Severus had to admit to himself that his Christmas this year had been surprisingly….pleasant. He'd gone to the attic of Spinners End and uncovered the tea service that his mother had hidden so long ago. He'd hesitated to remove it, but decided that his mother would have approved of its use. So, he'd brewed his tea, grabbed his biscuits and sat in front of the fire. He reminisced and found that the act wasn't as painful as he'd anticipated.
He remembered his mother. How she had worked to make Christmas and birthdays special, while hiding everything from his father. She had been such a quiet woman, so beaten down by his father that she seemed more shadow than person. Through those recollections though, he saw a glimmer of her emerge. One that deeply loved and cared for her son. He'd spent much of his life angry at her. Angry that she didn't leave her husband. Angry that she couldn't stop the abuse his father heaped upon them. Angry that, for all her power, she let a muggle dominate and hurt her so.
Distance softened that anger and hurt. Without it he found the means to treasure those stolen moments, the tea and biscuits at Christmas, the paper crowns she'd make him for his birthday, how she kissed his brow when he was ill. Every action she took, spoke of her love for her son. That was what he focused on that Christmas night as he ate his biscuits which tasted as good has he'd remembered and sipped his tea.
All and all, it had been a surprisingly good holiday.
*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*
His solitude was interrupted several times during the break. He'd gotten two summonses from the Dark Lord. One to update him on the doings at the school and with the Order, a second for a revel on New Year's Eve. He hated revels. Large or small, they all were a dizzying combination of gluttony, lust and spoke more to a lack of self-control, than a display of power. He found the whole ordeal distasteful and unbecoming even for Death Eaters.
Thankfully the Dark Lord held similar views .Oh, he wouldn't begrudge is followers the opportunity to let off steam and indulge in excess. He enjoyed the torture and death as much as the rest of them, but he preferred to indulge in more "civilized" pursuits in his leisure. Severus often attended to his Lord instead of indulging with the ruffians. He'd ended up spending most of the revel in the Dark Lord's study playing wizard's chess, drinking Ogden's finest and conversing with the more refined of his brethren.
Of course, Severus's other "master" had also made an appearance. Albus had decided that Potter did indeed need Occlumency lessons, and they should be started right away. He feared that the Dark Lord may be suspicious of Arthur's fortuitously timed rescue and realize the link they shared. Severus wasn't aware of any such suspicions, but the fiend had asked an inordinate number of questions on the Order's guarding of the Department of Mysteries and of Arthur's condition. He'd even been amused by the use of muggle technology to save the man. In other words, Albus may be on the right track.
That didn't make the situation any better though. The thought of poking around in Potter's head was less than appealing. He'd already had to do that with one adolescent and wasn't looking forward to starting with another. It also didn't help matters that his new pupil would not be quite as eager to learn as his previous one. Snape had again tried to convince the older wizard to teach the boy himself, but again was unsuccessful.
To make matters worse, Albus decided that Severus should be the one to go to Grimmauld Place to break the news to Potter and his mutt of a godfather. At least he'd provided him with a letter for Black, because they both knew that the man didn't trust Snape one iota. Of course, Black acted with the same old juvenile arrogance and hot headedness he'd displayed since his Hogwarts days.
It had almost been a relief when Potter arrived in the kitchen. The sooner the boy was told, the sooner he could leave. He'd been a fool. Potter's presence had only escalated tensions to a boiling point that had almost resorted to blows and curses. Thankfully they had been interrupted by the Weasleys and Granger with Arthur in tow, finally released from the hospital.
He quickly told the boy when and where to report for his "remedial potions lessons". While he was surprised to see her there, he made quick eye contact with Granger. She gave him a slight nod. She understood. She would soon be needed to help with Potter's training. He then turned and left without another word.
His life was precarious enough without adding Blacks in the mix. Sirius may have turned his back on his family, but he really wasn't so different than the rest of his ilk. They were rash creatures and plagued with a deep-seated streak of madness. He'd seen that madness more times than he could count in Bellatrix. He'd seen that same madness reflected in the mutt's eyes that night. Just as he'd seen it all those years ago when he'd been tricked into offering himself up as a werewolf's meal.
*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*S*
He'd made sure to see Granger the evening they arrived back at school. "What has the boy said about his lessons?" he grilled the girl as he paced in front of the fireplace.
"Harry is…unhappy. He doesn't see the point and has no interest in getting lessons especially from you," she replied calmly from her chair. "Sir, surely you didn't need to ask me here to know that."
Snape stopped in his tracks and looked back at the girl. "Of course, I don't, Miss Granger," he said incredulously. "But you are here to give me insight and to assist me with teaching him, are you not?"
"Of course, I am," she threw back at him. "Is that the only reason I'm here? For you to ask me questions that you already know the answers to?" She huffed.
"Well, I certainly didn't summon you here to mock me," Severus sneered.
Hermione sighed, "Sorry, sir. It's just been a long day, and I'm tired. Harry spent the entire train ride complaining, and well…it get's old after a while."
Severus studied the girl. She did look tired, a bit pail and were her hands trembling? He frowned. "Miss Granger, have you eaten today?"
"Uh….well," the witch looked thoughtful. "I guess not."
"You guess not? Explain," the wizard demanded.
"Well, I was helping the boys pack this morning and missed breakfast. Mrs. Weasley did send some for me, but I gave it to Ron. He was just so hungry, and I really didn't mind sharing." She explained.
"Sharing, Miss Granger, involves both parties getting a portion," Snape interrupted. Hermione just shrugged so he motioned for her to continue.
"Uh, as I said, Harry was upset, and I wanted to support him and help you of course. I just didn't think he'd go on for so long. I then had a prefects meeting and started helping all the younger years get off the train when we arrived. A first year had a bit of a melt down so I spent some time with her and that's when I got your summons. I didn't want to make you wait so I came straight here," she concluded.
Snape sighed. "Bilby!" the man called. A small house elf popped in.
"Sir?" he enquired.
"We require tea and refreshment. Miss Granger here missed her meals today."
The elf gave Hermione a quick dirty look, which made the girl blush. He bowed respectfully though to the professor. "Right away, sir," he said and popped away.
Snape looked to Hermione amused. Previously he'd had meals brought before the girl arrived, but he'd assumed she'd eaten before coming that day. "It seems that you still aren't popular with the house elves. Are you still trying to liberate them?" he asked.
"No," she said sullenly. "At least not that way. I understand I was wrong to try to trick them into gaining their freedom."
"Have you told them that?" he pressed.
"They don't want to talk to me," she responded.
"And for good reason, from the sound of it. Perhaps you could draft an apology, and I can ensure that it is received," he suggested.
Hermione brightened at the idea. "You'd do that for me, sir?" she asked hopefully.
"Well, I see it as more a service to the house elves than to you. We can't have them going around the castle frightened that liberation may be around any corner," he teased.
"Thank you, sir," Hermione smiled as Bilby returned. He'd brought tea and sandwiches along with fresh fruit and biscuits. He left quickly before the girl could offer him thanks as well.
Snape moved the small table between their chairs and motioned for the girl to eat. He took his usual seat and availed himself of the refreshments as well.
"I was surprised to see you yesterday at Grimmauld,"Severus started. "I didn't know you'd planned on visiting after the holidays."
"Oh, I didn't," she said. "Or, well, I obviously did go there, it was just that I got there before Christmas," she explained.
Severus frowned, "Before Christmas? I thought you had plans with your family. You did seem to be looking forward to it when last we spoke."
"I was," Hermione agreed. "It's just that Professor Dumbledore told me how Mrs. Weasley was spending most of her time at the hospital and was being run ragged trying to do that and keep everyone fed and such."
"And he suggested that you could help," he guessed.
Hermione nodded. "Yes, the Weasleys have been so good to me. It was the least I could do to help."
"You do realize that there are other people at Grimmauld that are able to keep themselves fed. And what of your parents, what did they have to say about your plan?" he pressed.
"Oh, they were disappointed, but they understood. They are fond of the Weasleys too," she explained.
Snape only nodded. The meddling old coot was at it again. He didn't say anything though. No reason to distress her by pointing out the manipulation. He wasn't one to spare someone's feelings, but found he didn't like the thought of hurting her. He was surprised by his restraint and gladdened that apparently there was still some humanity left in him.
He let the girl prattle on about her holiday. He found that he didn't mind listening to her. The pleasant company warmed something deep inside of him, and he decided to bask in the glow for a while. Tomorrow would be difficult enough with the boy starting his lessons. He decided that this evening, he was more than content to relax and listen to his secretly favorite student.