A/N: SPOV

Severus' lips pressed against the top of her head, conveying more emotion than he probably should.

"I never thought I'd say that I found any shade of pink so beautiful." Severus murmured to her as he looked out to the sky.

As he held her, he stroked his hand up and down her arm in a comforting manner. He realized that he felt possessive of her, and needed to let her know.

"Nymphadora, I'd like to... Horace Slughorn is having a holiday party just before the students are sent home. Seeing as I'm now considered worthy of his club as the penitent Slytherin, I'll be among his guests. I'm expected to be there, and to have brought a..."

Severus swallowed, clenching his mouth shut as he did. "...a companion."

Tonks stirred slightly. "You mean like a date?" She stifled what could have been an amused chuckle.

"Don't be so gauche. I would still have to appear as the Severus Snape that everyone has grown to loathe. Besides, Albus has asked me to relay a message to the Potter boy while there."

"Why are you asking me?"

"Lucius would not allow me to live down going dateless to such a function. Something tells me he would offer to hire me an escort in exchange for age-reducing potions. Years ago, he kissed Narcissa under the mistletoe, once the muggle custom was explained to them. Besides, we're essentially colleagues at this point and you don't annoy me as much as other women do." Severus smiled as his fingers traced the curve of her breast, "Also, Sybill is hinting to me that I should take her because of her 'inner eye' saying so."

He had other plans while having her there, but wasn't ready to voice them. He didn't want to rush into things or scare her away, even if the time he had left was limited. You need to let her know what that potion did to you.

"Essentially, it's going to be crowded with famous people in fancy dress, fancy wine, fancy cheese, and hopefully nothing too extreme with the hors d'oeuvres. Horace likes to use exotic meats."

They watched the sun rise together in a comfortable silence. "I don't intend on having you latched onto my arm the entire night like some sort of trophy, yet I will admit that it gives me some pleasure in having Lupin's woman there with me." Severus smiled slightly as he turned her face towards his and laid a gentle kiss upon her lips.

"What say you, witch?" He said, his dark eyes peering into her hazel ones.