Summary: Christmastime
A/N: Fluff and good feels ahead.
The seventh years were in the Great Hall during their study period. Severus was with Ron, Harry, and Hermione. He had his nose in a Potions tome he'd found in the library and was learning about preparing silverweed.
"So, the holidays are almost here," Ron said nonchalantly.
Severus glanced up at the ceiling and noticed the snow falling. He gazed out the windows and saw the snow that had been covering the ground for the last week. He sighed.
"So," Ron continued. "I know you don't have somewhere to go. You can stay with me if you'd like."
Severus looked over at Ron. "I was just planning to stay here," he advised.
Ron shrugged. "Sure, do that if you want, but the invitation is there if you want to come to my house."
"You should come, Severus. I'll be there. I don't want to spend any more time with my family than I have to," Harry said.
Hermione looked down at the table and ran her fingers along the corner of her book, rifling the pages.
"Ron, would it be okay if I came along too?" she asked.
"Yeah, of course. I didn't ask because you always go on a trip with your parents."
Hermione bit her lip and it was obvious she was holding back tears. Severus reached under the table and grasped her hand, giving it a squeeze.
"The thing is," she said quietly. "I Obliviated them before returning to school. I can't spend Christmas with them. They don't know who I am."
Ron gasped and Harry looked incredulous.
"Merlin, Hermione, why didn't you say something!"
She looked up at him. "You had enough on your mind, Harry. You still do. I…"
"She told me, so she hasn't been dealing with this all by herself," Severus said.
She tried to wipe a tear away from her eye without being noticed, but everyone saw.
"I'm sorry," she murmured. "I didn't think it would affect me like this."
"Oy, Hermione, it's okay. Of course, you'd miss them this time of year. You can definitely come to my house. Lavender will be there, just so you know."
She smiled at him. "That's good that you're bringing her home to your family."
"I will come as well," Severus advised.
"Great! I'll let Mum know to expect you both."
Severus had never seen such chaos in all his life. The Weasley's house looked like it was three houses piled on top of one another, and when they entered, there was such a din that he almost was tempted to put his hands over his ears.
Molly burst from the kitchen as several ginger-haired inhabitants clamored around her to meet Lavender and Severus. She hugged Lavender first.
"Lavender! Ron has said so many wonderful things about you! Welcome to our home!"
Once she was set free, Lavender smiled. "Thank you, Mrs. Weasley. I appreciate you opening your home to me."
Molly patted her cheek then turned her attention to Severus. He knew it was coming, and instinctively knew that hexing his hostess was incredibly rude, so he braced himself. Her arms surrounded him, and he couldn't breathe.
"Oh, Severus, it's so nice to meet you. I'm glad Ron has found another good friend in you. He's told me all about you."
She released him, and he gulped for air. "Don't believe anything he says," he said once he'd caught his breath.
Molly shook her head. "No, he's told us what a good friend you are. We're glad to have you spend the holidays with us. It's too bad your family had to travel back to Germany, and right on the holidays! You must miss them."
Severus nodded, choosing not to dwell on his pretend parents or mentally on the fate of his real parents.
"All right, everyone come in, come in. I've got lunch ready and on the table."
She hugged Hermione as the others moved further into the house.
In seconds, they were surrounded by the other Weasleys, all introducing themselves. There was Bill and Charley. Percy, who just waved from a reading chair in the corner, and Fred and George, the twins.
"Say, Severus, Ron says you're good at potions," Fred said.
"We run a joke shop in Diagon Alley," George continued. "Maybe we can get you to make some unique brews for us?"
Severus didn't know what to say. "Umm…"
"Leave him alone, boys! There's plenty of time to talk business," Hermione chastised as she took Severus' arm and led him back to the kitchen.
"That's our Hermione," both twins said in unison as they followed the couple to the table.
Once everyone was seated, Molly dished out a bowl of stew for everyone. Arthur helped her pass them out. They all began eating.
"So," Arthur started. "I came across something called a microwave. Can one of you tell me what it does? Rectangular, box-like object…?"
"It's for heating food," Harry explained. "It's good for leftovers or popping popcorn."
"Marvelous. I suppose it runs on eklectrickity?"
Harry smiled. "It's called electricity, and yes. You plug it in and put your food in it, set the timer, and in a couple of minutes, you have a nice hot whatever."
"Fantastic. Severus, did you have access to any Muggle things in your home?"
Severus cleared his throat. "My grandfather was Muggle, so I am familiar with Muggle things, but he did not have a Microwave. He said it was just fine reheating things on the stove."
"I don't know," Arthur mused. "It sounds amazing… almost magical."
Harry nodded. "It kind of is. You put cold food in, and in a minute, it's piping hot."
Arthur nodded at him, and Severus smirked.
"So, Severus, what are your favorite subjects at school? Ron mentioned something about a penchant for potions?" Arthur asked.
"Yes, sir. It's my favorite subject. I also have good ability in Defense class."
"Good show. With all the dangers in our world right now, you'll do well in being able to defend yourself."
"That is certain," Severus mused before spooning some stew into his mouth.
Looking over at Molly, he said, "This is delightful, Mrs. Weasley."
"Oh, thank you, Severus!" Molly gushed.
"Severus, as we were saying earlier," Fred said. The twins continued in unison, "We own a joke shop in Diagon Alley. We'd love to partner with you for some joke potions."
"I don't know any joke potions."
"Well, that's where you could make some up, right?" George waggled his eyebrows at him.
"What sort of items are you looking for?"
Fred and George looked at each other. "Well, obviously we have love potions, but…" George began, "Maybe something to ease the nerves? Or potions that induce a temporary ailment, like maybe boils or something."
Severus' eyebrows knit together. "I don't want to be involved with anything that would be used for bullying."
"Oh, we wouldn't…" Fred exclaimed.
"I can't believe you'd think…" George cried.
Severus narrowed his eyes. "Don't toy with me, gentlemen. I know a bullying potion when it's presented to me."
"Well, we have no power over how our potions are used."
He frowned at them. "The answer to that dilemma would be to not offer such potions."
Fred put up his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine! We can figure that one out ourselves."
"Doubtful…" Severus huffed. "I will work with you on the nerve-easing potion. I have a good idea of how I can proceed with it."
"Great!" the twins said in unison.
After lunch, Severus pulled Hermione aside.
"I need to go into Diagon Alley and get presents for everyone," he whispered.
"Oh! Yes, we should definitely do that. I didn't have time to get anything either. Maybe we can go in on presents together?"
"I like the way you think. Let's head out."
They quickly told Molly and Arthur where they were headed and soon were walking along Diagon Alley, window shopping. They held hands as they moved along. They were looking at the owls in the window of the Owl Emporium when they were startled by a voice behind them.
"Ah, Severus. I'm surprised to see you here."
They turned, still hand in hand, to find Lucius Malfoy bedecked in a dark grey robe and his fancy cane.
"Oh, Mr. Malfoy. Nice to see you. How is Draco?" Severus asked.
"He is fine. Enjoying his time off."
"We are doing some last-minute Christmas shopping," Severus offered.
"So, are you two a couple?" Lucius asked as he arched a brow at them.
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy, we are," Hermione said with a defiant lift of her chin.
"You are very much like your father, Severus, falling for the Gryffindor Mudblood."
Severus glowered at Lucius. "Please refrain from using that language in my presence. It is a foul term."
Lucius shrugged. "I'm just calling it as I see it."
Hermione took a step toward him, her face furious. "It's obvious where Draco gets his bad manners," she ground out.
"Now, now, Miss Granger. I'm just calling a spade a spade."
Severus moved up next to Hermione and put his arm around her. "Perhaps you should move along with whatever you were doing."
Lucius arched up on his toes and set himself back down. "Very well," he said. "Happy Christmas, Severus," he said before turning and moving off.
Hermione fumed as he moved off.
"I want to hex that smile right off his face," she glowered.
Severus squeezed her to him. "He's not worth it, Hermione. He is set in his beliefs, and nothing is going to change them."
Hermione relaxed a little. "You're right of course. He's just infuriating."
"I'm sorry he called you that," Severus apologized.
"He's foul, just like his son."
"Come on. Let's go. Maybe we should hit the bookshop to lighten our mood."
Hermione looked at Severus and smiled slightly. "Sounds like a good plan."
They headed to Flourish and Blotts, Hermione still fuming. Severus held her hand and squeezed it as they walked. Finally, they entered the shop and spent forty-five minutes perusing the titles. They found a couple of gifts and some things for themselves. By the time they had left, Hermione had calmed down and was actually smiling.
Continuing along the street, they found presents for everyone and headed back to the Weasley home, where they joined an impromptu game of Quidditch in the front yard.
Severus awoke on Christmas day and looked over at the other two men in their beds. Ron was snoring, and Harry had his head buried under his pillow. Severus quietly slipped out of his bed and snuck out of the room, hoping to see Hermione before everyone woke up and gathered in the sitting room for gift opening.
He heard voices downstairs and crept down to see Ginny and Lavender helping Mrs. Weasley with breakfast. He figured Hermione must be in her room alone, which was exactly how he wanted to find her. He snuck back up the stairs and lightly knocked on her door, opening it without waiting for her to say anything.
He was concerned when he saw Hermione sitting on her bed with tears streaming down her face. He quickly closed the door and rushed over to her, pulling her into an embrace.
"It's okay. Do you want to talk about it?" he asked.
Her arms wrapped around him. "I miss my parents, Severus. Normally I would be sitting in our living room in front of a crackling fire, opening presents."
"Oh, Hermione," Severus said as his arms came around her.
He held her for a long time as she quietly cried into his chest. He rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head. After a while, he whispered to her.
"I'm sorry. I know how you feel, though. This is the first Christmas without my mum, too."
Hermione pulled back and wiped her tears. Looking at Severus, she frowned.
"Severus, I'm sorry. I didn't even think… I was so absorbed in my own problems."
"Hey, it's okay. We both have reasons to be down today."
She sighed. "I know. I'm sorry, though. Are you all right?"
He frowned. "When I was in the past, it didn't matter to me if I went home for Christmas or not. Usually, I didn't spend the holidays at home to avoid my father. But this morning… I wish I had spent more Christmases at home just so I could have been with my mum more."
"I wish things were different, and she was still alive."
"I wish she had gotten a backbone and left my father before it was too late, but she always refused to even recognize anything was wrong. She thought it was always her fault for not being a good enough wife."
"That's foul that your father made her feel that way."
"That's what he was, Hermione… foul."
They sat quietly, both staring off into the distance while holding hands. Finally, Severus came to himself and looked over at Hermione.
"Now that we have mourned, let's find something to cheer us up, yeah?"
She smiled wanly.
"This is our first Christmas together," Severus mused. "That should put a smile on your face, right?"
Her smile widened some. "It actually is lovely being here with you."
"I agree wholeheartedly. Who would have thought that I would be spending my Christmastime with a Potter of all people, and his ginger friends."
"And me."
He grinned. "Especially you. Aside from our parents not being around, I think this is the happiest I've been during the holidays."
Hermione caressed his cheek. "Me too. Being with you makes it even more special."
He leaned in and kissed her reverently. She opened to him, and he showered her with his affection. They were immersed in each other for quite a while before Severus pulled back to catch his breath.
"That was lovely," he murmured.
"Happy Christmas."
Kissing her forehead, he then touched his to hers.
"Happy Christmas."
Severus and Hermione sat together with everyone in the family room. It was late in the day. Presents had all been opened, and they'd all feasted on turkey and ham and all the fixings.
"I ate way too much," Ron mused.
Severus rubbed his stomach. "I overindulged as well. Everything was delicious." He looked at Hermione. "Aside from Hogwarts feasts, that's the most food I think I've ever seen."
"Yes, everything was lovely, Mrs. Weasley," Hermione added.
"Oh, I just want you all to have a nice Christmas."
"Well, it has been," Severus confirmed.
"Yeah, thanks mum," Ron said. Everyone else joined in with thanks for Molly.
Arthur got up and went over to the bookshelf. He fished a book off of it and turned to the group.
"How about we read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" together?"
Everyone agreed with either a nod of their head or a quick yes.
"Brilliant!" Arthur sat back in his seat next to Molly and opened the book. He read the book aloud to everyone. Severus grasped Hermione's hand as they sat together listening to the well-known Christmas story. A sweet feeling of peace settled over everyone as the story was read. The story wasn't long, and once Arthur was done, everyone began talking to each other quietly.
Severus was quiet for a bit. Hermione rested her head on his shoulder. He snaked his arm around her and gave her a quick hug. After a bit, she lifted her head and looked at him.
"You're really quiet. Are you all right?"
He gave her a small smile and nodded. "My Christmases before…" he spoke quietly so no one else could hear. "They were fraught with turmoil. My parents always fought. My father left half the time. When he was there, he was complaining about how his hard-earned money had gone to my mum and me. Christmas was always guilt-ridden. And at Hogwarts, when I stayed, they were lonely. I was the only Slytherin who would stay, and the other students didn't really care for me. Any friends I had headed home for the holidays. But the quiet and somewhat lonely holidays were better than being guilted and… beaten, especially when I was younger."
He stopped and was quiet for a minute. Hermione kissed his cheek, urging him to go on.
"This, despite being noisy at times, has been the most peaceful Christmas I've ever had."
Hermione smiled at him. She cupped his cheek. "I'm glad you got to experience this. It's what Christmas should be all about."
He smiled at her, gratitude showing in his eyes for everything they'd experienced.
New Year's Eve
Everyone had come in from the yard. They'd been playing Quidditch for hours after dinner, but now that midnight wasn't far away, they headed back in for snacks to await the New Year.
Molly had outdone herself. There were trays and trays of finger foods set on the table. Everyone formed a line and filled their plates. They all gathered in the sitting room and chatted and ate while the time passed. There was less than an hour until midnight.
Fred and George held up their hands to make sure everyone quieted.
"We've brought some fireworks," George said.
"Oh, you two!" Molly cried.
"Mum, it's New Year's. Fireworks are expected," Fred said.
"I know, but you two are always trouble. You're going to blow the house up."
George shook his head. "Oh, ye of little faith. This isn't our first fireworks show, Mum. We know what we're doing."
"Anyway…" Fred continued. "When you're done with your snacks, we should all head out to the front so we'll be ready for the show."
There were fifteen minutes left until the New Year, and everyone had eaten their fill. They all filed out into the yard. Everyone was chatting amongst themselves.
Severus held Hermione's hand. He fingered the bracelet she was wearing… his Christmas gift to her. He was glad she liked it. He certainly liked her gift… a set of flasks and other potions hardware and an incredibly sharp paring knife that magically sharpened itself.
He bumped up against her lightly, causing her to look up at him. "Are you enjoying yourself?"
She grinned at him. "Yes, this has been lovely."
He leaned down and whispered in her ear. "It's been especially lovely because you're here with me."
She pinked. He was able to make it out barely from everyone's wandlight, and it warmed his heart.
"I wouldn't want to be with anyone else, Severus."
He felt his own cheeks heating.
Arthur set a Tempus charm in the form of a large clock in the sky so they could count down the last fifteen seconds. Everyone started the countdown at ten. They looked at one another as they counted down to midnight.
"Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, One… Happy New Year!" they all cried out.
Severus turned to Hermione and kissed her softly. Her kiss was so sweet and loving, that his heart began to beat wildly within him. Merlin, she was everything he'd ever wanted.
Pulling back, his eyes met hers. They smiled at each other as the fireworks started.
"Happy New Year, Severus."
"Happy New Year, Hermione."
He leaned in and kissed her one more time before they turned to watch the fireworks.