Chapter Twelve: Something There

There's something sweet
And almost kind
But he was mean and he was coarse and unrefined
But now he's dear, and so unsure
I wonder why I didn't see it there before

-Beauty and the Beast

"Please, it's ten times better then sitting around here alone!" Jessica exclaimed. It was Christmas Night and they were going to go over to Kelly and Kenny's for dinner, but Snape insisted on staying at her flat.

Jessica stood before him in his bedroom, her short hair swept back in a twist, a knee-length black dress hung around her frame. A silver ribbon around her waist, she peered down at him, holding her silver heels in her hand.

Sighing, Jessica walked over to the closet that held his stuff.

"What are you doing, Monroe?" Severus asked from where he laid on his bed, a book in his hands.

She turned to look at him, and any other man would have crawled into a hole and died at her facial expression. Jessica's expression was a mix of rage, bitterness, annoyance and little sadness. She threw a hanger that held his nice black shirt and black pants onto his bed. She put on her heels and stormed from the room. Severus glanced down at the book she had given him for Christmas, sighing as he closed it softly.

Jessica sat down, kneeling so she was eye level to Jane, "Mommy, this coat is too hot!" her daughter whined.

"I know, sweetie, but it will be cold outside." Jessica stood and wrapped her cloak around herself.

"You do not think the Muggles will be oblivious to that cloak." a soft oily voice stated.

Jessica smiled and turned around; Severus was standing there in an all black outfit.

"Well, I see the vampire has finally decided to leave the cave," the brunette smirked.

"Happy Christmas!" Jane exclaimed, carrying a pile of presents.

Kenny walked in carrying Nicolas, a beautiful four month old boy with bright green eyes, murky with brown and a mop of blonde hair.

"Nicky!" Jessica cried, dragging Snape into the flat, who was carrying a bowl of mixed vegetables.

Kelly walked into the living room, a green dress swirled around her as an apron stained with gravy hung over it.

"Well, I see Snape finally got his act together," Kelly looked at her friend's guest with disapproval. She had unwillingly agreed to having the potions master over her house for Christmas dinner, but Jessica had promised he would be on his best behavior. She remembered that over-grown bat from her Hogwarts years. Kenny had remained silent when she told him the news, him being a year older then Snape and was the Head Boy when Snape was in his sixth year.

Jessica walked over and kissed Kelly on the cheek and gave her a big hug, "Happy Christmas!"

Kenny nodded his head in greeting to Snape as the potions master took the bowl into the kitchen. Snape was right; this is why he didn't want to come. Everyone and their grandaunt hated him. Especially that no good head boy Kenny.

"Let's pray," Kenny said, as they sat down for dinner. A huge ham dinner was laid out in front of them. Kenny was at the head of the table with Jane at the other. Kelly sat next to Nicolas and on the opposite side sat Jessica and Severus. Severus slowly took Jane and Jessica's hand as Kenny said prayer. Jessica gave an ironic smile, even though Ken was a wizard, he was a muggle-born all the same and grew up in a large Catholic family.

"Amen!" Ken said at last, as everyone reached for food. Little Nicky was given a small plate of mash potatoes as Jane chatted wildly about the Peter Pan book Snape had given her and how he read her two whole chapters before lunch.

"You like muggle books, Snape?" Kelly asked, bitterness evident in her voice.

"Certain ones, Peter Pan is a good one, War and Peace, Lord of the Rings, Pride and Prejudice, Iliad and so on, all classic novels, magic or muggle" Snape said softly, cutting up his meat.

"I didn't think Slytherins read muggle books," Kelly tried again.

"I think a Ravenclaw, as smart as you guys are, would know that some Slytherins like being cultured" Severus hissed back.

"At least we aren't Death Eaters," she replied harshly.

"I would watch what you say, or you'll end up like your precious chaser Hall" Severus whispered.

Kenny stood up and Snape just flashed him a cruel twisted smile.

"Sit down, Mudblood," he spoke coolly. Snape's grin widened, showing off a set of white teeth.

Kelly, Kenny and Snape began to argue angrily, voices echoing off the dining room walls. Jessica placed her head in her hands, near tears as Jane sank under the table, scared at her Uncle Kenny and Misters Snape's loud voices. Little Nicky wailed.

Kenny and Snape whipped out their wands and pointed them at each other.

Snape's hand shook as he looked over at Kelly rocking the baby, Jane's fearful face and Jessica's face of pure disappointment. He dashed from the flat and ran down the stairs till he entered the cold London streets to apparate back to Jessica flat.

He closed and locked his bedroom door and threw off his shirt. He felt guilty for doing that to Jessica, but he told her not to make him go. But still that look on her face. Sighing, Severus closed his eyes, remembering the way her lips softly kissed his cheek that morning; she had got up right afterwards to check on breakfast for what he was glad, because he didn't know what to do to begin with.

A pop echoed through his room as Jessica apperated onto his bed, kneeling, her face twisted in rage. "How dare you talk to them like that, they willingly let you eat dinner on Christmas with them and you completely ruined it! My four year old daughter has never embarrassed me as much as you just did! And to bring up such foul language, even if she didn't accuse you of being a death eater, it doesn't matter, you bastard. I cannot believe you did that on Christmas for crying out loud!"

"Are you finished?"

"No."

Snape looked at her hard for a moment before leaning in and place a soft kiss on her mouth, "I am sorry for ruining your Christmas."

After Jessica recovered from shock, she mumbled something about picking up Jane. Severus mused to himself what just happened, and was shocked to figure out she didn't flinch at his Dark Mark once.


Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the song. Okay?

A/N Hey, thanks for those who reviewed, they really helped me write this sooner then later. I'll try to update soon, since I'll like to have this finished before Deathly Hallows. But that most likely will not happen. So, love your reviews and I hope you guys love this chapter.