Taken from McAmy's brilliant universe: same background, leading up to when they found the final part of the research. Different time though – Christmas.

10 Galleons to the person who knows where the last two lines are from… my email is: loveroflife67@hotmail.com

Italics: Severus' thoughts

Interlude

'Jingle bell, Jingle bell, jingle bell rock…' she sang. Irritating…

'Will you stop that incessant singing!' he said tiredly

' Oh, stop being such a Scrooge,' came the irrepressible answer. Mischievous

'For heavens sake, I just want a little piece and quiet. Please, love, just until I finish this.' I can't believe I'm pleading…

'Ok hon. What're you working on, by the way?' Inquisitive, aren't you?

'Oh, nothing…' Subtle, piques a little minx's curiosity…

'Come on, tell me, Severus love, I'll stop behaving like a brat – promise.' Precocious little minx, too, he thought

'A reply to the editor of Ars Alchemia.' One could hear a pin drop.

A wee silence. Then…

'SEVERUS SNAPE!!' she screeched. Ear drums, ear drums…

'My little surprise, darling.' The things I put up with…

'They want it? They're going to put it in the next issue? Merlin's beard – and you didn't say anything!!' Just did, love, just did.

Nuzzles her nose. Gods, I love you, 'Mione..

'They certainly will. 'Mione…?'

'What, dear Potions professor?'

'I love you.'

'I know.'