Well, I think a few people are reading this story. Reviews are great guys, even if it's not a good one, I really want you know what you think BUT please be nice about it. Just because you don't like my story doesn't mean you need to insult me okay? If you have criticism; deliver it professionally. As usual I still don't own Harry Potter series.

When Mattie had finished dressing and entered the kitchen she was surprised to find Severus cooking.

"I didn't know you cooked" she said, playfully leaning on him and peeking over his shoulder.

"I'm a potions master. I cook for a living" he said, surprising her by playfully tugging one of her curls to make it bounce "silly girl" She considered his statement for a minute.

"Well, you should be a pro at making stew I guess, but other than that I don't know" she grinned and released him, going in search of a drink. He couldn't help smiling. He wasn't sure why they were suddenly so comfortable together, but he didn't mind it a bit.

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They were on odd pair, sitting on her back porch. He in his dark robes, she dressed in muggle jeans and a tank-top which she referred to as a "wife beater". Why anyone would wear a shirt with such a name was beyond Severus.

It was warm in the American south, summertime. He missed the cloudy, rainy days of England, but he liked it here. The garden was beautiful and green, flowers bloomed everywhere. It had been nearly two months since she had saved him, and they had fallen into a fairly comfortable routine. Mattie had given up her crusade to seduce Severus, but she still spent plenty of time flirting and teasing.

Severus found he genuinely cared for her. She made him feel younger, more alive. He often found himself smiling at her jokes and teasing. She was steadily growing closer to her goal of making him love her, though she hardly realized it.

They could talk comfortably about almost anything, but they avoided talking about the past. The past they saved for alone, at night, in their rooms. Mattie was mostly okay these days but Severus couldn't quite let it go. Late that night found him in his room, an open bottle of firewhiskey at his side and a picture of Lily in his hand. He sat staring at it for a while, but finally he put the picture and the letter he had taken from Black's house in an envelope and sent them by owl to Harry Potter. After a while longer he sighed and rose. He had something he needed to say. He walked across the hall and knocked softly.

"Enter" her voice called, he took a deep breath and obeyed, crossing the room to stand beside her. She was once again gazing out the window, but she wasn't crying now; her face was peaceful.

"Mattie" he began. "I… I have no idea how to say this" he said, frustrated with himself for not being able to be his typically, confident, sarcastic self around her.

"Then don't Sev" she said gently, placing a finger over his lips. "You don't have to explain anything to me if that's what you're doing." He sighed and pulled her to him, holding her. Silently thanking his lucky stars for her, he realized something and without though, spoke again.

"Mattie, I love you" he whispered. She gasped, looking into his face with a bit of shock. She had been resigned to being simply friends.

"I know that I will never find anyone quite as willing to forgive my mistakes and find the good in me as you are. Quite frankly you've made me feel things that I've never imagined I was capable of. I never dreamed of being truly happy, but I am, and it's because of you. You are an amazing, beautiful woman, and I never want to go back to a life without you in it." Her reply was simply a sweet, lingering kiss and a whispered "I love you Severus, more than you will ever understand."

"I doubt that" he replied, holding her close and kissing her again. "However…" he didn't know how to say this part.

"Lily?" Mattie questioned.

"How did you know?"

"Severus, you've loved her since childhood, you aren't just going to be able to turn that off. But she's not here anymore, so I'm not going to get all jealous or anything. I'll deal with it."

"I just feel like I should be able to give you my whole heart."

"I can wait until you're ready for that."

"You are amazing."

"I know" she laughed.

Mattie smiled as he held her close to him. In his arms she felt utterly safe. She was no longer the tired, heartbroken, girl desperately trying to save him. She was happy now.

Snape smiled and kissed her again. He didn't know where he'd lost the sarcastic, hateful, miserable, dungeon bat, but he had. He'd never smiled so much in his life. There was no one here to hate him, mistrust him, or abuse him. He didn't live in fear anymore, and in its absence, he found happiness.