Hermione stood in front of her bedroom closet. It was finally Christmas Eve, and she hadn't seen Severus in two weeks. She felt like a high school girl with a crush. She couldn't understand why she had butterflies in her stomach. Hermione shifted through her clothes shaking her head at everything that hung up in front of her. She growled and sat down on top of her desk starring at the clothes. She tapped her finger on her chin in thought.
"Mia dear are you ready?" called Jane from behind her daughter's closed door.
Hermione sled off the desk and straighten her bathrobe and opened the door. "I'm stumped. I have no clued what to wear."
Jane walked into the bedroom and held up a dress that was made out of velvet green with long sleeves. It had sliver along the hem of the v cut hem, sleeves and the bottom of the hem. She held out a pair of high healed black shoes. She smiled.
"I got this for you this morning." and Jane with a bright smile.
"Mum it's lovely." said Hermione taking it from her mother. "Wait here I'll go put it on." She walked into the bathroom to change.
Jane sat down on the bed and waited for her daughter to emerge from the bathroom. Hermione walked out of the room. She turned showing her mother. The dress fit her perfectly showing off her womanly figure tastefully. She had already put on her makeup before hand with light and dark browns. She pulled back her hair in twist with a few strains of curls that framed her face. She put on a pair of sliver hopped earrings. She put on her heels and charmed them to wear like flats.
"What do you think?" asked Hermione asked looking down at long smooth legs.
"You look beautiful." said Jane. "My little girl's all grown up. A doctor and working at Hogwarts, and soon to be soul bound to a very good man." She wrapped her daughter into a hug causing Hermione gasp for air.
"I can't breath." gasped Hermione.
Jane pulled back from the hug, and the women went down stairs to meet the family. They reached the last step and Hermione was pulled into tight hug from her grandmother, Helen Kent.
Helen had graying black long hair, fare wrinkling skin, brown eyes, and slender small frame. She was proud of her granddaughter since her family line of magic had died out several years back with too many squirbs in the family line.
"Grandma! It's been ages." said Hermione pulling back from the hug. "How are you?"
"I'm fine sweetheart." said Helen with a bright smile.
"Shortcake there you are!" said Joe, Helen's husband. He had short gray hair, fare wrinkled skin, blue eyes and carried some weight around his belly. "You look beautiful." He pulled his granddaughter into a hug.
Hermione pulled back, "Thanks Granddaddy Joe. You know how to make a girl blush."
She scratched her hand ring finger. She looked down and saw the wedding nearly in full view. She lowered her hand and excused herself when she heard a crack in the back yard. She walked through the kitchen stopping every so often for a hug from an aunt or uncle.
Hermione opened the sliding glass door and stepped outside and wrapped her arms around her chest to block the cold winter wind. The ground was covered in snow.
"Hello stranger." said Hermione with a smile.
Severus walked up the two steps onto the porch. "You look lovely. I know it's hard not having Rose here."
Hermione nodded and brushed away several tears. "She loved the snow."
Severus pulled out a black rose from his inside jacket pocket and he gently pinned onto her dress over her heart. "Now she's with you."
Hermione let a sob leave her parted lips. He was the only one out of the family that mentioned her daughter. She figured it would be too hard on her to even speak about Rose. She leaned forward and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips.
"Thank you for including my baby girl." whispered Hermione.
He thumbed away a fallen tear that ran down her cheek. "I knew the others would think it would be too hard on you and possibly them."
"Let's go in its freezing." said Hermione rubbing her hands up and down her arms. They walked into the loud house.
Severus took off his coat and placed it on a hook near the door. Hermione brushed the kinks out of his white shirt. She smiled and she led the way into the living room.
"Your family is huge." said Severus looking out among the crowd.
She laughed, "A lot of them are friends. They come every year. Most of them I've known since I was little. Tommy don't run with that sucker in your mouth." She told the little five years old who was chasing a little girl.
"Sorry Auntie," and he stopped but when he was out of sight began to run once again.
"Severus there you are. We thought you changed your mind." said John who greeted his future son-in-law with hand shake.
"The Headmaster is one of the hardest people to get away from; especially at Christmas."
Hermione laughed. "Tell me about it. He hangs mistletoe in every doorway of the school, and he's charmed it to be if the students don't kiss they can't move."
Helen gently touched the black rose and smiled weakly. She looked at Severus and whispered in his ear, "Thank you dear."
Severus gave her a nod. He lifted his left hand and scratched his finger. He knew the band would be visible in a few short days.
"Severus you must stay a few days while we are here." said Joe. "Jane told us you'd be part of the family soon. Surely your grading can wait a few days."
"Very well Madame." said Severus and smirked slightly at Hermione. She threw him a quick wink.
"I'll be back in a minute. Excuse me." said Hermione and went up the stairs.
Severus followed were Hermione had been looking and saw a small baby in a carrier. He excused himself and went after Hermione. He knew she'd tried to stay strong, but it was tearing her apart.
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Severus closed the bedroom door behind him with a soft click. He walked up to Hermione who stood in front of the window watching the snow fall. "I don't know what came over me. I knew Gina was having a baby. But it's just so hard." She whispered to will the tears from fall down her face.
Severus gently turned Hermione around and ran his arms up and down her arms. "This is your first Christmas with out your daughter Hermione. You can be upset all you want. No one will think the lesser of you."
"Bought Rose a gift and put it under the tree." She laughed, "I didn't realize it until the next day that she wouldn't be here to open it." She let a sob leave her lips, "I'm going mad."
He pulled Hermione into his arms and gently rubbed her back. "No you're not going mad. You're a mother that is having her first Christmas with their daughter who had her life cut far too short."
Hermione nodded into his chest and pulled back. She crushed several tears from her face. "I'll can't rude I have to show myself. If I don't do it now I never can."
"I'll be right beside you." he told her.
Hermione smiled weakly, left the bedroom and went back down stair to the crowded party.
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After several hours the party finally ended and the guest left the house. Hermione looked around and saw the house in a disaster. She removed her shoes and got up from the couch. She began to pick up the mess that was left behind.
"Dearest what are doing?' asked Severus gently.
"I'm cleaning up this mess. I hate to leave it until tomorrow." She told him with several cups in her hands.
Severus knew she was doing everything not to fall apart in front of her family. Helen watched the couple closely wondering what the young man would do to help her grand daughter.
Severus slowly took the cups from Hermione and pulled her into his arms. He knew she had remained strong for hours, but he could tell she was ready to break. She wrapped her arms around his neck and sobbed into his chest unable to hold back the tears any longer. Severus held her close and kissed the top of her forehead.
"Come on let's get you upstairs." he whispered.
Hermione nodded and they slowly made their up the stairs to her bedroom. The family could only watch the painful but tender moment.
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Hermione walked into the room and closed the door behind Severus locking it behind her. She removed the pins from her hair and shook the curls loose. She walked up to the man that stood before her. She slowly slid the zipper down her dress.
"No Hermione you've had one too many drinks." said Severus.
"I'm perfectly sober, and I know what I want. And I want you Severus Snape."
She lowered the gown until it pooled at her feet. She stood in front of him with a black laced bra and black laced thong. Severus swallowed hard making his Adams apple go up and down. He had never seen a more beautiful sight, correction woman.
"You're upset. I don't want you to wake up the next morning with regrets." he told her gently.
Hermione reached behind her and unclasped her bra. She pulled down the straps and dropped it to the floor. "I won't regret it Severus." she told him walking towards him. "I need to feel you."
Severus back up until he hit the wall. Hermione smirked and walked closer. She removed her thong standing in front of him completely undressed. She took his hands placed them on her full rounded breasts.
"Please Severus." begged Hermione with tears in her bright brown eyes.
He hissed at the pain that was pressuring at his lower region. "God knows how much I want you Hermione. I won't deny you love. But I must do so now."
Hermione fell to her knees making full breasts bounce and a sob left her lips. Severus grabbed her robe from the bed and gently wrapped it around her naked body. He pushed her curls from her face. He pulled her into his arms. He kissed her brow and rocked her as she cried out her pain.
"I made a complete fool of myself." whispered Hermione into his chest.
Severus sighed heavily. "No my love. You are never a fool." He gently pulled her back and looked down into brown puffy eyes. "Let me draw you a bath. You're upset and stressed."
Hermione nodded her head, and he rose to his full height and left the bedroom. He soon returned and helped Hermione up off of the floor and walked into the bathroom.
"Severus please stay. I need you." said Hermione just before he walked out of bathroom door.
He nodded his head and walked into bathroom. Hermione removed her bathroom. She didn't care at the moment. He had just seen her naked not even five minutes ago. She eased herself into the hot bubble bath. She lay back against the bath pillow. She closed her eyes.
Severus sat down on the title floor and gently crested her cheek. "Everything will be well my love."
Hermione nodded her head not trusting her voice. Severus stayed at her side until she got out of the tub. She stepped out of the bubble bath and wrapped the robe around her body. She entered the bedroom, got dressed and crawled into the bed. She patted mattress.
"Hold me until I fall asleep." she whispered.
He got into the bed and pulled Hermione into his arms. She snuggled deep into his arms and fell into an exhausting sleep. He kissed her brow and slowly closed his eyes.
Several hours later Jane stuck her head into Hermione's room and smiled weakly. She entered the room and threw a blanket over Severus, who slept above the covers.
"Sleep well sweethearts." whispered Jane and kissed them each on the forehead before walking out of the room leaving the door open.
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The next morning Severus carefully got out of the bed, kissed Hermione gently on the forehead. Then made his across the hall to his room grateful he had brought a bag with him. He changed into a pair deep blue jeans and white long sleeve button up shirt and left the bedroom for the kitchen.
Severus entered the kitchen and Helen handed him a cup of black coffee not knowing how he liked it. He gave her a thank you in return and sat down at the table. Helen joined the young man at the table. The others slept off their hangovers from the party.
"How's Mia doing?" Helen asked.
"She had a very rough night. But I assume is normal at the moment."
"It is very normal dear. I know how Hermione feels about loosing a child at a young age. But Daniel didn't die of cancer like Rose did. He died from a defect of the heart. He had died before we could find him a match."
"I'm sorry." said Severus gently.
Helen shook her head. "It's alright dear. Daniel died three years before Jane was even born. Of course we told her stories, but that's all we could give her. After, Jane Joe and I couldn't have anymore children."
Severus only nodded his head. Hermione walked into the kitchen and fixed herself a cup of tea. She sat down at the table followed by Joe and John. They sat down at the table.
Severus grabbed his left forearm were his dark mark rested. He pulled out his wand summoned his mask and robe. He rose to full height. He gently stroked her cheek.
"I don't know how long I'll be." he told her gently.
"Come back safely." she whispered and he was gone with pop. "He can't enjoy his time away for nothing, because the Dark Lord is out to destroy mankind.
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Hermione paced in front of the fireplace. Severus had been gone for nearly twenty-four hours. She couldn't sit still and it seemed she quit breathing. She turned on her heals and ran her fingers through her hair.
"Hermione sweetheart you're going to wear yourself out." said Jane walking into the room.
She shook her head and began to pace once again. She ran to the backyard when she heard a pop. Jane and John ran after their daughter. Hermione pulled opened the door and ran out into the cold winter snow.
Severus fell to the ground the snow becoming drenched in his blood. It had been several raids on homes, murders and torture for the death eaters. There was no plans of war only havoc and pain over the Christmas holidays.
"Severus," said Hermione. "Severus," and he turned his head to see the one person he needed.
"Hermione." he gasped gently taking her hand into his own bloody hand.
"Dad help me get him inside. I need attend to his injuries." said Hermione calmly. John didn't move. "Now Dad!" She snapped.
He quickly ran over to the fallen man, and helped Hermione get Severus inside the house and into his room. Jane followed them inside to get water and the small things together that her daughter would need to attend to the fallen man's wounds.
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John eased Severus down onto the bed. He groaned out of the pain that ran through his body. Severus closed his eyes breathing heavily. John saw a large amount of blood on his clothes. He knew if he kept on loosing blood at the rite he was bleeding he'd be dead soon.
Hermione flicked her wand leaving Severus in nothing but his black boxers. She ran her wand over his body healing the dangerous broken bones that could kill him if not attend to quickly. John hissed at the sound of snapping bones. She stopped the endless bleeding. He stepped aside when Jane walked into the room with Hermione's black bag and a large bowl of water. She sat the items on the bedside table.
"Thanks Mom." said Hermione. She stuck her wand into her pocket no longer needing it at the moment. "Everything will be well Severus." Hermione told him gently and crested his cheek lovingly.
"It was nothing but raids." he whispered.
Hermione gently cleaned off chest and stomach. She turned to her bag and applied the numbing gel around each deep stab wound. She grabbed her thread and needle. She began the long progress of stitching up the twelve stab wounds.
"He missed major organs." whispered Hermione. "He must have been in a bad mood. More then normal anyway."
Severus closed his eyes when his entire body twitched. He had been placed under the torture curse many times while he was gone. The only thing wanted was to hold Hermione and sleep.
After an hour of healing Severus and giving him potions he needed for his recovery Hermione sat down on the bed in exhaustion. He gently took his soul bond's hand and squeezed it gently. He knew she had been a nervous wreak while he was gone.
"I have everything under control from here." said Hermione.
Jane ushered her husband out of the bedroom leaving Hermione to take care of Severus. He looked at the brave man one last time and left the room.
Hermione lay down on the left side of the bed and rolled over onto her side. She took Severus's hand gently. She didn't lay her head down his chest or shoulder knowing it would cause him pain. Severus turned his head and smile slightly and closed his eyes once the sleep draught she gave him kicked in.
Hermione moved from the bed and pulled up a nearby chair when his body began to shake and fever consumed him. She realized he had been under the torture curse for a long time for it cause shakes and fever.
"I'll take care of you my love." whispered Hermione as she ran a cool rag over his sweaty body.
Joe knocked gently on the bedroom. Hermione turned her head and saw the headmaster with her grandfather. She motioned for the elderly wizard to come into the room.
""How is he doing Hermione?" asked Albus as he stood at the end of the bed.
She sighed heavily. "He was tortured for a good while. It seems it was nothing but raids, murders and torture for each of the death eaters. Severus didn't mention anything about any plans." Hermione saw the headmaster's blue eyes dim at the news.
Severus body twitched painfully causing him groan in pain. She ran her fingers through his jet black hair. He sank deep into the mattress.
"Let me know when he wakes. As for now I'll leave him in your hands Doctor." said Albus. Hermione nodded and watched the wizard leave the bedroom.
"Bastard." hissed Hermione under her breath, and turned her attention back to Severus.
Hermione's eyes slowly closed and she rested her head down on the mattress holding onto his hand, "I love you Severus." She whispered and slowly fell asleep holding his hand.
Severus had heard what Hermione told him, and he smiled gently. "I love you too Hermione." He whispered and slowly fell back to sleep.
While they slept their left hands on their third finger glowed and quickly died away revealing gold wedding bands. Their declared of love sealed their bound. But it wouldn't be completed until they were physically together.
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Helen quietly walked into the bedroom the next morning to check on the couple. She sighed heavily knowing her granddaughter was not comfortable. She didn't dare wake her. She smiled when she saw the wedding bands on their hands. They were now husband and wife. She had a grandson and was glad it was a man that loved Hermione for who she was and not what she appeared to be. Helen quietly left the room leaving them to their slumber.
Severus slowly opened his eyes when the sun shined on him through the curtain. He turned his head and saw Hermione asleep with her head resting on the mattress. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. He smiled when he saw her wedding band.
Hermione lifted her head when she felt Severus move. She smiled and moved from the chair and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Thank heavens you're awake you had me worried with all injuries you had."
Severus his thumb over her wedding band and said, "You can't get rid of me that easily Mrs. Snape."
"I-" said Hermione but stopped when she saw the bands. She smiled at her husband. "I'm glad Mr. Snape, because I don't know what I'd do with you."
Severus motioned for her to come closer with his index finger. She slowly leaned forward and he captured her lips with his own. They pulled back and he crests her cheek. "I love you Hermione."
She leaned into his touch and closed her eyes several tears fell down her cheeks. She opened her eyes. "I love you too Severus," she captured his lips with her own.
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