I'm back with the next chapter! Just wanna send a quick thank-you to all readers, reviewers, and alerters- you guys really encourage me to keep moving with my story!

Severus was beginning to fear Regulus.

Over the past few days, the boy had been disturbing him with evil smiles and the occasional cackle. Severus found it very hard to believe that it was over nothing, as his boyfriend had attempted to assure him. Severus knew Regulus was up to something, and he had a feeling (of dread) that this 'something' had to do with his birthday.

"Happy birthday, Sev!"

Regulus' voice was particularly happy and annoying today, Severus thought grumpily as he thanked the boy as nicely as he could. Hopefully that was the extent of the day, hopefully Regulus had realized Severus' feelings on his birthday-

But no, there was more!

For the Black boy was pulling a wrapped box out of his school bag. It was the most poorly wrapped gift Severus had ever seen in his life; the wrapping was torn in some places with tape covering the surface and loose ends everywhere. The decoration on the paper consisted of smiling, waving clowns wearing brightly-colored jumpsuits.

It was tacky, crude and childish. And yet, something about the box warmed Severus' heart from the bottom up. He felt warmth flush his face and body as Regulus smiled and said, "Happy birthday, Sev. Open it!"

Severus obeyed, taking the box and finding a loose end before tearing it. The amount of tape covering the box made the task difficult, but at last he managed to yank it all off, only to reveal-

"I couldn't think of what to get you from three ideas, so I chose them all," Regulus mumbled, bowing his head, but Severus was staring at his gifts.

The first item was a book titled Tips and Tricks for the Upcoming Potions Master. As he flipped through the pages, Snape found extremely useful information in half of the book, the rest serving as a journal to chronicle his potions.

The second gift was another book, though this one was much different. Thick and covered with shiny black leather, it was a photo album. Severus hadn't even known that any of the pictures had been taken; there were pictures of him, pictures of him and Regulus together, and him, Regulus, and Narcissa laughing and snarking in various places. Though there was still an extreme amount of empty space, there were so many pictures in it that Severus had to marvel.

Finally, the third gift was rather odd; a necklace. The chain was light and silver, with a garnet stone as its charm. The stone was a rather large chunk, and it looked rough at the edges but in actuality was smooth to the touch.

"I know the stone is pretty big, but I thought that maybe you could cut edges off for your potions," Regulus explained softly. He wasn't making eye contact, Severus noticed. I bet I can fix that, Severus smirked to himself.

Grasping Regulus' chin, he let his tongue flick the boy's lower lip discretely. Regulus gasped in shock and kissed Severus in response.

"I love the gifts," Severus said in an unusually husky voice. He kissed from Regulus' collarbone to his mouth slowly, enjoying the way his boyfriend quivered.

"Sev- please-not here," Regulus was becoming incoherent. Raising an eyebrow, Severus looked around. The common room was empty, save for the two of them. After all, it was too early, an hour until classes.

"I don't see why not. We're only kissing," the older boy said silkily, but by now Regulus had pulled himself away slightly.

"Wait until later. I have a birthday surprise for you," he smirked in a sing-song voice, sending shivers down Severus' spine.

Severus was jittery the entire day: all he could think about was Regulus and the surprise awaiting him. In the birthday boy's opinion, the day could not pass fast enough. He hurried to and from his classes as quickly as he could, ignoring Potter and his gang.

"Have somewhere to go, Mr. Snape?" Professor McGonagall asked curiously as he rushed from the Transfiguration classroom, celebrating inside. It was his last class of the day, and Severus was eager to see Regulus about his surprise.

"Yes, Professor," he smirked slightly, only because he was in a good mood. It must have looked like a smile, for her eyebrows shot up into her hairline, but she said nothing.

Laughing to himself, Severus hurried away and bumped into the very person he was rushing to see.

"Way to knock me over, birthday boy," Regulus teased from the ground, and Severus hastily helped him up.

"Do I get my surprise?" Snape tried his hardest not to sound eager.

Apparently, he had failed, for Regulus laughed lightly and tapped his nose before leaning close and whispering, "After dinner, meet me in your dorm room. No one will be there- there's a Dueling club meeting. I'll be waiting."

Severus swallowed thickly as he watched Regulus walk away.

"Calm down and chew your food, Snape," Narcissa scolded, turning her nose up at Severus, who rolled his eyes.

"I have to hurry. Regulus said he has a birthday surprise for me," he explained before using his wand to cut up a piece of pork chop.

"Oh, that reminds me, happy birthday. Lucius and I got you a present."

Surprised, Snape looked up as Narcissa pulled a thinner, longer box from her bag, wrapped neatly with pale green paper.

"To counter Regulus' insanity," she explained with a smirk. He gave her a mock-glare but unwrapped the gift.

Narcissa and Lucius had given him a beautiful set of robes made of smooth black silk. They were soft to the touch and from what he could tell, they would fit perfectly.

"Thank you, Narcissa," Severus said honestly. He was in awe of the gift; it must have been expensive. He knew both the Blacks and the Malfoys had money, but he had never imagined that they would spend it on him. He felt honored.

"You have something from Bella, as well," the blonde grinned at the look of shock that flitted across Severus' face. Handing him the box, she watched his reaction closely with sparkling eyes.

Severus unwrapped the black-wrapped gift to reveal another set of robes, this one a silvery-pale that shone and seemed to ripple like water when held in the light.

"Wow," he murmured, lifting the robes. He found that they were dress robes and they too looked as though they would fit perfectly. He noticed a piece of paper sitting at the bottom of the box. Picking it up, he read the curly, slightly crabby-looking writing.

Snape,

I know what you're thinking, that I bloody care about you or something. Well, it isn't true. I still hate you. However, Cissy and darling Reggie kept insisting that I send a gift, so... here. Take it and use it, you ungrateful bastard. Don't let it collect dust or I'll Crucio you. Just a warning.

Happy birthday I guess. Hope you enjoy the present (not. But you had better wear it. And I want photographic evidence. Or I'll Crucio you). Have a nice day (have a terrible day. I hope you fall down the steps).

Best (worst) wishes,

Bellatrix (that's Lady Lestrange to you-wedding's in seven months!)

Severus could not stand Bellatrix, but something about her letter and his good mood combined made him laugh until he had to lean on the table. Curious, Narcissa read the letter and could not keep the smile off of her face.

"That's Bella," the blonde said wryly once Severus had gotten himself under control.

Nodding, Snape stood and gathered his gifts. Thanking Narcissa, he folded the robes and started off to the common room.

"Good luck with your surprise," Narcissa sang, and he smirked.

"Regulus?" Severus called before he went into his dorm room, knocking on the door of his dorm.

No one else was in the common room (he found it odd that no one ever seemed to be in the common room anymore; where could the rest of the Slytherin house be going?), and Severus was secretly elated.

"Close your eyes and come in," Regulus ordered in a sing-song voice, and Severus obeyed.

He turned the doorknob and stepped into the room, feeling the heat caress his skin. It felt nice.

"Marco!" came Regulus' excited voice, and Severus grinned. He had taught his boyfriend the Muggle game a few months ago, and the boy had been obsessed ever since.

"Polo," Severus replied, clutching bed posts as he made his way towards Regulus' voice.

"Marco!"

"Polo!"

"Marco!"

"Polo."

"Marco!"

"Polo..."

"Marco," soft, warm breath caressed Severus' lips.

"Polo," he muttered, and Regulus kissed him deeply.

"Open your eyes," he heard the boy whisper.

Regulus stood before Severus wearing a large coat and holding something strange. It took Severus a moment to realize what the object was: Regulus held two branches from his Whomping Willow, tied with a big red bow.

"It's just about finished growing now, so I cut two branches to see how it would work. But it's yours now. I told Professor Sprout that I'm giving it to you," the boy explained.

Happiness swelled in Severus' chest, and he twirled Regulus around the room. Laughing, the boy begged him to stop.

Severus obeyed, next kissing Regulus so hard he took his breath away.

"What was that about?" the Black boy asked, puzzled but happy when they pulled away.

"For making this my best birthday," Severus replied. He was suddenly embarrassed with the emotions he had expressed, and he edged away from Regulus a bit.

Regulus seemed to sense his emotional state, for he reached out and cupped Severus' face in his hands. "Don't worry about it," he smiled softly before removing his hands and fingering the collar of his jacket.

"Do you want to see what's underneath?" he asked innocently. Severus was now covered in a cold sweat. He nodded.

Smiling, Regulus stood in front of him and slowly let the garment slip down his naked collarbone, eventually falling to the floor to reveal...

A green, silky shirt with the words 'I heart Severus' written across it in black cursive. In place of the word 'heart' there was a black and silver heart emblem.

Severus didn't know what to say.

That's that chapter, y'all! I know, I'm a mess, but be honest, how many of you guys thought Regulus was going to do something naughty? I thought he was while I was writing, but he's more innocent than that! : )

NOTICE: Can you guys answer these questions about the chapter? Whoever answers correctly can request a character cameo/appearance or idea for a future chapter. I will probably, most likely use the idea/character (depending on the level of appropriateness) in a chapter or in the sequel. Yes, I've decided! I'm going to do a sequel! Yay!

Two questions: why did Regulus choose garnet? Why aren't there ever any Slytherins in the common room?

Again, the usual thanks!

P.S. for anyone curious (I doubt it), Severus was eventually very amused and pleased with the surprise. He also received an "I heart Regulus' shirt in black which he refuses to wear around the castle.