(Sorry for the delay, I have had a smidge bit of writers block, and I have been reading other ficts too haha. Right, things are taking a turn now... not sure how many chapters I will write but soon I think I will be wrapping things up. Very happy with the positivity and love people are giving! please review! I love it!)

ok then

JK OWNS HP (that lucky lady)

CHAPTER 12: A Christmas to remember.

Hermione woke up early.

She could feel Severus breathing rhythmically next to her. It was almost hypnotic watching his chest rise up and down, almost mechanical really. It was funny to think of his breathing as mechanical, it reminded Hermione of the past. Where looking back at Snape then he could of easily passed as an unfeeling robot with no heart.

But now? Oh yes she had his heart alright, and he had hers.

Since Snape waking up in September for both of them it had been a whirlwind of emotions. However both of them now couldn't be any happier. Everyday Snape felt like he was in a dream, he still questioned if he deserved to be this happy. Although he felt like he had to remind himself of the words, Lily (of all people), had told him. That he was able to have another go at being alive, and another chance for love, which he now knew who that was.

Hermione Granger. His second chance, and he was willing to never let ANYTHING happen to that girl... Woman... Love of his second life.

She was his savour. Hermione had now made such an impact in his life. She raised him from the dead theoretically, and nursed him back to health, gave him a place to live, showed him love, and mostly...

A reason to live.

Hermione looked at him for one last second and sliped away from him in one swift movement. It was Christmas day and Hermione Granger had a surprise for Severus Snape, and wanted him to sleep for as long as possible.

Now Severus was fully recovered he still lived at Hermione's home, although she called it 'our home' now, and be honest Snape had no intentions of leaving, unless Hermione wanted him to.

When they felt that their relationship was utterly solid, Hermione, once again, made changes to the house. The basement was now half a Library and half potions lab. This made Severus happy, and it also made Hermione very happy.

They still spent most of their time there, in the two places they most loved. Hermione put two rather large sofas in the library section of the room, however she also transfigured a table there too. As they both loved enjoying their meals with a book and their own company.

So as Christmas came round the corner she knew she wanted to surprise Severus. Hermione put him off the scent early on in the month of december by saying she didnt want Christmas decorations. Hermione had lied. She LOVED the festive season, and she also discovered Severus was partial to a fraction of Christmas spirit.

Once she slipped away from him, she got into some muggle jeans and a tastefull Christmas jumper, and proceeded to the surprise.

Firstly she lightly scented the whole house with a light cinnamon fragrence.

In the library she had placed a beautiful christmas tree, and charmed it so that the needles wouldn't fall off.

Burgundy, gold, silver, and deep dark green were the choice colours of the rooms decorations.

Once that was done she placed her gifts user the tree for Severus.

She was almost done.

She looked at the table, flicked her wand and two plates appeared, both with hot toast with scrambled egg and smoked salmon which filled the room with the pleasant aromas.

"Time to wake Severus." She breathed, and with a flick of her wand she was staring at the man who was sitting up in bed reading a book, typical!

"Good morning, I was just about to wake you."

Snape smiled his best smile at her.

"Well no need. As you can see, I am up." He looked at her breifly as she was blushing away. With one swift move he was out of bed and flicked his wand.

There he stood, fully dressed in a white cloth shirt with a worn black waist coat and black trousers. But what shocked her was that he was also wearing a Santa's hat, which made Hermione giggle.

" I like the hat." She said warmly, as Severus glided towards the witch, before gently wrapping his arms around her and simple said "Merry Christmas Hermione."

Before Hermione could reply Snape placed a soft warm kiss against her lips, her heart could burst.

She pulled back excitingly. "Right! Downstairs... I have a Surprise!"

"Hmmm, I like surprises." He whispered into her hair.

There was a quick crack and they were both standing in the library/ lab.

It took Severus a few seconds to take in the veiw, however when he did, he locked eyes with Hermione. She could see his eyes had filled with happy tears.

The morning was perfect, they are, they exchanged presents and enjoyed their company!

Later on in the early evening Hermione and Snape where in the library playing chess, stomachs both full and absolutely content with how perfect the day had gone.

That was until there was a knock on the front door.

Hermione looked at Severus perplexed and frowned, "Hmm. I wasn't expecting anyone."

She paused and had a thought "It could be Harry and Ginny, although they had sent us a card but they could have maybe wanted to wish us a merry Christmas in person?"

And with a quick kiss on the cheek to Severus she was running up the stairs. As she had shut the door to the basement a growing sense of danger filled the pit of Hermione's stomach as the approached the front door, she felt like something wasn't right. Maybe it was Ron? She didnt want Severus hear her arguing, so for a good measure she placed a silencing charm around the basement door.

Just as she turned the handle to open the door she took a deep breath in and opened the door.

Just as it opened she was greeted by a bolt of red hitting her in the chest sending her flying backwards, lying awkwardly in her hallway.

After the shock had died a little she raised her head, to see Lucius Malfoy standing by her feet, with a deathly grin on his lips.

"Well if it isn't the filthy slut of a mudblood Hermione Granger..."

He looked around the room, "Nice place... for a muggle I guess." Malfoy sneered. Her eyes locked with him. "What do you want?" She breathed.

"Where is he miss Granger?" His tone was dangerously calm.

"Who?" Hermione challenged. "Oh I think you know who I mean, I will not ask again." Hermione laid there frozen still, she didn't want to breathe or move a muscle. Anger seethed in Malfoys words when he spoke, "Consider this as warning Granger. However as it is a festive day, I shall leave you with a couple of gifts." His eyes glared anger and power as he shot the first spell.

"CRUCIO!"

Hermione's blood screamed at her filling her with pain as she writhed about on the floor. Lucius finally stepped back dropping a note on the floor before hitting her with one last spell.

"SECTUMSEMPRA"

Hermione knew that spell, and knew who made it, however couldn't think about that for too long, as she suddenly felt the blood drain from the gashes that had appeared on her body. She had the verge to close her eyes, for she felt completely numb with pain.

All of a sudden she could hear Severus pad up the stairs, he was saying something as he approached the closed door. "How long do you need to keep her Potter, we have a game of..." He froze.

Quickly Severus sank to Hermione side, tears drowning his face.

"Please don't be dead Hermione."

He whispered. Pain absorbing him as he clutched her blood soaked body, fumbling for a pulse.

"PLEASE DON'T DIE ON ME."

"I love you Hermione Granger, please don't die on me."