Crambo

KRAM-boh | noun

1: an inferior rhyme

2: a game in which one person or side must find a rhyme to a word or line of verse given by another

"Hermione, do we have to get Snape something for Christmas?" asked Harry conversationally over soup.

She drew her eyebrows together. "That's a bit of a last minute question, Harry," she chided. "Christmas is next week."

He shrugged. "Well, yeah, but at least I asked at all. It's not really something I'm used to."

"It's not really something I'll ever be used to," Ron muttered sulkily from the other side of the table.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "You don't have to, Harry, but I've gotten presents for each of your wives so it might be a bit rude of you not to get him anything. He is my husband, after all. You could try to be nice."

"Yeah, you're probably right." He fell silent, sipping his soup.

Hermione looked idly around the little restaurant. It was busy enough today, but not overcrowded, for which she was grateful. The news of her wedding had made headlines last month and she still had people approach her on occasion to ask her about it as if it were their business. No, she wasn't cursed, no, she wasn't blackmailed, no, she wasn't pregnant. Really, why did two people ever get married? Why, yes, Severus Snape is capable of feeling love, thank you very much.

"What are you getting him, then?" asked Ron.

"A cat," she said simply.

Harry nearly spit his soup. "Like the animal?"

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, like the animal. Really, Harry, what other kind is there?"

"Isn't that a bit… I mean, you know what they said…?" He looked between Ron and Hermione, who were both staring at him blankly and shook his head. "Whatever, you know him best."

"You could get him items to go with it. You know, care supplies," she suggested.

"Er… What do you even get one of those?" Harry asked hesitantly.

"I suppose I'll get some treats for it," Ron supplied.

Harry looked back to Hermione, lost. She rolled her eyes. "It'll need somewhere to sleep. Why don't you get that?"

"Okayyy," he drew out the syllable, still lost, but he supposed he could ask at the pet shop. They should know.

oOo

It had been a struggle but she had managed to convince Severus to spend their first Christmas as a married couple with the Weasleys. An hour before they were due to leave for dinner, she pulled him into their bedroom.

His dark eyes glittered down at her. "It might be a stretch, but I'm okay with being late," he drawled.

She smirked and slapped his hands lightly as they reached for her. "I'm giving you your present. I didn't think you'd want to open it in front of everyone." She presented him with a large box tied up with a red bow.

He took the box from her and moved to sit on the edge of the bed. Hermione bounced on the balls of her feet excitedly as he pulled the ribbon loose and lifted the lid. The kitten inside, curled up on the towel she had lined the box with, glared up at him with a gaze that clearly said, "I'm sleeping, piss off."

Severus laughed softly and ignored the glare to lift the small black animal out of the box, cradling him in his large hands. The kitten gave up his indignance quickly when the tender spot behind his left ear was scratched.

"Do you like him?" she asked nervously.

"He's perfect," he confirmed. "How ever did you find my feline double?"

She smirked again. "He was the one in the corner glaring at the smaller kittens."

"Of course. I'll have to find a suitable name for the little thing."

oOo

Dinner with the Weasleys went remarkably well. While there were more than a few nervous glances cast in Severus's direction, he was on his best behavior and Hermione was looking forward to getting home so that she could reward him properly. But first, gifts needed to be exchanged.

From Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Severus received a Slytherin green hand-knitted sweater with a large S in the middle of the chest. After exchanging an amused glance with Hermione, he thanked Mrs. Weasley politely and pulled it over his head, much to the surprise of most of the assembled party. Ron handed him a small package next. After careful unwrapping, it was discovered to be a small tub of something called Yogies – cheese flavored. What an odd gift.

"From Scarlet and me. Scabbers loved them," he said sheepishly. "Y'know, before he turned into a person."

Severus didn't look capable of saying anything so Hermione answered, "Er, thanks Ron."

He blushed and nodded. His wife beamed at them obliviously.

"I'll go next," Harry announced. "Mine's a bit bulky, though." He gestured to an oddly wrapped object standing behind the couch.

Severus stood from the loveseat and walked slowly to the badly wrapped gift. He started unwrapping from the top, revealing what appeared to be a perch. His eyebrows knit together and he turned to Hermione for cues.

Hermione, for her part, was utterly bewildered. "Harry, how on Earth is this a place for a cat to sleep?"

He paled. "A c… a cat! Merlin, I thought you said you were getting him a bat for Christmas."

Ron, for his part was bright red. "I heard rat…" he admitted.

Hermione couldn't help it. She laughed. "No wonder you were so confused, Harry." She turned and eyed Severus standing next to the gift. "I suppose we could use it for your owl."

"It is nice," he agreed, running a hand along the natural branch perch. "I'm sure that Athena would enjoy it."

"Next time, I'll get it in bloody writing," Ron muttered.