Disclaimer: Please I don't even own my computer.
To all my reviewers thank you! Lets see if we make it to a hundred tonight. I'll make sure to update faster ;)
Chapter 10
The first day at his new job had been easy enough; he settled into his new office and got acquainted with his lab instruments. He knew what his research interest would be, for years he had been researching the after effect of the cruciatus and his effects on the Central Nervous system. He never had enough time to properly research it, with teaching, patrol duties and being a double spy he never had enough time to fully work on his meager findings.
As he prepared to leave he thought back to his brief encounter with Amelia Williams, it would impossible for her to remember him and the boys. He was a damn good wizard; surely she wouldn't be able to…
He stopped his train of thought as he dissaparated home.
"Good Merlin, I thought they would never nap. Snape is a fucking saint; those are not boys. They are reincarnations of bloody Satan himself."
"Harry was a little difficult today." Said Hermione as she leaned back into her boyfriend's arms.
"Mione get real, Harry is a nightmare in nappies. Hell, Draco's a perfect little angel compared to him."
"They just missed the Professor, that's all, I never knew Harry was so attached to his dad. I mean we had to basically rock him for about an hour after Snape left."
"I'm just glad we are doing this only once a week." Ron then kissed her earlobe, and caressed her navel.
"Sorry to interrupt, but I cannot let you continue Mr. Weasley." Said Severus, he was enjoying how Ms. Granger seemed to jump three meters away from her boyfriend and the unhealthy blush said boyfriend was sporting.
"Stop, now behave like the quasi adults you are and tell me how did my boys do?"
They didn't miss the possessive tone, Hermione thought it was adorable, "Harry missed you, and he was inconsolable for hours. At first he cried but then Ron accidentally tripped and your son went into hysterics barely able to catch his breath from all the laughing he did."
"I tripped every once in a while for his amusement."
"Draco, was tamer, he played with his blocks, well he put them into his mouth. I think he's finally teething. He wasn't fussy, but did have his moments when Harry wasn't paying attention to him."
"They have a lot of energy Professor, they crawled around this landing. We were so glad you baby proofed the house." Ron said.
"We are exhausted," the redhead sank back to the sofa.
"So I've heard." Severus distractedly said as he went upstairs. "You're welcome to stay for dinner if you like," he added as an afterthought. He was thanking them, after all they could be shagging at a motel right now but they chose to help their once hated potion's professor.
"We'd love to, I'll get started then." Surprisingly it was Ron who answered.
Severus went upstairs to check on the boys, they were sound asleep. He took a short shower. They worked together, making beef stew.
Once they were sitting at the table, Hermione was the first to make small chat, "Draco is such a charming baby, I would have never thought he would be like that."
"Ms. Granger, I do not believe this, you actually like the "ferret". I am shocked."
She laughed, "he is just precious, today he puckered up his lips and said 'izz' 'izz'. Wasn't it cute Ron?"
"It actually was, I have to say it is such and improvement to the old version." Ron immediately regretted his words.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"
"Don't worry Mr. Weasley. I sometimes I think so myself, the de aging was truly a blessing in disguise."
They talked about Draco and Harry's antics for another while, until the professor asked about their N.E.W.T's
"How are you going to prepare for those?"
"We have a study plan, plus the classes we take at Hogsmeade. We also wanted to ask you about tutoring." Hermione expected a negative response.
"On one condition. Only you two, no more children." Said the adult.
"I knew it, thank you, thank you, thank you." Hermione got up the table and hugged him.
Severus looked desperately at the redhead, "you'll get used to it. She's a hugger, once she starts it'll never stop."
Severus was a little surprised at the ease in which Mr. Weasley reacted to his girlfriend hugging other men. Apparently the boyfriend had become very perceptive once his girlfriend moved to the living room (she prepared study schedules) he offered his hand to his professor. "She loves me, the penny finally dropped. I don't know why she does but Hermione truly loves me and I love her too."
The older man was perplexed; this young once insecure man was able to read him, a seasoned spy. "Thank you professor."
"Please call me Severus, you are going to be a big part of Harry and Draco's lives so we should get used to each other."
Ron grinned and shouted "Mione guess what…"
After painstakingly designing a curriculum, one that satisfied both Hermione and Severus the two teenagers left. "Severus, we'll come Saturday morning, is that ok sir?"
"Yes Hermione, now go before I change my mind." The young woman laughed.
As they walked down to the front the front they noticed the redhead, Amelia.
"Hey neighbor, you never told me your name."
"Severus Snape" he said a little too quickly.
Amelia kept glancing at the young couple, "these are Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley."
"You live with them?"
"No, we take care of his children." Hermione said. That woman seemed strangely familiar.
"Oh, you're married." Amelia looked a little dismayed, too good to be single she thought.
"The professor, nahh." Ron felt Hermione's sharp elbow connect with his ribs.
Severus looked uncomfortable; Amelia decided that it was enough information for today. "Well, Severus. I will see you tomorrow maybe."
Amelia entered her house, not without glancing back at the dark man. He unsettled her, she had been thinking about him all day. He was not conventionally attractive but Amy never went for the classically handsome men. His nose was big and it looked like it had been broken at least once. She decided that his most attractive features were his eyes and his cheekbones. He could go for a haircut but that was it, his voice was deep and somewhat hypnotic.
For some reason Amelia Williams remembered those eyes and that voice. It was like she had seen him before, but from where? Amy was good with faces, she always remembered faces, she had eidetic memory, it had been truly helpful when she went through medical school. Today, while she was picking up the papers she was sure that they were damaged beyond repair when suddenly they were half clean.
Amy poured herself a glass of wine, she decided to not dwell more on her encounters with Severus. The redhead turned on the telly and caught the last bit of midnight news before going to sleep. Monday was always the roughest day; it was the day she volunteered at the E.R a couple of hours after her day was over. She sighed; she was thinking of a hot bath and then sleeping with the telly on.
In the house next to hers Severus Snape was pacing, Amelia Williams unsettled him; he glimpsed recognition in her eyes once again. But surely if she noticed something amiss he would have discovered it.
Hermione didn't seem to recognize her and Amelia did not give any hint of recognition. He needed to stop this nonsense and minimize any contact with the pediatrician, how hard could it be really? This was London nobody knew anyone. No one had time to make acquaintances with their neighbors anymore.
As it happened Severus managed to avoid his neighbor for two more days. That Wednesday night he was kissing Molly goodnight when she approached them
"Hello neighbor!" said a cheerful Amelia across the lawn. Severus wanted to shoot himself, he was doing so well, he managed a half wave but the young woman was already crossing the street.
Once she was there he introduced both women. "Oh, another babysitter."
"Dear, did you meet my Ron or Andromeda?" Molly was delighted Severus was making friends so quickly.
"I met Ron and his girlfriend." Said Amelia, just how many people did he have helping his kids? She wondered.
"He's my son, dear would you like to grab a cup of tea, I'll make dinner. Severus says he is full from lunch but I don't believe him."
"Molly please, Ms. Williams must be tired…"
"I would love to have dinner with you." Amy was finding this very interesting, the other night Severus was in full control, the teenagers deferred to him but it was different with Molly. She scowled at Severus and he immediately shut up.
"It's settled then, come on dear, you'll tell me all about you as we make dinner. Severus go take a shower you need it."
Amy giggled and Severus scowled blackly at the two women. "Don't mind him dear, he's all bark and no bite. He terrorized my seven children when they were in school. Let me tell you about when Ron stole our car…"
Severus decided to leave the scene, he knew Molly would never let something important slip; she was far too intelligent for that to happen. As he climbed the stairs he sniffed himself, well it wasn't his fault. He was experimenting with new substances. The man showered and checked up on his boys. They were still sound asleep, good for them. Now he would have to go through dinner. "Just dinner, I won't see her again. Why did Molly have to be so damn friendly?" he asked himself.
"Severus stir the sauce for me, very good Amy, I though you said you didn't cook." Twenty bloody minutes and she was already calling her Amy.
"Molly please, I'm cutting vegetables, this isn't really cooking, and anyone could do this."
"You haven't met Neville Longbottom." Said Severus, Molly glared at him.
"I'll have you know that he's doing great, he's working with Pomona in Scotland now."
Severus nodded, and finished adding ingredients to the sauce, "you cook then."
"Yes, I have done so since I finished school." He said in a bored tone.
"Molly said you worked as a teacher for a boarding school for years and now you are head researcher at a pharmaceutical lab. I'm a doctor by the way, so we are both in the healthcare business."
Amelia thought this would be a good conversation opener, she was wrong. If it weren't for Molly the kitchen would have been full of tension.
"Amy could you please set the table?"
Amy left the kitchen, "Severus please, don't ruin this. She is a lovely girl and a healer, you need more friends, and Amy could come in handy."
"She's already helped us, Molly she was the doctor who examined the boys. I don't want to accidentally trigger her memories. I had to modify her memory, and I think on some level she recognizes me.
"Don't be silly, don't let it go to your head but you are a very powerful wizard, it is unlikely that she knows you." Molly waved away his concerns and reunited with Amelia.
Severus contemplated the situation two years ago he would have dissaparated without any explanations, now however he had two chatty women waiting for him. He sighed and entered the dining room.
Molly had already put a plate for him, "Severus, hurry up your dinner will get cold."
He glared at her and sat in front of Molly Meddling Weasley. They ate dinner, it was pleasant, they made polite conversation. Molly was cunningly getting to know Amelia Williams. In forty-five minutes Severus learned that Amelia was thirty, she looked younger, her parents were retirees travelling the world and she had been an only child.
"Would you look at the time, Arthur must be sick with worry, Severus dear, remember what we talked about." Molly whispered the last part.
"Amy dear, so wonderful to meet you. I am sure Severus would love your help now that he will be by himself." The older woman kissed Amy and headed for the door.
They were alone, and it was uncomfortable for Severus, he was not used to having people around him or interacting with him. "Nice house, just like mine, only you have a second floor."
The wizard remained silent and uncooperative. One thing was to accept the bloody Order's help and another thing was to welcome strangers into his home.
"Not much of a talker are you? Well no matter, I can make up for both of us." The redhead sat in the couch and started talking,
"Molly said you have two children, do you have twins?" she politely asked while drinking her tea.
"No." was all he offered.
His uninvited guest continued to stare at him without any signs of wanting to leave. He was done, he would make her leave him alone, he looked deep into those cobalt blue eyes. For the first time since his training Severus was unable to get access to someone's mind. She broke eye contact.
"What was that?" Amelia asked, she felt a strange sensation.
"What?" Severus asked, he recovered quickly and tried again. The muggle averted her eyes.
"That, what you just did. The thing with your eyes, it was like you were trying to look inside of me."
"I beg your pardon?" Severus tried to look disconcerted, which he was but for other reasons.
"Forget it, clearly I'm a little off tonight. Let's continue with our lovely chat." She went back to her tea and expected him to start a topic.
Severus went for it, he didn't need this woman intruding into his life, "why are you still here? Isn't it obvious that I don't want to make small conversation?"
Amelia smiled, "I must admit, I find you interesting. I mean you are rude and from our little get together I can assume you do not have a sunny disposition."
"I never lie Severus Snape, I think there is something strange about you. I feel like I've seen you before, like we've met."
"Deluded little fool, I just moved here. If it wasn't for Molly you wouldn't be here." Severus sneered.
"Well, enough for today. It's been a long day and you are cranky. I guess I'll see you this Saturday when Molly and her family come to visit." Amy got up and kissed his cheek.
"What are you on?" Severus was perplexed, he saw Amelia open the door and go to her house next door.
Once alone in the living room Severus had time to come back to his senses. The first question in his mind was how was she able to block me this time? She is a muggle, there is no magical signature or any signs of her being a squib. Severus thought about the single contradiction of the night. He wanted to know more about Amelia Williams but he was sure that any contact with her would be dangerous. He could not avoid the fact that Molly liked her, and invited her to his house.
Come to think about that, when had he agreed to let the Weasleys come to his home? He would have to floo call Molly and set her straight.