The Half-Blood Princess (A Snape and Astoria Fanfic)

Chapter 13

Astoria was looking at her locket when she heard a tap on the window. She looks up and sees a black great-horned owl tapping at the window. Astoria recognized the owl as Snape's owl. She goes to the window and opens it, letting the owl hop inside. Astoria gently takes the folded piece of parchment and pets the owl, "Thank you Hades." The owl hoots and flies back out the window. Astoria closes the window and sits down. She unfolds the parchment to see Snape's handwriting. His letter was short but kind. She begins to read: 

Astoria,

Meet me at the Room of Requirements. Say this as you walk pass it three times: I need a place to celebrate my birthday in private. I will be waiting for you inside.

Severus

Astoria looked at the letter with a curious expression on her face. She puts the letter in her pocket and leaves her office, locking the door magically. Astoria goes up to the seventh floor finds the spot where she knew the Room of Requirements was located, having been in there herself when she was a student here. She walks past the spot three time thinking, 'I need a place to celebrate my birthday in private.' The vine carved door materialized once more. Astoria stops and looks at the door. She walks to the door and opens it with the curious expression, still on her face. She enters and closes the door. As the door disappears, she looks around and gasps. The entire room was decorated just for her. Snape upon hearing the gasp stops pacing and looks up to see her looking around. A smile spreads acros his face. Snape says, "Surprise, Astoria. I planned it just for you." Astoria looks at Snape still surprised, "All this for me, Severus?" Snape nods and replies, "Yes. This is all for you." Astoria looks at Snape, tears brimming her eyes. She walks over and hugs him. Snape hugs her back. "Thank you, Severus." She says as she let's go and looks at him, tears now falling from her eyes, as he smiles at her. Snape gently wipes away her tears, making her heart beat fast for a moment, then take her hand and leads her to her birthday cake. "I had the house elves bake you a birthday cake." Astoria gasps, her hand covering her mouth, as she sees the cake and the bowl of cookies and cream ice cream. "Oh Severus! The cake is beautiful!" Snape smiles again as he pulls out his wand and lights the candle. He moves back slightly and whispers, "Make a wish and blow out the candle, Astoria." Astoria smiles then closes her eyes and wished for her and Snape to be together forever. She opens her eyes and takes a deep breath and blows out the candle. Snape smirks slightly, "What did you wish for, Astoria." Astoria chuckles, "If I tell you, my wish won't come true." Snape, eyebrow raised, said, "Surely you don't believe in that nonsense, do you?" Astoria chuckles, "I do, Severus." Snape shakes his head, chuckling slightly, "Very well, Astoria. Since it is your birthday. You should be the one to cut the cake. It is your cake after all." Astoria smiled, "Ok, Severus." Snape went and got the two plates and held them as Astoria cut out 2 slices of the cake placing each one on the plate. She looks at the ice cream, "Is that cookies and cream ice cream?" Snape nods smiling, "Yes, it is." Astoria smiles back, "How did you know that cookies and cream ice cream is my favorite?" Snape replied with a smile, "I've seen you eating the ice cream when desserts came around." Astoria chuckles, "How often do you watch me eat?" Snape cheeks flushed slightly as he answered, "Perhaps a little too much, but I had to know so that I could surprise you with all of this." Astoria smiles as she puts a scoop of ice cream next to the slice of cake, "Very clever of you." Snape smiles as he puts the plates on the table. Astoria sets down the ice cream scoop and goes to the table. Snape pulls a chair out for her. Astoria smiles and sits down. Snape pushes the chair in for her then goes and sits himself. He takes the wine and uncorks it, pouring a glass for her and himself. He then raises his goblet and says. "Happy Birthday, Astoria. May your birthday wish come true. Astoria smiles and raises her goblet and says, "Thank you for this wonderful surprise, Severus." They clink their goblets and take a sip. Snape sets his goblet down and says with a smile, "It's not over yet." Astoria sets her goblet down and says, "Oh really, Severus? Are there more surprises? Snape replies, "Yes, but after we eat this cake." Astoria chuckles, "Ok, Severus. Let's dig into this delicious cake and ice cream." Snape chuckles as they both start to eat their cake and ice cream. Once they finished eating, Snape moves his chair around the table to sit in front of Astoria. Snape looks at her and said, "I have two gifts for you, but first, I'd like you to read the card I picked out, just for you." Snape pulls out an envelope and hands it to Astoria. Then sits back and watches her. Astoria looks at the envelope, then opens it and pulls out the card. She gasps as she looks at the card. The rose on the card was beautiful and oh how the words Happy Birthday flashed. She smiled at Snape, "What a card you picked out, Severus." Snape smiles and simply says, "Go on, Astoria. Read it." Astoria smiles, opens her card and begins to read: