Severus gave Hermione a subtle, yet pointed look. Behind McGonagall's back, Hermione mouthed, "Later. Library." to him, and he set back to his usual scowling as students left through the main doors. He paid special attention when Hermione hugged Harry and Ron when they came downstairs, and he noted her promise to Floo to the Burrow for Christmas Day. Ron murmured apologies about something - Severus couldn't hear what - and the boys set on their way. He couldn't help noticing that Hermione looked a bit sad, and he resolved to find out why... and to take her mind off whatever it was.

After the Gryffindors had left, Hermione dashed up to the library, wondering how long it would take for Severus to arrive. Under the guise of homework. she had managed to read nearly a quarter of a textbook before he arrived, though that wasn't saying much, as she was a fast reader. Madam Pince cornered Severus first, however, and he was not pleased with the deterrent. "Ah, Professor Snape! Are you to be my replacement for this afternoon?"

"Pardon? Oh, er, yes," Severus lied. Timing certainly was convenient. He began to lurk about the library while Madam Pince gathered her things.

"Miss Granger is currently the only student in here," Madam Pince called over her shoulder as she headed out the door, "I doubt she'll give you much trouble." With a whoosh of a cape and the click of a door, the two were left alone in the library. The mood between them was much lighter than it had been a week ago, and Hermione smiled greatfully when he came over to where she was sitting. Knowing that the walls had ears, Severus didn't speak to Hermione, beyond a cursory "good afternoon, Miss Granger." She replied nonchalantly, and he sat down near her. He took a scrap of parchment from her stack of notes, and scribbled 'Why did you stay?'

Reading the note, she replied in the same manner. 'Parents went away, and everyone was going to be home at the Weasleys. No room for me.'

'I'm sorry, Hermione.'

'Don't be.' She stared across the table, and he met her gaze. 'Did you get the owls?'

'Yes.' He played with the pen for a moment, before writing again. 'Thank you.'

She grinned at him 'I thought you might be someone who appreciated Romantic poetry.'

He nodded. 'One of the few, I'm afraid. A dying breed.'

Hermione blushed before scribbling the next line. 'One's enough for me.' She felt giddy, again, just to be near him.

He quirked an eyebrow. 'Don't make promises you can't keep.' He could feel his heart creeping up his throat. Her intentions were clear, though he still found it absurd that anyone in their right mind could have any sort of feelings for him.

'I'm not promising anything.' She stared at him pointedly. 'Nor do I expect you to. Is there a place we can go to actually talk? This is getting a little tedious.'

'I don't know if I can l-' Severus' scrawling was interrupted by the sound of the library door. "Hello?"

"Hello?" a female voice called back. Coming around the bookshelf was Professor Sprout. "Ah, Professor Snape, Miss Granger. How are you both this afternoon?"

Hermione smiled up at her, cleverly hiding the note. "Well, thank you. Professor Snape was kind enough to go over some Potions work with me while I languish away here on Winter Break."

Professor Sprout laughed. "Don't let him fool you, Hermione, he's actually nice under that rough exterior. Anyway, I've been sent to watch the library this afternoon. Will I have the pleasure of your company?"

Hermione was torn. She enjoyed talking to Professor Sprout, but also wanted to talk to Severus more, and for different reasons. "Well, actually, we were just about to head down to the dungeons for some hands-on work," she smiled.

"Well, I won't keep you, love," Professor Sprout grinned back. "Have a good one, yeah?"

Hermione and Severus made their way down to the dungeons, just in case anyone was watching. When they were certain nobody was around - it was likely nobody was around for several floors, in all actuality - Severus turned to Hermione. "Your intelligence and fast thinking never cease to amaze me, Miss Granger," he smirked.

Smiling up at him, she replied, "well, one might say that I learn from the best." She paused, blushing a little. "And... thank you for coming to find me in the library. I wasn't sure if you understood me, or if you'd even show up..." They were at the door to the Potions classroom now, and Snape steered the both of them inside, after charming the door locked and soundproofed.

Placing a hand on her shoulder, his onyx eyes stared directly into her warm brown ones. "Despite our lack of words, I did promise to meet you later. I was curious as to why you were staying behind..." He trailed off, not wanting to confess what he was really thinking. 'I didn't want you to stay just because of me,' he thought to himself, 'and a part of me wishes that you were.'

Hermione placed her hand over his, noticing the difference in size. His hands were much larger than hers, and slightly calloused with the effects of detailed work. "Well, now you know." She too was too shy to reveal everything on her mind, though she was brave enough to tease him with, "now you'll have to put up with more of me, though!"

Surprisingly, Severus smiled at her. "That would be a chore most welcome, though I trust you know that we can't spend too much time together." He left the words unspoken that Dumbledore and others would become suspicious of any odd behaviour; though they would probably be more relaxed over the holidays, it would still be odd for Severus and Hermione to suddenly be spending a lot of time together. That, and teacher-student relationships were generally frowned upon. Shaking his head slightly, Severus put the thoughts from his mind. They would deal with all of that when they had to, and not a moment before.

Hermione nodded in response, squeezing his hand. "I know. But right now, I just want to spend what time with you I can. To hell with the rest of the world." She let go of Severus' hand, and stepped toward him, hugging him tightly. "A few months ago, I never would've thought that this would happen, that I'd have anything more than a silly schoolgirl crush on you. Or that you would be anything more than 'a professor.' But I'm glad that we have this chance."

Silently, Severus ran a hand over her hair, while he wrapped his other arm around her. Maybe stolen moments were all they could have, for now. He still thought he was at least half-crazy, but at least he wasn't alone in it. "I'm glad too, Hermione," he whispered. He was almost afraid to move, knowing that eventually, he would have to send her back upstairs, and they would have to wait for the next stolen moment. For the first time in far too long, he felt secure. And happy. And he didn't want to lose the warmth he felt in his chest.

Still pressed close to him, Hermione gazed up at Severus. All she could think was that everything felt right; she didn't think anything could make her happier. Just to be together, to hug him that tightly made her weak in the knees, and it was all she could ever want. Her eyes widened and her cheeks flushed as something appeared over Severus' head. "Did you... conjure that?" she whispered.

Looking up, Severus was shocked, and he felt warmth creep into his face as well. "No." Suspiciously, he eyed the plant, not knowing where it came from.

Hanging above their heads was a perfectly-shaped mistletoe plant, its leaves a vibrant green and berries a luminescent white, like that of moonlight. It certainly hadn't been in the Potions room previously, nor had either of them brought it in. Yet, it floated directly above their heads, unwavering. Mentally, Severus caught a glimpse of a smiling Dumbledore; he couldn't be sure, but perhaps this was - quite literally - a sign from above, a blessing on their developing relationship.

Regardless, there was only one thing to be done in such a situation. As Severus inclined his head, Hermione stood up on tiptoe, closing her eyes with a soft sigh. Somewhere in the middle of their mingled breathing, their lips met for the first time, brushing gently against one another's. The kiss was like drinking a fine wine - the first sip was warm and sweet, but it left a craving for more. Severus pulled Hermione even closer as she laced her fingers together at the back of his neck; when their lips finally parted, he kissed her forehead as she returned her arms to his waist and leaned into his chest. The two stood as if frozen for a number of minutes, afraid the world would shatter if they moved. Lips had finally done as hands and tokens of affections did.

Realising this was not a dream to wake from, Hermione reached a hand up and rested it on Severus' cheek. The moment was as real as the rose quartz pendant she was wearing. He leaned into her palm, eyes half closed. Neither felt a need for words.

AN: Sorry this is so long in coming! But I hope the ending was worth it.