„Severus, don't be ridiculous. I have definitely seen worse. And I think it quite suits you." 

Hermione tried to lighten up her companion's mood. 

He on the other hand had a dark look on his face. 

She couldn't hold back the bubble of laughter at which he only scowled. 

"Please remind me that I will never again allow you to get me to decorate anything with you." he grumbled under his breath before grabbing a Christmassy garland and hanging it over the fireplace. 

After another three hours of grumbling and rather childish behaviour on Severus' part and happiness and joy on Hermione's part they were finished with decorating his chambers. 

They had a house elf bring them dinner and after that they settled down on the couch in front of the lit fireplace, both enjoying a book and the companionable silence. Severus was indulging in a book about - who would've thought - potions, while Hermione chose an old and well-worn muggle book out of his vast collection called "The Little Prince". 

"That was my favourite book when I was just a small boy," Severus said quietly as to not frighten her with his sudden speak. 

She answered with an uncertain "Mhm?" and he knew that she was too deep into the story to actually listen to anything he was telling her, and so he just had to chuckle. That finally gained him her attention. 

"What's so funny?" she asked slightly irritated. 

"I just find it very amusing how deep you seem to delve into any book you are reading. I only knew one other person who was able to do that." He answered her. 

"Lily?" she whispered. 

"Yes, Lily. She was my only friend, you know. But she is my past and that won't change, and honestly I wouldn't change it for anything. I'm contented with everything right now." 

"You say things like that , even though you risked your life for years for her? Because you still loved her?" 

"You're right, I loved her. But I never was - nor will I ever be - in love with her. I realized that when I read that book you are currently indulging in when I was in my early twenties." 

He set his potions book on the small coffee table next to him and earned himself a curious look from the brown- haired woman. "How would you describe the relationship you and Harry Potter had during school and still have?" he asked, intriguing her further. 

She thought for a moment before answering that question. "I love him, he's like the brother I never had..." her voice trailed off into the distance. 

"There, that's exactly what Lily and I had. I just didn't realize that when I was younger. I misinterpreted my feelings. She was my friend, my only friend. We kind of grew up together, were friends since we were eight-year-olds. I was a teenager and told myself that I was in love with her. After she died I just hid myself away and did the things I was good at: I read a lot and threw myself into studies. As I said, I reread the book and suddenly the quote "You become responsible forever for what you have tamed." had a much deeper meaning, at least for me. Only through the things I learned during that time, when I was all alone, I am still alive and maybe that's the reason for me being the man I am today." 

"Severus..." she said softly. 

"I believe it is time for us to retire, Hermione. It's late, and I think I want to make an entrance in the Great Hall tomorrow." 

He laughed at her and helped her up. Then, without letting go of her hand, he went to his bedroom pulling her with him. 

"Severus, I'm sleeping on the couch!" she tried to resist. 

"Nonsense! The bed is big enough for the two of us and somehow your being near me soothes me." 

After a bit of resistance she gave in and followed him.

In there he began to unbutton his grey button- down shirt while she searched her bag for something suitable to wear to bed. After a while of rummaging, she pulled a shirt out of her bag that was much too big for her. She slipped it on and went to lay down on the bed. 

Severus, who was only wearing his boxer shorts and his unbuttoned shirt, went to his wardrobe and selected a black T- shirt to wear to bed. Once only in his boxers and that shirt he slipped in to the bed next to her and pulled up the covers. 

"Hermione?" he asked after a while of silence, but she didn't answer him. Slowly he turned on his side and saw that the young woman was fast asleep. 

"Sleep well, Hermione," he whispered and kissed her softly on her forehead, before lying on his back again. Quickly he put his glasses onto the bedside table  and went to sleep too.

++++++++++

The next morning Severus awakened to the white snow reflecting the sun so that its rays were shining through his magical window. He wanted to grab his glasses, but wasn't able to move due to a warm body laying half on top of him. 

Slightly baffled he looked down to blurredly see brown hair and knew that that had to be Hermione. She was all cuddled up with her head on his chest. 

He bent down and whispered into her ear: "Good morning, Hermione. Time to wake up." 

He smiled softly at her when she lifted her head off his chest and he quickly grabbed his glasses and looked at her again. 

"Morning Sev, what's up?" she asked him very sleepily. 

"It is Christmas, and we wanted to attend the meals in the great hall, and it already is half past eight." He laughed and because of that his whole body vibrated sending shivers down Hermione's spine. 

"OK, I'll just go to the bathroom, freshen up, and we're free to go wherever you want to." 

She grabbed her things and was gone. 

Severus heaved a small sigh and got up himself. He went to his wardrobe to see that the house elves already done his unpacking for him - all his clothes from before the war there plus his much more colourful new attire  was already inside. 

After putting on new undergarments he thought about what to wear. Either his old teaching robes to shock everyone or a normal button down combined with some trousers - which would also shock everyone. After much contemplating he decided on a burgundy red long-sleeved button-down shirt and a pair of black trousers.

Finished with that he sat down on the bed again and began reading his potions book again until Hermione stepped foot into the room again. 

He quickly went to brush his teeth and when he came out again she asked him: "So colourful today, Sev?" 

He looked down on himself before remembering he chose to wear a red button-down today. 

With a smirk he asked her instead of answering: "Why so Slytherin today, my little Lioness." 

Now it was her turn to look down on herself. She wore a green knitted jumper paired with black jeans and black boots. He was right, it looked kind of Slytherin. 

Once ready, they made their way upstairs. It's five to nine now as the two of them were standing in front of the big door. 

"Want a bit of fun? Nobody knows of my being alive other than Minerva, Poppy, Harry and Ginny. I think it's time to revive my way of walking into the room, don't you think?" he asked with a devilish smirk. He conjured one of his billowing cloaks to throw over. "Let's see how many people we can shock today." 

She retorted with a smirk of her own. She grabbed a hold of his hand while he used his free hand to open up the heavy oak wood door, and together they rushed into the hall.