On the first day of Christmas

“Mistletoe?” Snape said knowing only that it was a muggle plant that he knew a bit about It\'s root and purpose in potion making.

“What about it?”

Hermione went red, looking to Snape in distress, “Just forget it Professor.” She continued looking at him through the slits in her fingers, as she covered her face in shame.

Snape became increasingly confused, “What’s the meaning of this?” he said quietly hissing, evidently sick of being the center of something he knew nothing about.

Dumbledore on the only hand looked perversely interested in Hermione’s sudden humiliation. Crazy old bugger. Snape looked to Hermione, letting his dark eyes flick over her squirming frame…something was amiss.

“Why Severus.” Albus said with a sardonic grin, “When two people stand under the mistletoe, it’s tradition for them to kiss.”

Snape looked to Albus in shock, kiss a student? It was then that he noticed Albus himself was swaying a bit back and forth, not really being able to meet either of their eyes. The Headmaster was drunk!

Snape shot another grimace in Hermione’s direction, looking obviously torn he licked his lips nervously watching Hermione carefully, he leaned in almost and then leaned back. Hermione was about to turn in confused panic when a familiar voice rang out behind her.

“Well, if you are not going to kiss Hermy-own-ninny, I will.”

Snape’s dark eyes shot to the handsome Quidditch player he knew all too well, and as evident by Hermione’s flushed and nervous face, as did she. Before Hermione could do anything, Viktor grasped her by the arms and dragged her hesitant frame to him.

He captured her lips in an inexperienced kiss, his eyes closed as Hermione tried to back away from his needy kisses. She could feel Snape’s eyes on her, as well as Dumbledore’s and now…now she was embarassed, her cheeks flaming.

“Viktor!” She said, breaking from the kiss and looking to him warily, “What are you doing here?”

Viktor shot her a brilliant smile as Snape sneered in disgust. What a shameless little boy…Viktor’s own handsome face turned to Snape then as he shot him his trademark smile, looking to the cup in the Professor’s hands.

“Hello Headmaster, Professor Snipe. How are you been doing?”

Snape frowned at the boys choppy English, how Hermione could go for a stupid and sloppy young man like this was beyond him. He made no move to shake the outstretched hand of Viktor, opting instead to brush past him in haste.

“Professor Snipe does not seem happy to be seeing me.” Viktor said confused.

“That’s Professor Snape.” Hermione corrected, looking to the diminishing figure of Severus as he stalked down the darkening hallway. Harry and Ron ran over suddenly, clapping Viktor on the back and welcoming him.

“Do you like our surprise?” Ron said to Hermione breathlessly as the Headmaster doddered off after Snape, leaving Hermione feeling guilty for no apparent reason.

“Viktor was your surprise?”

Viktor grinned down at her, nodding. “When I heard that Ron and harry were to be coming back to Hogwarts, I asked to come also. I have missed you Hermy-own-ninny.” He looked to her fondly as Hermione tried to stop the beating of her heart.

“Oh yes, it’s splendid to see you as well Viktor.” Hermione said wincing, “It’s just, I’m very tired. I think I’m sick.”

“Then let us go for a walk, we shall feel the air.”

Hermione sighed and then nodding resolutely took the outstretched arm of Viktor Krum, knowing it was a mistake the instant that she did it.
_________________________________________

“Little harlot.” Snape muttered under his breath, tossing the stupid Winter cup onto his desk, not caring if it shattered or not. He looked to his bed, seeing how inviting it seemed all of a sudden.

He stripped off his cloak, and clothing and when clad in nothing but silky, black boxers he climbed into his welcoming bed. He lay awake, eyes open wide, listening to every sound around him.

There was a knock at the door just then, causing his heart to skip a beat.

“For the love of-“ Snape muttered rubbing his temples in anger, “Just a moment.”

He pulled on a black bath robe and walked to the door opening it slowly, Albus stood on the other side, still a bit tipsy “Severus M’boy.” He slurred, looking to the younger man with intensity.

“What are doing going to bed at such an early hour?”

Snape looked to his grandfather clock nearby, and looked back to the staggering Albus, “It’s almost ten o’clock Albus…I was…merely having a drink by the fire. This blasted castle is much too cold.”

“Then I’ll join you.” The Headmaster insisted, pushing the door open himself and seating himself in one of Severus’ large dark green armchairs. Snape sighed heavily and retreated over to join him, closing the door.

“Can I get you anything specific?” Snape said going to his cupboard a moment and reappearing. Albus shrugged lazily, “Whatever you suggest.”

Snape nodded, pouring him a pumpkin juice and adding a small packet of crystals, stirring while Albus looked contemplatively into the fire.

‘This should sober him up.’ Snape though tiredly, handing the older wizard his drink which he downed momentarily.

“Now, may I ask why you’re here?” he said, settling himself into the opposite chair by the fire, looking to Albus with a brooding look.

Albus nodded, “It’s about Miss Granger…and yourself.”

Snape’s heart quickened a moment, as he tried to steady his hands and voice. “Oh…and why should that concern myself?”

“Well you see, Miss Granger came to me abou-“

Albus made move to speak more but suddenly stopped his eyes blinking rapidly and then calming. His eyes drooped and then finally darted open, while Snape mentally kicked himself.

“What about Miss Granger, Albus?”

“Miss Granger?” Albus said shaking his head and looking suddenly alert, “When were we speaking of Miss Granger?”

‘You fool! He was about to spill everything and you went and gave him a sobering potion!’ Snape frowned deeply, his eyes growing darker if that was possible. It figured the only person clever enough to outsmart him was himself.

“You mentioned her…” Snape drawled, his eyes glittering malevolently, “…briefly.”

“Well I’m sorry Severus…I’m suddenly quite tired.” Albus said yawning, “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll retire to my chambers. Good evening.”

Snape nodded, waving him away with a careless hand, not offering any means of a good evening farewell. Albus frowned at the bitter young man, knowing he had wanted to tell him something but couldn’t.

Snape lay back on his bed after the door had been shut, he hadn’t bothered seeing the older wizard out, opting instead to sulk in his bedroom. He pulled the covers over himself again; it wasn’t really that cold in his chambers.

He felt a little lighter, evidently she hadn’t known Viktor was to come…she had looked quite shaken and a bit…guilty? He smiled at this, perhaps…no, whatever perverse thought he had been thinking before it had to stop this instant.

No more no more no more no more no more no more no more no-.

He rolled onto his stomach, pulling a pillow over his head to block the inanities that rang through his head. He even thought he heard her voice…wait a minute. He darted up in his bed, he did hear her voice.

“No really Viktor. I’d rather not.”

He looked to his window, hearing her and that Krum near his window…probably didn’t know themselves. He heard Viktor’s rumbling voice accompany her own and he frowned to himself.

“But Hermy-own-ninny, I came back for you.” He heard them scuffle a bit, and Hermione sigh and push him. Snape looked into the inky black of the school grounds but couldn’t see them.

“No, you don’t understand Viktor.” Hermione snapped, and Snape felt himself grow instantly aroused. Gads, what was it about that little know it all that did it to him?

“What don’t I understand?”

“You can’t just come back into my life after years of nothing and expect something to spark.” Snape internally smiled, yes, perfect.

“Especially when…” she paused as Snape stood beside the window, clinging onto every word. “Especially when I-”

Viktor suddenly interrupted and Severus contained the desire to find him and throttle him for interrupting her.

“This is stupid.” He said whining, “I come all the way out here to see you, and you turn me down…for who? Harry? Ron? Snipe?”

“It’s Snape! Not Snipe!” Hermione cried incredulously, “SNAPE SNAPE SNAPE SNAPE SNAPE!”

He heard Hermione stomp off away from Viktor who was now running after her, calling out her name and saying he was sorry. What a bloody fool.

Severus stood against the walls of his chambers, confused now. Was she turning Viktor down for him? Or was it she was just correcting how he said his name? Oh bugger.

He crept to his bed again, climbing in and wrapping the blankets around him and feeling all too uncertain about things.

Was stupid to assume she cared for him.
_____________________________________

At the current moment Hermione Granger had just turned down the extreme advances of one Viktor Krum and was now on her ways to her chamber.

“Oh, hello Headmaster.” She said as she passed him, seeing the anxiety in his face. “What’s the matter?”

Albus shook his head, looking to her gravely. “I’m just…” he trailed off, looking to Hermione with a daring glance, “Do the students really detest Professor Snape?”

Hermione looked to Albus incredulously, “Are you serious? Well…I can’t speak for everyone but… I don’t hate him. Why would you ever think that?”

“Well,” Albus continued, “For example when I told you Snape was going to be at the Christmas party and you looked positively ill…”

Hermione winced at this, he just didn’t understand! She was angry at him at the time…but now, it was different. He was different. Why was this bothering Albus? Had Snape said something to him? Had he…mentioned her?

Albus nodded, “I should have known, it’s just…he seems so withdrawn this year…so bitter. So alone compared to the years prior…I’m sorry, I don’t know why I’m telling you this. I must just be tired.”

Hermione felt a lump form in her tt…itt…it was like a sappy Christmas movie where you learned that the evil man down the street was stingy about his money every year just so he could spend it on presents for orphans. Except this wasn’t a sappy Christmas movie…and Snape didn’t have an ulterior motive for his cruelty.

But he had been kind to her, taking her to Hogsmeade, telling everyone that her detention was actually her assisting him…not laughing at her about the cufflinks.

She broke from the Headmasters gaze, “Good night Headmaster.”

Without waiting to hear his reply she shot up to her chambers, not looking behind her.

She threw open the door and ran to her dresser, flinging the clothing used as a cover up to the ground. There…the card. She smiled as she opened it, reading the words she had scribed onto the thin green parchment, written in dark black ink. She hoped he liked it.

She had been keeping it in her drawers for far too long, and she decided that sooner or later she’d have to give it to him…now seemed a most ideal time.

He had to know that someone cared for him.

__ __ __ ___ ___ ___ __ __ _ __ __ _

She waited until around 11 at night in the castle, when all should be asleep and tossed the Invisibility cloak over herself. Maybe this was a bad idea.

She walked down the stone steps towards Snape’s chambers, her heart in her throat as Mrs. Norris suddenly appeared, meowing and clawing at her.

She heard Filch’s voice from down the hallway and in a panicked moment that Harry himself would have been proud of, she kicked the damn cat and as it screeched she scurried unnoticed past Filch.

‘Too close.’

Oop. There was Snape’s chambers now…She raced down to door and started to shove the card under it, but as soon as her knuckles grazed it, it creaked quietly open.

His door was unlocked?

How bizarre. She was about to finish shoving it into his room when Filch’s voice rang out down the hall, and Mrs. Norris eyes came glinting into view. It was either she take her chances with Snape, or suffer the wrath of Filch. Funny how easily a decision would have been made in her first year at Hogwarts.

Filch was coming closer now, she could hear his heavy footsteps on the stone floor. With her heart in her throat Hermione whirled the door open gently and shut it behind her.

She was in Snape’s chambers.

Hermione stepped tentatively into the foreboding chambers of Severus Snape. It smelled of spices, that was for sure. Tantalizing spices. She inhaled deeply and looked around her with eager fascination.

She looked at the volumes of books he had, seeing what he was really like behind closed doors. He was about the same actually; conservative, cold and dark.

Across the room where the door stood open, was Snape’s bed chambers. All she could make out from her stance in his hallway was one pale hand, carelessly on the edge of the bed.

His bed.

Deciding that the cloak would make too much noise, she dropped it to her feet and walked soundlessly towards his bedchambers. His familiar spicy smell awaited her as she saw him, hair tousled and eyes closed lightly as he lay sprawled on his bed.

She looked over his pale face that was bathed in moonlight, his shoulders and bare chest glowing as well. To look at Severus Snape as he lay in his rumpled dark green covers and watch him sleep would cause anyone to see him differently. He was breathing softly in a slow rhythm, almost causing Hermione to fall asleep beside him on the floor. It was true what they said, when you’re asleep you are at your most vulnerable moments.

She took the card and placed it on his nightstand, her heart momentarily jumping as she saw the cufflinks on nightstand as well. She had been certain he’d thrown them out. Had he been jealous of Viktor? Is that why he had rushed off? That man was so hard to read…

Hermione peered into his pale face, seeing how his lips parted when he slept as he slid into short incoherent mumbles, causing Hermione to have to stifle a giggle. Severus Snape, ex Deatheater, Potions master and…sleep talker. At any other time this would have been cause for celebration, she’d have something on the old greasy git that she could relay to Harry or Ron later. But now…it just didn’t seem right.

Right now she really just wanted to move that stray piece of hair off his cheek. No. She didn’t dare. What if he woke up? Saw her gazing at him like a moony schoolgirl and promptly had her expelled. Plus…how would she explain it to him?

Sure they had kissed quite fervently in his classroom that one time…it was surprising how much she wanted him. It wasn’t like her at all…made her feel almost…pervy at times when she was alone in her room thinking of him running his hands all over her. But he broke away…telling her it was wrong…it was bloody frustrating as hell.

Why did he have to look so damned kissable lying there? What the bloody hell was wrong with her? His lips pursed in his sleep as he sighed, and Hermione’s decision was made.

One kiss, just one and then she would leave.

She felt her body take a deep intake of breath as she suddenly leaned forward and kissed him gently on those lips of his. Lips she had wanted covet herself since she realized what he did to her. He was almost dominating, always causing her to second-guess herself…she wanted an untainted kiss from him, something sweet. And in that very moment that shocks went in waves throughout her body, and she felt what bliss must be like…

Snape eyes flew open.