Disclaimer: As always I am not the owner of the Harry Potter characters.


Chapter 8 - The Offer

The following night was the monthly Order meeting. Apparently even though Voldemort was gone for good, the Order members still liked to get together once a month to discuss things that were happening and current events just like had before she had fled. Gram had said it was like a large family dinner where everyone would catch up on the lives of the others they didn't see much. It was no longer held at Grimwald Place as the group had grown significantly with the addition of spouses and Draco had offered to hold the dinners at Malfoy Manor. Kat was exhausted. She didn't remember being social to be so draining.

She walked up the stairs to her grandparents quarters and flooed to the Manor saying brief hellos to everyone but not getting caught into any conversations. Her glaze flicked up to Severus' stony face and she paled as she remembered the night before. She had dreamed of dancing with Severus since the Yule Ball if she was being honest with herself. She had watched him glide with ease as he had twirled her grandmother in graceful loops around the floor. Instead he had snapped at her and made her feel guilty yet again for leaving. She blushed when he caught her staring and quickly left for the kitchen to see if Molly needed any help with dinner.

While they were having dinner her grandfather began peppering her with questions. "So my dear, what are your plans now that you're back?"

"Um, I hadn't really thought on it." Kat was grateful that her hair wasn't turning the traitorous green.

"You are planning to stay for a while," her grandfather raised his eye, "aren't you?"

Kat noticed as a few people glanced up at her. "I, ah, don't really know what I'm doing."

"You aren't leaving," George growled. "You know, you could always come back to work for the shop, it is half yours you know."

"Yeah, and it's gotten really busy," Ron added. "We were discussing opening another location, this one in Hogsmeade."

"Just what we need," Severus groaned. "The students to have easier access to your products."

"There is also a certain potion that needs to be finished," Hermione added innocently, "I hate to admit it but I still can't figure out your thought process on it."

"I, ah," Kat didn't know what to say.

"Always so eloquent," Severus smirked. His face softened when she looked up at him.

"Well, your grandmother and I have an offer for you," her grandfather said brightly, "Filius is taking a leave of absence to handle some personal affairs and we have need of a temporary Charms teacher until the Christmas holidays. This would give you something to do while you decide if you want to make a more permanent move back home."

Kat nodded her head, thankful that so many people wanted to help her figure out her life. "Can I think on all of it?"

"Yes dear, of course."

"You will always have a place at the shop love," George said happily, "Your brain always did make us buckets of galleons."

"Can you make your decision by next months' dinner? I would like to have time to find a replacement if you decline." The twinkle in his eye and that damnable grin told her that he had planned this so that she couldn't leave after the wedding and by making it so close to the opening term day he knew that she would say yes just so he wouldn't fret over a new professor.

She was in the kitchen getting another bottle of wine when Severus stopped her. "May I talk to you?"

"Can you do it without a quill or an insult?"

"I deserve that," Severus pinched his nose. "I wanted to apologize for my behavior since you've come back. I'm not entirely sure what I was mad about and why I took it out on you. I would like it if we could resume our friendship."

"Did the Severus Snape just apologize?" Kat smirked. "I had no idea you knew how to."

"On the rare occasion that I am wrong."

"Severus, I've missed you," Kat said quietly.

"And I you." Severus raised his hand and lightly moved a curl out of her eyes. "When can the real Kat come out?"

"I don't know if she's even still there," Kat admitted.

"I'm not good at this type of thing Katerina," Severus looked uneasy.

"You've always been good at this Severus," Kat smiled at him, "I just messed it all up by leaving. And then I fucked it up again by coming back. I've hurt so many people and now I have no idea how to fix it all."

"Come back to us," Severus said seriously, "That is what everyone wants. It's what I want." Kat suddenly realized how close they were standing to each other. She felt a strange sensation in her body that she hadn't felt in years and she had the need to close the distance between them. She bit her lip and saw his eyes darken as he watched her mouth. She stepped back quickly, swallowing hard, and balled her hands into fists, her nails digging into her palms. "Kat…" Severus began as his hands began to move to her waist but he was immediately interrupted.

"There you two are," Molly said sternly, "We were worried you had both just disappeared on us."

"Sorry Molly," Kat forced herself not to look at the man who was setting her blood on fire and walked to the door, "Just needed some more wine for the crazy people out there."


"I almost kissed Severus." Kat blurted it out as soon as she was alone with Hermione and Ginny for their girl's night.

"WHAT?"

"That's wonderful!"

"Wait, what? Why would that be wonderful Gin?" Kat stared at her.

"Because it's time Kat," Ginny said as if she was talking to a child. "It's obvious he loves you. And I think you love him too."

"But it's too soon." Kat argued.

"Sweetie, it's been three years," Hermione said softly. "It's time that you break out of this. Fred wouldn't have wanted you to live like this."

"And he surely wouldn't want you to be celibate."

"I don't need that," Kat said quietly.

"Since when does Katerina not need that?" Ginny started laughing. "Bloody hell you're the one who practically dressed Hermione up for Charlie and I was there when the damn shop shook."

"It's not that I don't miss it," Kat looked away, "Because I do but I don't react to anyone – well not until the Order dinner."

"Are you saying that you haven't had sex since Fred?" Ginny's jaw dropped. "At least tell me you, well you know, still know how to get one off."

Kat blushed. She couldn't remember the last time that she had done a solo run. "Erm, don't do that either. I'm fine guys really, I am."

"No, no that is not fine. We need to get you laid."

"So back to kissing Severus," Hermione said laughing. "Why didn't you do it?"

"Well first I freaked out a bit because I don't want to fuck up another thing and then Molly interrupted. I may have started to avoid him since then." Kat ducked as Ginny threw her pillow at her.

"Ok let's look at this logically."

"Dammit Hermione we aren't in school anymore." Ginny whined.

"Shut it. First, Kat do you want to kiss Severus?"

"Oh gods, yes."

"Second, do you think he wants to kiss you?"

"I think so."

"Third, are you ready to move on? Because it wouldn't be fair to Severus to start something if you aren't ready to heal and give him you entirely." Hermione said sincerely.

"But that's the thing, I'm not whole." Kat whispered. "What if I can never fully love someone again because of what happened?"

"I think that if you let yourself feel love for another person and let them love you back that you'll eventually heal enough to lay the past to rest."

"I need some damn alcohol if we are going to continue this conversation." Kat pinched her nose and groaned.

"Well it's a good thing I've come prepared." Ginny laughed hold up Firewhiskey. "Well to be honest I pinched it from Draco's liquor cabinet but he doesn't need to know that." The other two girls laughed and started to play cards, talking about guys, work, and life while getting rip roaring drunk. Ginny had finally convinced Kat to let loose a bit and after the second bottle had been opened Kat was dancing on the coffee table singing a ridiculous muggle song about blaming it on the alcohol. They were so into their dancing and goofing off that they didn't hear the door open as Harry, Draco, and Severus walked in.

"I thought you said you stopped," A deep baritone said from behind her. Kat squealed and slipped on the table falling backwards into outstretched arms.

"Oh," she breathed. She felt her body become warm as she felt his arms tighten around her and she bit her lip as she looked up into black eyes that were staring intensely back. "Hi."

"Hello," his voice was thick. Without her permission her eyes flicked to his lips and she heard him growl. Kat's pulse increased as Severus began to slowly lower his face to hers.

"And hello from us uncomfortable people being forced to witness this," Draco said.

"Dammit Draco," Ginny cried.

"Severus," Hermione said sweetly, "Our little Kit-Kat there is well into her cups. Could you possibly return her to Hogwarts for us?" Kat sighed as Ginny began to giggle.

"Of course," Severus glanced down at her, "Now are you able to walk or do you need me to carry you?"

"I can wa-"

"Carry her, of course." Ginny laughed. "I mean she couldn't even stay standing."

Kat was elated when Severus just grinned at her and bade the rest goodnight, carrying her to the apparation point and side-alonging her to Hogwarts. She didn't realize that he had foregone the Floo instead choosing the pathway that would cause him to hold her longer. Kat tried to keep quiet but a drunk Kat was a talkative Kat (or an explosive Kat – but her outbursts had ceased when her hair had stopped changing colors).

"Do you think three years is long enough?"

"Three years for what?"

"To move on? To try something new."

"I think in those three years you've tried many new things Kat, many of which could have killed you." Severus laughed.

Kat was getting very sleepy and the arms carrying her were rocking her too much. She started to forget who she was talking to and instead just talked. "Doesn't matter though, does it? He wouldn't want me anyway."

"Any man that would say no to you is an idiot." Severus was trying not to be upset that Katerina had her eyes on someone.

"Who wants someone broken? He deserves better." Kat patted her carrier's cheek. "You look like him you know."

Severus stopped breathing. Could she be talking about him? "Do I now?"

"Yes. Kind of sound like him too." Kat sighed. "Oh Merlin his voice, I could listen to him read a bloody history book and be happy. So deep and sexy."

"Sexy?"

"Yup. It's like melted chocolate. Mmmm I wonder if he likes chocolate."

"It's possible. You'll have to ask him."

"He'd think I'd gone round the bend." Kat giggled. "I probably have if I think he'd want me back. He's tall, dark, and incredibly handsome. I almost kissed him you know."

"Really and why didn't you?"

"Got bloody interrupted. Twice. Damn woman came in just as it would have happened. Never been so pissed. And then his bloody godson – should have hexed his perfect hair red and gold."

Severus laughed. He would have kissed her right then but he knew that she was way too drunk to remember it, hell the witch didn't even know it was him carrying her to her rooms right now. "Did you want to kiss him?"

"Oh Merlin, I'd love to do more than kiss." Fuck he was screwed. "Haven't gotten anything more than bloody hugs for three years."

"And who is this lucky man?" Severus cursed again when a gentle snore was all that answered him.


Kat woke up to a horrendous headache and a snoring Shedu squashing her. "Ughhh." She tried to roll over but her cub was too heavy. "Loki. LOKI! Get off me!" The Shedu growled and reluctantly moved off her. She rolled over to grab her wand to the check time and saw a bottle of Hangover Potion and a small note that said to take with a glass of water. "I'm going to kill Hermione and Ginny for getting me so bloody toasted."

She went into the bathroom and took off her dirty clothes, looking at herself in the mirror. Ginny was right, it was past time to try and move on. Hell even portrait Fred had told her she needed to. She thought to last night and her confessions to the faceless stranger who had carried her home. Gods she had wished it was Severus. In her dream it had been. It would have been the cowards' way out but at least he would know how she thought of him. She looked closer at her body and wondered how he would see her if he was given the chance – if of course he wanted to have that chance. Her breasts were still full and perky, her frame still slim, though her waist and thighs had some stretch marks from when she was pregnant. Sure her hair was boring now but that helped mask her uncertainties.

Wondering what would happen if she tried Kat moved her hand to her breast and imagined that it belonged to Severus instead. She was startled by the reaction of her body and the heat that suddenly erupted between her thighs. Sitting down onto the edge of the bathtub she slowly trailed her other hand down her stomach to her clitoris and started to gentle apply pressure as she pictured Severus's long, elegant fingers working her into a frenzy. She pinched her nipple and gasped the need for something inside of her becoming greater. She slipped two fingers in as she continued to move her thumb over her sensitive clit. "Oh Merlin," she moaned into the empty room. "Oh gods, yes!" She was getting close and the build-up of years without release was about to tear out of her. "Severus!" She collapsed in front of the tub, spent and happy, wondering if she could eventually convince the real Severus to join her.


After her drunken night with Hermione and Ginny something seemed to change between Severus and Kat. They had finally figured out how to go back to their close friendship that they had before. Severus kept it to himself that he was the faceless white knight as Katerina was referring to him as and Katerina wasn't telling Severus how she would scream out his name in pleasure every night. Katerina had finally decided to start working on her Cruciatus Curse Antidote again and Severus assured her that he would be there to help her if she needed it but he thought that she should do the majority of the work. What she didn't know was that he planned on submitting the work to the Board so that he could present her with her Potions Mastery finally.

What they didn't know was that their friends and family were starting to go insane at the way the two who obviously fancied each other would tiptoe around the subject. Kat would shut down when anyone would mention her other Soulmate and Severus would threaten anyone who thought to ask him about it. So at the rehearsal dinner, the group decided that all they needed was a great big push.

"So Kat, you going to be bringing a date to the wedding?" Ginny asked as soon as they sat down.

"W-what?" Kat choked on her water. "I, ah, didn't think it'd be necessary."

"Maybe I can set up you with someone from work," the redhead ignored the glare she was getting from the man sitting next to Draco. "You, know, Quidditch does the body good if I remember correctly."

"Er –"

"What about you Severus?" Harry knew exactly what his wife was up to and he fully supported it.

"I am coming alone."

"Oh come on mate," Harry laughed, "You can't be the Best Man and go stag. You know you have to dance at this right?"

"Don't most men at muggle weddings like to be stag at the reception Hermione?" Ginny asked.

"Yes but that's usually because they want to shag one of the bridesmaids," Hermione answered coyly. "And all mine are taken…well except Kat." The group at the table laughed as Kat blushed and Severus tried to kill them with his mind.

"So what do you think Kat? Want me to call up someone from the team?" Ginny smiled. "Or would you rather leave your night open to the possibilities? You know, weddings are the perfect time to end a dry spell."

"Shut it Gin." Thank the gods her hair was broken.

"What? I'm just saying that three years is an awfully long time."

"THREE YEARS?"

"Thanks George, say it bit louder next time, I'm sure those in France didn't hear you." Kat glared at the redhead who was surprisingly looking at her hair. "What now?"

"Nothing." George shook his head with a look of longing. "Just thought I saw something. Now back to the problem at hand – how the hell have you remained without it for three years?"

"Merlin, you all act like I'm some bloody sex demon." Kat groaned.

"You woke up from a two month coma and immediately shagged your boyfriend – twice." George laughed while Draco and Severus both stared at her eyes wide.

"You nearly destroyed the boy's shop and Bill's house," Hermione added.

"You helped your friends all get lucky," Ginny added.

"Well, yeah so you'd all stop bugging me; some of you really needed a good shag," Kat stared at Hermione who blushed and looked away. "What the hell is wrong with all of you?"

"Nothing is wrong with us," Ginny smiled. "We are just concerned about your health."

"And my health involves my bloody sex life?"

"No one suggested it be bloody," George cringed dramatically. "That would probably ruin the moment."

"You are disgusting George Weasley," Hermione shook her head.

"You know, if neither one of you has a date, and neither of you are looking to shag anyone, why don't you just go together?" Draco asked with a sly grin. "You know, as friends?"

"You'll stop trying to set me up?" Nods around the table. "And you'll stop asking me about my sex life?" Nods from everyone except George ("Of course not, I keep that right from before."). "What do you think Severus, want to be each other's plus one and shut these tosspots up?"

"As long as I hear nothing about Quidditch and what it does for muscles," Severus muttered.

Kat laughed and shook his hand. "Deal."