div id="content" style="max-height: 999999px; margin: 0.2em 0.5em 0.8em; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px;"strong style="font-style: italic; font-size: 1.1em;""Are you all right, Winter?" Severus stole a careful glance at me as he led me down the spiraling staircase./strong/div
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p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI didn't answer him and he sighed, repeating his question. "I asked, are you all right?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Fine." I murmured./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus drew in a deep breath and sighed. He reached for my hand which I reluctantly surrendered to him. "I am uncertain that you are telling me the truth. This is the third time I have inquired as to whether you are fine or not."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongOnce we arrived at the open door of his classroom, Severus sighed again. "Very well...have it your way, Miss Jones."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHe cast a suspicious look at me as we entered the room. Severus released my hand and took in a deep breath. /strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus whispered under his breath an muffliato enchantment on the door. He opened the drawer to his desk, then approached me slowly./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHis eyes reflected an emotion I had not yet seen from him before. "Merry Christmas...Winter." /strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongThe velvet tone of his voice sounded sincere. More than I had ever heard it sound. His hand held out a box for me to accept./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Are-are you okay, Severus?" I stammered./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus gave me a deep frown, raising an eyebrow. "Of course, I am."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongWhen he realized what I meant, he allowed a dramatic sigh from his lungs. "Winter." /strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHe took my hands in his, pushing the gift toward my chest. "Stop worrying about me."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI began sobbing and the Potions Master escorted me to one of the tables. He sighed, taking out a green and silver handkerchief from his coat. /strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus cupped my face, wiping the tears which threatened to fall from my eyes with the cloth./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHe gave me a sympathetic look. "Listen to me, Winter."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongMy body shook with uncontrollable sobs. I tried to speak but only a whimper came out./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Listen to me..." Severus spoke softly. Possibly the most gentle he has ever spoken to me before. /strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Obsidian orbs peered into mine with compassion. "Nothing...will happen to me, Winter."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"I choked back sobs. "You-you promise?"/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus pulled me to him in a tight hug./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"He sighed. "Yes, I promise."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""I-I don't know what I would do-" I started./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus stroked my long hair. "Shhhhhh."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""If-if something ever happened to you..."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"He sighed deeply, still caressing my trembling form. I could feel the breath against my hair as it left his lungs./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""I'm so-so scared of losing you, S-Severus." I wailed./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus let go of me, revealing my tear-stained face once more. "Please, Winter...do not cry anymore. I promise you everything will be fine."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""You do?"/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"He gave me a thin smile. "I promise."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"I took a deep breath. "I trust you."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus took a deep breath as well, suiting himself. He sighed the breath slowly from his lungs, looking at me. "Better now, Winter?"/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"I nodded slowly./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus let out a deep sigh. "Good." He wiped a few more tears from my eyes before standing up to his full height over me./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Now let me see that smile." /span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"I gave him a watery smile./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"He breathed out. "I suppose that will do for now. Open your gift. I have been anticipating your reaction all day."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Really?"/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Yes...it was rather expensive. For someone of my financial background." Severus stated, taking in a breath. "I hope it..." A pause. "Pleases you."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"He handed me the gift again./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"I opened the green velvet box to reveal a silver serpent bracelet with emeralds as its eyes. There was a matching pair of earrings, a necklace and a ring as well./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"I heard Severus's breath hitch as he waited for my response./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Severus, they're beautiful!" I gushed, standing up and wrapping my arms around him. I felt him sigh in relief as he returned the embrace. "I love them!"/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""I am..." Severus halted for a moment. "Glad you love them, Winter."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"He stiffened slightly in the hug before we let go of each other./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus smirked. "Merry Christmas to you again."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Our eyes locked on each other for a few long moments./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus cleared his throat loudly. I doubted he was nervous./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"The black haired man sighed before reaching for me and pressing his lips to mine in a deep kiss./span/strong/p
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div style="max-height: 999999px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 1.1em;" role="main" aria-label="story content"
div id="storycontent" class="storycontent nocopy" style="max-height: 999999px; padding: 5px 10px;"
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI didn't answer him and he sighed, repeating his question. "I asked, are you all right?"/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Fine." I murmured./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus drew in a deep breath and sighed. He reached for my hand which I reluctantly surrendered to him. "I am uncertain that you are telling me the truth. This is the third time I have inquired as to whether you are fine or not."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongOnce we arrived at the open door of his classroom, Severus sighed again. "Very well...have it your way, Miss Jones."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHe cast a suspicious look at me as we entered the room. Severus released my hand and took in a deep breath. /strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus whispered under his breath an muffliato enchantment on the door. He opened the drawer to his desk, then approached me slowly./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHis eyes reflected an emotion I had not yet seen from him before. "Merry Christmas...Winter." /strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongThe velvet tone of his voice sounded sincere. More than I had ever heard it sound. His hand held out a box for me to accept./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Are-are you okay, Severus?" I stammered./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus gave me a deep frown, raising an eyebrow. "Of course, I am."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongWhen he realized what I meant, he allowed a dramatic sigh from his lungs. "Winter." /strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHe took my hands in his, pushing the gift toward my chest. "Stop worrying about me."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongI began sobbing and the Potions Master escorted me to one of the tables. He sighed, taking out a green and silver handkerchief from his coat. /strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongSeverus cupped my face, wiping the tears which threatened to fall from my eyes with the cloth./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongHe gave me a sympathetic look. "Listen to me, Winter."/strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strongMy body shook with uncontrollable sobs. I tried to speak but only a whimper came out./strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"span style="font-style: italic;"strong"Listen to me..." Severus spoke softly. Possibly the most gentle he has ever spoken to me before. /strong/span/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Obsidian orbs peered into mine with compassion. "Nothing...will happen to me, Winter."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"I choked back sobs. "You-you promise?"/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus pulled me to him in a tight hug./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"He sighed. "Yes, I promise."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""I-I don't know what I would do-" I started./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus stroked my long hair. "Shhhhhh."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""If-if something ever happened to you..."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"He sighed deeply, still caressing my trembling form. I could feel the breath against my hair as it left his lungs./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""I'm so-so scared of losing you, S-Severus." I wailed./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus let go of me, revealing my tear-stained face once more. "Please, Winter...do not cry anymore. I promise you everything will be fine."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""You do?"/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"He gave me a thin smile. "I promise."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"I took a deep breath. "I trust you."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus took a deep breath as well, suiting himself. He sighed the breath slowly from his lungs, looking at me. "Better now, Winter?"/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"I nodded slowly./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus let out a deep sigh. "Good." He wiped a few more tears from my eyes before standing up to his full height over me./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Now let me see that smile." /span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"I gave him a watery smile./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"He breathed out. "I suppose that will do for now. Open your gift. I have been anticipating your reaction all day."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Really?"/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Yes...it was rather expensive. For someone of my financial background." Severus stated, taking in a breath. "I hope it..." A pause. "Pleases you."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"He handed me the gift again./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"I opened the green velvet box to reveal a silver serpent bracelet with emeralds as its eyes. There was a matching pair of earrings, a necklace and a ring as well./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"I heard Severus's breath hitch as he waited for my response./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""Severus, they're beautiful!" I gushed, standing up and wrapping my arms around him. I felt him sigh in relief as he returned the embrace. "I love them!"/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;""I am..." Severus halted for a moment. "Glad you love them, Winter."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"He stiffened slightly in the hug before we let go of each other./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus smirked. "Merry Christmas to you again."/span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Our eyes locked on each other for a few long moments./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"Severus cleared his throat loudly. I doubted he was nervous./span/strong/p
p style="max-height: 999999px;"strongspan style="font-style: italic;"The black haired man sighed before reaching for me and pressing his lips to mine in a deep kiss./span/strong/p
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