Halloween Gift for Karasu_Hime
Gift for: karasu_hime
From: Severed_Lies
Title: Savories and a Sweet
Characters: Severus Snape, Nymphadora Tonks
Rating: G
Warnings: Unrequited crush
Notes: October 31, 1990, Hogwarts
Savories and a Sweet
Tonks fidgets nervously in the entry hall, awaiting Severus' arrival. He has given over to her 'unseemly pursuit', and shockingly has accepted her invitation to a late Halloween supper.
Precisely at 11pm, Severus greets his former student with small bow, relieves her of her fragrant picnic basket and bades Tonks to follow him, leading them through a labyrinth of corridors and out unto a small courtyard. A small stone table and chairs sits under a cloud-chased, almost full moon, protected from the wind by a thick bramble copse.
They quickly devour the savory meat pies, tomato tarts, apple turnovers and mulled wine. Tonks offers stories of her training mishaps and tries, but fails, to get Severus to dish on his fellow professors. Just before midnight, Tonks produces a small packet of Cockroach Clusters, (his only confectionery indulgence) and offers it to Severus. He favors Tonks with a wry smile, and she cringes at the pointed delight with which he savors his disgusting treat.
Although he never returns Nymphadora's affections, Severus is always grateful for the memory of that picnic, a memory to soften the heart-ache of his betrayal and loss.