Characters: JK Story: Me Christmas time is here, happiness and cheer. Friendship grows and an unexpected guest arrives.
The next day Minerva McGonagall was pleasantly surprised to see the Muggle Studies teacher back at the breakfast table so early and looking so happy. She was even more surprised when the Potions teacher arrived and sat down next to her and civilly addressed her by her first name, and then, wonder of wonders, proceeded to talk to her throughout the entire meal. She wondered what could've happened to cause such a change in behavior, but since she didn't want to ruin a good thing when she had it, she didn't ask.
Hermione and Snape continued to work together, two nights a week with very little awkwardness and occasional flirting. They talked more often and even laughed together. They learned things about each other that they had in common, neither of them liked quidditch, both of them had a fondness for muggle literature, and although she'd never tell anyone, Hermione grew to like him even more.
It was because of this that she went into Scrivenschaft's one night during the last Hogsmeade visit of the year. She wanted to buy him a Christmas gift. He was not sentimental and didn't approve of buying stuff that just ended up as clutter. If it was the thought that counted he really wished people would put more thought into the things they buy him. Hermione was not the "brightest witch of her age" for nothing. Fifteen minutes later she left the shop with a beautiful emerald green journal embossed with two silver entwined S's and several eagle feather quills.
It was a simple gift, one that she was sure he'd use since he was always writing notes on potion improvements and experiments. She would save it and give it to him Christmas morning. She was going to stay at Hogwarts for the holidays since she really felt she had no where else to go. Things were still tense at the Weasley's since and Ron and once you've informed your parents that you've obliviated them, holiday gatherings can be quite tense. Still even without family to visit she was looking forward to the holidays and there was no denying that Snape, no he was Severus now, was large part of that.
Christmas Eve arrived and once again the school was decorated to the nines. Most of the students had gone home and in a nod to house unity and Dumbledore, McGonagall insisted that everyone sit at one table. As usual Snape sat down next to Hermione eager to continue their conversation from earlier. However it was not to be as the door to the Great Hall opened with a bang and she stopped in mid-sentence to run to the figure that stood in the doorway.