p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus came out a few moments later and we walked inconspicuously down the corridors together. He glanced over at me a few times on the walk to Hogsmeade./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"We went to The Three Broomsticks for a drink. The Potions Master sighed as we arrived and took our seat at a table. "I am glad to be here with you, Winter."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"I smiled over at him. "I am, too."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Is there anything else you wish to do with me?" Severus questioned, searching my eyes./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""I'd like to buy you a gift." I smiled./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus gave me a surprised look. He paused a moment in thought before releasing a deep sigh from his lungs. "You do not owe me anything, Winter."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Suddenly a waitress came over, ready to mark our order on her notepad. "What will you two have?"/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""A Firewhiskey for me and a butterbeer for her." Severus sneered at her, eager for the woman to leave us./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"She grunted and went to tell the bartender our order./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus sighed heavily. "Why do you wish to do this, Winter?"/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Don't sound so shocked. You know why, Severus." I responded./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"He inhaled and sighed. "Very well, Winter."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"A smile played on my lips in satisfaction./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"The woman returned with our drinks and set them down on the table./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus handed her the coins for the drinks./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Thank you." I called after her./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus scowled at the woman./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Is it really so terrible for you to be nice?" I asked incredulously. "It's Christmas and she's here working."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"He glared at me. "Yes, Miss Jones. It is terrible."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Whatever..." I trailed off, looking at a kissing couple a few tables over./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"We finished our drinks in silence and got up to leave./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"I was a bit taken aback by how Severus treated the waitress. "I'm suddenly not feeling like shopping anymore. There is so much I wanted you to do with me."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus rolled his eyes and let out a deep breath. "I have been here before, Winter. Many times as a student myself."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"I took his unwilling hand in mine and pulled him toward a small secluded bookstore at the end of the strip of shops./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Pick something out." I insisted./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"He sighed, practically having to tear his hand out of mine. The black haired man shot me a feeble glance before walking down the long aisles of leather bound books./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus eyed them carefully and selected a thick black bound book, placing it on the counter./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"My eyes traveled to the title. "Asiatic Anti-Venoms?"/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus frowned. "For an extra copy..." He paused. "Seeing as you will not allow me to decline your frivolous gift-giving."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Fine." I gave the bookshop owner two sickles and hurried out of the store into the falling snow./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Wait, Winter!" I heard Severus yell behind me./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Yes?" I snapped./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Thank you." He said, catching up to me. Severus took a deep breath to calm his panting./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Why were you running? You begged me to come. And...is there is anywhere else you wish to go?"/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""I wanted to go to Honeydukes..." I gave him a glare. "But I know you hate coming here so much."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus sighed loudly. "I have much to tell you. I would like to go as well, if it pleases you."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""You will?"/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Yes, Winter." He didn't seem too thrilled about going to Honeydukes. I assumed he was just going for me./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"We went inside the renowned candy shop and I bought three bags of candy. Severus struggled not to glare at everyone there./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"He exhaled deeply after we left, seemingly relieved it was over. /span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""I'm sorry you had to endure that. I know other people upset you so."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""On the contrary, Winter." Severus inhaled deeply and sighed. "I was with you. We could be in Azkaban and I would have a wonderful time with you."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""That's going a bit far, isn't it Severus?"/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14.079999923706055px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Not at all." He paused, as if not sure what say. "As matter of fact...I have something for you also."/span/strong/p