This story was written for kidarock, who writes kick bottom stories and deserves everyone reading this to view their (apparently, kidarock is two people!) stories as well.

I own nothing, except the plot. Everything else goes to J.K. Rowling. Be nice to Shakers.

Sunlight glinted off of the goals in the Quidditch Pitch as one Severus Snape walked towards the stands. He was about to make his way to his usual seat in one of the higher boxes when he heard footsteps behind him. He stopped and turned towards the noise and found himself looking into the most glorious amber eyes that he had ever seen.

"Severus?"

"Yes, Rolanda?"

"What's this?" Rolanda produced a firm leather folder with bits of parchment sticking out.

"Where did you get that? I've been looking for it." Severus tried to keep a cool head, that portfolio was private! If anyone looked through it, especially Rolanda, he didn't know what he would do! He leaned against the Quidditch stands and crossed his arms to create a haughty, antisocial effect.

"I found it in the Quidditch stands." Rolanda had been trying to hide a blush, but it would be justified for her to have one! "You're very talented." She wanted to leave, but curiosity turned her feet to lead.

Severus filled with pride at the compliment, but became paler than normal as he realized that she had looked through his drawings. He wanted to run, to disappear into his dungeons like so many times before. Not that he was angry at her, he was angry at his carelessness, he left his thoughts and emotions right where the one person who he had even the slightest problem of seeing them right where he knew it was impossible for her to not find them! He reached for his sketches slowly, carefully, nervously; was he really afraid of Rolanda's feelings towards him now that the truth was out in the open?

He grabbed it.

Severus turned to go back to the castle, his eyes downcast, when Rolanda's hand appeared at his shoulder. "Severus?"

Severus turned ashamedly towards her. "Yes?"

"Why were there so many pictures of me?" She couldn't believe that she had just said that. How could she have said that?"

"You go down on paper nicely." Severus whispered as he turned away from her again.

"What?"

"I think you're pretty!" Severus yelped as he spun around, hoping to no avail that the heat he felt creeping into his face and ears wasn't visible.

"Oh..." Rolanda had begun to blush as well. "Thank you, Severus."

"You don't mind?" Severus questioned.

"Well, I think I wouldn't have minded as much if you had asked, but I guess I don't mind."

Severus' spirits soared. He was stunned that he had just told a woman that he thought she was good looking, but she didn't even as much as slap him!

Rolanda stepped closer to him. "Have you ever thought of trying your hand at portraits?"

"Would you like one?" Severus' face cracked into a smile. Yet again, Severus felt on top of the world. It was a treat every time he was ever near Rolanda, and now he can keep his full and undivided attention on her without worrying about anyone questioning why! "And your sure that you're okay with all of these pictures of you right here?"

"Sev, the onlyway I couldever have a problem with that if the content was somehow questionable. Why don't you come by my rooms tomorrow, and we can work everything out from there?"

"Oh, that's perfect! See you then!" This time, when Severus turned to leave, he had a bounce in his step and a smile on his face.

Like I said earlier, kudos go to kidarock (READ KIDAROCK'S STORIES!), who helped inspire this story. So naturally, this is a present to the people who make up kidarock for reviewing my stories. Get a present like kidarock by clicking on the button in the bottom left hemisphere of the screen. (Actually, you'll get a picture if you leave your e-mail address!)

'Tis a Gift to Be Free