J.K. Rowling owns H.P. I own O.C. and the plot :)

Lumora Olivander and Severus Snape in : The City of Love

Snape and Lumora are sent to Verona, Italy on assignment. The assignment, you ask? Brew a cure that will heal Neville's parents, and those like them. The problem? Voldemort is still at large. Oh, and they still have this wicked cracking attraction to one another. Welcome to the City of Love!

CHAPTER ONE: the assignment

"Quit breathing down my neck!" Lumora Ollivander whispered in an irritated huff to the man walking closely behind her.

"As I recall, Miss Olivander, snakesdo not breathe down people's necks," Severus Snape drawled, the light from his torch throwing eerie shadows along the corridor's cold cinderblock walls.

Lumora rolled her eyes, clenching her teeth together to prevent herself from bantering back. This is what she got for calling him a snake only moments prior their departure. Dumbledore had sent for the two of them. Instead of two owls arriving for their assistance, only one came, bearing one note. They had fought over it. He winning, and as a result Lumora called him a snake. "Severus, you make it so easy to poke fun at."

Easy? Severus thought, "Easy to poke at, you say?" He came closer to her, quickly sweeping her hair away from her ear, his tongue playfully poking at her flesh.

Heat flooded Lumora's cheeks, "Severus!" She exclaimed again in a whisper. She turned around to glare at him, but instead of squaring off with him, she felt her irritation melt away. He was leaning against the cold stone wall, quite casually, returning her gaze cooly, an air of seduction steaming of his features. Lumora could feel herself melting, soon she was stepping closer to him, closing the distance between them, melding her mouth with his. The torch in her hand clattered to the floor forgotten under his masterful kiss. The loss of light jarred Lumora back to her senses. With a snap of her fingers, the torch was again in her hand, burning brightly. "Yes, you are easy to poke fun at," She answered his previous question, playfully poking his chest, earning a smirk and chuckle from the man before her.

Smoothing her hair back in place, Lumora continued to walk along the corridor, the Potion's Master faithfully at her heals. The dark pair reached Dumbledore's office, the great phoenix revolving to reveal the staircase into the Headmaster's chambers. Up they went, Lumora came to the door, it swung open as if sensing their presence.

"Come in my children," Dumbledore welcomed them in, He rose behind his desk as Lumora and Snape both entered the cavernous office, taking the chairs opposite of the Headmaster. Dumbledore sat, folding his arms neatly across his chest, eyes twinkling mischievously at Lumora. "I am so glad to see you both are well." He smiled at them, then he took a quick breath, letting it out and leaning back in his chair. "I have an assignment for you. The Order is in need of your expertise. Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom have been in a non-remembrance state for quite some time due to the torture they faced in the hands of the Dark Lord. Severus you are unmatched in potions, Lumora you are also a potioneer by skill, but your operative skills matched with Severus is undeniably very dynamic. We need your expertise in the field again my dear." Dumbledore pulled out a parchment and handed it to Severus. Then he continued, "Potioneers in Italy have claimed that they have found a cure for the Longbottom's condition."

Severus finished reading the parchment, handing it over to Lumora, continuing to gaze at the twinkling man before him, "You wish to verify this intelligence, Headmaster." He stated, "along with finding a true cure."

Lumora quickly scanned the parchment, finding exactly what she had been looking for to finish the puzzle Dumbledore had presented to them, "You believe the vital ingredients are located in Verona?" she asked, glancing sideways to meet Severus' smoldering gaze.

"Yes, our intelligence informs me that the vital ingredients are natural to the Italian countryside. You could have them imported, but in order to produce a true cure, you need to eliminate the counterfeit threat." Dumbledore took out his wand, spelling the parchment blank again. "Now, I need you to pack your bags. The Order is issuing you both new identities starting immediately. Your positions here at Hogwarts will be filled with qualified wizards."

Severus and Lumora both stood, "Thank you Headmaster."

"The details of your assignment has been sent to your rooms via floo. Look for a new knicknack on your tables and tap it three times. It will transfigure back into the written instructions you will need for your assignment." Dumbledore instructed, "Thank you for your service." He nodded, allowing them to leave.

When they were clear of the phoenix stairs, Snape cornered Lumora against the wall down the very same corridor they had come, slamming her back against the ragged cold stone. He spoke, meeting her eyes with his signature cool gaze, his voice deadly and low, "I am a master spy, Miss Olivander. I do not fancy being fooled," He shook her once, "You will tell me everything."

from the author's desk...

and another adventure with Snape and Lumora begins! It looks like Lumora is a master spy herself after all. looking forward to the journey, reviews make it so much better! thanks :)

xoxo

Lumora The White