The students had already left for Christmas break. My gift for Sev finally arrived. I was able to aquire an illuminated manuscript on potions from the 15th century from a no-maj art collector in New York. It's the only one in existence and I had to call in quite a few favors, but it was worth it. it came in a beautiful box already, so I just tied some ribbon around it. I ran to his office as fast as I could. The box was quite large and heavy. I couldn't wait to give it to him.

"Knock knock! I couldn't wait until Christmas to give you this, so Merry Early Christmas!"

I set the box on his desk with a thud "I promise it's not a fruit cake" I laughed

"Good. I hate fruit cake" He carefully untied the ribbon and opened the lid to the box.

"It's an illuminated manuscript..."

"I know what it is, but how on earth did you get it? I can't accept this, it must have cost a fortune." He carefully removed it from the box and thumbed thru the pages. "It looks like ..mid 1400's?"

"Yes. And you are absolutely keeping it. It took me forever to find it and get it here for you."

"I don't think 'Thank you' is enough to say for something like this."

"Much better than a fruit cake right?"

"I have something for you too, but it's not nearly as spectacular as this"

"I didn't really expect anything in return. But now I'm dying to know what it is!"

"I remember you mentioning how much you missed being in a big city at Christmastime. And while I can't get you to New York, I figured we could spend a day in London I already talked to Minerva and she's giving us the day tomorrow. We leave at noon."

"I think that's the most thoughtful gift anyone has ever given me" Tears has welled up in my eyes.

The next morning I woke up early, too excited to sleep. It took me forever to pick the perfect outfit to wear. High waisted jeans, a short white sweater, ankle boots, and an olive green trench coat. I couldn't wait any longer, so I ran to Sev's office early, but he wasn't there. I knocked on the door to his chambers, hoping I wasn't being too forward. He really likes his privacy.

"You're early"

"Yeah I was too excited to wait any longer" I was bouncing on the balls of my feet

"I just need to grab my coat" he said opening the door wider to let me in. His room was much larger than mine with more bookshelves and he must have had a separate bedroom, whereas mine is like a studio.

"Well do I look like a muggle?"

I had been so busy looking around, I hadn't noticed his clothes. Of course all black, slim fit black pants, a black shirt with his sleeves pushed up, exposing his muscular forearms, and a black wool coat.

"Wow. I didn't think it was possible. I thought that old black cloak was attached somehow" I laughed "Alright let's go!"

As soon as we got outside the gates, he offered his arm and we apparated to a dark alley near Trafalgar Square.

"This is beautiful!" I said admiring the decorated Christmas trees. We walked for a while looking at the shop windows until we came to an open air skating rink.

"Oh Sev we have to skate! Come on"

He rolled his eyes, but agreed. He had never been on skates before so I held his hands as we skated around. After about an hour I started to get hungry.

"Let's go find some terrible street food!"

"That sounds... appetizing"

"No really, it'll be great" We found a food market and sampled a bunch of different things.

"Oh my god. It's the holy fucking grail of street food!" I ran over to the Churros stand. Apparently Sev really isn't a fan of sweets which was fine by me. I housed three of those babies. We found a bench to have a seat and people watch.

"So the best part about people watching is making up a story about them. See that woman over there with a breifcase? She's on her way to a big meeting and only cares about her work." Right then, with perfect timing, a guy whose dog was walking him bumped into her and she dropped her breifcase, scattering papers all over. "Oh and that guy's a writer. See how he's dressed in sweatpants during work hours? Their eyes meet and they fall in love instantly. She declined a promotion at work so they can spend more time together and they live happily ever after"

"That's the most ridiculous story I have ever heard"

"What! Why?"

"No one falls in love in 30 seconds while picking up papers they knocked over"

"Your turn...that guy reading" I nodded at a guy sitting on a different bench

"He's a guy who like to read. He finishes his book and...enjoys it?"

"No no no. He just found out his wife is cheating on him. He stole her diary and is reading it trying to figure out who the guy is so he can go fight for her. You really stink at this game"

I spotted the London Eye across the Thames. "We have to go on that!" I found a water taxi (They call it a river bus) that took us to the London Eye. We got on as the sun was starting to set.

"This is amazing. You can see for miles!" I put my arm around Sev's waist. It was hard not to feel romantic with such a beautiful view.

"Care for a drink before we head back to the castle?" The two of us sharing whiskey seemed to be a tradition.

We walked into an upscale bar and ordered a few shots.

"Here try this. I used to drink these back home. The Four Horsemen. Whiskey, bourbon, scotch, and tequila."

"Sounds like a headache"

We downed those and ordered more. and more. and lost track of exactly how much we drank.

"I...don't think I can apparate" I slurred

"I'm not sure it's wise if I do either"

"Maybe we should find a hotel and sleep it off... I have my credit card"

We found a nice hotel with an available suite nearby. We stumbled into the room and closed the door. I crossed the room to where Severus was standing and dammit I knew exactly what I wanted. I pulled him down by his shirt collar and pressed my lips to his. He grabbed my waist and pulled me in closer. I started unbuttoning his shirt and he pulled away.

"I'm not sure this is wise"

"I don't give a flying fuck" I threw off my sweater and stepped out of my jeans. Our lips met again as he picked me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist. He pressed me up against the wall, his kisses trailing down my neck to my collarbone. I finished unbuttoning his shirt, tossing it aside. We left a trail of clothing from the door to the bed, needing to be as close to one another as possible.

"Let me in" I whispered as I rested my forehead on his. He let down his guard and we were connected. His hands trailed down my body, knowing every sensitive spot. We knew what each other wanted without speaking. I gasped as his fingers entered my slit. As he curled them, he rubbed my clit with his thumb and I knew it wouldn't take long for me to go over the edge. My nails dug into his back as I clenched around his fingers. He positioned himself between my legs and as I looked up at him, I couldn't help but think how beautiful he was. He guided his cock gently, filling me completely. He eased the pain by concentrating his thumbs back to my clit rubbing slow circles. With our minds connected, I could feel everything he felt and it was mind blowing. He knew when I needed him to go harder or gentle. it was unlike anything I have ever known. I could feel him cum, which sent me over the edge tenfold. He collapsed next to me and we were both breathless.

"Ive never fucked another Legilimens before" I said when I regained my voice

"Neither have I"

"That was...mind blowing" I could imagine chasing that high for the rest of my life. I rolled over and kissed him again, trying to reach out to see what he was thinking, but he had already put up his guard again. I ran my fingers gently over his scars. I know he is self conscious of them, but he shouldn't be. We fell asleep in each other's arms. It was the best I had slept in years.