Timeless

Arthur observed his wife closely. She seemed happy and in control of her family as ever. But Arthur knew his beloved Molly better than anyone else.

Molly had lost a considerable amount of weight. Her cheeks seemed hollow and Arthur had the feeling that he could see right through her skin. She was, in his esteemed opinion, only skin and bones.

Under her eyes were dark circles and she looked very tired. Molly tried to cover up but Arthur noticed her frequent yawning and the tired movements of her wand as she prepared dinner.

Molly was nearly asleep on her feet. Arthur had slept fitfully last night and every turn had woken up. Since Arthur had been attacked by You-Know-Who's snake, Molly had been in a right state. Of course she held it together in front of the children and Order members. She breaking down would probably scare the living daylights out of them. Her children were anxious as it was. Ginny could barely been pried away from her father. Bill had taken all of his father's work upon himself without hesitation, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. The twins were not fooling around near their daddy and didn't even give Molly such a hard time. Ron was quite seemed to be always close to her, should she need his help. If anything could show how close the Weasley family was, it was this Christmas at Grimmauld Place number 12. That feast would have laid all doubts to rest as to how much they loved each other.

Molly sighed again heavily and felt the chair being pressed into the back of her knees. Gratefully, and not caring who are beneficiary was, she sank onto the chair and closed her eyes. Gentle hands wrapped around her nape and began to massage her neck and shoulders. When the hands reached a particularly tense knot she moaned involuntarily.

"Enjoying yourself?"

Snape's sneer brought her back to reality with a hard thud as she fell out of seventh heaven.

"Now you miserable …"

Molly whirled around, imagining Snape with his hands on her shoulders and a horrible sneer on his face and Arthur standing in the door with a murderous glint in his eyes.

But she was silenced when she noticed Arthur standing behind her. Snape stood in the door, with a gigantic sneer on his lips, and watched the scene with amusement. The rest of the room was empty. Wait! Empty? But …

"I met your children sitting on the stair with embarrassed expressions. When asked about dinner they merely shook their heads. Now I see why. Really, Arthur, couldn't you have waited till after dinner? And in the kitchen? I think I'll eat in Hogwarts."

With that Snape turned around and left the couple behind, red-faced with a mixture of embarrassment, amusement and anger. Anger only in Molly's case, Arthur was more amused than anything else. He had indicated the door to his children and Hermione and Harry. His children had sighed and left readily enough. Hermione had been embarrassed and nearly tripped over her own feet in her hurry to leave but Harry had needed a hard elbow in the rips from Ron to understand. Arthur wondered if Harry's aunt and uncle led a happy marriage.

"How dare … implying … just … pathetic little … aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Arthur had to smile. His wife muttering dark things under her breath and cursing Snape was real fun from his point of view. Molly jumped up and ran after the Professor, still fuming. Arthur closed his eyes and sighed, still amused. Now all hell would break loose. … He was right.

"Snape! Hold it right there! What were you implying? We're married for 24 years! I think that's more than legitimate! And with seven children!"

Arthur chuckled softly and walked to the door. Leaning against the frame, he watched Molly cornering Snape by the front door. all the other occupants of Grimmauld Place Number 12 assembled on the stairs to watch the dinner entertainment.

Minerva sneered down on Snape and turned leisurely to Alastor.

"Wanna bet on the outcome?"

"Sure, 10 galleons that Molly jinxes him into oblivion when he says something in return."

"Deal! I think Snape will be able to defend himself but has to sedate her or put a body-bind curse on her."

The twins listened intently and, with a shared mischievous glance, joined the betting pool.

"We're in. 5 galleons that mum hexes Snape with everything she has. Which is considerable, come to think of it. Poor Snape! One could ALMOST feel sorry for him."

"No, I can't and won't. The bloody git always takes points from my house for no reason and does everything, even when it's against the rules, to win the House Cup", said Professor McGonagall with fierce determination on her face. "Serves him right for never shutting up."in a murderous rage

Alastor laughed heartily. Ron and Harry looked up at their Professor in surprise. McGonagall smiled down at them and jerked her head back to the argument below.

"Now, woman, it was obvious that …"

"I give a damn what it looked like. He was just MASSAGING me!"

"It might have started their …"

"I'm EXHAUSTED. Try to raise seven children, worry for your husband who nearly avoided death and play housemaid for the order! I'm bloody tired and sore!"

"Too tired and sore for your husband's company! Poor bloke!"

Minerva gasped in anticipation of what would unfold. Alastor grinned wolfishly and the Weasley kids started to back up simultaneously. Arthur though turned a very dark shade of red with anger. Sirius and Lupin closed their eyes and said silently goodbye to Snivelus, praying that James could have witnessed that.

"YOU BASTARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Molly was speechless. How could that git say that? Anger made her raise her wand and with satisfaction she watched Snape back up against the door. His eyes were wide and his pulse racing.

"Molly, put that wand away. I don't want to hurt …"

The curse hit him squarely in the chest before he could finish his sentence. He felt his legs and arms clap shut against his body. Now he was unable to move and he was at Molly's mercy. His eyes were focused pleadingly on Minerva. It was a pathetic picture.

"Molly, I think you made your point. Ignore him and don't say anything. It's … He's not worth it."

Arthur's voice was soft and directly behind Molly. She turned towards him like a flower and the body-bind curse lifted off Snape.

"You're right. Let's go eat."

A./N.: Wanna see what happens next? Please read and review.