THE STORY IS CALLED HOW SNAPE STOLE CHRISTMAS! PEOPLE PEOPLE! HOW CAN THE STORY END WITHOUT SNAPE STEALING CHRISTMAS? Well now that I got that out of my system I feel free to move on with my story! I did not give the story a title of How Snape Stole Christmas without the intention of actually having Snape steal Christmas.

Well here is Chapter 27. I must apologize for taking so long. To make up for it I triend to make it somewhat longer then the otehr chapters. I am not sure whether it worked.

Well Enjoy! As usual I do not own Harry Potter I am just borrowing the characters.

- December 20, 1998 -

Fancied me? HA. Minerva was a fool to try to play mind games with me. Not only am I a Slytherin, but I am their head of house. Foolish Gryffindors and their 'noble' ways. Even if Hermione did or had liked me...what would I do? She was beautiful; she could be my Jane. Did Minerva have something? No Severus...Do not doubt yourself.

This was the only thing that had occupied my spare thoughts for months. It is not in the nature of the Gryffindor species to lie without a purpose. I could see nothing that would cause Minerva to profit from in lying to me about Hermione. But what did Minerva mean by saying change the letters of her name as a clue? Why did it seem as if everyone seemed to know something I didn't?

I stood and exited my office in my typical dramatic way. I strode, billowing robes and all, up to the Gryffindor Common Room. I stormed in to find Miss Weasley sitting next to the blazing hearth of their cheerfully roaring fire reading a potions book I had lent her.

"Miss Weasley, please join my on a trip to Hogsmeade to get ingredients that are in need of being replenished in the students stores."

"Of course Professor Snape," Miss Weasley replied closing the book gently after placing a bookmark in it and placing it on the table. "No one will bother it. I'm the only Gryffindor who stayed behind this year."

I gave her a curt nod and we exited walking to the front door.

One of the school's thestral powered carriages stood waiting for us at the foot of the steps. I moved ahead of Miss Weasley and opened the door for her. I offered my hand in a show of gentlemanly etiquette.

"Thank you Professor," she spoke softly as she took my hand and stepped up. She was used to my way of being as polite as possible to her when it was just she with me and none of the other dunderheads. She settled herself with graceful dignity; Her back was facing the thestral.

"We will also be stopping at Miss Granger's flat before returning to the castle. She wrote and asked me to stop by today."

Miss Weasley nodded and pulled aside a curtain so she could peer out.

I frowned. It was snowing again. Blasted weather. Disgusting season. Spring and summer were much worse, granted. So bloody cheerful and happy and spring, of course, was the season of 'love.' I liked the cold of winter but the color was so white and seemingly pure. I felt it should be more a shade of red. Blood stained time of the year. Winter had stolen what I loved and how I hated it. Perhaps winter would finally return my lost love to me.

"Professor," I heard Miss Weasley venture softly.

"Yes Miss Weasley," I responded turning my attention from the snowy landscape to look into her brown eyes.

"May we stop by the book store please? I wanted to go ahead and by Hermione a Christmas/Wedding gift."

"Yes. I need to get a present as well. While I am collecting mine, you're to remain in the bookstore."

Miss Weasley nodded.

The carriage slowed and stopped. I opened the door and climbed out ahead of my redheaded companion. I offered my hand to her to help her down in front of the Apothecary. I released her hand as soon as she was down.

The snow crunched merrily under our feet as we walked up to the door. A bell tinkled festively as I pushed the door open motioning for her to walk in ahead of me. She smiled warmly at me. That was one of the more annoying mannerisms she displayed. She seemed to think I was not all bad. I tried to prove her wrong but have found my attempts to be quite futile.

"Thank you Professor," she said walking in.

"Hello Ginny," Neville Longbottom said as he stood behind the counter.

I felt my lip curl. I never liked that incompetent nincompoop. I didn't like him in class and I did not like him now any better.

"Hello Neville," Miss Weasley responded cordially.

"P-professor," Neville stuttered as he saw me.

At least he hadn't stopped fearing me. I smirked on the inside.

"Mr. Longbottom," I answered with a perfunctory nod. "We are here for Potions Ingredients for the school. Just send the bill to Albus. He will take care of it."

"Yes Sir," Neville said in a small, meek voice with his eyes firmly directed at the counter in front of him.

"Come Miss Weasley," I said calmly.

She shot a shy look at Neville before she moved to my side.

"What all do we need Professor?" Miss Weasley said softly looking up at me from her shorter height.

"I've divided the list into one for each of us. I will get the more sensitive ingredients," I said removing to pieces of parchment from my pocket and passing one of the lists to Miss Weasley.

We left half an hour later. We placed the ingredients carefully in the back.

"Where will we be going next?" Miss Weasley asked me softly.

"You will be buying a present for Miss Granger while I go and pick up what I need to get."

We stopped outside the book store and I helped Miss Weasley down and saw her inside before I instructed the thestral where I needed to go. I climbed out as the thestral stopped and went into the jewelry store.

"Hello Professor Snape, your order is ready and it turned out most beautifully," a smiling witch greeted me. "I'll just go and get it from the back sir."

The small witch disappeared into the back and returned moments later with a red velvet covered jewelry box. She placed it down on the counter and opened it turning it around so I could see it.

Perfect. It was exactly what I had wanted for Hermione. A hand carved bracelet that was half silver and half gold. I snapped the box shut and took out my money pouch.

"Thank you," I spoke sincerely and I paid her the exact amount of the bracelet. I clicked the box shut and left the store placing the box gently in my pocket as I instructed the thestral where I needed to go. "Take me back to the book store."

I collected Miss Weasley and had the thestral pick up his pace a bit to be sure we would not be late. The thestral slowed and stopped a short time later.

Hermione appeared at the door as I began to help Miss Weasley from the carriage.

"Severus and Ginny, please come in," Hermione called walking out to meet us. "Sirius said he would not be by today because he has to go and get his dress robes for the wedding."

I nodded motioning for Miss Weasley to proceed me into the house.

- Hermione Granger -

I was elated to see Severus again. I had missed him. He was such an interesting person. I found him funny and easy to converse on an intellectual level with and hopefully I would be able to make sure he ate a decent meal. He was still skin and bones. I took his hand and led him into the parlor. What nice hands. I seated him on the couch and motioned for Ginny to sit in a chair. Ginny raised an eyebrow at me but didn't comment.

"I'll be back with a tea for us," I said smiling at Severus and placing a hand lightly on his shoulder.

Was I subconsciously flirting with him? It wasn't a totally disgusting thought. In fact it was rather pleasant. He was a good person. He treated me with respect and courtesy. I wished I was not with Sirius and I wished I was not afraid of trying to break it off with Sirius. I knew in my heart that Sirius was bad for me.

He trembled slightly under my hand and looked up at me with his beautiful black eyes. It was true that they lacked warmth but they always seemed slightly less icy, even though not melted, when he looked at me. I longed to see them boil though. I felt as if I had seen them full of passion before but not in a long time.

I hummed as I left and prepared the tea. It was absolutely enrapturing to know that Severus was just on the other side of the door. It took several minutes to get the tea prepared...I never use magic to make tea. It never tastes right to me when I do. I bustled back into the parlor all smiles. Severus was here and he was happy, well as happy as I have ever seen him. He did seem a little nervous though. I placed the tray down on the table and passed the cups to my guests.

"Thank you Hermione," Severus murmured to me.

Ginny nodded her thanks as well.

"How have you two been?" I asked holding my cup to my chest as I curled my legs up under me next to Severus.

"I've been fine Hermione," Severus said softly. "How was your memory been?"

"Better. I still have huge chunks missing or blocked but I have not forgotten anything lately. I suppose it is because I have stopped arguing with Sirius. It always seemed that whenever I argued with him that was when I lost the majority of my memory."

Severus forced a smile. "It is wonderful that you have not lost any memories recently." He looked pensive at what I had mentioned.

"Ginny, how is your apprenticeship with Professor Snape going?" I asked.

"Very well. I am really enjoying it. It has been a very eye opening experience," she said shooting a nervous glance her professor.

"Miss Weasley has proven a wonderful apprentice and she will be a potions mistress in no time," Professor Snape said giving his apprentice a proud look.

"Miss Granger, there is something I have been meaning to ask you for quite some time. I hope you will not be offended by it. Why is it that you are always wearing those gloves? Ever since you returned to your classes I have not seen you without them," Professor Snape questioned lightly looking intently at the gloves.

"Sirius insists that I wear them. I do not understand really. I guess it was to hide our engagement and he still tells me just to keep the gloves on. I just don't argue about it," I said.

"Why is it you still do not appear to have an engagement ring?"

"I wear it under the gloves. That is the way Sirius wants it so that is just what I do," I answered. What was prompting these questions? "It's not a big deal Professor."

We made small talk the rest of the afternoon. It was nice to have company besides Sirius. I was now really looking forward to the party. I'd get to see all my friends again. Even Harry had been released for two days from Auror training to come and visit, though I believe he has convinced his professor that this will be somewhat of an educational experience for him. Most of the time I couldn't remove my eyes from Severus, he was so graceful in his movements, even if it was just sipping tea. He was very attractive in my eyes. It was hard not to look at him a lot.

Severus glanced up at the clock on my mantle shelf.

"Miss Weasley and I must be leaving. We have to be back at the school for dinner."

"You're both welcome to stay for dinner," I said lightly touching the arm of my former professor.

"I wouldn't dream of intruding upon your hospitality further Hermione," Severus said and he smiled warmly down into my eyes.

I felt my cheeks heat up at the feeling of his gaze.

"I'd really enjoy it if you would stay Severus," I said pinning him with one of my sad puppy looks.

He raised an eyebrow at the look I was giving him. "I'm sorry Hermione, but I really must get Miss Weasley back to the castle. Her mother has given instructions that she is required to be back by seven regardless of what she is out for," Severus said bowing his head as he set his tea cup down rising to his feet.

"Alright Severus," I said standing up. "Please come on the twentieth-fourth to my Christmas Party, both of you?"

"Hermione..." Severus said giving me a somewhat pained expression.

"Severus, please," I begged letting my eyes grow ever larger in my plea. "It would mean a lot if you were there."

"What time do you want me to be here?"

I squealed and hugged him. "Around 6:00. A lot of ministry members as well as Quidditch players will be here. It will be mostly my colleagues and boss from the ministry. I've also invited several of my former professors. Ginny, I have it okayed by your mum that you can stay till midnight."

"Thanks Hermione," Ginny grinned and stood.

"Miss Weasley, may I have a moment alone with Hermione?" Severus asked.

What could he want? I felt apprehension sinking in my stomach.

Ginny nodded and exited to the entry hall.

"Severus?" I asked looking up into the gorgeous jet black eyes of my companion. Could he see me as more than a friend? Where did that come from? I was engaged for crying out loud. I wasn't supposed to have these thoughts and yet they ran rampant through my head. Since when did I think Severus was gorgeous? Well I suppose if I was honest I would have to admit I had noticed him as a man for a while but well I was with Sirius and not free to act on those feelings. I should free myself from Sirius, but how?

"I have something for you," he said shifting nervously up and down on the balls of his feet.

I felt my eyes grow large. A present? Since when did Severus buy me presents? He had never done so before. I was special. What a sweetie. I had never seen him look so timorous. He stared at my feet and his cheeks were slightly darker than usual. He looked like a love struck teenager. It was absolutely the most adorable thing I had ever seen.

"Here Hermione," he said thrusting a red velvety jewelry box into my hands.

I took it carefully and opened it.

"Severus," I gasped.

Inside was one of the most gorgeous, delicately, and finely made bracelets I had ever seen. It was half silver and half gold. The silver half was carved into a serpent and the gold was carved into a golden lioness. The eye of the lioness was a small, finely cut ruby and the eye of the serpent was an equally small and beautifully cut emerald. There was a small chain with a delicate clasp that connected the tails of the two beasts. Scales were etched on the snake's body and you could see the marks that showed the tail hairs of the lioness. The snake was elevated into a position where his chest touched the chest of the lioness and his neck and head curved back slightly so he appeared to be looking into the eyes of his golden mate. The forked tongue of the snake was made of rose gold and flicked out provocatively, luringly, temptingly toward the cheek of the lioness.

I lifted the bracelet out gently and set the box on the coffee table.

"I hope you are not offended," he spoke softly. A light pink tinged his cheeks and he looked down at his feet. His thick jet black hair fell forward to hide his face.

"Severus, I could not be offended by such a wonderful present. Sirius has never, never gotten me something half as perfect and exquisite as this. He never has gotten me jewelry. Thank you," I said and, without pausing to think through what might happen as a consequence to my actions, I leaned up and brushed my lips over his cheek and wrapped my arms around his neck in a tight hug.

WOW! He was warm and felt sensuously delectable against me. I pressed a little closer and successfully managed to keep my mouth from falling open and drooling all over him. What a great body! He was so warm and cozy. I could just cuddle with him for hours. I stroked his thick black hair at the nape of his neck. This felt so right and so good. I needed him.

I was interrupted when he cleared his throat. I pulled back reluctantly. I did not want to leave him. Heat radiated from his cheek and I blushed shyly as I disentangled my arms from his neck.

He was still red as he left the house with Ginny at his side. He glanced back, still a bright shade of red, after he helped Ginny climb into the carriage and was halfway up himself. I smiled and waved before I turned going back into my house as I saw the carriage drive away.

I leaned up against the door and hugged myself. He was so warm and his hair was so soft and he smelled so good. What a man! I squealed in delight as I slid down the door. What a gorgeous, perfect, hunky man!

I hope you enjoyed it. Please leave me a nice review. I would appreciate it.