Disclaimer: It's not mine, it belongs to the one of the fiction goddesses J.K. Rowling.
A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed and left me "get better!" messages- I think they really helped! I did have the flu, which sucked obviously, but luckily it wasn't too bad, and I've spent all my time in bed sleeping and working on this chapter, so thank you for waiting patiently and not so patiently for it. After being out of classes for a couple of days, I've got a lot to catch up on, but I wanted to get this out too, so I alternated. I'd do some work, then reward myself and let my imagination run wild. Oh, when it comes to the gifts and stuff later on in the chapter, I know they aren't all that original, so forgive me. Anyways, thanks again, and now onto the story!
Take Time to Smell the Roses
Chapter Twenty Six
"WAKE-UP, WAKE-UP, WAKE-UP!"
Severus sat up straight and began cursing the Weasley twins for running through the house and yelling at the un-godly hour of seven a.m. Hermione simply slapped a hand over his mouth and tugged him back down so he was on his back again. Turning on her side, Hermione snuggled up against him as he wrapped his arms around her, resting her head and one hand on his chest, while the other was tucked around his waist. Severus smiled at her and rested his head against hers as he settled back down, enjoying the moment.
"Aww, aren't you two just the cutest things?!" A sarcastic voice sounded from their doorway, and Severus peeked an eye open to see Blaise standing in the doorway, his arms wrapped around Ginny who was standing in front of him, smiling at them.
"Morning Professor," she said sleepily.
"Miss Weasley, as we are on break currently, and I do not wish to be reminded of school, would you refer to me by my given name?" Severus asked. "And if you would also Mr. Zabini."
"Sure Uncle, just call us by our given names also," Blaise grinned at him, while Ginny nodded.
"As you wish Blaise, Genevra," he fought a yawn. "Now if you would leave us so we might get a few more minutes of needed sleep?"
"Needed sleep, huh?" Fred's head appeared in the doorway behind the other two, George right behind him.
"Hermione, were you and the professor doing something that warrants some more needed sleep?" George hinted, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
"Oh you caught me George," Hermione replied without moving. "Severus and I here shagged like mad all through the night, and I'm just so terribly sore I don't know that I'll be able to walk, but whew! It's most certainly worth it."
"MUUUUUMMMMMMMMMM!!!!" Fred and George screamed simultaneously as they ran away quicker than you could say 'gotcha'.
"What's all their yelling about?" Harry asked as he, Ron, Charlie, and Bill appeared in the doorway.
"Oh, Mione here just scared them by saying she and Severus shagged last night," Blaise smirked, especially when their faces blanched at the blunt phrasing.
"You know we might as well just get up love," Severus kissed her head before nudging her. "Everyone's going down to open presents anyways."
"No," she mumbled, but slowly sat up and climbed out of bed.
"Uh, maybe you two want to put something on over those?" Charlie coughed slightly as the four boys stared at the two in slight shock and horror while Blaise and Ginny just shared a smile.
The reason for the boy's shock and horror was because of what Severus and Hermione were wearing, or rather, what they weren't. Severus was clad in black and green flannel pyjamma pants with no top, while Hermione was only wearing the matching black and green flannel shirt that went halfway down her thighs, and no pants. It showed off her shapely legs, ending in sock clad feet.
"What? Too much skin for you boys?" Hermione teased, but she pulled on a pair of sweats as Severus tugged on a black long-sleeved shirt.
"Happy Christmas by the way," Ginny hugged Hermione as they exited the room and began to make their way downstairs to open presents.
Walking into the living room, Hermione immediately went over to Fred and George and apologised for scaring them. Then she joined Severus in the same chair they had sat in the night before. Around them, everyone else had pretty much arranged themselves as they had the night before.
"Well, Happy Christmas everyone," Molly smiled as she entered the room, a large tray floating behind her carrying hot cocoa, tea, and coffee, with the various fixings. Everyone took their preferred choice as Molly sat down next to Arthur on the magically widened chair.
"All right, you're first Dad," Bill smiled, and everyone handed over their gifts to make a rather large pile in front of him. He began opening them, and received many muggle tokens, some sweets, a book from Percy, and a "fellytision" from Harry with some movies.
"Our gift will be coming later, along with part of the boy's gifts," Hermione told him with an apologetic smile.
"No worries Hermione, perfectly all right," Arthur said happily, still enamored with his various muggle trinkets. "Now I believe it's your turn dear."
Molly received a nice sweater, some pieces of jewellery, a new cookbook on how to make five-minute-meals for the hungry man, another of Lockhart's books that she didn't have, and from Hermione and Severus, a trip to Greece with her husband that she could use at any time.
"All right, you're up next Professor," Ron said, somewhat hesitantly as he still wasn't completely used to having Snape in his home, like a normal person.
"Here Severus, this is from Blaise and me," Ginny said as Blaise handed an envelope to him.
"I've wanted to go to this for years, thank you Genevra, Blaise," he said after opening the gift to reveal a set of tickets to an upcoming potions symposium he had wanted to attend.
"Your turn Professor," Harry commented, before handing over his present to Severus along with everyone else.
Severus opened the rest up to reveal many books, and two gift certificates to the apothecary. None of the gifts surprised him, as he knew he was difficult to shop for, even for those who did know him.
"Here Sev," Hermione smiled as she handed him her gift, a flat rectangular box.
"It's perfect love," he said simply as he opened the box to reveal a beautifully framed 5x7 picture. It was one from the wedding, right after they became engaged again. Their picture selves were smiling and holding each other close. Every now and then they would exchange a small kiss.
"I'm glad you like it," Hermione smiled as he leaned over and brushed a kiss on her temple. "Now push the small button in the back."
Severus raised an eyebrow as he looked at her, but turned the picture over and pushed the said button. Moments later Hermione's voice drifted out, singing 'When you say nothing all,' which is what they both thought of as their song.
"Oh, and I've got one other little thing for you," Hermione smirked, handing a card to Severus.
"A card?" He questioned, and Hermione shot him an exasperated look that plainly said to just open it. Pulling out the card, he sneered slightly at the cheesy design on the front before opening it. Everyone around watched in curiosity as his eyes skimmed back and forth several times, widening in surprise and shock.
"Does this mean what I think it does?" He asked, turning to look at his blushing wife.
"If you think it means that we're going to be having a son in nine months, then yes, it means what you think," she laughed happily as he pulled her to him and held her tightly as everyone around them shouted their congratulations.
"I love you," he whispered into her ear.
"Love you too," she whispered back before they turned their attention back to opening presents.
Bill was up next and he received a variety of gifts including a book or two, the standard Weasley sweater, some sweets, a gift certificate or two, and from Hermione and Severus, a plane ticket to France, good for anytime, so he could go visit his long-time girlfriend Fleur Delacour.
Going down the line, Charlie was next, and like Bill, he received some books, a sweater, some sweets, a gift certificate or two, and from Hermione and Severus he received a vacation package to go to Russia for a week and travel around some of the most famous dragon reserves there.
Percy was probably the easiest to shop for as he always liked books. So everyone gave him either a book, or a certificate to a book store. Ron of course gave him a few of his favourite sweets too. Hermione and Severus also gave him a certificate to a clothing store that was good for three custom-made business suits and cloaks.
Fred and George, like every year, opened their gifts simultaneously. They exclaimed over their sweaters, and promptly traded them so Fred was wearing the "G" and George was wearing the "F" one. They received a book called Perfect Charms for the Fun-loving Prankster from Percy, on the condition that they never use them on him. Charlie and Bill joined in on a gift certificate to Zonko's, while Harry and Ron did the same for a Honeyduke's gift certificate. Blaise and Ginny got them a two year subscription to Prankster's Choice magazine. However Hermione and Severus' gift was by far the most surprising.
"Here," Severus said, handing over a thick white envelope to the two trouble-makers.
"Thank you Professor," they said automatically, although everyone had to fight back laughter at the look on their faces, which showed that they clearly thought the envelope would explode or something.
"Just open it you two! It's from me also, and you know I wouldn't let him do anything to it," Hermione rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"Sure…" they said sceptically, but they went ahead and opened it, pulling out a thick bundle of paper stapled together. They read over the top page before looking up at Hermione and Severus with disbelief clearly written on their faces. "Is this for real?"
"Completely, you just have to sign," Severus smirked, and produced a quill for them which they took and quickly signed the paper in front of them before it disappeared with a glow and a pop.
"What is it?" Arthur asked, his curiosity finally getting the better of him.
"We own a prime piece of real estate in Diagon Alley, right next to Flourish and Blotts," they said in awe, still looking over the rest of the papers.
"WHAT?!" the other Weasley children exclaimed.
"Well the three most important things in business are location, location, and location," Hermione said with a giggle. "So we thought we'd help out the soon-to-be most talented joke and prank store in the wizarding world."
"Thank you!" the twins exclaimed, and threw themselves at Hermione in a giant hug, and then cautiously shook Severus' hand.
Ron was next, and received a book from Percy like everyone else had, sweets from Harry, a large gift certificate from Bill and Charlie to Quality Quidditch Supplies, the standard sweater from Mum, still in maroon, a broom polishing kit from the twins, and tickets to the next Chudley Canon's game from Blaise and Ginny. Again though, Hermione and Severus' gift showed everyone else's up.
"Bloody…hell…" Ron whispered in shock looking at the inside of the card that he had gotten from Hermione and Severus.
"Language Ron, but what is it?" Molly scolded.
"It's an invitation to attend a day of quidditch training camp with the Chudley Canons!" He did the same as the twins and gave Hermione an enthusiastic hug and a kiss on the cheek before shaking Severus' hand and sitting back down, still staring at the card like it was a little piece of heaven.
Harry received his Weasley sweater and with a smile at Mrs. Weasley, tugged it on. He also received a book, sweets, gift certificates, some pranks from the twins, and another broom polishing kit from Ginny and Blaise. Hermione and Severus had worked for months on getting Harry's gift, but managed to finally get it in the end. They had gotten him the deed to the land where his parent's house had been in Godric's Hollow. Now he would be able to live there someday.
Hermione received her light blue Weasley sweater, sweets from Harry and Ron, books from the others, and a beautiful pair of silver lion earrings with rubies for eyes from Blaise and Ginny.
"Happy Christmas love," Severus said as he passed her a long, thin, jewellery box. Opening it she found a delicate silver chain with a lion charm on the end with ruby eyes that matched the earrings.
"It's beautiful! I absolutely love it!" Hermione exclaimed, and turned so Severus could clasp it around her neck. "Thank you."
Blaise was next, and he received a sweater from Molly in a dark purple. He also received sweets from Harry and Ron, and books and gift certificates from the other Weasleys. From Hermione and Severus he received the deed to a piece of land that bordered the land Hermione and Severus' summer home was on. Ginny's gift to him was on the same idea of Hermione's gift to Severus. She had given him a small framed picture of the two of them dancing together at the Yule ball. The picture had been taken, surprise, surprise, by Colin Creevey.
"Finally it's my turn," Ginny huffed, but she was smiling. Even though she sometimes got annoyed with being last, she was happy to be with her loved ones.
Ginny received a book from Percy like everyone else, sweets from Ron and Harry, her new Weasley sweater which was light purple and looked good with Blaise's. From her other four brothers she received a used, but in good condition, Nimbus 2000. And from Hermione and Severus she received a beautiful black winter cloak, fur lined, and charmed against staining, tearing, and minor curses.
"Okay you, where's my gift?" She said teasingly to Blaise who was standing behind her chair.
"You know I love you, right? I mean, you know that I would do anything for you and that I love you with my whole heart…" Blaise moved to stand in front of her.
"Blaise, you're shaking? What's wrong?" Ginny turned her concerned face to look up at him.
"I want you with me forever. I never want to lose you," he knelt down in front of her. "I can't imagine a day without you in it, and frankly I don't want too."
"Blaise love, I'm not going anywhere," she leaned forward and cupped his face in her hands. "I love you. You know I can't live without you either, why are you worried? Don't ever doubt my feelings for you."
By now, Ginny's brothers were slowly realising what Blaise was trying to do, and murder began to show in their eyes, but Molly sent them all a glare that plainly said if they move, they will be the ones who get hurt.
"Darling, I'm not worried. Could you just PLEASE not interrupt me for a second?"
"Sorry Blaise, you're just worrying me, and I…" she was cut off when he kissed her soundly. "Okay, I'll shut up."
"Thank you," he smirked. "What I have been TRYING to say is that I love you more than life itself, and I want to be with you forever, if you'll have me."
"I-"
"Ginevra," he narrowed his eyes when she started to speak again, and pulled a small box out of his pocket. "Will you marry me? Not now of course, but in a few years when we're both ready?"
It wasn't until that point that Ginny realised that Blaise was not in fact squatting in front of her, but that he was down on one knee. She stared at him, dumbfounded. "What?"
"Will you marry me?"
"OH MY GOD! YES! YES! YES! OF COURSE I'LL MARRY YOU!" She threw her arms around his neck, tears beginning to roll down her cheeks as he picked her off the floor, holding her tightly to him.
"No crying!" he kissed the tears on her cheeks, "Look darling, it's a pretty ring! Please don't cry."
"I'm just so happy," she looked down at the ring with dazed eyes. "It's amazing."
"No, you are," Blaise kissed her again.
"Hey Mione, want to see my pretty ring? It's all sparkly!"
"It's very pretty," Hermione laughed after obediently looking at the ring. She then stood up and gave Ginny a big hug. "Now boys, no bothering Blaise, he already had your parents permission, he doesn't need yours, and I'll sure he'll be a perfect gentlemen around her."
Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron, and Harry froze in place. They had been inching closer to Blaise, preparing to steal him away for 'the talk' but Hermione had seen them. So instead they each gave him an unspoken warning, and then began hugging him and clapping him on the back, welcoming him to the family. Then they turned to Ginny and smothered her with hugs and kisses.
"Congratulations Blaise," Severus came over the young man who couldn't stop smiling.
"Thank you Uncle," he turned and gave him a hug before turning to Hermione. "Hey Auntie, did you know Ginny's now going to be related to you through marriage now? You're third cousins twice removed by marriage."
"Yes, I realised that," Hermione gave him a kiss on the cheek and returned his ecstatic smile and hug. "Did you realise you're getting seven over-protective brother-in-laws out of this?"
"Ginny makes it all worthwhile," he said seriously, looking over at his fiancée where she was exchanging a teary hug with her mother.
"Certain women make life worthwhile," Severus said, smiling down at his wife, who smiled back at him before leaning into his one arm embrace.
After more hugs and rounds of congratulations, they finally cleaned up the wrapping paper, and were headed into the kitchen for breakfast when several pops outside reminded Hermione and Severus of something.
"Oh, your other gifts are here," she said, and led them outside. "Mr. Weasley, that is another Ford Anglia for you to drive around in, but you can't cast any spells on it. And in the box there should be Nimbus 2000's for all the Weasley boys."
"THANKS MIONE!" Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, and Ron all shouted running over to the box and tearing it open.
"Who's up for a game of quidditch?" Charlie asked, and everyone shouted their agreement.
"Not till after breakfast," Molly said firmly, and Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron, Harry, Blaise, and Ginny all rushed in to eat quickly.
"Are you coming Mione?" Harry asked a few minutes later as the above-mentioned rushed out the door heading to the field, brooms in hand.
"We'll be along later, I have something I'd like to speak to my wife about," Severus answered for her, and the others all rushed on with a wave.
"Well, what'd you need?" Hermione asked as they began to slowly walk through the frost covered garden in the backyard.
"There is more than meets the eye to your present," Severus said cryptically. "Wrap your hand around the charm completely."
Hermione did so, and after a few moments Severus held back a laugh as he mouth dropped open. She turned and gave him an inquiring look, and he simply nodded. Squealing, she threw her arms around his neck and he did laugh this time as he spun her around, snow flying.
"I thought you might like that," he said.
"Of course I like it," she kissed him soundly. "You know I've been dying to hear you sing. Now I can hear your voice anytime I need to. But will you sing it out loud for me?"
"Only for you," he kissed her tenderly again, cupping her face in his hand before pulling back.
"Lying here with you
I watch you while you sleep.
The dawn is closing in,
With every breath you breathe.
I can feel the change,
The change you've made in me.
But will ever see,
All the things you see, in me.
When you say that I'm one of a kind,
Baby I don't see it, but you believe
That I'm so strong and true, I promise you
I'll try to be that kind of man,
Because you love me like I am.
When it comes to love,
I may not know the rules.
But there's one thing I know,
My heart belongs to you,
Just you.
When you say that I'm one of a kind,
Baby I don't see it, but you believe
That I'm so strong and true, I promise you
I'll try to be that kind of man,
Because you love me like I am.
You showed me,
You love me,
With a fire,
That burns deep inside.
When you say that I'm one of a kind,
Baby I don't see it, but you believe
That I'm so strong and true, I promise you
I'll try to be that kind of man,
Because you love me like I am.
You love me, just like I am
I don't see it, but you believe,
That I'm so strong and true, I promise you
I'll try to be that kind of man,
Because you love me like I am.
Oh I'll never understand,
I don't think I'll ever, understand,
Why you love me, just like I am."
"That was beautiful Severus, thank you," Hermione smiled up at him. "Now what do you say we go join Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and watch the quidditch game?"
"If we must," he huffed, but took her hand and allowed himself to be pulled in the direction of the field.
A/N: Well, that's the end of Christmas; I hope you all liked it. Quick re-cap: We had the teasing between the twins and Hermione, the funny pyjamma scene with our favourite couple, presents (sorry they're not that original, but I was too tired to be creative), Blaise's sweet proposal, and Ginny being all clueless and worried, then the other gifts being dropped in, and Severus singing for Hermione. Lots of fun stuff, at least I think so. Next chapter is going to be wedding preparations, the chapter after that will be the wedding, and either an epilogue at the end of the wedding chapter, or in it's own separate chapter. You decide. Anyways, the next chapter will probably take a while to get up since it's the wedding I'm going to want to make sure everything is perfect, but then again, it may just write itself, kind of like this one did- can you believe it's 15 1/2 pages, size 12 font? Anyways, thanks for reading, review if you want, it's cool if you don't.