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Chapter 13D
Severus woke up to Minerva shaking him, "Severus wake up, we have a problem." The black haired man scowled, he detested being woken up when he managed to finally sleep.
He rose and put on his robes, "What do you mean we have a problem." He said in a foul mood. Minerva scowled too and promptly said "Arthur Weasley is in St. Mungos You-Know-Who's pet snake attacked him."
"Potter had a vision, he saw Arthur laying dead in the Department of Mysteries."
"Where's the boy?" Severus voiced did not betray the worry he felt for Harry.
"He's in London with the rest of the Weasleys, I had them flooed to Sirius'. Miss Granger will be there tomorrow. We need to know what You-Know-Who is planning." She said.
Severus looked at her blankly, "I have not been summoned Minerva. I don't really know what you want me to do."
"I came because Albus asked me to tell you that he wants you to stay for the Holidays and to infiltrate Malfoy Manor." Minerva said softly. Severus curled his lip but remained silent, he knew better than to argue with her right now.
"Very well." He said shortly and marched to his bathroom, Minerva frowned but left the dungeons at once.
Weasley was injured; he would probably die as a result of Nagini's attack. Mrs. Weasley would be devastated as would be her children and Harry as well. He washed his face. He needed to be alert now; he would have to be at his best later. He decided to remain awake and take a walk around the castle. Doing his rounds always helped him occlude and organize his ideas.
He left the dungeons and started walking the hallways, he thought about Weasley and his children. He remembered losing his dad; it had been a bad time for him. He walked for a while until he heard someone say his name. He turned around and saw the headmaster walk up to him. "Severus."
"Headmaster." Severus slowed his pace until the older man caught up with him. "Arthur is alive, he'll recover. Harry and the Weasleys are at Grimmauld Place. Severus when Harry had the vision, he was the snake." Dumbledore said softly.
"He needs occlumency lessons. The connection he has with Voldemort becomes more dangerous every day." He knew that, he knew what Dumbledore was asking him.
"When are we to start our lessons?" Severus sounded resigned, "Severus, please give the boy an opportunity. He reminds me of you..." Severus stopped the old man, "please spare us the sentimentality around this issue. No son of James Potter could ever be anything short of an arrogant toe rag."
Dumbledore sighed, "the boy has to master occlumency as soon as possible. I would suggest you start mentoring him as soon as the winter holidays end and classes resume." He stopped and looked at Severus. "Think of this as an opportunity to know Harry. There are hard times ahead, there might come a time where protecting him might not be enough..." The headmaster went his way leaving Severus confused.
The Potion's Master walked to the Great Hall. It was almost time for breakfast. He sat next to Minerva. Ten minutes later Umbridge sat to his left.
He poured himself some tea and oatmeal. Minerva drank her usual tea. Soon the students filled the tables. "Where are the Weasleys and Potter?" A shrill voice rang close to him.
Minerva sat up straight, "Arthur Weasley was hospitalized yesterday. They went home early." Severus continued with his meal but sensed that the Umbitch wouldn't be satisfied. He wasn't wrong.
"Why wasn't I notified? As High Inquisitor..." Her toady face scrunched up in anger.
"As their Head House I decided to not notify you. Dolores it was late, I'm sure you received my letter this morning. Did you check your mail this morning? Umbridge's cheeks turned an ugly shade of pink.
The toady woman recovered and asked icily, "Where's Potter?"
Minerva calmly smiled, "the Weasleys are like his family. The boy spends all of his summer holidays with them. It seemed logical to wake him up too. The headmaster agreed to let him go." Umbridge looked like she wanted to argue further but something held her back.
Breakfast continued to be a tense affair. Dumbledore wasn't in the castle. The official story was that he was in London.
After a couple of hours most of the students were gone for the holiday break. Severus checked the Slytherin list of students who stayed back. This year he had about ten children.
He sat and sorted his mail, as he expected he had an invitation to Malfoy Manor for their annual New Year bash.
He regretted not spending all of the holidays with Nymphadora. He already promised her a nice time off. He was really looking forward to a vacation, time away from Death Eaters, children and Dumbledore.
He magically packed a duffel bag and apparated to her place. He knew Nymph would either be at the Auror Headquarters or on duty with the Order. He strengthened her wards and waited in bed for her. He chose one of her muggle books. "One Hundred Years of Solitude." "Interesting." He said out loud and started reading.
Severus read the book. He enjoyed getting lost in literature. It had been years since he read a good book. He was halfway through the book when he heard the door opening.
Nymphadora saw him and smiled brightly. "You didn't tell me you were going to be here today." She was very happy to see him. She kissed him hard. He slowed the kiss and pushed her next to him. His Nymph moaned when he kissed her neck. "We are not going away are we?" She said between kisses. "I'm sorry love. I have to stay. Dumbledore wants me to teach Potter occlumency." She sat up and saw his worried expression.
"He's afraid of him, the headmaster thinks the connection between him and the Dark Lord is too strong. He doesn't want to have any contact with Harry because of that." Severus told her about their conversation. She listened attentively.
"Severus, this is your chance to get him to know you." She straddled him. He frowned. She could feel him start an argument against the idea. Nymphadora smoothed her hands over his black shirt. "Hear me out, show him a few memories of you and Lily. Spike his interest, he'll open up to you."
He frowned and rubbed her back. "I don't want to be friends with the boy. I don't even like him, I just want him to be alive after the war." She laughed and unbuttoned his shirt. "Are you sure? He's the last connection to Lily you have." She knew how to get him. "He's nothing like Lils, and it would be too dangerous. He could do something foolish. I'll talk to him after the war, if I live through it." She tensed but he kissed her and undid her shirt.
They made love quietly, unhurriedly with the knowledge that they would sleep against each other for at least that night. Severus kissed her naked shoulder and the pushed her long dark brown hair aside. "What happened to Weasley?"
She sighed, "He was watching over the department of mysteries. He would be dead if it wasn't for Harry. We rushed him to St. Mungos, they managed to stop the bleeding. His doctor is trying a new treatment using muggle alternatives.
"I need to contact his healer. They could use a sample of Nagini's venom." Severus mused while Tonks kissed his cheek. "Molly is beside herself. She cried all night until the healer told him that Arthur was fine." Her voice turned sad. She grabbed his hands and kissed them, "I would die if something happened to you." He frowned. "Don't say anything. You know how I feel Severus. Please just accept that I love you and for me a world without you has no meaning." She said directly into his eyes. He kissed her softly and caressed her under the sheets. He nuzzled her and entered her slowly, savoring her reactions and the way she looked at him. He felt so loved when he was with her. He worshipped her; he could hear her sighs and small moans. He kissed her gently, "Severus," she chanted, and tightened around him. He looked into those beautiful brown eyes and came as he kissed her.
She lay on him and sighed deeply, these small moments made her day. She was happier than ever before. All the pain, the distance, it was all worth it. Him hugging her and his weight against her was all she needed. His heartbeat against her ear and his voice in the morning, she kissed his chest and smiled when she felt his hand against her back.
They woke up because of the owl, tapping against the window. "Love, please get that." She sank deeper into her pillow. Severus stood up and grabbed the letter. His bleary eyes made out Black's handwriting.
"Is from the mutt." He went back to bed and put a leg over her hip. He hated mornings and wanted to be back in bed with his lover.
"I should read that letter." She loved it when he moaned and grumbled. "Don't. He probably wants to invite you over to his place."
She stretched her hand and opened the letter, "You could come with me." she tried once again but he just pinched her nipple.
"I hate your cousin. I can't stand the sight of him." His hand went lower until he reached her center. "You however I like. So you can stay here with me for the whole day. We don't even have to leave this bed." He licked her ear and was rewarded with a small moan and her rubbing her bottom against her crotch.
Three days later Tonks wheeled Arthur inside to the kitchen at Grimmauld Place when she saw her lover and cousin almost duel. They were both about to hit each other. Harry was there too, looking uncomfortable.
Arthur's cheery voice dissipated the tension. "I have to go. Mr. Weasley I'm glad you're fine." He said this under his breath and took his leave.
Tonks smiled and laughed with these people who were her family and friends but she just wanted to go home to her lover. At seven she couldn't stand it any longer. "Merry Christmas." She kissed Remus, Sirius, Molly and Arthur. She waved at the teenagers and left the house. She laughed when Sirius tried to stop her from leaving.
She apparated home and found Severus drinking a glass of whiskey, she kissed his mouth and led him to the bedroom. She kissed him and pushed him to the bed. He smirked and kissed her back. "I'm going to give you a nice present Severus. You've been a very good boy." She said sultrily.
He bit her lip. She laughed and took off the trench coat. She wore a black sweater and grey leggings, very subdued for her usual attires. She undressed slowly and then undressed him.
"You deserve to have a very happy Christmas." She kissed his pale stomach and then went lower. Severus pulled her up and grabbed her short red hair. "Be you." She moaned when he pulled her hair and kissed her neck. Severus thrust into her and rode her hard, long gone was the gentle lovemaking of days past. He needed to let off some steam. He used her and she let him use her. She gasped when he put his leg over his shoulder and drove into her hard. "Fuck Severus." She trashed and arched her back.
She dropped to the mattress, and felt his weigh on her back. It was dawn already and she was exhausted. Severus was insatiable; he made love to her, fucked her and teased her all night. She felt him kiss her shoulder blades, "Severus love, I'm sore. You have to wait; you wore me out." He laughed, a filthy laugh, "I can't get enough of you. Although I am tired too." He moved to his side and watched her sleep.
They slept until early in the afternoon. She caressed his face and he cracked an eye open. "I'm hungry." He said, she laughed. It was so unlike him to say that. "Get up. We'll make late lunch together.
He ruled her kitchen and two hours later they were fed and again in bed, this time they cuddled and talked about Harry. "That fucking mutt, he implied that I would put Potter in danger. He threatened me, I almost cursed the fucking bastard." His voice was a hiss of raw anger. She listened to him and his side of the story.
"Don't even try to defend him." She frowned but kept quiet, finally he seemed to be emotionally spent and just held her.