Chapter Eleven: Christmas at Hogwarts

Christmas was two weeks away and Hermione had yet to find a suitable gift for Severus. She was nearly panicking. Luckily for her, seventh years were allowed to go to Hogsmeade on any given weekend, as long as they had gotten permission from their Head of House ahead of time.

Hermione had entreated Lily to join her for last minute shopping the weekend before Christmas. Lily had agreed because she too had some last minute shopping to accomplish. The two women set out for Hogsmeade on a snowy Sunday morning, both excited at finally being able to have a little time for a girl-to-girl talk.

"So," began Lily, "what's Severus like behind closed doors?"

Hermione just shrugged. "I wouldn't really know, I mean, we haven't done anything. He always gives me a kiss in the morning, and in the evening; if I'm lucky I can sneak one out of him in the afternoon, but other than that…"

Lily shook her head. "I thought girls were the ones that wanted to take things slowly. Well, you can't push these things. James is slowly, but surely, learning that. Hermione, I know we don't get to spend a lot of time together, but can I trust you with something big?"

Hermione smiled. "I'm not a Gryffindor for nothing, you know. Of course you can trust me."

Lily looked shy all of a sudden. "James asked me to marry him as soon as we graduate, and I said yes!"

Hermione just smiled. She knew that already, but she was infinitely pleased nonetheless for her friend. Lily seemed to understand this, and did not allow it to affect her good mood. They completed the rest of the trip to Hogsmeade in silence.

Hermione searched through every shop in Hogsmeade in vain, trying to find a perfect Christmas gift for Severus. She had never wanted something so badly as the perfect gift for him as she did now. She had always given practical gifts to Harry and Ron, but there was something different shopping for Severus. She wanted to give him something from her heart, something that would show him how much she cared for him.

Lily had completed her shopping long ago, and looked like she wanted to get back to the castle. However, she would not abandon her friend in her quest. Finally, she had a revelation of sorts.

"Hermione, why don't we pop into the jewelry shop and see if there's anything in there. I think we've gone through all of the other stores in Hogsmeade, so it's worth a shot."

Hermione nodded in agreement, and the two women set off to the local jeweler. Once inside the shop, Hermione sensed this was where she would find her gift for Severus. She wandered around, trying to let her senses guide her. Finally, she stopped a case of rings. The proprietor of the shop made his way over to where she stood.

"Those are a new item. They're promise rings, and they will be engraved with your true heart's desire once the recipient puts the ring on his or her finger."

Hermione was thrilled at the idea. She knew that she was in love with Snape, and this would be a great way to show him. She realized that the clerk was continuing.

"…They can be modified into wedding bands if a couple gives them as promise rings first. They are also equipped with an Anti-Lying charm that negates any effort by the giver of the ring to falsify what the ring says. Are you interested, madam?"

Hermione could do nothing but nod. She picked out a ring with a winding pattern, which reminded her of snakes undulating. It practically screamed out Severus' name. She paid for the ring, and showed her purchase to Lily. The two women agreed that this was the best thing she could have purchased, and made their way back to Hogwarts.

Christmas began very early for Hermione. She had promised Lily that she would spend Christmas morning with her and the Marauders, leaving her afternoon free to spend with Severus. Severus had told her not to come over until six o'clock that evening, as he had a surprise for her, so she was in no hurry to leave the Gryffindor common room once she had arrived.

The boys were already chasing each other around, trying out the presents they had received. Apparently, they had made a pact to only buy things from Zonko's, and were putting the gifts to good use. Hermione plopped down on the couch next to Lily, and the two exchanged gifts.

They laughed when they saw they had each gotten the other the same gift. Both of them would be wearing quite racy underclothes in the near future.

"I got it as a joke," sputtered Hermione, who was laughing so hard she nearly choked on her own words.

"I got yours as an enticement for Severus… I had to, after they way you sounded in Hogsmeade," retorted Lily, who was also doubled over in spasms.

The boys came over to see what had caused the two girls to laugh so hard. James' eyebrows nearly shot through the roof when he saw the skimpy underwear. Lily smiled a smile the told him he had another Christmas present coming later this evening.

It was nearly five thirty pm when Hermione finally made her way back to her room – she did not notice the dark look that Sirius gave her when she bade her friends goodnight, and Lily made a crack about having something new to wear.

When she arrived to her room, she noticed with a sense of horror that she only had fifteen or so minutes to get ready. She quickly changed into a skirt and a button up shirt – a combination that was neither too casual nor too formal, no matter the occasion.

When she arrived at Severus' door, she found that Severus had charmed it to open without her knocking it. The first thing she saw was a beautifully laid out table for two. Severus was just putting the plates in their appropriate places as she walked in. He pulled out a chair for her, and she sat, speechless, wondering at the set-up.

They did not talk all the way through dinner. When they had finished, Severus flooed a house elf to take care of the mess, and led Hermione to his couch, were they sat, knees touching. He began to speak.

"Hermione, I had a really hard time trying to decide what to get you. I ended up getting two things for you because I couldn't decide between them. The first isn't a material item so much as it is an invitation to spend New Year's Eve at my family's home in London. I have also obtained tickets to a concert that might peak your interest. The Sex Pistols will be playing at a small club on New Year's Eve, and I would like you to accompany me. Before you ask, yes, I have obtained permission from Dumbledore for you to stay with me over those few days. What do you say?"

Hermione could barely wait for him to stop speaking when she nearly shouted her acceptance. Severus looked undeniably pleased, and brought out a small package he had hidden somewhere in his clothing.

Hermione went to retrieve her package, which she had left on his mantle. When the two opened their gifts, a gasp had come out of each of their mouths. They had bought each other companion promise rings, complete with the same markings. Upon closer inspection, Hermione realized that the image was not of undulating, entwined snakes, but instead of an infinity symbol patterned repeatedly.

Severus looked up. "I was terrified to give you that. I didn't know… I did not know what you would think of me, if you would think that it was too soon. Apparently, I have just been relieved of that notion."

Knowing what would happen, they both slid the rings onto their left ring fingers. The rings activated instantly, and words began engraving themselves on the surface of the ring. Hermione read what she meant to Severus:

She matters, when everything is meaningless.

His ring read:

You and me, if the world should break in two, until the very end of days

They stared at each other, lost for words. The rings had just said what they had been dancing around for months now. Severus stood up, whispered an undecipherable charm, and music began to play. He wordlessly offered her his hand, which she took without hesitation, and the two danced long into the night. No words were needed; the rings had said everything so beautifully that both of them were frightened to say anything for fear of ruining the moment.

Severus leaned down, capturing Hermione's lips with his own, willing his actions to speak the words he held so true in his heart. He felt no fear, no desire to push her away anymore. He wanted all of her, now and forever.

Reluctantly, he pulled himself away, once again denying himself the pleasure of her. He knew he wanted her, but he wanted to make it more special for her, for him. He wouldn't be able to control himself now, and he wanted to show her the best side of him he could, if only to live up to her expectations.

She seemed to read his mind. "Severus, let me stay tonight. We don't have to do anything, but please don't deny me the pleasure of waking up next to you tomorrow morning," she whispered pleadingly.

He nodded his consent, and led her into his bedroom.

Neither of them were happy to get out of bed the next morning. Instead, they snuggled together, talked of everything and nothing at all. She finally went back to her rooms, only to shower and change, and they dined again in his chambers that night.

Severus decided that he would not deny her if she wanted anything more from him. He would do anything she asked of him, but she seemed content to sleep in his bed, pressed against him in a very chaste manner. Nevertheless, he wrote to the head house elf at his London residence to prepare a few things for their arrival.

A/N: I know, evilness is afoot. I bet you're just willing them to get to it already. Patience, I promise the next chapter will quench your thirst.

Oh, and kudos to anyone who can figure out where I stole the lines on the rings from; e-mail me the answers, and I'll make sure you get recognized. I'll give you one clue: They're from two separate songs by one artist. I want song & full album title. Good luck, and have fun.