Hermione woke up the next morning feeling warm and content. "Christmas eve," she thought with a smile. She became aware of the body that she was snuggled up against. She sat up slowly and turned to look at the face of her professor. He was still sleeping peacefully.

Hermione decided to take a moment to observe the sleeping man. Snape's breathing was slow and even. He looked so different without that seemingly permanent sneer. His face looked tranquil when he wasn't trying to scare everyone out of their wits.

Severus Snape was beginning to stir in his sleep, so Hermione stood up next to the couch. Once again, she didn't have to be touching him, but the spell was preventing her from walking away from him. She waited patiently while he opened his eyes and sat up.

"Good morning Professor," Hermione said quietly, wondering what sort of mood he would be in.

Snape looked up at her for a moment before gruffly saying "good morning" in return. Hermione was slightly taken aback that he made a reply to her, but she merely smiled. "We're still stuck," she said gently. "I can only move about a foot away from you."

Silently, Snape stood up and used his wand to draw an invisible line between them. Instantly, the were free of the sticking charm. "Umm... Professor?" Hermione said tentatively.

"Yes?" Snape said stiffly.

"Why didn't you do that last night?" she asked him curiously.

"The spell was too strong last night," he replied not looking at her. "That little trick doesn't work until the spell has worn off some. Now, you should go get changed before breakfast," he said dismissively.

"Yes, sir," Hermione said quietly before slipping out of the room. She took a shower and then changed her clothes in the room that she and Ginny were sharing. Ginny entered the room just as Hermione pulled a soft green sweater over her head.

"There you are," Ginny said mischievously. "How did things go last night?"

Hermione blushed slightly. "It was rather uneventful," Hermione replied, refusing to look at her friend. "We had dinner, read for a little while, and then I fell asleep in his arms," she said in a, would be, casual voice.

"Ha!" Ginny exclaimed truimphantly. "How on earth did you pull that off?"

"You won't believe it," Hermione said looking thoughtful. Ginny gave her a challenging look, so Hermione sighed. "I got tired, so Professor Snape set my book on the floor. Then, he sort of stretched his legs out on the couch and had me sit between his legs and lay back against his chest. I seem to remember his arms being around me at some point during the night, but I'm not sure." She smiled at the astonished look on Ginny's face. "The same thing happened last time when Malfoy put the sticking charm on me."

Ginny fell onto her bed and went into a fit of giggles. "This is just too much!" she said breathlessly. "I wish I could have seen it."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Let's go to breakfast," she said pulling Ginny out of the room. They walked downstairs and went into the dining room where Harry and Ron were listening to Fred and George talk about some new products they were working on. "Good morning everyone," Hermione said with a cheerful smile.

The four young men grinned at her in response. "Today's the day Hermione," Ron said dramatically. "You have to let Snape go with you to visit your parents. We only hope you come home alive." Everyone rolled their eyes at him.

"What are all of you going to do while I'm gone?" Hermione said, wanting to keep the conversation away from Professor Snape.

"Me and Harry might help Fred and George test some of their new joke stuff," Ron said grinning. "And we're gonna plan some pranks to play on Malfoy."

"Wouldn't want you to do anything constructive," Hermione muttered in exasperation. "For example, I know you hate doing homework, but you have to do it sometime before the holidays are over."

"Hermione," Ron said in a pained voice. "I love my homework. That's why I'm saving so much of it for later." Harry snickered while Ginny sighed.

"Mr. Weasley, people like you are the reason that people like me take headache relief potions," Professor Snape said coldly from the doorway. At this comment, Hermione, Ginny, Harry and the twins snorted with laughter. Ron's face flushed slightly but he said nothing. "Miss Granger, if Mr. Weasley is finished acting like an imbecile for the time being," he glanced at Ron and sneered, "I came in to tell you that we'll be leaving for your parent's house after you have lunch today."

"Thank you, Professor," Hermione said politely. "I'll be ready." With that, Snape turned and walked out of the room. She looked at Ron and grinned at the angry look on his face. "Now, Ron. If he had said that to someone else, you would have thought it was funny too," she said gently. Ron smiled slightly.

After lunch that day, Hermione waved to her friends and allowed Professor Snape to lead her to the sitting room. "I need you to think of some place that we could apparate to where other people will not see us," Snape said looking at her expectantly. Hermione thought for a moment and had an idea. She looked back at Snape. "Close your eyes and hold that image in your head. Think of nothing else." He placed his hands on her shoulders and they closed their eyes. Hermione heard a popping sound and then opened her eyes. She looked around to see that they were standing in her mother's private garden. Snape looked around, taking in the unfamiliar surrounding and making sure they hadn't been seen by any muggles. Looking back at Hermione he said "Lead the way."

Hermione led him to the back door of the large house. She opened the door and walked in tentatively. "Mum?" she called. "Dad?"

"Hermione!" a woman squealed. Hermione had suddenly found herself in her mother's loving embrace.