Christmas rolled around far too quickly for Hermione's liking, trees were dressed and Artemis was becoming unbearable with excitement. Her life had become a whirlwind of parties, gatherings, work, research and family.

Since Draco's confrontation with Severus, she couldn't simply think of him as Snape any longer, her husband had made an effort. He'd offered to shop for presents, held her in an evening for no reason and had stunned her into silence when he'd bought ice cream for her as a surprise.

Severus had encouraged her to leave the practical research to him whilst she tackled the theoretical, and so she spent more time at home in an attempt not to neglect neither her son nor their project. She missed their time together and had bought him gifts for the holiday, both from the family and a small but not insignificant personal one.

Hermione had planned the holidays down to the last second and had briefed Draco on each obligation that fell from Christmas Eve through to Boxing Day, he met it with a great deal of reluctance and twice demanded that 'everyone should just go to Hell, whilst we bask in the Maldives.' As pleasant as that sounded she just couldn't bring herself to avoid the family time and traditional fun.

They spent Christmas Eve with the Grangers and her extended family, which unfortunately resulted in Draco's old prejudices surfacing and a minor (luckily inconspicuous) hex being thrown at Great Uncle Frank. Artemis loved being able to play with the range of children that were present and was praised for having such a vivid and elaborate imagination when he spoke about flying and wanting to be a Quidditch player when he was older. Hermione found the whole event to be stressful and looked forward to returning home.

XXX

Christmas Day arrived in a flurry of wrapping paper and ribbon at 5am, far too early for Draco to be anything other than sulky and meant that Hermione was left to entertain Artemis after the gift giving so that he could return to the land of nod. They swapped around 10 so that she could dress and ready herself for the pending false joviality at Malfoy Manor; Narcissa always went overboard and invited a range of people that all hid their loathing for one another.

With her hair tamed into an elegant sweeping arrangement that took more than a little bit of lavish charm work, make-up applied simply, she then clad herself in crimson dress robes that flattered her slender curved figure. Together with Draco and Artemis she prepared to floo to the Manor, as they were about to leave Draco produced a small parcel from his robes and offered it to her. Unwrapping the box she saw a velvet box that when she opened it she saw a necklace, glinting in the light, he took it from her and placed the chain around her throat. She looked down and saw that a simple diamond was resting against her skin; she gently kissed her husband and offered thanks, which was received with a small smile. They grabbed floo powder and then stepped into the flames.

Arriving at the Manor they were escorted to the library by a sullen looking house elf, Artemis took off straight away to who knows where and could be heard giggling. Hermione smiled and looked around the room, spotting Ministry officials, 'former' Death Eaters and other notable figures, ignoring most of the others she went over towards Narcissa to thank her for the gifts. She actually quite enjoyed speaking with the elder woman, who was intelligent and well read, albeit with a slant towards more shallow literature.

Lunch was called at 2pm and they were all seated at the large dining table in the shadow of a Norwegian spruce, Hermione was seated between Artemis and Draco and opposite a blonde man, who she couldn't place but looked familiar. As lunch progressed she felt isolated from conversation, women were not able to add to intelligent conversation as, according to the male purebloods, it was beyond them.

"Mrs Malfoy." Hermione's head snapped up and she looked at the familiar man. "I've heard that you were the top of year at Hogwarts, what is your opinion on the situation with the centaurs in Europe?"

Her eyes went wide at the question, "I believe that the way that the pan-European Ministry is being pig headed and ignorant, they are not addressing the centaurs plight and as a result they will..."

"Hermione!" Draco warned, she looked pointedly at him before returning her gaze to the man across the table who was watching her with interest.

"The centaurs are being ignored and have no alternative course of action but to..." Draco pounded his fist on the table, rattling the cutlery.

"Can you not keep your inane comments to yourself witch?" She looked down at her meal and made no effort to continue the discussion, which flowed quite nicely without her contributions. She ate a few mouthfuls more and then politely excused herself, slipping from the table she withdrew from the room.

Hermione found herself sat in an alcove staring out at the miserable weather outside, she missed Christmases at Hogwarts, where snow fell and despite the often impending doom she enjoyed the day and felt at peace with the world. She wanted to cry, to scream and shout but nothing would come out, she mentally rifled through her options and quickly realised how limited they were. She could run, but to where, to whom?

A hand rested gently on her shoulder, she didn't pull away nor did she look up at who was stood by her. She closed her eyes and her mind escaped and snook off into to a fantasy.

A man placed his hand on her shoulder, merely to alert her to his presence, he said nothing and after a moment he placed a tender kiss to the exposed part of her neck. He then bit down harshly making her suck in a breath out of surprise, his tongue then laved over the now hyper sensitive area. His arms reached round and enveloped her in a warm embrace, kisses then were peppered down her throat eliciting a gentle moan from her. She turned in his arms and gazed into his eyes, pools of ink stared back at her and she opened her soul to him. Her body and heart melted as his lips fiercely crushed against hers, claiming her for his own and banishing any doubt in her mind that she could ever be with anyone else again.

"Hermione?" the dark man in her mind questioned.

"Hmmm?" she responded not wanting him to speak but to take her and totally claim her body and show her everything she'd been missing.

"Hermione?" he repeated and suddenly she snapped back to reality, the man in front of her was not dark, but light, disappointment rushed through her and she blinked, pasting on a smile.

"Sorry, I just wanted a moment. Can I help you?" She stood and looked at him.

"Draco is an arse," the man offered, Hemione stifled a bark of laughter. "That is an improvement, I'm sorry I put you on the spot."

"Don't worry Mr... I'm sorry I don't know your name." A smile crossed the man's face at her admission.

The man leant forward and silkily whispered, "come now Miss Granger, I thought you would recognise me anywhere."

Realisation hit her like a sledgehammer and a smile spread across her face, a scowl then crossed her features as she playfully punched him in the gut. "Severus, you... you... utter git."

He smirked and his true identity was undeniable. "So I've been told. Don't hide out here and let him get to you."

"I'm just composing myself. I'm glad you're here." She beamed at him, kissing his cheek gently she allowed him to lead her back to the dining hall and the remainder of the meal.

Xxx

AN: I apologise that this chapter is a bit bitty, but everything in it needed to be there and I hope you appreciate the intent behind the dodgy parts. Coming up New Year's eve...