I feel sooooo terrible about leaving for about, oh I don't know, a YEAR! I really can't say how sorry I am. So I'll cut to the chase and give you what you really want, a chapter!
Although Hermione had helped Severus decorate the trees in the Great Hall in years past, she had never really paid much attention to how little work he had actually done, how very little spirit he had. Each and every Christmas song and carol that came out of the radio he scoffed at and it was becoming quite the bother. Garland was draped around Hermione's shoulders, making her look like a Christmas sprite and she refused to let his cold shoulder to Christmas darken her afternoon.
"Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, You gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special."
"Must you sing Hermione? It really isn't necessary is it?" Severus looked at her in disdain. She stood on her tiptoes, precariously balanced as she leaned and stretched to place an ornament on the branch that was out of reach. Looking over her shoulder at him for a moment was all the acknowledgement she gave.
"A crowded room, friends with tired eyes
I'm hiding from you and your soul of ice
My God I thought you were someone to rely on
Me? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on
A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
A man undercover but you tore me apart
Oooh Oooh
Now I've found real love you'll never fool me again."
Severus looked at her. Her top rode up along her back and he forced himself to look away. 'She's your wife,' said a voice but he shook his head. 'By law only. It matters not if I…..don't mind her,' he thought but the other voice butted back in. 'You like her, enjoy her, and obviously appreciate her appearance.' Severus rolled his eyes and turned towards the window, placing a ceramic Father Christmas on the sill.
"Severus?" He turned back around to face Hermione. She was glaring up at the tree, ornament in hand.
"Yes?"
"…..I'm too short." He laughed at her statement, walking over to her.
"What do you mean?"
"I can't reach the branch and I've been trying for the past few minutes. Mind helping?" He looked down at her as she presented the ornament to him. Taking it he asked where she wanted the colourful ball to hang. One ornament turned into two into three and on. . . .
Severus stepped back, appraising the work they had done decorating. Tinsel, garland, lights, ornaments, adorned the tree. Candles graced the fireplace as well as stockings and (upon Hermione's insistence that her mother would simply put it up anyway) a sprig of mistletoe dangled in the doorframe. The only thing missing was the angel tree topper. He reached for it and Hermione who had been looking around at the decorations as well smacked his hand away.
"What was that for?"
"You can't put the angel on. It's tradition, we wait until we're all together on Christmas Eve," she said as he rolled his eyes.
"Hasn't tradition ever heard of efficiency?"
"Obviously not, so there."
"Such a child you are," he said and she stuck out her tongue at him as if to prove this fact.
"Christmas brings out the child in everyone. That's the best part." And the look in her eyes made him believe it.
I know it's short but I feel so bad about leaving the story I kind of need the encouragement that some of you are still there. I hope you like what I have at least. Love all of you guys! Check out the poll on my profile please!
~Lilly Rae~