Chapter Five
Jessica ran up to me. I was sitting alone at the Slytherin table as usual. "What happened? Jenny came back last night and said that no one was at the Astronomy tower," she said "but she is wearing the necklace. What happened Snape?" I looked up at her, I couldn't tell her because she wouldn't understand. She doesn't know what it is like to like someone and not have them like you back. "Snape?" She said a little more insistently. "I just couldn't" I said weakly and a puzzled look came across her face. "What do you mean?" She asked and I wasn't sure how to make her understand. "I couldn't take it if she didn't feel the same way," I said "it would break my heart, and I couldn't take that kind of pain!" "Oh," Jessica said quietly "I understand." "Really?" I asked, I was surprised. No one ever understood me, but to tell the truth no one ever really tried to. "You will tell her when you are ready, and then there won't be pain. Trust me! I know..." she said and then she got up and headed over to the Gryffindor table.
I didn't understand what she meant by that. I looked down at my breakfast, it was untouched. I left it and decided to take a walk out on the grounds. The snow covered the ground, making it look like the color was swiped from the world. It wasn't the ideal day to be taking a stroll, but I never minded the cold. If asked whether they would rather be extremely hot or extremely cold many would choose hot, not me. I sat down on the cold iced ground and stared at the castle. It was dark and almost gothic but there was a glow that it gave off. It was good energy, I had a suspicion that it had something to do with the holidays. Everyone gave off the same cheery energy, well everyone except for me. Jessica seemed to think that Jennifer could love me, but I didn't see how that was possible. How could anyone love me? I barely thought that I could love. I never knew how love worked until I saw Jennifer. I know that this is love, it couldn't be anything else. Nothing in the world could feel more like ecstasy.
The sky started to get dark and I headed back to the castle. I walked into the entrance hall and I was engulfed with holiday warmth. I walked toward the Slytherin common room, I knew that the feast would be soon but I wasn't sure if I should go. I probably will just ruin everyone else's fun I thought bitterly. I heard someone call my name and I spun around quickly to see that I was standing face to face with Jennifer.
She smiled and pushed her blonde curls out of her face. "Hey Severus," she said sweetly "happy Christmas." "Happy Christmas," I said. "I got you something," she said pulling out a small wrapped package. She handed it to me and I was stunned. I slowly opened it, it was a small gold coin with two small S's engraved upon it. "It's your initials," she said. I was still in disbelief, "I... uh... um... well," I stuttered "thank you" I said finally. "You are really welcome" she said meaningfully. Maybe she really did like me, what if Jess was right? Should I tell her? What should I do? Then I realized that she didn't know that the necklace was from me and that I didn't have another gift to give her. "I am... um... sorry I didn't get you anything," I said. "It's okay. I hope to see you at the Christmas party," she said. "I don't think that I was invited," I said awkwardly. "Oh, well then we can hang out after" she said and my heart skipped a beat. "How about you meet me here at midnight and we can go get some coffee or something?" She said and I nodded. "Sure" I said almost over-excitedly, but she didn't notice. "Ok, see you then," she turned and walked away.
I couldn't believe what had just happened. I stared down at the coin, it was amazing. I hurried back to my room and tucked it safely away where I knew that no one would find it. I took a shower and got dressed, I was going to look my best no matter how hard it was. She is going to have the best time with me, we are going to be friends if nothing else.