On the first day of Christmas

“I love Christmas!” Ron squealed excitedly, clutching his hand to his heart emphatically as he and Hermione walked to the Library. It was the beginning of December and Ron was excitedly planning his ideas for his time at the burrow. Bastard.

“And I’ll be able to see mum and dad and-“ Hermione didn’t say anything and Ron suddenly stopped speaking, feeling rather foolish for a reason he couldn’t grasp. Why was she making that face?

He didn’t know what had made him say it, perhaps the snow that was now falling in great clumps, or the mistletoe being strewn about, or the chorus’ of musical festivities, but he had felt the dire need to shout out his inner feelings. He gave a sideways look to the silent Hermione who looked utterly downhearted, not meeting Ron’s gaze as the tears welled up in her eyes.

She hadn’t really missed her parents all that much these days, but now Ron had gone and mentioned them, and they were going to be away all for the month of December and she’d have to spend her time here at Hogwarts…not to say that it was a badng, ng, for she loved Hogwarts...but she did sometimes yearn for the comfort of home.

“I’m sure it’ll be fun for you Ron.” Hermione said cheerfully, a smile plastered on her face. Her stupid parents and their stupid dentistry trips. It was bloody well ridiculous. She hadn’t told Harry or Ron yet…it didn’t seem too interesting in all honesty.

Ron looked to her queerly, as if he had said something wrong. Was she mad that he hadn’t invited her to the burrow? It seemed a little strange to ask an eighteen year old woman to come and…well…

“Well you know, I’d have asked you to come Hermione…”

Hermione shook her head, not letting Ron continue. “I understand completely Ron.” She and Ron had dated some years ago, and it wasn’t as if they were little twelve year olds anymore…it seemed almost improper to still be going for sleepovers at Ron’s…perverse actually when she thought about it. “Besides I’m much too busy.”

Harry bounded over to them, his emerald eyes flashing as he ran a hand through his typically unruly black hair, flashing a charming smile.

“Well why the long faces?” He said looking to them both breathlessly, “Aren’t you excited about Christmas?”

Ron nodded emphatically but before he could speak Hermione suddenly erupted into a downpour of tears. Ron and Harry were about to ask what was the matter when she pushed from them and ran down the hallway, leaving Ron and Harry speechless for once.

* * *

“Oh God here he comes. Duck into the lavatory, quick!” Came a hushed voice a few feet from a towering figure clad in trademark black. He heard the slamming of a bathroom door and he sneered as he heard this, knowing the warning was because of him.

Snape was not in the most amiable of moods, he had just had a strange encounter with a meddling ghost who claimed he and McGonagal had stood under the mistletoe moments before and insisted they share a holiday kiss.

Minerva hadn’t looked to opposed to the idea, and even had the malice to give Snape an evil smirk as he grimaced something horrible.

He had gotten out of that one rather quickly, as in…he had slid from the doorframe and made his way angrily down the hall, trying not listen to the uproarious sound of laughter echoing behind him.

“Damn old crows.” He muttered to himself, his dark eyes flashing with unmistakable intensity and irritation. Christmas was such a bloody idiotic season, no longer about the celebration of religion and such, more a reason to go and buy someone a new toaster…or chocolate frog.

He had never liked it much, even as a child. There was something almost spooky about the legend of Santa Claus, and he didn’t like it one bit. Dumbledore had suggested coming away with him to some cabin he had in the woods. Oh yes, just what Severus wanted; almost two weeks of nothing but lemon candies and socks.

He was always alone anyway, why bother changing it this year? He was quite content in his misery…wore it like some invisible blanket to keep him warm…well actually…he was cold. He needed just one reason…just one aggravation to add to the list and he would be venomous.

Ah…fate had delivered right on schedule.

Hermione Granger was making her way towards Snape, not really looking where she was going as she rubbed the tears from her eyes, muttering to herself as Snape did the same looking behind him for that damned ghost.

Invariably they crashed into one another, sending Hermione falling to the ground with a now crashing headache and Severus almost toppling over, but then standing completely aligned. She wasn’t that big, couldn’t have knocked him down if she tried…probably had…little brat.

She looked up to him with a tearstained face, her chin trembling. God was the silly little girl crying because she ran into him like the clumsy know-it-all she was?

No. Something else was amiss. But, her teary gaze as she stood upright again was beyond irritating…damn holidays, children getting all weepy and clumsy…it was enough to drive one mad.

“Miss Granger.” He growled, for now his patience was spent entirely, “Do you ever watch where you’re going? Ten points. ” he spat as he smoothed out his suddenly rumpled robes.

Hermione looked to Snape exasperated. Of all the damn people she had to run into…literally. “I’m sorry, I didn’t run into you on purpose sir.” She said dutifully obedient, she didn’t want to lose more house points than necessary. “I suppose I was just lost in thought.”

“And evidently in tears.” He added rudely. Hermione didn’t grace that with a response, she didn’t care to. She shrugged and prepared to make her way past him when Snape added, “Thinking about your time at home for the holidays, Miss Granger? I take it that’s why you have trouble walking in a straight line?”

He had to admit that he was jealous, that was the only reason he had brought it up in the first place. She always went home for the holidays to her perfect family in their perfect muggle home…she had it far too easy and so in turn, he had to berate her for it. It was simple…yet twisted logic and the term “Misery loves company…” seemed reserved especially for himself.

Hermione had stiffened though and had now whirled to face him, “If you must know Professor.” She said through almost clenched teeth, “I’m not going home for the holidays and if you ask me I think the whole stupid holiday is rubbish!”

“Ten points for impertinence.” Snape said casually, but peered into the flushed girl’s face. He hadn’t really ever seen her worked up like this before…it was a pleasant change in his opinion.

She didn’t wait for him to take more house points from her and whirling around she sped off towards Gryffindor tower. Snape raised an eyebrow after her diminishing figure and strode down the brightly colored hallway…

This was going to be a long month.