Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Writers Notes: thanks to my beta HGranger89 and thanks to Saphireanime, FlowerChild23, Whatanidea15, Smithback, grisela19wwe, leonix2009, lia a karas, Guests, FrancineHibiscus and Smootsmokey for the positive feedback.

"Stop squirming!" Eileen snarled as she wiped away the blood from her trembling child's face. A small little whimper came out of the scared boy's mouth and when a reddened hand backhanded him across the face to quiet him. The large family ring on his mother's hand - the Prince family ring, a golden band holding a large black stone marked with strange ancient runes - left a mark, scrapping his soft, pale cheek, leaving more blood in its wake.

"What did I tell you about crying? I told you 'never cry, don't you ever cry.' What did crying ever do for anyone? If you have a problem, Severus Snape, you face it like a man!"

"Why didn't you stop him," Severus whispered innocently. His question would have broken any other parent, but Eileen wasn't like other parents, and Severus was left feeling foolish for holding on to any hope that his life had value to her. He kept waiting for any sign to indicate that, despite the hard woman's behavior, she did love and care for her only son and he made her life just a little bit brighter. Even after she died, Severus found himself still waiting.

"Do you want your mummy to fight your battles for you?" Eileen mocked coldly in a childish voice, "Merlin, you are the epitome of pathetic. Fuck, you damn well be worth all this!"

She exhaled a puff of smoke into her son's face and slapped him for coughing. "Quiet! Never count on anyone to fight your battles for you. It's good for you to know that no one will ever look after you. You think that Evans girl is going to be with you forever? Fuck, no!" Eileen coldly snorted "she'll discard you as soon as she discovers that you are nothing but a waste of my husband loins; the failure has to be from his side of the family, the muggle blood in you. This is a good lesson, remember that the only person you can rely on is yourself."

There hadn't been an attack since the Finch-Fletchley boy and Sir Nicholas. Someone kept slaughtering Hagrid's roosters, but it was assumed it was by some wild animal from the Forbidden Forest. The dust filled moron, Lockhart, gloated that he must have scared of whoever was attacking the students. Fear of another attack at Hogwarts was starting to wane, but Severus had an awful feeling the Heir of Slytherin was just biding their time.

In was early Sunday morning when Severus strode into the Great Hall and tried to have himself a bowl of porridge and black coffee for breakfast, but was immediately put off the food. The Great Hall was an absolute eyesore; every inch was strewn with brightly colored hearts in red, white and pink. The house elves were dressed as cupids, cupcakes and little hearts; forced to barge into rooms delivering Valentines, looking like they'd rather drink a whole cauldron of Draught of Living Death then complete their given tasks. Severus felt terrible for the tiny creatures, couldn't anyone let them have a little dignity.

Merlin, to Severus this was the the most painful day of the year. He hated most holidays, but Valentine's Day was the most despised. There wasn't a goddamn thing in this place, excluding his classroom and Filch's office, that wasn't drenched in pink hearts, white flowers, rainbows, winking smiley faces and numerous other sickening things. Severus couldn't understand why people would indulge in this commercialistic holiday and reduce their relationships to sappy cards, cheap flowers, chocolate or some other pointless object. To him, a man who had never had many meaningful relationships, certainly none that lasted, it seemed like the holiday existed solely to flaunt romance in the face of others.

"Thank you," the blonde boastful moron said, smiling at a female student passing him a card as she blushed.

Turning to his 'colleague' sitting at his right, Severus banished his food, completely put off by the meal. The disgrace of a DADA Professor's spot at the table was overcrowded with flowers, candy, and cards from silly little girls and boys in raptures with the charlatan. Lockhart's cloak was even more flamboyant than usual with a mixture of some many colors. It was like a rainbow threw up all over him. The curly blonde idiot was looking at a reflection of himself in a small hand-held mirror. He was fixing his hair and seemed to be memorialized by his own reflection.

"Beautiful as always." Lockhart cheerfully smiled, speaking to his reflection. "Perfect, absolutely perfect."

Severus kept considering whether or not Azkaban was worth killing this fool. He was still outraged that Dumbledore chose this buffoon over him. Severus rolled his eyes at Lockhart's childish glee when little girls and few young boys were giving him Valentines. At least he thought the older students would have more self-respect, but no, a few of them gave Lockhart Valentines as well.

"Severus, these silly little girls with their crushes," Lockhart chirped with a giant grin. Severus just drank his coffee ignore the showboat the best he could, but Lockhart was like a child waving his hands around for attention. "Aww, here comes another one. I love fan mail." Severus ignored him and read his paper.

"Happy Valentine's Day Professor," the shy fourth year said before quickly running back to her seat blushing.

"That makes fifty-eight so far," Lockhart smiled, "what do you think of that Severus?" He boasted like this was some challenge, winning the affections of school children.

"Well, I think that fifth-eight students need to see Poppy immediately for head trauma," Minerva and Flitwick tried to hold back a snicker of laughter as Lockhart just seem confused to Severus comment.

"Master Snape," a house elf called, placing a card and a large mug that read 'World's Best Potions Master' on the table. Severus picked up the card curiously, finding no signature.

"Excuse me," Lockhart tried to snatch up the letter from Severus' grasp, " I believe there was a mistake. That's obviously for me."

"It was addressed to me Gilderoy," Severus said, even more, shocked than the younger man.

"Severus," Lockhart smiled, shaking his head, "It's obviously mine."

"Enlighten me as to why that is," he spat, "last I checked, there was only one Potion's Master employed at Hogwarts."

"Well," Lockhart smiled, it was clear he didn't pick up on Severus sarcasm at all, "Well I'm a... and your..."

"I'm what Gilderoy?"

"Well, you know... and I'm saying this as a friend. I'm a Witch Weekly face and yo..." He laughed as Snape glared at him down his hooked nose. Every member of staff, excluding The Headmaster's, had now given up their breakfast to watch the argument between the two men.

While his face was schooled in a glare on the outside, Severus gave an internal smirk, seeing the look of jealous and speechlessness on Lockhart's face. The blowhard was so shallow he couldn't fathom that Severus, ugly, greasy, dungeon dweller had been given a Valentine.

Before opening the card, Severus scanned it over for hexes and curse; it wouldn't be the first time someone did that. During his third-year, the Marauders send a card pretending to be Lily, with a boil hex laced in the parchment. After a series of spells, he found nothing and opened the card. It was tasteful as far as cards go, although it was covered with irritatingly pinks hearts. This was the first real card, Severus, ever gotten that wasn't tainted. Severus had never been anyone's favorite professor, not even his own Slytherins, and he was seemingly content with his role as the person everyone hates. However, even he could admit it did feel nice to be appreciated once and awhile.