Forgotten Yesterday
Chapter 19: Happy Christmas
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any characters borrowed for use in this story.
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Hermione recovered quickly and soon returned to her classes. Her students were greatly relieved after having been the first class in many years to experience Professor Snape as a potions master. The weeks and months passed in as much peace as a school full of adolescents can experience and soon the hall were decorated for the holiday season.
Hermione was nestled in a warm corner of the staff room grading papers. Snape brought a cup of tea and placed it before her.
"How are you doing?" he took the seat opposite her.
She looked up, "I'm fine. A little tired."
He picked up a parchment and read. Absently he reached for her red quill.
She snatched it out of his reach, "don't even think about it. I spent 3 weeks undoing the trauma you inflicted upon my students."
He glared at her. "Sometimes a little trauma is good for the soul."
Hermione burst out laughing. "You're evil."
"Thank you. May I assume you will be staying for the holiday?"
"Yes, I think I'm doing something with Harry. Don't roll your eyes at me."
"I did nothing."
"Right."
They sat in friendly silence for several long moment. Without warning one of the Slytherin prefects came running into the staffroom babbling about a duel and slime. Snape stood and sighed giving Hermione a pained look before sweeping out the door. She laughed slightly to herself before returning to her work. Over the course of the next few hours other professors came in and out going about their business. She had been alone in the room for quite some time when she finally stopped and stretched her hands high above her head. She felt something brush against her and she jumped. Her eyes searched the room but found nothing. She shook her head and rubbed across her tired eyes. "I'm losing my mind." she whispered aloud. Almost in answer the papers on the table began to rattle and slide around. "Peeves!" she called. Then she remembered. The staff room, like the living quarters, were off limits to the school ghosts. This was a rule Snape strictly enforced and not even the mischievous poltergeist dared challenge. When the papers began to move again she sprung foreword and landed on something solid. They fell to the ground an Hermione quickly found she had an invisibility cloak in her hands. Harry grinned at her from his place on the floor.
"You caught me." he stated very plainly.
One look at him and she began laughing.
"What gave me away?"
"Ghosts aren't allowed in the staff room."
"Damn." he stood up and dusted himself off. "Forgot about that." he reached down and offered her his hands.
"How long have you been here?" he pulled her quickly to her feet.
"Three hours, give or take."
Hermione took a step closer to him. "You need a life."
Harry brought his arms up around her. "I believe you are quickly becoming my life."
"Mmmmm." Hermione basked in the feeling of his warm arms around her.
"Would you two please move this display to your rooms?"
They turned to see the frightening specter of the headmaster looming in the doorway.
"Shouldn't you be draining the life from some poor little Gryffindor?" he asked as they broke apart.
"If only I could still deduct house points from you two."
"Oh please, if you only knew your actual percentage of catching us."
"You think I don't?" The men stood challenging each other as Hermione gathered her papers.
"If you gentlemen are finished I could use an escort back to my chambers."
Harry backed away and offered his arm to her.
"Good night, Headmaster." she called over her shoulder.
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Harry slipped his arm over Hermione's shoulder once they were out of sight of the staff room. They took a long and rather and winding route back to Hermione's room. Almost an hour had passed before they finally stood outside her door.
"So…" he started. "I was wondering…" he looked up at her shyly. "Do you want to come spend Christmas with me and Kaity?"
She smiled looking up at him. "I would be honored to join you."
His grin widened. Harry dramatically bowed and kissed her hand. "Until morning fair lady."
Hermione smiled watching him retreat down the corridors.
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Before anyone realized it seemed Christmas was upon them. Hermione couldn't remember the last time she had spent so many hours shopping for presents. A book on feudal Asian potion brewing for Snape, some bath salts for Madam Pomfrey, she had even put together a basket of candy and pranks for Kaitlyn. Harry was the issue. He was impossible to shop for. There wasn't a shop in Hogsmead she hadn't been in. It was even harder to shop when he wouldn't let her leave the castle alone. It had taken much convincing to get Severus to come with her.
"Do you know what I should get Harry?" She asked him as the walked down to the small village.
"A personality, a brain, common sense." he suggested sarcastically.
"You're impossible."
"I try. Why don't you find some quidditch paraphernalia?"
"He already has just about everything."
Snape gave her a look. "There is one thing I know he does not have."
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Harry had no idea why he was so nervous. It was just Hermione. He knocked lightly on her door. A voice from the other side called that it was open and he entered. Hermione came sweeping out of her bedroom. Harry could not tear his eyes from her.
"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."
She smiled and stepped closer to him. "Thank you."
He lifted his hand and gently caressed her cheek. Lightly he pulled her toward him and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
Hermione smiled and ducked away. "Happy Christmas, Harry."
"Happy Christmas, Hermione." he looked around the room. "Do you need me to get anything?"
Hermione grinned and began loading his arms.
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Harry's rooms were warm and comfortable as the three settled down to Christmas dinner. It was amazing. Hermione looked at him appraisingly.
"You didn't cook this did you?"
"How can you say that? I could easily have made this."
"No, you couldn't Daddy." Kait said between bites of pudding.
"Snitch." he whispered.
She giggled and kept eating.
After dinner they settled around the fire.
"Can I please open my presents?" Kaitlyn jumped up and down in front of Harry.
"No, you have to wait till morning."
Hermione could tell it was a struggle for him. The little girl finally nestled on the sofa between them. Soon she was sound asleep. Harry smiled at Hermione over her and raised a finger to his lips. He carefully picked up the sleeping child and carried her up to her room. Hermione cleaned up the mugs and desert plates and took them to the kitchen. When she returned to the sitting room Harry was just returning down the stairs. He sat on the sofa next to her and slipped an arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him simply enjoying the closeness.
"'Mione?" he asked quietly.
"Yeah."
"I can't tell you what it means to me to have you here now."
She cuddled closed against him as a answer.
"It's never really felt like home till now."
"It's getting late."
"You could stay."
"Would you want me to?"
In response Harry sat up behind her. Hermione turned to face him. Harry caught her face in his hands. Slowly, gently he began to place small kisses over her cheeks and eyes and forehead. When his lips delicately brushed over hers Hermione knew she would not be leaving.
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