A/N: Thanks for sticking with this short little fluff fest. Merry Holidays to all of you!

Chapter 6

One year later:

Severus sat down at the head of the Christmas table. Several of the tables had been joined to create a larger, yet more intimate, eating area. He looked around at those gathered.

"We hope you all are having a lovely holiday and thank you for joining us for the feast. Please enjoy the season and the rest of the holiday break."

With a wave of his hand, all the food appeared on the table. Several turkeys, hams, racks of lamb, and prime rib roasts dotted the large table, surrounded by anything someone would want as part of their feast. The students and faculty who had remained during the holidays dug in.

Severus filled his plate and tried to hide his scowl. He was extremely nervous about the evening and it was souring his mood. He didn't want to appear annoyed to everyone, but he couldn't help his grumpy attitude as his stomach was filled with trepidation.

He took a bite of his roast and looked around the room. He'd asked for something different this year with the tree decorations. The twelve trees that surrounded the hall were decorated in house colors. Two trees for each house and four scattered among them decorated with the Hogwarts crest colors and symbols. Tiny house flags were draped on the trees and they had spray crowns on top in their colors. The sprays shot small fireworks from the tops in a pattern so there were always at least two trees shooting lights into the air.

There were giant wreaths at the front and back of the hall. They, too, were decorated in Hogwarts crest colors. Although different, the hall still screamed Christmas and everyone had been pleased with how it looked.

There had been quite a few students who had stayed, and of course several of the professors, including Minerva, Filius, Hagrid, and Hermione. She had invited Potter, who was seated next to her with his wife on the other side.

Over the past year, he'd seen enough of Potter to not be disturbed by his presence, however, he had hoped to have Hermione all to himself tonight, and that seemed to not be the case. It would probably mess with his plans. This increased his nervousness, and he looked down at his plate crossly.

"What do you want for Christmas, Severus?" Minerva asked him.

"Some peace and quiet," he muttered. "I apologize," he said softly almost immediately afterward.

Hermione looked at him with concern.

He'd spoken quietly enough that the two women were the only ones who had heard him. Ginny, oblivious to the tension, piped in.

"What would the Headmaster of Hogwarts want as a gift?"

Severus sighed. "Students who behave," he said, pulling a smirk to lighten his comments.

Ginny laughed. "So you're not expecting anything then?"

"Of course not."

Hermione was looking at him curiously. Despite his moods, he usually tried not to be maudlin during holidays of any kind, and he knew she had noticed his sharp attitude and nervousness. Suddenly, her hand reached out and grasped his.

"All right?"

He gave her a cross look but nodded his head briskly. Merlín, he needed to snap out of this funk. Finally, he stood, holding his goblet of pumpkin juice.

"A toast," he offered. "That all our Christmas wishes will come true."

Everyone cheered, and he sat, berating himself for his sappiness. Sadly, that hadn't helped him much. He concentrated on eating, but he just wasn't hungry. Finally giving up on being festive, he leaned over and whispered to Hermione.

"Come find me when you are done celebrating with the Potters."

She nodded at him, but the concern was still on her face.

He stood. "If you will all excuse me, I must retire early this evening. Enjoy the rest of the feast."

Minerva looked at him oddly, and Hagrid spluttered. Aside from that, several students wished him a good night. He bowed his head in recognition of their well wishes and left the Great Hall. Stalking to his quarters, he entered and set wards on his door that only Hermione would be able to get through. Stalking to his reading chair, he sat back and started a fire in his fireplace. He sat staring at it for a while.

Severus palmed the small box in his pocket… Hermione's Christmas gift.

He knew that their relationship was good… had only strengthened over the year they'd been together, but he feared that this might make her question their relationship, and he would come out the loser. He closed his eyes in fear. He didn't know what would happen if she didn't like his gift.

He stewed for what seemed like days but had only been an hour or so. At long last, she was here. He could feel her through his wards. She entered his quarters quickly and rushed over to him.

"Severus, what's wrong?" she asked worriedly.

She grasped his hand and stooped in front of him.

"It's not like you to leave the feast so early. Did something happen?"

He turned his hand up so he could hold hers.

"No, love, nothing."

"Then what…?"

He reached up and cupped her cheek. "I have been preoccupied with giving you your gift, and it made me antsy."

"But you said you wanted to wait until after the feast to give it to me."

"I know… it's just that… oh, never mind. I can't explain myself without giving it to you."

"Well, it's after the feast, why don't you just give it to me now?" she asked, a crooked smile on her face.

He searched her eyes and took in a deep breath. "That would be prudent."

She smiled at him genuinely as he rose in front of her. He reached down and offered his hand to help her stand. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the small box wrapped in red and green with a green bow on top and handed it to her.

"I see Slytherin colors won out in the end?" she said referring to the color of the bow.

He nodded shyly at her but didn't say a word. As she looked closer at the box, her gaze became serious, and he knew she recognized what usually came in small boxes like that. Her eyes met his cautiously. He motioned for her to open it.

Grasping it, she tore the paper from it, revealing a black velvet box. Her eyes looked at him searchingly.

"Is this…?"

"Open it, Hermione."

She did so and gasped as her hand came up to her mouth.

He sank to one knee. "I have never been happier than when I'm with you. Hermione, will you please marry me?"

She gasped again as she gazed upon the ring—a lovely diamond solitaire—and back to him. Severus held his breath as he looked up at her.

"You want me to be your wife?" she asked as tears formed in her eyes.

"I love you eternally. Of course, I want you to be my wife. I want to spend the rest of my life with you as my companion. My life would be meaningless without you."

"So would mine. Severus, I will happily marry you. I never want to be without you again!"

She knelt with him, and he pulled her nearer, embracing her as they sealed their engagement with a kiss. He couldn't think of a time when he'd been happier. She was his, and would officially be his wife, and he would be her husband! His life finally had taken a positive turn, and he'd found the love of his life. Things couldn't be better, and he looked forward to what the future would bring with this beautiful witch by his side.

The End