JK Rowling owns the Harry Potter Universe. I make no money from these efforts and appreciate the opportunity to borrow her characters. Please read and review. I enjoy constructive criticism. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far. I appreciate all of your comments. I know Severus is going to get a little OOC here, I hope you'll bear with me.

Under Your Spell

Chapter 4 Green Eyed Monster

Mr. Potter was clearly stunned; Severus observed the anteroom of the restaurant with detached interest when he arrived. Potter had preceded them both and demonstrated the use of the floo. He had coaxed Elizabeth into allowing him to travel with his son. She followed Potter, and he had just stepped out of the floo with the child and into her tirade.

As a man, a spy, who had survived the torture and vitriol spewed by the Dark Lord, he stood stoically yet bemused at the site of his new wife in what could only be termed as a tizzy. She was covered in ash and soot and stood arms akimbo, hair falling out of the combs. He flicked his wrist deftly to insure that curious eyes and ears would not witness her eruption. For, though she struck him as a rather calm, placid sort, he knew that she had reached her limit. Tolerance at its breaking point, she snapped.

He smiled slyly. While he appreciated her even temperament, what was the fun of living with a woman from whom one could elicit no extreme emotion? No, one did not wish for a violent harridan, but what man wanted an apathetic woman in his bed? He had always enjoyed the banter he shared with both Minerva and Poppy, and on occasion, Hooch when she was sober.

He nodded his head toward the door and glared at Potter, "It might be best if you wait outside, Mr. Potter. We'll be along." His deep, even voice filled the room, and he arched his brow and watched the young man back slowly into the restaurant proper.

Marginally tilting his head, his calm, obsidian eyes were drawn to the heaving figure of his wife. She was quite a site with the way his dark, woolen robes molded to her petite yet rubenesque form.

"I. Will. Never. The nerve . . . pushing me into the fireplace and sending me spinning. I let you yank me from one end of England to another without saying a word even though it felt like my stomach had been yanked out of my throat - and leaving one place and appearing in another - and disappearing furniture - and everyone wearing funny clothes and all of that strange energy crawling all over my skin like ants- and married to a man I don't know. Never, Never, NEVER. I will NEVER get into one of those floos again Severus Snape! You wave your little wand around all you like, but if you ever get me near one of those fireplaces with a mind to pull me through, I swear I'll . . "

Throughout her rant, he had calmly made his way across the room to her. Vanishing the detritus from her clothing, he placed a now curious and alert babe in her arms before deftly repairing her hair with his nimble fingers. He adjusted the combs in her rich, dark locks, keeping his face impassive. He looked down his prodigious nose at her.

"I'm sorry," she huffed and looked away sheepishly. Her lovely face was glowing with a healthy blush and her brown eyes shown with emotion. That stubborn little chin of hers which had jutted out petulantly was now tucked to her luscious bosoms.

"Hmmm," he intoned as he tilted her trembling chin so that their eyes met. "Are you quite finished?" His voice was rich, deep and calming. Tear glistened in her brown eyes, and he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, dabbing the corners of her eyes where the tremulous tears hung on her sooty lashes. He choked most of it up to hormones. Women's bodies teemed with hormones on a regular basis. Any Potion's Master worth his salt knew that and could determine the effects of a potion based on where a woman was at in her cycle. Pregnant women and new mothers practically ran rampant with them. It was a nightmare treating them.

"I," she began. Her small hand covered his where it lay against her cheek. "Thank you, Severus."

He found the blush that suffused her cheeks charming.

Her eyes never left his as she tilted her head and raised her shoulder self-consciously. Her full lips pressed together, and every nuance of her expression spoke of her chagrin, "I really didn't mean to behave so abominably."

His finger was still under her chin, and she lowered her lashes to avoid his gaze.

This was something rather new for the once hardened spy. The moment seemed to stand still as he gazed down at his wife. "I can only imagine that," he gestured with his fine, long fingers, "all this is rather . . . disconcerting. However, it might be best if you communicate your misgivings and frustrations to me rather than . . ." here, he gestured wryly to her and quirked his eyebrows. He knew that if anyone had observed their calm exchange, they would not believe what they were seeing and hearing from Severus Snape. It seemed that the end of the war, time in Azkaban and most importantly his near death had all taken their toll on him. He wanted nothing more than to meet out the rest of his days quietly, working in his lab and taking care of his new family. Well, he considered his wife and child, maybe not too quietly. A little excitement might not be so unwelcomed.

He felt the pressure of her hands on his and his chest as she rose on her toes and kissed him softly on the lips. At a loss for words, he could only raise his brows in surprise. His little wife smiled as she coyly pressed against him and ran her right hand up his chest and through his loose hair. Her left hand still clutched his tense large hand at her cheek. His digits held fast to the crisp handkerchief.

Someone cleared his throat behind them, and the moment was over. He turned with a jerk to glare sternly at the maitre d, a young, pompous wizard whose attempt at haughty disinterest was ruined by his rather gregarious moustache.

Elizabeth's barely suppressed giggle did not escape her husband, who looked down at her, slyly quirking his lips.

"If you will, Sir, Madam, follow me." The young man ordered. "Your table awaits."

Placing his hand on her back, Severus guided his wife out of the room, and in a very unSnapelike gesture. He reached down and pinched her lovely, ample bottom.

"Oh!" Elizabeth squealed and slapped at his wandering hand.

"The next time you throw a fit like that, wife, I will put you over my knee." He wagged his eyebrows at her suggestively.

"Severus!" Elizabeth admonished in a loud whisper as she blushed.

Potter must have heard because Severus noted that the boy would not meet his eye throughout the course of the meal. Severus had taken his child so that Elizabeth could eat. He noticed that she seemed a bit tired, but surely, that was to be expected of a new mother?

After eating, they bid Potter farewell, promising to meet him again soon, and they headed out to Diagon Alley. He paid particular attention to her response to those around them. There were moments where she sighed with contentment and others in which she bristled with discomfort. His brows drew down in concentration, and as they neared Madam Malkin's, he failed to notice a familiar figure following him and watching curiously.

The weather was warm and cool, and the sun shined down on the busy street as Witches and Wizards ran errands and did their shopping. Severus ushered his wife and child into the store, and they waited patiently while Madam Malkin helped another customer. When she was through, she greeted them politely. Severus had been a bit hesitant, as he was unsure of the reception he would receive from her.

"Ahh, Severus. It is good to see you. I was speaking with the Headmistress last week, and she assured me that you would be returning to Hogwarts. Is this so?" She chattered on amiably, and he bore it mutely. She was a known gossip, so the best reaction was no reaction.

"Well," the plump seamstress fluttered around Elizabeth curiously and peeked at the babe. She never stopped moving or talking, "and who do we have here?" She smiled at them.

"This is Mrs. Snape and my son. I would appreciate it if you would provide her with a full traditional trousseau." He continued in a low, even voice, "I know it will be impossible to complete such an order today, but I would prefer that she have a week's worth of clothing including undergarments and shoes by the time we leave today. Do you have enough ready made items?" He inquired.

The older woman's eyes lit with pleasure, "Of course!" She exclaimed brightly. Sales had slowly started to rise after the war, but such a commission would greatly help her recoup her losses from the downturn, the lean times, that had come about during Voldemort's rise to power. She looked over Elizabeth and appreciated her lovely, curvy figure. She gave a little moue of distaste, "You know my dear," she remarked conversationally " so many young witches are following the Muggle fashions these days. It is dreadful. They are all skin and bones and seek to show entirely too much of their scanty flesh. What Wizard wants to marry an bony, immodest girl who gives the goods away? Hmmm? But I can tell that you are different."

She nodded questioningly. "You are well made; that's for sure. Just look at you." She said as she pulled the young woman after her into a dressing room. Elizabeth followed her, wordlessly glancing at her husband who nodded reassuringly.

Madam Malkin gestured to a chair behind a low dais, which was flanked by tall mirrors. "Please have a seat Mr. Snape. I'm sure you would like to approve your new wife's wardrobe?" She smiled pleasantly at the increasingly taciturn Wizard.

"Actually, Madam, I have a few errands to run. I trust you to see that she is dressed both tastefully and modestly. It would please me to keep her dressed more . . . traditionally. Have the bill charged to my Gringotts account. I trust you still have my information on file?" He nodded at her and his eyes met hers pointedly conveying these strict dictates.

"Of course!" She smiled and quickly dismissed him and pulled his wife after her.

The dark wizard made his way towards a nearby furniture maker to purchase items for his son. He felt a swift pull on his arm and turned to stare into the steel grey eyes of Lucius Malfoy.

"Well, now, let me look at you." The blond wizard huffed imperiously. His well manicured hands reached forward to smooth the dark robes of his longtime friend. They stood nearly eye to eye; though, Severus was a tad taller. "Are you going to tell me why you've been ignoring my owls?" He cocked his head and arched a blond brow. "Or are you going to stand there and wait until I expire with curiosity." He ended blandly. The straight line of his lips curled distastefully.

"Come," the blond ordered and tapped Severus' broad shoulder with the silver head of his cane.

"Let's have a drink."

Severus eyed his shoulder and slowly met the mirth filled eyes of his old friend, "I'm on an errand, Lucius," he sneered. "I don't have time for word play today. I'm sorry I did not return your owls, but I thought it best that we keep some . . . distance until things settled." His lips drew down in a frown. He felt guilty that he had avoided Lucius, but he also knew that it would do neither of them any favors to be seen together.

"Nonsense," Lucius huffed, "I owe both you and Dumbledore for keeping my sorry hide out of Azkaban. I owe you for a great deal more, but . . . I am loth to thank you to profusely, lest you ask for some reward that I am hesitant to part with. So I'll keep things less effusive if you please." He smiled the smile of a Slytherin, "Now, tell me about the young woman on your arm earlier and the child. Are they yours?"

"Not that it is any of your business, but yes, they are mine." The dark wizard turned to complete his task and the blond man followed. Their passage was marked by many curious eyes.

Severus began before Lucius could pelt him with fifty questions he didn't wish to answer, "So, how have you been Lucius."

He noticed the other man did not answer directly, and he stopped short to gaze into those telling eyes, "What is it? Is it Cissa? Draco? Are you well?" He knew at once that something was not as it should be.

"It is . . . everything is . . . fine. You didn't hear?" Lucius gently pulled Severus forward and they began to walk.

Severus guided him towards the furniture maker's story and they entered quietly and cast silencing spells to keep their conversation private.

Lucius leaned forward and whispered stealthily, "Someone has been attacking my family, Draco, Cicca and myself. The last attack was on the Greengrass girl, Draco's fiancé." Lucius' calm eyes belied the emotion that Severus knew he was feeling.

"Is she alright? I thought Draco was engaged to the Parkinson girl."

"Yes. And, no, I broke off the engagement after her father was thrown into Azkaban. Their manor and fortune were seized by the Ministry for his support of Voldemort. He was unwise in his dealings and the bribes were easily traced as were his disbursements to Voldemort. He also abused the Muggle Borns in his department, and the deaths of several young women were traced to him. His wife killed herself shortly after his trial, and Pansey was left destitute. Had she shown Draco some loyalty, I might have honored the contract. However, she was clearly pregnant at her father's trial. She tried to plead with me, but I would hear none of it. Draco seemed glad enough to be rid of her, and Miss. Greengrass has proved to be a more worthy replacement."

Severus listened stoically. "Have you any idea who perpetrated the attacks?" Severus asked.

"Until recently, no. However, Bella was spotted in Hogsmeade; did you hear?" His calm eyes gazed into those seemingly cold, dark orbs. He swallowed thickly and leaned into the taller man. "It had to be her. I thought she was dead . . . " he paused, staring out the filmy glass of a nearby window pane. "She must have survived and found out about my treachery. Now, she is out to kill us all. I never thought that she would try to harm her sister, but . . . it was awful Severus. There was so much blood. You know how many times she miscarried before Draco. Now this new Ministry initiative. . . She is determined to have another child." He clenched his jaw and stepped back. "She's breeding again, and I am scared that this one or the next will do her in. Damn Ministry." He huffed.

"I am . . . dreadfully sorry for your loss, Lucius. I can make a potion that may help." He offered.

"Yes, thank you Severus, but you know it never helped before. I wish I knew what the problem was. We've seen numerous healers, who can give us no answers." His face remained emotionless and his eyes calm like a crystal clear pools.

Severus cleared his throat and turned to give the man some privacy. He browsed their selection of cribs. By the time he had chosen a well made serviceable crib of cherry wood and a matching dresser, Lucius had returned to his side. "Are you really going to raise that child in that cesspool of a home you were brought up in?" He sneered.

"Fuck off, Lucius." The dark wizard jabbed in return. "No, I'm going to sell the house." He returned disgruntled, "Potter tells me that Minerva is going to offer me a job, and I've been thinking of buying a home. Perhaps I'll find a place in Hogsmeade?"

Lucius sniffed dismissively, "Of course," he drawled, "some charming little cottage I'm sure."

Severus ignored his friend's slight. He was use to Lucius' form of banter. "Come, old friend," he patted Lucius' shoulder and went to pay for his purchases. After consulting Lucius, he visited a shop just around the corner that sold children's clothing and linens. The two men exchanged what, for them, passed as jovial banter while Severus picked out blankets, clothing, nappies, and a other odds and ends for his son. He reduced all of the items and placed them in his pocket alongside the crib. They returned to Madam Malkin's to find their wives sitting together and having tea on a garish pink settee in the back of the store.

Severus noticed his wife's change in clothing. She wore a rich woolen under dress in green that was topped with a ornate green and gray brocade corset. The loose butter soft woolen sleeves accentuated her narrow wrists. The contrast between his small, curvy wife and the stately, slender Narcissa Malfoy was poignant. Though very different, they made a charming picture, with his son cradled in the doting blond woman's arms. His wife smiled politely up at Cissa, and Severus heard Lucius' intake of breath.

"Lucky little bugger, your boy" Lucius whispered, "I wouldn't mind being squeezed between those two. I can certainly appreciate your young wife's . . . charms." He grinned rakishly at his dark haired friend.

"Lucius, you lecher, keep your eyes where they belong," Severus smirked.

Neither of them wanted to disturb the charming scene, but Severus' patience quickly tired. "Narcissa, a pleasure to see you," Severus murmured as he took the pale woman's hand and kissed her knuckles. "I see you have met my wife, Elizabeth."

"Yes, I have, Severus. She's such a charming young woman." Narcissa, ever graceful, replied. "Why," her eyes narrowed, "haven't you brought her to dinner? And, why am I only, just now, finding out about your son!" She exclaimed softly, self-righteously.

At this point, she ignored him and began talking about him to his child, who cooed in agreement with her, "What a naughty daddy you have, Hadrian. We will definitely have to take him to task. You just leave it to Aunty Cissa. You are going to come and visit me soon." She smiled down at the little babe, who reached for her face. When she bent down to kiss him, gentle sparks flared from his palm, and a lock of her blond hair flew into his palm.

Narcissa gasped, and Elizabeth apologized, "I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed.

"It's nothing at all dear," the older woman recovered from her shock quickly, "but, tell me; how old is he?"

"Two weeks," Severus' deep voice rumbled.

"Two weeks?" Cissa looked up at him curiously.

"It can't be." Lucius' brow was furrowed, "I've never heard . . . Is this the first . . ?"

"No, he's done it several times in my presence." Severus replied, "And evidently he has had a few other tantrums, which have resulted in outbursts."

The aristocratic couple was speechless.

Madam Malkin chose that moment to appear, "I trust all is well?" She looked at each face attempting to determine the lay of the land. When all seemed well, she forged ahead, "Well, I have all of your things packaged my dear," she handed a small bundle to Severus. "Where would you like the other items delivered? I should have them finished in a couple of weeks."

Severus pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to her, "Please have them delivered here, and Thank you for your help."

"My pleasure," she smiled at them as they exited. It had been a very lucrative day, particularly after Mrs. Malfoy had shown up.

They exited Madam Malkins together and strolled down the street leisurely.

"So, Mrs. Snape, did you attend Hogwarts?" Lucius smiled mischievously. He was looking forward to harassing Severus for marrying one of his former students.

"No, Lucius, she did not attend Hogwarts . . . or any other school of magic." Severus head tipped forward and his hair shadowed his face.

Not one to miss such cues, Lucius puzzled at his reaction, "Ah! Home schooled; well, many talented families choose to home school."

"Oh, no, I wasn't home schooled," Elizabeth interjected. I attended the local primary and secondary school with all of the other children in my neighborhood." She smiled at the stately couple, who turned to Severus for an explanation.

He cleared his throat and glared imperiously at them, "She's a Muggle."

Severus had to give Lucius credit; he never missed a beat, "Well, that explains it!" He laughed heartily. "You needn't be so prickly, Severus. Cissa and I have moved on with the times, and we would have done so far sooner were it not for . . . a certain Dark Lord." He paused looking the younger man in the eye steadily, "I always felt that your own Muggle heritage was the reason you were so powerful. I've never met another wizard with your skills at Occlumency nor one who could throw of the Imperius as quickly." The blond man flicked his hair behind his shoulder and added, "Frankly, I'm surprised that you managed to convince any woman to marry you. I was beginning to think I would need to bribe some unfortunate Squib."

Severus glared at the other man and whispered harshly, "Fuck off, Lucius."

Narcissa Malfoy observed the way the petite Muggle gravitated towards Severus and cuddled her child. She looked longingly at the child, but silently rejoiced that Severus had found someone to share his life with, someone to make him happy. She watched as his hand subconsciously made its way to the small of his wife's back and pulled her closer to him protectively.

"Well, I hope you will both join us next Saturday for dinner?" Lucius inquired. He reached over and drew Narcissa's arm through his. "We need to head home, and," he looked around cautiously, "we like to limit our time in public, just out of safety. We will send a formal invitation via owl." He nodded at Severus, paused and turned to Elizabeth, "My dear," he took her hand, "it was a pleasure meeting you."

She blushed at his courtly gesture. No man had ever kissed her hand before, "Thank you, Mr. Malfoy, Mrs. Malfoy."

"Cissa, please" Narcissa smiled pleasantly at the young woman.

"Of course, Cissa. Please call me Elizabeth."

They parted, and Severus drew her on to Scrivenshaft's. He had need of a new book to keep his accounts in. The store carried account books that would allow him to transfer balances and contained algorithms that would tally his accounts automatically. It was a handy way to keep track of orders, profits and debts.

Neither notices the angry eyes that glared at them from the shadow of a nearby alley, but Elizabeth yelped as the spell hit her in the back. Severus reacted immediately and caught her elbow, faintly registering a nearby pop that signified apparition.

"Are you alright?" He enquired. His brow furrowed in concern.

"I felt something hit me." She looked up at him and grimaced in pain. "Magic." She muttered. "It was some kind of magic."

Severus waved his wand in a diagnostic spell, "A stinging Hex. The effects should wear off shortly. Let's sit." He took the child from her and led her to a nearby bench. He watched her breathe deeply for a moment. "Are you alright?" he reiterated.

Elizabeth bit her lip and nodded. She was still in pain, but she was ready to complete their errands and go home. It was nothing new. The pain of birthing Hadrian had never really left her. There was an ache inside of her that had grown persistently throughout the active day.. She felt a trickle between her legs, which gave her pause. Severus helped her stand, and she took a few steps and collapsed.

Severus knelt down; his wand hovered over her prone body. Then, he noticed the drops of blood at her feet and the small pool of blood that had collected where she sat. Her face was pale and her pulse was weak. "Poppy," he whispered desperately.

He placed the babe on her and used a sticking charm to hold her arms to him and bind them to her chest. He placed a levitation charm on her and lifted her in his wiry arms before disapparating with a loud pop.