A/N: Chapter 20! Woah. I didn't not plan on making this story more than 15 chapter, but...hmm. Anyway, to the reviewer that told me not to rush the story...I wont, I promise!

Chapter 20: Beginning the Break

Hermione wished the boys a happy christmas as they left and sighed, contently. She was one of just four students staying for the Christmas break. She headed up to the library to study for homework that wasn't due until a week after break. She finished the long research essay for Potions just before lunch and headed down to the Great Hall. There was a single table at the head of the room. It was smaller than the usual head table, as most of the professors went home for the break as well.

Hermione took the only open seat, next to Severus. She smiled up at him before pulling a small portion of food onto her plate. She glanced up from her plate seeing Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall, Hagrid, two Slytherins, and a Ravenclaw sitting at the table. She sighed, realizing how empty the castle would feel for the next two weeks.

Biting her lip, Hermione smiled, realizing that she would be able to spend some time with Severus. Plucking up her courage, she placed a hand on his thigh, noticing that he startled slightly but recovered before anyone else noticed. She squeezed his thigh lightly before feeling his hand on top of hers as he continued to eat so he did not rise suspicion.

It was Severus' turn to smirk as he gripped her hand and pulled it further up his thigh, brushing lightly against his length. She gasped quietly and pulled her hand back. All eyes turned to her and she blushed, biting her lip. "S-sorry...I thought there was a spider on my arm..." she lied, pinching his thigh.

The rest of lunch was uneventful, and Minerva pulled Hermione and the Ravenclaw boy aside. "You are both old enough to care for yourselves. I have no problem with you both going out of the castle as you please. This being said, you are expected to attend every meal. Please ask if you would like to go down to Hogsmeade for a few hours at any point. Curfew is not being enforced though you are not allowed out of the castle after 10 pm."

The pair nodded and headed their separate ways. Hermione noticed Severus speaking to the two Slytherins, assuming that they were receiving a similar speech. Hermione headed down to the dungeons to wait for Severus. "Are you absolutely out of your mind?" she demanded once the Potion's Master had entered the room.

Severus smirked. "You started it," he said, heading into his office.

Hermione followed him closely. "You took it too far-" she ran right into him when he stopped dead and spun to face her.

He smirked and leant down to kiss her fully on the lips. He chuckled as he pulled away, seeing her dumbfounded look. "So that's what it takes to shut you up."

Hermione frowned. "Now, I was only-" Once again, she was silenced by lips upon hers. She sighed and scowled at him when he pulled away.

Smiling, Severus led her into his rooms and they sat together on the couch, in front of the fire. "Why did you stay over break?" he asked.

Hermione bit her lip and shrugged. "Well, Mum and Dad mentioned going on holiday so I offered staying. Plus..." her face flushed. "I wanted to be with you..."

Severus smiled, running his hands through her hair. "Why in Merlin's name would you ever want to spend Christmas with me?" he asked. "I'm not exactly a bundle of Christmas joy."

Hermione giggled. "You're not a sour as you come off to everyone else. In fact...when we're alone, you're kind, gentle...I may even venture to say, sweet," she teased him gently.

Severus laughed and smiled as she turned around so they were facing each other. She laid her head down on his chest and sighed happily. "D-do you think anyone would notice if..." she hesitated. "If I stayed down here with you for the break?"

"I'm not sure," Severus answered truthfully. "Probably not. Minerva and Albus will be together all break. As long as you're at meals, you're fine. I know I never check up on the Slytherins."

Hermione smiled and blushed. "Well...what would you think if I spent all of break down here?" she asked.

Severus smiled. "I think I would be quite alright with that."

Hermione bit her lip. "I finished my essay..." she told him.

"Already?" he asked, surprised. "I only assigned it yesterday. May I see it?"

Hermione shook her head, smirking. "Nope. Not until I turn it in," she said. "You know...you were the only teacher that assigned homework over the break."

Severus chuckled. "And?"

Hermione shrugged. "Simply a observation...although, I think that some of the other professors should have done the same."

Severus laughed. "You know, you are the only student that would ever say that."

"Well...what am I to do for the next two weeks?"

"I thought you were spending it with me..." he teased.

"Well, of course...but I assumed you would be brewing for some small percentage of the break..."

Severus nodded. "Most likely. You're more than welcome to help me," he invited.

Hermione's eyes lit up. "I would love to!"

A/N: That's all for now. Up next: Hermione gives Severus exchange Christmas gifts, and things heat up? We'll see.

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