Act I: Starring Hermione Granger

Disclaimer: All the Harry Potter world belongs to JKR. I am making no money from this.

A/N: Many thanks to my wonderful beta, the one and only, Southern_Witch_69!

This is a response to Potter Place's How Could It Be Christmas Challenge. For challenge rules, see the end of chapter one.

Chapter 2

Act I: Starring Hermione Granger

As Severus and Hermione walked the busy streets of London, Hermione was glad to notice that he was becoming more relaxed. Suddenly, an idea occurred to her. "Severus, I was wondering. I don't know what you are doing for a living these days, but I could use someone with your skill and knowledge to brew Medicinal Potions for both of the orphanages."

"Is that so? I would have thought you would be brewing these potions yourself. As I recall, you have a... knack for brewing." He smirked at the surprised expression on her face. He was quite enjoying himself, which was something he had not done in quite sometime.

Gathering her composure, she replied, "I would if I had access to a Potions lab. As it is, all donations go for immediate needs. You know, food and clothing? Heat? Eventually, I hope to install one. Until then, what do you say to helping out?" At his raised eyebrow, she hurriedly continued, "Oh, not for free of course, but maybe at a discounted rate?" she asked hopefully.

"I will help you by brewing the potions you need. No charge." Again, he smirked at her gobsmacked expression. "Don't look so surprised, Hermione. This will be my contribution."

"Thank you. You don't know how much I appreciate your kindness. This has been a rather hard winter for us with the flu and such going around. You wouldn't believe the amount we have to spend on medicine alone."

"What will you do about the Muggle children?"

"Oh," she told him, "no worries there. I will just pour their dose in a spoon. They will never know the difference."

"I see. Well, I shall get started on them tomorrow for you. Will that be acceptable?"

"Yes, and again, thank you so much."

Smiling, he told her, "You're welcome." It made him feel good to know that he put that look of happiness on her face.

Suddenly, Hermione noticed a movie theater she had never seen on that street before. How did this get here? I suppose they could have built it since my last visit, but I don't think it's been all that long since I've been here!

Looking up at the marquise, she noticed It's A Wonderful Life was playing. That happened to be one of her favorite Christmas movies. "Look, Severus! It's A Wonderful Life is showing! Let's go watch it! Please? The theater is just like magical pictures, only..."

"I know very well what Muggle theater is, having a Muggle father!"

"Er, right. Sorry, I tend to forget that about you! Well, what say you? Shall we go in?"

Severus sighed. He wanted to spend more time with Hermione, but he never really enjoyed the theater much. Besides, he was enjoying their conversation. "I don't have any Muggle money with me."

"Well, I happen to have some." At his stern look, she said, "Don't look at me that way! I really don't mind paying, but if you are that worried about it, you can pay me back in Wizarding money."

He looked at her hopeful expression and just couldn't tell her no. "Very well. Let's go in." What is wrong with me? Why am I going in this blasted theater just to please her? Severus looked at Hermione just then and saw the beautiful smile on her face and thought, It's worth it just to see that smile. I suppose I will quite enjoy getting to know this witch much better.

When Hermione paid, she noticed the tickets were a shimmering gold color. Odd. Handing Severus his ticket, they went to enter the theater handing the man at the door their tickets.

Hermione started at the sight of him. His long hair, beard, and mustache were of a deep auburn shade. But the thing that really got her attention was the bright blue, twinkling eyes. He looks like a cross between Albus Dumbledore and Kris Kringle!

"So glad you could make it, Hermione and Severus. We have been expecting you! Please, enjoy the show. Pay close attention, as this is a very important film!"

"What do you mean by saying you have been expecting us? Just who are you?" Severus demanded.

Smiling, the twinkling-eyed man told him, "Possibly, the best friend either of you will ever have." Then, he pointed to the door they were to enter and gently pushed them inside.

"That was rather odd," Hermione needlessly said as they took their seats.

"Quite," he agreed. "He knew our names. I don't like that, although he could have just recognized us from all the photos that have been published of us. He seemed harmless enough, but I have learnt the hard way that looks are often deceiving."

Hermione never got the chance to reply, as the lights dimmed and the music started, indicating the show was about to begin. But, instead of Jimmy Stewart, Hermione was looking at her own face. She looked around to see if anyone else noticed, but only she and Severus seemed to be aware. What is going on here?

"What in the world?" Severus asked. "Now, I know something is wrong!"

The words Your Life With No Companion showed in big letters on the screen. Hermione and Severus continued to watch as the first scene started. She was in a hospital room at St. Mungo's that was full of Weasleys. Ginny Potter was lying in a hospital bed with Harry at her side holding her hand while lovingly taking turns rubbing her forehead with a cloth and massaging her back. Hermione watched as Harry whispered words of love and comfort to his wife. She suddenly realized that she was at the birth of Harry and Ginny Potter's firstborn.

Weird, Hermione thought. She is not even pregnant yet! Family and friends surrounded them as she was asked to be godmother of Lillian Molly Potter, a beautiful baby girl with red hair and green eyes. The sight of such love and happiness brought tears to Hermione's eyes. It seemed to be such an intimate moment, and suddenly, Hermione felt uncomfortable, like she didn't belong there. She felt a little better as Harry reassured her, promising her she would always be family to him. The sister he'd never had.

The next scene showed her sitting in a small chapel as she watched Ron Weasley marry Luna Lovegood. They stood in a circle and vowed their love to one another for all eternity. Hermione marveled at the love that shown in Ronald Weasley's eyes. She had never seen him look at anyone or anything like that before, not even his precious Chudley Cannons. Luna seemed to be on top of the world. It was obvious she was marrying the wizard of her dreams.

After the wedding, it showed Hermione sitting at her table alone while most of the people were dancing or chatting in circles. She watched as Ron and Luna held tightly onto one another and barely swayed to the music. As she looked around the room, she saw Arthur and Molly slowly dancing while looking deeply into each other's eyes. It was quite obvious that they were still deeply in love. Oh, to have that sort of love and affection for someone, especially after being married that long! She had only danced twice, once with George and once with Ron during the entire scene.

Then, she was at the hospital once again. And, once again, she was surrounded by Weasleys. Hermione watched as Harry and Ginny played with Lillian, making their daughter squeal and giggle. Her heart lurched as she watched Harry lovingly caress Ginny's slightly bulging belly. Suddenly, Ron opened the door as he yelled with joy. Luna had just given birth to his daughter, Charlotte Ginevra Weasley, Charlie for short...named after the only Weasley to lose his life in the fight against Voldemort. Ron was positively bursting with joy. Again, she was asked to be godmother.

She watched scene after scene. There were Christmases at the Burrow, all filled with love and families and babies. Even Fred and George had taken wives and started families. That alone had really started to depress her.

She sighed when she realized that the birthday parties playing for them were being given for everyone's children but her own, as she didn't have any just yet. Hermione knew she would hate all of the functions she'd be forced to attend, going by herself no less. It was almost humiliating to have to dance with either Harry or one of the Weasleys because she noticed she never had a date.

But the one thing that remained the same during all these scenes was that she was utterly alone, though completely surrounded by friends and family who were all coupled off. As she sat and watched, she began to realize just how lonely she was and how that loneliness would never leave her over the years.

The next scene caused her to gasp loudly. It showed her naked, getting into a tub of bubbles. She watched herself relax and lay her head against the back of the tub while bringing her knees up. Quickly, Hermione did another look around the theater, but nobody else seemed to notice. She didn't dare look at Severus.

She started to cringe and deeply blush as her left hand traveled down to one of her breasts and began to fondle it, lightly tugging a hardened, pink nipple. Then, as she knew it would, her right hand traveled down below the bubbles as she spread her knees and eventually began to moan loudly.

Severus Snape smirked at her mortified face. Although he refused to admit it, he was becoming highly aroused. There was only a glimpse of her naked body, but it was enough to let him know that he wouldn't mind seeing more of it. Soon. He couldn't wait to see what Hermione Granger looked like in the throes of passion.

Cursing the bubbles that blocked the view of what he really wanted to see, he paid close attention to what she was doing to herself, learning how to pleasure her as best as he could. Not that I will need to know that anytime soon! Suddenly, it was important to see if she called out a name as she climaxed. To his dismay, the scene changed.

Hermione watched herself on the screen as a much older version of herself seemed to be living at the orphanage for wizards. Where is my home? Why do I not have a family? She noticed that her hair was pulled in a severe bun and a scowl remained on her face as she sat behind a desk going over papers while two cats lazed about at her feet. My God! I look like Minerva McGonagall! As she looked at the many pictures on her future desk, she noticed they were of her friends and their spouses. They were of her friends' children, as she obviously never had any of her own. The only pictures that seemed specifically personal to her were of her parents and one of Crookshanks.

The last scene of the movie showed her lying in a hospital bed. The only other occupants in the room were Harry and Ginny. Ginny started sobbing loudly as Hermione closed her eyes and drifted away.

That cannot be what my life will be! I can't bear it! I don't want to be alone!

Sensing her distress, Severus grabbed Hermione's hand and squeezed. He did not want her to be upset. Wanting to calm her and ease her discomfort, he gently started rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. Perhaps it is time for us to leave. "Hermione? I'm sure this is just some... trick."

She was still too embarrassed about the bathtub scene to look at him. What must he be thinking of me right now? Hermione hung her head and looked at the floor, doing her best to keep the tears in her eyes from falling.

Just as he started to speak again, the words Your Life Alone showed in big letters on the screen. What the bloody hell is going on NOW?

Suddenly, Severus Snape was looking at his own face on the wide movie screen.

Christy's Notes: Oh no! What will they see now?

Southern's Notes: How embarrassing! But I must admit that I think this is very, very cute. I can feel her disappointment. Poor thing! I can't wait to see what Snape's life will be like.