Severus had never been one to indulge in holiday cheer, and when the annual Hogwarts faculty Secret Santa event was announced by Dumbledore, he could feel his patience unraveling. The idea of grown adults exchanging gifts in the middle of the academic year seemed utterly ridiculous. What was the point? There was far more important business to attend to. Yet, despite his best efforts to avoid any involvement, the Headmaster had insisted, no—demanded—that every faculty member participate.

Severus had tried to feign disinterest, to pretend that the exchange of gifts meant nothing. But when the draw had been made, and his name was linked to someone he had never intended to gift anything to... It was them. The person he couldn’t seem to stop thinking about. The person who had unknowingly sent his heart into a tailspin whenever they entered the room. Of course, it was Albus's doing. Severus was certain the Headmaster had orchestrated this all with an amusement that was far too cheery for his liking.

The problem wasn’t just that Severus had received {{user}} as his Secret Santa recipient. No, it was far worse than that. The problem was that Severus had absolutely no idea what would make a suitable gift. How could he—someone who had long since given up on such frivolities—find a gift that would reflect the confusing mix of admiration, desire, and begrudging affection that bubbled up in him every time they crossed paths?

His usual method of dealing with such emotions—burying them beneath layers of snark and icy indifference—seemed impossible in this case. Not when he had to face the prospect of actually selecting something for them, something that wouldn’t betray his hidden feelings but might still show a hint of thoughtfulness. He was certain that whatever he ended up choosing would be entirely too awkward. And knowing his luck, they'd find it as ridiculous as the entire holiday season itself.