A/N- All characters belong to . Only the unrecognizable ones are mine.

After the Rain

Chapter 4

"Professor McGonagall, have you seen my aunt? I think I may have been bitten by a Fitchker on the dance floor, as I have just had the oddest painful sensation in my abdomen." Luna said, one hand on her stomach.

"Oh dear, yes I just set her to dancing with Severus. They should be right over- Oh; I don't see them on the floor. Why don't you just sit down a moment? I will see if I can find them." Minerva said standing and walking away. She didn't see Luna's small smirk that followed.

...

McGonagall checked the room and found that neither Severus nor Astoria were present any longer. She looked to the open doors on her left that opened into the courtyard.

"Oh, hello Minerva. How are you?" Rolonda Hooch asked, just having finished a conversation with Kingsley.

"Oh, fine Rolonda. I am just trying to find Astoria Lovegood. Have you seen her?" She asked, causing the other woman to nearly choke on her tongue.

"Astoria is here? Can I come with you?"

"Oh, sure dear. I haven't checked outside yet." Minerva said, taking the lead while suddenly very alert Madam Hooch followed only half a step behind.

...

"Oh! Professor McGonagall, have you seen Luna? I've been looking for her everywhere." Harry Potter asked a little loudly when he spotted Minerva and Rolonda.

"Oh yes, Harry dear she said she was feeling sick and I've gotten her to sit down inside. You should probably go to see her. And have you seen Astoria?" McGonagall asked worriedly.

"Oh, a little while ago. She and Snape were going for a walk out here. I think they went that way." Harry said, pointing. Minerva thanked him and walked quickly in the direction Harry had pointed, Rolonda still following.

...

Hearing Harry's cue, Snape and I got into position on the stone bench. As soon as we heard their crashing through the bushes I pulled Snape down on top of me, kissing him deeply. He wasn't a bad kisser on any account, though on his part he was fairly subdued. I nudged him slightly, motioning for him to play his role. He deepened it slightly. We heard Minerva's choking sound with satisfaction and continued.

"Merlin!" Minerva said, completely astonished. We broke apart slowly and turned to look in her direction.

"Oh, hello Minerva." Severus Snape said, letting a little fake annoyance leak into his tone.

"I-I apologize." She stuttered out before turning quite quickly and leaving, a deep blush on her cheeks. Though only now did I realize that Minerva had brought someone with her. That was not part of the initial plan.

"Astoria!" I heard the familiar voice of Rolonda Hooch gasp.

"Bugger." I muttered darkly, only Snape hearing.

"What in Dumbledore's name are you doing? And with him!" Rolonda asked incredulously.

"Hullo Rolonda." I said with a sigh. I put my hands gently on Snape's chest to signify that he should get off of me, which he did immediately.

"Oh Astoria!" Rolonda suddenly gasped, stumbling forward and into my arms. Severus Snape stood up and made to leave, but I grabbed onto his hand at the last moment. He looked at me confused and I discreetly shook my head, pleading him to stay. He frowned, but made no other move to go. Meanwhile the woman had begun sobbing onto my shoulder. I made a face when she began kissing her way up my throat.

"Rowe, please. Please stop. Darling, please." I muttered softly to her, trying to make her cease.

"I never thought I'd see you again." She cried into my throat. "I've missed you so very much." She continued to kiss my jaw, then up to my mouth.

"I have as well, but please just listen to me. Let's all go back to the party. We can catch up later. I have to take Luna home." I murmured into her lips. She seemed not to hear me, only kissed me deeper. I sighed in resignation. Damn, this wasn't working. "Darling, stop, please stop now. You can come with me, but I really have to get Luna home, and Mr. Snape wants to rejoin the party." At the mention of Snape, Rolonda pulled away from my face. She looked to the man, and then to our joined hands.

"Astoria, what is this?" Rolonda's face was coloring drastically.

"Darling please-"

"Don't you "Darling" me Astoria Lovegood!"

"Rowe, we've been broken up for going on eight years now." I pointed out with a tired sigh.

"Yes! But that was because it couldn't be any other way!" She reminded with a smile. "And now you're back, and we can be together again. Like we're meant to be."

"Rolonda, please. We will talk about this later."

"There is nothing to talk about. We love each other." She said simply.

"I still have other responsibilities, other things to do. I can't just drop everything and come marry you." I sighed.

"Why were you kissing Snape?" Her mind must have just registered that fact. "You don't even like men."

"Sure I do." I told her.

"But you like women."

"Yes." I assured wearily, easily growing impatient with the conversation. "But Rowe, please I have to go now!" And with that I yanked my hand free of hers and began to walk back toward the hall, Snape following impassively. Luna and Harry Potter were waiting by the entrance together, her saying something funny and he smiling brightly in amusement. I approached the pair with a smile, happy for my niece to have a real friend.

"Ready to go hon'?" I asked. She nodded once and turned to Harry.

"I'll see you Tuesday then?" He asked her.

"Ooh, yes. Will Ron and Hermione be coming as well?" Luna asked. Harry shrugged once.

"I know for sure that Neville is in. Malfoy, high and mighty as per usual, says he's still on the fence. So are most of the Slytherins we invited actually... The Ravenclaws, in general, seem to be leaning away from the idea, but I'm sure they'll come 'round. What little Gryffindors are left are of course ready to help, and so are the Hufflepuff."

"Excellent, I look forward to seeing Ernie again. Last time was in the battle, he was quite badly wounded and apparently his younger sister had managed to stay back from the evacuation. She was a Gryffindor." Was it just me or did Mr. Potter's eyes flash with... jealousy at the mention of Ernie? "See you soon." Luna said with a smile and a quick kiss to Harry Potter's cheek. I masked my own smile at the expression on the boy's face.

"Thank you." I told Snape gratefully. "Really." He nodded once, obviously still confused. "And I expect I will be seeing you again soon." With that I turned and strode away quickly, Luna and Rolonda following.

Luna grabbed my arm tightly and we apparated with a quiet 'pop' when we were clear of the school gates.