Happy Christmas Severus Snape: A Challenge Fic

By HarryGinny4eva



Author\'s note - Hello. I have never taken part in a challenge before, but I thought I would give it a shot. As it\'s my first one-shot (the HGDM one will be my second one) please be kind. Also, it wasn\'t betad, so please forgive my mistakes. Thank you and I hope you enjoy it.







Severus Snape stood next to the large windows in the staff room and tried not to scowl into his glass of wine. He wore a forest green button-down shirt, black pants, and a silver and black tie as a belt. The green of shirt was his concession to the season. He had not worn his usual billowing robes, as the students had departed for their holiday break and only the teachers and ghosts of Hogwarts were left.



The Christmas party of the staff was in full swing and most of his fellow teachers were on their fourth or fifth drinks. The music was loud, the colors bright, and the noise level deafening. Even the ghosts and elves seemed to have joined in the celebration as they milled amongst the groups exchanging pleasantries or singing loudly. Severus grimaced at a particularly off-key rendition of “Up on the Housetop” by Madams Hooch and Trelawney, The Bloody Baron and several house elves, as they passed near him. And, when Hooch turned an appreciative eye in his direction, he realized it was past time he left and returned to the quiet solitude of his dungeons.



The only reason he was still there at all was the witch across the room from him. He had nursed his drink, for the past hour as he watched her make her way around the room. The edge to his nerves, caused by the noise of the room, was soothed by her husky laugh whenever he caught it. And, when his eyes started to ache from the bright decorations of the room, he sought out her curved form encased in its maroon and gold silk dress and the pain receded. He knew his desire for her was not quite the best choice he’d ever made, but as he’d kept it to himself, he saw no real harm in it.



When Hermione Granger, the brains behind the destruction of the Dark Lord, had come to work at the school, Severus had been appalled. Yes, she had been the most intelligent witch to cross its threshold in over a century, but the thought that he would have to deal with her, work with her, be cordial to her on a daily basis, had made him want to pack up and leave. She had been a thorn in his side throughout her school years, and then she’d saved his life during the war and he’d become indebted to her. He had been uneasy with all the adoration he’d been given after the war from strangers and old acquaintances, but even more so with being near Hermione when she wouldn’t accept his debt due to his “heroic war actions.”



It had been easy enough for him to avoid her for the first year after the war, but then she’d come to work at Hogwarts and their new relationship as colleagues made it nearly impossible for him to not see her. It was during the four years that followed, that he’d stopped seeing her as a know-it-all, bossy, awkward child, and started to see her as the intelligent, often quiet, thoughtful, beautiful young woman she was. And, in noticing her as a woman, he’d become more and more infatuated with her. Her intelligence still astounded him, but it was her humility, genuine kindness, and innate caring that drew him to her.



But, as he was old enough to be her father, and he acknowledged that he’d been an ass to her most of her life, Severus knew there was no chance of furthering their relationship, past the friendship the now shared. So, regardless of Hermione’s forgiveness and acceptance, he would never let her, or anyone, know his feelings. After a life spent alone, it was enough that he had her friendship and sometimes company. He would love her from afar, as long as she remained a constant in his lonely life.



~*~*~*~*~



Hermione Granger, the youngest, but brightest, teacher in the school, sipped from her glass of wine as she moved from one group of happy colleagues to the next. Her smile was bright and she appeared to fully enjoy the time spent with each. When they spoke of their families she expressed her joy for them. When they told her funny stories of their children she laughed along. And, when few that were couples moved off to dance together and share looks of love, she smiled and tried to show how happy she was for them.



Despite her smile and the glow to her face, it was all a show. She was so lonely she ached from it. She had no family. Her friends were all paired off and far away. And, the man she yearned for saw her as nothing but an annoyance.



That thought drew her eye for what felt like the thousandth time in under an hour to the dark-haired man next to the windows. She was surrounded by people, but alone, while he was alone, but didn’t seem lonely, like her. For the past few years she had tried to get him to see her as someone he could lean on, confide in, depend on. And, she’d made some headway.



They often shared drinks after patrols and their conversations were the highlights of her evenings. When he’d begun to share more than just stories of his day with her, she started to feel a friendship grow and had thrilled in it. And, the more he let her in, the more deeply she fell for him. She knew everyone would see him as too old for her, or her too young for him, but she didn’t care. She felt in her soul that they were meant to be. He was one of the few people she could be herself with completely. She never felt the need to pretend happiness she didn’t feel around him, as he appeared to appreciate her honesty and sometimes loss of control. And, she was proud of the fact that she was one of the very few people around which he would let down his guard. During their many late night conversations, he would relax enough to smile, and sometimes even laugh softly.



As she nodded along to a story Minerva was telling about her nephew’s children, Hermione’s thoughts were focused on Severus and her feelings for him. They were so intense and all-consuming that she felt everyone could tell. So, while she’d worked her way around the room twice, she had avoided talking to him. All she’d worked up the courage to do at that point was nod and send a small smile in his direction.



When Minerva moved away Hermione once again glanced in Severus’ direction and her eyes met his.



~*~*~*~*~



The look in her eye was like a siren’s call to him and he wanted nothing more than to answer. He knew it was probably a trick of the light, but he thought he saw hope, desire and love and he needed to be closer to tell. Without breaking eye contact, Severus pushed away from the wall and started in her direction. He moved slowly, so as to allow her the chance to run if she chose to, and he felt his heart start to beat faster the closer he got to her.



“Hermione. Happy Christmas to you. You look lovely this evening,” he said as he stopped in front of her.



Hermione, who hadn’t breathed since he’d started to move toward her, let out a breath as she smiled, “Thank you, Severus. Happy Christmas to you.”



“You seem to be enjoying yourself,” he smiled a little at her.



“And, you don’t,” she said with a tilt to her head and a small smile playing on her lips.



Severus leaned a bit closer and hoped she wouldn’t feel as if he was violating her personal space. He just needed to smell her faint perfume. It was a scent that got him through his days.



“Well, I am not one for parties, as you know. But, I will say this year’s has its merits.”



Hermione breathed in the smell of sandalwood and mint that seemed to accompany Severus and felt her pulse jump. She didn’t know why, but one whiff made her want to jump in his arms and nuzzle that spot just above his collar.



“Oh, really? Like what?” she asked moving a fraction closer to him and hoping he wouldn’t notice.



Hermione stood close enough that Severus felt the warmth from her skin and he tried to remind himself of all the reasons he should step back. But, his body refused to listen.



“Well, the wine is excellent,” he said in answer to her question. “And, now that Hooch and Trelawney have departed, the music isn’t awful.”



Hermione didn’t know what possessed her to do it, but she raised her hand and laid it on his arm. “Have you had anything to eat? The cakes are wonderful.”



Severus suppressed a groan at the surge of desire that ran through him at her touch. “I did have a few cookies.”



Hermione seemed to realize herself and moved to lower her hand, but he caught it in his and held it as he continued, “I actually find myself rather hungry now though. What else would you suggest I try?”



Hermione was having trouble breathing and had to concentrate to force her hand to not tremble in his. “Honestly, I haven’t had all that much yet,” she confessed. “But, there’s food in the other room.”



Severus was so pleased that she hadn’t pulled her hand away that he tightened his grip, “Would you care to accompany me?”



“Yes,” she breathed.



Neither spoke as they wove their way hand in hand through the crowd toward the door that separated the main room from the small kitchenette. They placed their now empty wine glasses on a passing floating tray as they went. They were so wrapped up in one another that they didn’t notice the others looking at them, nor the lowering of the noise, as people started to whisper about them.



As they crossed the threshold they felt a pull and stopped both wondering at the cause of the magic that swirled around them. Severus glanced around looking for the person that had caused it. But, as Hermione was shorter than him and had looked up to his face, she was the first to notice the enchanted mistletoe above their heads.



“Uh, Severus,” she stammered. “I think I have an explanation. Look above your head.”



Eyeing the plant, Severus froze as his stomach dropped. Until they kissed neither could move more than a foot from the plant’s circumference. He held himself as still as possible as he glanced down at the witch of his dreams and knew she understood the same as he.



“Well, if we are to eat, it seems we must first get out of the doorway,” he said, his eyes searching her face for signs of repulsion.



But, when he saw her staring at his lips and then watched as her tongue came out to quickly bathe her own, he realized she might not be as opposed to kissing him as he thought. And, when her eyes lifted to his, he saw a mirror of his own desire and almost groaned.



“Yes, Severus. And, I find myself, uh, rather hungry,” she whispered, her cheeks coloring slightly.



“Well then,” he answered. He was at a loss as to his next move. Should he simply lean down and peck her luscious lips? Or, should he take a chance and try to pull her closer first? He knew if he touched her, he might not be able to keep the kiss short and light. And, a large part of him still worried that she would reject him and pull away quickly, thereby ruining his dream come true moment. And, all of his secret hope.



Hermione was quivering in anticipation. Regardless of what happened after, she would get to kiss the man she loved on Christmas. She knew with the way he felt about her he would make it quick and perfunctory, but she was about to have her moment.



Without her permission her eyes closed when his large hands laid onto her waist and she thrilled in the feeling of him pulling her closer. She didn’t even realize she’d released a soft purr of contentment or slid her hands up to rest on his chest in anticipation.



Severus felt a shiver run through him as her hands slid up his lean body. He watched her eyes close, heard her soft moan, and saw her lips purse and could hold back no longer. He lowered his head and softly placed his lips on hers.



His intention had been to keep it short, but as soon as their lips met, and she didn’t immediately pull away, he lost control. Finally in his arms, sighing happily, was the one person he could see himself having a future with. He couldn’t have pulled away if he’d been threatened with an Avada. Tightening his grip with one hand, he slid the other around to her back and pulled her closer. Then he deepened the kiss by sliding his tongue along the seam of her lips.



Hermione ruthlessly held herself in check, as she didn’t want to do anything to stop that perfect moment. Everything she wanted was in her arms and he didn’t appear to be repulsed by her. But, when she felt his tongue touch her lips, she couldn’t hold back any longer and let go of her rigid control.



They lost themselves in their kiss, her hands sliding up to play with his hair and pull him closer; his slowly memorizing her back and sides.



“You may now pass,” a disembodied voice said above them and caused them to stop and look up at the enchanted plant.



“Oh! Oh, Severus, I am so sorry,” Hermione panted, her face flushed as she looked up at him.



Severus noticed that she didn’t lower her arms or pull back from him, and decided to try honesty. “I’m not. I was actually hoping for it to last longer.”



He saw her eyes alight as she breathed, “You did?”



“Yes,” he answered with a tiny smile.



“Then, I recant my apology,” she smiled up at him.



Severus lowered his head a bit as if to kiss her again, but instead said, “Hermione, I no longer feel in need of food.”



“You don’t?” she asked softly.



“No,” he shook his head. Then when her tongue poked back out to bathe her lip once more he added, “I do have a hunger. But, not one that can be assuaged here.”



Hermione’s smile was huge in her face, even as her cheeks reddened in embarrassment. Lifting her chin bravely she looked him in the eye as she stepped back and took his hand, “Severus, I left your Christmas gift back in my room. Would you like to accompany back there?”



“I would love to,” he said as his grip tightened. Then he leaned down a bit and his smile turned a bit naughty as he whispered in her ear, “Besides, I have a package for you this Christmas night, as well.”