Oh Mistletoe

The Great Hall was a sight to behold, with its magnificent cathedral ceiling exposed. Beyond the grand, wooden beams, the magical sky was reminiscent of a winter's eve. Rich shades of purple, blue and grey blended seamlessly before a soft glow, as if the light of the full moon was pushing through the clouds. Frosty strands of white descended through the beams, and drifted delicately downward. The crystalline flakes danced beautifully in their decent and gently faded midway to the ground. In their place, twelve oversized Christmas trees lined the walls. The trees were wrapped in warm, amber lights, and adorned with spectacular ornaments. The lights twinkled aimlessly, and wisps of silver tinsel sparkled under their glow. The fragrant decorations filled the room with the rich smell of pine, cinnamon, and sweet vanilla. An oversized hearth brought warmth to the room. The crackling and popping of the burning oak logs, and the occasional turning of a book page, were the only sounds that could be heard in the nearly empty room.

Near the fireplace, Hermione sat alone at one of the four tables that filled the Great Hall. She had her bare feet curled up next to her on the bench, and had propped a large, worn tome on her knees. Her winter boots were on the floor, neatly tucked beneath her seat. With one hand, she held the bulky volume in place. The other arm was resting before her on the table, and her pale hand wrapped around a steaming mug of cocoa. She was dressed for comfort; wearing a pair of muggle leggings—grey and lined with fleece— and an oversized green sweater she'd attempted to knit the previous year, for S.P.E.W. Her hair was piled in a mess on top of her head, and barely held in place by a tightly wrapped hair tie.

The hour was late into the night, but Hermione couldn't bring herself to leave; especially not after what had transpired earlier that night. While she was overcome with worry, she couldn't resist the warmth that rose from her chest and tinged her cheeks pink. Suddenly finding it impossible to focus on what she was reading, she turned her attention to her cocoa. As she took a sip, a slight commotion in the Entrance Hall caught her attention. Curiously, she leaned forward to get a better view, but alas, could not see anything.

She placed her mug on the table, and slipped the book from her knees, carefully marking the page she was on. Not bothering with her shoes, she placed her toes gently on the cold, stone floor. She stopped just short of the door when she heard two familiar voices.

"…can hardly stand, I insist, Severus," the Headmaster's voice reached her ears.

Remaining in the shadows, she peered through the crack between the wall and the door. She caught sight of Professor Dumbledore supporting the weight of Professor Snape. Professor Snape was clutching his left leg, and appeared to be in great pain.

"I am more than capable of tending to my injuries, Albus," the Slytherin Head sneered.

Professor Snape began limping toward the stairs to the dungeons.

Professor Dumbledore sighed in defeat. He followed, continuing to offer support to the injured man.

"Poppy will be quite concerned, Severus. I alerted her as soon as you reentered the grounds."

Though his back was turned to her, she could practically see the glare upon Professor Snape's face as he said, "Yes, yes. It seems all the women of Hogwarts are suddenly concerned."

"Indeed," Professor Dumbledore replied, amused.

He turned back once, and his twinkling blue eyes connected with her chocolate ones for a split second. He winked briefly, then turned away and continued assisting Professor Snape down the stairs.

Hermione was rooted to the spot, and her eyes widened in surprise. Her heart dropped to her stomach, and a blush began to creep back to her cheeks. It was one thing to be out after curfew— after all, it was the holidays and there was hardly a soul at the castle— but Hermione was not a rule breaker. She'd been caught eavesdropping! On her Headmaster and DADA professor, of all people!

She let her face fall into her hands and shook her head, mentally scolding herself. However, she quickly became aware of how terribly cold her toes had become, and she decided to gather her things and retire to her dormitory for the night.

When she finally climbed into her four poster bed, and pulled her comforter up to her chin, she found herself trying to think of anything other than what happened much earlier that evening. Despite her efforts, every time she closed her eyes, the scene replayed again and again. She fought sleep for a while, but the darkness eventually overcame her, and the events unfolded in her mind once more.

Much Earlier that Evening

Hermione always disliked taking medication for illness, even as a child. However, after her accident with Polyjuice Potion, her dislike grew to include potions as well. Unfortunately, she'd caught a case of the common cold, and it was beginning to interfere with her studies. That was certainly where she drew the line. Against her normal attitude about medicating, she decided to visit Madame Pomphrey for some Pepper Up Potion. It was a relatively harmless potion, and Hermione knew it would help her immensely.

Checking the time, Hermione realized dinner had already started, and she'd be better off to go to the hospital wing after she ate. She returned the books she'd been reading to their appropriate places on the library shelves, and navigated her way to the Great Hall.

There were only a handful of students who'd stayed behind for the holidays, and all the Gryffindors were first and second years who she didn't know well. Hermione took a seat away from the small group of Gryffindors, and piled her plate full of food. Deciding to make good use of her time, Hermione pulled out a quill and parchment, to write a letter to her parents.

Dear Mum and Dad,

I hope you are enjoying your time in France. I love the photos you sent, and wish I could be there to enjoy the holidays with you. As I said before, Harry is being targeted by a dark wizard right now, and it's possible he could use me to get to Harry. It's for everyone's safety that I stayed at Hogwarts for the winter break.

Harry and Ron decided to go to The Burrow for the holidays. At first, I thought it'd be lonely at the castle, but I've quite enjoyed getting a break from the boys. As you can probably imagine, I've spent my free time reading and preparing for the upcoming term.

I already sent Christmas gifts to The Burrow. I bought Harry and Ron each a broom polishing kit, a book of cosmetic charms for Ginny, candy for the twins, a new apron for Mrs. Weasley, and a flashlight with batteries for Mr. Weasley. I preordered both your gifts before the start of term, and they should arrive by mail before Christmas Eve.

I can't wait to see you again, and I miss you terribly.

Love you both,

Hermione

She folded up the parchment carefully, and tucked it into her bag along with the quill and ink. Since it was dark out already, she decided she'd have to mail the letter in the morning. She finished the last of her food quickly, and pushed the plate away.

Hermione pulled her bag onto her shoulders, and exited the Great Hall. She made her way through the Entrance Hall, and to the base of the Grand Staircase. There was a portrait just one floor below that had a secret passageway to the corridor outside the hospital wing. Deciding it'd be quickest, she began her descent, watching her feet to make sure she didn't fall through a disappearing step. She felt the temperature change as she turned a corner and continued downward. She shivered, despite her oversized thick, knit sweater. How did Slytherin students keep warm all winter?

She heard footsteps ahead, and glanced up to see Professor Snape headed toward the stairs. Paying him no extra attention, she merely stepped closer to the left to allow more room on the stairs. Hermione had placed one foot off the stairs, and Professor Snape had placed one foot on the stairs, when they suddenly became stuck.

Hermione, shocked by the sudden stop, felt her upper body fall forward. She thought surely she'd bust her face on the cold, stone floor, and threw her hands out in front of her. Quickly, though, an arm shot out, and she fell into it instead. It took her a moment to regain her composure, but when she did, she realized she had a death grip on the potions professor's right forearm.

"I-I'm sorry, Professor."

She pulled her hands back quickly, and crossed them in front of her. He'd certainly give her detention.

When he didn't say anything, she timidly spoke, "I'll just continue on then."

She made to move her feet, and once again went falling helplessly forward. To her utter embarrassment, Professor Snape snaked and arm around her waist, and steadied her once more.

"If you feel it worth your while to try that once more, I'm afraid you will have to deal with the consequences of your incessant stupidity, Miss Granger, as I will not continue to waste my time here," he sneered, "If the supposed brightest witch of her age would be so easily taken down by a simple sticking charm, I'm afraid there is little hope for your generation of dunderheads."

Hermione cringed, waiting for the punishment she was certain he was ready to give. Points loss? Detention?

She watched as he silently cast what she recognized to be Finite Incantatum, and made to continue up the stairs. To her shock—and to his, if his expression were any indication—his feet did not move an inch. Her eyes widened more and more, as he cast a number of spells, each of them unsuccessful. She began to look around helplessly, hoping it were some cruel joke, and the prankster would jump out of the shadows and reverse whatever they'd done.

She snorted; that was unlikely. Who would admit to that, when the most feared professor in the school had fallen prey to it?

"Do not make that horrendous sound again, Miss Granger. It is maddening, and I don't want to explain to an irate Minerva why her house lost all its points."

She looked up at him to apologize once more, when something caught her eye on the ceiling. The small decoration began to grow, and her eyes widened in horror.

"No," she whined, "Oh no, no, no, n—," she was cut off.

"Silence! Ten points for your infuriating whining. Bleeding Gryffindors—."

She gulped as the mistletoe continued to grow, "Sir, above you."

He paused and looked upward; a new expression crossed his face. He made eye contact with her for a split second and she began rambling frantically.

"We just have to find whoever placed it here… the twins always used to do this in the common room… it can be undone by whoever placed it… there's not a lot of students, we can—," she was cut by a sharp intake of breath.

She watched in shock as her DADA professor doubled over, and clenched his left forearm in pain. Realization struck, and her fear filled eyes met his. She knew what that meant. He was being summoned… by HIM.

He managed to stand upright again, but kept a tight grip on his left forearm. "There is no time for that, I need to leave now," he hissed.

She stared at him in horror, "But… but…" she stammered trying to find the right words. She couldn't kiss him!

"Miss Granger, do not flatter yourself to think I want this. I need to maintain my appearance with the Dark Lord. Think of the Order," he snapped.

The Order, right. She placed her cool hand on her cheek, trying to reduce some of the heat she could feel rising into them. Deep breaths, she thought. You're a Gryffindor. You're brave. You can do this. She glanced up and made eye contact with him. Feeling like she could cry from the humiliation of it all, she quickly diverted her eyes, and turned her body away from him. Leaning against the stone wall, she tried to compose herself.

"You're making this worse," he pinched the bridge of his nose, "The more that mistletoe grows, the longer it will take to get away from it. Look at me, Miss Granger."

She took a deep breath and turned back to him, her heart pounding in her chest.

"If you wish, I can help you forget this ever happened later, but right now there are more urgent matters to attend to."

She took one final deep breath, looked into his eyes, and nodded, "Okay."

She had limited experience kissing, so she didn't really know how to start. Sensing, however, the professor was not about to make the first move on his younger student, she took initiative. It was the most awkward and embarrassing and humiliating moment of her life, but she timidly reached her hand out to his shoulder and stood on her tip toes. With eyes wide open and looking anywhere but him, she quickly leaned in and planted a peck on his lips. She made to move away, but he grabbed her arm and stopped her.

"I'm afraid the mistletoe will need more than that,"

Inches from his face, she felt his hot breath wash over her, and she turned an even deeper shade of crimson. Nodding, she leaned in once more, and this time he responded. His lips moved against hers gently, and she allowed her eyes to flutter closed. She felt him snake an arm around her waist, and pull her closer to him. She took a deep breath as he deepened the kiss, and inhaled a mixture of sandalwood, licorice and rosemary.

She felt the magic loosen its grip on her feet, and pulled back, assuming he did too. The kiss ended abruptly, and her old potions master swept up the stairs and out of sight before Hermione had a chance to process what had happened.

The warmth of his lips still lingered on hers, and she absentmindedly brought her fingers to them. A ferocious blush rose to her face, at the realization of how terribly inappropriate the event was. She'd expected the kiss to be an unpleasant experience. While it hadn't been filled with passion or even a hint of romance, she was left surprised by the fact that she didn't feel the least bit repulsed. Then there was the fact he was clearly being summoned by You-Know-Who.

She thought about telling the Headmaster that Professor Snape was summoned, but then she decided she wasn't up for sharing exactly how she knew that. She shook her head, and took off toward the library, deciding against the hospital wing. She knew a book was the only way to keep her distracted; distracted from the kiss, and distracted from her worry about him being summoned to You-Know-Who.

I'm thinking of incorporating this into a much larger story I'm currently writing. Please let me know what you think! If you're interested in seeing a multi-chapter story before and after this, please let me know and follow so I can let you know if/when I post it.

Thanks for reading!