Much thanks to my editor, Gwen McCormick, and to my dear friend DUJ. All mistakes are mine. Obviously, I am not JKR and am making nothing from this.

The Course of True Love

Chapter 14

Saturday, December 19, 1998

Severus shook his head as he gazed around at his cramped quarters. His Head of Slytherin rooms were crammed from one end to the other. The things he kept from Spinner's End were stacked neatly in the corner behind the door. Then, there were the few things he'd inherited from this Prince grandparents. They were set along the opposite wall.

He had completed all of the minor repairs and updates on Rose Cottage. Now, he was in the process of packing the things he'd collected during his years of teaching. The odds and ends, valuable texts, anything that wasn't currently essential needed to be packed and readied for transport with the rest of his things.

He hoped to get them all transferred to Rose Cottage during the holidays. And with Hermione's help, it seemed it just might happen. Severus lifted his head to watch her as she set the last of his personal books inside the crate. How did this happen? he asked himself. In so short a time she's become a friend, an important friend that you don't deserve.

He cleared his throat. "I truly appreciate your help, Hermione." Severus said. "It's Christmas break, and I know you have other commitments."

"Oh, nothing very pressing," she remarked with a smile.

"At any rate, I thank you for your assistance," he said with a nod, "and for your friendship." He smiled, showing his recently improved smile, but then he noticed her eyes widen, a grin on her face.

Realizing what he'd done, he slowly allowed his lips to relax covering his teeth. If I hear one more Gryffindor gushing about my 'handsome' new smile, I may vomit, he thought sourly. I should never have allowed Poppy to straighten them much less whiten them! He narrowed his eyes, daring her to address the hippogriff in the room. If she says one word, just one word about me-

Oh, no, she thought, if I comment on his new smile, he'll blast me like he did Minerva, but I don't want to ignore it either! Hmm, how would a Slytherin handle this? Then, she knew. "Madam Pomfrey does good work," Hermione told him.

Severus' eyes widened in surprise. Ten points to Granger, he thought. She's managed to give me a compliment wrapped up in a compliment to Poppy.

"She does," he replied softly. He cleared his throat and decided a change of topic was in order. "I was wondering, Hermione, what sort of Christmas traditions your family followed. Rose Cottage is in a Muggle village, you see, and I'd like to fit in."

"You mean Muggle Christmas traditions?" she asked. "But I thought-"

He replied quietly, "Yes, I grew up in a Muggle home. The few Christmas traditions I remember were from before my Grandmother Snape passed away. I want to know about your traditions. What sort of things did Father Christmas bring you? I'll bet as an only child you received many presents."

"Then you'd lose," she replied with a laugh. "At our house Father Christmas followed the Four Gift Rule. I always received something I needed, something I wanted, something to wear, and something to read."

"I like that," he mused. "It's a very good idea. And what else did you do?"

"We would always put up our tree on the first of December," she reminisced. "Dad would light the fireplace, put on some Christmas music, and string the lights on the tree while Mum and I baked goodies in the kitchen. Then, together we'd decorate the tree while munching on biscuits and drinking eggnog or cider."

She paused, and her face turned red. "Oh, but I'm babbling. I'm sorry."

"Not at all," he said quickly. "Please continue." She paints such a vivid, joyful image. I can just imagine it. The flickering flames, the gingerbread, the cider, the twinkling lights. The family laughing and decorating the tree. His lips lifted in a contented smile. If only I could have something like that, he thought.

"We'd spend the next weeks shopping, wrapping gifts, and sneaking them under the tree. Maybe we'd go to see a movie or a play together or a concert. My dad loved the London Philharmonic. And once we were lucky enough to attend midnight service at Westminster Abbey."

She turned to him, her eyes all aglow, and he felt himself beaming with joy without even knowing the reason. He smiled pulling crow's feet at the corners of his shining dark eyes. "Tell me." Keep her talking. Keep her laughing. Bask in her sunshine, he urged himself.

Her voice took on a tone of hushed awe. "It was – it was, well, such a spiritual experience! The candles and the stained glass! There were carols and music, and then, as we left – it was after midnight, so it was Christmas Day – the bells were ringing, and it started to snow. The flakes were fluffy and falling all around us in the dark, and it was so magical and wonderful." She closed her eyes and turned her face upwards, remembering, then she opened them again.

"It sounds wonderful," he murmured softly. "I hope one day that I might have such an experience."

"What about you, Severus?" she asked. "What kind of Christmas traditions did your family have?" His mood darkened, and she was instantly sorry she'd brought the subject up.

"Nothing as wonderful as yours," he answered shortly. Seeing her look of regret, he sighed. "I am sorry, Hermione. I didn't mean to dampen your mood." He turned his back and began separating stacks papers.

"Severus," she blurted out, "what are you doing Monday? The 21st?"

He blinked at the sudden change of subject and turned around to face her. "I was planning on shopping that day. Why?"

"Well," she answered cheerily, "I've got those tickets to see the Royal Ballet, and I was wondering if you'd like to go with me It's the matinee performance, so formal attire is not required."

"You want me to go with you to see the Royal Ballet?" He gave her a blank look.

"Well, yes," she said hopefully.

"Mr. Weasley doesn't wish to accompany you?" he asked with some confusion.

"Ron's made it very clear that he doesn't want to go," she said with a sigh. "He can't get past the name."

Severus laughed aloud. "The Nutcracker?" He laughed again. "Yes, Hermione, I'd be honored to escort you to the ballet."

"Thank you, Severus," she answered. "I was almost afraid to ask you, thinking you'd refuse." She sat cross-legged on the floor. "It's always more fun to do things with a friend than alone."

"Severus?" Aurora Sinistra called out. She gave a belated knock on his door. "I wanted to remind you that the Ministry's auction begins today."

"Thank you, Aurora," Severus answered.

"You'll want to get to the Kingsley's office just before noon." She reached into the folds of her cloak and handed him a bag. "Here. You'll need this."

"Thank you," he replied. As Grandfather Prince's clock struck the three-quarter hour, he looked at Hermione. "Would you-" he paused, uncertain just how to ask for a favor. "I was hoping to move these things today."

Hermione smiled, stood, and held out her hand. "Give me the address and key," she told him. "I'll move as much as I can until you get back."

Although Rose Cottage was technically a part of an English Muggle village, it was at the far end of town, set between the forest on one side and a sweeping view of the sea on the other. The road, which ran through town, wound up the hill past the property and curved away.

Hermione apparated into a small clearing in the woods, part of the back yard, and walked towards the house. Her feet crunched in the snow as she crossed the lawn. How lovely, she thought. A covered porch. And those brambles to the side must be roses.

The back door lead to the living area containing a stacked stone fireplace, dark wood bookcases, no doubt magically enlarged, and a dining area. Incendio! She cast the spell at the fireplace, and instantly merry flames crackled to life. She moved closer to warm her hands and caught sight of the view.

This side of the house faced the ocean, and she could find no words to describe the beauty of it. Simply stunning! With a smile, she looked around to find that the living and dining rooms were painted a soothing blue-green, matching the seascape outside. A new dark brown leather sofa sat opposite the fireplace, on either side of which were two overstuffed green chairs. And a television! Severus, I'm impressed.

The dining table was of a dark wood, probably mahogany, and oval. Four Windsor chairs with green cushions sat around. It's so homey, so cozy and inviting! To the left of the dining room was a large, open kitchen. The latest Muggle appliances, all in ivory white, gleamed softly in the firelight.

She removed several packages from the pockets of her winter robe and set them on the floor. Engorgio! Hermione smiled. Well, your things are here, she thought, waiting to be unpacked.

Quickly, she continued past the kitchen to find an office much like his at Hogwarts. This one was much more Muggle friendly, though. And beyond that was a staircase and the front porch. Hermione peaked through the front window, seeing the village at the bottom on the hill.

Taking the stairs leading upward, Hermione found two identical bedrooms and a bath. All were stark, empty, and of little interest. She returned to the living room, wondering where Severus would stay. Surely, he isn't going to sleep on the sofa!

Then, she noticed the door she'd missed before. It led into the master bedroom. A king-sized bed took up most of the floor space, but it did leave room for a chest, dresser, and matching nightstands. Green seemed the predominate color in this room. Then she was hit by the thought that she really shouldn't be in his bedroom. Curiosity killed the cat, Hermione, she thought. Oh, well, in for a penny, in for a pound. She moved further into the next room to find a large bath and walk-in closet.

"Hermione!" Severus called out.

Shite! Hermione ran towards the living room. "Severus!" she answered. "Where are you?" She met him in the kitchen. "Where? Where did you come from?"

He smiled and pointed behind him. "The garage by way of the laundry room. I see you've been exploring." He laughed as the blood drained from her face. "It's all right. So, what do you think?"

"I love it," she gushed. "It's warm and homey, large enough for a family but small enough to still be easily managed. And the colors!"

"I chose the greens because of the sea view," he said, "and because they are relaxing. There's even a workshop in the garage that I've magically enhanced for a private potions lab." He moved to the stack of boxes. "I think I'm going to have a chance to make up for my childhood here."

"You should see Spinner's End," she said with a groan. "Mr. Parkinson has been offering suggestions to make it more marketable, and I've hated every single one of them."

"Not that I care-" He enlarged the Prince Grandfather clock and set it in the entry way. "-one whit for that place, but what changes have you made?" He began magically moving the books to the shelves.

"Well, for one, all the bookcases are gone. They were sacrificed to enlarge the breakfast nook, which is now a formal dining room complete with mirrored wall and chandelier. I know! It's awful."

"These go in the kitchen." Severus pointed to three boxes, and together, they began to unpack. "It sounds dreadful. What else?"

"Would you believe the fashionable thing now is to have a white fireplace? So, I painted the brick white. I don't know how the new owner will ever keep it clean." She joined him in laughing. "I feel sorry for whoever buys it."

"Don't," he told her. "Just be glad you won't have to live there. I know I am." He stood up and looked around. A smile a satisfaction on his face. "Thank you, Hermione," he told her. "I could never have completed this without you."

"You're welcome, Severus," she told him.

"It's getting late," he said. "Why don't we go down to the pub in the village and get some supper. Then I'll escort you back to Hogwarts before Minerva sends out a search party."

She laughed. "It sounds great. Let's go."