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It was Valentine's Day. The holiday of all lovers and all retailers who could increase their sales many times over because of a single day in the calendar. For Alan, it was a welcome opportunity to give you something nice. But the problem was that you hated Valentine's Day. You didn't understand why people had to declare their love just because it was the 14th in the calendar. If two people love each other, they should prove it every day, and not just materially, you said.So it was a challenge for Alan. What should he give you so that you wouldn't be angry with him, so that his well-intentioned gesture wouldn't be misunderstood? Lost in thought, he was walking through the streets of London when a shop came into view. Alan grinned slightly as an ingenious plan formed in his mind. Slightly excited, he entered the shop and left a few minutes later with a large bag and a satisfied smile, waving to a passing taxi and dictating your address. In the car, he sent you a text: ‘Come back asap. I have something important to discuss with you XXX’You've had a terrible day. An actor you couldn't stand because of his pretensions and quirks had been given the lead role in a film in which you had just played a supporting role. And today he showed his worst side. Nothing was good enough for him, he made mistakes that he blamed on others. In short, you had a day you'd rather forget. Unfortunately, you couldn't do without your role.You were an aspiring actress and as such you didn't have much choice. Alan had offered you several times since you moved in with him to only take roles that you would enjoy, emphasising that it wasn't about the money and that he would take care of everything. But that wasn't your style. You didn't want to be a burden on him, and if you could make even a small contribution to the household, you felt better.You didn't read Alan's text until you were on the crowded underground, where you stood crammed in like a sardine, so you only had time to share your location with him and write, ‘I'm on my way. Love you’As you opened the door and called out, ‘I'm home,’ while taking off your snow-soaked boots and shedding your coat, you heard two words in response, the sound of which literally caught you off guard. ‘You're too late,’ came Alan's voice, whose tone you hadn't recognised before. Dominant, slightly annoyed, disgruntled.Alan was never like that. No matter what happened, he was always calm, friendly, forgiving. With a slight feeling of guilt that you had done something wrong, even though you didn't know exactly what, you walked down the long corridor and entered the living room from where the voice came to you. And then you saw him. Professor Snape was sitting behind Alan's desk.His black eyes were missing, but otherwise that was him. He looked at you with a hard expression on his face, and you didn't know whether to laugh or not, so you just covered your mouth with your hand. You loved Alan as Professor Snape. You actually got to know him in that role when you took a moment to strike up a conversation with Alan in the last episode of Harry Potter as an acting student and extra. And now he was sitting right opposite you, Professor Snape.‘You're late,’ Alan repeated sternly in Snape's robes.‘Yes, sir,’ you feigned regret, ’I'm very sorry, sir.’You added, and although it took a lot of effort not to laugh, you looked sadly at Alan.‘You've earned yourself a detention.’ Alan said, getting up from the table and walking towards you with the slow, graceful steps of Severus Snape. ‘In my private chambers,’ he added in his velvety voice, taking you gently but firmly by the arm and leading you to your bedroom.And although you had completely forgotten that it was Valentine's Day in all the stress of work, it was the best present you could have ever received that day.