AN: MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope you enjoy!

I don't own Harry Potter and don't make any profit.

"It's your birthday in a couple of days, is there anything you have planned or you want to do? As long as I don't have to throw a party for you," Severus said one day at breakfast looking pained.

"That was exactly what I wanted to ask you," Hermione said in a stern voice, hiding her smile behind Elena who was sitting on her lap.

Severus sighed, "Right who do you want me to invite?"

Hermione's eyes grew wide.

"You would really do that for me. That's so sweet of you, but I would never ask that of you."

Severus eyes narrowed and his expression turned murderous. He turned his attention back to his breakfast, but reached out and playfully pinched Hermione's knee under the table, making her jump and yelp in surprise, earning her a few turned heads from the students.

She grinned and then said, "Okay let's be serious. My birthday is on an actual school day, so there isn't much time and the following Sunday we are invited to the Burrow."

Severus rolled his eyes.

"It's just a small birthday lunch, nothing to be worried about," Hermione gave him her sweetest smile.

"Are the dunderheads going to be there?" Hermione nodded, causing Severus to roll his eyes once more.

"Please will you come with me? Molly asked about you and Elena, she really wants to see you two," Hermione said with a pleading look.

"Well okay then, but let's do something on Saturday. We could get a babysitter for Elena."

"I haven't been to the cinema for ages, I would really enjoy going."

"Really? I've never been to the cinema, is it good?"

"It's brilliant I love it. I can't believe there isn't anything similar in the wizarding world. You really haven't been? We should definitely go then. I'm sure you like it. How come you haven't been? Your dad was a muggle wasn't he?"

Severus smiled at her excitement, but his eyes got this sad and kind of desperate expression thinking about his childhood.

"My dad was a gambler and an alcoholic so there was hardly any money to spend let alone spend it on things like going to the cinema. So anyway I would love to go to the cinema with you."

"So that's that. It's a shame you can't come today to Rowle Manor."

"I'm sure you'll be fine. Rowle has been behaving brilliantly over the last couple weeks. He has been cooperative and he has been working hard, I'm sure he won't be any trouble. And Kingsley will be there too. I asked him to come so there will be somebody, who will be understanding and who won't treat him like scum."

"It's not that. First of all it was you, who convinced Kingsley to make sure Mr. Rowle could get the things that belong to him from his parents' house. And moreover I'm thinking it would have been good for him to have you at his side. As … um … kind of a father figure"

"I think you will do just fine," he replied taking a sip of tea.

After a couple of moments he said," You know what's weird? That anyone would see me as a father figure. I wouldn't see me as a father."

Hermione gave him an amused look, "You know you are a father to your … um … I mean … er … our daughter. Wow I have a daughter. That's what feels strange to me. By the way, you are more fatherly than you think you are. Some of the boys here at Hogwarts really look up to you and admire you."

A slight blush crept over Severus' face.

"Really?"

"Yes."

It was two hours later when Hermione, Thorben, Kingsley and three aurors were standing in front of the Manor, which wasn't quite as spectacular as the Malfoy estate but still big enough.

"Is it really necessary, that there are three aurors present? What do you think is going to happen?"

"As I have told you before Madame, it's for security reasons."

"If he is calls me Madame one more time, I think I'm going to lose it," she growled, prompting Kingsley to chuckle.

"Let's go in. Are you ready Mister Rowle?"

Thorben nodded but didn't move.

"Come on Mister Rowle, you'll be fine," Hermione softly said and touched his shoulder to get him moving.

Once inside Kingsley said, "Take your time, Miss Granger will be coming with you."

As soon as Thorben and Hermione headed up the main stair the aurors were right behind them. She turned around her eyes narrowed and her whole body tensed ready to strike, "Give the boy some privacy. You're being ridiculous," she hissed.

"It's only for your security Mad…"

"Boys you'll stay down here and I'll go with them," Kingsley cut across the auror before Hermione could explode.

"That's my room," Thorben said quietly, pointing to a door, as they arrived on the first floor.

"I'll be waiting outside," Kingsley said," but I'm afraid Miss Granger has to come with you Mister Rowle."

"That's quite alright," he replied giving Hermione a shy smile.

They entered the room and Hermione was amazed by the sheer size of it, but also by the emotional coldness, which hit her immediately. Her room back at her parents' home hadn't even been half the size, but it was filled with life, love and laughter. This room seemed to have everything a young wizard could want but the one thing a child needs, love, seemed to be lacking. Hermione pulled a couple of cardboard boxes out of her bag enlarged them and handed them to Thorben. Then she turned away to look out of the window to give him some privacy. When she didn't hear him move around at all for several minutes she turned back again. Only to find him sitting on his bed clutching a picture frame in his hand staring at the picture while tears were rolling down his face and falling onto the photo.

Hermione quietly approached the young wizard, who seemed so lost, sat down next to him and put an arm around his shoulder.

Thorben stiffened under her touch, but Hermione quietly said, "Don't worry that's between us, I won't tell anybody about it."

Thorben relaxed and even rested his head on her shoulder a bit clumsily.

"I'm sorry, it's just I remembered the summer that picture had been taken. I had such a good time. It was about two years before I started at Hogwarts I went away for a week with my mum. We went on holiday to a farm. My mum had been there a couple of times herself, when she was a child with her parents. She is a muggle born. The farm wasn't anything special, nothing like the holiday my dad would normally take me on. But it was very special to me. I enjoyed the time with my mum. She actually took some time for me, while my dad usually went away with me, but had somebody else look after me."

Thorben used his sleeve to wipe his eyes.

"I don't even know what to take, I hate most of the stuff in here," he mumbled.

"May I help you Thorben," she asked. He nodded.

"First of all take the things you need, like clothes, books, quills, cauldrons, all the things of practical use and then we'll see.

They were working side by side for half an hour before he said, "I think that's it, what now?"

"Now gather all the things you like and that will remind you of stuff, like the picture with your mum or a photo album. I don't know, things like that."

It took him only ten minutes to find all the things he liked in his room.

"So what about the piano or the broom," Hermione asked.

"Am I allowed to take the piano?"

"Why not it's yours, isn't it?"

"I don't need the broom though, I don't like flying that much."

"You could sell it," Hermione looked at the brand new - as it seemed - Firebolt and immediately had to think of Ron who would have loved to have this broom.

"I could," Thorben mused.

"You want it, " he suddenly asked her.

"No, why would I want it. I hate flying."

"You had that gleam in your eyes," he pondered.

Suddenly his face lit up," You could give it to someone."

Hermione looked away embarrassed by how easy she was to read.

"And I think I even know, who you would want to give it to," Thorben grinned, "To Weaselbee, sorry I mean Mister Weasley. Let me think … oh I think I've got it. You couldn't get him a new one, because he would never ever accept it, he is just too proud. And I'm guessing he still isn't able to afford one himself, because all the money he got for fighting in the war if he got some, he gave to his parents because they needed it so much more than he did. Thinking of it, if you give it to him it would make me immensely happy, because it would really annoy my father. Knowing some of his money would go to the Weasley family, would really piss him off. So please take it."

"I can't Thorben, it wouldn't feel right."

"Well I'm taking it then … for now," he said shrinking the broom to fit in one of the boxes and with two more flicks of his wand he shrunk the piano and an ancient looking bureau.

"I always liked it," the young Slytherin said apologetically shrugging his shoulders. He gave one final look around the room, when there was a knock on the door.

"How are you doing?" Kingsley asked peeking through the door.

"I'm done."

"That's good to hear, but you might want to take some of your mother's stuff as well. She hasn't been a death eater and I think it's her right to get the things that belong to her. But I fear the ministry will see it differently, so take it while you get the chance to."

"Thank you Minister Shacklebolt," Thorben said and went to another room, close to his own. Hermione and the minister followed him and watched while he was basically packing the whole room.

They were standing in the doorframe, when Hermione discretely cast a Muffliato charm.

"So tell me Kingsley, how come that Harry, Ron and I all got some money as a compensation for fighting in the war and Severus didn't. When you and me know, that he is the one who deserves it the most. He risked his life being in such close proximity to Voldemort all the time." Hermione had one eyebrow raised and her hands on her hips.

Kingsley raised his hands in defence," I know. Look I've tried everything. The ministry doesn't have enough money and so…"

"That's bollocks! It's just not true. Shame on you. The ministry took away dozens of homes like this one and not everyone has an owner anymore or an heir like Teddy Lupin. You haven't tried hard enough. Have you asked Minerva and Arthur with their influence to help you? Arthur is high enough up in the ranks of the ministry to have some kind of influence."

The minister sighed," I guess you are right. I'm glad he didn't have to go to Azkaban. Many members of the Wizengamot just don't want to see Severus as a hero."

"I would have thought so. I just didn't believe you would think the same."

"I don't Hermione."

She harrumphed and turned away to watch Thorben pack.

After a minute she turned back and asked, "How come they paroled Mister Rowle into his custody then?"

"I didn't think you would be that naïve Hermione. When he fails they have a reason to get rid of him … throw him into Azkaban."

"WHAT?"

"I'm sorry there is nothing I can do. My vote is just one of the many of the Wizengamot. It's a democratic institution."

Hermione huffed, "Does Severus know about this?"

"I'm sure he does."

"Why didn't he tell me," Hermione mumbled to herself.

"I'm sure he didn't want you to worry."

"I'm his fiancée it's my right to know things like this and it's my right to worry about him."

"Hermione, I'm sure you don't have to worry. Rowle seems to be doing fine."

"Hopefully," Hermione replied with a grim expression on her face.

"I'm done here. Thank you again Minister that's very kind of you," Thorben said coming up to them.

"I'm guessing you are on a tight budget. Is there anything here you could sell?"

Thorben looked at the minister gobsmacked.

"Um … er … let me think. Most of the valuable things here have the family crest on it, so there is no way I could sell them. But I can think of a couple of things, but you have to take care of your three watchdogs downstairs." His voice got cold at the last part of the sentence.

Fifteen minutes later Thorben and Hermione found themselves at Diagon Alley, where Kingsley and the three aurors had left them, since Hermione had to run a couple of errands. She quickly cast a Notice-me-not charm and roughly pushed Thorben against the next best wall, wand at his throat. The Slytherin was so perplexed by the change of atmosphere that he didn't even defend himself. The scene was one to be watched really. Thorben who was taller by a head was pushed helplessly against a wall by Hermione looking like she was about to murder him on the spot.

"You listen to me Rowle. If you do any funny business or if you don't behave while you under Professor Snape's custody I will tear you to shreds and I'll make sure to send the bits to Charlie Weasley to Romania to feed to some dragons," she hissed.

Thorben raised his hands in surrender.

"I promise I'll be good. Don't you think I know he will go to Azkaban if something goes wrong with me? I owe him a lot. He could have brought me to Azkaban if he wanted, but he didn't. I'm very grateful for that."

Hermione lowered her wand, "Good to know how you think."

"Wow you are very defensive of him."

"He is my family," she simply said.

"Speaking of family, may I ask, what happened to your mum. Did she die? I'm sorry if I'm to blunt, she continued.

"Didn't Professor Snape tell you?"

"No he told me it's not his story to tell," she replied.

The young wizard's features darkened, "It's okay if he tells you, since I can't, it's too hard for me."

"Fair enough. So do you want to sell your stuff now?"

"Yes, I think that would be a good idea. But you have to do it for me. There is no way I could sell it at Diagon Alley myself. They would throw me out of their shops if I'd tried selling things."

Hermione looked perplexed, "Me? I wouldn't even know how much to ask for. I've got no idea how much all of your things are worth."

She said looking in the small bag he showed her.

"Here is what we do," he grinned and whispered in her ear.

A couple of minutes later Hermione entered an antique shop, which not only sold, but also bought antiques. Only a very good observer would have noticed the door with the tingling bell was open a little longer than actually needed for a single person to come through. Thorben had disillusioned himself and came with Hermione, whispering the value of every item to sell in her ear. When he lifted the disillusionment charm fifteen minutes later outside the shop he had a wide smile plastered across his face.

"Wow, how did you do that? Ten percent more than all the things were worth?"

"That's the Golden Trio bonus. As annoying as it is to be famous most of the times, it has its advantages," she grinned evilly handing him the money.

Thorben roughly counted the money and his face lit up. Suddenly he laughed out loud gathered her in his arms and spun her round.

Hermione laughed, "Set me down, you crazy fool."

"I'll second that." They suddenly heard a quiet voice.

Thorben instantly let go of her realising it was his former professor.

"I'm sorry Sir. I was just so excited because Professor Granger managed to sell some things for me for ten percent more of what they are actually worth."

"Golden Trio bonus?" Severus grumbled.

Hermione nodded and then asked, "What are you doing here? I thought you had classes to teach?"

"Accident in the green house, all the first years I was supposed to teach are being treated by Poppy, which left me with some time to spare. I needed to do some shopping and so here we are," he said patting Elena's head who was standing next to him.

"But I've got some time to grab a cup of coffee. I'm guessing you want to open a vault Mister Rowle," Severus said leaving no room for a discussion.

"Professor Granger will find you later and take you back to Hogwarts. I hope I can trust you not to get into trouble. Come on Hermione," he said coldly.

A few moments later the couple was sitting in the garden of a small café, Elena happily playing with some pebbles she found on the floor. Hermione told him about her morning leaving out the confrontation with Kingsley.

Severus was very taciturn and after a conversation that felt more like a monologue for Hermione, she asked, "What's wrong?"

"He hugged you and spun you around. That's what's wrong," Severus growled.

Hermione laughed, "Would you rather have him attack me again?"

"Don't be ridiculous."

"Are you telling me you are jealous? You certainly weren't jealous when John had a crush on me."

"He is a lame Gryffindor …"

"Excuse me?" Hermione's eyes narrowed in anger

"… but Rowle is a Slytherin. I'm certain he will get what he wants in a Slytherin way."

"You're being ridiculous," she huffed.

"Am I?" He raised one eyebrow.

"Yes, he was just excited because he got more money than he thought."

Severus didn't say another word.

"Anyway I'm done with my coffee, I'll see you later," she said, got up, threw some money on the table and left.

Hermione walked through Diagon Alley her magic vibrating around her due to her anger. Suddenly she saw Thorben at the corner to Knockturn Alley talking to some suspicious looking men she didn't recognise. Silently she walked closer trying to catch some of the conversation, meanwhile casting a notice-me-not charm on herself.

"… Listen to me Rowle it's not too late, you can still turn the other way, but as it looks now you are a traitor and you know what we do with people like you. It's your choice. What will you choose?"

"I did the right thing and I'm done with people like you…"

Thorben didn't have time to finish his sentence, when one of the brutes raised his wand to his throat.

"Do you really wanna make a public scene and do him some harm in front of witnesses?"

Hermione had silently stepped into the scene lifting the notice-me-not charm and had her wand now raised pointing at the two men. Her expression was furious and her magic was thrumming around her, for everybody to feel. The two men must have felt the danger she was radiating, since they exchanged a look and quickly hurried away one of them hissing something incomprehensible.

Hermione sighed, "Come on, let's get home. I have to ask you to stay inside the castle grounds for the next weeks, so no ingredients collecting with Professor Longbottom. I'll talk to Professor Snape about the incident."

"He isn't too thrilled I hugged you."

"No he isn't."

"It was meant as a brotherly hug. In that moment you felt like the big sister I never had."

"I know. It's okay, it will be fine," she grinned at him, when actually she felt like crying.

AN: So if you want to make me happy, please give me a review for Christmas!