A/N: Here's the next chapter hope you all enjoy it! Thank you to everyone who has been reviewing and following my story it's incredibly encouraging!
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to Rowling. I'm just playing around in her world :)
That night, Severus paced around his sitting room waiting for Hermione to come. He stopped still as a statue when he realized that Christmas was day after tomorrow and he had nothing for Hermione! He started panicking, he had never been with a woman for Christmas before much less gotten them a Christmas present. What would she like? What if he got something and she hated it?
Okay Severus, just calm down. You know she likes books, if all else fails you can pick up something from Flourish and Blotts. Besides this is still a new relationship she won't expect anything fancy… Right?
Severus was still in the midst of a panic when there was a knock on his door. Taking a moment to compose himself and school his features he stalked over and opened the door. Seeing Hermione smiling up at him, Severus felt all of his panic fall away and his lips turned up slightly in a smile.
Hermione's smiled widened when she saw the gruff potions master attempting to hide his smile "Pleased to see me, Severus?" Hermione inquired lifting an eyebrow.
"Not in the least Miss Granger. Are you going to come in or would you prefer to stand there staring at me?" Severus drawled stoically.
Hermione just grinned and swept past him into the room and headed straight for the bookshelf. Severus closed the door and went and settled himself on the couch and watched as Hermione skimmed her eyes over the titles.
After a moment of indecision Hermione chose "The Three Musketeers" and took her book back to the couch with her. She sat next to Severus and snuggled up to him as she opened her book. Severus stiffened momentarily before relaxing. After summoning his book from his desk he wrapped an arm around her and just read.
They both read in silence just content to be in each other's presence for the moment. Severus watched Hermione as she read, loving the way her lips turned up and how she laughed softly when she read something amusing, and how her brows furrowed when she read something that made her angry. After a while passed Severus spoke "Hermione, what happened to your parents?"
Hermione froze at his question and looked up at him. Frowning she stood up "Do you happen to have any tea Severus?" Severus' brows drew together in confusion but he nodded. Hermione walked into the kitchen and Severus heard the sound of mugs being pulled out. Frowning, he stood up and walked into the kitchen and saw Hermione with her back to him, her hands fisted in the handles of the mugs as her body shook.
"Hermione? I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you." Severus said quietly as he came up behind her and put his hand on her shoulder. Hermione turned and Severus' heart clenched to see the tears in her eyes. Hermione moved into his arms and pressed her head to his chest and tears started flowing down her face. Severus wrapped his arms around Hermione and held her tightly, rubbing her back as she cried.
After a few minutes Hermione pulled away "I'm sorry Severus, I didn't mean to cry all over you." Hermione sniffed. "Don't be sorry. Do… Do you want to talk about it?" Severus questioned. Hermione sighed "Let's move back to the couch."
After settling back down the couch with Severus' arm back around her, she began "Last year in the summer I obliviated my parents memories. I believed they would be safer not knowing they had a daughter. They moved to Australia and I had planned to go find them after the war and restore their memories." Hermione stopped tears filling her eyes again. Severus rubbed her shoulder softly and she took a deep breath "I went to find them as soon as the war was over, but I found out that the death eaters found them anyway. They had been tortured and murdered." Tears streamed down Hermione's face as she finished speaking and she pressed her face into Severus shirt. "It's okay, I'm so sorry Hermione, so sorry. It's not your fault, it's not." Severus whispered. Hermione lifted her head "They died not knowing they had a daughter! They died and to them I didn't exist." Hermione sobbed.
"But you knew Hermione, you knew and you loved them. You did everything you could to protect them, they would be proud of everything you've done." Severus said. They stayed that way for a while, Severus kept his arms around her and pressed kissed to the top of her head.
"Can I… Can I stay here with you tonight Severus? I… Don't want to be alone tonight." Hermione whispered. "Of course. Come." Severus spoke as he stood up and took her hand to lead her to the bedroom. Hermione transfigured some pajamas for herself and went into the bathroom to change.
Hermione quickly pulled on a pair of black sleeping shorts and her blue tank top, then looking at herself and seeing her red rimmed eyes she quickly splashed her face with cold water. Taking a deep breath and drying her face off she left the bathroom.
When she came back out Severus was already in the bed in a plain black shirt and just his pants. Hermione slipped into bed next to him and turned on her side to face him. Severus blew out the candle and lay down under the covers "Good night, Hermione." He said quietly. It was silent for a moment and then Severus heard a rustle and then Hermione was next to him pressing close to his body and laying her head against his chest. "Good night, Severus." Hermione whispered and closed her eyes.
Severus looked down at her in the darkness and sighed pulling her closer and closing his own eyes, praying that there would be no nightmares tonight.
Hermione woke up feeling a warm body under her own. She smiled when she remembered she was in Severus' bed and he was laying with his arms wrapped around her, and her leg thrown over his. She marveled for a moment that she had had no nightmares the previous night, which she usually did after thinking or speaking about her parents.
She looked up at him her eyes wandering over his face and body.
He really is a handsome man. Maybe not what most people would consider "hot" but he definitely has some good looks. He has such thick black hair, it looks so soft. He's not what most people think. He's kind, but he's been hurt badly. It must have been Lily that made him this way. That made him so disparaging of himself. I think, I think I might love him.
Hermione jerked slightly at this thought, and then relaxed as a small smile came over her face. She knew that a lot of people would not be accepting of their relationship, but she didn't care all that mattered was how she and Severus felt about each other.
"What are you thinking about so hard little witch?" Severus asked huskily as he kissed her neck. "Mmm, just about how handsome you are." Hermione confessed. Severus pulled back from kissing her and sat up on the side of the bed and frowned "You don't have to say that Hermione. I know I'm not what most women would consider-"
"Stop that Severus." Hermione interrupted "I think you are incredibly handsome." She lifted one hand to run through his hair as the other pressed to his cheek "You have the loveliest eyes, as dark as the night sky. And your hair, I could run my fingers through it all day. You are handsome, Severus." Hermione concluded as she reached up to press a kiss to Severus' lips.
Severus looked at her, his eyes full of shock that she really believed that. Then as he stared down at her his eyes darkened with lust and he put a hand on her neck and one on her waist and pulled her to him kissing her passionately. Laying her back down on the bed his fingers tangled in her hair, moaning as her fingers tugged gently on his own hair.
Hermione pulled his lip in between her teeth and nibbled. She could feel his erection pressed against her leg and moaned as it rubbed against her. Moving her hands around him Hermione ran her nails lightly down his back. Heat pooled low in her belly as his hands moved to cup her bum. She pulled away to catch her breath and Severus pressed kisses to her cheeks and eyes, before finally pulling away panting.
"We… We should stop." Severus said and taking a deep breath he buried his face in her neck before finally pulling away. "I'll start on breakfast. Feel free to use the bathroom if you want to take a shower. Come in when you're ready." He walked out of the room leaving Hermione staring after him.
Did I do something wrong? Why did he pull away? I thought… I thought he wanted to be with me. Stop Hermione don't freak out, maybe he just isn't ready yet I mean we did just tell each other of our feelings yesterday. There's no need to rush, you can wait.
Calming herself down with this line of reasoning, Hermione climbed out of bed and went into the bathroom to take a shower. She came back out having changed into jeans and a pink sweater, her hair reasonably tamed. Walking into the kitchen she found Severus at the stove making pancakes.
"I didn't know you cooked." Hermione said smiling as she came up beside him. Severus turned and smirked "I have learned a few things in my many years of life Hermione."
Hermione grinned and kissed him on the cheek before grabbing some plates and sitting down at the table to wait. They ate quietly and Hermione watched Severus surreptitiously, noticing that he seemed ill at ease. She debated for a moment on whether or not to stay silent before finally speaking "Severus, about earlier… Did I do something wrong?"
Severus looked up at her shocked "No, god no Hermione you did nothing wrong. I'm just… I'm too old for you. I shouldn't have pushed you and I apologize. I care about you, deeply. I hope you will forgive me." Severus apologized looking down. Hermione's eyes softened at this and she moved her chair so she was right next to him and took his hands in hers. Severus looked at her surprised as she took his hands. "Severus, you have nothing to be forgiven for. I want this as much as you, don't apologize for that. I care about you too Severus, very much. Your age does not matter to me and it shouldn't matter to you either." Hermione reassured him and leaned him to press a soft kiss to his lips.
Severus smiled at her when she pulled away considerably relieved. He still believed he was too old for her but if she cared about him regardless who was he to deny it? They spent the morning reading and mid-morning Hermione left and went back to her rooms. As soon as she left Severus quickly made his way to Hogsmeade intent on finding a gift for Hermione.
Severus wandered through the village and managed to find a book he had heard her mention wanting at Flourish and Blotts. As he went in and out of shops though he could not find anything else, until finally stopping in front of a small jewelry store, he decided he had nothing to lose by taking a look.
He perused the jewelry until he came across a gold bracelet made up of small phoenixes linked together, the eyes made of winking red rubies. Looking at it he knew she would love it, so he quickly bought it and left Hogsmeade feeling pleased with himself for doing so well.
That night he got dressed for the staff Christmas party already annoyed that he had agreed to go. As soon as Severus walked in the room Minerva honed in on him like a hawk. "Severus! I'm so glad you came. I haven't seen you very much the last week Severus." Minerva commented "I've not seen Hermione very much either. I don't suppose you've seen her recently?" Minerva asked with an amused smile on her face.
Severus scowled "Why would I know the whereabouts of Miss Granger Minerva? You must have lost your mind you batty old witch." He scoffed. Minerva just smiled and gave him the same irritating knowing smile that Dumbledore used to give.
The rest of the party was very much a misery in Severus' opinion. He would have much preferred to be in his rooms reading, possibly with Hermione at his side, than here with a bunch of twittering old busy bodies.
Severus left as soon as possible and making his way down to the dungeons. After changing out of his robes he sent off his patronus to Hermione.
Hermione was lounging on her bed having just finished writing letters to Harry, Ron, and Ginny who had been worried about her spending Christmas alone. She was beginning to wonder what Severus was doing when his patronus appeared. "Hermione, I would like to invite you down to my chambers. If you need an incentive to get up besides me, I have hot chocolate." Hermione laughed at Severus' voice retaining its usual sarcasm over the patronus.
She quickly stood up and shrinking her gift for him and putting it in her pocket, she left and went down to the dungeons. Severus opened the door almost as soon as she knocked and leaned down to kiss her.
"Mmm that's nice. Did you have fun at your Christmas party?" Hermione asked.
"No, it was dreadful. I would have much rather been here with you." Severus said seriously pulling her into the room and closing the door.
"I know it's not yet Christmas, but I would like to give you my gift now if you do not object." Severus said holding out two packages. "You got something for me? Thank you Severus." Hermione smiled knowing he would be embarrassed if she made a big deal out of it.
She sat down on the couch with the packages and slowly opened them noticing Severus' anxious look as he sat next to her. "Robinson Crusoe! You remembered me saying I wanted it, thank you Severus!" Hermione beamed at him as she ran her fingers over the book. Severus just smiled slightly "Open the next one." He said quickly.
Hermione carefully undid the wrapping and opened the small jewelry box to see the phoenix bracelet winking up at her. "Severus, this is beautiful! It's too much, you didn't have to do this." Hermione protested. "I know I didn't have to, but I wanted to." Severus said pleased that he had chosen well.
Hermione smiled and put the bracelet on "Okay, now for your gift, mister. I'm afraid it's not half as lovely as this but I hope you like it nonetheless." She spoke as she pulled the package out of her pocket and it grew back to its normal size. She handed it to Severus who quickly opened the wrapping to find a dark emerald green notebook inside. "It's charmed so only you can read what you write unless you choose to show it to someone else. I thought you could write your potions research in it." Hermione explained.
Severus set the notebook down and turned to her "I love it, thank you Hermione. No one has ever taken the time to buy me something like this." Severus said quietly. He kissed her gently and then pulled her close to him. They sat holding each other close, both now knowing they loved the other but neither yet having the courage to say so.