New Year's Kisses

Severus Snape growled to himself as he glared at the paper before him. How completely stupid could sixth years get? They were supposed to be in Advanced Potions to help them study for their NEWTS the next year and still answered the simplest questions wrongly. Honestly, how hard could to be to remember all of the uses of dragon's blood? Imbeciles, all of them.

The Potion's Master let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his temples as he glanced at his wristwatch. 12:04. And he still had stacks of tests to grade. Winter break would be over soon, which meant he would have to make a new stock of headache reliever so he would be able to survive the next couple of months. Dealing with Malfoy, Potter, and Weasley bickering on a daily basis was really starting to wrack his nerves. Seven years at the same school and the three children hadn't learned how to live with each other. Even after Draco fought on their side in the war, they still fought like five-year-olds. Just thinking about them made his head start throbbing.

A timid knocking on the door only proved to irritate him even more and he barked a short "Enter!" as he made for his personal stock of pain reliever. His back to the door, he only heard the visitor enter, closing the door behind them. By the sound of their footsteps, it was obviously a female. Not a Slytherin, they wouldn't have bothered knocking. Not a Hufflepuff, they would never steal down to the dungeons this late, especially not after the New Year's party that was being held in the Great Hall for the students that had stayed over break. From the sound of ruffling papers, it was obviously a Ravenclaw...or Hermione Granger.

Having swallowed a swig of his potion, he turned to find that it was indeed the latter, chewing her lip as she squirmed under his harsh glare.

"I'm sorry to bother you this late, Professor. I was on my way back from the party and I noticed your light on, so I assumed... I just have a question about the essay. I can come back tomorrow if you're terribly busy," she stammered, taking a step back. Severus sighed, shaking his head slightly as he made his way back to his desk.

"No, now is fine, Miss Granger. What can I help you with?" he asked, holding a hand out for the parchments she held. He supposed she wasn't all that annoying. True, it was irritating when she constantly seemed to have the correct answers, but it was also a bit refreshing. He knew that he could rely on her to score perfectly on tests and write point-on essays. It was no wonder that she was Head Girl.

"I was just wondering, sir, if you wanted us to write out the importance of all the ingredients in the Wolfsbane Potion, or just the wolvesbane, since that's what the lecture was on." Brown eyes watched him seriously as he glanced over her essay, inclining his head the tiniest bit.

"Very satisfactory. Just the wolvesbane should suffice, Miss Granger. But thank you for coming to clarify." He handed the essay back to her, noting the way her expression brightened. This was really why he enjoyed teaching. Yes, that's right, enjoyed. Because of efficient students like Hermione Granger. "I quite wish I had more students like you, Miss Granger. It would improve the whole situation greatly."

Hermione blushed then, ducking her head and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you, Professor Snape. And thank you for the help."

"You're quite welcome, Miss Granger," he replied, returning his attention to the test he was attempting to grade before the headache hit. Hermione took her cue and started towards the door. But she paused halfway there, turning around.

"Professor? May I ask another question, please?" she asked. Severus looked up, arching an eyebrow.

"Yes, Miss Granger, what is it?"

"Well, I was just wondering, sir... Why didn't you join us in the Great Hall for the party? All of the other teachers were there." Hermione tilted her head, and Severus was reminded suddenly of a girl he used to know. A studious, slight thing that had a knack for getting right to the point when speaking. When he realized he hadn't answered the question yet, he set his grading quill aside, folding his hands on top of the table.

"Perhaps I should first ask why you were at the party. Why did you attend?"

"To have fun, I suppose. I celebrate the coming of a new year. A fresh start," she answered, taking a couple of steps towards the desk. Severus nodded.

"A good reason. ...I've never had a reason to look forward to a new year. A new year meant more pain. More suffering. More death. When you live with these things every day, it's hard to look optimistically towards the future," he explained quietly. Hermione watched him, mouth forming a 'o'. "I'm a creature of habit, I suppose."

"But the war is over," Hermione objected, moving closer still. "Voldemort is gone. There won't be any more killing."

"Perhaps not by him, no. There will always be death, Miss Granger. Without it, there cannot be life. Without suffering, there can be no joy."

"...Without dark, there is no light," Hermione said softly, and Severus nodded.

"Exactly."

"But...but there's always hope for the future. That's what the kiss at midnight is, I suppose. A way to start the year on a good note with the hope that it will be that happy in its entirety."

"While that may be true, Miss Granger, I'm afraid I can't bring myself to break this particular habit. Perhaps you should head up to bed. It's getting late, and I know you'll be revising your essay for the remainder of the break. You may as well be awake for it." Hermione blushed again, and Severus could see that girl in her again. She'd always blushed when he teased her about working too hard...

"Yes, Professor," she agreed, hesitating slightly. Before Severus could even comprehend what was happening, Hermione had leaned across the desk and kissed him softly on the cheek. The blush on her face darkened, she pulled away, wrinkling her nose. "Maybe you should give the party a chance next year. You may enjoy it yet. ...Happy New Year, Professor."

"Happy New Year, Miss Granger," he replied distractedly, watching her disappear from the dungeons. He tried to shift his attention back to the tests, but his mind was elsewhere. Slowly, he pushed out of his chair and made his way into his quarters, gently lifting a framed photograph from his dresser. A pretty brunette smiled and waved at him, rocking on her heels. He absently read the words that she had signed in the corner those many years ago.

'Happy New Year, Severus Snape. Even though it's our last year, you'll always be my bestest friend in the whole world. Love always, your sister, Melody.'