𝓢𝓽𝓾𝓹𝓲𝓭 𝓖𝓲𝓻𝓵!

C39 Christmas break

Everyone was gone for Christmas break and I thought heavily about what to get everybody. I wanted to get something for Dad, for Uncle, for Wednesday, and Snape. Probably something for my pets too. One of the activities they had was crafts and I wasn't too great at it but I made four little stockings. Wednesday was happy to go home and see her family. I was still upset about Dumbledore leaving. I was looking forward to our tradition. I made the walk to Hogsmeade, the shops were surprisingly still busy. I got treats for my animals and I picked out a new camera for Wednesday. I picked out Dumbledore some new sewing needles and then I picked out my uncle a book about goats. I figured he'd like that more than candy or chocolates.

Finally, that left Severus. "What do I get him?.." I looked in the shops and sighed, getting frustrated. I saw a woman shopping. "Excuse me, ma'am?" She stopped, holding bags with her. "I'm having trouble picking out something for my... boyfriend and he's a bit complex." She nodded. "When in doubt go with something simple." She walked away and I scoffed. "Great..." I groaned and kept walking. Eventually giving up and dreadfully walked back to the castle. I wrapped the gifts up and placed them in my chest. I put my pet's treats in their stockings and sighed laying down in my bed. I felt disappointed, that I didn't know what Severus would like.

The next day I decided to go to Hogshead and see my uncle. I sat down on the bar stool while he cleaned his glass. "Ah my girl, your getting so much older." I smiled. "I got you something for Christmas." I slid his wrapped book toward him. "Thank you, sweetie." He ripped into it and laughed. "It never fails." He shook his head. "You don't like it..." I frowned and he shook his head. "No, I do." He pulled out from his part of the bar two packages. "He left it here before he left, guess he figured you'd be here." I grimaced. "Well don't just stare at them." I smiled and ripped them open. Some new books from Abberforth and from Albus, a new bracelet. "It's beautiful." Abberforth gleamed. I put the bracelet on and pecked Aberforths cheek. "Thank you." He nodded. "If you... if you were married and had a wife, what would you like from Christmas from her?" He narrowed his eyes at me. "Do you have a boyfriend?" I nervously chuckled. "Well me personally, I've just always loved goats but Albus he loves many things. As I'm sure you know. So if this boy has something he's excited by then go for that." I shrugged trying to think. I knew he liked potions and defense against the dark arts, and me. He liked to read. I couldn't think of what else, I had been so wrapped up in trying to survive and getting through his defenses I felt like I still didn't know much about Severus and that made me really sad. 

I found myself feeling even more guilty. "I have to go, thank you for the present uncle." I leaned over the bar and pecked his cheek again. "Happy Christmas honey." He beamed and I left, the snow coming trickled down and I stood still, breathing in the cold and letting my mind clear for a minute. "That's it!" I shouted and I looked around self-consciously. I hurriedly made my way back to Hogwarts, heading straight for Snape's office. I knocked on the door and an irritated voice sounded. "Enter." I did and closed the door behind me. He looked up at me from the book he was reading and closed it. "I've been thinking, about what you said." His brow raised. "About taking me out on a real date." He nodded, pursing his lips. "I couldn't think of anything to get you for Christmas and so I thought you might like to take me out..." I babbled on, and now that I was saying it out loud I felt guilty once more. "I'm sorry... This was poorly planned." He stood up with a soft smile. "No, it's good Ray." He made his way to me and wrapped his arms around me, I happily lost myself in his scent and familiarity. "I feel terrible Severus... I didn't know enough about what you liked..." I felt the tears welling up in my eyes and then the knot in the back of my throat. "It's my fault, really but I was selfish. I took you every chance I could. I should have done this right." He sighed deeply. "I do want to take you out." I smiled as he leaned down and pecked my lips. "Have dinner with me Raylona." I nodded slowly against him.