The Best Sacrifice
PART THREE
Saturday came and went and so did the next couple of days. Severus saw Hermione two more times after that Saturday. Then, Albus insisted that all the Heads of House make a final trip to Hogsmeade in order to purchase some final gifts. Severus put up a charade that he would rather deal with a classroom full of Longbottoms than go to Hogsmeade with a group of nauseating professors. However, he did wish to go, for the first time since his third year as a student. He wished to get Hermione a Christmas present but he didn't know what to get her. Hopefully he would find something in Hogsmeade.
The walk to Hogsmeade was filled with happy laughter and talk amongst Albus and the other Heads but Severus was silent as usual. Dumbledore tried several times to get Severus to join in the conversations but he refused to give more than monosyllabic answers. When they reached the village everyone split up to do their shopping.
"We'll meet at The Three Broomsticks in two hours, shall we?" Albus asked, his blue eyes twinkling.
The professors all agreed and left. Severus wandered aimlessly up and down the streets. He paused outside of Florish and Blotts and thought about a book but quickly decided against it. Florish and Blotts was an excellent place to purchase text books of all kinds and while he was sure Hermione would love to have a new text book, it seemed rather impersonal. So he moved on. He passed several little shops but nothing seemed to scream 'this is where you'll find her gift.' Sighing, Severus turned to head back to Florish and Blotts when a small shop off at the end of the street caught his eye. He immediately brightened.
Portraits of Magic was the only art supplies shop in Hogsmeade. Severus purchased all of his art supplies there. Winding his way through the crowd he stepped inside. The smell of paints, turpentine and canvas filled the air, and while it wasn't as pleasant smelling as the Apothecary, it still felt comforting to him.
"Ah, Professor Snape, out of charcoals again?" the shopkeeper Señor Pintura asked coming from the back of the shop. Art Pintura was from Spain and thus had a light Spanish accent.
"Not today, Art. I'm actually looking for some paints, oil preferably, and a high quality canvas and sable brushes, round tip," Severus said stepping forward.
"Ah, branching out? Muy bien, muy bien. Now, let's have a look at what we have." Art Pintura wandered up and down the isles of the store pulling down the items he was looking for. "Here we have some excelente camel hair brushes and this is a set of our mejor oil paints. Will these satisfy you?"
Severus looked at the items with a critical eye before nodded in satisfaction. Señor Pintura smiled and headed off to get the canvas. He returned with a 14X20 canvas as well as a beautiful ebony frame.
"I thought you might like a frame to go with this," Señor Pintura said with a smile.
"Yes, thank you," Severus said softly. He waited for Señor Pintura to ring up his purchases before having them sent to his chambers. He left with the receipt in his hand before shoving it into his pocket.
He made his way to The Three Broomsticks and waited inside for the others to show up. He didn't have to wait long. Albus, Minerva, Filius, and Pamona arrived in a flurry of cold wind and laughter. Severus sneered at their happiness and waited impatiently for them to reach the table he was seated at.
"Ah, Severus, I don't see any packages. Were you not successful?" Albus asked sitting down next to the surly Potions Master.
"I was. I had them sent back to Hogwarts."
"Ah, excellent suggestion. I wish I had thought of that." Albus smiled at Minerva. "Is any one against having something to drink and maybe something to eat while we're here?"
"I'm all for it, Albus," Minerva said. Filius and Pamona agreed. Severus sneered further.
"I would rather not," he said glaring at the Headmaster.
"No one is forcing you to stay, Severus," Minerva shot back with her trademark glare.
"Then I shall be going," Severus rose and with a nod at the rest of the professors he left.
When he returned to his quiet chambers he stripped off his cloak and quickly got a fire started. He retrieved the art supplies and set up an easel. He didn't usually paint but on the few occasions he had, he usually did watercolors and they tended to come out pretty well, if he did say so himself. Placing his canvas on the easel he set the easel up in the corner of his bedroom. The lighting was best in his bedroom. Making sure everything was set up to his liking, he walked over to his wardrobe and pulled out the Muggle clothes he tended to wear when he did something messy: a pair of grey sweat pants and a, now paint splattered, white cotton T-shirt. Pulling his hair back he settled himself down to begin working.
He took a pencil and began to sketch out the painting. Hermione sat on a large boulder wearing a beautiful deep emerald green velvet gown with a long black cloak. The wind was blowing and her long brown curls blew out behind her. A soft wistful expression covered her face while she gazed softly down at a beautiful young unicorn. The moonlight gave a silvery glow to everything. He worked for several hours before a knock at his door alerted him that it was probably dinner time.
"What has kept you so occupied, Severus that you missed dinner?" Albus asked when Severus opened the door. He had thrown on an old set of robes to hide his paint covered ones and had used a cleaning charm on his skin to get rid of the paint.
"I have been reading and lost track of the time," Severus answered, his expression bored.
"Ah, I should have known. Well, should I have the elves send you something?"
"That would be fine, Headmaster."
Albus smiled and left. Severus sighed and waited for the elves to send up the food. He quickly ate it and then hurried back to his painting. Christmas was in two days and he wished to give the painting to her then. He worked well into the night and into the morning. It wasn't until he heard his clock chime eight did he realize he had worked all night. He sank back into one of his high wingback chairs with a sigh. He needed to bathe, sleep and eat something, though not necessarily in that order.
He sent a message to the house elves to send up some breakfast while he took a shower. Once he was clean he exited the bathroom and ate the breakfast laid out for him. He ate slowly and when he jerked awake for the third time he decided it would be best to get some sleep.
He awoke around three in the afternoon feeling much better. He rose and took another shower and dressed in his usual black robes. He glanced at the finished painting. He had added some holly to her hair giving it a more Christmas-y feeling. He would put it in the frame and wrap in tomorrow before he went to see Hermione. Deciding it was time to at least make an appearance outside of his rooms he left and warded them. He sat down at the only table left in the Great Hall and enjoyed a cup of tea and some cakes. Albus and a Filius were already there talking.
"Severus, my boy, I see you've come out of hiding," Albus laughed.
"I thought it best to come out on my own rather than have you come down and fetch me."
"You're learning." Albus winked and sipped his tea. Severus just rolled his eyes and bit into a cake. "So tell me, Severus doing anything special this year?"
"As a matter of fact I am. I will be visiting my ancestral home tomorrow for my annual check. I'm afraid I haven't been to it since before the war and I dare say it will be in dire need of some renovation work."
"Ah, yes, I recall it's a splendid piece of architecture. Very gothic in design, correct?" Albus asked sipping his tea.
"Yes." Severus felt only a brief flash of guilt at the lie but then it disappeared and he was left to contemplate what Hermione's reaction would be should he ever show her Raven's Ravine.
Raven's Ravine was a beautiful gothic castle that he had inherited from his grandfather. Severus' father had died before it could even belong to him and so the castle had gone to Severus. Ransford Snape was a large gruff looking man with a loud boisterous voice and an even louder laugh. He had been the father Severus had needed when his own had been too drunk to know he even had a son. Of course, the last Severus had heard about his grandfather, he was off somewhere in the Highlands with Severus' grandmother, Mabel, raising sheep on a large farm. Severus had a feeling that Ransford would like Hermione.
After finishing his tea, Severus rose and bid Albus and Filius a good afternoon and returned to his rooms. There was still a pile of 2nd year essays and 5th year potions to grade. With a sigh he sat down at his desk and began grading.
Standing in front of his mirror, Severus checked to make sure his jumper was lint free and that there weren't any unsightly stains on his black trousers. The dark green sweater was a Christmas gift from his grandmother, made from the wool of the sheep he was raising. Severus' grandmother had knitted it and dyed it. He walked over to his bed where the painting was wrapped up in dark green paper and tied with a gold ribbon. He refused to wrap it completely in Gryffindor colors but he didn't think she would appreciate it if he wrapped it completely in Slytherin colors either.
He was just getting his coat and scarf out of his wardrobe when a knock sounded at his door. Growling under his breath he strode out of the bedroom and into the main room and over to the door. He flung it open and glared down at the young man in front of him.
"Professor Snape, are…are you going somewhere?" Draco Malfoy asked upon seeing Severus wearing Muggle clothing.
"Very good Mr. Malfoy. Is there something else you wanted or were you just curious as to whether or not I was going somewhere?" He sneered.
"Oh, actually, mother sent you these. I'm afraid they came a little late," Draco held out a round festive tin that obviously contained some sort of food, cookies no doubt.
"Thank you Mr. Malfoy. You may send my thanks to your mother, but right now I am running late and must be going."
"Don't stay out too late, Professor," Draco grinned suggestively as he turned to head back down the hall where Severus could see Ginny Weasley waiting.
"If it wasn't the break, I'd deduct points for disrespect to a professor, Mr. Malfoy," Severus called out. Draco just laughed and waved.
Severus growled and shut the door. He put the tin on his table and hurried back into the bedroom to finish dressing. Once he deemed himself ready, he picked up the painting, shrunk it to the size of a postcard and put it carefully in his pocket. Then, he left his rooms, warded them and hurried out of the castle to make his way to the Apparation point just outside the Forbidden Forest.
Fifteen minutes later found him standing outside Hermione's door. A Christmas wreath hung on it. It hadn't been there when Severus had visited last. Quickly checking to see if there was anyone around, he took out his gift and returned it to its original size. Then taking a deep breath he knocked on the door.
There was a brief shuffling sound on the other side before it was opened by Hermione. Her cheeks were flushed, obviously from being in a warm kitchen, and her hair was even wilder than usual. A bright grin lit up her face when she saw him.
"Severus, come in, you must meet my parents!" She reached out grabbed his hand and pulled him into the flat.
Severus barely had time to get his coat off and set his gift aside before she had dragged him into the kitchen. Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked ready to go to a fancy party and Severus briefly wondered if he was supposed to be dressed more formally.
"Mum, Dad, this is Professor Severus Snape. He was my Potions Professor at Hogwarts."
Severus suddenly found himself being given a rather scathing look from Hermione's parents. Mr. Granger was glaring at Severus as though Severus had just said he was planning on taking Hermione and keeping her locked up and use her as some sort of whore. For some reason, Severus felt really intimidated by that look. Maybe it was because this was the father of the woman he loved and hoped to have a relationship with.
"Matt, we can't leave now! We can't leave her here alone with him!" Mrs. Granger hissed to her husband. She obviously thought she was being quiet but both Severus and Hermione heard her. Hermione's face went red and this time it wasn't from the heat in the kitchen. She glared at her mother and out of the corner of his eye Severus saw her making tight fists.
"Mum, you said you and dad had to go to your company Christmas party. They're expecting you there. I only wanted you to stay long enough to meet Professor Snape. I'm perfectly safe with him. He fought in the war with me, for goodness sake! We lived in the same castle together!" Hermione had gradually gotten louder and Severus wondered if this wasn't the first time she had had this conversation with her parents.
"Hermione, I thought we already discussed this? I thought we agreed you would have nothing to do with the magical world now that you are no longer a witch!" Mrs. Granger snapped.
"You agreed, I didn't! I can not just forget seven years of my life! I fought in a war and I could have lost my life but I don't regret any of it! Now, I think it would be best if you left for your party," Hermione glared at her parents and stepped closer to Severus. Severus had a feeling this was a declaration on Hermione's part that she was choosing him, the magical world, over her parents, the Muggle world.
"Very well, Hermione, we'll go. You know where to find us when you come to your senses and get over this foolishness," Mr. Granger said stiffly, giving Severus a harsh, cold look as he finished speaking. "Come, Helen, let's go."
Hermione followed her parents, her body stiff with her anger and as soon as her parents left she locked the door and leaned against it with a sigh.
"Perhaps I shouldn't have come," Severus said softly.
"No, they were going to leave any way. I only asked them to stay a little longer to meet you but that was obviously a big mistake. I should have known they would react like that. They were fine with my being a witch, they even thought it was neat, up until the end of my fifth year when I accidentally let it slip that a war was inevitable in the magical world. They tried to keep me from going back but I managed to convince them that I would be alright. I, um, I actually lied to them saying that students wouldn't be fighting since we were too young," she grinned sheepishly at that last confession.
"Hermione, take it from me, being separated from your parents like this is not a good thing. It always ends badly," Severus said seriously.
Hermione sighed and looked away. "It doesn't matter. I've gotten used to it. I think as long as I have friends, I'll be okay. Besides, my grandparents love me either way. They thought the war would be a good experience for me. Not that they wanted me to die or anything but they grew up during World War Two and the Vietnam War. They think being exposed to something like a war is a good way to learn about the world."
"So I take it you're close to your grandparents?"
"Very close. They're actually on a cruise in the Caribbean right now. I could have gone with them but I ran into you and told them I had changed my mind. They understood and took my cousin instead. I think that was the best choice on both of our parts," she grinned at him.
"I'm afraid I am going to have to agree with you," Severus said softly, giving a small smile in return.
"Are you hungry? Or did you already eat before you came?"
"No, I have not eaten yet. I apologize for assuming you would be providing dinner," Severus shifted uneasily.
"Nonsense, I told you to come at seven because I would be cooking dinner. I thought we could eat it here in the living room while watching a Christmas movie. Um, not to be rude but have you ever seen a Christmas movie?"
"I can honestly say I have not," Severus answered, his gaze shifting over to the armoire that held the television in the far right corner of the room.
"Good, then it will be a learning experience for you," Hermione grinned. "Why don't you come into the kitchen with me and we can dish up some food?"
Severus followed Hermione and he noticed the doorway across from the one he entered through. He remembered Hermione had told him that she had another bedroom in her flat and that door obviously led to it. He had only been in her flat one other time since that first dinner and he hadn't been given a tour. The other times he had visited her they did something outside. Severus wondered if she would be against the idea of going ice skating again so soon after their last attempt at it. They had had fun, and she had even said he had a wonderful laugh when he had found the urge to do so after they had crashed for the fifth time. He still had the bruises on his knees from that day.
She handed him a plate and he began filling it with the food laid out on the table. There was a small turkey, a large bowl of mashed potatoes, a basket of rolls, a bowl of peas, a small dish of green bean casserole and several other dishes. Severus gave Hermione a suspicious look.
"Planning on fattening me up, Miss Granger?"
"I would never, Professor!" Her appalled look was comical but Severus just grinned.
"Well, you seem to have enough food here to serve an army. I have every right to be worried about my waist line."
Hermione snorted at that. "Right, as if you ever put on weight. I saw your Hogwarts pictures; you were as skinny as you are now."
"Curious about my looks, Miss Granger?"
"Maybe," her grin was teasing and Severus felt his breath hitch at the sight of it.
Severus wondered when they had grown so comfortable with each other. He had only just discovered she was alive over a week ago and yet they were acting as though they had been the best of friends. He knew they had gotten close during the war, they had had to. But it had been nearly half a year since the war was won and they should not have fallen back into the camaraderie that they had had during it. However, he was not going to complain. She obviously wasn't upset by it.
Once they had filled their plates they returned to the living room. Hermione went over to the armoire and opened it to reveal the large television inside. Kneeling down she opened the smaller cabinet and searched through the videos. Severus, feeling he should make himself useful went over to the fireplace and stirred up the fire. Brushing off his hands he turned to look at Hermione as she stood up.
"I have A Christmas Carol starring Patrick Stewart, a wonderful British actor and I have several American stop-motion shorts. These are the ones that I always watch. They're tradition for me," she smiled holding up the videos.
"What are stop-motion shorts?"
"They're kind of like cartoons but at the same time they're not. See, they take little figures or puppets and move them a little bit, take a picture, move them a little bit again, take another picture and repeat the processes numerous times. When they play all the pictures together, the figures move. Their a bit jerky in their movements since these were made in the sixties but they're classics in America. I think they're cute in a nostalgic way."
Severus looked at the videos. She had Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, The Little Drummer Boy, Jack Frost, Frosty's Winter Wonderland and Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town. He had to admit he was rather curious about this stop-motion thing. He handed Hermione the videos back and gave a nod of approval. She grinned back and hurried over to the television again. A few minutes later they were seated comfortably side by side on the couch watching Rudolph.
He had to agree with her, the animation, if that was what it could be called, was rather choppy but he was impressed with what the American Muggles had managed to do. He found himself grinning whenever Hermione would break out into song to sing along with the characters in the show.
"I think you're a lot like Rudolph," Hermione said as if making a sudden revelation.
"Excuse me?"
"Well, no offense but you were always the outcast at Hogwarts, even when you were a Death Eater, you said so yourself once. Yet, like Rudolph you end up saving the day, so to speak. If it wasn't for the information you were feeding the Order then we wouldn't have known what to do on several occasions."
"And does that mean I have a pretty girl fawning over me?" Severus had meant it as a joke but he knew deep inside he was holding his breath waiting for her answer.
She looked up at him and appeared to search his face. She must have found what she was looking for this time for she smiled and blushed shyly and picked up his hand in order to lace her fingers through his.
"I think there's a pretty good chance that you might," she said softly.
Severus looked down into her eyes for a long time. He felt drawn to her and…was she getting closer? Their lips met softly once, twice and then pressed more firmly. Severus felt her grip his back tightly and he shivered at the touch. He pulled back to look down at her for a moment before pressing his lips back to hers. He gently ran his tongue across her bottom lip and she tentatively opened her mouth allowing him to deepen the kiss. He had never kissed someone like this or been kissed like this for that matter. He gripped her head gently and angled it for better access.
When the need for air became necessary they gently broke apart. He rested his forehead against hers while they both attempted to regain their breath.
"Oh, wow," Hermione breathed.
"Indeed."
"Please tell me you haven't been practicing that."
"Why would I be practicing something like that?"
"It was too perfect. Nothing like that could be spontaneous," she said, lifting her eyes to catch his.
"Then I'm sorry to disappoint you but that has never been practiced. You said yourself, I was the outcast for most of my life; there isn't a flock of women beating down my door begging for kisses or anything else for that matter." His tone had taken a disgusted sound.
He looked up when Hermione gently cupped his face. She was looking at him the way he had always hoped she would. "I'll beat down your door, if you want me to."
"You won't have to beat it down, Hermione. It will be wide open," he said, his throat tight with emotion.
"And will you be in your rooms?"
"With my arms wide open," he swallowed hard as she gave him a shaky smile.
"Do you have to be in your rooms or could you be right here with them open?"
Severus didn't bother to say anything. He didn't think he could get anything past the lump in his throat. Instead he opened his arms slowly. He was baring his soul now; he had let down all of his barriers and it was up to her walk through the gates and come to him. He didn't have to wait long, though it seemed to be quite a while, for her to fling herself into his arms and begin kissing his face. He gathered her close and attempted to capture her lips with his. He wasn't going to admit his feelings completely yet, it was too early in the relationship but he knew that when the time was right he would go all the way.
They finished watching the other stop-motion movies, sneaking kisses in-between. When the last one was over Hermione turned to him with a smile.
"I have something for you."
Severus raised his eyebrows and watched her hurry over to her small Christmas tree. She pulled a rather large box out from under it and quickly returned with it. She plopped it down in his lap and sat down next to him again, her grin wide and her eyes filled with excitement. Severus glanced at her briefly before turning his attention to the box in his lap.
It was wrapped in silver wrapping paper with what appeared to be poinsettias and holly on it. Ripping the paper off, he moved on to the box. Inside was a beautiful velvet cloak of a deep green so dark it was almost black. His initials had been stitched on the collar in silver. There was also a small slender pocket in the inner lining that was just the right size for his wand. He raised his eyes to hers and smiled softly.
"This is very beautiful, Hermione. This must have been rather expensive," he said gently caressing the velvet with his long fingers.
"It's Christmas Severus; there is never a price on a gift at Christmas. I'm afraid I couldn't think of anything to get you but when I saw that in a store near the Leaky Cauldron I knew that it was perfect for you. I remember your old one was rather tattered." She blushed and felt the velvet along with him. He captured her fingers and raised them to his lips.
"Thank you. I actually have something for you as well," he rose and retrieved his gift to her from where he had left it on the side table near the door.
Hermione smiled when he handed it to her and she waited just long enough for him to sit down before she began to open it. She gasped and stared in shock at the painting.
"Oh, Severus," she breathed carefully brushing her fingers over the painting. It was done in Muggle style so it didn't move. "This is…I mean…It's so beautiful. Did you make this?"
"Yes," Severus felt his cheeks burning slightly as he smiled shyly.
"Is…you don't really see me like this do you?" she sounded so appalled at the idea that he had to laugh softly.
"I do. Why do you think so many of my sketches were of you?"
"You had more sketches of me?" Severus felt himself go white. She hadn't known? He thought she had found out when she found out about his talent.
"I thought you knew, you have one of them on your mantel."
"I knew you had done that one sketch and that you sketched as a hobby but I didn't know you had more of me. Why me?" She was staring at the painting but Severus knew she was watching him out of the corner of her eye.
"There's something about you that just shouts to be captured artistically," he said softly. Her cheeks went pink and she raised her gaze to his.
"That's quite an admission coming from you, Professor. I guess I never realized just how much you enjoyed my company during the war. But obviously if you found yourself compelled to look at me enough to feel the need to sketch and paint me then we must have spent more time together than I thought we had."
"I do have sketches of other people and things, Miss Granger," he sniffed.
"I should have hoped so other wise I'd think you were some sort of stalker," she grinned.
"I don't stalk, Miss Granger, I spy." His grin was rather demonic as he reached out to pull her against him for a kiss.
A/N: There's one more part and then this story is done. I hope it leaves a warm feeling in all of your hearts by then. Celticreeder.