Contrary to popular belief, Severus did not hate his birthday. Nor any other celebration for that matter. He honestly didn't care. It was just the antics people got up to that drove him mad: The singing Valentines full of adolescent poetry between classes or Flitwicks egg-nog-soaked antics at Christmas or even that one terrible year that that idiot Lockhart had tried to stage a surprise birthday party in the staff room. (He shook his head, trying to dispel the memory of the terrifying sound of 30 magical kazoos.) No, celebrations were not for him.
But he couldn't help feeling that grading essays on the uses of mandrake was not the best way to spend the day. (The students were getting more blockheaded every year…) But what else was there to do? It was freezing outside and it wasn't as if there was anyone worth spending the day with. Perhaps he'd just shred the essays and finish up some research-
Severus looked up at the knock on his office door.
"Enter."
The wolf poked his head through the door, looking remarkably healthy for once. Cheeks flushed from the cold and snow melting in his hair, Lupin smiled that damnable smile that made Severus' heart do strange things for no apparent reason. (Damn, there it went again.)
"Did you want something Lupin?" he asked in his most disinterested voice, trying to look back at the papers and away from the smile.
"I thought you might want to go for a cup of coffee, if you're not busy. Get out of the castle for the day."
Severus paused, refusal on the tip of his tongue.
"Why not."
Lupin blinked in surprise as Severus stood up and pushed in his chair.
Severus smirked slightly. "Well?"
Remus colored. "Right. Leaky Cauldron alright with you? I never could stand Puddifoots…"
"Must you babble Lupin?"
And as they walked out of his office and up the stairs, Lupin half laughing as he tried to defend his inane comments, Severus thought that, perhaps, birthdays weren't really all that bad.