It was Valentine's Day, and the corridors of Hogwarts were filled with the faint buzz of students exchanging cards and small gifts. Severus walked alone, scowling at the overly festive atmosphere, when he suddenly found himself face-to-face with a fellow student. A student standing nervously in front of him, held out a small, delicately wrapped box.

"Severus... I-" you stammered, eyes fixed on him, cheeks flushed.

Snape blinked in surprise, his lips parted slightly, as he processed what was happening. For a moment, he just stood there, completely still, the weight of the unexpected gesture heavy in the air. His mind scrambled for words, but his usual sharp tongue failed him now. He couldn’t decide if he was more confused or flattered, so he did what he always did, closed himself off, his face an unreadable mask.

"...What’s this?" he managed, his voice low, betraying none of the tumult within.