Disclaimer: Nothing from any of the Harry Potter books is owned by myself.
All writings are fictional and have nothing to do with anything that is
going to happen in the books, movies and or anything else.
Rating: G
Summary: Hermione and Snape have been hiding their love from the people they know. But they can't hide it for love as Harry and Ron start to wonder what Hermione has been up to on her days off.
Dedication: none
Story Five: The Best Christmas Present
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It's been four years since my dream, one since that dream came true in a way. I wouldn't say that Severus and I are dating and he would never put it in such plain terms. He'd probably say, "Miss Granger and I are having a romantic interlude." I'd say we are having a "secret affair" for no one save the two of us know about our "association" with one another. This doesn't bother me too much; it was partly my idea as well. Severus and I thought it best if we waited to expose our love to the world. I find it a bit charming in itself, romantic even. But all the same it's very exhausting to keep everything hush-hush. Because with all my love for the man, I want to sing it out to the world. But the way the world would treat us as a couple, for now it needs to be a secret. Just until we know what to do about it.
It's also very hard to keep from my parents and friends from finding out. Especially Ron and Harry with their questioning everything that is even remotely suspicious, which to them is anything different. Just trying to get some time for Severus and me to be alone is tough enough with our schedules. But the fact that the people we know, know when our time off is, well we're running out of excuses to tell everyone as to why we're busy on those days.
But tonight for the first time in two months we're having an evening alone. After work I am meeting him at my house and we're to have dinner together and sit in front of the fire enjoying one another's company. I simply can't wait.
I sat there watching the clock; time seems to slow down when you are really excited about something. I had only thirty minutes and a bowl full of fruit cocktail before I could head home, but it felt like forever. I looked at the customers sipping their tea and having chats about what they had gotten for their loved ones this Christmas. I thought about what I had gotten Severus, it wasn't anything really special. But I hoped he'd like it. He had a very lonely life save when I was with him. This might fix that time in which I wasn't.
The clock chimed and I quickly finished my fruit cocktail as the customers hurried off to their families. I cleaned up with a wave of my wand and stacked the chairs as I charmed the tea pots and cups to the kitchen, and the broom to sweep. As everything finished I turned the sign to read "Closed for the Holidays, may yours be filled with cheer." I smiled at the greeting and put on my cloak. It was time for this girl to get home to the one she loved.
As I passed couples on the street I quickened my step even more in longing to be with him. He wasn't too big on Christmas but he promised me he'd try and enjoy it. I knew why he didn't like the holidays much; it was the same reason with me. They were lonely and stressful. But unlike him I had had a loving family and set of friends to open my eyes to their wonders. He never had such, but I was going to change that, this year he had me.
I got to a clear palace to apprate and did so with out hesitation. A few moments later I appeared on my door step with key in hand. I unlocked the door to see Severus waiting there with mistletoe hung above the door. I smiled,
"For one who doesn't care for Christmas you certainly adapted quickly." He smirked bringing me in close to him,
"This is one tradition I think I could live with." He pushed the door shut with his foot and kissed me deeply. I in turn kissed him back happy to be home and in his arms. As the kiss ended I smiled,
"You could have just kissed me dear." I told him he nodded,
"Perhaps, but this way you had to kiss back." This made me smile at the memory of my long ago dream. He looked at me confused but I wasn't telling. Seeing he would never know what the joke was he lead me into the living room where the tree we had picked out together sat in the corner facing the window. I had even gotten him to decorate it with me and string popcorn. He had pricked his fingers several times over it but I knew he thought it was worth it when I kissed it better. But he still makes a face at the tree every time he sees it.
"I bet there is more blood on that tree of mine then the grave yard." I shuttered a little at his remark. He seemed to make jokes at tings when they bothered him; it explained a whole lot to me when I found that out. He looked at me,
"Sorry Hermione." I shook my head.
"Don't be it just scares me thinking of you heaving to still be part of.Let's not talk about such at Christmas." He agreed and he sat on the couch,
"I need to give you your present tonight." He looked at me confused as I went into my bedroom. I came out carrying a little black kitten with green eyes and a red bow tied around its neck. I put it in his lap; at first it seemed he didn't like the little dear.
"Do you like him?" The kitten mewed and Severus smiled and starched it between the ears.
"Yes, I just was never permitted to have a pet when I was younger. My father hated animals." I nodded as I looked at him his face held a look of seer wonder of the little thing he held in his arms now. "Thank you Hermione." I sat next to him smiling,
"Chookshanks has taken a liking to him, so he'll have to come and visit." Severus smiled at me knowing I meant he was to come as well. "What are you going to name him?" He looked at the kitten thinking.
"I'm guessing you wouldn't hear of my calling him Cat?" I laughed a little too hard where Severus frowned at me.
"I have never had anything to name." I straightened up,
"Sorry.No, Cat wouldn't do." He looked at the kitten that now crawled onto his shoulder and started to bat at his hair. He chuckled,
"You have some gull, little one the last person that played with my hair got hexed." I laughed with him. The kitten started to bite his ear. "Ow." He put him down in his lap again and the kitten then started to attack his hand. "I'm naming him Wyatt."
"Wyatt?" I looked at the kitten it didn't look like a Wyatt to me.
"Yes, in French it means, 'little fighter'." I laughed as it suited the little cat. It ventured to the floor and started to play with a walnut from the basket on the coffee table. Severus looked at me humbled in a way,
"Thank you." I nodded and moved closer to him curling up in his lap. He took his queue and put his arms around my waist. He turned me to the back of the couch and kissed me. If we had just cut the kiss a bit shorter we would have saved ourselves the embarrassment that was to fallow.
*In the streets of Diagon Alley*
Harry and Ron peeked into the dark windows of The Lucky Kettle. Harry read the sign.
"Doesn't 'Mione keep the shop open late for the Christmas shoppers?" Ron asked wiping the frost off the window to get a better look inside. Harry nodded,
"Usually." He stepped away from the door and looked at the front of the shop. Hermione wasn't there. "What do you suppose she's up too?" Ron stepped back as well and with a scoff,
"You mean, what do you think she's been up to this past year." He frowned and blew into his freezing hands "You think she's trying to avoid us?" Harry shook his head.
"No.But I do think she's hiding something from us." Ron nodded in agreement.
"I think we should pay her a visit." He grinned that meant he was sure if they did they'd find out what Hermione's secret was. Harry hated to invade Hermione's privacy but he was curious. So he agreed but only to visit if Hermione told them that was her choice. Ron agreed and they were off in a pop.
*Back at Hermione's*
Severus and I were a bit too distracted to here Ron and Harry knocked at the door. So when they came in it was a complete surprise for the four of us.
"Hermione?!" I heard my name from two voices and Severus and I moved apart so fast it made Harry's broom seem slow motion. At seeing who I was kissing Ron turned red and Harry white but booth looked to be sick to their stomachs.
"Why are you kissing Hermione you pervert?" Ron being the first one to speak never did have a very good choice with his words. I shoot a look at him that put any of Severus' to shame.
"Ronald Weasly! You mean 'Why are we kissing each other', I am just as equally in it as him." This made Harry and Ron look even more disgusted. Ron went red up to his ears.
"What does that mean Hermione?" I stood up and glared at Ron my cheeks red with anger and embarrassment.
"I will not talk to some one who is yelling at me like a five year old. Sit down and I will explain this to you like the adults we are." He sat in a chair next toe the fire and Harry flowed too shocked to speak. Ron glared at Severus as if it were his entire fault. Harry tried hard not to look at either of us. I took a deep breath and sat next to Severus who cheeks where equally red as my own. But he stayed quietly returning the glare at Ron. For some time, the only sounds were of the fire cracking and Wyatt sneaking out from under the couch where he had taken refuge from the shouting.
"Well you slime ball explain yourself." Ron spat at Severus who narrowed his eyes. Before wands were even thought to be drawn I glared at them both,
"That will be enough from the both out you.Name calling isn't any better then yelling. Severus held his tongue and I knew it was for my sake. "Besides Ron it isn't your concern who I kiss." Ron clenched his fist,
"But he's a git Hermione." Ron was warring on my last nerve.
"He is not Ron and I would thank you kindly not to speak of him in such a manner." Harry seemed to get it there a light went off in his head. He had been right those five years ago. But he remained quite not to give Ron more kindle for his flaming temper.
"Hermione have you gone daft?" He was close to yelling but only cracked a little from his forced volume. I tired to be patient with him; I knew this wasn't a plesent surprise for him seeing me kiss arch enemy number one. But he could be so thick skulled some times. That had been the last straw,
"Maybe I have Ron...But love does that to you some times." That made his jaw and Harry's drop even though Harry had figured it out he didn't want to be right. Ron's jaw wagged as if broken. He then got a look on his face as if he had eaten a vomit flavored Bott's bean and seen a spider in the same second.
"Gross." He stated and I had had it. I got up and stormed into the kitchen the door slamming behind me. Ron as oblivious as ever sat there mouth gapping. Severus glared at him,
"You dunder head." He growled and fallowed me into the kitchen. Ron looked ready to deck him as Harry got up.
"You hear that?" Ron asked his fists clenched. Harry looked down at Ron,
"I agree with him for once." Harry came after us and Ron looked enraged and confused. He was about to get up but Ron stopped him; "You've done enough." Harry opened the door to find Severus trying to comfort me as my tears fell to the tiled floor. I felt Severus go rigged as Harry came in. I did not want to hear the normal mud slinging from those two.
"What do you want Potter?" He asked with a verbal slap to the now man that lived. He frowned,
"I know you don't like me and personally I can't stand you. But it seems that we both care a great deal for my friend.Hermione. So for her sake we have to put aside our differences." He extended his hand for a treaty of peace with his father's old rival, and his personal torturer. Severus narrowed his eyes in suspicion. But to both their surprise took the young man's hand.
"Very well Mr. Potter, for my love's sake." Harry nodded as they shook hands. Ron entered on this note,
"Has the whole world gone mad?" Harry looked over at him.
"Ron do you ever want to see Hermione again?" Ron nodded,
"Yeah so?" Harry shook his head he was too use to his friend being stubern to be angry with him.
"If you do it mean's making peace with Professor Snape. They love each other." Ron winced at the thought, but Harry went on. "Weather we like it or not they do." Ron glared at Severus again blaming him.
"Hey she came to me first." Severus said with a grin he admitted to me later that it did amuse him some to be troubling Ron so. Ron looked him and then Harry over and for the first time in his life he gave in to the idea of the Greasy Git not being as bad as he may let on. Ron wasn't the first one to put his hand up for Severus was right there with him. They shook and hell must have frozen over as they agreed to live and let live. They stood there for a few moments then Severus lead the way up to my room. He knocked softly,
"Hermione?" He whispered. I put the pillow over my head.
"Unless Ron and you have stopped fighting I don't want to hear it." Severus opened the door.
"We have 'Mione." Ron said sheepishly. I sat up and looked the three men over.
"You mean it?" They all nodded in unison. I smiled and threw my arms about them.
"It was Mr. Potter's doing." Severus told me as I kissed all their cheeks in turn. I started to cry again and Ron looked at me,
"What did I do now?" I laughed,
"Nothing, but you all gave me the best Christmas present." Ron rolled his eyes and Severus had to agree with him on how sappy women were. We all went down stairs and were greeted by Wyatt coming after our feet. Harry and Ron were about to leave when Severus surprised me yet again tonight.
"Would you care to stay for dinner?" They looked at him shocked but agreed.
We spent the rest of the evening slowly getting use to one another. It was odd at first but it soon came to be natural. As they left Severus took me in his arms again,
"Thank you." I whispered to him. He smiled,
"Anything for you." He kissed me again and we went back to the fireside. Wyatt curled up in front of it. Everything seemed perfect, but then something hit me.
"What about my parents?" Severus frowned.
"I guess we can tell them tomorrow?" I nodded, I'd be there for Christmas I know it wasn't fair to drop such a thing into their laps on Christmas but it had to be done. I turned to Severus and with a sad smile I said what we were both thinking,
"I guess this isn't the last time we have to explain our love."
Arthur's Note: YEAH! I finished it. After how long? *My friend Katie pops in* ABOUT TWO YEARS! *Sheepish grin* Well I did it and the next and most likely final story in the series will be where Snape meets Hermione's parents.BUM BUM BUM!
Rating: G
Summary: Hermione and Snape have been hiding their love from the people they know. But they can't hide it for love as Harry and Ron start to wonder what Hermione has been up to on her days off.
Dedication: none
Story Five: The Best Christmas Present
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It's been four years since my dream, one since that dream came true in a way. I wouldn't say that Severus and I are dating and he would never put it in such plain terms. He'd probably say, "Miss Granger and I are having a romantic interlude." I'd say we are having a "secret affair" for no one save the two of us know about our "association" with one another. This doesn't bother me too much; it was partly my idea as well. Severus and I thought it best if we waited to expose our love to the world. I find it a bit charming in itself, romantic even. But all the same it's very exhausting to keep everything hush-hush. Because with all my love for the man, I want to sing it out to the world. But the way the world would treat us as a couple, for now it needs to be a secret. Just until we know what to do about it.
It's also very hard to keep from my parents and friends from finding out. Especially Ron and Harry with their questioning everything that is even remotely suspicious, which to them is anything different. Just trying to get some time for Severus and me to be alone is tough enough with our schedules. But the fact that the people we know, know when our time off is, well we're running out of excuses to tell everyone as to why we're busy on those days.
But tonight for the first time in two months we're having an evening alone. After work I am meeting him at my house and we're to have dinner together and sit in front of the fire enjoying one another's company. I simply can't wait.
I sat there watching the clock; time seems to slow down when you are really excited about something. I had only thirty minutes and a bowl full of fruit cocktail before I could head home, but it felt like forever. I looked at the customers sipping their tea and having chats about what they had gotten for their loved ones this Christmas. I thought about what I had gotten Severus, it wasn't anything really special. But I hoped he'd like it. He had a very lonely life save when I was with him. This might fix that time in which I wasn't.
The clock chimed and I quickly finished my fruit cocktail as the customers hurried off to their families. I cleaned up with a wave of my wand and stacked the chairs as I charmed the tea pots and cups to the kitchen, and the broom to sweep. As everything finished I turned the sign to read "Closed for the Holidays, may yours be filled with cheer." I smiled at the greeting and put on my cloak. It was time for this girl to get home to the one she loved.
As I passed couples on the street I quickened my step even more in longing to be with him. He wasn't too big on Christmas but he promised me he'd try and enjoy it. I knew why he didn't like the holidays much; it was the same reason with me. They were lonely and stressful. But unlike him I had had a loving family and set of friends to open my eyes to their wonders. He never had such, but I was going to change that, this year he had me.
I got to a clear palace to apprate and did so with out hesitation. A few moments later I appeared on my door step with key in hand. I unlocked the door to see Severus waiting there with mistletoe hung above the door. I smiled,
"For one who doesn't care for Christmas you certainly adapted quickly." He smirked bringing me in close to him,
"This is one tradition I think I could live with." He pushed the door shut with his foot and kissed me deeply. I in turn kissed him back happy to be home and in his arms. As the kiss ended I smiled,
"You could have just kissed me dear." I told him he nodded,
"Perhaps, but this way you had to kiss back." This made me smile at the memory of my long ago dream. He looked at me confused but I wasn't telling. Seeing he would never know what the joke was he lead me into the living room where the tree we had picked out together sat in the corner facing the window. I had even gotten him to decorate it with me and string popcorn. He had pricked his fingers several times over it but I knew he thought it was worth it when I kissed it better. But he still makes a face at the tree every time he sees it.
"I bet there is more blood on that tree of mine then the grave yard." I shuttered a little at his remark. He seemed to make jokes at tings when they bothered him; it explained a whole lot to me when I found that out. He looked at me,
"Sorry Hermione." I shook my head.
"Don't be it just scares me thinking of you heaving to still be part of.Let's not talk about such at Christmas." He agreed and he sat on the couch,
"I need to give you your present tonight." He looked at me confused as I went into my bedroom. I came out carrying a little black kitten with green eyes and a red bow tied around its neck. I put it in his lap; at first it seemed he didn't like the little dear.
"Do you like him?" The kitten mewed and Severus smiled and starched it between the ears.
"Yes, I just was never permitted to have a pet when I was younger. My father hated animals." I nodded as I looked at him his face held a look of seer wonder of the little thing he held in his arms now. "Thank you Hermione." I sat next to him smiling,
"Chookshanks has taken a liking to him, so he'll have to come and visit." Severus smiled at me knowing I meant he was to come as well. "What are you going to name him?" He looked at the kitten thinking.
"I'm guessing you wouldn't hear of my calling him Cat?" I laughed a little too hard where Severus frowned at me.
"I have never had anything to name." I straightened up,
"Sorry.No, Cat wouldn't do." He looked at the kitten that now crawled onto his shoulder and started to bat at his hair. He chuckled,
"You have some gull, little one the last person that played with my hair got hexed." I laughed with him. The kitten started to bite his ear. "Ow." He put him down in his lap again and the kitten then started to attack his hand. "I'm naming him Wyatt."
"Wyatt?" I looked at the kitten it didn't look like a Wyatt to me.
"Yes, in French it means, 'little fighter'." I laughed as it suited the little cat. It ventured to the floor and started to play with a walnut from the basket on the coffee table. Severus looked at me humbled in a way,
"Thank you." I nodded and moved closer to him curling up in his lap. He took his queue and put his arms around my waist. He turned me to the back of the couch and kissed me. If we had just cut the kiss a bit shorter we would have saved ourselves the embarrassment that was to fallow.
*In the streets of Diagon Alley*
Harry and Ron peeked into the dark windows of The Lucky Kettle. Harry read the sign.
"Doesn't 'Mione keep the shop open late for the Christmas shoppers?" Ron asked wiping the frost off the window to get a better look inside. Harry nodded,
"Usually." He stepped away from the door and looked at the front of the shop. Hermione wasn't there. "What do you suppose she's up too?" Ron stepped back as well and with a scoff,
"You mean, what do you think she's been up to this past year." He frowned and blew into his freezing hands "You think she's trying to avoid us?" Harry shook his head.
"No.But I do think she's hiding something from us." Ron nodded in agreement.
"I think we should pay her a visit." He grinned that meant he was sure if they did they'd find out what Hermione's secret was. Harry hated to invade Hermione's privacy but he was curious. So he agreed but only to visit if Hermione told them that was her choice. Ron agreed and they were off in a pop.
*Back at Hermione's*
Severus and I were a bit too distracted to here Ron and Harry knocked at the door. So when they came in it was a complete surprise for the four of us.
"Hermione?!" I heard my name from two voices and Severus and I moved apart so fast it made Harry's broom seem slow motion. At seeing who I was kissing Ron turned red and Harry white but booth looked to be sick to their stomachs.
"Why are you kissing Hermione you pervert?" Ron being the first one to speak never did have a very good choice with his words. I shoot a look at him that put any of Severus' to shame.
"Ronald Weasly! You mean 'Why are we kissing each other', I am just as equally in it as him." This made Harry and Ron look even more disgusted. Ron went red up to his ears.
"What does that mean Hermione?" I stood up and glared at Ron my cheeks red with anger and embarrassment.
"I will not talk to some one who is yelling at me like a five year old. Sit down and I will explain this to you like the adults we are." He sat in a chair next toe the fire and Harry flowed too shocked to speak. Ron glared at Severus as if it were his entire fault. Harry tried hard not to look at either of us. I took a deep breath and sat next to Severus who cheeks where equally red as my own. But he stayed quietly returning the glare at Ron. For some time, the only sounds were of the fire cracking and Wyatt sneaking out from under the couch where he had taken refuge from the shouting.
"Well you slime ball explain yourself." Ron spat at Severus who narrowed his eyes. Before wands were even thought to be drawn I glared at them both,
"That will be enough from the both out you.Name calling isn't any better then yelling. Severus held his tongue and I knew it was for my sake. "Besides Ron it isn't your concern who I kiss." Ron clenched his fist,
"But he's a git Hermione." Ron was warring on my last nerve.
"He is not Ron and I would thank you kindly not to speak of him in such a manner." Harry seemed to get it there a light went off in his head. He had been right those five years ago. But he remained quite not to give Ron more kindle for his flaming temper.
"Hermione have you gone daft?" He was close to yelling but only cracked a little from his forced volume. I tired to be patient with him; I knew this wasn't a plesent surprise for him seeing me kiss arch enemy number one. But he could be so thick skulled some times. That had been the last straw,
"Maybe I have Ron...But love does that to you some times." That made his jaw and Harry's drop even though Harry had figured it out he didn't want to be right. Ron's jaw wagged as if broken. He then got a look on his face as if he had eaten a vomit flavored Bott's bean and seen a spider in the same second.
"Gross." He stated and I had had it. I got up and stormed into the kitchen the door slamming behind me. Ron as oblivious as ever sat there mouth gapping. Severus glared at him,
"You dunder head." He growled and fallowed me into the kitchen. Ron looked ready to deck him as Harry got up.
"You hear that?" Ron asked his fists clenched. Harry looked down at Ron,
"I agree with him for once." Harry came after us and Ron looked enraged and confused. He was about to get up but Ron stopped him; "You've done enough." Harry opened the door to find Severus trying to comfort me as my tears fell to the tiled floor. I felt Severus go rigged as Harry came in. I did not want to hear the normal mud slinging from those two.
"What do you want Potter?" He asked with a verbal slap to the now man that lived. He frowned,
"I know you don't like me and personally I can't stand you. But it seems that we both care a great deal for my friend.Hermione. So for her sake we have to put aside our differences." He extended his hand for a treaty of peace with his father's old rival, and his personal torturer. Severus narrowed his eyes in suspicion. But to both their surprise took the young man's hand.
"Very well Mr. Potter, for my love's sake." Harry nodded as they shook hands. Ron entered on this note,
"Has the whole world gone mad?" Harry looked over at him.
"Ron do you ever want to see Hermione again?" Ron nodded,
"Yeah so?" Harry shook his head he was too use to his friend being stubern to be angry with him.
"If you do it mean's making peace with Professor Snape. They love each other." Ron winced at the thought, but Harry went on. "Weather we like it or not they do." Ron glared at Severus again blaming him.
"Hey she came to me first." Severus said with a grin he admitted to me later that it did amuse him some to be troubling Ron so. Ron looked him and then Harry over and for the first time in his life he gave in to the idea of the Greasy Git not being as bad as he may let on. Ron wasn't the first one to put his hand up for Severus was right there with him. They shook and hell must have frozen over as they agreed to live and let live. They stood there for a few moments then Severus lead the way up to my room. He knocked softly,
"Hermione?" He whispered. I put the pillow over my head.
"Unless Ron and you have stopped fighting I don't want to hear it." Severus opened the door.
"We have 'Mione." Ron said sheepishly. I sat up and looked the three men over.
"You mean it?" They all nodded in unison. I smiled and threw my arms about them.
"It was Mr. Potter's doing." Severus told me as I kissed all their cheeks in turn. I started to cry again and Ron looked at me,
"What did I do now?" I laughed,
"Nothing, but you all gave me the best Christmas present." Ron rolled his eyes and Severus had to agree with him on how sappy women were. We all went down stairs and were greeted by Wyatt coming after our feet. Harry and Ron were about to leave when Severus surprised me yet again tonight.
"Would you care to stay for dinner?" They looked at him shocked but agreed.
We spent the rest of the evening slowly getting use to one another. It was odd at first but it soon came to be natural. As they left Severus took me in his arms again,
"Thank you." I whispered to him. He smiled,
"Anything for you." He kissed me again and we went back to the fireside. Wyatt curled up in front of it. Everything seemed perfect, but then something hit me.
"What about my parents?" Severus frowned.
"I guess we can tell them tomorrow?" I nodded, I'd be there for Christmas I know it wasn't fair to drop such a thing into their laps on Christmas but it had to be done. I turned to Severus and with a sad smile I said what we were both thinking,
"I guess this isn't the last time we have to explain our love."
Arthur's Note: YEAH! I finished it. After how long? *My friend Katie pops in* ABOUT TWO YEARS! *Sheepish grin* Well I did it and the next and most likely final story in the series will be where Snape meets Hermione's parents.BUM BUM BUM!