All I want for Christmas is for this site to stop hacking at my chapters. 3 Cybrokat

Chapter Twelve

Hermione hated waiting on Ron. The children were both restless after spending long days with their mum. He was going to take them for part of the holidays but kept begging off, saying he would get them tomorrow, then he'd come get them the next day.

It was now New Year's Eve, and Ron was on his last straw. If he didn't come today, there would be no more bending of the rules. They were both new to their altered parental status, but she wasn't going to have the kids not know where they would be.

He finally showed up after dinnertime. Rose and Hugo were playing with the chess set Hugo had received from Severus, so Hermione took the opportunity to quietly usher him into a different room.

"And where have you been?"

"I'm so sorry, 'Mione. The guys have a big party going on for New Years. I ducked out for a bit to get the kids, and I'll drop them off atto Mum's for the night so that I can get back."

Hermione frowned. "And do your parents know this is the plan?"

"Well, no. I figured I'd tell them now. Bit of a surprise. "

"Ron," she admonished, "You've already used them as a babysitters. You hang out with the kids for a change. They never get to see you, and I bet they would love spending New Year's with you."

"But it's just that we've got a few scouts in, and this is the biggest party of the year. It'll just be tonight, I swear."

"Forget it. They will stay with me tonight. I can rent some movies and get popcorn, and we'll have a night in."

Ron sat in one of the dining room chairs. "But don't you have plans tonight?"

Hermione sat in the chair across from him. "No, of course not."

"Oh," hedged Ron.

"What do you know?"

"Well, nothing…" he answered in a shady voice.

"Spill it. I've known you since before you had facial hair, Ronald. Out with it."

Ron shifted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable. "I saw Snape was over the other night."

"You were spying on my house?"

"Yes. No. Well, kind of, but not really! See, I came over to see how the kids were, if they liked the gifts, maybe to see if they wanted to come over. But I saw he was over, so I left."

Hermione was enraged at his breach of her privacy. They weren't together anymore, by his choice. He couldn't just come and go as he pleased, and he certainly wasn't allowed to keep tabs on when who she had someone over, male or otherwise. And apparently she needed to set him straight on the children as well.

"You can't just pick them up when you want. From now on, your days are on your days. Anything different will have to be discussed and agreed upon between us, and there will not be changes. Second, how dare you just come and peek through the windows? I am not your wife anymore, and I do not answer to you!"

Ron held up his hands in surrender. "I know that, honest. Look, I was just curious, and it won't happen again. And, I dunno. I couldn't come in. I had to leave. You guys just looked so…"

"So what?"

"…So happy. And I wasn't a part of it." Ron grew quiet and rubbed at an old scratch in the table. "Is that what I've been missing all these years?"

A bit of Hermione's anger left her as she realized the conclusion Ron was coming to. His family had moved on, and largely without him. It wasn't that he was malicious or negligent. He was just absent. There was a separate life He led a separate life, completely different from hers. A part of him, she thought, wanted the life she led, but she knew most of it was whimsy, thinking or remembering his own home growing up. Ron was a great guy who should have just never had children.

"Yes," she told him. "It is."

The silence hung like dusty cobwebs. Ron sat at the dining room table, twisting the edge of a rolled cloth napkin.

"He's good for you guys. Snape, I mean."

"Ron, it's way too early to be thinking about anything like that. The ink has barely dried on our papers. We were together for fifteen years. I am not and will not be seen as the kind of woman who leaps from one man's bed to another. If I were interested in a relationship with someone, I would have the decency to wait a while."

Ron shrugged. "Just think about it. The kids seem to like him, for some reason. He seemed to like them, which is also odd. What was he smiling about?"

"Oh, you probably caught when Hugo called him Professor Severus."

"He didn't get mad?" asked Ron, surprised.

"No, he invited the kids to call him Severus. I just don't think Hugo was quite ready."

"Wow," said Ron, impressed. "He'd never let us do that."

Hermione rolled her eyes at her ex. "Well, they treat him with a little more respect, I think. Now go head to your party. I need to make some plans with the kids."

Hermione ushered Ron to the door, hoping she could get him out before the kids noticed he was there.

"Seriously though, if you decide anything, don't worry about me. I think it's a smashing plan. In fact, there is someone I might be getting serious with."

"Oh really?" asked Hermione, one hand on the door as he was leaving. "And just when did this happen?"

"About two months ago. I got with her just before things were final between us. It was just chemical."

"Oh, so, right when I was helping Rose with her tutoring and mourning the end of our marriage and sorting out how to break it to the kids, you were out hooking up with some bimbo?"

"Well, you were seeing Snape!"

Hermione's back straightened. "I was not seeing Snape! But you can bet if I want to, I will now!"

"Good! And she isn't a bimbo! Or a git like Snape! Her name is–-FUCK, HERMIONE!" Ron screamed as the door slammed in his face with an audible and sickening crack. "You broke my nose!"

"So use Episkey!" Hermione yelled back before turning into her home to find both kids standing in the doorway, Hugo still holding a wriggling rook.

"Mum? Was that Dad?" asked Hugo.

Rose stood dejected. "We're not seeing him tonight, are we?"

Hermione put on her happy face, hoping it didn't look too false. "Your dad has some other things to do. What do you think about a party with just the three of us? I'll make eggnog and some cookies. Maybe we can make a special dinner."

Hugo asked his mum, "Can Professor Severus come?"

"Oh, honey, I'm not sure if he has plans for tonight."

Rose brightened. "But you can ask."

"I'll Floo him, okay?"

The mood in the house was lifted, and the kids did a little dance in the background as Hermione Flooed Severus' rooms, pleased he had added her to his connections.

Severus wasn't sure why exactly he wanted to join the chaos in Hermione's household, but he did know that as his brain was thinking of excuses, his mouth said yes, he would be right over.

"Bring Butterbeer!"" shouted a happy Rose behind her mum.

After a short trip to Hogsmeade, Severus came through the door with Butterbeer for the kids and a bottle of champagne for him and Hermione. She was pulling more baked goods from the oven. He wondered what it was about the holidays and cooking. Often students mentioned going home to have the Christmas goodies. He hadn't experienced that much. His mother had never been one to cook, and the house-elves of Hogwarts always cooked in an abundance, regardless of the day. There was a different feeling about fresh cookies made just for you, and just for the season.

"I made you your own batch of the snickerdoodles you ate so much of at Christmas, Severus, and some chocolate chip for the kids."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he told her.

She laughed and put another pan in the oven. "Of course you don't. Well, they are here, just in case someone decides they'd like some."

Severus followed her into the living room, grabbing a warm cookie on his way.

"You're in blue!" Rose announced.

Hermione and Hugo both looked at Severus' attire. She had admittedly completely missed it when she answered the door, too flustered after her argument with her ex. He looked rather dashing. The clothes were similar to what he normally wore, but the deep blue was a nice change.

"And so I am," Severus told her.

Hermione smiled at him and tugged on the ends of his jacket. "You look great."

"As do you," he answered. "And the weasels."

Hugo looked indignant. "I am not a weasel!"

"He's teasing, Hugo," answered Rose, "And thank you, Professor."

Both kids had dressed up like they would have on Christmas, expecting to be out celebrating with their dad. Instead of having them changing, Hermione had dressed up a bit as well, knowing she didn't need to tell Severus to dress formally. Now they could have a small, elegant party.

The television was on so that they could see the ball drop, a novelty for Severus, and a tradition for the rest. New Year's resolutions were discussed. Hugo wanted to beat Severus at chess, Rose wanted to pass her classes— – and maybe get to be friends with Scorpius—and Severus just wanted to make it through another year.

"I bet there will be a few changes in store for you," said Hermione with a wink.

Flirtation was still new to him. It was odd having a witch wink at him and toss her hair. He knew what it meant, it just wasn't usually meant for him. But that didn't mean he was going to let it pass by. He was the head of Slytherin.

"Perhaps for you as well," he answered in the silky rumble he could tell made her toes curl. "And what is your resolution? To be a housewife?"

"Pft, I think not. I'm not sure, actually," she told him.

"To read every book ever published?"

"As if I could," she answered wistfully.

"Burn some more cookies?"

"The cookies!"

Jumping off the couch, she made it just in time to save the batch.

"That's okay, Mum, I like them a bit darker," Hugo told her, holding out his plate.

When she had sat back down and her heart rate had slowed, Severus again needled her on her resolution.

"Collect dust bunnies? Eventually be able to stop pestering me for tutoring? Finally stop moping about?"

She huffed. "As if you're one to talk! I'll have you know I was a very successful spell researcher with several patents in my name, and I could be again in a heartbeat."

"I highly doubt it," he said with his drawl.

"Fine! That's what I'll do then. I'll have two new patents by the end of the year."

He just smirked at her from the other side of the couch.

"Three then!"

"If you get three patents by the end of the year, I shall apply to be your house-elf."

"I'm holding you to that!" piped up Rose with, Hugo nodding in agreement.

Shite. He didn't hadn't thought the kids were listening. He knew he would be held to it now, and for the first time, secretly wished she would fail.

Although, being her house-elf might not be a bad position…

It wasn't long before the kids were counting down to the ball dropping. As they neared the end, Hermione grabbed Severus' robes and pulled him around the corner.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"This," she answered and kissed him soundly.

He peeked to where both kids were glued to some pop star's concert on the telly. Seizing the moment, his hands grasped her hair, and he pulled her back in.

Surprised but enthusiastic, she wrapped her arms around him and gave herself over. His warm breath smelled of cinnamon, hers was tinged with champagne. She pressed up against him in a wanton way she hadidn't known she was capable of.

"Stop, stop, stop," she whispered.

He immediately ceased, horror struck.

"The kids," she said. "I will take this too far for my dining room. They'll go to bed soon. Then we can see what happens."

He relaxed somewhat, fear of being rejectedion abated, but as for his desire for her, the coals were merely stoked. But he could be patient when it promised greater rewards.

Once back in the room, her daughter gave her a telling look but wisely kept silent.

Rose and Hugo watched the rest of the New Year's programming. Looking up at the clock, Rose saw it was nearly two in the morning. "Probably time for bed, Hugo."

Looking behind them, both were stunned silent.

Their mum and their professor were fast sleep, a blanket over their laps and her head resting on his. His arm was around her. They appeared to be holding hands.

"I'm not sure if I'm okay with this," said Hugo.

"You will be," said Rose. "For Mum. Just scrub your eyes first. C'mon, let's go to bed before they catch us staring."

Later that morning, Hermione woke with a start. Rubbing the unladylike drool from her cheek, she woke Severus.

"Hmm? What?"

"Severus!" she whispered. "You've got to get up!"

"I see. I shall see myself to the door."

"No, you stupid git, this way."

Severus looked at her, confused as to her meaning.

"My room."

That he understood. "But what about the children? In the morning?"

Hermione rolled her eyes in the darkness. "Are you a wizard, or aren't you? Apparate."

Severus hesitated a moment before an article of clothing hit him in the face. It was her blouse.

He asked no more questions.