Under the Mistletoe: a Love Potion Holiday Special

Under the Mistletoe

Hermione's brown curls felt soft and silky between Severus' fingers. He stroked her hair absently, one hand on Hermione's head, the other propping open a book in front of his face. The crackling fireplace sent warm air through the dorm and the smell of Christmas emanated from the cauldron full to the brim with potpourri, a muggle tradition Hermione had insisted they keep. It was Christmas Eve, and the two lovers had decided to keep to themselves for the evening. Hermione was too young to do any of Severus' Christmas traditions, and Snape was less than welcome in Hermione's circle of friends, so the two had agreed Snape's cozy room was the best place to just enjoy one another's company.

She happily, perfectly content right where she rested, her head in Severus' lap, hands busied in a knitting project. She stretched tranquilly across his lumpy yet oddly comfortable couch, relishing in the sensation of peace. For the first time, there was peace in her life. No spells to cast, no homework to complete. There was just Hermione and Severus, two hearts beating as one, each soul just happy to be in the presence of the other.

"Say, Hermione, my love, do you have any plans to return home for the holidays?" Severus asked after he had reached the end of a rather lackluster chapter.

"I'm not leaving this spot for at least the rest of the week," Hermione said happily. 

"How do you like the wizarding way of the holidays?"

Hermione shrugged. "I like the muggle traditions, but the wizarding world has some good fun, too."

Severus smiled and held up a twig. "As a muggle-lover, you should know the tradition of the mistletoe quite well," he said, feigning solemnity. 

Giggling, Hermione elbowed him playfully and sat up slowly, pulling herself to his lap. She knelt over his lap so her legs wrapped around his waist and said, "As a matter of fact, I do." She leaned in, kissing him softly. Severus' hand traveled up her back and rested on her hairline, his pinky caressing her soft neck and brushing over the gold chain that was there around her neck. His other hand landed on her right hip, too scared to move it further but brave enough to rest it lovingly there, sexy but innocent.

Suddenly, he broke the kiss. Hermione inhaled slightly, her cheek against his. "Why'd you stop?" she asked breathlessly.

"You're... you're too young for this," he said carefully, his lips pursed slightly. His sultry voice sent shivers down Hermione's spine and made her body tremble. She slouched slightly at these words, her forehead against Severus' shoulder.

"Cho has already done it," she said after a moment. "Not with Harry- with some muggle boy over a vacation."

"Hermione, you're not Miss Chang. You... and I... can't be like that," he said after a moment. "I can't do that to you. Not like this."

She seemed to understand, and kissed his neck, breathing softly. Severus tilted his chin back, unsure of what to do. "I get it," she said. "I'm glad you... I mean... I'm okay waiting."

Severus wrapped his strong arms around her and held her tight. "One day I will have you, Miss Granger," he said sexily. "But not until you're done growing up. I refuse to take any more innocence from you."

 "You didn't take anything from me," she said. "I gave you my first real kiss. I gave you my first true love. I'm giving you myself... even if you don't take it all yet."

The kisses continued up his neck and under his chin, allowing for his mouth to cut in and before Hermione knew it she was swept up in a life so unlike what she had known, a passion so unlike anything she had ever felt. He tasted like... what did he taste like? His lips had a flavor all of his own. It was just him. 

Severus was thinking the same thing about his love. She tasted like eggnog and strawberries and cinnamon all at the same time, and while that was a strange mixture, it just worked. It was a taste he would not soon forget.

"I love you, Severus," said Hermione. "I love you, and I will love you until the end of time."

Severus Snape looked deep into Hermione's chocolate eyes and said the words he had said to Lily Evans, then again to Lily Potter, and now to a girl- no, a woman- much like her, a woman for whom he had a love that rivaled and even surpassed the love he had for Lily. He said, "Forever... and always."