I slept well despite staying up late to work on my gift for Severus. I believe I can finish it by tonight, so I'll have time to plan out how I'd surprise him.

Lucas and I were talking about some Transfiguration homework as I noticed Severus' chair was empty. I never really knew why Severus was absent at lunch over the past couple months, but I have a suspicion that it has to do with needing to attend Death Eater meetings or something along those lines.

"Hey. (Y/N)! You alright?" Lucas got my attention after nudging my shoulder.

"Hm? Sorry, I wasn't paying attention.." I apologized as I resumed eating my sandwich.

"That's alright, I was just wondering if you could review my essay for Potions. I want to know if it needs some tweaking." Lucas asked me as he handed me his homework.

"Sure, Lucas." I told him while skimming through his paragraphs.

Potions class had gone by quicker than expected. While I was putting my books in my bookbag, I heard my name being called.

"Ms. (Y/L/N). A word." Severus told me from the opposite side of my desk.

I watched as the last students left the classroom and then returned my attention to him.

"What is it Professor?" I said for good measure in case someone could hear me from outside.

"I'd like to apologize for something." Severus said with a hint of sadness in his expression.

"What do you mean? What would you need to apologize for?" I asked, even more confused than before.

"For raising my voice at you in the corridor the night before the Third Task. I regret having done so." Severus told me as he folded his arms in front of his chest.

I saw the regret in his eyes as he looked at me for a response.

"You're already forgiven. I understand why you were angry at me. I regret what I did as well. I should have handled it differently." I responded, causing Severus to show a look of relief.

"Thank you for accepting my apology (Y/N)." He replied.

"You're welcome Sevy." I joked while picking up my bookbag.

Severus rolled his eyes and turned to go back to his desk.

"See you next class." I said before leaving the room.

I sat down behind my desk and resumed reading poorly written 4th year papers. The week had just begun and the urge for it to end had already surfaced in my mind. I read the date on the first paper and remembered something. January 9th was approaching. The point of celebrating a birthday still ceases to make sense in my opinion. As soon as the thought had entered my mind it was gone. Grading was all that was on my mind at the current time.

It was finally Thursday. And I was nervous. I was currently making my way to Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop to pick up the cake. I can't wait to see Severus' reaction. Although, I'm not really sure what his opinion on celebrating birthdays is.

I opened the door to the shop and was greeted with Madam Puddifoot's smiling face.

"Hello dear! Here for the cake I presume?" She says while making her way over to the cake display.

I nodded as she took out the cake and put it in a box. She then handed it to me. I reached into my pocket to pay, but she stopped me before I could.

"No payment is needed. Your kindness for making your friend such a beautiful cake is payment enough." She told me.

"Thank you Madam Puddifoot." I smiled at her before leaving the store.

I set the cake on my desk and then reached into my nightstand drawer for the gift I had prepared for Severus. I looked at the two items on the desk and smiled. I should probably change into something that isn't covered in snow before setting up. I decided to put on a pair of jeans and a blue sweater, then I made my way to the Astronomy Tower with the cake and present in hand.

I asked Lucas to play a crucial part in this whole set up. I had him tell Severus that he overheard two students were going to attempt to duel in the Astronomy Tower at around sunset. This should mean that Severus would be there at around 6:00.

Once I was at the top of the tower, I made my way over to the steps to set down my things. The sun was just about to set, meaning that Severus would be here any moment.

I sat on the steps, admiring the silvery ribbon that I had tied around the gift. I then began to hear hurried footsteps that were gradually getting louder. I sat up and looked over towards the staircase to see Severus making his way up here.

The second he noticed me, his expression changed from an annoyed one to one of confusion. I got up and met him halfway with a smile on my face.

"Happy Birthday, Sevy." I said while taking hold of his hands.

"I didn't think you'd remembered." Severus replied, still looking somewhat baffled as he looked down at our hands.

"Of course I'd remember your birthday Severus." I responded, causing him to look back up at me.

He cracked a small smile.

"Here, I have something for you." I said, holding onto one of his hands in order to lead him over to the steps.

I picked up the box and opened it to show him the cake inside of it.

"Lucas helped me bake it at the Tea Shop in Hogsmeade. I hope you like chocolate." I explained and then set it down in order to then grab the present.

I handed it to Severus,

"Open it."

He untied the silver ribbon carefully and opened the booklet. I watched as his mouth gapped open a small bit.

"It's a photo album. I put some photographs that I had from over the years that I've known you in there." I told him.

"I don't know what to say.." Severus' voice was much softer than it usually was.

I smiled and pulled him into a hug. It was a nice hug. I stepped back afterwards and pulled him down to sit next to me on the step where the cake was. I brought some utensils and plates in a bag that has an extension charm on it. The cake wasn't that large, being that it was only mean't for two people, so I cut two decently sized slices out of it and handed one to Severus. We enjoyed the cake in silence until the Sun was no longer visible over the mountains.

After we both finished our slices I cleaned the dishes with the charm Scourgify and then placed them back in my bag. I placed the cake in the box and then put that in my bag as well.

"Thank you for doing this for me (Y/N)." Severus thanked me after standing up from his spot.

I stood up as well and replied,

"You're welcome Severus."

I smiled at him and was then about to reach down for my bag until I felt Severus grab hold of my hands.

"I don't believe I've ever had the courage to tell you this. But you deserve to finally hear it." Severus begins, which makes me want to know what he has to say.

Severus takes a moment to look over to the side and then looks back at me,

"I love you, (Y/N)."

And with that I was pulled into a kiss. Draping my arms over his shoulders, I attempted to make it last as long as I possibly could. But it had to end eventually. Severus pulled back to look at me while we both caught our breath. I was smiling a whole lot after that, which caused Severus to smile a bit as well. We were still in a partial embrace where I had my arms hung loosely around Severus' neck while his hands rested on my waist. The moonlight shone into the Astronomy Tower, which made the whole thing feel more romantic in a way.

"Thank you for telling me that Severus. You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that." I said as we parted from the embrace.

"You're welcome." He replied as I reached down to pick up my bag.

"I wish we could just spend the whole night together, but I know that isn't really possible." I said with a hint of sadness in my voice.

"As do I." Severus replied as we began making our way down the staircase of the Astronomy Tower.

We made it all the way into the dungeons where the entrance to the common room was.

"Goodnight (Y/N)." Severus said.

"Goodnight Severus." I replied before I entered the Common Room while Severus went down the corridor leading to his Quarters.