Author's Note: First let me thank everyone who had reviewed, alerted, or put this story on their favorites it means a lot to me and keeps me writing.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Do I really need to say that I don't own them? I'm just playing with someone else's toys and do return them in the same shape I have found them (well that may not always be the case).
Hermione had woke early the next morning, she was nervous about the present she got him for Christmas.
She made breakfast while she waited for him to join her, when he came out he said.
"Smells good."
"I hope it taste good."
"Everything you cook does."
Hermione dropped the turner she was holding, it made a loud clatter on the floor before she turned to him. Did he even realize what he just said, when she saw the smile on his face she knew that he knew. She went to him throwing her arms around his neck kissing him before saying,
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Somehow Severus knew that everything about his comments about her cooking would be all forgotten by both of them.
Severus watched her as they ate breakfast, he wanted to know what happen between her and Weasley. Something told him it was important, this morning though he couldn't bring himself to ask about it she looked so happy.
Hermione knew that he wanted to know about Ron and what happen, she just didn't know if she could tell him. She had thought about it a lot over the years and though Ron was an ass and lied through his teeth she really didn't blame the Weasley's for believing him, he was their child and that was is how it should be. Though she was disappointed that they thought that badly of her after knowing her all that time.
She looked up to see Severus watching her, she still wondered at times what went through his mind, though she even had to admit he was more open with her than she ever thought he would be. It surprised her at times that he would be like that toward her after all that happen, his treatment of her. Now she really wanted to know about the black eye he was sporting now, though she thought she might know the answer anyway.
"How did you get the black eye?" she asked.
Severus sighed, he didn't want to tell her. He really didn't know how she would react to what he did. He could feel her eyes on him as he kept his on his plate.
"I'll tell you later." He said quietly.
Hermione sighed,
"Very well," how could she demand that he tell her when she wouldn't tell him her secret. She looked down at her plate pushing her food around with her fork.
Severus watched her for several moments before he sat the box that he had been hiding under the table next to her plate saying,
"Merry Christmas."
Hermione looked up at him her eyes wide in surprise, she had not expected anything from him. Not after what she knew about the music box when they were bonded. She looked up at him seeing something that she never thought she would ever associate with Severus Snape, he was nervous. She took her wand off the table calling his gift into the kitchen before saying,
"Merry Christmas."
"You go first." He said quietly, he didn't realize that he was nervous about this gift until now.
She tore the paper, taking the lid off then she pulled back the tissue paper gasping when she saw what was in the box. Tears sprang to her eyes, nestled in the box was a crystal otter. She took it out holding it up, it had a bluish tint to it looking almost like her patronus. Carefully she set it back in the box before standing going to him, she leaned over kissing him, he pulled her to sit on his lap as he deepened the kiss.
Severus broke the kiss when he tasted salt, he pulled back looking at her.
"Thank you, it's beautiful." She said.
Severus reached up brushing her tears away before saying,
"You're welcome."
"Your turn." She went to move but he held her still as he picked up the wrapped package off the table.
He opened the gift, the first one he ever opened in front of her. He tore the paper then taking the lid off he saw a set of stirring rods, a complete set. Each were engraved with Master Severus Snape, he didn't know what to say. It was a very thoughtful gift, a useful gift that he would think of her every time he used them every day. He couldn't think of any words that would do justice to what he felt at the moment. He captured her mouth with his kissing her deeply before pulling back saying,
"Thank you, you know now I'll think of you ever day when I use them."
She smiled at him thinking, 'Yes you will when the charm works and shows you the rest of the engraving'.
"You're welcome."
They spent the remainder of the day wondering around the castle and grounds, Hermione couldn't seem to settle herself at the moment.
"What is on your mind?" Severus finally asked.
"I don't know, maybe it's just that it's Christmas and I miss my parents they always loved this time of year."
Severus put his arm around her as they walked back up to the castle entrance saying,
"I'm sorry they are lost to you."
"I knew what I was doing, they are safe and having a life that they probably wouldn't have if I had not done what I did."
He squeezed her to him before letting her go as they walked into the great hall for the Christmas fest.
Everyone sat around one table in the hall, as there were very few students that stayed over the Christmas holidays anymore. Severus sat in silence as he listened to Hermione talk to Potter, when the two lowered their voices and had their heads together Severus strained to hear what was being said. Though he was interrupted by Minerva who inquired about how his Christmas day was.
Hermione sat next to Harry, they talked about her apprenticeship that was starting in the next week. Finally Hermione moved her head closer before whispering.
"Severus wants to know what happen."
Harry looked over at her then said,
"So tell him, I don't see what it would hurt."
"It's just, I would rather forget what happen."
Yes Harry knew she did.
"I want to release you to tell him what happen, I don't think I'll ever be able to."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"I'll take care of it." Harry would pretty much do anything right now to see Hermione happy again and she hadn't truly been happy since that night he walked in on a very drunk Ron trying to force her to have sex. "I'll be back on New Year's Eve, well the day before I'll take care of it then."
Severus had a very bad feeling that something was about to happen, something that was not going to bode well for someone. No he didn't take any stock in divination but being a spy for years did teach him to pay attention. Moments later when Ron Weasley walked into the hall and then he knew why, the man looked directly at Hermione with a look of hatred.
Hermione looked up when she felt someone's eyes on her, when she locked eyes with Ron she stood saying to Severus,
"I'm going," Severus started to raise when she said, "No you stay, I just lost my appetite."
Severus watched her as she walked to the opened doors of the great hall, then he saw Weasley follow her. He stood, following her, he didn't care for the way Weasley was looking at her. He didn't have to go far, just outside the door hung enchanted mistletoe which when she walked under Weasley stepped up to her.
Severus stayed back far enough to see what was going to happen but close enough to step in quickly if need be.
Hermione stopped suddenly, she looked around her to see Ron too close to her.
"Ron." She said quietly.
"Look I'm sorry about yesterday, I don't know what happen."
"It's fine, now if you'll excuse me….."
Harry had come out to find where Ron went but was held back by Severus who shook his head at him.
"Well, I sort of cant." Ron said.
"What do you mean 'cant'?'"
Ron pointed up, Hermione followed where he indicated to see the mistletoe when she looked back down Ron was leaning in to kiss her she pulled back, not in this life time would anyone other than Severus kiss her again.
"No, I don't think so. Someone will come out soon enough."
"Oh come on, we have kissed before."
"Well not anymore."
"What is just one kiss."
"Ronald, I don't want to kiss you."
He tried again, when she pulled away from him saying,
"I said no."
"What Hermione, you first claim that you were raped so I would still accept you then when I do one thing…."
"Not for the first time, and I'm not doing this it was ten years ago. Let it go Ron."
"Oh so Snape was good enough, I'm sure he was the one that you claimed that raped you."
Hermione raised her hand slapping him before she even registered that she was going to.
She moved so fast that Severus wasn't expecting what she was going to do until it happen, Potter and him quickly left their hiding spot before anything else could happen.
"What's going on here?" Severus asked.
"None of you fucking business, as I told you yesterday you are no longer bonded to her so fuck off."
"For one Mr. Weasley you will hold your tongue if you cannot speak to me with respect, as for being bonded you should check your information."
"What?" the other three said at the same time, which would have been comical if Hermione looked as if she was going to slap him next.
"Nothing." He said, yeah not how he intended to tell her that he had never completed the filing.
"Severus Snape you will tell me this instant what the hell you meant by that." Hermione said not in the mood to play this game and not caring that Ron or Harry was standing right there.
"Later." He hissed at her.
"Like you were going to tell me about your eye later? No, I want an answer now."
He knew that he was just going to upset her more by keeping silent.
"I never completed filing the papers."
Author's Note: Comments really do make me smile and brighten my day.
Also I wanted to let you know that I have a couple of Severus/Hermione videos on youtube, the link is in my profile.