So I just realized that I need to have a Severus/Hermione kiss! It's coming I can just tell you that :) I know you are all impatient. By the way, it's the Saturday December 19th, 1998 (checked a calendar). Christmas holiday usually starts a week before Christmas for Hogwarts students and professors. Just a bit of trivia for my dear Potterlovers :) So that means that they are 5 days away from Christmas, that is if you don't count Christmas Day. My boyfriend is rather amused at my Harry Potter obsession and laughed when I told him I went to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and spent $31.25 on Hermione Granger's wand, which happens to be GORGEOUS! Oh and just to let you know, Butterbeer is pretty freaking tasty! Hogsmead was amazing, except for the fact that they had a shop or two there that were supposed to be in Diagon Alley but I suppose I can't complain because that meant I got to go into Ollivander's. Onto the story!

Hermione lay on her stomach, quill in hand as she wrote to Harry and Ron. Severus was occupied with a book in one of the armchairs so had decided to take the time to write her boys. But as much as she wished to share with them what was going on, there was really no way she could relay the trip so far to them without getting a howler in return. The boys wanted her to have a happy trip of course. They just didn't want Snape to be the cause of it, and if she was being completely honest with herself, he was. The parchment in front of her on a book on the floor simply wasn't going to be filled with the truth's about this vacation. Or at least not to the boys. 'Ginny would understand, at least a good bit more than those two,' she thought, chewing on the end of her quill as her mother walked in.

"Goodness, I must say you've done a lovely job on decorating. And here Hermione told us all these years 'Professor Snape never really seems to get into the Christmas spirit'," said Ameila with a laugh. Hermione's turned pink as her hair fell down around her face, blocking it from Severus's view.

His eyebrow arched up as he looked over at the witch on the floor. "Is that so?" he queried. "Why, all these years I thought I was just bursting at the seams with Christmas spirit. Its so very hard not to when you're around hundreds of students going on and on of nothing else." The tone of sarcasm in is voice was softened by a bit of a laugh at the girl.

"Of course you did 'Sev.' You positively oozed it," Hermione teased, feeling a little tingle as she used a nickname. 'Sev? Hermione, girl, what are you thinking?'

Now it may be true that there was something there that wasn't there before, but that didn't mean that either would admit it to themselves. But Ameila smiled at the two and glanced up at the mistletoe above her in the doorway. She could see it even if they couldn't.

Dear Ginny,

I know it's only been two days since I last saw you, you wouldn't believe how my Christmas Holiday is going. The professor is actually getting along with my family which is a lovely change from most people hating him. It certainly makes things easier. We just finished Christmas decorating. You wouldn't believe that it really is Severus if you saw him. We went to the beach, you know how dearly I love being there. Life seems so much easier here than at Hogwarts. There are no prying eyes or rude comments. I so miss the snow though.

Give my best wishes to your family, that is if your mother is still speaking to me for not coming. Remind the boys not to let their studies slack even if we are on holiday.

Best Wishes,

Hermione G- Snape

She rolled up the parchment and took it over to the owl she had called for earlier, and gave it to the gentle bird, petting it before sending the beast off the the Burrow. She was still not used to being a Snape, especially now that she was home in the Granger household. Her life was so changed and yet she didn't feel as ill at ease as she once had. Comfortable was a good description of her life at the moment. She let out a sigh and grabbed her clutch, heading for the door.

"Where are you going?"

She turned around and saw Severus standing in the living room doorway. "Out, I have to do some Christmas shopping."

He nodded silently, looking thoughtful before asking, "Do you mind if I join you?" She was taken aback but smiled.

"Not at all."

It's so good to be home. Surfing scraped me up a good little bit. OH! Do you like my icon? It's on my profile and it's of me in front of Hogwarts! Totally happy :)

Hermione and Severus going shopping, so cute right? They are getting closer. Just remember that little bit of mistletoe. Seems Ameila is an eye twinkler just like Albus. Check out my profile please :) there's a poll for this story :) VOTE! I NEED YOU!

~Lilly Rae~