Chapter 21

December 20th

The staff observed the chaos as the students boarded the carriages to whisk them away for the holidays. Hermione and Draco had resorted to using their wands to try and bring some order. They were getting aggravated, as they wanted to leave too. Finally the staff had to intervene when Hermione slipped on some ice then threatened to hex a second year who was laughing. Hermione and her friends were the last to leave, she giving a wink and wave to Snape as the carriage pulled away.

This is going to be the longest holiday of my life. Snape thought grimly.

Hermione wanted to surprise her parents, so she took a taxi from the train station. The house was empty when she arrived, so she made herself a bite to eat then laid her head down on the dining table. She didn't remember closing her eyes. Some time later she was woken up by gentle shaking on her shoulder. It was her Dad.

"Hermione, wake up darling."

"Hermione, why didn't you phone us when you came in? We would have picked you up?" her mum asked.

She stood up and hugged them both. "I wanted to surprise you."

Her parents looked her up and down, then looked at her eyes. "You are certainly looking better then the last time we saw you. That's the best gift we could get. You seem happy." her mum said.

"Yeah, I'm good. I've got a lot to tell you. But first, can we finish the decorations on this house? They're only half-done!"

December 23

Hermione was having a great time. She rather enjoyed taking a break from head girl duties. She owled her friends, loafed around the house with a book, took day trips to London main with her parents, and went to clubs at night with her muggle friends from the neighborhood. That day after lunch she realized that she had not finished her Christmas shopping. Diagon Alley seemed the perfect place! She was in a dilemma- she had to have an escort! She moaned audibly in frustration. Her parents grinned in amusement.

"Something on your mind honey?" her Dad asked.

"Yes, Dad there is. I have some last-minute shopping to do, and I'd like to go to Diagon Alley, but if I'm not on school grounds or here at home, I have to have an escort."

"Well, can't you "owl" someone?" her mum asked.

"Mum, it's the holidays, I don't want to impose on anyone."

"Hermione, it won't hurt to ask. I'm sure no one will think of you as an imposition," her Dad said.

"Oh, alright." She went upstairs and decided to seek Professor McGonagall for guidance. She sent a letter. "Hurry back, Pavel."

Professor Minerva McGonagall

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Madam-

I hope this letter finds you enjoying the holidays. I have a bit of a dilemma. Do you know of any auror or staff member not doing anything on the 24th? I need to do some last minute shopping in Diagon Alley, and am well aware of the rule regarding escorts for students. I detest imposing on anyone, but if you know of anyone, can you please let me know as soon as possible? Again, enjoy your holiday.

Sincerely, Hermione Granger

An hour later, a large hawkish-looking owl was tapping on the kitchen window.

"Herms! Your bird is back!" her Dad called. Hermione hopped down the stairs. It was from McGonagall.

Miss Hermione Granger

Pembroke Road, Chelsea

I do know of someone free on that very day. As luck would have it, my son is in America for the holidays and I would enjoy being with someone besides the remaining staff here. With the permission of your parents, I will arrive by floo at noon on the 24th. Until then, take care.

Minerva McGonagall

What McGonagall didn't mention was that she was dying to pick Hermione's brain about Severus. The connection between the two was undeniable, as evidenced at the Yule Ball. She had a good idea that Hermione might want to talk about it too, so she would ease Hermione into a conversation about it. She let Albus know she would be leaving the castle, making sure that Severus "overheard" the details of the trip.

December 24

McGonagall arrived promptly at noon. Mr. Granger jumped out of his chair at the popping in the fireplace when McGonagall stepped through.

"Herms!" her Dad called.

"Dad, puhleeze, I asked you not to call me that anymore!"

Hermione called from upstairs. She could be heard still fussing as she came down the stairs,

"move Crooks…and the nicknames I have at school are bad enough and now you….." she stopped as she saw Minerva in the living room.

"Professor!" she cried and hugged Minerva.

"My goodness, why, hello Hermione. Are you quite ready?" Hermione nodded her head.

Later at Diagon Alley, the two were talking and laughing while walking down the streets. Hermione was enjoying herself with the professor, as it was akin to "being with your favorite aunt." McGonagall was happy to see that Hermione seemed to be her old self, the self before her accident and Victor's death. The insecure, skinny, know-it-all was gone and was replaced by a beautiful, intelligent, caring and confident young lady. Her temper and impetuous nature would improve with age, but with the threat of the impending battle with Voldemort, those particular qualities would serve her well. Severus was at a robe shop looking out the window when he saw Hermione and Minerva enter a bookstore across the street.

No telling how long they will be in there. he thought.

So he left and went to a restaurant to eat some lunch. Leaving the bookstore minutes later, Hermione and McGonagall decided to stop and eat as well. Entering a cozy pub called "Wandwavers" the bartender said,

"Oi Minerva! Happy Christmas ! It's been a while! How are you these days? Will you be having your usual?" Snape, his back to the crowd, unnoticed in a corner booth, perked his ears to the two. He put his book down.

"Fine Philip. And yes, apple cider with a turkey BMT. Hermione?"

"Uh yes, I'll take a glass of Ogden's and fish-n-chips please. Thank you." Hermione said.

The two took a table. "So Hermione, have you gotten everything on your list?"

"No, just one more thing. Harry is the hardest person to shop for. What do you get someone who has mountains of money? He never lets anyone know what he wants, he just shrugs his shoulders and says whatever," Hermione replied.

"I know what you mean. My son's the same way."

"Money isn't the issue though. I have plenty of it, thanks to the small fortune Victor willed to me. But I'm saving that. I will need a place to live when I graduate."

Good, she got that ball rolling! Minerva thought

What fortune? Place to live? Snape thought.

"I've seen some places in Hogsmeade for sale, but if my interview at the ministry goes well, I think I'll look for a place in London closer to the ministry."

"Sounds sensible. Now Hermione, speaking of the future, and I hate to pry," she hesitated.

"Yes, go on," Hermione encouraged.

Yes, do go on Minerva! Snape thought.

"It just this. I'm having this talk with you, and Dumbledore will be having the same talk with Severus, but what is going on with you two? It was obvious to even a blind person the attraction between the two of you at the yule ball," McGonagall ventured.

Snape listened intently. His future happiness depended on what Hermione said. Would she or wouldn't she?

"I won't deny what's been happening. Yes, there is an attraction. I first noticed it when I was serving detention one day those weeks ago and I thought he was trying to catch a peek down my shirt. Men think we don't notice stuff like that."

Snape was horrified.

"Oh my," McGonagall said. They started eating the food that had arrived.

"Actually I was sort of flattered then a bit self-concious when I remembered that he's my teacher."

Flattered? he thought.

"Then on the last night of detention, if you can call it that, he said we were going here to Diagon Alley on the pretense of getting potion ingredients. At Fortecues, I sensed that he got kind of tense when the clerk flirted with me. And now looking back, to my immense embarrassment, I realize that I must have teased him unmercifully with a dish of ice cream." The women were both laughing at that point.

That cheeky little minx! Snape thought.

Hermione continued. "Now we come to the Yule Ball. Let's see. Attraction? Yes. Do I want to pursue a relationship?" she paused.

Snape held his breath. So did Minerva.

Well? for Merlin's sake, out with it woman! Snape screamed to himself.

"Yes." she said softly.

Snape felt like he would melt right there in the booth.

"Hermione, are you serious? Are you sure?" McGonagall asked.

"Yes. He may be 36 and me 19 but he's my match. In every way possible. I don't care about the age difference. I'm just not sure if he wants to pursue anything with me. Will he be able to get past the student aspect? Will he reject me? Will he think of me as a mere girl? I won't be a student forever. Hell, in five months I'll be at the ministry," Hermione was close to tears.

"Hermione, what's wrong my dear?" Minerva asked.

"You have no idea how much of a relief it is to talk to someone about this. One more heartbreak and I'll be at the St. Mungo's mental ward. But it's your turn, I can tell by the look on your face," Hermione said.

"Ahem, yes. I know you tire of hearing this, but care must be exercised, as you are a student. There can be absolutely no inappropriate behavior between students and teachers. Propriety must be maintained. There can be no appearance of favoritism. You must be patient, sensible and discreet. As distasteful as it is, I must tell you of an incident that prompted the school to discourage teacher-student relations."

Oh no, here it comes. Snape thought sourly.

"Sixteen years ago, at Hogwarts, there was a relationship between a seventh year student and professor that started out good, but ended badly."

"Huh? It's not in any books." Hermione stated.

"No, it would not be. Anyway, this relationship ended about a month before the said student's graduation. At dinner one evening their anger flared and the teacher ended up sacked and in Azkaban and the student in question is still at St. Mungo's. It was a horrible thing to witness," Minerva said.

Hermione froze.

"Who was the teacher?" Hermione whispered.

Yes Minerva, tell her! Snape said wryly to himself.

"The previous potions professor."

Hermione choked on her Ogden's.

"So the point of my tale is this Hermione: Please watch what you are doing and if at all possible, WAIT. For your sake, and for Severus' sake. Personally, I am thrilled for you. Just exercise caution and you two can fly off into the sunset as soon as your diploma is in hand."

Hermione said nothing for a few minutes. Her mind was swimming. The she said,

"Thank you. I appreciate this talk. I will do my best to be a model of propriety the rest of the year. It won't be easy though. I tend to go after what I want at full throttle."

Full throttle? He was not quite sure what that muggle phrase meant.

"However charming the image is of us flying into the sunset, I don't think that's his style." Hermione chuckled. Then she sighed. "This is gonna be a long five months."

"HEY! I just thought of what to get Harry!"

Snape was elated as he watched through the window the two women hurry down the street.

This is the best gift I can ever remember receiving since my first broom! She wants me!

Then he groaned in frustration. He would have to endure he same lecture from Dumbledore.

Oh goody.