Severus winced passing holiday filled windows of the shops for the umpteenth time.

What would he get Hermoine?

In recent years he had slowly allowed seasonal indulgences and their - ahem - pratfalls.

Trees had to be watered & decorated.

Stockings had to be filled.

Gifts had to be bought.

He sighed.

Not that money was an issue.

His expenses were minimal.

Even seemingly random purchases of another book to the eclectic shelves. Amongst volumes he could hide or at least distract from his emotions.

And yet...

Again.

And part of their relationship which -even then surprised him daily - was the growing, inward to outside strength that inspired him.

But did that HAVE to show in the gift each time?

Finally inspired...

He wrote a few words down and packaged a special sprig of green leaves and red berries.

Mistletoe.

Bigger gifts were kept for the day of...

Hermoine said that with his ice tipped hands and feet, THIS one couldn't wait.

And when he unwrapped the fusion of spearmint and tangerine set including gloves...

"This way no one is on top."

They'd been woven with so much warmth he felt an added blush to his alabaster features.

Maybe she had some help?

And noticed his house colors topped the carefully spun pom.

Or stealth-y stitchery.

But narrowly suppressed an anxious expression as the humble layering was sifted away and the contents revealed.

A quick kiss...

And then the note read aloud.

I'll bet you thought this box was empty; it's not.

It's full of love.

They exchanged a glance.

She continued.

I hope you will always treasure it because I will always have more to give you. At.."

Hermoine felt herself tear up.

Though the final armored amendment puzzled her.

"At...?"

"And Toujours...forever."

Another longer kiss and would have been even more so until a little typo

also caught her eye.

"Gappy Hoiidats?"

The former potions master went full scarlet.

He shrugged.

Sometimes there ARE no words...

The third kiss sealed their future.

Always and forever.