It was the last day of classes before Christmas break. I was excited to see Sirius again, but sad to be leaving Snape for so long. The last class for the afternoon gathered their things and headed out of the classroom, leaving just Snape and I.

"I don't think any of them were actually paying attention." I commented.

"They usually don't." Snape replied as he slowly walked up to me.

Snape glanced upwards. I followed his gaze and noticed mistletoe that wasn't there before. I glanced back at him.

"Mistletoe?" I asked with a smirk.

"I'm not going to see you for two weeks, just kiss me." Snape replied.

He held my face in his hands and gently kissed my lips.

"Ahem"

My teeth clenched as Snape slowly removed his lips from mine and glanced over at the door.

"I hope you don't do that in front of your students Professor Snape." Umbridge commented.

"What do you want?" Snape barked.

"Right to the point, I like that about you Severus." Umbridge smirked.

Snape glared at her.

"I actually came by to ask Ms. Black where she would be spending her Christmas holidays." Umbridge smirked.

I opened my mouth to reply, but Snape interrupted me.

"Not that it's any of your business Dolores, but she will be spending Christmas with me." Snape snapped.

"I see." Umbridge replied, her smirk slowly fading.

"Any other questions?" Snape asked coldly.

"Not any that I can think of right now, you two have a wonderful holiday." Umbridge said.

Snape didn't reply back. Umbridge let out a little chuckle before leaving the classroom. I looked at Snape who was still fixated on the door.

"We're going to have a problem, aren't we?" I asked.

"Yes." Snape replied, still looking at the door.

"What are we going to do?" I asked.

"We need to speak with Dumbledore." Snape replied.

He looked away from the door and back at me. His dark eyes felt colder than usual.

"I'm sorry; I was hoping she wouldn't have interfered with your holiday plans." Snape said.

"I was hoping so too." I replied.

"Let's go see what Dumbledore has to say." Snape said.

I nodded and followed him out of the classroom.

"I can't believe she's going threw this much trouble to make my life miserable." I commented.

"Well catching Sirius Black is her priority. The Ministry is still denying the return of the Dark Lord, so they need to blame all of the disappearances on someone." Snape replied.

We stopped in front of the gargoyle in front of Dumbledore's office.

"Lemon Drops." Snape said.

The gargoyle jumped aside for us. We ascended the stairs and Snape quietly knocked on the door.

"Enter." Dumbledore's voice came from the other side.

Snape opened the door and we walked into Dumbledore's office. He was sitting at his desk looking over a book. He looked up at us. Dumbledore looked older than he usually does.

"Severus, Kate… what can I do for you?" Dumbledore asked as he closed the book he was reading.

"We have a problem with Professor Umbridge." Snape replied.

"Don't we all, Severus." Dumbledore smirked.

"She might be keeping an eye on Ms. Black over the Christmas break. So I said that she would be staying with me over the Holidays." Snape informed him.

Dumbledore's eyes flashed dangerously between Snape and I. Surely he must know by now, if Snape didn't give it away now, then surely Professor Umbridge would have said something to him.

"I can only see one option, but that means it can only be visits…" Dumbledore said as he took off his half moon spectacles.

He started rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"Visits?" I asked.

"I know you were hoping to spend the holidays with your father Kate, but with Professor Umbridge watching you, that's all we can do for you." Dumbledore replied.

"How?" I asked.

Dumbledore put his half moon spectacles back on.

"Polyjuice Potion, although you would need someone to help you with this, I suggest asking Ms. Mookums." Dumbledore informed me.

"I have some already made Headmaster." Snape commented.

"Excellent, is it going to be an inconvenience to actually keep Ms. Black for the holidays? I can find somewhere else for her to stay if you wish." Dumbledore asked Snape.

Dumbledore had a tiny smirk on his face and a gleam in his eyes.

"It wouldn't be an inconvenience." Snape replied quietly.

"Alright, well that's settled. I will inform Sirius of what's happening and explain to him why you won't be staying there for the holidays." Dumbledore replied cheerfully.

Sirius is still going to kill me. That was one of his rules… I guess he can take his anger out on Umbridge. After all, it's her fault I won't be spending Christmas with Sirius.

I bundled myself tighter in my cloak as we apperated at the end of Spinner's End. Huge chunks of snow flakes fell to the ground. I've already discussed the situation with Reia and she was a little disappointed. She was to stay at Sirius' house for the Holiday, while I will be at Snape's. I also asked her to look after Chance while she was there. I didn't think Snape wanted a cat running around his house.

We walked down Spinner's end. The snow crunching as we walked.

"Wait here." Snape informed me as we stopped in front of his house.

I did was he asked. I shivered as Snape carefully walked up to his house, unlocked the door and went inside. I looked down the street we just walked. Our footprints were almost already covered by the snow fall.

"It's safe." Snape informed me from the doorway.

I picked up my bags and headed inside. Snape closed the door to the winter wonderland outside. He grabbed my bags from me and placed them inside his room.

"I'm sorry to tell you, but I have to go out tonight." Snape said as he walked out of his bedroom.

"Out?" I asked, still shivering.

Snape walked over to the fireplace, pointed his wand at it and it suddenly burst into flames and the wood inside started to crackle. I slowly walked over to the fire place and stood next to Snape.

"The Dark Lord requested me for a dinner party this evening." Snape informed me.

"Dinner party?" I asked.

"Things will be discussed during." Snape replied.

"I would have never thought he would be the dinner party type." I smirked.

"It means he has either good news or bad news." Snape informed me.

Snape stared into the fire.

"You honestly don't have to keep me here. I have somewhere else I can go. I can deal with Umbridge later." I said grabbing Snape's arm.

His head shot up and he glared at me.

"Don't say such ridiculous things; I will not have you stay at a place with little to no protection." Snape said.

"I will be safe there; you don't have to worry about that." I replied.

Snape's eyes flickered.

"You're staying here. End of discussion." Snape said.

"I don't want to invade your space, Severus." I replied back.

"If you don't want to stay here, then you should have said something in Dumbledore's office." Snape said with a slight tone of anger.

"Don't put words in my mouth, that wasn't what I was saying at all." I snapped at him.

"Then what are you saying?" Snape asked.

"I just… if you don't want to spend the holidays with me, please… don't feel obliged to keep me here. There are other options." I replied.

"Why would you think I wouldn't want you here?" Snape asked me.

I started nervously fidgeting with my cloak.

"I just didn't want to get in the way or be a bother." I replied quietly.

Snape sighed

"Can I tell you something?" Snape asked as he grabbed onto my fidgeting hands.

I nodded.

"This may sound horrible, especially to you, but I was secretly happy when you couldn't stay with Sirius for the Holidays." Snape informed me.

"Severus…" I started to say.

"I know, it's selfish… and wrong, but I just wanted you all to myself. So please stop assuming that I don't want you here, because the reality is… I'm very happy to be spending the holidays with you." Snape continued.

Snape slowly let go of my hands.

"Severus." I said.

Snape looked at me.

"I was secretly happy too when you told Umbridge that I would be staying with you." I smirked.

I slowly looked up as I produced mistletoe above us. He glanced up and smirked back at me.

"Mistletoe?" He asked me with his eyebrow raised.

"Just kiss me." I replied as I curled my arms around his neck and kissed him.

"Don't answer the door for anyone." Snape informed me.

"What if it's Dumbledore?" I asked.

"Not even Dumbledore." Snape said.

I nodded. Snape gently kissed me.

"I'm sorry I have to leave." Snape said as he rested his forehead on mine.

"I'll be okay. I already had my dream this month, so no need to worry about that at least." I smirked.

"Your dreams are the least of my worries." Snape replied.

Snape pulled away from me and looked at the door.

"I'll try and be as quick as I can." Snape said looking back at me.

"Just be careful." I replied.

Snape nodded and turned to leave, but didn't walk towards the door. I know he didn't want to leave.

"I'll be here when you get back." I commented.

Snape glanced back at me with a small smile on his face. I shot him a small smile back. He walked towards the door, opened it, and then took one last look at me before walking out into the snow. He shut the door and locked it behind him.

I sighed and sat down on his couch. I wanted to go with him, to make sure he was safe, but I already knew the answer he would give me if I asked him to come along. He wouldn't put me in that kind of danger. I scanned the rows of books that lined the wall. Something caught my eye. I stood up and walked over to the bookcase next to the fireplace. I pulled out one of the book that looked like it had something sticking out of it. A piece of paper.

"I shouldn't be snooping like this." I said out loud to myself.

I went to put the book back on the shelf, but I stopped.

"Just one look wouldn't hurt." I said to myself.

I looked at the cover of the book. I couldn't do this to him, not when he trusted me so much, but if he wanted something worth hiding, then it wouldn't be carelessly left in a book.

"Right?" I asked myself.

I took a deep breath and opened the book to the page where the paper was sticking out. It was a photograph. It was of a beautiful girl with long red hair. She was dressed in a Gryffindor uniform. Her green eyes sparkled back at me. I quickly shut the book and put it back on the shelf. I backed away from the bookcase slowly and sat back down on the couch.

So many questions ran threw my mind. Who was she? Why does he have a picture of her? What does she mean to him? She means enough to him for him to keep her photo. Is it just a coincidence that we both have red hair and green eyes? I shook my head. I doubt that he was involved with her any more if he had been.

I stared at the fire. I jumped when there was a knocking at the door. I slowly walked towards the door and looked out the peep hole. There was a man I didn't know standing on the front step. He looked almost like a rat in some weird way. He rose up his hand to knock on the door again. I noticed that it was silver…

"Severus, I need a word with you." He said quietly from the other side of the door.

"You idiot, I told you he went to the Dark Lord's dinner party." another voice said.

I peered harder out of the peep hole. I could see part of a black cloak beside the tiny rat man.

"Should we just go in then? Maybe wait for him to come home?" The rat man asked.

"You can go ahead Peter; I'm not going to be involved with it though." The man replied.

"And why not?" Peter asked.

"For some reason the Dark Lord likes Severus and I've known Severus to be a very dark man. I'm not going to be the one who breaks into his house." The man replied.

I shut my eyes and prayed that they wouldn't break into the house. There was silence for what seemed like minutes.

"Let's go then." Peter said to the other man.

"Fine…" The other man replied.

I watched as the walked away from the door and then suddenly Disapparated into the night. I sighed with relief.

I felt myself being picked up. I slowly opened my eyes as Snape carried me to the bedroom.

"What time is it?" I mumbled.

"Shh, go back to sleep." Snape whispered.

He gently placed me on his bed.

"I'm sorry; I tried to wait up for you." I mumbled.

"Go back to sleep Kate." Snape whispered.

"Are you coming to bed?" I asked.

"Soon." He replied as he lightly pushed a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Who's Peter?" I asked as I slowly closed my eyes.

"What?" Snape asked.

"Peter… he came here tonight looking for you." I said, drifting back to sleep.

"Did you let him in?" I heard Snape ask.

"No…but he wanted to break in a wait for you here…" I replied.

"Kate, I need you to stay awake a little while longer. Did he try and break in?" Snape asked.

I couldn't respond. I was too tired.

"Kate, please only a little while longer." Snape said, his voice sounding urgent.

"A man stopped him from breaking in." I said slowly.

"Who?" Snape asked.

"I don't know…" I replied.

"Do you know what they wanted?" Snape asked

"To talk…" I replied.

Snape cupped my face in his hands. I slowly opened my eyes. Snape was looking at me intently.

"Why did the other man stop Peter from breaking in?" Snape asked me.

"Something about how V…Voldemort likes you and how you were known to be a dark man." I replied as I closed my eyes again.

Snape didn't say anything.

"I think he was scared of you." I mumbled.

"Good." Snape growled as he slowly removed his hands from my face.

"Come to bed." I whispered.

"Soon." Snape replied as he pushed his lips against mine.

I couldn't fight sleep any longer. I drifted into a deep sleep.

I slowly opened my eyes to the dull sunlight that beamed threw the window. I saw small snowflakes lazily fall from the sky. I looked behind me and noticed that Snape wasn't there. I pulled the blanket off of me and slowly climbed out of bed. I walked out from Snape's room into the living area and saw Snape sitting in his chair his face hidden by the Daily Prophet.

"Good morning." I said sleepily.

Snape quickly lowered the newspaper.

"Good morning." He replied with a small smirk.

I yawned and stretched.

"Did you even come to bed last night?" I asked as I stumbled over to the couch.

"Yes, I did." Snape replied as he stood up and joined me on the couch.

"What time did you come back?" I asked.

"Late… I'm sorry. I couldn't get away." Snape replied.

I rested my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes.

"If you're still tired go back to bed." Snape said as he kissed the top of my head.

"I'll go take a shower. That will wake me up." I replied, still not opening my eyes.

"I'll show you where it is." Snape said as he got off of the couch.

I lowered myself down on the couch where Snape was sitting.

"Kate…" Snape whispered in my ear.

"Hmmm" I replied

"Let's go take a shower." Snape said as he lifted me off the couch and threw me over his shoulder. I was suddenly awake.

"Severus! Put me down!" I demanded

He ignored my demand and continued walking up the stair case with me.

"Severus, I'm serious! Put me down!" I demanded again.

"So you can fall asleep on the stair case, I believe that's a hazard." Snape replied.

I could tell he was smirking by the way he spoke.

"You're such a jerk; I was just about to get up!" I scowled.

"You're a horrible liar." Snape replied.

Snape opened up the washroom door and put me down inside. I stood there with my arms crossed. He walked past me and opened up his glass shower. He turned the knobs and water started coming out of the shower head.

"I suggest you undress unless you want to go in like that?" Snape informed me as he started unbuttoning his robe.

I didn't move. I still stood there with my arms crossed.

"Suit yourself." Snape smirked as he removed his robes exposing his bare chest.

I bit my bottom lip. Even just the site of his bare chest made me hot. He tested the water with his hand and adjusted the knobs again. He un-buttoned his pants and pulled them down; he picked them up casually and folded them, then placed them neatly on a shelf. I was completely frozen. For an older man, he had an amazing body. He glanced over at me and raised an eyebrow. I just wanted to lick every inch of his body. I wanted him under my skin.

"You know I wasn't kidding about throwing you in here with your clothes on." Snape said.

I snapped out of my daze.

"Sorry." I replied as went to pull my tank top off.

Snape quickly grabbed my hand and threw me over his shoulder again.

"Too late, I gave you plenty of time to undress." Snape said.

He started walking over to the glass shower stall.

"Sev, no please! I don't want to get my clothes all wet!" I screamed.

Snape ignored me and opened up the glass shower door and dropped me right under the shower head. Warm water poured over me and my clothes.

"Sev! I can't believe you actually…" I started to say.

Snape cut me off by kissing me. Suddenly my anger washed away with the water that went down the shower drain. I melted into him as he pulled me closer to him. He slowly striped my wet tank top over my head.

"Why can't I ever stay mad at you?" I smirked

"Because you love me." Snape replied.

Snape turned me around so that my back was towards him. He gently tugged at the back of my bra and it came un-done.

"You're getting better." I smirked.

Snape didn't reply back, he slowly moved my bra straps over my shoulders and down my arms. He threw my bra over the glass shower stall. Snape wrapped his arms around me and lightly grabbed my breasts. I placed my hands on the glass shower wall to help steady myself. I gasped and threw my head back as Snape pinched both of my nipples. I felt Snape's lips on my neck as he gently sucked and nipped at it. Snape's hands slowly moved down from my breasts down to my stomach and then to my hips. He hooked his thumbs under the waist band of my shorts and slowly started to pull them down.

"You're not wearing anything under your shorts." Snape whispered in my ear.

"I told you I tried to wait up for you." I smirked.

"I guess I'll just have to make it up too you now." Snape replied as my shorts fell to shower floor.

He slid his hand between my thighs. I moaned as he moved his finger against my wet opening. I held my breath as he slowly inserted one of his fingers into me. He slowly pulled out his finger half way before pushing it back into me. A loud moan escaped from my lips as he brought his other hand up and lightly pinched my left nipple. I felt his hard erection press against my buttocks and he shifted closer to me.

I shook my head; I was terrified at what he was about too do.

"It's okay, just relax." Snape whispered.

I just couldn't say no to him. He slowly removed his finger from my pussy. I trembled as he slowly started to push his finger into my ass. I tried to grab onto something, anything, but there was nothing besides the shower wall. I balled my hands into fists as Snape slowly inserted two fingers inside me.

"Sev, I can't. It's too much!" I cried out.

"That's as far as I'm going to go, just try and relax." Snape said.

I took in a deep breath and tried to relax like Snape instructed me too. I felt his erection press against my wet opening. I cried out as he pushed both himself into my pussy and his fingers deeper into my ass. The mixture of pain and pleasure swept over me leaving me feeling dizzy and light headed. Snape grabbed my hand and intertwined his fingers with mine on the glass shower wall before slowly pulling both himself out slightly and his fingers. I cried out again as he pushed himself back in. My whole body shivered as he pulled back out slightly.

"Do you want me to stop?" Snape whispered.

"No, please don't stop." I moaned.

I gripped Snape's hand tighter as he pushed back into me. Our breathing started picking up as Snape started thrusting into me faster. Everything was painful. I was being stretched farther than I have ever been, but it felt so damn good at the same time. Snape moaned as I tightened around him as I started to climax. I cried out his name as I hit the peak of my orgasm and I felt his warm liquid eject into me. My legs started to shake and I felt like I was going to collapse. He slowly pulled his fingers out first, then his now semi-erect dick. He turned me around and I stared into his heated black eyes.

"I love you." Snape whispered

"I love you too." I whispered back.

He kissed me. My lips parted and he slid his tongue against mine, which made me groan low in my throat at the chance to taste him deeper. How could I ever think about letting him go?