The door opened as soon as he knocked. "Come on in!" she welcomed him. Stepping to the side, she made way for him to pass. Behind her, he could see Professor McGonagall and Headmaster Dumbledore sitting comfortably on the couch. "I didn't think you would want a large party," Marya whispered next to him, "but I thought this would be ok?"

He let out the breath he had unconsciously been holding. He hadn't known what to expect – but this was, indeed, ok. He felt himself relax.

Dumbledore got up, and, walking up to his Potions Master, heartily shook his hand. "Happy birthday, happy birthday! Come, have a seat." He gestured over towards the seating area.

As Severus lowered himself into an easy chair, he looked around. He had not been in her quarters before – somehow, they fit her. The room was uncluttered, with clean lines. As a junior professor, her rooms were smaller than his, but she had made good use of the space. Natural wood and linen fabrics dominated the well lit room, and small touches of bright color added personality. It was a peaceful room, somehow – without a lot of distraction, but at the same time warm and comfortable.

Marya had disappeared into the small adjacent bedroom, and came back out holding a large chocolate cake, which she placed on the table. Walking over to a sideboard, she pulled out a bottle of red wine and a cork screw, which she handed to him. "Would you do the honors?" As the cork came out with a very satisfying 'plop', he filled the bottom of the glasses she had placed before him. Dumbledore tapped against the side of his glass to propose a toast. "To Severus – health and happiness!" "Health and happiness!" the two women joined in. Gently, their glasses clinked against his.

Taking a sip of the fine Burgundy, he looked at those in the room over the rim of his wineglass. It occurred to him that at this moment, everyone he cared about in the world was right here in this room.

Dumbledore, the man who had given him a second chance, when no one else would have. Who had been his friend ever since.

McGonagall, whom he had known since he was a child. With whom he sparred and crossed swords often enough – but whom he would trust with his life any time, anywhere.

And Marya. He didn't know how it had happened – he hadn't realized it until this moment, really. But there it was – somehow, she had come to be included in that very small number. He had become accustomed to her quiet presence in his life in the last couple of months...

"Try this," she placed a piece of the cake in front of him. "I didn't actually bake it, but I did give the house elves my Aunt Hannah's recipe," she said with a laugh. The combination of the wine and the dark chocolate cake was not something he would have thought off – but somehow, it worked. And the cake was delicious.

With good wine and good conversation, an hour passed by quickly. Dinnertime was drawing near, and their presence would be required at the High Table. Dumbledore made as if to leave, but sat back down.

"Oh Marya, I almost forgot. Do you have any plans for New Year's Eve yet? I have a couple of tickets for a performance of the 'Wassermusik' – a Muggle event, of course, but the music, the music...." He closed his eyes, and swayed a bit, as if listening to an invisible orchestra. "I was planning to go, but something has come up.....I know you enjoy Handel?"

Marya hesitated. "I would love to but....."

"But what?"

"I don't have anyone to go with on short notice...."

Dumbledore cast a cunning glance over the top of his half-moon shaped glasses in the direction of his Potions Master and raised his eyebrows. He didn't say anything, but the implication was clear.

His god-daughter had caught it as well, and turned red with embarrassment. She opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, Severus said very formally, "I would be honored to accompany you, if that is agreeable?"

With the fleeting thought that blushing had seemed to become a steady habit with her over the last few weeks, she turned even more crimson."Are you sure?" she asked timidly.

"Well, that is settled, then." Dumbledore got up with a smug look that reminded Marya of the proverbial cat that had just eaten the proverbial canary. "Oh, Severus, before I forget, you will require Muggle evening wear – if you don't have anything suitable, I think Gladrags Wizardwear has a nice selection of rentals available for just that purpose.....Anyways, Minerva, we should go and get ready for dinner. You will excuse us?"

After they had gone, the two left behind looked at each other a bit sheepishly. Simultaneously, they started talking. "Are you sure you really want to..." "You don't have to feel obligated to go with me just because..." They stopped in mid-sentence.

"You first," Severus said.

Marya faltered. "You really don't have to go. It was very... unfair of Uncle Albus to put you on the spot like that. Anyways, you don't have to feel obligated..." Looking off to the side, she stopped talking. Her cheeks were still flushed.

Placing one finger softly against the side of her chin, he gently turned her face towards him until their eyes met.. "Marya, it wasn't obligation. I really would like to," he said quietly. "If you don't mind me tagging along?"

"I guess it is really settled, then," she said with a small smile.

She walked him to the door. Stepping outside, he turned around to say his good-byes. Suddenly, the realization struck him – how this had been the first birthday since he had been a small child where someone had bothered to make the day special for him, where someone had actually put thought into what he might like and enjoy.

"Thank you," he whispered.

There was something about the look on his face that made Marya's eyes fill with tears. She reached up her hand and placed it softly against the side of his face. Standing on tiptoes, she gently kissed him on the cheek.

"Happy Birthday, Severus," she whispered, before stepping back inside and closing the door.

He lingered there for a moment, his hand half raised to his face. Then he turned and left.

Marya stood with her back against the closed door and slowly slid down until she ended up on the floor. Her hand was pressed to her mouth as she tried to suppress a giggle that was working its way up from deep inside her. She had just kissed Professor Snape. And managed to call him by his first name, finally – and it hadn't seemed strange. And she was going on what by all accounts looked like a date with him. And she looked forward to it. If someone would have told her this six months ago, she would have laughed out loud at the joke. Life sure had quite a sense of humor sometimes.