oO Christmas Eve Oo

"You look unbelievably handsome." Hermione ran her hands down the front seam of the double-breasted frock coat, her eyes shining with pure happiness.

"You choose well." Severus had to admit that the coat Hermione had bought him for Christmas did have a sort of gothic charm to it. Deep black with silver stitching, it fit him perfectly in all the right places. Warm enough to keep away the winter chill but breathable enough for him to wear indoors. The buttons even had a small little snake in the shape of an S as decoration. He tried to keep the memory of him wearing a similar coat under very different circumstances at bay, choosing instead to ponder what Galia had gifted Hermione. He hadn't yet seen what Galia had chosen for her, but he was quickly becoming more eager to see.

"I fear if I do not wait downstairs we shall not get to the party." Her hands that been exploring his waist pulled back with a blushing smile. He raised his own to gently run over both sides of her neck pushing back the hair that tumbled down from her complex looking hair design.

Hermione let out a soft sigh her eyes fluttering for just a moment. How could such a stern man have such a gentle touch? She didn't know and she didn't care. She still couldn't believe he had decided to come with her but she wasn't going to take it for granted.

"Alright, but don't try to sneak off to Reglan's, he won't hide you from me."

Severus let out an amused snort before pulling his hands back completely. Hermione watched his retreat with warmth in her eyes before turning towards the bed that held the box Galia had left for her. She pulled off the small decorative ribbon and pulled the lid free. When her eyes took in the dress that laid inside she couldn't suppress the gasp that left her lips.

A beautifully dark red almost black dress laid inside. The modest neckline was adorned with deeply shimmering onyx and garnet stones. When her fingers curled into the fabric she was sure she had never felt anything like it. It moved like water, the colors of the dress shifting from red to black in the light overhead. It was absolutely amazing by any standard.

Hermione stepped back pulling it free to fall like a waterfall down to the floor. The waist was narrowed and equally adorned with small stones down the sides coming to a small V where the skirt flowed out. Hermione pressed it against her chest looking down, it was just long enough to reach the tops of her feet without her having to worry about tripping on it.

Severus paced the sitting room impatiently. He just wanted to escort her safely to the party before finding a dark corner to hide himself in. Galia's warning was gnawing away at the back of his mind making him grind his teeth. He wasn't sure he'd be able to contain himself from just killing the idiot on sight, to hell with any consequences. His mind turned through all the possible ways he could kill the boy when the sound of heels on old wooden steps broke through his dark pensive.

Severus forcibly relaxed his face, moving into the hallway. When he turned his head, however, all his thoughts of homicide quickly deserted him leaving him completely awestruck by the vision of a Goddess come to earth. The stairs of which she descended did not do her justice. He felt his entire body burn as her feet came to the landing a shy nervous smile curling her lightly painted lips.

"How...does it look?" Hermione felt incredibly bashful, though the dress fit her perfectly, she wasn't so sure she was old enough to pull off such a womanly look. Her eyes nervously lifted from the floor to find the man who had captured her heart standing as though he'd been struck dumb. The look of astonishment unhidden on his normally strict face.

Severus barely heard her over the rush of blood through his ears. There were no words in any spoken language that could accurately describe the beauty that stood before him. He took a few slow steps before he was finally able to make an intelligible sound pass his lips, "Breathtaking..."

Hermione blushed all the way to her ears running her fingers down one of the long sleeves. It stopped just over the back of her hand to a gentle point offering a sort of aristocratic grace to the entire ensemble. The heels she wore were black and only about an inch high, still, they gave her enough height to be nearly eye level with his shoulder.

Severus came to a stop before her, reaching out to take the hand that fiddled nervously with the skirt at her side. He bowed his head and his back to bring a soft kiss to the inside of her palm. "You are, truly, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

A wealth of emotion welled up in Hermione's chest from his words, it wasn't just the compliment but also the way he looked into her eyes when he spoke leaving more meaning that could ever be expressed with mere words. When he rose to his full height she couldn't resist pressing herself close.

"I am the luckiest woman in the entire world."

oOo

"Neville! Luna! Great to see you!" Ginny wrapped the both of them in a hug before stepping back to allow them into the warmth inside. The party was just beginning to come into full swing as there was only one guest, possibly two, remaining.

Ginny let the two lovebirds make their way to the sitting room before going to look for Harry whose mood had started to lose its frivolity as the time waned on. There was a loud burst of laughter from behind her, no doubt from one of the twins 'hilarious' little pranks, but she didn't turn to see who the victim was this time. Instead, she moved over towards the window that Harry was pensively looking out of.

"She'll be here, Harry." Ginny ran her hand down his arm pulling one of his crossed arms free. "It's all going to be alright." She twined her fingers in his and offered him an encouraging smile to which he returned. Ginny was just about to lean in for a kiss when her eyes caught sight of a black smoke forming just under the street lamp.

"Harry." Her eyes went wide when Hermione stepped back and into the light overhead. She wasn't even sure what she was seeing until Hermione's face caught in the light. The dress she was wearing was absolutely gorgeous and Ginny suddenly felt like her own dress had been made by a twelve-year-old.

"Wow..." Harry's astonished approval and slack jaw earned him a soft smack on his arm but he paid it little mind as his eyes shifted to the man in black that had come with her, "He came..."

"He did." Ginny let out her own amazed breath before moving out of the way to let Harry make his way to the door.

Harry could barely contain himself and had to wipe his sweaty palms on his nice slacks before he hurriedly opened the door surprising Hermione who had just raised her hand to knock, "Hermione!"

"Omph! Hello, Harry." Hermione was a bit caught off guard when her friend wrapped her tight into a hug, nonetheless, she was happy to see him though she'd just seen him the day before. She chuckled in his ear before pulling back to look back at the man that was radiating a field of unease large enough it could have been a repellent charm.

"You made it," Harry stepped back to look up into Snape's less than amused face, "You both made it."

"We did." Hermione put her hand on Harry's chest to keep him from approaching the man behind her and gently turned his shoulder to push him back into the house. She glanced back giving Severus a kind understanding smile before keeping Harry moving forward.

"Hermione you look absolutely amazing! Where did you get that dress?" Ginny came through pushing Harry even further down the hall and out of her way so that she could pull Hermione into a hug.

"It was a gift." Hermione smiled brightly wrapping her arms around the younger girl's neck before pulling back to make sure Severus had actually entered the house. Severus gave her a narrowed look before finally taking the step into the entrance, it was more than clear to her that he felt exceptionally out of place. Hermione pulled back from Ginny to reach for his hand but he didn't take it, instead, he turned his head towards the room where another loud raucous kicked off. Hermione didn't take offense to his defensive posture and merely pulled her hand back to turn and look for herself.

"Let me guess, your brother's new invention?"

"They call them Party Bombs." Ginny rolled her eyes playfully but hadn't missed the small exchange between her sour former professor and her best friend. No one knew what their present relationship was, only that they were living in the same town. They hadn't even known they had taken up residence in the same house nor that they were sharing a bed. The only thing they knew was that Hermione had chosen to live far away, and aside from the one time Harry had gone to the place with McGonagall, no one else even knew how to find it.

"Of course they do." Hermione gave one more glance back to Severus before Harry moved between them, she waffled on whether she should stay behind before the red-headed girl pulled her forward. She gave Severus one more caring smile to give him courage before she was pulled through the frame eliciting a roaring response from the people within.

"Professor." Harry tried to stand tall, tried to be the man he'd grown to be but even though their height was nearly matched he still felt as though he were twelve years old all over again.

"Potter." Severus was grateful for Hermione's attempt to ease his discomfort but he was a big boy. As appreciated as it was, he didn't feel as though it was necessary. As agitated as he was to be in the presence of the boy who lived, his displeasure was eased by the light that had shone in Hermione's eye's when she'd hugged her friends.

"I'm... grateful you're here..." Harry lost what little courage he'd gained to try and have the conversation he desperately wanted to have. He forced a small smile on his face and held out his arm in a welcoming gesture, "Please join us..."

Severus let out a slow breath through his nose, counting down the seconds until he could make a respectable retreat. Until then, he'd have to make due. It wasn't the most difficult thing he'd ever done but it was nowhere inside the bounds of pleasurable either. He inclined his head ever just so before abiding by his request to join the others in the sitting room.

His entrance into the room wasn't as dramatic as he would have predicted. Everyone's attention was on Hermione and her beautiful attire. It wasn't until Neville turned his head, dropping his glass did anyone even notice him. By some magical grace, Luna managed to catch the glass before it crashed to the floor.

"Here you are Neville." Luna handed him back his glass as it if was the most natural thing in the world bringing his attention back to her.

Harry left Snape to hide in the shadows of the room moving over to save Hermione being the victim of one of the twins new joke chocolates. "Alright, alright give her some air boys!" Harry chuckled, pushing away Fred who was playfully attempting to propose to her with a chocolate ring. Hermione just chuckled and shook her head turning herself to try and find the man she'd come with her mind flickering back on the silver wedding band she'd seen in the vision Galia gave her. When his dark piercing glower met her gentle smile she saw the smallest bit of warmth curl in his eyes and knew that they were going to make it through the night.

oOo

Ron hissed deeply moving his hand faster. His entire body ached but the pain was starting to give way to the pleasure he'd built up over his time in the ward. Always under supervision had left him more secretive about his more carnal desires. He had been doing well until he'd started to pace the house.

He'd made his way into each of the rooms just happy to see something familiar. He'd actually been asleep when his mother and father had left, his brothers had placed booby traps around all the doors and windows on the first two floors. He didn't initially have any thoughts of leaving the home. That was until he'd wandered into Ginny's room and saw the old broom he used the first year he'd played Quidditch. Beside it had been a framed picture of Ginny and Hermione sometime around the beginning of sixth year.

He wasn't allowed any personal items in the facility he was staying in. Not a picture, a letter, anything. Even his clothes were hospital issued. Just seeing her face again, knowing all he had done, had hit him in a way he hadn't been expecting. The hurt, the shame, frustration, and anger all welling up inside him. It had twisted inside him turning into something he wasn't proud of.

He'd taken the picture and the broom back to his room where his mind had turned and turned. The shame and guilt turned to lust and he found himself as he was now, furiously trying to find release. It wasn't right, he knew, but he wasn't harming anyone. It was just a picture, a picture coupled with memories.

He let out a deep whine when his hips bucked releasing the pleasure that had built before it twisted into gut-wrenching pain. He fell to his knees with a sharp cry as jolt after jolt of what was supposed to be pleasure, rocked his frame. As the last of his release coated his hands he felt the last of the lightning receded and he found himself rolling heavily onto his side in the fetal position.

When the pain finally ran its course and his vision came back into focus Ron was able to bring his hand away from himself. His eyes widened when he looked down at the clear liquid. His brows furrowed in confusion and he raised his other hand as well. The liquid on his fingers remained the same but the mark that had appeared on his arm was definitely new.

A scream ripped through his throat and he scrambled to right himself all the while desperately clawing at the dark mark that pulsed on his forearm. It wasn't real, it couldn't have been real! This was a dream! Another sick and twisted nightmare!

oOo

"Wow, this is so much!" Hermione sat on the couch nearly swallowed in gifts that easily doubled everyone else's a deep blush rising on her cheeks from all the attention.

"Well to be fair you were supposed to get most of this month's ago!" Fred chuckled and flopped down beside her casually putting his arm behind her head to rest on the couch.

"I am still so sorry about that." Hermione hugged one of the brightly wrapped packages to her chest turning to look at the man who sat next to her giving her a goofy grin.

"Now don't you worry about that!"

"Right!"

"Here here!" Neville might have had a little too much to drink but his enthusiasm for the night wasn't waning. Luna had kept him rather occupied through the night and kept him away from the corner Snape had become a permanent fixture in.

Hermione chuckled genuinely, not a single moment from that day bringing her down in the slightest. She pushed all the thoughts away, to simply focus on getting through all the gifts.

Severus had held his breath, ready to step in if it was necessary, uncaring about his stern reputation. He'd done well to avoid and meaningless small talk; only Mr. and Mrs. Weasely had given him any sort of attention and that had been as short and sweet as it came. A quick hello and a firm handshake from Arthur left him to his solitude in the corner and both girls had kept the respective dunderheads Potter and Longbottom from even approaching him. Though on occasion he would get a very curious look from Miss Lovegood. It was like she knew something he didn't, but every time he'd tried to get a read on her she'd casually turn her head away again, breaking his connection. He was just starting to relax when he noticed Mrs. Weasley making her way towards him with a present in hand.

"Everyone should have a present on Christmas, even you." Mrs. Weasley gave him motherly smile, holding out the beautifully wrapped box for him to take.

Severus took the gift with a forced smile that looked more like a grimace. Thankfully, the woman didn't linger for him to open it. He glanced at the gathered group all putting on a variety of initialed sweaters and scarves respectively. He looked down at his own box for a long moment before finally just setting it aside on the shelf beside him.

His eyes turned over the group and he felt a deep pain coming up from the bottom of his stomach. Hermione looked so happy. Her smile was bright and her eyes shined in the lights glittering overhead. Had he ever felt such happiness in the company of others? A guilt washed over his face as he looked down to the box that he'd set aside. It felt wrong of him to keep her hidden away. Though he had told her many times she was free to go wherever she wished it still felt wrong. She had smiled and even laughed with him, but it wasn't the same.

Could he even attempt to bring her happiness? She had asked for something more and he had given it to her without a struggle. Would she be sated with his gloomy and lonely ways? Would she want more? Would she seek another? His history with relationships wasn't much to go on. The pain Lily had brought to him had turned his life into something painful. Would she do the same? He didn't want to think so, he didn't even compare them. Yet still, that dark fear lingered in the back of his mind. What could he do? Could anything possibly be done? He couldn't lose the only woman who had truly brought light into his heart.

Severus ran his fingers over the box, his brow furrowing in deep thought. So deep was his pensive that he hadn't seen the woman on his mind coming over to join him. It wasn't until her hand rested upon his did he finally spiral back into reality. Hermione was wearing her own scarf, burgundy, and gold an H at each end. To be fair it did somewhat complement the dark colors of her dress.

"You can join us." Hermione kept her voice low searching his eyes, trying to see what was bothering him so. "You are welcome here." She brought his hand up and pressed a small kiss to the back of it before placing it over her heart.

Severus felt as though the Sahara desert had taken residence in his mouth. His eyes had lost some of their hard edge when she'd raised his hand but he couldn't find the courage to explain himself. Instead, he lowered his eyes and his hand. He stood there for a moment before watching Hermione untie the string over his gift. He could feel nothing but kindness and acceptance wafting off of her in gentle calming waves. He wanted to say something but he just couldn't find the words.

Hermione smiled at the black scarf neatly folded down in the box, a bold green S sitting at the top. Hermione pulled it out amazed at its extremely fine knitting leaving it smooth and soft. She could easily see the confliction and sadness marring Severus' features even though he couldn't express himself. She had let him do as he pleased until she'd seen his reaction to Molly's gift. It had broken her heart to think that perhaps that was the first gift he'd received in quite some time. He had done so much to help her fight her demons, she wasn't about to let him fight his own alone.

Hermione leaned up on her tiptoes to pull the scarf around his stiff neck and shoulders. She smoothed it down over the front before raising her eyes to meet his own, completely unaware that they'd gathered a small audience. Hermione didn't care who knew about them. She didn't care what they thought about their relationship at all. She was happy with him and damn the world if they should judge her for it.

Severus only had a moment to register her pulling on the scarf to lower him down before all her emotion was running through his frame through their joined lips. His eyes remained open for only a moment before he joined her in damning the world.

Hermione smiled against his lips when he finally decided to join her and just took her time to savor the moment. That was until a loud thump of a body hitting the floor made the both of them jump and turn their heads.

"Oh, Neville..." Luna sighed softly yet spoke caringly as she moved down to help Molly get Neville off the floor.

"Lightweight."

"Totally." The twins high-fived the other before turning in tandem to wink at Hermione before taking a rather large gulp of the punch they'd spiked.

Ginny harrumphed at the two of them before looking at Hermione, a small smirk growing on her face which she quickly hid behind her cup.

"Professor? A word?" Harry had come to his feet, an ambivalent look upon his brow. His voice was calm but there were questions swimming in his eyes.

Hermione curled her lips in glancing back up to Severus before stepping out of his way. She felt guilty for having done what she had. She hadn't wanted to out their budding relationship in such a way. She just hadn't been able to stand the deep sadness that had settled in his eyes. When Severus moved to follow after Harry, she made sure to give his hand a squeeze before letting him go completely. She felt hot, a combination of embarrassment and fear tingling through her body.

She moved towards the hallway after the both of them but instead of following them into the kitchen, she turned towards the front door. Ginny caught her arm three steps from the door, a worried look on her face.

"Hermione, please don't go... we're just surprised that's all..."

"I know...I just..." She took a small breath pulling off her scarf to hand it to Ginny, "I just need some cool air... I'll be right out front on the steps I promise."

"Yeah? So if I stand in the window to make sure..."

"It's alright." Hermione gave her a small worried smile. She wanted to follow after Harry and Severus desperately but something in Harry's tone had stopped her. She couldn't put her finger on it but she felt as though the conversation they were about to have needed to be done alone.

Hermione glanced back at Ginny who stood like a lost puppy holding her scarf before she stepped out into the cold night air. Her face burned pleasantly from the temperature difference and she stepped down the steps to lean against the railing and just catch her breath. How could she have been so stupid?

Severus stood as tall and confident as he could. He wasn't about to stand there and receive any tongue lashing from the dolt that stood before him. He was already mentally preparing for any possible idiotic outburst when the boy bravely turned his back on him moving toward the front window.

"I know you won't hurt her." Harry spoke into his reflection to keep the man from digging around inside his head, "I just..." Harry took a slow breath before deciding that it truly wasn't any of his business. Hermione had been the happiest he'd ever seen her in recent weeks. He'd made a point of trying to catch lunch with her whenever he could though he was a bit hurt that she hadn't shared that little part of her life with him. He could feel the letter pressing against his heart in his pocket. He needed to give it to him but he feared what may happen if he did. While he hadn't read it all, he had seen enough.

"I wanted to give you this..." Harry pulled the letter from his pocket keeping his eyes down, "It should have been yours...years ago..." He offered out the letter trying to ignore the bad circumstances to which it was being given. He had wanted to have a quiet calm conversation upstairs away from everyone.

He had wanted to just sit down and let the man have a moment to really hear the words that weighed on his heart. It just wasn't the right time. Seeing what he had seen had turned his entire world upside down. He didn't even know what to think at present.

Severus took the letter with a curiously raised brow turning it in the light to read his name on the front, purposefully blocking out the boys rampaging emotions. When he noted the handwriting his name was written in his heart beat just a little slower. There was a pause in all his inner workings when a noise caught both of their attention. It wasn't from inside but rather just beyond the fogged window. A familiar voice ran through his heart into his mind and he felt the hairs on the back of his neck coming to stand on end: 'She must do this on her own. If you do not let this happen. The consequences may not be what you expect them to be...'

Voices rose through the glass and both Severus and Harry moved to stand side by side to hear what was being said. Severus cleared the glass while Harry cast the charm that Luna had done when they'd snuck into the Snatchers hideout.

"I bet you've fucked him huh?"

"Not that it's any of your business but no we haven't. Some men are able to control themselves." Hermione's voice was colder than the ice that decorated the street lamp over their heads. She had been startled when Ron had landed only five feet from her, but she hadn't been scared. In fact, she stood tall and strong with her arms crossed and her head held high.

"Yeah right..." Ron snarled, "I was supposed to be your first-"

"And your second?" Hermione's voice cut like a whip through the air.

"Wha...?"

"Lavender always was a talker."

"She lied, I never-with her it's not true!" How had their conversation spiraled so far out of control?

"Like I can believe anything you say." Hermione was ready to just turn away from him, go back inside and enjoy the party but she didn't trust him not to try something if she turned her back on him.

"I could have been anything you wanted, I would have done anything for you..."

"If I wanted a pet Ronald, I would get a dog."

"Please, we can still make this work, I'm getting better I..."

"Nothing in all of the world would ever make this-," Hermione threw him a look of disgust motioning between them, "Work. You've lost any chance you ever had with me. Just move on."

"Snape's done something to you... he's bewitched you! I can keep you safe. Please, you don't have to fear him." Ron took hold of her arms, pleading desperately into her scowled face. Where was the girl who he'd grown up with? Where was the woman he was meant to marry?

Hermione hissed when his hands tightened around her, her face snarling into one of pain and anger. Ron's face twisted with pain and he started to hunch over but she didn't care. She was furious. How dare he?! How dare he even think about touching her after all he'd done? She took a step back knocking his hold free, her chest heaving with a fierce fire.

"Just go." She made to give him a push, but he caught hold of her wrist in a crushing grip. His eyes burning with a darkness she'd only seen in the men she had fought valiantly against. "Let go, or I swear Ron it'll be the last thing you ever do."

"Please...I'm sorry..."

Hermione shook her head and ripped her wrist free using her other hand to aim a very powerful punch at his temple. He collapsed down like a sack of potatoes just in time for the door to the house to come open. Her blood was still boiling when she stepped back to look up the steps. She could see Harry's wide-eyed face, the back of his shirt being held in Severus' hand as though he was stopping him from coming to her aid. She was more than grateful that he had, she needed to do this for herself. Her eyes turned down to the boy at crumpled at her feet before turning up the front steps.

"Might want to get Mrs. Weasley." Hermione turned her eyes from Harry's shocked face to Severus' amused and rather proud face. She gave him a small smile and gently pushed on his chest so he'd release Harry and follow her back inside.