A/N: For the Houses Competition, Year 4 Slytherin, Drabble 456 words, Prompt: Valentine's Day
Severus laced his fingers with Kalyssa's and led her through Hogsmeade towards Madame Rosemerta's.
"Where are we going?" Kalyssa asked impatiently.
"It's still a surprise regardless of how many times you ask." Severus threw back.
It was their first Valentine's Day together and Severus wanted to acknowledge it. They'd had a rough start to their marriage, considering it began as an alternative to a death sentence, and Severus wanted more for her than what they'd had up to this point. He wanted to show her that she'd made the right choice by marrying him, and that he would make a better husband than those from her own realm.
He held the door open for her and motioned for her to enter before him.
"Severus!" Madame Rosmerta greeted him with a big smile. "So, this is the lucky lady. I have to say I never thought you'd be the marrying type, Severus!"
"I didn't give him much of a choice." Kalyssa answered before Severus could respond.
That was what she'd told anyone who made a reference to the circumstances of their marriage. It was done because Severus hadn't had a choice in the matter. He wanted to show her that she was his choice. He wanted this to work. "I trust everything is prepared?"
"Just as you requested." She assured him, "Right this way."
Rosmerta led them to a table in one of the private rooms of the pub. The round table was covered with a white, silk tablecloth, and seven candles lit up the dim room. A small vase with a single red rose sat in the middle of the table.
"It's beautiful!" Kalyssa said, beaming at him.
"I'll just give you two some privacy. Your meals will be out shortly." Rosmerta assured him.
"Thank you." Severus answered. After she left the room, Severus pulled a chair out for Kalyssa and motioned for her to sit down before sitting down across from her. The candlelight lit up her eyes in a way that stole his breath. He forced himself to swallow and slipped his hand in his pocket to pull out a small black velvet box.
"Kalyssa, tonight, on our first Valentine's Day together, I want you to know…no, I want to show you, you're not just the woman who saved my life. You were and are my best friend. You are the woman I choose to share my life with." He opened the box and pulled out a silver ring with heart shaped sapphire and emerald. He reached for her hand and Kalyssa quickly brushed tears from her eyes before letting him take it. The ring fit smoothly onto her ring finger of her left hand. "I choose you, Kalyssa, for tonight and for always."