Author's Note: Oh my! And I thought the last chapter was the hardest that I had to write! It was nothing compared to this one! I have had the Christmas Feast scenes written for days... but the last segment of this chapter gave me a lot of trouble. I must have revised it at least a dozen times before posting it. It's after chapters like this, when I've tried and tried to perfect it, that I most appreciate your input, so please let me know what you think.

Thank you again for reading my story. All questions, comments, and constructive criticisms are welcome if you would like to leave a review.

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Disclaimer: Harry Potter and the characters from the books in the series are copyright JK Rowling, and are not being used for profit, only for personal enjoyment.

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Chapter 8 ~ The Christmas Feast

Christmas morning, after bundling Samuel into a fleece bunting and wrapping him tightly in warm blankets, she waited for Severus and Remus to arrive, as they were to accompany her on her journey to the school.

Hermione had fussed over her appearance for quite some time that morning. The past few weeks had been spent in lounging clothes or a dressing gown and slippers, with her hair always pulled into a ponytail. As she brushed her soft curls, it dawned on her that her hair had never been so luxurious before her pregnancy. She had been too preoccupied to pay much notice to the changes in her body through the last few months of her pregnancy, and she laughed when she compared her now-soft waves to the bushy mane that she used to battle with during her school days. She only hoped that it would not return to its former bushiness after the pregnancy hormones wore off. She also took notice that her once-pale complexion was now replaced with a healthy glow of rosy cheeks, and that her body now formed the soft curves of a woman, rather than the former skinniness of a young girl. Dressing carefully in robes of deep crimson, dabbing on just a hint of lipstick and pinning the sides of her hair back with pearl combs, she stepped back to look in her full length mirror and gasped at what she saw. Who was this beautiful young woman? It certainly wasn't the Hermione Granger that she remembered from less than a year ago.

When she finally heard a knock at the door, she opened it to find Severus standing there alone.

"Where is Remus? I thought he was coming as well."

Severus paused briefly, subtly taking in her change in appearance, before answering, "He had to... run a last minute errand before the feast."

Hermione started, "What..."

"He's been very secretive about it. But it must be important if he skipped out on accompanying you on your first excursion out of the house. He's a bit protective of you, in case you haven't noticed."

Hermione laughed, "Very well then, let's go! Lest I change my mind. I'm feeling a bit jittery about facing everybody today."

"Not to worry, Hermione. Your former professors are very fond of you, and I'm sure they will be equally excited to see both their favorite student and her son."

Hermione tried to stall for a bit more time, double checking the bag that she had packed for the baby. Hoping that she hadn't forgotten anything important, she pulled on a pair of knee high, low heeled boots and a forest green winter cloak, throwing a tartan cape and around her neck, fastening it with a pin at the shoulder and pulling the hood up over her head. She turned around to find Severus waiting patiently, surprised to see that he was already holding Samuel.

"Allow me to carry him, Hermione. Once we apparate to the gates, it's a long walk to the school and we have quite a bit of snow out there. Trudging through it with a baby, when you haven't been out of house, getting little exercise for weeks, will not be easy for you."

She nodded, as she pulled the baby bag over her shoulder, and walked out the front door where she almost lost her footing in the slippery snow. Severus quickly used his free arm to grab her by the elbow and keep her upright. Slightly embarrassed, Hermione looked up at Severus, her face flushed.

"Thank you, Severus," she sighed, as he offered her the crook of his arm to hold on to and they apparated to the gates of the school grounds. Arm in arm, they walked the path up to the school. Hermione had never forgotten how beautiful the school grounds were in wintertime. It was as if time stood still in this magical place, and as they approached the entrance of the castle, she had the feeling that she was finally coming home.

*****

Minerva McGonagall met them just inside the front door. "Hermione!" she smiled through her tears as she approached the young woman, and gathered her into a warm embrace. "It is delightful to see you again," she paused and looked up at Severus, before glancing down at the bundle of blankets in his arms. Hard as she tried, she couldn't keep up her usual stern appearance as she teased, "And what are you trying to smuggle in to the school today, Severus?"

Severus flashed a rare smile at her in return, and without a word, he gently raised the corner of the blanket that had been shielding the cold wind from the child's face. Minerva gasped when she saw two black sapphire eyes shining up at her. She looked up at Severus with watery eyes, and spoke in a hushed voice, "I never thought I'd see the day..."

She paused and composed herself, looking back and forth between Severus and Hermione, before saying, "Congratulations, he is beautiful!"

Minerva helped Hermione off with her outer cloak and her bag, and Severus handed the baby over to her as he removed his own cloak. Minerva led Hermione to a chamber off of the Great Hall, where she could wait while Severus took care of their belongings. "I have to get to the Great Hall, Hermione. As usual, we only have a handful of students in the school for the holiday, but I really should be there when they arrive for the feast."

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall. I will see you shortly," Hermione replied nervously.

Minerva stopped long enough to squeeze Hermione's shoulder, "Don't worry, child! There is nothing to be nervous about. You will always be welcome at Hogwarts."

*****

Severus returned a short time later, assisted Hermione to her feet, and walked beside her as he led her towards the Great Hall. She hesitated in the doorway, pausing to take in her surroundings. The beauty of the magnificent hall, with it's enchanted ceilings, especially during the holidays when adorned with glorious Christmas decorations, never failed to take her breath away. Time, indeed, stood still inside this castle as well as on the outside.

The twinkling eyes of Albus Dumbledore greeted her as she finally gathered the courage to step into the hall. The long house tables had been moved aside, and the few students who remained over the holidays were seated at a table in the center of the hall with the staff. Following the headmaster's gaze, the rest of the staff as well as the students looked over to Severus and Hermione. The staff with pleasant smiles on their faces, and the students looking in shock at the woman standing by the Potion Master's side, holding a baby in her arms. The students weren't aware of the child's parentage, so they had just assumed that Professor Snape had been sent to accompany Hermione safely to the school that afternoon.

Hermione recognized a couple of the students from her own time as a student at Hogwarts. One girl in particular, with a long mane of red hair, gasped as she rose out of her seat and rushed to embrace her old friend. Try as she may, Hermione could not stop the tears from forming as she leaned into the arms of Ginny Weasley.

"Merlin, Hermione! It is so good to see you! I've missed you so much!" she cried as she looked down to the baby, smiling, "It looks as though we've got a lot of catching up to do!"

"I've missed you too, Ginny! More than you could ever know," Hermione replied in a choked voice, as they made their way to the table. Severus pulled out a chair for her, next to Ginny, and took the seat between Hermione and the Headmaster for himself.

After greeting the rest of the staff, Hermione took a few minutes to ask Ginny about Harry and Ron.

"I received a letter from Mum with my Christmas gifts, and she says that the boys are doing fine. They keep asking about you, wondering if anybody has heard from you. They have been quite worried since you didn't keep in touch over the summer. But now, I understand why you didn't. You haven't told them yet, have you?"

"Ginny, I want to tell them. But, it's something that I need to tell them in person, and you know that they will not be home from training for quite some time yet. I just sent an owl yesterday letting them know that I'm fine, and that I have news to tell them when they return."

She missed the mischievous twinkle that momentarily flickered in Ginny's eyes.

Hermione sighed wistfully, "You don't know how much I miss them. It's like two-thirds of me is missing. Ron and Harry have been a part of my life for so long... and now, it seems as though we've been apart forever."

They continued chatting for a few minutes, as Ginny brought her up to date on the rest of the Weasley clan. A short time later, Hermione looked around at the rest of the staff, frowning as her eyes lingered on the two remaining empty seats.

"Isn't Remus here yet?" she asked, while wondering who the second empty seat might belong to.

"He shouldn't be much longer, Miss Granger," the headmaster replied knowingly.

No sooner were the words out of his mouth when Severus nudged her gently, directing her gaze to the doorway. There stood Remus, and standing by his side was Hermione's mother. Hermione gasped, whispering excitedly to Severus, "Did you know about this?" She didn't wait for an answer as she handed the baby over to Severus, and nearly toppled her chair over as she rushed to greet her mother.

After a long, tearful embrace with her mother, Hermione turned to Remus and hugged him fiercely.

"Is there anything you wouldn't do for me, Remus? This is the best Christmas gift you could have given me!" she sobbed before turning back to her mother. And then it hit her... how could she not have noticed it before? Her mother was *standing*! On her own! No wheelchair, no walker. She held a mahogany walking stick, and was leaning on Remus for support, but nevertheless, she was standing!

"Oh, Mum! Can you walk?" she cried. Elizabeth smiled through her tears as Hermione took her other arm, helping to support her as the three of them walked back to the table. Remus gently assisted Elizabeth into her seat, as Hermione approached Severus and lifted her son from his arms.

"Mum, would you like to meet your grandson?"

Elizabeth nodded tearfully as she beamed at Hermione, her arms outstretched to receive the child.

"Mum, I would like to introduce you to Samuel Remus Granger," Hermione looked down at her son and smiled as she cooed to the child, "Samuel, this is your Grandmum!"

"Oh, Hermione! He is beautiful! Your father would be so proud, and honored that his first grandchild is his namesake."

"I wish he were here, Mum," Hermione whispered hoarsely, "I miss him so."

"So do I, dear... so do I," Elizabeth sighed.

*****

The Christmas Feast was as wonderful as Hermione had remembered from the few times she remained at the school for the holidays. After everybody had their full, and the students returned to their dorms, conversation turned to the subject of Hermione and Samuel.

"Hermione, since you left us last summer, have you given any additional thought to our offer?" Minerva asked.

"Professor McGonagall, having to turn down that offer was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I do hope you understand why I couldn't stay."

"Of course, child! Now that I know why," she eyed Severus, "I do understand how hard it would have been for you to stay. But what do you plan to do now? Have you made any decisions about furthering your education."

"I'm afraid that I can not, at this moment. I have no means of supporting my son and attending University at the same time."

Severus opened his mouth to speak, but Elizabeth beat him to it, "Hermione, I wanted to discuss that with you. Is there some where that we could have some privacy?"

Albus answered, "Why don't you use the staff room? I'm sure Remus and Severus would be happy to show you the way."

As the four of them walked through the corridors, Elizabeth stared in wonder at the beauty of the castle and all its enchantments.

"Hermione! No wonder you never wanted to leave this place!", she gasped in awe.

Hermione gushed, "Isn't it wonderful, Mum? I thought it would be awkward to come back, but now it seems as though I never left. Honestly, I don't even know why I was so scared to return today."

Severus and Remus escorted them into the staff room, where Remus helped Elizabeth to get comfortable in a chair by the fire as Hermione took a moment to fuss over Samuel. There was a tray of coffee and pastries waiting for them, and they each sat in silence for a few moments while they enjoyed their refreshments.

When they were finished, Elizabeth invited Remus to stay, but turned to Hermione and raised an eyebrow towards Severus.

To Hermione's relief, Remus addressed Elizabeth, "Elizabeth, I don't believe you've been properly introduced to Professor Snape."

He turned to Severus, "Severus, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Dr. Elizabeth Granger. Elizabeth, Professor Severus Snape."

Severus extended his hand towards Elizabeth and they exchanged a short greeting before Hermione spoke up, "I'd like Severus to stay, as well, Mum."

"Very well, Hermione," Elizabeth replied, silently wondering if Severus was a close friend as Remus was to her daughter. She knew that Hermione had been a favorite of most of her teachers, but she seemed to recall a few remarks about a "greasy git" and wondered if those comments had been in reference to the man who was now sitting next to her daughter. And if so, how did they end up being friends?

There was an awkward silence before Hermione asked, "What was it that you wanted to speak to me about, Mum?

"I guess I should start by telling you that, though I am getting better every day, there is still some nerve damage that may prevent me from returning to work. My hands just don't work the way they should, and they may never be the same again."

"Oh, Mum!" Hermione cried.

Elizabeth held up a hand to silence her, as she continued, "Hermione, your father had been planning on our retirement for a few years now. Not that we expected to retire any time soon, but it's never too early to think about these things. Last year, we took on an associate. Somebody who we felt would be very capable to take over the practice a few years down the road. Thank goodness that we did, as it is such a relief to know that everything is in good hands... since the accident."

"Between some financial investments that you father made over the years, the sale of the practice and," Elizabeth closed her eyes as her voice dropped to a hoarse whisper, "the insurance settlements," she took a deep breath before she continued, "I shall be financially secure enough to take an early retirement."

"You may wonder what this has to do with you, Hermione," Elizabeth looked into Hermione's eyes as she continued, "I know how much your education means to you. I know how much it must hurt to have to give up on your dream..."

Hermione interrupted "Mum, Samuel is the most important thing in my life right now. He is worth giving up my dreams for."

"I realize that, Hermione! And I am so proud of you for having the strength and the courage to put him first! But, if you will allow me to help you, there is no reason for you to give up your dreams! Please let me help you, so you can continue your education."

Hermione stared wide-eyed at her mother for a few moments, "Mum... I really appreciate what you want to do for me. But I can't take money from you."

"Then consider, Hermione, coming home," Elizabeth replied. "Come back to London. Keep me company in that lonely house full of memories, and in return, I can help with Samuel while you attend a local University."

Hermione's mouth couldn't seem to form any words, as she gaped back at her mother. Before she could compose herself, a deep silky voice quietly cut in.

"I'm afraid I can not allow that to happen."