Daddy Dearest - (No Update, Edit)

Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to JKR. All situations are mine. No $$$ is being made from this fanfic.
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Chapter 27 ~ Christmas Surprise

Mathias arrived home for the Christmas holidays, and was immediately smothered in kisses by Hermione. He stoically took the wet kisses planted all over his face, and her surprisingly crushing embraces for several minutes, before he finally managed to get away intact and smiling stupidly. Mathias was a tough little wizard, but every boy has a weakness for his mum, and he was no different. He had missed her very much and her affection was welcome.

After Mathias got settled in, Hermione grilled him about what it was like to be in Slytherin house, and Mathias told her everyone was okay and that they stuck together for the most part. But Slytherins were about self-advancement so actually they were a loose-knit group. Generally they came together only when house rivalry threatened them as a whole. Otherwise they all went about their own business.

Hermione then asked Mathias about the antler incident, and whether or not he cast the hex. At first, Mathias was going to lie to his mother, but decided to tell her what happened. He didn't name James, but told her how four Gryffindors had caught him by the lake, took his wand and his clothes and left him naked and wandless.

Hermione was shocked and furious about this, and demanded to know why she wasn't contacted.

"Mum, Professor Snape handled it. There wasn't any reason to contact you. What were you going to do, come up to the school and embarrass me? I would have been teased if you came there," Mathias said scowling at her.

"What did Professor Snape do?" Hermione asked him, still fuming that her boy had been targeted. She felt the quality of the students in Gryffindor house had changed, when actually it hadn't. She was simply seeing the house through the eyes of Slytherin now. She didn't like what she was seeing. The boot was on the other foot now.

"Well, he didn't punish me for swimming naked in the lake, and then he told me how he was targeted by four Gryffindor wizards when he was in school too. That kind of made me feel better because I knew he knew what it was like. Then he said I could take care of it myself, but to be careful about it," Mathias said.

Hermione frowned at this. Surely Severus could have punished the Gryffindors for attacking her son. Mathias saw the expression on her face.

"Mum, if he did anything, everyone would have called me a tattletale. I wouldn't have any respect from anyone. I have to handle it myself, mum," he said plaintively.

Hermione looked at her son, then understood. It was a matter of honor. Her little boy was growing up.

"So did you cast the hex, Mathias?" she asked him.

"Yes, mum. I did. But I didn't tell anyone at Hogwarts I did. Otherwise I'd get in trouble for it, " he replied.

Hermione studied him for a moment.

"But why did you hex everyone, Mathias? I thought you said the wizards who attacked you were from Gryffindor?" she asked him, her brow furrowed.

Mathias scowled at the memory.

"Because all of the houses were teasing and laughing at me when I came into the Great Hall. So they all got it," he said a bit angrily. "They didn't have to get involved."

Hermione fought back a laugh at the terrible scowl her son wore. Mathias was as snarky as his father was. She didn't blame him for hexing as many of the students as he could though. There were times when she was in Hogwarts that she wished she could have done it.

"I understand, Mathias, but I don't want you spending all your time feuding and getting even with other students. You are at Hogwarts to learn, not to fight," she chided.

Mathias nodded. That was exactly what he had told Boyle before he took him down.

"I know mum. I'm getting good grades though," he replied.

Hermione ruffled his hair.

"Yes you are, and I am very proud of you," she said smiling at him.

Mathias felt his chest swell a little. His mum never gave him false praise. She really meant it. He was glad he made her proud. Then he looked at her soberly.

"Mum, now that Justice isn't around, what do you do?" he asked her.

"I read a lot, Mathias. I like reading," she responded.

"But all the time? Don't you go anywhere or do anything?" the young wizard asked, frowning. "I don't like thinking about you being here all by yourself. You must get sad. Maybe you can find a new boyfriend."

Hermione looked at Mathias shocked.

"You think I should find a new boyfriend, Mathias?" she asked him.

"Well, yeah mum. But not one like Justice. He was a moron," Mathias said.

"Mathias!" Hermione gasped.

"He was mum. You knew that. He couldn't hold a conversation that wasn't about his work or Quidditch. He was boring. This time you could get a smart boyfriend. Somebody you could talk about stuff with. All Justice wanted to do was sleep in your bed," Mathias said.

He didn't mention anything about the wizard sticking his penis in her.

Hermione stared at her son. She hadn't known he was so perceptive about her relationship with Justice. He did want sex all the time, which was why she held him off, and it was true there was little they had in common, though the wizard could make her laugh. An intelligent lover would be nice. But she wasn't in any state to look for anyone else right now. She had five years of Justice to get over…as well as a certain dark wizard in a pensieve.

Severus was so intense in their encounter, that she never grew tired of it. Yes, it was repetitive, but every time she entered, she was brought into the moment completely, so it never felt old. And she had learned how to enter at precise entry points. She often skipped over the pain of the deflowerment and went straight to the good stuff.

Still, she had moments when she wondered if she should have let the wizard into her bed, just to experience the "convoluted journey" he had promised her. Hermione already knew how good a lover Severus was during a "straight shot" because of the pensieve. She had no doubt that unleashed, he was probably earth shaking.

"Mum, are you all right?" Mathias asked staring at his mother. She had zoned out, and her pupils had dilated alarmingly. Hermione looked at him.

"I'm fine, Mathias," she answered him with a smile.

But the little wizard wasn't sure about that.

Hermione looked at him a moment.

"How about a little quiz?" she asked him. "I want to see if I can stump you."

Mathias smiled. This was the mum he knew.

"Sure mum," he said, settling in.

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Christmas day, Mathias hid out in his bedroom as his mother prepared Christmas dinner. She had given him some great books on Potions…very advanced ones, and he had his nose in them for hours. He gave her a charmed picture of himself that could say things like, "Hi mum" and "I love you, mum." And "I'm going to beat your marks, mum." He made it hoping it would help her feel less lonely while he was at school. Hermione had loved it, her eyes filling with tears.

"Thank you, Mathias," she said, hugging him closely as his arms went around her waist. He was aware she seemed a bit shorter. His mother was short anyway, but she seemed shorter still. He was growing. Soon he'd be bigger than she was.

Mathias was hiding out because he didn't want Hermione asking him anything about his "friend" who was coming to dinner. He had done a fine job of avoiding the subject the past few days. He wanted it to be a surprise.

Supper was to start at five. Hermione made a roast goose, a small, glazed ham, white rice and gravy, boiled, buttered corn, string beans, treacle pudding and pumpkin pie. The smells in the kitchen were awesome, and Mathias drifted in, led by his nose.

"Wow, mum, it smells great in here!" he exclaimed, salivating a little as she basted the perfectly browned goose. Hermione was wearing a bright, Christmassy sweater, blue jeans and trainers, her hair up in a bun. She wore an apron and an oven mitt.

The witch turned and smiled at her son.

"Did you think it would smell horrible?" she asked him, her eyes twinkling with love as she looked at the young, dark-haired wizard. She closed the over, cutting it off.

"Of course not," he replied, looking at the clock. It was ten to five. "I can't wait to eat. I'm starving."

Mathias had a small breakfast of cereal that morning and skipped lunch intentionally, wanting to have plenty of room for supper.

"Does your friend have the directions to get here?" Hermione asked.

Mathias nodded.

"He'll be here soon," Mathias said as Hermione began to place the food in serving bowls. "You want me to help you set the table, mum?"

"Thank you, Mathias," Hermione said.

A white tablecloth already covered the kitchen table. Suddenly Mathias whipped out his wand and flicked it at the kitchen cabinet that held the good plates. The door flew open and three china plates shot to the table at an alarming speed, then dropped neatly in place.

"Mathias! I thought you were going to do that by hand," Hermione said to him, her heart pounding at the sight of her good china zooming across the kitchen.

"I have to stay in practice, mum," Mathias said, pointing his wand at the drawer that held the good silver and sending knives, forks and spoons flying to the table as well, then setting them down neatly beside the plates. He then sent three glasses and two wine glasses to the table. Then he put his wand away and took clean napkins out of the linen closet, folded them neatly and placed them on the table near the plates.

Hermione looked at the table approvingly.

"Very good, Mathias. But really, you could have done that by hand," she said pointedly.

"Mum, what's the sense of being a wizard if I don't use magic?" he asked her, watching as she placed the glazed ham on the table and did a warming charm on it. He licked his lips. He loved glazed ham. It was so sweet.

Hermione sighed. Thank goodness Mathias was good at spell casting.

There was a heavy knock on the door.

Mathias smiled broadly.

"He's here! I'll get it mum," he said, racing to the front door.

"All right," Hermione said to her disappearing son as he streaked away, his black locks streaming.

He was wearing a black turtleneck, black dress pants and black shoes. Mathias always wore black, white or gray. He said he was colored wrong for anything else. Hermione teased him about his fashion sense, but he didn't care. He felt he knew what he looked good in.

That knock certainly sounded heavy for a first year's knock. Maybe he wanted to make sure he was heard.

Mathias stopped by the front door, took a deep breath then opened it, smiling.

Professor Severus Snape stood there, draped in a black cloak, a bottle of wine in one hand, and two small Christmas presents in the other. The Potions Master's hair didn't look at all greasy. He must have washed it. It shined now as it fell around his face. And he smelled good too. He still had his big nose however.

"Mr. Granger," he said, nodding at the boy.

"Hello, Professor. Please come in," Mathias said politely. "Can I take your cloak, sir?"

Severus looked at the cloak rack behind the door. The boy would have to hop up to hang his cloak properly. He handed Mathias the wine and presents.

"You take these," Severus said, "bring them to your mother. I'll hang my cloak and follow you."

"Yes sir," Mathias said, still stoked that the Professor had come to his house for dinner. Mum would be so surprised. He waited until Severus hung his cloak.

"This way, sir," Mathias said, "We're eating in the kitchen. Mum thought it would be homier that way."

Severus nodded and followed Mathias, taking in the living room and the shelves of books that lined the wall. Hermione seemed to have quite the collection. Next they walked through the dining room, which had a large ornate table that was far too large for three people. He followed the boy through a white door that swung both ways into a cheery yellow kitchen. It smelled heavenly.

Hermione was facing the stove when they came in. She was removing a large, brown and totally scrumptious looking goose from the oven. Severus quickly took out his wand.

"Mum, he's here," Mathias announced with delight.

Hermione turned around with a smile, holding the goose in front of her with two oven mitts. Then she caught sight of Severus and her mouth dropped open with shock.

She let go of the goose.

Quickly, Severus flicked his wand at it, keeping the bird from hitting the floor. He levitated it over to the counter and set it down neatly. He then flicked his wand again, transferring the goose from the pan to the waiting platter, then floated it to the kitchen table, setting it beside the ham.

"Happy Christmas, Miss Granger. Thank you for having me for Christmas supper," he purred, his eyes glinting slightly with mirth.

Hermione, recovering, looked at Mathias, her hands on her hips.

"This is your friend?" she asked her son, her face frowned. He was going to get it later, that was for sure.

Mathias blanched a little.

"Mum, you said I could have someone over. He's not exactly a friend but he's my Head of House and teacher. That counts too," Mathias said.

Hermione looked at Severus.

"Welcome to supper, Professor Snape," she said through clenched teeth.

"Such a kind welcome," he replied silkily, taking a seat at the head of the table as if he belonged there.

"And look mum, he brought wine and presents," Mathias said, holding everything up for her to see.

Hermione looked at the Potions Master.

"Presents?" she asked.

Severus looked at her with a slight scowl.

"It is customary to deliver presents on Christmas, Miss Granger. Considering you so graciously invited me to break bread with you and Mr. Granger, it is fitting I should bring something to show my appreciation, don't you think?" he asked the witch evenly.

Hermione looked at Mathias' estranged father sitting at the head of the table and it all seemed like some twisted parody of the perfect family life. She sighed. He was here, so she had to let everything play out or Mathias would sense something was wrong.

"Yes, I suppose it is fitting," she responded. She took the presents and set them on the kitchen counter. "We'll open them after supper."

She quickly took out a deep bowl and filled it with never-melting ice, took the bottle of wine from Mathias and set it inside.

"I don't drink, Professor. It doesn't agree with me," she said to the wizard who arched an eyebrow at her, his mouth twisted slightly. He imagined after her night with him, she didn't drink anymore.

"Then I will enjoy the wine myself, Miss Granger," he replied. His black eyes swept over the food. Everything looked delicious. Mathias took the seat perpendicular to the wizard, leaving Hermione the seat opposite him. She sat down slowly.

"We have a moment of silence in thanks, Professor," she said to the wizard.

He nodded and watched as both Mathias and Hermione bowed their heads, their eyes closed. He saw Mathias peeked at him, and scowled so the boy quickly shut his eyes again. After several moments they both opened their eyes.

Hermione reached for the carving knife and fork.

"No, mum. We have the Professor here. He's the wizard. He should carve the goose and ham," Mathias said.

Hermione looked at her son. Severus carve the goose and roast as if he were the head of the house? No. No way.

"Mathias, I'm sure as a guest the Professor wouldn't want...." she started.

Severus stood up.

"I'd be delighted to carve, Mathias," he said to the young wizard, who smiled. Hermione made a face at Severus as she passed him the knife and fork.

Both watched as the wizard expertly cut even slices from the goose, laying them neatly on the platter.

"What part of the goose do you like best, Professor?" Mathias asked him.

Severus looked at him, then at Hermione, then back down at the bird.

"When it comes to birds I have a preference for full breasts and thighs, Mr. Granger, although sometimes I'm quite appreciative of a nice juicy butt," he said silkily, flicking his eyes at Hermione, whose whole head turned red at the innuendo.

"Eww, the butt?" Mathias said, making a nasty face and turning towards his mother. "He likes butts, mum."

Mathias noticed the witch was very red-faced. She must think butts were gross too.

Hermione didn't answer Mathias as Severus continued carving the goose, a small grin on his pale face at her discomfiture.

This was going to be a long supper.

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A/N: Lol. So Severus arrives for dinner. He's picking at Hermione already. Lol. Please review.