A/N: This story was written for The Houses Competition. The prompt: "You just don't understand."

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. All belongs to J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros.

Birthday Gifts
by
FaithfulWarrior

Chapter 1 – "You just don't understand."

Severus Snape could not figure out what was wrong. He had looked into things, made private inquires, everything. No answers were ever presented. His hands never used to sweat, now they did. He had always stayed as calm as possible in the presence of the Dark Lord himself, and now he could not stop his heartbeat from skyrocketing. He prided himself on his extensive vocabulary, and the smoothness in which it was conveyed; but now, he found himself getting tongue-tied.

He supposed that saying there were no answers to this problem was not entirely true. So far, the only lead he had was that it happened around her. She had come to the school at the beginning of the year to fill in for Professor Slughorn who had decided to retire. She was excellent at potions…although he would never tell her that, and from their conversations she was very knowledgeable in many other areas as well.

What peeved him the most, however, was that she knew something he did not. That sounded extremely arrogant; we'll rephrase. Severus did not mind it when people knew things he did not, it simply gave him incentive to read a book about the particular subject. But he did not like it when what they knew tampered with his health! The worst was, she didn't seem to notice. At all. He assumed that she was just a good liar.

She had begun to take the liberty of helping him with grading, making potions, and sitting next to him during meals, and he spent hours pacing holes in the dungeon floor trying to figure out why. She made absolutely no sense and it drove him crazy! Wait, maybe she had slipped something in his drink? No, he was always aware of that having been a double agent when Voldemort was alive.

So what was it? That was what the Potions Master wanted to know. That was why he was currently banging on her door. He had to confront her and get to the bottom of this.

"Enter," came a smooth voice from within.

He swallowed. Upon reaching for the door handle he noticed that his hand was shaking. He was a bloody Potions Master! His hands can't shake, and they never used to! He should probably open the door. Yes, that was a good idea.

He creaked it open and stepped in. He knew that she was sitting at her desk, but hadn't looked at her yet. He had to gather his thoughts, because her eyes…something about them. He closed the door and turned.

He was right. There she sat, her chestnut hair in an elegant braid that rested on her right shoulder. She finished the word she was writing, then looked up. Severus's stomach lurched as her ocean blue eyes met his.

She smiled. "Severus."

Breathe.

He frowned and nodded. "Professor Daniels."

She tilted her head. "You know I've asked you to call me Claire."

He shook his head. "Of course. My apologies." Why did she want him to call her that? It's not as if it made a difference.

"You know, Severus," Never mind. It definitely made a difference when she called him by his first name. "I was just about to go find you."

"Oh?" Ew, he sounded like a choking animal. "Whatever for?"

Claire smiled. "Well, it's your birthday, isn't it?"

He frowned. It was his birthday! How did he forget, and how did she know?

"So," she folded the small card she had been writing on, placed it on a small package, and stood. "I was going to bring you this."

She walked towards him and held it out. No, no, no…she was too close. He couldn't think when she was this close.

He stared down at the parcel. "What is it?" Snape, you're a moron.

She laughed slightly…she had a nice laugh. "It's a gift. Usually one receives gifts on their birthday," she teased.

Severus took a deep breath and nodded somewhat awkwardly; he then reached out and took it, accidently brushing his hand against hers in the process. This caused blood to creep up the back of his neck. See, this is the kind of thing he was talking about! Severus Snape did not blush.

Trying desperately to suppress it, Snape tucked the gift into his robe pocket. "Thank you."

Perhaps she had some sort of…something on her skin that he was allergic to? Wait, why was she looking at him like that?

Her beautiful eyes were locked onto his as she said softly, "There's something else I want to give you." It almost looked like Claire glanced at his lips, but she then looked down. Severus saw it as one motion. "First, did you…need me for something?"

Severus frowned. He had completely forgotten. "Yes." It seemed odd now to be confronting her about this right after she had given him a present. But he had to. No turning back now. "I wanted to discuss something that has been going on for quite some time now. I don't know what it is you're doing, but I would kindly request that you stop."

Claire frowned, confused.

Snape quirked an eyebrow at her. "Don't act like you don't know. Every time I'm around you, something happens to me. Both you and I know it is not a coincidence." He began to pace. "I have trouble breathing, I can't think, my heartbeat is unbearably fast and—"

Her hand upon his shoulder hindered his speech…and breath. Severus had always been extremely sensitive to physical contact, mostly because he hardly received it. Claire placed her other hand on his heart, allowing a previously suppressed smile to break through as she felt his rapid pulse. Severus had no idea what she was doing, but he assumed it was some counter curse procedure.

Just to make sure, he added, "S—so, I ask that whatever spell I am under, you would remove it immediately."

She smirked her sweet smirk that made Severus's throat go dry. "I'm afraid it's not that easy." Her hand left its resting place on his heart as she spoke and traveled up to snake around and rest on the back of his neck.

As Severus's eyes followed her movements he mumbled dumbly, "Why?"

She chuckled softly. "You just don't understand, do you?"

Severus frowned. "Oh, I understand perfectly. You—" What is she doing?!

Claire was way too close for Snape's liking. His blush had returned full force and he could do nothing about it. For some reason, he was paralyzed. He wanted to back away, no one ever did anything like this to him. What was wrong with this woman?!

But every muscle in his body was frozen. He could only watch as she leaned in closer; as her nose brushed his, causing her warm breath to greet his lips as she laughed gently. He could only watch with wide eyes as Claire kissed him.

Severus had never been more surprised in his life. But what surprised him the most was not that she had kissed him…it was that in the short time her lips touched his, Severus's eyes began to flutter closed. That he thought her lips were soft; and her hands felt nice as she lightly caressed his neck. Suddenly, he understood. He felt like a fool to have been so ignorant to what was happening.

He cared about her. It was a simple truth, but truth nonetheless. What he did not understand, however, is why on Earth she cared about him.

Not long after it began, Claire broke the kiss, resting her nose against his cheek for a moment before retreating. She searched his eyes, trying to gauge his reaction. Severus simply stared, blinking dumbly and panting slightly from holding his breath for so long.

Finally, he shook his head. "You're right," he said. "I don't understand." He looked down, seriously not able to think when her blue orbs were trained on him. "Why…how? Everyone…"

He trailed off, but somehow she knew what he was trying to say.

She smiled. "I'm not everyone. I saw past your rather dislikable demeanor," she continued with a small chuckle. "You, Severus Snape, are much more than you like to show on the outside." She looked down and chuckled. "And, your surprise face was quite priceless. I wish I had a camera."

He scowled at her, but that only caused her to laugh. He liked her laugh. It wasn't loud or squeaky like most of the students. It was beautiful. She was beautiful. Her eyes and her—

Claire gasped in delight, which stopped his train of thought.

"What is it?" he asked.

"You're smiling!"

So he was. Of course, Snape doused it immediately.

She smirked playfully. "And the students said it couldn't be done."

He frowned. "The students say a lot about me."

Claire nodded. "Yes, and they lied about the hair." She took a lock between her fingers, causing Snape to tense. "It's soft."

Yep. She is crazy. It's official. Granted, he had started washing it more frequently…mostly because for some reason he had wanted to make a good impression on her.

"Unfortunately," Claire drawled. "I have a potion that needs to be stirred in exactly…" she peered at the clock. "Three minutes."

Before Snape could respond, Claire stepped forward and hugged him. "Happy birthday, Severus."

Extremely out of sorts from being hugged, not counting the fact that he had also been kissed and his lips were still tingling, the Potions Master could only nod his thanks. Then after a smile, Claire strode out of the room.

As soon as she was gone, Severus visibly relaxed. He stood right where he was for a minute, trying to sort everything out. Then he remembered the gift. Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew it and removed the top.

It was an immaculate quill pen. Severus almost smiled. They had been grading together, and had spoken of the fact that he badly needed a new quill…and she had remembered. Upon further inspection, he noticed it had the letters S.S. inscribed on the silver metal. The Potions Master then unfolded the note.

Severus,

I know how much you needed a quill. :)
Happy Birthday

Yours,
Claire

P.S. Your favourite chocolate may or may not be included.

How in the world did she know his favourite chocolate? Minerva. He was going to have to have a talk with her. No one was supposed to know that the Bat of the Dungeons liked chocolate. But, he couldn't say he complained.

He thought back to him and Claire's encounter and sighed. There was still so much he was afraid of. With any relationship, came the possibility of hurt. And he seemed to hurt everyone he came into contact with. But he took comfort in knowing that for once…he was wanted. He knew it was against his "git façade" but he couldn't help it. Now that the war was over…perhaps there was a chance. A chance for him to love, and a chance to be loved in return.

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed! Reviews are always welcome!

FW