Disclaimer : I still don't own harry potter.

His office was cold, his reluctance to allow house elves attend his domain resulted in him having to maintain his fire place himself. So it was that it was always cold in his office. The specimen jars in their shelves of darker wood glowed eerily around his desk reflecting the light of the few light sources. He drummed his fingers on the top of an old leather bound book, worn thin over time. 'How was it that the headmaster did not see fit to inform the staff that the newest member was a Seer?' She had had at least three more visions that he knew of since her first one just after the term had started. Each one of some teenage boy surrounded by serpentine sculptures.

What bothered him more, he hated to admit, was that she hadn't mentioned it once during their various discussions. He had not come across an incident yet in his research where 'seeing' was painful. At least he hadn't, until he retrieved some rather dark material from Lucius. Even then it was vague and obscure. Something didn't add up, and he rather disliked to not know what that something was. He could try to coax some information on it from Rosaline. How reluctant she would be to divulge it, he wasn't sure.

She was quite the puzzle. Stretching his tense back, he stood up from his desk and left his office, trying his best to ignore the children who were acting even more moronic than was normal, he proceeded to the Great Hall for breakfast. How he hated Valentine's Day.

'Oh lord' she thought, rubbing her temples. Something has got to be done about that man.

It seemed, that 'Professor' Lockhart felt that the inhabitants of Hogwarts could use a bit of a pick-me-up. So there he stood. Gaudy pink outfit matching the catastrophe that was the great hall. "It looks like Hallmark threw up in here." Rosaline groaned to herself. Her comment won her an appreciative chuckle from Hagrid, who she made a point to sit by every time she made it up to the hall for a meal.

"What do ye wager he's up to then?" He said, trying to sound serious.

"I fear, we are about to find out." She knew that this whole thing could only end poorly. Turning her head to the right, she looked at her fellow teachers and what she saw made her want to giggle. 'Such a very serious bunch.' McGonagall had a muscle in her cheek that was twitching, her left hand holding a knife in a death grip. Even Dumbledore looked as though he'd been fed too many sweets. And there was Severus. She still didn't call him by his first name in person, but felt that after the many evenings they had spent in debate, she had earned the right to at least think of him as Severus. 'I don't think he has ever looked quite so disgusted.'

Lockhart took a step towards the hall and addressed the assembly, "Happy Valentine's Day!" It seemed he had planned quite a day for everyone and was about to act this out, whether the recipient wanted this or not . Like on command, little fake winged dwarves glumly made their way into the room. It was unfortunate that Rosaline had just taken quite a large sip of coffee, because it was then that the great blonde ass suggested "Why not ask Professor Snape to show you, how to whip up a Love Potion!" She honestly wasn't sure whether she would die from choking on the coffee or from the look she received from Severus. Rosaline didn't hear the rest of the little speech, nor did she get to see all of the embarrassed children being chased by false cherubs. She didn't, because while she was attempting to stifle her own laughter she caught a look from Lockhart that implied that if she didn't run now, the embarrassment awaiting her was nothing compared to that of Flitwick and Snape.

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After she escaped the Great Hall comparatively unaffected, she managed to make it almost to lunch before she was cornered in her office by a trio of the pesky dwarves. They sang for of a full ten minutes about how dashing and wonderful Gilderoy Lockhart was and how lucky she was to have caught his attention. Relief did not even begin to describe how she felt, when they finished, nor did humiliation really cover it when a dry voice came from her door way saying "How special."

Right at this moment, there seemed only one reasonable response to this. "I haven't received my Valentine from you yet, Professor." Rosaline fained pouting. "And after all the time we've spent together." She smiled then and shooed the dreadful little dwarves from her office. "So, you've got a new list with needed supplies?"

"Why else would I be here?" Severus snarled and made his way towards her desk, where he placed a parchment roll. He repeatedly asked himself, why he enjoyed spending time with this impossible woman.

"Admit it" she said playfully, "you enjoy my southern charm."

"If you mean your dreadful accent and poor manners than you are mistaken, Miss Gates." In truth he did enjoy her accent, though it wasn't nearly as thick as it had been when she first arrived, for which he was grateful. Not to mention, that she had started to give up some of her more particular attitudes, as well as her complaints about the quality of English food.

Gilderoy's voice came from just beyond her still open office door. "Would you mind terribly to do me a humongous favor?" She asked Snape, biting her full bottom lip.

"I don't do favors for people, Miss Gates." He said coldly, one eye brow rose at her audacity for even asking.

"Oh, come on, Severus, just tell that dunderhead out there, that I've already gone to class." Snape's first named slipped out from her lips before she even realized it. Snape remained expressionless.

"Very well." He said sharply. Turning he stepped out the door and spoke in hushed tones with Professor Lockhart just out side. 'I'm really going to have to do something about this guy' she thought for a least the thousandth time. 'Today, later'

She didn't realize that she was even holding her breath until Snape re-entered her office. He almost regretted, what he was about to do to her, seeing her standing there so nervously. Almost. But the opportunity was too good to let it go . And how dare she be so familiar with him.

Standing next to the door he eyed her for a moment. "He's gone." Snape said softly, his stomach tightening just a bit at the smile that lit up her features. He hated, it when she smiled at him like that. He hated it, because he enjoyed it so. "Thank you gallant sir!" she answered with mock grandness. However, when she opened her door, there stood Gilderoy Lockhart, a smile on his face. For a moment confusion clouded her face. Then she shot a look at Snape, that made him wonder for just a second if she was competent at dark curses Then a new look slowly crept across her face. An expression that Snape had only ever seen on hooligans like the Weasley twins. Gilderoy on the other hand remained totally unaware of Rosaline's play of emotions, even though she was incredibly easy to read. "There is my sweet Valentine." He held up his hand as if to stifle argument. "No need to thank me for choosing you from among all the fair maidens that have begged me to be their own. I assure you it is completely my pleasure."

"Oh Gilderoy!" she sighed dramatically. Snape could only watch in surprise and disgust. Taking Lockhart's hand in her own she stepped up to him with large doe eyes. "If only I didn't have a class just now. I hate to leave my sweet Gildypoo with out any company." 'Yes, I'm laying it on a bit thick.' She thought, but it was necessary. She would get rid of him today. Now, to get back at Snape for his little trick. "You know," she said with mock thoughtfulness, tapping a slender finger against her chin, "Professor Snape and I were just discussing your charms. You see," she whispered into Gilderoy's ear but still loud enough for Snape to hear, "Severus wishes to know how you swoon the ladies so."

A great smile spilt his face and he inclined his head towards his colleague . "Of course, I would be glad to give you some pointers, old man!"

'I will kill her.Slowly' Was the only coherent thought that Severus could form at that moment. "Grand!" Rosaline said clapping her hands together, quickly leaving the two men alone. As soon as she could she broke in to a great fit of laughter. 'Take that Mr. Snarky.'

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After quite some time, Snape found ran across Miss Gates in the teacher's lounge. He was fully prepared to make her pay for the experience she had forced on him earlier that day. However, what he saw when he found her made him loose this train of thought for a few heart beats. She was reading a book by the fire place. On a small desk next to her stood a cup of tea and a small lamp gave additional light to the dwindling daylight. . In the warm light of the fire her lips seemed redder than usual and her eyes more sultry. Instead of her usual working clothes, s he wore a rich wine colored dress robe and had her hair pulled away from her face. Before he could work up his anger again, several more teachers entered the room. Including Lockhart. "Ah, there is my princess!"

Snape watched as Rosaline grimaced and looked up from under her eyelashes. She put her book down and stood, readying herself for the little performance she was about to put on.

"Gilderoy, my love, I need to speak with you."

"Why of course my sweet, your wish is my command." All the teachers in attendance looked at one another in confusion. 'What in the hell was going on?'

"I realized after this morning when you sent that wonderful valentine, that we are made for one another. My love for you couldn't possible burn brighter." ''Kill me now.' '"Gilderoy, I think we should make our relationship formal." The great toothy smile started to fade from Lockhart's face, "Your words have captured my heart. I can't wait to be your wife. - Would a June wedding be alright with you?" Now Gilderoy looked positively sick. Snape was disgusted at her impromptu act. The other teachers started to snicker, having caught on to her game.

"My dear, I fear I may have made my attentions to you too amorous. I do not wish to hurt you," he started to back toward the door, Rosaline following him with her large eyes. She even managed to tear up a little. 'I always did have a flair for the dramatic.' "You see, I live a very dangerous life, very, um, unpredictable a-and as such, I don't think it would be wise to, er, enter into such a serious, ummm, It's just you see …." And then he was gone. He literally bolted out the door and down the corridor.

Rosaline sighed with great relief. A few of the teachers clapped. "Nothing like a little evening theater." Flitwick said, laughing.

She couldn't help but smile at herself. Her smile faded though when Snape spat "That was disgusting." And he left the room.

After this unpredictable day's ending, Rosaline returned to her quarters and swore that she wouldn't leave her greenhouses for at least a month.

Later that night though she made her way to Dumbledore's office. Painful visions were racking her brain. Even with Dumbledore's help, she couldn't decipher who this boy was, and whether this was a vision of the past or future.

A/N: yay, longer than normal! I think I'll start dropping hints about the whole dragon part of my story next chapter. Although I won't confirm anything until I get to book three, which should just be in a couple chapters. Sorry if I'm dragging my heels. I just don't think that Snape would jump into anything with a woman after only a few months. If anyone has any suggestions I would just love to hear them.