Winter break was upon the school now, and Hermione was ready for the break. The kids were leaving, and only a few would remain in Hogwarts 12 in total this year. Hermione knew she had five days where she could leave during the break and visit her family, but she wasn't sure what to do. She loved her parents very much, but there were so many Christmas nights spent at the Weasley's as well. Her parents were always out on Holiday and not that she didn't love them, but it felt like it was more of a time for them to do separate things and summer was the time for family. She decided she would go on Christmas eve for a night with her folks. She wasn't sure if she wanted Severus to tag along or not, she loved him, but she needed alone time. She made a plan in her head they had five weeks off Dec.1 through Jan 7. The calendar was bare just someone checking on the kids every 4 hours except night, and that duty was for one professor every day. She put herself on the list several times double anyone else so for eight days that break she would have to make sure those 12 students stayed out of trouble. She knew some of the students stayed because they had no other place after the war, a few of them their parent's had died. 3 of the students were muggle, and like her parents, they enjoyed the time to vacation. Hermione was excited to bond with a few of the students. She knew 2 of them and seen the rest in various classes. Checking in every 4 hours for an hour would be easy, or so she thought.

chedule Hermione took her first shift on Dec.5 her first check of the day was at 8 am then noon then four then and one more at midnight to make sure all were at least in their common room. There was s so she knew she would really only see them at 12, 4 and 8. At 8am she checked the house with the most students Hufflepuff with 5. James, Julie, Sanra, Tay, and Cindy. Only Julie was up at 8 am she was looking out the window as the snow started falling around the castle. Hermione just waved her hand, Julie waved back. "Everyone else asleep?" Hermione ask. "Yeah." Okay well, I'll be back around noon if you need anything you let me know." Julie shook her head, and Hermione was off to Ravenclaw who had four members Lisa, Coral, Sam, and Shawn. They were very close to each other Coral, and Lisa were sisters two years apart. Shawn and Sam got into fights often but nothing serious. The four of them were always together, and this break would be no different. It sort of reminded Hermione of she Harry and Ron. When she went to the Ravenclaw room no one was up, she peeked in the girl's room and then in the boys, all fast asleep. She checked the Gryffindor's next there was just two girls Jolene and Nikki. Both were total opposites. Jolene was a 6th year that Hermione knew. She was strong and courageous, but she wasn't book smart. She could be your the best friend and tried her best, but she quickly got discouraged. Nikki was a 2nd year. She was bright and talented, and Hermione was pretty sure by the time she was in 7th year she would be able to kick Severus' butt. Hermione would never tell him that. She had a lot of friends and was popular, but she wasn't cocky. When Hermione went to see them, Jolene was up reading a romance novel, and Nikki was asleep. That left Hermione with one more lonesome Slytherin Marianna. Marianna was true Slytherin through and through, and Hermione honestly was glad the war was over because she wasn't sure what side she would have chosen. Mariana was a second year but acted like a 7th year. She could keep to herself, but she was always making up plans to make someone her next victim. Marianna was never violent. She was smart and cunning she always could word something in a way that made her get what she wanted even though the professors could see past it usually they would indulge her because of the way she was. She did well in school, and she flaunted it. Of course, people were nice to her, but Hermione was unsure if she had any friends. When she went to check on her, she was still asleep her whole rounds only took about 30 minutes and then she went back to her room and she Severus talked about the students that were left in the castle for the holidays.

She enjoyed seeing the students roam the hall enjoy the library and play in the snow. She saw them all at one table talking and getting to know one another even Marianna seemed to be getting along. Hermione's next date to see them again was December 8th. Hermione thought if it went as smooth as it did today, no one needing anything then it would be fine, but she knew the longer they were in the castle, the more board they would get. Which always lead to trouble.

Hermione slept in the next day that neither she nor Severus had anything to do. Hermione wrapped her arm around Severus Torso to keep him there as she felt him wake in the early hours of the morning.

"Don't go it's only… 6:00."

Severus said nothing but left the bed and made his way toward the bathroom. Hermione had already fallen asleep by the time he returned but decided to get back in bed Hermione automatically pushed her body in a position optimal to allow her to wrap around him. He quite enjoyed the feeling, so he drifted back off to sleep with her arms wrapped around him.

December 8th rolled around and like before; nothing happened if anything it seemed like the students were kind and considerate to one another they were found doing things together talking various places and seen out near the lake. No one had done anything dangerous, and Hermione thought back to Ron and Harry and if the three of them would be there, still students. She laughed at how things changed from one year to the next. She couldn't believe how everything had changed. This was how it was supposed to be she thought. She smiled as she watched Jolene and Marianna talk about potions.

Sam and Lisa talked about the newest book on herbology that discussed the possibility of the lunalspore tree may be a way to help people remember things even after they had been hit by a spell that caused memory loss. Even though Hermoine was the designated person to check on the student's professors were all over talking to the students, and it seemed like the students stayed in the great hall a good deal of the time.

It wasn't until December 20th that it all started going downhill. It was the last time before Christmas that Hermione was the one to check in on the students. She was checking on them when she couldn't find Shawn, and no one had seen him since noon right after lunch he had disappeared, and Hermione wished in that very moment she had Harry's map. She didn't know Shawn well enough to know where he would be. He was a talker, and he did have friends, but like most males, he didn't talk about his emotions. He thought he was stronger than he actually was and most importantly even though he was a boy he acted a lot older than he was, which scared her the most. She didn't want to get anyone panicked, so she quickly walked around obvious places to hide. She went to the kitchen's then the astronomy tower, she looked out by the lake and walked a little bit into the forbidden forest. She looked around the whole castle and nothing. There was only one more spot she could think of, down the abandoned hall in the dungeons. It was riddled with empty classrooms that she hoped would fill up next year and had alcoves abound.

She knew it was getting close to dinner and she looked and looked until finally, she heard it. She heard cries. Quickly she rushed to the room it was coming from her wand at the ready and opened the door. Shawn was alone. Dreadfully crying slamming his fists in the wall one was already bruised and bleeding and he was starting on the other one. They weren't screams but were helpless whimper's. Shawn was a 6th year. He was well built and handsome. He had a goofy smile and was always playful. Hermione was instantly alarmed.

"Shawn, what's wrong?" she asks.

Shawn instantly froze, someone had caught him, and he was in flight or fight and raised his wand to Hermione. He did nothing though and just froze.

"Shawn, what's wrong," Hermione said as she gently put his wand hand down.

Shawn didn't know what to do. Didn't know if he should say…

"As you know, I'm a muggle-born, I have a girlfriend named Jennifer she knows all about me. I know we're not allowed to say really, but with the war, I didn't know what would happen, I didn't know what would be done with us, so I told her. It took a lot of time she thought I was a nutter! I didn't even tell my mum and dad about the war. I didn't know what would happen. My parents don't know what happened. I just told them there had been a fire and that no one was returning last year, and it was unknown when or if I would continue, so I was enrolled in regular muggle school and went on with my year. I was with her all that year we had been dating since she was 13… She wrote me this today. Shawn handed Hermione the letter, it read,

" Shawn, I know of the limited ways of reaching you, I went to your parent's house, and I told them I wanted to send you something for Christmas they promised me it would arrive. I hate that you are away from me. The year together was a great one. I know I have been sending you regular letters and you have been sending them to me as well but, I couldn't tell you a few things, not until now. I hope you don't hate me, because I love you and I want this, I need this to be okay. I know this isn't what you want to hear, but I've known since the first of November that I am pregnant with your child. I haven't told anyone else yet, but soon I'm going to have too. Your parents are leaving on the 22ndto go to America. I just really wish there was some way I could see you. I really need you right now and I'm not sure of what I should do. I don't know what expect. I know my parents will hate me, I only hope that you still love me. Please, please write back I'm afraid of losing you.

Jennifer.

Hermione looked up at him and had no words to say. She knows that she is just a few years older only really 19 and if she were pregnant now she would feel the same way and this poor girl was barely 16. She looked back at Shawn who was now shaking like a leaf.

" I have to see her!" he screamed.

Hermione shook her head; he did need to see her. He had a lot to think about. She took her wand and grabbed his hand doing some basic healing charms.

"I think you might have broken it."

Shawn looked at her. "I can't let anyone see me, please don't take me to be seen by Madam Pompey she sees right through me, please, please don't tell anyone."

"I can't promise that Shawn, I can't, but I think I can help you without going to see her just follow me, don't tell anyone about this!" Hermione said.

She walked up to her rooms and saw the mermaid; she let her enter without a password and make her and Shawn through the door. Hermione jumped when she saw Severus on the couch reading a book. Forgetting about the dinner plans they had together.

Hermione said not one word to Shawn who looked questionably at her. Severus assumed it had only been her and didn't think of anyone being with her so when he saw a student he instantly stood up.

"I'm sorry on intruding on your company Miss Granger, I thought…"

"Severus, can you please see if Shawn's hand is broken while I go get some potions."

Hermione didn't have time for his act, she didn't care if anyone knew they were together she wasn't trying to keep it a secret is was a perfectly harmless thing and she could care less if Shawn knew besides she knows his biggest secret.

"He can see right through you Shawn; it is best not to lie to a professor."

Severus looked curiously at the boy and with a slow reaction he pulled out his hand.

"Upset at the wall I see," Severus said.

Shawn lightly smiled, "you can say that." As soon as Severus touched his pinky, he winced and it was indeed broken. Hermione came back with several potions and Severus instructed him how to take them.

He never asks what happened and figured that Hermione would tell him later. As Shawn walked out the door, Severus heard Hermione say, "We'll figure something out."

Hermione sighed, this is what she was afraid of. Something like this, well not quite like this. She saw Severus eyeing her trying to get it out of her but she wasn't sure how much he would freak out. Shawn was a well-liked kid. He reminded her of Harry and Fred Weasley mixed.

Severus looked up at her questioningly. "Severus I really have no idea what to do about this."

Severus was waiting for her to continue but she never did. "I have to help him, and I don't know how. His girlfriend is pregnant."

"WHO?" Severus half screamed, "the potions class is not safe for her… I have to know Hermione!"

"It's a muggle, Severus." He is distraught and feels like he has to see her. And he does she is about three months along." Severus sighed, "well at least she muggle, they will let her finish school, will they not?"

"Well sure, why wouldn't they?" Then it hit her if someone became pregnant at Hogwarts they wouldn't be able to finish. Before Severus even said anything! "Are you serious! What about after she had the baby?" Hermione asked, knowing it could be rather unsafe. "No Hermione you know the Wizarding world is rather old-fashioned." "THAT'S RIDICULOUS! What are they to do, after they have the baby and who takes care of her and the baby?"

Severus gave her a look, and she knew full well that Shawn would be expected obligated to finish his OWLS and then marry her, be with her. Hermione hated this; she felt like she fit in more in the wizarding world but thought that the muggle world was way more realistic.

"No wonder they constantly brew the contraceptive potion in the bathroom."

Severus's eyes bulged a little when Hermione said it.

"what did you just say?"

"I said that the girls would take turns brewing it I have been known to make a batch or two in my time. Usually, the older girls 6th and 7th years would make it bottle it and it was free for the taking."

"You can't be serious." In the bathroom, without supervision, you know that can easily turn." Severus said seriously.

"Why do you think there were so many problems in the girl's bathrooms all the time? I just sort of figured you knew this happened, I mean when you were a student, I am sure it was the same."

Severus thought back and not really being friendly with many he never really thought about it. He knew that couples would hook up in an alcove but never thought about the aftermath, never imagined how rare it was for Hogwarts girls to become pregnant, it was only 1-2 every couple years, mainly 7th years who were about to graduate, already committed to someone, but a few were younger.

"This needs to stop at once, it is highly unsafe."

"Oh so let's just let 1/2 the girls get pregnant..." Hermione said angerly.

"That's not what I mean, and you know it, I mean that they should get it from somewhere."

Severus, what 12-18-year-old girl is going to go buy it or order it, can you see owls just dropping off contraceptive potion to every 6th and 7th year in Hogwarts?"

"You act like every kid that comes through the gate has sex here!" Severus said.

"Well yeah, they kind of sort of do. Not EVERYONE but most!" Luna and Neville in 5th year, Ginny and Harry her 5th year his 6th year. John and Sarah 3rd year Patsy and Mark 4th year. Me and Victor 4th year." She slowed her tone with the last admission.

Severus said nothing but looked at her, I think you must talk to Minerva about this, we have spoken in meetings before about these kind of things, but never knew how, how wait did you say 4th year?"

"Yes Severus I said 4th year, I was 15, it wasn't like I was a 1st year here which we won't even discuss.."

Severus really never thought about it he knew the teenage hormones ran rapid but never knew that this was really a thing.

"But where, when," Snape asked as if he was an omnipresent being like he should have known everything going on in the school.

Hermione laughed, Severus it happens everywhere, in commons room after dark, in some alcove in an unused hallway, by the lake, in the astronomy tower, I wouldn't be surprised if someone had sex on your teaching desk, it doesn't matter what rules or limitations there are, people, miss breakfast, lunch, dinner. I am pretty sure a 6th year that a couple used a couple of charms and was having sex under one of the tables if muggles only knew." Hermione smiled.

"Would you be willing to bring this up at a staff meeting?"

Hermione turned beet red, she knew it was a problem, but knew that Severus had the same thoughts she did.

"For what? If the parents find out we are giving out potions, or having girls order or whatever the case may be, its like we're promoting sex, but if we don't and things continue on someone could be in an accident, but has there been any girls in an accident. Maybe this is something that should just be left alone." Hermione said.

Severus thought about it but didn't dwell. Hermione made tea and the two sat at the table in a pleasant silence, Hermione only slightly embarrassed about talking about Viktor.

Hemione thought of ways that Sean could see Jennifer, thinking about ways to get her close to muggle London and then she thought about it the knight bus. It surely was an emergency Sean should be able to take it from Hogsmeade even though it would be a slightly bumpy ride. That very evening Hermione explained the Knight bus, permitting him to use it and Gallion for their and back.

Sean left early the next morning and came back late that night. Sean had a look on his face Hermione could not place, but he wasn't upset she took this as a good sign and just smiled at him when he returned.

December 22nd was here, and Hermione was decorating her room for Christmas... she knew it was a bit late but for some reason didn't get around to it before. She got up a tree, put tinsel all over and a few magical decorations as well as several Muggle ones she happened to collect. She wrapped the gifts she had gotten everyone and put up a stocking. Severus was busy all day brewing and even though she could be helping she thought this was an excellent opportunity to be by herself and take some time to think about what it is she wanted to do with herself. She thought to herself of going to Weasley's on Christmas Eve, seeing Harry and Ron and spending the whole day with them something she hasn't been able to do in months. Then go to her parents Christmas morning, spending the day with them, and then enjoying Christmas night with Severus. By taking all those days early on, she was also able to leave the Castle on New Years. She thought of spending New Year's Eve at the borrow and New years day with her parents, but this time bring Severus along, if he was willing.

Hermione thought about the fact that only Ginny knew they were together. Everyone knew they were friendly to each other, Hermione had written about him to the boys and talked about him to Ginny. She had admitted to Ginny one weekday when the staff had a hard week, instead of pumpkin juice Elf Wine was passed among the table. She had to admit she was drunk, Severus was working in potions and she told all. Ginny was supportive of the pairing.

She didn't think Sean really read into Severus being in her room but then again she wasn't sure. She knew that they needed to tell Minerva sooner rather than later but the timing just never felt right. Hermione had a ping in her stomach just thinking about the whole thing. She turned her attention to the muggle radio she brought and turned on some Christmas music.

Severus was brewing potions filling stock for the school of various supplies, everything was rather easy brewing but just took a while and while he waited he was reading A Christmas Carol one Hermione had given him to borrow a few weeks back, and though he knew the story well, he had never actually read the book.

Severus had a lot on his mind; it was Christmas time which to him would have just been like any time of the year if it hadn't been for Hermione. She had been the bright light for him, and even got him in the Christmas spirit, something he had been missing for a long time. He and Hermione had never really discussed the plan. That is to say; he wasn't sure what Hermione expected. He wasn't quite ready to go to her parents, but at the same time, he didn't expect her not to go. He wanted to be selfish and keep her close during this time of year but knew that was fair. He watched as his brew turned from purple to blue indicating it was done, he grabbed some bottles and began to pour.

Severus and Hermione didn't see each other until dinner that night smiling at each other but not really talking, as the other staff was full of excitement for the upcoming holiday. Hermione wasn't sure how to tell him of her plans. She didn't want him upset him, and she wanted to be with him but knew that they weren't quite there yet. Before the next step, it was time to let everyone know that they were together.

Dinner was over, and Hermione pulled Severus into her room before even saying anything. Her stomach was knotted, she was happy and nervous and excited all at once.

"Severus, I think its time!" Hermione said.

Severus looked alarmed and scared not sure what Hermione was going on about.

Hermione quickly continued, "over Christmas, I am going to the Weasleys and my parents, and I am going to tell them we are together." I know we need to tell Minerva, ugh I am so nervous." Hermione said as she could feel herself get sick. She sat down. Severus followed suit holding her. Looking back at her and seeing the nerves. He rubbed her arms.

"I know we need to say something Hermione, you deal, with your friends, and parents, I'll deal with Minerva," Severus said. Hermione eased considerably, as they talked about the upcoming holidays.