A Christmas Carol

“A drink Professor?” Bill asked, breaking the silence. Severus nodded and watched as several people came forward and offered their greetings. Hermione gestured to the chair next to hers and when he had his drink he made his way over to her.



“Decided to join us after all?” She asked smiling.



“Yes, I did actually.” He said taking a drink.



“I’m glad to hear it.” She said. “What made you change your mind?”



“Let’s just say that last night I began seeing some things a little differently.”



“Do you plan to visit anyone else today?” She wondered.



“I already made my rounds.” He said. “I went to visit the school staff, I will send their presents later. I also went to my parents briefly.”



“Really? Is that something that’s rare?” She asked.



“What makes you think it’s rare?” He returned in question.



“In the years we worked at Hogwarts, you never mentioned your parents. You were always at the Christmas party, even if for a short time, but you never left the castle.” She told him. “I thought they lived too far to visit or there might have been an estrangement of some kind.”



“In a way there was, but hopefully that will change soon.” He said, genuine in his wish. “What about you?”



“I’m just going to spend the night tonight here.” She said. “Me and Ginny will have a good old girly chat tonight and raid the kitchen for leftovers at three in the morning.”



“Ronald is going to leave enough to be called leftovers?” He asked. Hermione giggled.



“Believe it or not, he does. We do this every Christmas, Ginny and me.” She said still smiling. Severus found himself admiring that smile. And chastising himself for not noticing it before.



“Everyone, dinner is ready.” Molly called. They moved to the table that Arthur has enlarged for the evening, and wine was poured while plates were filled. The table was anything but glamorous, looking instead like a Hogwarts start of term feast. Severus piled his plate with food, delighting in the fact that with the amounts Molly had cooked, as well as offerings from her children and their dates, Ginny and Hermione would indeed have plenty of leftovers to choose from.



Hermione sat herself beside him, taking the right, since she had invited him. She listened to his updates on the shop, how he had been offered two new accounts and was going over the details carefully. She was delighted to hear that Douglas would be promoted and given more responsibilities, leaving Severus with more time to research, and free time of his own.



All through dinner he was aware of her closeness. Aware of how she leaned toward him when they talked. Aware of how she shifted in her chair to face him. Aware of how she didn’t let anyone take away her attention for more than a few moments.



He returned her gestures as much as he could. He faced her as well, and welcomed her comments. He wanted to reach out and touch her in some way but didn’t. He had thought constantly about what he had learned from the ghosts and now that he looked closer he could see her affection for him. Seeing her crying on his grave opened his eyes to it. He wanted his first intimate contact with her however to be more private, so he kept his responses respectful.



After dinner, the family and friends moved to the common room and began opening presents. Severus sat beside Hermione in one of the loveseats the family added to accommodate more bodies in the house. He grew nervous at how close she was. Her leg brushed against his and he could smell her perfume.



He thought over what he planned to say to her when she turned to him and handed him a small box. “What’s this?” He asked.



“I believe it’s called a Christmas present.” She said with a chuckle.



“I didn’t bring anything for you. I didn’t have time……” She stopped him.



“I didn’t give it to you to get something in return.” Her smile never faded. “Go on, open it.”



Severus carefully pulled off the paper, and opened the hinged box. Inside was a shiny silver set of cufflinks, in the shape of two snakes. “These are fabulous.” He met her eyes. “Thank you Hermione.”



“You’re welcome Severus.” She kept her eyes on him, but leaned in closer. The whole left side of her body was against his right, and Severus couldn’t have been more content. Having her this close was something he never imagined and promised that he would get the perfect gift for her.



Slowly the house began to empty out and couples began leaving through the floo or flying off. Severus went to fetch his cloak and found he had a moment alone with Hermione when she walked him out onto the porch.



“Hermione, I was wondering if you might be willing to join me at my home for dinner tomorrow?” He asked, wondering if he didn’t sound like a prat.



“I’d love to Severus.” She answered right away.



Severus smiled. “Great, I will see you tomorrow then.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. It was the first time he had kissed her. Normally she did it, not caring that he practically ignored her. The smile she gave him was all the reward he needed tonight.



He arrived at his home to find several owls had dropped off packages. He took them in his house and opened them up. Minerva sent him a book unsolved muggle crimes in England. She knew he loved a good mystery. Sybil sent him a framed photo of him and her from their Hogwarts days. They appeared to be fifteen years old, and he remembered Hogsmeade trip when it was taken. Madame Pomfrey sent him a set of antique potion vials. Flitwick sent him a set of formal parchments, with matching ink and quills.



The biggest shock of all however, came from Professor Longbottom. He had only worked with him one year before he left. They had not become fast friends but had developed a respect that colleagues had for one another. Longbotton proved to be a genius in his field of Herbology and that was something Severus could relate to.



He took the large box and read the note. “I heard from Sybil that you partake every now and then. N.L”



He opened the box and found a fully mature cannabis plant, ready to be plucked. He was shocked beyond belief that Neville had given it to him, and he would have to find a suitable gift for the young man. Severus inhaled the scent, and smile. He was indeed a master when it came to plant life and anything he grew was worth using in any potion or elixir, but this particular plant was at the height of it’s potency. Severus fetched his pipe.