A/N: Hi, again, everyone! Sorry it took a few extra days. I was off having my traditional Christmas argument with my sister ;) It gave me a great idea for a later chapter...

Anyways, this chapter's quote is from The Lion King. Enjoy.

"Hermione!" four voices sounded loudly through her door, waking her suddenly. She nearly fell out of bed, shook herself free of her blankets, and stumbled to the door. Looking through her peephole all she needed was a quick view of a couple heads of red hair to fling her door wide. As she did so she waved her wand again at her chamber door, slamming it shut and sealing the image of Severus Snape sleeping across her bed inside.

She was greeted by a flurry of hugs. She ushered her guests into her office and conjured up a couple of cozy couches. Another wave of her wand and the room was filled with warmth from the fire that had just sprung to life in her grate.

A moment later three house elves appeared carrying massive trays of food, which they set on the coffee table before bowing out. Ron and Harry attacked the pile while Ginny, Luna, and Hermione decided it was best to wait until the wolves stopped feeding before putting their hands in.

"How are classes?" Ron asked before shoveling half a waffle in his mouth.

Hermione sighed loudly. "I don't know what's going on. The students are either not listening to me, or too scared of me to pay attention."

"It might have something to do with Rita Skeeter," Ginny smirked.

"You think the students are acting strange because who I'm dating?"

"You think?" Ron said, rolling his eyes.

"Well, I'm not breaking up over their rubbish," Hermione snapped. "So any suggestions would be appreciated."

"Easy. You're dating an evil git. Sic Snape on them!"

"Evil git, Weasley?" a voice sounded from Hermione's chamber door, causing Ron to jump a foot in the air.

"Oh, good morning, Professor Snape," Luna said blithely. "It's good to see you. Are you excited to see your old students?"

"Ecstatic. Forgive me for not leaping for joy, bad back you know."

Harry and Ron looked wide-eyed at each other, then at Hermione, who got up to give Snape a good-morning peck on the cheek.

"Breakfast, Severus?" she murmured, feeling uncomfortable under her friends' stares.

"No," he replied, pulling her to him in a possessive sign. "I need to go downstairs and change before the match. I'll meet you at the pitch." He bent down to give her a prolonged kiss. Ron shifted in his seat uncomfortably. Snape swept from the room and Hermione sat next to Ginny, who made a gagging motion that earned her a playful punch in return.

"He's spending the night now?" Harry asked in disgust.

"This is only the second time!" Hermione protested.

"The next step is moving in together."

"No, the next step is meeting the parents," Ron said.

"Oh, good Merlin, could you imagine bringing Snape back to a couple unsuspecting Muggles?" Harry laughed.

"Oh, shut up. I brought Ron back and if he didn't scare them senseless Snape, who holds his tongue a little easier, will do just fine," Hermione sneered.

"I held my tongue just fine around your parents!" Ron protested, mouth agape.

"New subject," Ginny said. "Who is favored to win the match today, 'Mione?"

Hermione gave a thankful look towards the younger girl. "Ravenclaw. Though I'm surprised this is the match you're officiating, Harry. I thought for sure it would have been Gryffindor versus Slytherin."

Harry beamed. "I wanted to, but McGonagall thought I might be a bit biased and not call a fair match."

"McGonagall's a smart woman."

Harry look offended. "I would call a very fair match!"

"For Gryffindor," Ginny rolled her eyes.

"Slytherin got away with a lot of stuff when I was playing. I was going to make it fair by returning the favor."

"You're impossible," Hermione shook his head.

A few hours later the well-fed group made their way down to the Quidditch pitch, where Harry left them to change into his Officials robes. Snape was waiting by the entrance to the stands where the teachers were sitting.

"Beautiful day for a match, isn't it, Professor?" Luna said, smiling.

"Wonderful," Snape answered, sarcasm thick in his voice. The day was chilly, their breath hung in small clouds in the air. The wind wasn't strong, but it did sting their eyes when it blew directly in their faces. Hermione and Snape escorted the group to the stands and they took seats near the back. Luna was wearing her old Ravenclaw robes, and was waving a Ravenclaw banner. Ron sat next to her, running the banner she had given him between his fingers, but not placing it in the air where someone might notice. Hermione, Snape, and Ginny sat in the row in front of them. Snape placed his arm almost instinctively around Hermione and held her to him. Hermione responded by placing a hand on Snape's knee. Behind them Ron mimicked Snape's motions with Luna, but Luna was too busy cheering the Ravenclaw players who had just entered the field to notice.

Harry walked onto the field to thunderous cheering, and he waved as flashes from cameras flashed from around the stadium. He said a few things to the players that those in the stands couldn't hear. The Captain's shook hands and the players rose into the air. Harry let the Snitch and the Bludgers loose, threw the Quaffle into the air and blew the whistle for the start of the game. He took a high vantage point while astride his Firebolt, and surveyed the game for any hint of cheating or fouls.

Ravenclaw took an early lead. They easily out flew the Hufflepuff players. The only thing that kept the match from being a slaughter from the onset were two Beaters on the Hufflepuff team that rivaled Fred and George. The match was mercifully short and sweet, ending when the Ravenclaw Seeker caught a Snitch that almost ran into his face. Ravenclaw won 230 to 20 in under half an hour.

The group met Harry by the changing rooms after most of the students and staff had cleared out. They made their way up to the Great Hall, where four extra chairs had been set up at one end of the staff table. More students took pictures of Harry in what they thought was a stealthy manner as he made his way along Gryffindor table to take a seat next to Hermione.

"Things look different from here," Harry smiled, surveying the crowd.

"Thinking of a career change?" Hermione asked, returning the smile.

"That Defense Against the Dark Arts job still cursed?"

"Not since Voldemort fell."

Harry looked like he was thinking as he looked out over the tables of students. "Owl me when the position is going to be vacant again," he winked.

Snape sighed. He had refused the Dark Arts post after the war, though McGonagall had offered it to him several times, because he was sure parents would not go for an ex-Death Eater, supposed hero or not, teaching their children how to protect from things that his 'cohorts' had used against their friends and families. It was hard enough to deny himself the post he had coveted for so long, to see Potter fill the position would be torture.

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The rest of the day passed quickly. The group went to the Three Broomsticks, where Ron sat across the table from Hermione, brooded some more, and after three or four firewhiskies became overly affectionate towards Luna. They excused themselves in a hurry. Harry and Ginny followed soon after for a visit with Molly and Arthur. Hermione and Snape vacated the large table for a smaller one in the corner.

"That was an interesting visit," Hermione said, sipping her Butterbeer.

"Horribly," Snape replied, rolling his eyes.

"I saw that look on your face when Harry was talking about teaching."

"Having Potter as a colleague is not exactly the thing I desire most."

"What do you desire most?" Hermione asked playfully.

Snape responded by placing a hand on her knee under the table and starting to rub it gently.

Hermione giggled for a moment before regaining her composure. She bit her bottom lip.

"I know that sign. You're nervous about asking me something."

"My parents invited us to Christmas."

"No."

"They want to meet you, Severus."

"Don't you think it's a little soon to be subjecting them to me?"

"Don't talk like that! They'll love you."

Snape gave her a firmly skeptical look.

"They do want to meet you."

Snape sighed. He realized that this was one of those things Hermione was not likely to drop no matter how many times he refused. "So we Apparate in on Christmas, leave after dinner?"

"No..." she said slowly. "We're going two days before, leaving the day after."

"Where do you propose I sleep?"

"My Gran is going to be there as well, taking the guest room..."

Snape gave a frustrated sigh.

"...so I'll sleep on the couch, you can have my room."

"No, you will take your room, I'll sleep on the couch."

Hermione opened her mouth to argue, but at the look on Snape's face she stayed quiet.

"So, I'll get to meet your parents and your grandmother?"

Hermione looked nervous. "And my aunts, uncles, and cousins," she said quickly.

"How many family members do you have, woman?" Snape sneered.

"Three aunts, two uncles, eight cousins."

"All Muggles?"

"To the best of my knowledge."

"Then I'll have to do some shopping before we go."

"Why?"

"I own one Muggle suit. Either you explain why I wear the same outfit day in and day out, you let me go shopping for new clothes, or you explain why I'm sitting around wearing robes bearing the crest of a school they've never heard of that teaches things they don't even know exist."

"Okay, we'll shop, but I'm buying. It's not fair for you to pay for something I'm forcing you to do."

Snape started to argue, but thought the better of it. "Is there ever a time we're not going to argue over trivial things?"

"Not a long as you're Severus Snape."

Please review! I'm working on getting them all answered.