"Hermione! Draco!" yelled Harry as he and Ron thumped obnoxiously up the
stairs. "Wake up! It's Christmas!!!" Hermione wanted to simply lie there
and sleep for a few more hours, but her friends wouldn't allow it. Soon
they were all in Hermione and Draco's common room with their presents,
tearing at them excitedly. At least the boys were--Hermione was must more
systematic when it came to Christmas gifts. She slowly untied the ribbons
on each one, and delicately tore the wrapping paper only at one end of each
box. The boys were frustrated by the fact that she was only halfway done
when they had nothing left to open. How could she be so patient with her
gifts? Didn't she want to know what was in those prettily wrapped boxes?
Of course, it was because Hermione wanted to enjoy her gifts for as long as possible. To her, it seemed that Christmas always ended too soon, and it was fun to drag it out. Who wouldn't relish the anticipation of the agonizingly slow unwrapping of a mysterious gift? She had sent Severus his gifts this morning--a first edition of a book he'd been wanting, and some very....interesting....underwear. She figured she might as well get him something that she could enjoy, too. Her final gift had been a silver pendant--it was a dragon, but it also managed to look rather snake-like, which amused her. Its eyes were made of onyx and the little dragon had instantly reminded her of Severus.
Her own gifts had been fantastic--Harry had given her some fancy quills and a copy of "Quidditch for Dummies," Ron had given her more candy than she could eat, and Draco had gotten her an advanced Arithmancy book. For Draco, she had applied magic to a broken DVD player to make it work, and Harry and Ron had gotten Draco as many Monte Python DVDs as they could find. They all gave Ron enough Chudley Cannons gear to last him until next Christmas, and Harry was given a new exploding snaps deck and his own set of chess pieces to practice with.
Naturally, Hermione's favorite gifts were the ones from Severus. He had sent her a hefty volume on potions, Ovid's 'Metamorphoses,' and a delicate necklace bearing an intricate silver phoenix. Hermione was delighted with it and wore it under her robes to breakfast that day. Actually, once it was on, she almost never took it off.
Breakfast was an interesting affair, as Dumbledore was thrilled to show off his new socks and Trelawney wanted to try out a Tarot deck she'd recieved. Hermione made sure to catch Snape's eye and run her finger along the chain around her neck subtly. He grinned and inclined his head, revealing his own silver chain. Dumbledore took that moment to ask Ron about his brother's work in Romania.
"Actually, the dragons are doing well, especially Norbert." Everyone laughed. "I was thinking after I did my own work with Nagas in India, I'd head east with Charlie and we'd study some oriental dragons." Dumbledore nodded. "Ah, a good plan. Chinese dragons are a very important part of that county, even for muggles. The phoenix is often used as the female counterpart to the dragon, which makes Fawkes proud although he is very secure in his own masculinity. They even say," the Headmaster paused to glance quickly at Hermione and Severus, "that a dragon and a phoenix together symbolize the perfect marriage." Snape rolled his eyes and Hermione acted like she hadn't noticed Dumbledore's meaningful glance. Both were shocked by that interesting observation-their gifts had been completely spontaneous. Then Trelawney begged Hermione to let her try out her Tarot deck. "Oh, come on Hermione," McGonagall finally stepped in. "It won't take long." She added with a whisper, "Besides, it'll shut her up." Hermione grudgingly nodded her consent and with a squeal of delight Trelawney began to lay out her cards.
"Oh dear," Trelawney clucked as she turned over a card. "It seems to me that your love life is rather dead. When was the last time you even went on a date?" Hermione looked at Severus and just said, "Oh, I don't remember."
"Wow, Hermione, I think you're under an even worse dry spell than poor Severus over there. Not including the action he obviously got on Halloween night," Trelawney continued. Draco snorted, and Snape sent Trelawney a death glare. McGonagall and Hooch exchanged an amused smile and continued to watch the fun.
By the end, Hermione discovered that she was going to die an old maid and that she would get stuck doing secretarial work somewhere, most likely within the ministry. Suddenly she was thankful that she'd never been drawn to take classes in divination. Snape caught her eye a couple of times, and his eyes betrayed his amusement to her. If she had indeed been suffering from a romantic dry spell, it would have ended that very night--with the arrival of a monsoon.
New Years also passed pleasantly. Hermione was happy to spend her time either with her friends or with Severus.
Severus hadn't thought it possible to love Hermione more than he already did, but it had happened. Something about her still excited him every time he thought about her, and especially every time she came near. It saddened him to think that she'd probably move on after seventh year. She wanted to teach, yes--but what were the chances of her getting a job at Hogwarts? And who was to say she'd want to? Severus had decided not to tell her exactly what he wanted because he was afraid she'd stay out of a misplaced sense of obligation. And he knew that if she were to stay only because of him, he might not have the strength to tell her to do the right thing instead.
But another problem was worrying him more these days. The Dark Mark had begun to burn again, and it was making is black, ugly presence known more insistently than ever. Snape knew that soon it would be time for him to make his decision: would he return to the Dark Lord and try to convince him of his loyalty? Or would he remain cloistered within Hogwarts grounds until Voldemort was defeated and it was safe for him to emerge again? He also knew that Hermione was going to be in very serious danger.
He had to speak to Albus immediately.
**A/N** What's up everybody? I'm trying to update as quickly as possible, but I'm tired today so this might be it. I love my reviews! You guys make me so happy! Hope you're still liking it. Anyway, just how long does everyone want this to be? Your opinions are very much appreciated! I love you all!
Of course, it was because Hermione wanted to enjoy her gifts for as long as possible. To her, it seemed that Christmas always ended too soon, and it was fun to drag it out. Who wouldn't relish the anticipation of the agonizingly slow unwrapping of a mysterious gift? She had sent Severus his gifts this morning--a first edition of a book he'd been wanting, and some very....interesting....underwear. She figured she might as well get him something that she could enjoy, too. Her final gift had been a silver pendant--it was a dragon, but it also managed to look rather snake-like, which amused her. Its eyes were made of onyx and the little dragon had instantly reminded her of Severus.
Her own gifts had been fantastic--Harry had given her some fancy quills and a copy of "Quidditch for Dummies," Ron had given her more candy than she could eat, and Draco had gotten her an advanced Arithmancy book. For Draco, she had applied magic to a broken DVD player to make it work, and Harry and Ron had gotten Draco as many Monte Python DVDs as they could find. They all gave Ron enough Chudley Cannons gear to last him until next Christmas, and Harry was given a new exploding snaps deck and his own set of chess pieces to practice with.
Naturally, Hermione's favorite gifts were the ones from Severus. He had sent her a hefty volume on potions, Ovid's 'Metamorphoses,' and a delicate necklace bearing an intricate silver phoenix. Hermione was delighted with it and wore it under her robes to breakfast that day. Actually, once it was on, she almost never took it off.
Breakfast was an interesting affair, as Dumbledore was thrilled to show off his new socks and Trelawney wanted to try out a Tarot deck she'd recieved. Hermione made sure to catch Snape's eye and run her finger along the chain around her neck subtly. He grinned and inclined his head, revealing his own silver chain. Dumbledore took that moment to ask Ron about his brother's work in Romania.
"Actually, the dragons are doing well, especially Norbert." Everyone laughed. "I was thinking after I did my own work with Nagas in India, I'd head east with Charlie and we'd study some oriental dragons." Dumbledore nodded. "Ah, a good plan. Chinese dragons are a very important part of that county, even for muggles. The phoenix is often used as the female counterpart to the dragon, which makes Fawkes proud although he is very secure in his own masculinity. They even say," the Headmaster paused to glance quickly at Hermione and Severus, "that a dragon and a phoenix together symbolize the perfect marriage." Snape rolled his eyes and Hermione acted like she hadn't noticed Dumbledore's meaningful glance. Both were shocked by that interesting observation-their gifts had been completely spontaneous. Then Trelawney begged Hermione to let her try out her Tarot deck. "Oh, come on Hermione," McGonagall finally stepped in. "It won't take long." She added with a whisper, "Besides, it'll shut her up." Hermione grudgingly nodded her consent and with a squeal of delight Trelawney began to lay out her cards.
"Oh dear," Trelawney clucked as she turned over a card. "It seems to me that your love life is rather dead. When was the last time you even went on a date?" Hermione looked at Severus and just said, "Oh, I don't remember."
"Wow, Hermione, I think you're under an even worse dry spell than poor Severus over there. Not including the action he obviously got on Halloween night," Trelawney continued. Draco snorted, and Snape sent Trelawney a death glare. McGonagall and Hooch exchanged an amused smile and continued to watch the fun.
By the end, Hermione discovered that she was going to die an old maid and that she would get stuck doing secretarial work somewhere, most likely within the ministry. Suddenly she was thankful that she'd never been drawn to take classes in divination. Snape caught her eye a couple of times, and his eyes betrayed his amusement to her. If she had indeed been suffering from a romantic dry spell, it would have ended that very night--with the arrival of a monsoon.
New Years also passed pleasantly. Hermione was happy to spend her time either with her friends or with Severus.
Severus hadn't thought it possible to love Hermione more than he already did, but it had happened. Something about her still excited him every time he thought about her, and especially every time she came near. It saddened him to think that she'd probably move on after seventh year. She wanted to teach, yes--but what were the chances of her getting a job at Hogwarts? And who was to say she'd want to? Severus had decided not to tell her exactly what he wanted because he was afraid she'd stay out of a misplaced sense of obligation. And he knew that if she were to stay only because of him, he might not have the strength to tell her to do the right thing instead.
But another problem was worrying him more these days. The Dark Mark had begun to burn again, and it was making is black, ugly presence known more insistently than ever. Snape knew that soon it would be time for him to make his decision: would he return to the Dark Lord and try to convince him of his loyalty? Or would he remain cloistered within Hogwarts grounds until Voldemort was defeated and it was safe for him to emerge again? He also knew that Hermione was going to be in very serious danger.
He had to speak to Albus immediately.
**A/N** What's up everybody? I'm trying to update as quickly as possible, but I'm tired today so this might be it. I love my reviews! You guys make me so happy! Hope you're still liking it. Anyway, just how long does everyone want this to be? Your opinions are very much appreciated! I love you all!