"Minerva I need your help." Xiomara says in the staff room one day. She mentions it casually.

"What's wrong Xiomara?" Minerva asks as she looks up from her marking.

"Severus is taking me out to dinner at a fancy restaurant and I don't really know what to wear. I'm not used to wearing dresses, so this is odd for me." Xiomara says running her fingers through her short, spiky hair.

"What do you need me to do?" Minerva asks the confusion evident in her voice.

"I need your advice on what to wear. I know Albus took you to the restaurant in Hogsmeade that Severus is taking me to. You're my best option." Xiomara says with a smile.

"Where exactly are you going? Did Severus say he was taking to the posh Italian restaurant or the French restaurant in Hogsmeade?" Minerva asks as she sets her pen down.

"The Italian restaurant, as far as I know. At least that's what Severus said." Xiomara says as she thinks carefully.

"That's a lot more upscale than the French restaurant in Hogsmeade. I wonder if Severus is building up to something big. He doesn't usually go for such nice dates." Minerva wonders.

"To be honest with you I've been wondering the same thing. Ordinarily he's fine going to the pub, but this time he was very insistent that we go this really nice Italian place. He even said he'd made reservations. He never does that! Will you help me?" Xiomara asks with a panicky tone of voice.

"Of course I will. Just let me finish marking this essay and then we can get started." Minerva says picking her red marking pen back up.

"You seem very stressed out about this situation, Xiomara. Do you not want to get married?" Poppy Pomfrey asks from her seat in front of the fire.

"I don't know. Severus and I are very close. I love him very much, but I don't know if I'm ready to get married, which sounds silly at my age. With the role he played in the war he made a lot of enemies. This whole situation makes me nervous." Xiomara says as she walks over to the sideboard and pours herself a cup of tea.

"I hope that's not me you're talking about." Severus says with a smile. He wraps his arms around Xiomara's waist. "If it is you haven't been talking to me about your troubles."

"Severus Snape you've gone soft in your advancing years." Minerva teases.

"Severus, I don't always voice all my concerns, but they're still there. I just want you to be safe." Xiomara says turning in Severus' arms.

"You're terribly sweet, my dear. I'll be fine. I'm well aware of all the enemies that are still out to get me." Severus says holding Xiomara tightly for a moment.

"Xiomara if we're to accomplish your task tonight then we'd best get going. It might take a while." Minerva speaks up though she hates to interrupt the moment between Xiomara and Severus.

Xiomara looks down at her watch. "Yes, you're quite right. I must get going, my dear. I shall see you at dinner later."

"You executed that beautifully, Xiomara!" Minerva says as the two ladies leave the room giggling together.

"He doesn't have any idea what we're up to. He's going to be so surprised when he sees me on Saturday night!" Xiomara says with excitement in her voice.