no way, shape, or form, mine.

Author's Note: One person (sorry, can't remember who) commented that Hermione's parents didn't seem to know too much about Severus. My interpretation is that given that Hermione had a lot of teachers, she probably mentioned all of them at one time or another, and they didn't really keep up with all the names. Additionally, she didn't tell them a lot about the war—she veers towards less information is better in their case, which may not be the wisest course of action, but it's what she does. I know it's a bit of a plothole, but there's going to be enough drama when Harry finds out—I didn't want to make it worse.

Chapter 9: "By No More Storms Distrest"

Hermione stayed in the guest quarters at Hogwarts over the holidays, in a small suite of rooms consisting of a bedroom, bathroom, and a sitting room. Christmas morning, she woke up on the old-fashioned settee and realized that, once more, she and Severus had fallen asleep before the fire.

"Happy Christmas," she said to him.

He groaned. "Is it morning already?"

"Fraid so."

He sat up, rubbing his neck. "I think my neck is permanently stuck this way."

"What is it with us and sleeping on the sofa?" Hermione stood and stretched, trying to get the kinks out of her back.

"I have no idea. What's the time?"

She looked over at the clock on the mantel. "We've got almost two hours before breakfast," she said. "Want to open presents?"

"I think I left yours in my rooms," he said. "I'll go fetch them."

"Take your time," she said. "I was thinking I probably needed a shower."

His mouth curved in a smile as he looked down at her. "That might hasten my return."

She shoved him. "Go. You should probably shower, too."

As it turned out, Hermione was dressed and ready before Severus came back. She looked at the small tree in the corner near the window, and the presents beneath it. She had thought very carefully about what to give Severus.

After Ron had died, she had immersed herself in books when she wasn't working, losing herself in others' lives so she wouldn't have to think about her own. Her own library had a number of volumes that she knew Severus' did not have. She had gone through it, thoughtfully, and finally settled on buying nicer copies of two books that she thought he would appreciate. I and Thou offered philosophical discussion on relating to others that she found particularly interesting, and thought might resonate with him. The other was a novel whose main character was quite like herself. It was a favourite novel and one that she had yet to share with him. She had put a bookmark in at the point of a sonnet that she thought expressed some of her feelings very well.

But she had wanted to give him something else, and she wasn't sure what it should be. One day, walking home from work, rather than Apparating, she passed an antique shop. Something pulled her in, so she went and browsed. There she found a gold pocket watch. She recognized it as a wizarding watch, with some useful charms on it. She had had it cleaned and engraved, and had added a charm of her own.

Hermione looked at the presents she had wrapped in emerald green paper, and hoped he would like them. She told herself she was being absurd, but for some reason, Christmas presents had never seemed to matter so much before.

Severus slipped in through her door, several packages in his arms. She made tea as he arranged them.

They opened gifts from others first. Most of them were fairly ordinary, but when Hermione opened the box from Molly and Arthur Weasley, her eyes filled with tears.

"What is it?" he asked gently.

She shoved the box toward him, trying to find a handkerchief. He absent-mindedly handed her his. "It's a Weasley sweater," he said at last. "Doesn't Molly knit them for the family every year?"

"She hasn't sent me one for years," Hermione said. "I don't know what she's trying to say."

"Perhaps that she still considers you a part of the family," he offered. He too, was upset, but he restrained his feelings. "Family is a gift, Hermione."

She slid over to him and let him hold her. "It's confusing," she said at last. "I do care about them, but things have changed, and they don't know yet."

"Did you want them to know?"

She shook her head. "I mean, I do. But I don't know how to tell them."

"Let's worry about that later," he said. "It's Christmas. I think you should open these." He gestured to the presents he had for her.

She put the lid back on the box with the sweater. "Only if you open the ones from me," she told him.

He had given her several books that he thought she might appreciate, and he was intrigued by the books she had given him. "I have another one," he said, taking a small package from his robe pocket.

She took a similar-sized box from the side table. "As do I," she said.

They opened the gifts at the same time. Severus looked at the watch, amazed. Nineteenth century wizarding watches adjusted to the time zone in which they were in, and were notoriously difficult to lose. The charm Hermione had placed on it would mean that he had only to touch the watch to know the time. He flipped it open, and read the inscription. Deeply moved, he looked up to see her gazing at his gift with tears in her eyes, entirely different from her reaction to the sweater.

It was a necklace. The pendant was a rose in white gold, elegantly modelled, set with green stones in the leaves, and red in the petals. Gryffindor red, and Slytherin green.

She looked at him. "No one's ever given me something this beautiful before," she said. He went to her, lifted the necklace from the box, and fastened it around her neck.

"You are more beautiful," he whispered in her ear, kissing the back of her neck.

They pulled apart, reluctantly, when they realized it was time for breakfast. "We could just not show up," Hermione suggested.

"You are the one who was worried about my reputation," he said. "Not showing up to breakfast would tell all the teachers something that we probably don't want them to know."

"Fine," she agreed. "Breakfast it is."

That day, before the Christmas feast, he read to her from the book of poetry he had given her, and she listened while she knit. He didn't ask what she was making, but from the colours of green and black, he wondered if it would be for him.

They wandered around the grounds afterwards, in the snow, enjoying the beauty of the world around them. Then Hermione threw a snowball at him.

He retaliated instantly, and found himself pelted with snowballs from some of the students who had been running around. The fight was fierce and filled with laughter.

Hermione was rosy-cheeked, laughing, and he had never seen her look so beautiful. She tackled him into a snow bank, and the students cheered.

"I think I won," she whispered to him.

He smirked at her. "Who says I didn't?" he asked.

They struggled to their feet, and headed back towards the castle.

"I haven't done that in ages," she said. "You?"

He shook his head. "Maybe a few times when I was a student, but I never had many friends. I think Potter and Black ambushed me a few times."

She dusted snow from his shoulders as they reached the door. "We're going to be soaked if we don't do something about this soon," she said, looking at his clothing and hers. She didn't suggest a drying Charm, and hoped that he would follow her meaning. He did. He took her hand and they hurried off to the wing where she was staying.

None of the professors commented the next morning on their absence from the Great Hall the night before, but there were a few exchanged glances. The next day, the Lupins arrived back at Hogwarts, sans Teddy, who was staying a few extra days with his grandmother.

Tonks pounced on Hermione, immediately noticing her necklace. "So, tell me everything!"

Hermione raised an eyebrow, looking rather like Severus in her expression. "Tell you what?"

"Oh come on," she said. "You do this every time. I want details!"

Hermione groaned. Severus drifted across the room to put a hand on her shoulder. "What is it?" he asked.

"I just want to hear how your Christmas was, Severus," said Tonks.

"It was excellent," he said gravely. "Yours?"

"Not bad," she said.

Remus came over with a pot of tea. "Are you trying to interrogate them, Dora?" he asked.

"No," she said, unconvincingly.

"I'm sorry," said Remus. "She's been wondering about...what you'd be doing for Christmas."

"Is that anyone's business but our own?" Severus asked.

"That tells me enough," said Tonks, grinning wickedly. "So, Hermione, one to ten?"

Severus choked and Hermione turned crimson. Remus looked like he wanted to strangle his wife.

"Why do you want to know?" Hermione finally asked. "Remus not looking after you properly?"

It was Remus' turn to choke and Tonks rolled her eyes. "No, I just want to know how you're both doing. I'm an Auror, it's my job."

"It's your job to inquire into the sex life of the Headmaster of Hogwarts?" said Severus.

She grinned. "Only because I'm curious. And Hermione's one of my best friends. I owe it to her to make sure that you're making her happy."

"No complaints," said Hermione. "And that is all I'm going to say on the matter for now."

"Fine," said Tonks. "But one of these days, you owe more details than just, 'he's a great kisser.' Kay?"

Severus groaned. "Must you?"

"Oh, I must," said Tonks. "I wouldn't be prying if you two were unhappy. So, Severus, didn't know you were such a romantic as to give your girl a gift like that," she remarked, pointing to the necklace.

"It suits her," said Severus simply. "Surely that's enough of a reason?"

Hermione smiled at him and gently squeezed his arm. "Thanks," she said. "Now, are we done with the interrogation?"

"Yes," said Remus. "Want to hear about our Christmas?"

"Please," said Severus.

Author's Note: The other book Hermione gives Severus is Gaudy Night by the incomparable Dorothy L. Sayers. The chapter title comes from the sonnet that Hermione bookmarks.