Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, or any of its characters.
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Best Yet
"Severus, we mustn't tarry!"
He felt Miriam pull him towards her, but Severus remained unmoved. People in fine clothes bustled around them, their words merely a cacophony of noise to Severus' ears. He really must take Miriam up on her offer to teach him French, Severus reminded himself. They stood together in front of the Palais Garnier, and Severus felt dwarfed by the large, ornate building. The experience felt surreal, and Severus could not believe his luck. Part of his Christmas gift was this surprise; Miriam gave him tickets to the opera, and on New Year's Eve, no less. Which is how Severus Snape found himself surrounded by French Muggles in a foreign city about to see something his poor English self never imagined.
"Severus!" Miriam exclaimed. "We don't want to be late!"
Severus tore his gaze away from the Opera House to Miriam's face. She smiled brightly at him, and tugged on his hand once more. He followed Miriam as she half-jogged around the people in the crowd, the wine colored satin of her dress flowing about her feet.
"How can you do that in those heels you wear?" Severus asked Miriam as they walked into the building.
"Magic," Miriam said seriously before her face broke into a cheeky grin. "Let's get some wine before the Opera starts."
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After the Opera, Miriam and Severus took a few moments to bundle up before they stepped outside. Severus buttoned his charcoal gray wool coat, and he felt grateful that it went down to his knees. Aside from the tickets, his gift included the coat and a tailored tuxedo for the evening. Severus did not own any Muggle formal clothes, so Miriam took care of that detail as well.
Severus held Miriam's cloak for her as she slipped it on. Miriam's dress was a lined satin, floor length number with long sleeves and a boat neckline. The long cloak was wool, and the same deep red wine color as her dress. Her cream colored gloves matched the fur around the cloak's hood, and Miriam raised it as they stepped outside. White flakes fell down and clung to the wool before they melted away.
Arm in arm, the couple walked through Paris. "There's so much I want to show you," Miriam explained as she took Severus past the Louvre. "We'll come back, and I can take you to the museums when they are open during the day."
Severus nodded and tried to take in his surroundings without gawking like the tourist he was. "I would like that, very much. Our next trip we'll devote to sightseeing."
As they walked over the Seine, Miriam paused. "There is something I would like to show you now, if you are up for a bit of a walk."
"Of course," Severus replied, curious what Mia wanted to show him.
Without any further clues, Severus followed Miriam through the streets of Pairs. As they walked, the Eiffel Tower drew closer. Severus gave Miriam a quizzical glance, but the witch simply smiled and kept walking. When they reached the base of the tower, Miriam stopped.
Severus tilted his head back and gazed at the monument. "It's huge!" Severus exclaimed.
Miriam nodded in agreement. "Want to go to the top?" she asked.
Severus frowned. "I do, but it's closed."
Miriam tilted her head. "Well, yes…if you're a Muggle."
Severus gave Miriam an incredulous look. "Surely you jest!"
The faintest smile ghosted Miriam's lips as she motioned Severus to follow her. He did, up a set of stairs to a door covered with an awning, which cast them in darkness. Miriam took out her wand, pointed it at the lock, and whispered "Alohomora!"
Miriam pushed the door open, and silently Severus stepped in behind her. As she shut the door, Miriam said, "It's seven hundred and four steps to the top, but the view is worth it. We could Apparate, but the stairs give a feeling of being inside and outside all at once."
Severus began to climb, with Miriam leading the way. He was young, and in good shape, but halfway through Severus felt his legs begin to burn and his breath get heavy. He and Miriam paused to rest, and Severus caught a peek of Miriam's shoes under her dress. "How are you doing this…in those shoes?" he asked between breaths.
"I'm used to it," Miriam said with a shrug. "Not much different from teaching in them all day."
They resumed the climb, and Severus felt relief wash over him when Miriam at last called out, "We're here!" Gently, Miriam slipped her hand in his and led Severus to the observation deck. The city of Paris spread out before them, its lights aglow against the darkness. Several groups of people milled about below, as they eagerly waited for the new year. The pair stood silent, neither of them willing to break the beauty of the moment with unnecessary words. The wind gusted and whipped the snowflakes about them; Severus pulled Miriam to him and wrapped her in his embrace.
At great length, Miriam spoke. "What do you think of your gift?" She lifted her head and gazed into Severus' eyes.
"I don't know what to say. I never dreamt I would see this…or be here with you. You've introduced me to a world of possibilities. It's wonderful, and I loved it. Thank you."
Miriam smiled. "We shall travel more, together. Imagine the places we can go," Miriam said wistfully.
Severus opened his mouth to answer, when the crowds below them began to stir with excitement. It sounded like a low rumble to Severus, but then he faintly heard what sounded like a countdown.
"Oh, this is it!" Miriam exclaimed. Severus felt her hands squeeze his shoulders in her excitement. "It's almost midnight!"
As the voices in the crowd reached one, cheers erupted and the sky burst to life with colored lights. Severus' eyes widened as he took in the fireworks. Each boom and crackle he heard made him eager for the next. Excited, he glanced down to see Miriam's reaction. She had turned her face towards the sky, and Severus watched the reflection of the fireworks in her eyes.
Miriam glanced back to find Severus watching her. She smiled and stepped closer. As she wrapped her arms around his neck, Severus' hands slipped around her waist. Miriam tilted her head back and touched his lips with hers. "Happy New Year, Severus," Miriam whispered before she kissed him soundly.
Severus kissed her back as he pulled her tight against him, his large gloved hand splayed across her back. Miriam's heart began to race. Severus looked so handsome tonight, and his gentlemanly actions coupled with a few glasses of wine had her feeling amorous. Her lips parted slightly and Severus deepened the kiss. As his tongue slipped into her mouth, Miriam couldn't help herself; she moaned softly, and she knew Severus heard her from the way his breath caught.
Indeed, Severus heard everything. How could he not, with Miriam pressed tight against him? He suddenly felt too warm under his wool coat, and he needed to breathe. Severus pulled back slightly. Miriam's flushed face was inches from his. Her hood fell off at some point during their kisses, and fat snowflakes clung to her eyelashes and hair. "Happy New Year," Severus said softly. "Shall we go?"
Miriam opened her eyes. She found herself staring into Severus' fathomless black eyes, and she nodded her head. "Yes," Miriam answered.
Severus felt the pull of Disapparation and then the world righted itself; they were back at the house in Chartres. They moved quietly across the snow. Severus felt certain this year would be a happy one indeed. After all, tomorrow he planned to purchase a ring, and soon he would ask Miriam for her hand. The best part for him was that Miriam had no idea, and he relished the idea of surprising her much like she did for him this Christmas. Before they stepped inside, Severus said, "I think this will be our best year yet."
Miriam unlocked the door, paused, and looked at her dark wizard. "As long as I am with you, Severus, it will," Miriam agreed. His eyebrow arched slightly and Miriam blushed.
"I sense a rather lustful tone in your words, Ms. Magowan," Severus said as he stood over her. His body had her pressed against the door, and he could tell her mind was still on the kisses they shared earlier. He couldn't help himself, and placed a chaste kiss by her ear.
Miriam swallowed hard. "Yes, well. A witch has needs, Mr. Snape. Perhaps you could help tame my lust?" She held his gaze as her hands slid down the front of his coat. She grinned wickedly as his eyes drifted closed. Miriam grabbed him by the lapel with one hand and pushed the door open with the other. "I'll take that as a 'yes'," Miriam purred as she pulled Severus inside.
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A/N: Happy Holidays, readers! I don't know what it is about Christmas stories, but I can write them in a day or two. I just love writing about Severus and Miriam during this time of year. Hope you enjoyed it!