A Rose By Any Other Name.
By Kes.
Disclaimer: The usual "It's not mine and neither is AR glares at Rima Horton ;-)" restrictions upon my creative 'talents' apply.
Hermione awoke to sunlight slowly attempting to stream majestically through her thick curtains in her Head Girl room. She yawned and stretched lazily as she swung her legs over the side of her bed. Then it hit her.
Christmas!
She looked fleetingly at the window to see if any poor bedraggled owls were lying impatiently in wait for her to open the window, then realised the curtains were shut.
Blindly stumbling over everything and anything that somehow managed to find itself on the floor, Hermione managed to get over to the window and open the curtains and let out a "whoo hoo!" of triumph when she opened the window relatively unscathed.
A few owls came in and deposited envelope's and parcels on her bed, whilst she quickly conjured a plate of biscuits for the owls to eat.
Flicking impatiently through her mail, she could not find one from Severus, but found cards from Harry, Ron, and Ginny. She smiled as she read them, but was disheartened that she had not received anything from Severus.
Momentarily glad that she had sent Severus his present last night before she went to bed, but with strict instructions not to open it until today, she went into the bathroom to get washed, and so did not notice the school owl that casually flew in and deposit a letter on her bed until she came back into her room.
Dear Hermione,
Do not be impatient; you shall get your present later this evening when the ball commences. I shall see you there.
Merry Christmas.
Severus.
X
An elated Hermione left her room with her old jeans and t-shirt on, and went to the Gryffindor common room.
"Merry Christmas Ginny!" Hermione yelled as she jumped down the stairs, two at a time and pounced on her friend, feeling ridiculously glad that Severus had not actually forgotten her.
Ginny smiled and hugged her back. "Merry Christmas Herm." She replied whilst handing her friend a present. Hermione smiled and turned around, whipped out her wand and levitated a pile of presents towards her. She rifled through the numerous parcels and gave one to Ginny.
"Merry Christmas." They opened the parcels, and stared. They had bought each other the same earrings. Laughing, they put them on. "Well at least we both have good taste!" Joked Ginny. "Oh god, here comes my moronic brother."
"Presents from home Weasley clan, with unofficially adopted children of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger!" Yelled Ron, as he raced into the common room with a ludicrously small wrapped box.
As Ginny, Harry and Hermione sat down, Ron enlarged the box and opened it. "Hermione, Ginny, Hey me!, and...Harry..." He said distractedly, whilst throwing the presents to their prospective owners.
They all opened their presents at the same time, to reveal a knitted Weasley jumper with their initial on it, and various chocolates. The group noticed that Fred and George had slipped in a few of their prank sweets in, as well as a Christmas note.
Hermione put her sweater on, a dark burgundy colour with an 'H' knitted on the front in Gryffindor gold. Although happy with her present, she suddenly felt very depressed.
Hermione got up silently, leaving the others unwrapping the presents she had given them, and walked round the castle and out into the cold and dark December morning.
She started to cry. "I can't believe I forgot!" She yelled angrily to herself. "This is my first Christmas without my mum, and I forget about her!" She sobbed quietly to herself. "What have I become? How could I do that to her?" She huddled herself into a little ball in the darkness, away from the occasional first year looking for snow, and other prying eyes.
She looked up and saw him standing there, cloak billowing away from him in the wind. He did not react to the cold. He was away from her, not seeing her at all. Alone in his world.
Her voice croaked. "Severus?" She barely whispered, but he heard her.
Slowly, he turned around and walked to her, silently he gave her his hand and lifted her up into an embrace, hearing the despair in her voice. "I forgot about her Severus. I can't believe I forgot." She said in a quiet voice.
"Shh, its all right you know. She won't mind, I'm sure of it. You love her, she knows that, you still think of her, that's all she needs to know." He held her until she stopped crying.
Hermione looked up at him. "Why are you out here?"
"I like it. It's away from the Flitwick-McGonagall creation that was in some previous life, our Great Hall but is now home to a great monstrosity they claim to be a 'Christmas Tree with fairies' and as for the dance floor...they closed the Hall early."
"Oh dear..."
"Exactly. Well." He sighed. "I've got to go and help them I suppose, although I guess my plans for sabotage will have to be halted this year as the Weasley twins aren't even visiting, so I can't blame them...are you going to be all right? You are still going to the dance?" She nodded and sniffed. He smiled slightly, kissed her gently and was off.
A few hours later, Hermione stepped out of her room, self consciously smoothing out nonexistent creases in her dress whilst fleetingly wondering how cat hair could have appeared in her new shoes. "Do you think it looks okay?" She enquired worriedly.
The stares she received from Harry, Ron, Dean, Neville, Ginny and Lavender somehow failed to reassure her.
"You look wonderful!" Squealed Ginny, her camera flashing occasionally. Hermione blushed. "Well, the hair is a result of extensive library research and the dress - "
"Shh. Don't ruin it with the words 'library research' Mione..." Ron looked as though someone had just said 'Quidditch has been cancelled' and 'only joking' in quick succession, the shock and pleasant surprise clearly evident.
She smiled shyly. "Gee thanks Ron...shall we go?"
Ron failed to reply as he was currently staring at her. The dress was a deep burgundy colour, with a rather low neckline showing off her cleavage, thanks to Ginny's persuasion techniques ("You'll look gorgeous, honest 'Mione"). The corset-like top half of the dress was tight enough to show off the curves that she'd spent years attempting to hide (years of hard work down the drain...). The train of the skirt drifted to the floor, and hid her shoes so that you only caught flashes of the black heels as she walked. The spaghetti straps were the same colour as the dress, but had the occasional rose sewn into the strap. Basically, every man (and woman) thought she looked absolutely gorgeous.
"Er...yeah..." Ron was a little out of sorts, but he managed to get a grip of himself. "Hang on...didn't you say you had a top to wear or summat? But I wouldn't wear one if I were you..." He grinned at Harry. "Trust us to pick the real lookers as friends, eh mate?" He said, as Hermione left to grab her top.
Harry laughed. "I'm alright, I've got a looker on my arm as well..." He grinned and winked at Ginny, who blushed, causing her cheeks to clash with her flaming red hair and deep green velvet dress. "Even if she does look like a Slytherin!" Ginny swatted his arm and glared.
"Ready." Said Hermione. "I've got my top." She held a see-through blouse-like top up for Ron to see.
"Er..Herm? What is that?" She grinned at him and put it on. It had sleeves, but looked rather like a sweater that had had the bottom half cut off.
"It's really nice, but what's the point of it?" Ron looked slightly confused.
"It was my mum's. After first year, I went shopping with her and she got this. When I came back to Hogwarts, and was legally able to do magic, I bewitched it to keep her either warm or cool, and to change colour whenever she wanted it to. Then I sent it home. It took loads of research, it was really quite interesting..." She faded, seeing all the baffled expressions surrounding her.
"Right...let's go." Said Ron, grinning at Hermione's self-conscious attempts to hide her intelligence. No wonder she likes Snape...I bet he doesn't tell her to shut up when she goes off on one...He took Hermione's arm, and made a big show to everyone who was on their way to the ball that she was his date. Even if it was just as friends.
The doors to the Great Hall were open, signifying that they were allowed in, as many couples already were. Neville and Hannah Abbott from Hufflepuff were there, dancing away - Hermione noted that Neville's dancing had improved since their fourth year. Pansy Parkinson was attempting to drag Malfoy onto the dance floor, much to the Gryffindor group's amusement.
Scanning the area, Hermione found Severus in a corner, as usual, but he had so far failed noticed her. She attempted to get his attention, but found that it was no longer necessary, as he quickly noticed her.
Or maybe he was gawping at someone else.
Hermione grinned outright, unable to contain her amusement. She then once again self-consciously smoothed out her dress.
"Would Milady-friend like to dance?" Ron held out his hand gentleman-like, and Hermione smiled. "Why yes, I believe Milady would..." They spun out onto the dance floor, quickly followed by other couples, wanting to dance to the Weird Sisters. Hermione was rather proud of the work she and Neville had put into tonight, glad that everyone was able to enjoy it. The first and second years seemed to enjoy watching the older students dance - or at least attempt to.
Hermione leaned on Ron's shoulder, and looked over at Severus. Who had a murderous glint in his eye. Aimed at Ron. This isn't very good now, is it Hermione, eh? She whispered to Ron about their predicament, and Ron sighed theatrically.
"He's a bit of a possessive type isn't he?" He grinned as Hermione swatted his shoulder. He looked at her, seeing the worried expression. "Oh all right, I know, I know. I'll go and ask Lavender for a dance…she's only here with Seamus as neither of them had dates anyway…" He did a mock-bow and left Hermione, in search for Lavender. He fancies her, oh my God…
Hermione looked at the door, and then at Severus, hoping he would get the hint. She sauntered slowly through the gaggle of hormonal teenagers, looking more alluring to Severus with each step. She went up the stairs to the astronomy tower and breathed in deeply as the cool air touched her skin.
She walked to the edge, and closed her eyes, listening to the music of the band, which could even be heard from where she was standing.
"You look beautiful." She heard him before she saw him. Smiling, she turned around to face Severus but only saw darkness. Slowly, he began to appear. His black and grey ensemble made him look sexier than usual in Hermione's opinion, as the shirt was slightly tighter than normal, enabling her to see glimpses of muscle. Her friends had noticed too. She grinned. She had seen those up close...
"I was with Ron as a friend, neither of us had dates, so we went together. Please don't go and murder Ron…" She smiled.
He smiled shyly and nodded. After a few minutes silence, he coughed nervously. "I know you're annoyed with me as you think I haven't got you anything for Christmas, but I have. I just...didn't know when to give it to you." She smiled. "I wasn't annoyed, just...slightly disappointed...but then you sent me the note."
"Well, I'm sorry. I'm no good with presents or tokens of any sort of affection as you may have guessed, but I saw this and had to get it." He handed her a small box. It was wrapped in dark red paper with green ribbon. "The paper is rather symbolic..." She said with eyebrows raised. He grinned, tension slowly leaving him. "Yes, I thought so."
She delicately unwrapped the gift and opened the box. "Oh it's beautiful!" He smiled gently. "As are you. Do you want me you help you put it on?" She nodded, eyes transfixed on the gift.
Severus slowly removed it from the box. "Turn around." She nodded and complied silently. His arms came around her head, as did a sliver of silver glistening in the moonlight. It came to rest silently on her skin. She heard him mumble silently as he fumbled with the clasp, the gently grasped her shoulders and turned her around, looking at the necklace.
"Do you like it?" He sounded apprehensive.
She felt the locket, and could feel jewels under her thumb.
"It's perfect. Thank you."
"It's been charmed to open with your touch on the main jewel. It can hold any miniaturised object. I was thinking about your wand…it may be safer to hold it in there…when you open the locket, it would come out and automatically transform to its original size."
She smiled. "Thank you so much –"
He coughed nervously. "Hermione?"
"Yes?" She looked at him, questioningly.
"I...I just want to say this before I decide not to again..."
"Again?" She smiled, puzzled. "What do you mean aga-"
"I love you."
She stared at him, wide eyed.
Oh shit, well done Severus, she's going to go running to her friends now. "Forget I just said that, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you-" he looked as if he were about to turn away.
She kissed him quickly on the lips to silence him. "I love you too Severus Snape."
He looked at her worriedly. "Really?" She kissed him again, longer this time. "Yes. Really."
He smiled. "Then would you like to dance milady?"
Hermione grinned, he sounded like Ron. That would disturb Severus. Later. "Of course."
They started to dance to the music, getting closer and closer, with each step until they kissed. "Merry Christmas Severus."
They heard footsteps. "Well well, isn't this lovely? I can see the headlines now. 'Student seduces professor'. Or should it be the other way round?"
Hermione and Severus flew apart at the sound of her voice, Hermione staring in disbelief at the woman who has had a personal grudge against her since her early teens.
Rita Skeeter, complete with outlandishly garish and totally uncoordinated robes stood in the doorway, with a notepad and a quick quill that was rapidly recording the scene.
"Just wait until the Headmaster hears about this!" She said, as she began to descend the stairs. She turned suddenly, and came back up. "Unless he already knows...would you wish to comment Professor Snape? Or should I say mister Snape. I hardly assume you have a position at this school any more!"
"Albus Dumbledore knows nothing of this 'relationship' as you call it." He stated in a calm, monotonous voice. "There is nothing here, Miss Skeeter, I was consoling the student. I'm not as heartless as you think I am..."
" 'Consoling a student'? You looked like you were about to give her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation!"
"Obliviate!" Hermione's wand flashed green and aimed the light at Rita Skeeter.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Yelled Severus, staring at the momentarily unconscious middle aged witch on the floor.
Hermione stared at the reporter, her own arm still in mid air with incriminating wand attached. She wanted to cry. "Well we had to do something…Clearly you're 'I was just consoling her' idea was flawed on many levels...unless this is what you usually do to help the Slytherin girls."
Severus glared at Hermione, flawed, unable to say anything. She lowered her eyes. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that..."
He bristled. "Yes, well, it doesn't matter. We now have a middle-aged witch lying unconscious on the floor, on top of the astronomy tower, her memory missing, with just the two of us present...unless, of course, you count the student squad downstairs...what do we do?"
"You're the professor, you tell me!"
Severus and Hermione entered Dumbledore's office. He was already sitting behind his desk.
"Please, sit down. Tea?" This sounded wrong. There was no joviality in his tone, not even the false 'I'm glad to see you' tone he adopted when the likes of Fudge arrived unexpectedly. He was all business, no twinkle in his eye, no twitch of a smile playing about his lips. He was being serious.
"No, thank you Albus." Replied Severus as he sat down next to Hermione, who looked as apprehensive as Severus felt.
A stern nod was Albus' reply. He sighed deeply, and looked at the couple, considering.
"What were you thinking?" He looked saddened. "You know the risks of your relationship, why were you so headstrong? Why did you have to break the rules? I've allowed you le-way, allowed this relationship to continue despite the judgement of the other headmasters and headmistresses." He pointed to the portraits 'asleep' on the various walls.
He looked at them sadly and began to pace the room. "I feel as though I have made a grave miscalculation in trusting the two of you to behave maturely. You know our deal, Severus. Both of you do. You both hold positions of influence in this school, as Head Girl and as a Head of House. I'm afraid, that although I do not want to, I must ask you, for the safety, security and stability of this school, you must end this relationship. Do not argue Severus."
His tone was final, and the glint in his eye was gone. "I obviously do not wish this to occur, but considering the circumstances which have just arisen, Miss Skeeter should be fine, a day or so in the hospital wing with the 'flu' and she'll be as right as rain...but the fact of the matter is she shouldn't have had to be obliviated. And yes Severus, I know, she should not have been on the school grounds, but the fact is she was. Life is full of surprises, not all of them good, and I'm afraid that this is one of them. So please, for the sake of this school and its students, end this relationship. Put it on hold. Hogwarts has been surrounded in more controversy in the last seven years than it has in its entire life span."
He sat down, looking tired, dejected, and older than ever.