Chapter 7
The Snapes and Albus got back to their previous seats.
"When Severus informed me of Tom's plan, I had to agree," started Albus. "If Severus hadn't married you, his cover would have been blown. The situation remains the same. You two must do as he orders so that he doesn't suspect you. The most elementary mistake could cost us the war... Does he talk about Harry Potter?"
"The Dark Lord hasn't mentioned him since he came back," replied Severus. "He's focused on recruiting an army, not on the boy."
"That's what he wants his Death Eaters to believe," countered Skyrah. "He wants me to get the Defense Against the Dark Arts job not only to spy on Albus but to influence and spy on the boy."
"Why would he do something like that when Severus is already at the school?" Albus inquired.
Severus rubbed his chin. "The Dark Lord knows I can't stand him. I am able to deliver information about him, but I cannot influence upon the boy with respect to a deep emotional level, except for anger, that is. Skyrah is meant to be the good cop. I am the bad cop."
Albus nodded.
"What exactly do you know that could help us defeat Tom, Skyrah?"
She pondered the answer. "I presume Severus has already told you about our... mission."
"Delivering an heir to reach immortality."
"That's right. What you may not know is that the heir is his plan B."
Albus frowned. "What is his plan A, if you know?"
"Horcruxes. He hasn't told me about them, so he doesn't know I'm aware of this."
"How did you find out about them?" wondered Albus.
Skyrah smiled sadly. "My mother. He confided in her… I always knew he would come back. He never was gone, not really."
"I'm sorry, but I'm lost," interrupted Severus. "What exactly are horcruxes?"
"They are objects in which one deposits a part of their soul. I don't really know much about them. I don't even know which objects my father selected."
"So if those horcruxes were destroyed, he would die?" he guessed.
"Not exactly. He'd be mortal. I believe that is why he wants a male heir. His plan B. If someone discovered his horcruxes and found a way to destroy them, he could live in our child."
Severus shuddered at the thought.
"So we have to figure out which his horcruxes are and how to destroy them first," he said.
Easier said than done. Darting Skyrah a meaningul look, Albus said, "You are the most suitable person to figure out what his horcruxes are and where to find them."
"I'll try, although I'm not sure he'll tell anyone. I may be his daughter, but he doesn't trust me. That's why he holds my family captive," she said bitterly.
"Do you know where he may be keeping them?" Albus wondered in a soft voice.
With a sigh, she said, "I wish I had a clue."
"I'll do whatever I can for them," Albus vowed.
"Thanks," she whispered with thick emotion, attempting to grin at the man. The smile didn't reach her eyes.
"I guess that's all for today," announced Albus, standing up. "We'll keep in touch."
The Snapes mumbled a goodbye as the old wizard used the floo network.
Silence swept over them. It wasn't awkward. Rather, it was perfect to assimilate the implications of Albus's visit. Only Severus found himself wondering about Skyrah's behavior rather than the horcruxes. It wasn't like he could do something to find one now.
"Why did you ignore me yesterday?"
She stared at his black eyes for a long time. Severus waited patiently, holding her gaze. Just when he accepted he wasn't going to receive an answer, she confessed, "It's long and difficult to explain."
"I have time."
A few wavering seconds followed, and then, she spoke.
"I thought any man would take advantage of me after the wedding ceremony, especially a Death Eater, supposedly, the most loyal one. But you were different. You were so gentle with me, so considerate."
He averted her gaze. He wasn't used to compliments, even less when they were related to sex.
"You took me to bed when I fell asleep and comforted me when I most needed it. When I had that nightmare, you didn't question me or make me feel uncomfortable. You just helped me." A half-snort, half-giggle escaped her. "A Death Eater who cooks for his wife, teaches her potions and has a great first date with her! You intrigued me."
And you intrigued me, thought Severus.
"I wanted to get to know you, and it wasn't only for the sake of the mission. I was starting to like you. And when I saw you in that towel I-" she trailed off for a moment and her cheeks turned scarlet, "remembered how good you made me feel and I just couldn't help but think how good it would feel to have you inside me again. And I was angry at myself for having these thoughts."
Ashamed and disappointed as well. That had been the impression she had conveyed while she apologized afterwards. He didn't remind her, though. He didn't wish to transfer her attention to him and his pinkish cheeks. Thankfully, she was too lost in her tale to notice.
"While cuddling after having breakfast in bed, I wondered if I was starting to feel something for you or if it was only lust. I figured kissing you would help me understand my own feelings. And the kiss was amazing, Severus. I have never felt anything like that for anyone, not even for-"
She gulped.
"F-For my f-fiancé. I felt terribly guilty and stupid, that's why I avoided you, to stop having these feelings for you. How was it possible to fall in love with a Death Eater just weeks after my fiancé's death?" she asked with tears in her eyes. "I felt horrible. I still do. But it doesn't change the fact that right now, I just want you to kiss me."
Severus was speechless, overwhelmed... overjoyed. All this time, she had been having similar feelings and thoughts than he had. The only difference was that, while she thought she was dealing with a loyal Death Eater, he reckoned he was dealing with a mini-Voldemort.
Fools, both of them. They had been oblivious.
He cupped her chin with one hand and lifted it up until they both were standing, gazes locked. Never had he thought vulnerability could look so beautiful. She was a mess, but she was not afraid to show it to him. With his free hand, he dried her cheeks. Skyrah gasped and shut her eyes, leaning into his touch. Softly, he caressed her cheek, and she let out a purr.
That was it.
Severus couldn't help himself. He granted her wish. It was a gentle kiss, no tongues involved, but somehow, it felt really intimate.
I have never felt anything like that for anyone, not even for my fiancé.
Shit. He had forgotten about her fiancé. She had been engaged to someone who had died not so long ago. Now Severus felt like he was using her, taking advantage of her grief.
How was it possible to fall in love with a Death Eater just weeks after my fiancé's death?
In love.
She had said she was in love with him. He wanted to believe her. He wanted to believe her so badly. There had to be somebody out there who did not mind his hooked nose, or his grouchiness. That somebody had to be the one who was kissing him and making him feel like there was an army of butterflies in his stomach. It was easier to pretend she was being sincere when one hand massaged his neck and the other grasped his shoulder, keeping him in place to prolong the kiss.
The kiss ended. She was still holding his shoulder. One second, she was staring up at him. Another second, and she was throwing her arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder. It got soaked. He held her back, rubbing her back in awkward circles. Her grip tightened to the point Severus found it hard to breathe, but he didn't mind it. It felt nice to feel needed.
"You aren't on Father's side. You aren't. You aren't. You aren't," she chanted like a mantra.
He repeated she was safe with him until she calmed down and her tears finally dried. He kept holding her, even though she was not even sniffling by then. He found this was not so different from cuddling in bed, despite the fact they were standing. He had enjoyed cuddling with her. He was enjoying holding her now.
Suddenly, his chest rumbled as if she was... snickering? She pulled back, hands on her belly as her body shook. He raised an eyebrow in question at her sudden mirth.
"What, pray tell, is so funny?"
"The irony. He chose you, convinced you were the most loyal Death Eater, his most valuable servant and spy. He even overlooked your blood status. You are not his least loyal Death Eater. You aren't even loyal, and I love it. It was about time somebody beat him at his own game."
A proud smirk appeared on his face, then he frowned. "He told you about my blood status?"
"Yes."
"You don't care about it?"
She grew serious. "I learnt there are two kinds of wizards and witches who believe treating muggles and non-purebloods as inferiors, even killing them, is justifiable or ethical. The first kind are sociopaths like my father. The second are the brainwashed or ignorants. I do not consider myself either."
"Yet you call your father a sociopath."
She shrugged. "I haven't found a better descriptor yet, except hypocrite, maybe. My grandfather, his father, was a muggle. Father is a half-blood, and so am I. Mind you? If my mother hadn't told me, I wouldn't have believed it."
Yes, he was aware. Albus had told him. Yet, hearing her telling him as if he was into gossip brought a tiny smile to his face. Anybody else would not have perceived it. She did. She smiled back. He noticed, though, that her eyes did not shine as usual.
She was still thinking about her dead fiancé.
"We could bake a cake for dessert."
Lily used to eat sweets whenever she felt down, and Severus figured that, if it worked for his former friend, it could work for his wife.
Her eyes shone at his suggestion.
It had worked.
"A chocolate cake, please! It's been so long since I ate one of those."
Severus chuckled at her enthusiasm, glad his Skyrah was back. The real Skyrah. While they were cooking, Severus realized just how attached he was to her. He had missed her terribly yesterday. He didn't understand why, but somehow, these past days with her had been the happiest since Lily passed away. And the kisses… Merlin, her kisses were perfect - soft, sweet, warm.
Skyrah realized he was lost in his thoughts, unaware of his surroundings. Grinning slyly, she grabbed a fistful of flour from the cake they were about to make and threw it.
"What the… Skyrah!"
Severus Snape, all covered in white with a disbelieving look on his face. The black of his eyes and a few locks of hair contrasted greatly against the flour. He would have felt embarrassed in front of anybody else, enraged, even, but the sight of Skyrah laughing irrepressibly, nearly crying, made it worth it.
"Sorry! I just had to do it… It was an impulse," she apologized, still chortling as she approached him to clean him up.
Severus didn't let her though, for the next thing she knew, she matched him, face and neck covered in flour. She stood still, mouth agape. Severus didn't laugh, but there was a smirk on his face.
"Sweet revenge," he said in a sing-song manner, not caring how childish his move had been.
She squinted. Oh, he was in trouble. He had never been so happy to be in trouble.
"Severus Snape… This is war!"
Soon, they were hurling all the flour and sugar they could find at each other like two kids misbehaving while their parents aren't around. Her laughter was priceless, and Severus was smiling so much his face hurt. Failing to notice that the floor was slippery from all the fallen ingredients, she slid off and collided with Severus when she tried to dodge sugar. Both fell down with a thud.
Skyrah ended on top of him, with her hands on his chest. His arms were tense, stuck onto his sides. She raised her head and stared at his lips, covered in sugar and flour. Cracking a crooked grin, she lowered her head and husked, "I'd have kissed you just now, but I don't fancy flour-and-sugar-filled kisses, so that will have to wait."
Severus shut his eyes when her hot breath grazed his ear, sending shivers down his spine. It didn't help, either, that her breasts were pressed against his chest. She was back on her feet too soon to his liking. He stood up. A little wand movement, and the floor was no longer slippery. No trace of sugar and flour on them.
"I couldn't even see your robes. Only white," teased Skyrah. "I won."
He snorted. "Need I remind you that you were the one who fell on me? Not my definition of victory."
Skyrah pouted. "A draw?"
"A draw."
She smiled at him and Severus couldn't help but smile right back at her after that. If someone had told him one week ago he'd have a food fight with Voldemort's daughter, he would have suggested checking their mental health. He was starting to behave differently around Skyrah, more freely. That woman would be the end of him - or at least, of his reputation - he just knew it.
"Can we still bake the cake?"
"Yes. I have more flour and sugar."
"Thank Circe!" she said with a giggle.
She stopped laughing when his eyes shifted from her chest to her mouth, and rested there, barely blinking. Without a warning, he took her by the waist. Surprised as she was, she didn't push him away. In fact, her arms circled his neck.
"My mouth is not covered in sugar and flour now," he said, hoarsely.
She licked her lips. "Not very patient, are we?"
Skyrah could only gasp before his lips came crashing down on hers. A part of him was snogging her out of fear. He didn't want to wake up to find she had come to her senses and realized she did not even want to touch him, realize her grief for her fiancé had blinded her. He'd rather seize the moment. He wanted something. He took it. He wasn't a slytherin for nothing.
This kiss was the most passionate they had exchanged until then. It was a battle of tongues, of dominance, as if both of them weren't content with the result of the food fight and tried to win the game then. They only stopped when their lungs demanded air.
"We really should start baking the chocolate cake," she panted.
They worked on that together, through jokes and accidental touches that were not that accidental from neither Skyrah nor Severus.
At night, under the bedsheets, Skyrah held his hand.
He let her.
