A/N: Hello everyone. Thank you all for the lovely reviews, I loved reading them all. Not sure what was up with the FF website, but it was hell getting this chapter up. It kept giving me errors. If this isn't reading right, then it glitched again. My apologies, and I'll try to fix it once I know if it messed up.
Special Thanks: To my beta TabiPrewett, you have done an amazing job and I very much appreciate your hard work and dedication.
TO FF . net: If there was a middle finger button, I'd have clicked it many times by now.
Chapter 7
It was Christmas Day at Grimmauld Place and the residents had planned on celebrating together. Ron had told them that he was inviting Lavender, and Harry gave him a firm 'No!' He was not going to allow Ron to rub Lavender in Hermione's face. With Ron being as thick as ever, because he could not see what the big deal was, he glared at Hermione. Then, he demanded to know why Hermione told Harry that Lavender was not invited. Hermione could not help but roll her eyes, and let Ron know that she had not said anything to Harry, and that she couldn't care less what Ron did or who he invited.
Smiling smugly, Ron said that he was going to go floo Lavender and invite her then. Harry still stood his ground and said no. Ginny had nodded and told Ron that Lavender wasn't welcome today. Hermione might okay with it, but they weren't.
Glaring at Hermione still, Ron had stalked off to his room. Hermione had thanked her friends quietly, but they cut her off, saying no thanks was necessary. Ron was a stupid insensitive git, and should have known better than to bring his new girlfriend over on Christmas Day, when Hermione still lived there. It was just plain rude.
When Ron had finished his pouting and returned to the living room, the group went about exchanging gifts. Hermione gave Ron the present she had bought for him before they broke up. Which was very much to the surprise of Harry and Ginny. Ron had at least thanked her, before he went about opening his other presents.
Harry and Ginny were frowning slightly when they realized that Ron didn't give Hermione anything. Hermione didn't seem to care, so they held their tongues about it. They wouldn't make a fuss about it today. Today was supposed to be a happy day.
Almost all the presents had been opened, when Harry pulled out a shiny package with Hermione's name on it from under their festive tree. Although the gift didn't state whom it was from, Hermione went ahead and opened it. Inside the package was a beautiful platinum necklace on a thin chain, with a single heart shaped pendant made of amethyst.
Ginny squealed in delight, since the redhead loved jewelry. Harry was a bit confused since he couldn't think of a single one of their friends who could have bought it. Hermione had already opened her presents from all of them anyway. There no note attached either, so Hermione had no clue who might have sent it.
She was about to put it back in the box, when Ginny jumped up and demanded that Hermione try it on. Hermione wasn't sure it was a good idea, she didn't know who it was from. Arguing that gifts from unknown sources was not a good thing to accept. Who knows what spells or charms had been placed on it.
Ginny rolled her eyes and with a wave of her wand, found that the necklace didn't hold a single charm or spell. It was safe. Taking it from the still reluctant witch, Ginny slipped it around Hermione's neck. Lifting her hair and resettling the thick mass around the pretty chain. With a grin, Ginny conjured a mirror so Hermione could see it. It was beautiful and hung to where the heart sat perfect, just above her cleavage. It would go wonderfully with a nice dress or low-cut top.
Hermione tried to wrack her brain, but she kept coming up blank on who might have sent it. It was several hours later, while she and Ginny were fixing lunch that it dawned on her who might have sent it. She was slicing up some fresh fruit when she paused. "Severus." She said, startling Ginny since Hermione had been quiet up until now.
Ginny glanced her way. "What about him?"
Hermione gave a small smile, touching the necklace she was still wearing. "Severus must have sent it. We're friends now. Friends give each other presents on Christmas. He must have sent it."
Ginny didn't think Severus would have sent such a nice gift to someone who he was just starting to be friends with, but she didn't say anything. Who knows, he might have. I don't know the man well enough to say for sure what he would or wouldn't do.
"It's possible." Ginny said, still unsure.
Hermione hadn't gotten him anything and with him sending her such a thoughtful gift, she wanted to rectify that. "Ginny, I'll be back in a little while."
With that, she ran upstairs and grabbed her purse. With a quick flick of her wand, she apparated to Diagon Alley. She wasn't sure what stores would be open on Christmas Day, but she wanted to get him something. After a quick glance around, she found many stores were closed for the day. The streets didn't have many people walking them anyway.
She popped into Flourish and Blotts and gave it a good look around, but didn't know what books he had or what he would really like. She figured a nice rare book would be something he'd enjoy, but again, she didn't know what he already owned. Spying something for herself while she roamed the shelves, she picked it up and paid for it. She hadn't gotten herself anything for Christmas, so this was her present to herself.
Surprisingly, no one had given her any books this year.
She wandered the streets looking at the different stores and was at a loss. She was passing a small postal service for wizards and witches that didn't own an owl of their own, when she had an idea.
Draco, she thought. Draco knows Severus pretty well. He is the man's godson after all. Maybe Draco can help. The thought of Draco made her pause too. Maybe Draco had sent it to her. They were friends at work. Would he have sent the necklace to me? No, Draco would have signed the present or included a note. Besides, Draco had never given her a Christmas present before. Why would he start this year?
With her idea in mind, she scribbled out a hasty note, asking him what Severus might enjoy as a present. Paying the small fee, she sent one of the owls out, instructing it to wait for a reply. She told the aging witch behind the counter that she'd be back to get her reply in a little bit and went out wandering the streets again. Still at loss at what to give Severus.
After half an hour and still drawing a blank, she went back to the small owl postal service and found she had a letter waiting for her. She quickly unrolled the parchment and read.
Hermione,
Why would you want to give Severus a present? Tell me you're not shagging my godfather. That would just ruin my Christmas. With that in mind...don't tell me. At least until after the New Year. Then, I expect a full explanation, minus any disgusting details that would make me vomit.
As for what he would like...he enjoys reading a good book. However, his collection is so vast that I would suggest that you don't buy him a book unless you know what he already has. If you are shagging him, again, don't tell me, but a trip to his home would give you an opportunity to find out what he does indeed have or not.
Hermione rolled her eyes at the letter. She was not shagging Snape and had no way of getting into his home to see what books he had already. Though it might be funny to see the look on Draco's face if she did tell him a few rather raunchy details, even if it wasn't true.
With a snicker, she kept reading the rest of the note.
He does enjoy a good bottle of wine when he settles down to read. Maybe you could get him a rather nice bottle. It could get pricy, but if you feel he's worth the expense -take that any way you want. Personally, the thought of why he might be worth the expense brings bile to my throat.- then he would indeed enjoy it.
Hope that helped you. Have a Happy Christmas. Don't forget contraceptives.
Gross, must go vomit now.
Draco Malfoy
PS...I've been meaning to owl you about the article I read a few days ago. Are you alright? I'll see you back at work and we'll talk. However...I refuse to let you cry on my shoulder. My shirts are hand tailored and rather expensive to have ruined with tears. I'll give you a handkerchief instead, and maybe a pat or two on the back.
DM
Hermione rolled her eyes. Stuck up snob. Like I would cry on his shoulder anyway. Though, his letter did give her an idea, and not just one that would make him sick to his stomach either.
She quickly made her way to the store she needed. Inside, she walked right up the wizard behind the counter. "Excuse me, I'm looking for a nice bottle of wine. Something that would make a nice present for a friend." Hermione with a smile.
The wizard nodded. "Did you want just one bottle, or did you want to give a small bundle with different types of wine?"
Hermione paused. "A bundle? What kind of bundle?" Hoping it wasn't too expensive.
The wizard explained the different types he had to offer. He had some with several small bottles, that held enough for a single glass of wine. Allowing the witch or wizard to try different ones without it being too expensive to the gift giver. It would include both whites and reds.
Hermione thought that might be a good idea. Though, a single glass wasn't much. She figured Severus would like more than just a single glass of wine.
After the wizard showed her several types of packages that she could buy, Hermione decided on a basket that held six regular bottles of what was supposed to be very good wine. Three reds and three whites. She didn't know if he preferred red or white so it seemed like a good compromise to her.
The wizard behind the counter told her the price and her eyes almost bugged out of her head. She hadn't planned on spending that much. However, with him sending her a lovely, and what she was sure was an expensive present, she figured it seemed only fair.
The wizard pointed out that she could reduce the amount of wine the basket held, sending only one or two bottles of each one to help with the cost. With a nod, she decided that two bottles of each would fit into her budget better.
She paid for the basket that held four bottles total, asking if the man could have it wrapped and delivered for her. The wizard nodded, explaining the small extra cost for doing it. Hermione happily paid and after writing out a note to join the present, she left with a smile.
She apparated back home to enjoy the rest of her Christmas.
A short while later, a little elf from the shop, carrying the wrapped basket of wine, apparated to Severus's home. Knocking on the door and waiting for it to be answered.
It was answered by an elf wearing a tiny blue dress. "How's may I help you?" Snape's elf asked.
The shop elf bowed slightly, as it was instructed by the owner of the shop. "I's be having a delivery for's Severus Snape. I's must delivery it personally."
Snape's elf took in the elf standing there before speaking. "Master's Snape is not's home. You can leave's the basket. Tiffy will deliver when Master's comes home."
The shop elf shook its head, making its bat like ears flop about. "No, my master says I's must deliver it's my's self in person. It's is a present for's Severus Snape."
Tiffy nodded. "Master's is not's here. He be at Malfoy Manor. If's you's must deliver in person, he be there."
The shop elf nodded, thanking the little elf, Tiffy and apparated again. Mumbling curses softly, the basket was heavy and he was just a tiny elf after all.
Arriving with a pop, the elf walked the distance to the door, struggling with the heavy basket. His master would be angry if he used magic to levitate it. It was delicate and the levitation charm might fail, dropping the basket, and breaking the wine.
Knocking, the little elf waited. A wrinkled elf in tiny black slacks and small white shirt answered the door . The shop elf explained to the Malfoy elf that it had a present for Severus Snape and that it was to be delivered in person.
The Malfoy elf closed the door and went to find his master.
Lucius was sitting in his den, enjoying a glass of Ogden's with both Severus and his son, when his elf appeared.
"Master's, there's is an elf at the door's with a package for's Mister's Snape." The wrinkled elf said.
Lucius glanced at Severus, who nodded in response to his unspoken question. Lucius looked to his elf again. "Well, bring him in."
The wrinkled elf popped out of the room and only moments later both his elf and the shop elf arrived, the tiny shop elf still struggling with the heavy present. When the shop elf stood in front of Severus, the Malfoy elf left to give them privacy.
The tiny shop elf set the present down at Severus' feet and bowed. "My's master said to wish you's a Happy Christmas and hopes you's enjoy's this fine selection that the young Miss sent you's. Good Day's."
With that the elf vanished with a small crack.
All three men in the room looked curiously at the gaily wrapped blue and green package at Snape's feet. Draco had a look of mild horror when he realized who it was from.
Lucius saw his son look of mild disgust. "What is it, Draco? Do you know who it's from?"
Draco swallowed down the bile rising to his throat. Good Lord, Hermione is shagging my godfather. He glanced at his father. "I do...but I think I might be sick."
Severus glanced at Draco as well. "Why, what's the matter with it? Is it poisoned? Or going to explode or something?" Though, Severus wasn't sure how any of those options would make the boy nauseated at the sight of it.
Draco shook his head. "No, it's safe. Just open it while I try not to gag."
Both Lucius and Severus had no clue what was going on. However, Severus slowly and carefully opened the present before him. Both older men's eyebrows shot up when they saw all four of the fine bottles of wine.
Nestled between two of the bottles was a note. Severus picked it up and read, a frown on his face that was steadily growing deeper the longer he read.
Dear Severus,
Happy Christmas. I'm sorry I didn't send this sooner, but I was unable to. I wanted to thank you for my lovely present, it's beautiful. How did you know I loved amethyst? It is my favorite stone.
I wasn't sure if you preferred red or white wine, so I sent both. The wizard at the shop insisted these were very good years. Enjoy and maybe we'll share a glass together one evening.
Your friend,
Hermione Granger
Severus was completely perplexed. What present? He would have thought she meant him explaining about Lucius, but it said something about an amethyst. He didn't send her anything with an amethyst. What is going on?
"Well, what does it say? Who is it from?" Lucius asked, seeing Draco lean over and catch a few lines from the note, before Severus jerked it away. The look of horror on his sons' face growing over whatever he read.
Severus growled at Draco. "You were taught better manners than to read over someone's shoulder. Especially, when it has nothing to do with you."
Draco swallowed down the vile taste in his mouth, before glaring right back. "You are shagging Hermione Granger!"
Lucius was startled by his son's statement and felt anger start to fill him. "You're what? You're shagging Miss Granger? I guess your date went rather well the other night, old friend."
Draco blanched. "Date? You went out on a date with her too?"
Severus rolled his eyes at both of them. The way Draco said it, a date with the chit seemed to horrify him more than the thought of Severus simply shagging her. "First off, what I do is not anyone's business, but my own. Second, I'm not shagging her."
Draco frowned. "They why would she send you four bottles of wine, that I'm sure were expensive for her, and ask to share it with you? Why would she have sent me a letter asking what you'd like?"
Lucius frowned as well. "She sent you a letter? When?"
Draco shrugged. "Today. Just a few hours ago in fact. She asked what Severus might like for a present. I asked her why, then begged her not to answer that. The thought of what her reasons might be is revolting. How can you be shagging, Granger? She was your student, for Merlin's sake."
Severus glared at his godson. "I'm not shagging her, I already told you that. I have no idea why she sent this. Even if I was shagging her, she isn't my student any longer and its not any of your business, Draco."
Lucius sighed. "You don't know why she sent it?"
Severus shook his head. "No. It doesn't make any sense. She was thanking me for some present but...I didn't send her one. Wait..." He glanced at his godson. "Draco, you two are friends. Did you send it to her?"
Lucius glanced at his son. "You're friends with her? When did that happen?" How had he been unaware of his son being friends with the one person in their world that Lucius felt he owed the biggest debt to and had yet to repay? Not to mention, the two had been enemies for years, how had they managed to get past that and become friends? The last question, Lucius truly wanted to know most of all.
Draco shrugged, not having any idea of the questions swirling around his father's head. "We kind of became friends over the last few years. Only...I didn't send her anything. We don't do...Christmas presents. I've never sent her one and she's never sent me one either. We're not that close or anything. We have lunch and we...talk sometimes, since we work in the same department."
Severus glanced back at the wine. It was a nice selection, but he didn't send her a present. He glanced at Lucius who looked very confused. "So...if it wasn't me that sent her a present and it wasn't Draco...who sent it to her? I didn't even know she liked amethysts."
Lucius suddenly understood. Hermione thought the necklace came from Severus. A slow smile crept over his lips. He didn't mind who she thought sent it. He didn't attach his name to it, because he figured she wouldn't accept it if she knew it came from him.
Severus saw the slow smile and sighed. Obviously, Lucius sent it. "Well, then I believe this basket was meant for you then." Using his wand to levitate it towards his old friend.
Draco frowned. "Why would Hermione...bloody hell, Father, please tell me you're not the one shagging her."
Severus reached over and smacked the blond boy upside the head. "Are you really that daft? She sent it to me as a thank you for her present. If your father was shagging her, do you think she would have thought it was from me?"
Draco rubbed his sore head. "Fine. So why did you send her a present?" Looking towards his father.
Lucius glanced at the note that was still in the basket. Picking it up and he read it quickly. Friends? Interesting. Maybe it hadn't been a real date. That thought was something to keep in mind.
Severus saw Lucius reading the note, saw the glint of satisfaction in his silver eyes. Severus realized Hermione had signed it 'Your Friend'.
Oh well, it was still interesting to watch Lucius stew while he thought it was a real date. Severus thought before speaking. "Lucius? Why did you send her a present? Why doesn't she know it was from you?"
Lucius looked away from the note and back at his friend. "She doesn't know it was from me, because I didn't send a note with it or even attach my name to the gift. I sent it, because after the horrible article, I figured she might need something to cheer her up. What was said about her was terrible and I didn't want her being upset by it. Plus, if she did break up with her fiancé, I figured she might be a bit distressed with it being Christmas and all. It was a small token, something just to make her feel better." Feeling a bit silly now that he was explaining it out loud.
Severus smirked and Draco looked confused again. "Why would you care if she was depressed on Christmas?" His son asked.
Lucius sighed. "Everyone deserves a happy Christmas. No one should feel sad or unwanted during the holidays. Its nothing anyway. Just a tiny necklace and wasn't too costly." Which wasn't quite true. It had been expensive. The stone alone was worth a quite a few galleons, and that before it was even set into the pendant. That didn't even bring into light the expensive chain attached to it either. All said and done, he'd probably spent a few hundred galleons on the gift. A drop in the bucket for someone like him, but nowhere near as cheap as he implied it was.
Draco still wasn't sure he understood why his father had sent it, but he didn't ask. His father had been acting a bit strange since the divorce anyway. Why not send a shiny necklace to some woman he'd read a completely untrue article about in the paper? Especially, when it was written by a woman who they all knew constantly lied her skinny little arse off. It had Draco wondering briefly if it wasn't his father that was feeling down during the holiday and didn't know how else to express his feelings. Slytherins weren't exactly known for sharing their feelings anyway.
Lucius hadn't taken it well when he found out Narcissa had a lover on the side, and had been seeing said lover, and several others, for years. It was what finally made Lucius divorce the elegant, yet cold woman.
No matter what the rumors had said, Lucius had always been faithful to his wife. He demanded the same faithfulness in return. Since Narcissa hadn't cared to stay faithful, Lucius didn't feel honor bound to stay married to her.
Draco stood. "Well, I'm off to see Stephanie. She asked that I join her parents for Christmas dinner. Is that alright, father?" Beginning to wonder if he should stick around the manor if his father was feeling blue.
Lucius nodded, glancing at the note in his hand again. "Yes, that is fine. Send my regards to her family."
Draco nodded, thinking that maybe he'd make it an early night instead. That way he could still spend some of the holiday with his father and try to improve the older man's mood. "Of course. Good evening, Godfather." Draco was sure his girlfriend would understand if he went home early. If not, he could always send her something to make it up to her.
Severus waved distractedly at the boy, watching Lucius stare again at the note in his hand. When he heard Draco leave, the rush of flames signaling his departure, the dark man spoke. "Lucius, that was a thoughtful thing to do. Sending the girl the necklace to cheer her up. A bit unlike you. Care to tell me why you really sent it?"
Lucius sighed, Severus knew him too well, but he did send it for that reason. Setting the note down, he stood and went to pour them both fresh drinks. "I figured that she'd be swamped with howlers, since that seems to be how anyone handles things they read in the paper. People yelling and snarling at her over the contents of the article, even if it is none of their business." Lucius turned with the drink in hand and moved back towards Severus. "A person can only listen to so many disparaging remarks before getting upset by them. Besides, breaking up near the holidays is a bit disheartening. I just wanted to help her get through it."
Severus' eyebrow rose, accepting the fresh glass from his longtime friend. "And that is all it is?"
Lucius nodded, while moving to sit in one of his leather chairs. "Of course, what else would it be? You already know I feel guilty for what she went through in my home. I just want...to make amends, as best as I can. If a shiny necklace is a step in that direction, what do I care over the small expense?"
Severus smirked as he watched his friend sit. The dark man knew a load of Thestral dung when he heard it. "So, you're plan on telling her that it was from you?"
Lucius looked up after taking a seat. "Of course not, she'd probably toss it away if she knew I sent it."
Severus' smirk grew. "Then, how is the gift a step in the right direction for your quest of atonement?"
Lucius opened his mouth, but he had no answer. Realizing he had walked into Severus' trap, the blond man sighed in frustration. "I don't know. It just...just seemed like the right thing to do."
Severus sat there studying the man sitting in front of him. "You like her."
Lucius glared. "I do not." Not liking, in that moment, how well Severus knew him.
Severus smirked again. "Yes, you do. You like her. She is a rather pretty witch. Intelligent too." Too bad she isn't interested in me, Severus thought. The dark man thought they'd have made a good match. Assuming Hermione could have gotten over him being a royal bastard to her, while he'd been her teacher all those years ago. That didn't mean that Lucius wouldn't be a good match with the witch as well. They would do well together too, Severus thought as he continued to smirk at his friend.
Lucius continued to glare. "She is pretty and intelligent, but I don't like her. I don't even really know her."
Severus shrugged. "You knew she liked amethyst. Though, I'm not sure how." Snape could guess, though. If Lucius had taken an interest in the witch, the aristocrat knew how to obtain information on a person. It would be easy too to get whatever he wanted on Hermione or anyone, for that matter.
Lucius shrugged, keeping his face blank. "It was a lucky guess, I suppose."
It hadn't been. Lucius knew many things about her. When he had gone to Weasley to see if getting him on his favorite quidditch team would make the redhead forgive him, he'd asked what his friend Potter would want. Then, moved to asking about Hermione.
The redhead had been a fountain of information. Telling him whatever he thought was pertinent. Her favorite food. Her love of books, all kinds, not just muggle or wizard. Her favorite color. Everything he could think of.
Personally, Lucius thought the young man should have known more than he did. Especially, when you considered how long they'd been friends before becoming anything else. However, as Lucius filed away the very tiny bits of information that Weasley was able to give him, the aristocrat paused when he heard that that Hermione loved amethyst, the deep purple ones in particular.
Lucius happened to like that stone a lot too. He simply didn't have a reason to wear it, beyond a set of cufflinks that had a small setting in that same dark shade of purple she seemed to prefer. He hadn't been able to wear them often either in the past twenty years, since Narcissa had hated that particular stone. The woman would always sniff when she spotted it on him and suggest a different pair of cufflinks for him instead. Though, suggest was putting it nicely, demand was closer to the mark.
The platinum haired man tuned back into the conversation, when Weasley said that Hermione didn't wear much jewelry. Explaining that she didn't own a lot of it. Turns out the young woman didn't see the need for the expense of buying good quality jewels, so she didn't ever buy any. What she owned were things that had been gifts. Diamond studs from her parents before they died. A ring that had belonged to her grandmother, that Hermione had inherited when she'd turned sixteen.
Weasley had bought her a simple gold necklace once. Hermione had thanked him, but she didn't wear it much. That was when the redhead learned she didn't like yellow gold. Ron had seemed irked that Hermione didn't wear it often too, though Lucius figured that was something the boy should have known, or at least found out about, before purchasing the necklace.
Lucius had filed all of this away, but he had never done anything about it. Until now. He had seen the platinum necklace and thought of her. So, he had bought it. Honestly, he hadn't had a reason when he bought it weeks ago. A few days after the party and before the article. He had sent it to cheer her up, but he'd only used that as his reason to finally give it to her.
Severus' question drew him out of his thoughts. "A lucky guess? You're not that lucky to have picked the one kind of stone that she favors above the rest. How did you really know?" Who did you pay to get the information from? Snape wondered silently, though it didn't really matter either way how the man knew.
Lucius shrugged. "There have been many articles written about Potter, Weasley, and Miss Granger. It might have been in one of those, and subconsciously I was able to pick the right one because of it. What does it matter?"
Severus shrugged. "It doesn't. I was merely curious."
Lucius didn't respond, he just sat looking towards the fire burning in the fireplace, though he heard Severus mutter. "I still say you like her."
Lucius didn't say a word, he pretended like he didn't hear it. So, he liked her. Was attracted to her. What does it matter? The blond man wondered. It isn't like the witch will ever return the affection. She hates me. She will always hate me and with good reason too.
A/N: Aww, he likes her. So, about the elves' speech in this chapter, and any future chapters, I wasn't sure how they spoke, so I came up with the extra S's in their speech patterns. I'm sorry if that bothers anyone. More coming soon. Take care all, and please leave me your thoughts.