A Light In The Dark
A Severus Love Story
Part Seven
Happy Christmas
"Ooh Severus I just love this time of year, don't you?" I asked as I was streaming tinsel onto one of the giant Christmas tree. Before I stepped down from my spot on the latter I took one last look at the hall from my birds eye view. Everything looked absolutely amazing and even though I had helped decorate it, it still took my breath away. Finally with a long sigh I stepped down and leaned on the latter as I looked into Severus's eyes waiting for an answer.
"Sure nothing quite like staying at Hogwarts with a bunch of sniveling little brats to brighten your spirits now is there?" he said with a scowl. I narrowed my eyes at him slightly, he knew how I felt about him talking about the students like that. He simply shrugged and said "Sorry Aurora but I just be nearly as cheerful as you when I am going to be alone here for the holidays."
I took his hand and gave it a comforting squeeze saying gently "But you wont be alone Severus, I will be here with you." He gave me a small half smile as he brushed the hair out of my eyes. "Or perhaps maybe you don't want me around and this is your way of telling me so." I teased as we started to walk out of the hall.
"No, no not at all! If I am stuck here I cant think of anyone else I would rather have by my side on Christmas." he said quickly with a blush starting to rise on his face. I had to turn away from him as I too started to feel the blood starting to rise to my cheeks. After all I had been invited by my mother to come spend the holidays with her but I had stayed here … and it was all for him.
"I am glad to hear it Severus because you are not going to get rid of me that easily! Now come on I want to go to Hogsmede before it gets to late." I said with a small laugh as I pulled him along by the hand down to the small snow covered village.
As always my first stop was Honeyduke's and as soon as I walked into the door I was overwhelmed by the warm sweet smell of sugar, in a good way of course. My mouth watered as I looked around my favorite store and I quickly rushed over to the section where the chocolate's were kept. In no time at all my arms were filled with lots of sweet and I was about to go pay for it all when Severus took it all from me and said "Here I'll get it this time. Consider it an early Christmas present. You just wait here and I will be right back."
I smiled as I watched him go to the counter and as I saw the long line to the cash register I decided to go back to browsing. As I was hidden behind one of the many shelves I heard some of my students talking. Now normally I would just pretend I couldn't hear but when I heard my name I just had to listen closer. "No way! Professor Rose could have her pick from any guy in the freaking world why would she choose Snape?" one of them said.
"Yeah but they are always together and you have seen the way he looks at her? I think they are definitely an item." the other one said with a quick nod of her head. Then she added with a small girlish giggle "Besides I think they look so cute together!" I stopped listening after that, my head in a whirl. Did people really think that Severus and I were … together?
I would be lying if I said I had never though about it but it would never happen. Severus was … he just wasn't the type to go falling in love. My happiness a few minutes ago seemed long gone now that my heart seemed to have this painful aching feeling. I was snapped out of my self pity though as I heard Severus say "I got the candy. Hey are you ok Aurora?"
I shook my head clear and put on a smile as I said "Yeah just a bit tired I guess. Can we head back to the castle?" He looked at me questioningly but nodded and offered me is arm which I gladly took before we headed back. We talked the whole way to the castle but all that was running through my head was the thought of him and I together.
The days passed by slowly until finally Christmas morning arrived. I woke up as soon as the sunlight filtered in through the frost covered windows and I felt like a little kid again. I threw the covers off me and crawled to the end of my bed with a happy squeal as I saw the large pile of presents waiting for me.
In no time at all I had opened them all and was surrounded by lots of sweets, clothes and books. After a long stretch I started to put all of my presents away when I heard a knock on the door. "Now who would be visiting me so early in the morning?" I asked out loud as I walked over to the door and let out a small gasp. It was Severus! "Oh good morning Severus, happy Christmas." I said opening the door wider so he could come in. As he did I saw a parcel in his hand and wondered if it could possibly be for me.
"Happy Christmas Aurora … sorry to be stopping my so early but I just couldn't wait any longer. I wanted to give you your present." he said with a small blush as he held out the small parcel. I took it gently as if afraid that I might break it and took a seat on my bed pulling him down beside me. "It may not be much but I do hope you like it, it reminded me of you when I saw it." he said quietly.
I opened it slowly and my eyes grew big as I held up my present. It was a beautiful necklace with a thin silver chain and dangling on it was a large diamond shaped emerald that caught the light so perfectly it seemed to shine. "Oh Severus it is so beautiful! You really shouldn't have it must have cost you a small fortune." I said with happy tears starting to well up in my eyes.
He took the necklace from my lapped and delicately placed clasped it around my neck. He leaned down so that his mouth was right next to my ear and I could feel his warm breath tickle my skin. "You were worth every knut. Happy Christmas Aurora." he said in a whisper before he turned my head with one finger to face him. He then placed his lips close to mine and as he spoke they brushed mine softly "I hope today will be a great day for you."
I whispered back gently "I don't think it could get any better." and then he pushed his lips against mine softly. Fireworks exploded in my head and I couldn't seem to get enough of his bitter sweet taste. Finally we pulled apart and I said "Happy Christmas Severus."
He smirked a little as he placed another soft kiss on my lips and said "With you it always will be."
