All the way

Hermione started and then smiled at the Weasleys, Lupins, Harry, Lily and -to her surprise- Lucius.

\"What are you doing here?\" She beamed.

\"Well, you told us that you couldn\'t make it to ours for Christmas,\" Pat started.

\"So we thought that we would come to you.\" Annie finished. That’s when Hermione noticed the huge bags that were being carried by most of the men.

\"Come in then!\" Hermione ushered them in, \"Severus!\" She called, \"We have visitors!\"

Hermione hurried into the bed room and met Severus.

\"Who on earth - no!\" He covered his face with his hands.

\"I\'m sorry, but my very extended family has decided to come and spend the day with us.\" Hermione smiled and she knew he was fighting off a grin, \"go and see them while I get dressed.\"

As fast as she could, Hermione slipped on a denim skirt and a red top. She brushed her hair and sorted out some small make up.

When she was finally ready, she joined the others in Severus\' living room. Molly and Minerva were sitting on one of the sofa\'s chatting about money; Severus had been cornered by Remus and Arthur, standing by the fire; Ginny, Harry, Tonks and the twins were laughing, on the floor; Pat, Annie, Lily and Lucius were babbling on a rug and to Hermiones surprise, Bill and Charlie were sitting on the other sofa.

As she stood in the door way, Bill looked up.

\"\'Mione!\" He yelled and rushed to hug her, \"How are you?\"

She desperately wanted to say \'pregnant\', but Severus wouldn\'t appreciate that.

\"Wonderful! How are you?\" Hermione smiled as he pulled back.

\"Great!\" He was about to speak again, but Lily jumped up.

\"Presents first!\" She screamed, \"Please Auntie \'Mione! Please, please, please!\"

Hermione looked over to every one else. They nodded.

\"If it shuts her up.\" Fred laughed.

Harry punched his arm, \"Oi! That’s my daughter you’re talking about!\"

Hermione and Severus took a seat next to Remus and Tonks, watching as the kids opened their presents first. She chatted to the twins and found that their wives had decided to spend Christmas with their own parents.

Lily gasped as she unwrapped Hermione and Severus\' present and two huge, pink butterflies flew out.

As Hermione hadn\'t thought of Lucius, she passed him a half full bottle of expensive wine, with a wink. He smirked and thanked her.

\"I thought you would be with your dad.\" She frowned.

\"Fathers to busy,\" He drawled, \"But those two,\" He pointed to Pat and Annie, \"Invited me to come when I saw them this morning.\"

Hermione nodded, \"I was surprised when they all came, but it’s nice to have a full house.\"

\"You\'re lucky to have a big family.\" Lucius told her and she smiled.

\"I know.\"

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

Severus slumped back on the sofa, contented. He had been angry at first, about being interrupted, but found that he liked the feeling of have people laughing around him, instead of at him.

Hermione, Molly, and Minerva had gone to make Christmas dinner; they insisted that it was better them make it than the house elves. Apparently, the little creatures had found Filches stash of brandy.

Remus was talking quietly with Tonks, Bill and Charlie, while Arthur dozed in the chair. The kids were playing with their presents and Potter, his girl friend and her twin brothers were doing some thing that Severus wasn\'t interested in.

He wanted to know what Malfoy was doing here. How did he manage to get in with the Weasleys? Severus didn\'t like it; that family was trouble.

But he didn\'t dare do anything; Hermione wouldn\'t like it. She seemed to trust the kid -like she trusted every one else- so he would keep quiet.

Molly and Minerva bustled into the room and shifted every one from the sofas, then transfigured them into a long wooden table. Severus watched from a corner as the three women rushed in and out, fixing the table with glasses, plates and dishes.

\"Come on then.\" Molly called. Hermione ushered the kids into their seats, and soon -after Lily and Lucius fought over who sat next to Hermione- every one was settled. On one side of the table was Severus, Hermione, Lily, Harry, Ginny, Pat, Annie, Lucius and Fred, and George, Bill, Charlie, Molly, Arthur, Remus, Tonks and Minerva sat on the other.

Everybody was chatting as they helped themselves to the hot food. Severus looked around and realized that Hermione would not be marrying into a family; he would.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

\"You haven\'t come to see me!\" Lily whined, as she dribbled gravy all down her chin. Hermione picked up her napkin and wiped the girls face.

\"I\'ve been very busy.\" She informed the giggling girl.

\"She\'s missed you.\" Harry whispered, leaning behind Lily.

\"And I\'ve missed her.\" Hermione smiled, \"It\'s been quiet with out her.\"

\"I wouldn\'t bet on that.\" Harry gave Severus a pointed look and winked. Hermione swatted his arm, grinning.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

Annie reached over to pick up the bottle of weakened wine. Her hand had just closed around the neck of the bottle when cool finger closed around hers.

Startled, Annie’s green eyes followed the hand and up the arm and neck to the face of Malfoy. He was looking just as shocked as she was feeling.

Carefully, he moved his hand away and gestured for her to take the wine first. Annie poured the red liquid into her glass and handed Malfoy the bottle.

\"Thanks.\" She smiled. He inclined his head and took the bottle.

\"Hey,\" Pat said from her other side, \"Pass me the potatoes.\"

Annie stretched her arm across Malfoy for the potatoes. He leaned back in his chair to give her more room.

The next moment, Annie found herself tangled in a mess of limbs, on the floor, with Malfoy, raucous laughter crackling in her ears.

\"What on earth -?\" Malfoy yelled, \"What did you do?!\"

\"I didn\'t do anything!\" Annie cried indignantly, leaving out the end of the sentence, \'for once\', \"Pat! What did you do?\"

\"I didn\'t do anything!\" Pat lied through laughter.

Annie pushed herself up from the floor and grabbed one of the potatoes. She hurled it at her cousin. An \'ahhhhhhh\' sounded around the room as it hit her on the shoulder.

Pat grasped the jug of gravy and advanced slowly on Annie.

\"Now girls -\" Molly started carefully, but she was over rode by the twins.

\"FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!\"

Annie backed away and, as Pat threw the brown liquid at her face, fell over Malfoy (as he was still sprawled at the floor). The gravy missed Annie, but hit Fred and dribbled down his green Weasley T-shirt. There was a deathly silence before Fred made a declaration,

\"FOOD FIGHT!!!\"

____________________________________________________

Hermione turned from a bewildered Severus to the table. Fred waved his wand and the surface was filled with cream cakes and custard pies. The twin picked up what looked like a ball of cream and smashed it into Pats face.

Minerva, Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Weasley and Tonks hurried into the kitchen and peeked through the door.

\"Ready!\" Annie yelled as she aimed a pie enclosed in Lily’s hand at Remus, \"Aim! FIRE!!\"

Taken unawares, the pie hit Remus in the chest. He grunted and pulled out his wand. He levitated ten cream covered deserts and sent them flying at Lilly and Annie.

Hermione felt something cool slide down her face. She gathered some of the substance on her finger and licked it, then looked around for the culprit.

George and Harry were darting behind a chair. Growling, Hermione repeated Remus actions and launched the food at the guys. They emerged from their hiding place covered in cream.

\"I\'m on \'Mione\'s team!!\" Annie and Lily shouted in unison, as they ran to her side.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

Severus rushed to the safety of the kitchen, dodging the flying food. He didn\'t really know what to think; was this what Christmas day with a family was supposed to be like? Rowdy kids and drunken adults? Food fights?

He watched over Mrs. Weasleys head, through the gap in the door, with a near-smile on his face. The table was back in the form of the two sofas with Hermione and her team behind one and the other team behind the other, throwing what ever food they could get their hands on.

Catching a glance of Hermione, Severus had to remove himself from behind Mrs. Weasley, lest she notice his... reaction.

He had never got so hard so quick. His Hermione was covered in cream and custard; it was in her hair, caking her face and he had seen the smallest dribble of cream descending the valley between her breasts. Severus shivered; he had always liked cream.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

Lucius clutched his side; this was the most fun her had ever had. Who knew the Weasleys could be so... fun? Brilliant?

He poked his head over the top of the sofa. There was no sign of the \'enemy\'...

Suddenly, some one dived on him, saving him from a pie. The person rolled over, so Lucius was on top. He looked down. Annie.

Lucius could feel her body shaking with laughter, as well as hear it. She was covered in every piece of food imaginable. Her arms were around him, holding him down, away from the fire of food.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

Hours later, after all the food had run out and the room had been thoroughly cleaned, Severus reveled in the sound of the crackling of the fire. He had been able to rid himself of his problem by not watching the fight.

Now the room was silent, with every one else asleep. Remus and Tonks were breathing heavily on the sofa; Molly and Arthur had conjured another love seat and were snoozing there; the twins, Ginny, Harry and Pat were huddled by Molly’s feet; Lily was dozing under a large piece of red wrapping paper, under a tree that had been put up without him noticing; The two oldest Weasley boys were sprawled by the coffee table; Malfoy and Annie were laying side by side on the other sofa and Hermione was curled on his lap in the large arm chair. Minerva had left early.

Severus sighed and stroked Hermiones wet hair. She had taken all the kids and washed their hair over the bath, then had a shower herself.

He looked down at her hand and the sparking diamond there. He was glad that he finally had some thing that proved that she had said yes.

As for her present, he couldn\'t have asked for anything more. He knew now that they could not have sex for six months, but it didn\'t matter to him. He loved Hermione, he didn\'t need sex. There was plenty of time for that after the baby was born.

Severus was quiet happy to just sit here with his love, listening to the crackle of the fire and rhythmic feel of her hair under his hand as he stroked... stroked... stroked...
____________________________________________________

Hermione opened her eyes slowly. It was dark, but she could make out the bodies littering the room. She smiled, that had been the best Christmas day ever; if only Ron had been involved.

Deciding that there was no use in dwelling over facts that she couldn\'t change, Hermione Slid from Severus\' lap, careful not to wake him.

She stood up and smoothed out her clothes. As she raised her head, Hermione noticed to grey lights in the darkness. The grey-eyed person sat up from their laying position on one of the sofas.

\"Lucius?\" She whispered.

\"Professor?\" He brushed his hair out of his face.

\"Come with me.\" Hermione led him into the kitchen and shut the door quietly, as Lucius turned the light on, \"Tea?\" she asked.

\"Yes please.\" He answered in the same hushed tone as her. Hermione set about making the tea and Lucius watched.

Once they both had hot drinks, they perched themselves on the counter tops, swinging their legs.

\"I bet you didn\'t except all that when you came here.\" Hermione smiled, sipping her tea.

\"Too right I didn\'t.\" He rolled his eyes, \"They\'re mad; the lot of them.\"

Hermione tittered quietly, \"You\'re not used to making an ass of yourself then?\"

\"You mean you can actually get used to hanging around with those people?\" He sneered.

She laughed again, \"They\'re brilliant. You can\'t help but love them.\"

\"Yes,\" He said softly, sadly, \"Some people you can\'t help but love and some people you can\'t help but hate.\"

\"Hey,\" Hermione put her cup down, \"Did it look like they hated you? When you were all laughing and rolling around? When they gave you a present so that you didn\'t feel left out? When Annie shared the sofa with you?\"

\"No...\" He said reluctantly.

\"Exactly,\" she nodded, \"I never want to hear you speaking like that again. Do you understand me?\"

\"Yes Professor.\" He sighed.

They sat in silence and jumped when the door opened. Annie poked her head in. She looked sleepy, her red hair ruffled and her eyes half closed.

\"Wha\' time\'s it?\" She muttered, and then yawned.

Hermione looked at her watch, \"12:55 am.\" she answered, \"you should go back to sleep. Both of you.\"

\"But that sofa\'s is uncomfortable!\" Annie whined.

\"Go in my bed then.\" Hermione and Lucius hopped off the counter and Hermione led the kids to her bedroom, quietly.

She pulled back the covers and waited while they climbed in. She thought that Lucius would have protested to sharing, but he seemed too tired.

\"Good night.\" She kissed Annie\'s forehead and smoothed Lucius hair. With in seconds, they were snoring softly.

Some one let out a sigh from the door way.

\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"

Severus watched as Hermione watched the sleeping children and let out a sigh. The witch turned, startled, but smiled once she realized it was him.

\"What are you doing up?\" She asked Standing and making her way over to him.

\"I\'m a light sleeper.\" He smirked.

\"No you\'re not.\" She smiled as she kissed him; she knew him so well.

Severus wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his body tightly. She was so precious.

Hermione pulled away and summoned some blankets. He followed her into the living room and watched lovingly as she covered all the sleeping people.

She moved back to his side and surveyed her work. Seemingly satisfied, Hermione took his hand and led him into his bed room.

Still fully clothed, but too tired to care, they slipped into bed. Hermione held her wand out and summoned something else in a whisper.

Severus watched, interested as a red envelope flew into her hand. She smiled and handed it to him. He opened the envelope and took out a card. The picture on the front was of a couple standing beside a small house, watching small children play in the snow that covered the ground. Severus glanced up at Hermione and then opened the card. It read:

Dear Severus,

Merry Christmas, my darling. I hope you liked your present.

All our love,

Your Hermione and bump.

Xxxx

He smiled and looked up at Hermione. Putting the card to one side, Severus leaned over and kissed her, gently.

\"I love you.\" he murmured, pulling her into his arms.

Hermione held his hand over her stomach, \"And we love you.\"