Thanks again for the reviews and follows!
To clear something up about Juliet being mute, she has an underdeveloped larynx. Her condition is not due to mental capacity or choice. The vocal chords do not vibrate to create the audible turbulence for speech. But enough air passes to allow her to whisper. The best way to describe this is not so much mute but more voicelessness. Although when writing, mute is the best term.
Are you guys ready for some verbal sparring between Severus and Sirius? How about Severus and Juliet fluff? who doesn't love fluff?
He didn't hear Juliet get up. She quietly made her way to him and stood before him. She watched him for a few moments before she reached out and touched his arm.
His eyes snapped open and his instincts kicked in. he grabbed her hand and his wand was on her instantly. Her big eyes looked at him without fear. He lowered his wand immediately and let her go.
Apparently she had found the bathroom and had showered and changed. He must have been tired to not hear any of it. She changed out of her old school robes and into her favorite sleep wear. Severus' old Slytherin quidditch jersey. He hadn't seen it since he gave it to her.
It was green with the silver stripes on the shoulders and his silver number '2' on it. The Slytherin crest on both shoulders and front left breast. On the back the silver lettering that spelled out his name 'SNAPE'. The jersey was meant to be worn over his quidditch protective gear so it was massive on her. They wore large hockey type jerseys before switching for robes a few years later.
The collar of the jersey slipped off one of her shoulders, it's length went down to her mid thigh and she wasn't wearing pajama bottoms. Now he remembered why he gave it to her. His mouth went dry.
He stood up and towered over her, he didn't remember her being this short. Before she left, she came up to the middle of his chest and now she barely reached it. He remembered that she was barely 5'2 despite her claiming 5'5. Compared to his fully grown height at 6'4 and added height with his boots, she was tiny.
There was so much he wanted to say, so much he needed to say. So much to confess and so much forgiveness to beg for. He didn't know where to start. Once she knew, she would leave.
He needed her though, he at least wanted to steal all the moments he could with her before he drove her away. The other half of him was greedy. He didn't want to tell her anything, keep her to himself locked away forever.
They silently stared at each other for what seemed like forever. He reached his right hand out to her face and waited for her approval. She smiled at him and put her hands up to his chest. His thumb caressed her cheek, then moved to her chin. Her hands slid up the front of his robes, towards his face. They were exploring each other. Trying to learn everything all over again.
He slowly started to lean closer to her. Her arms circled his neck and pulled him in to her.
"Juliet, my love." His voice was low and deep. "I've missed you."
She pulled him in to her and their lips met. Finally. After 17 years apart they had finally been reunited. It had been mere moment a for her, but for him, it was an eternity.
His left hand reached for her waist and pulled her flush to him. His tall height was making it difficult for them to keep their lips on each other and be close. Her back was arched and leaning backwards.
Her tongue swiped at his bottom lip and he groaned. His tongue met hers and their kiss intensified. The first sense of pleasure he had felt for the first time since she left. She tugged on his bottom lip and his mind went to the gutter.
He pulled his lips away from her and tried to catch his breath. If they continued, he wouldn't be able to stop himself. She would be on that bed, naked and under him writhing in pleasure.
"I love you." She breathed.
He felt his heart flutter like when he was younger. He tried to slow his breathing but couldn't as her hands traveled to the top row of buttons on his robes. He let her continue, she would see his scars and marks soon enough.
When the buttons were undone and his robes open, her hands slid their way up his torso over his white buttoned shirt. She pushed the robes off his shoulders and they fell to a bundle by his feet. She started with the next set of buttons on his shirt, starting at the collar.
Her hands tugged at his shirt, pulling it from being tucked in his pants. His breath picked up as her hands touched this bare skin. Her fingers travelled to the red lips printed on his pulse point.
"Your last kiss. I had to keep it." He explained.
She smiled softy and stood on her toes and kissed the tattoo. He felt his knees go weak. He would give into anything she said right now. Anything.
Her hands went down to his pecks and pushed his shirt off his shoulders to meet his robes on the floor. Despite the fire, he felt his skin rise to the cold air. It was summer but the house was still drafty. Severus thought that the Black family built it like that to add to the creepy mansion feel.
Her hands traveled across his torso, finding his scars and tracing the tattoo across his collar bone.
'Son of the Morning'
"This is who I am now."
She didn't question it, didn't turn away from him, she accepted it. She accepted him. Her lips kissed each letter. He wished he had gotten more words on his skin. Then her lips travelled to every scar, from his eyebrow where Potter had punched him on the train, to the scar above his lip from where Black kicked him. Then down to his Adam's apple where a knife was once held against his throat by another Death Eater.
He tilted his head back and closed his eyes. When her lips met the scars covering his sternum he bit his lip. She was making her way lower, light kisses across his abs.
She stood up straight again and started with his right shoulder, running her finger tips across his muscles. She turned his arm over and ran her fingers over the raised skin on his wrists.
"I'm sorry. I was weak. I'm so sorry." His eyes were on her as she inspected cut lines and the tattooed dates.
She brought his wrist up to her lips and kissed each line. Then moved to his other shoulder, tracing the black ink and runes carved in his skin.
He flexed his bicep and his shield came up, pushing her hand away from him. She gasped and breathed a 'wow.' He lowered his shield and let her continue.
He swallowed the lump in his throat as she got to his dark mark. Her fingers outlined it and her face was unreadable. She knew what it was, before she left the skull and snake were all over the headlines.
"I was stupid. I thought it was the answer to my weakness." He couldn't break it down any better than that.
He panicked, this was when she saw the monster he was. "I'm sorry. The things I've done…I wasn't strong enough. My weakness ruined everything."
She dropped his hand and signed to him 'No, you are not weak. To be here, standing so tall after everything you've been through. You are so strong and I am so proud of you.'
He grabbed her and crushed her to him. Everything he needed to hear all these years. That he was good enough for her. All his doubt and self consciousness melted away and were filled with confidence and love. But what about the things she didn't know?
She reached for his face and leaned into her hand. He sighed and relaxed to her touch.
"Come to bed." She whispered.
He wanted to. So bad. He didn't trust himself sharing a bed with her. He didn't want her to regret it later when she found out all of his other sins. They had only touched the surface.
"Juliet… I don't think we should…" he started.
She pulled her hand back and took a step away from him. She looked to the ground between them and hung her head with her hands folded in front of her.
He felt guilty instantly, it was their 6th year all over again, he was pushing her away. He was supposed to be older and wiser now. The first words he said to her in 17 years and they were telling her no. Damn it.
"But if you want me to, I will."
Her head shot up and she smiled at him. She nodded enthusiastically, he looked down at the exposed part of her skin and saw a burn mark on her chest.
His hand came out and hovered over it. She gave him permission.
"I didn't know it burned you here as well." He said and traced his finger tips over the raised scar tissue.
She had tried to heal it on her own and failed. It left a raised scar in the shape of an hour glass with three rings around it. It was still somewhat pink.
"You should have woke me. I would have healed it." His disappointed tone made her blush and look away.
"Let me see your hand." He ordered her.
She had reapplied her bandages after her shower. She put her hand in his and let him unwrap it. He ran his fingers over the hourglass shaped scar with rings. Just like the one on her chest.
"I have a salve to help with the scaring but not here. I'll get it as soon as I'm able. Go lay down, I'll be there in a bit." He promised as he rewrapped it.
He went to the bathroom and got ready for bed. He left his shirt off and put on his pajama pants. When he came out she was in bed with the covers pulled up. He saw her trunk at the end of the bed, she must have shrunk it and had it in her pocket for her travels.
He got in bed and took his usual spot closet to the wall. He put his wand under her pillow and with both arms he held her. Her face tucked into his chest and their legs tangled together. He had the best sleep of his life that night.
The next morning Harry found Sirius right before lunch. They spoke to each other in the old dining room that had his family tree on the wall.
"Do you know anything about the task that Headmaster Dumbledore has given Professor Snape?" Harry asked. He knew his Godfather couldn't tell him specifics but he thought it was worth a shot.
"Not particularly, just that he has to keep his ears open for information about those Dementors. Why?" He was tracing the lines of the family tree from the top down to his name.
Harry didn't want to get in trouble for eavesdropping and admit guilt. "The order….. do they, I mean- do we kidnap people?"
He turned around quickly "What? Where is this coming from? We have never kidnapped anyone Harry! We've detained, arrested and questioned but never kidnapped. A lot of us were Aurors, even when off the clock we followed protocol."
Harry looked out the window for a few moments in silence as he chose his next words carefully. "And those of you who weren't Aurors? Were they in charge of doing the dirty work? I know this is war, I get that. But –"
"Just say it Harry."
He sighed and rubbed his scar out of habit "Last night, when the wards went off…. I saw Snape come in. He was carrying someone. I couldn't see who. But they looked like they were hurt. He had them covered with his cloak."
He pursed his lips and brought his hand up to stroke his mustache in thought. "I haven't heard about anything that. Did he say anything?"
"When Mrs. Weasley asked if they needed medical attention he said he had it handled. Then he told her to contact Dumbledore. To tell him that he had the package. What package, Sirius?" Harry's voice was firm and his posture tense.
Black stayed leaning against the wall looking down at the floor before he answered. He mind running over the information he'd been given. Then he smirked.
"The dirty bugger." He murmured.
"What?"
"Harry, I think you've gotten worked up over nothing. Albus hasn't said anything about Snape delivering a package or a person. I believe the greasy git brought a woman here." He smirked.
Harry was shocked "You mean…" then a look of disgust came.
"Some women will do anything for the right amount of coin. Just let me handle it alright? I'll have a few words with him and get to the bottom of it." He said and slapped Harry on the back.
Severus and Juliet had slept the whole day. Both of them getting their first decent rest in a long time. When he finally woke up, it was just before dinner time. He woke to something tickling his nose, then the feeling of something warm pressed against him.
He looked down to see Juliet wrapped in around him. A small smile on her lips, her hair trying to smother him, with one arm tucked between them and the other on his chest. He smiled, it wasn't a dream after all. She was really here.
He gently detached himself from her, climbed out of bed and got to his workout routine. Just because she was here now didn't mean he could slack off. Now he would work harder.
He sat on the floor, tucked his feet under the bed and started with his sit ups, his hands crossed behind his back and started counting.
After his 10th one he saw a pair of silver eyes peeking over the edge of the bed by him. After a few more she got closer, he chuckled to himself. She reminded him of a playful kitten, waiting to pounce.
When he came up again her lips met his quickly. He didn't have time to react, his body went back down to the floor. He smirked and came up for another sit up, and another kiss. She met him each time with a quick kiss.
"I could get used to 100 kisses every morning." He said and kissed her the last time before pulling her off the bed into his lap.
He rolled them over and laid her flat on the rug. "But 200 kisses would be better." He started his push ups and kissed her each time he came down.
Halfway through she wrapped her arms around his neck and parted her legs. She pulled him to her and they were flush against each other. Things started getting heated until her stomach interrupted them.
He let out a deep chuckle. "I'm sorry. I forgot that it's been some time since you've eaten. Let me get ready and I will get you food."
He got up, showered, changed and came back into the room.
"I didn't get a chance to explain before. This isn't my home. We are at headquarters for the order and we can't leave here until Albus arrives." He said and kissed her forehead.
"Meaning, we aren't the only ones in this house." he sighed and rubbed his chin in frustration. "This is Sirius Black's home. I know. I know. I don't want to be here. I don't want you here. But I didn't have a choice, Albus said we aren't free to leave until he meets with you."
Her eyes got big and she started to panic. She buried her face in chest and held on to him.
"You're going to be safe. I promise. He won't get you, he doesn't even know you're here. Remember what I said? You don't have to be scared with me. I'll protect you from everything. After Albus get here we will leave and never come back. I can take you to see your grandfather." He wrapped his arms around her.
'Papa? He's alive!' she smiled clapped her hands.
"Yes, and he misses you very much. Then we can go anywhere in the world you want. I have money. So much money I saved for you, for us. No one will ever bother us again." He promised.
'Then we can get married?' She held up the hand with his engagement ring on it.
"Yes. Anything. We'll get married and be together forever. But first, let me go get us something to eat." He gave her his first genuine smile in 17 years.
She kissed him, long and hard. Everything was coming together finally. The plans were set and their future awaited them.
"Go take a shower and change. I'll be back with food by the time you get out."
She started to walk towards the bathroom. He grabbed her arm and spun her around. "Do not, under any circumstances, leave this room. Unless I tell you it's safe, do no leave. Do you understand?" his voice was firm. His possessiveness of her was strong, he didn't want to share her with the rest of the world.
He couldn't bare to think what would happen if Black found out she was here. Or if Potter and the other Gryffindor miscreants started poking their nose in his business. She was his and he would be damned if any of them would bother her.
Her arms around his neck and her lips on his jawline was the confirmation he needed. He kissed her one last time and removed his wards. He quickly exited the room and reset the wards. He looked around the hallway and went downstairs.
Everyone was already seated at the table and dinner had just started. It got quiet the instant he opened the door to the kitchen. Everyone watched him as he silently made his way to the fridge. Molly got up and followed him.
"How is your companion? Are you sure they don't need medical attention?" She asked while wiping her hands on her apron.
"They are fine. We just need food. Have you heard from Albus? Did he say when he was coming?" he asked in a hushed voice?
Everyone was watching them. Not bothering to try and hide it. He scowled at them all and they snapped their heads down to their plates. Except Black.
"Companion? Is that what they call them these days?" Black called out from his seat at the head of the table.
Severus clenched his fist and grit his teeth. How dare he speak of Juliet like that! He checked himself before he did something stupid. No one knew it was her upstairs and they wouldn't know.
"Sirius!" she scolded. "Albus hasn't responded. I'm sorry. I even reached out to Minnie. She said he hasn't gotten back to her either and that you are to stay here with your friend until he does."
Everyone was watching them now. It was getting on his nerves. Now they were stuck here for God knows how long in a Gryffindor infested house.
"So Snape, how much does your friend charge? Double for the greasiness and triple just to touch you?" Black said loudly.
Everyone at the table either laughed or hid it behind their napkin.
"Sirius! Not in front of the children!" she said and covered Arthur's ears on accident.
He removed her hands from his head "Wrong Weasley, dear."
She moved over a seat and put her hands over Ron's ears.
Severus ignored his statement and kept talking to Molly "Is there anything left I can take?"
"Of course! There plenty! Why don't you and your friend come and join us? We don't mind." She said and started making two plate for him.
"No thank you, Molly. We're fine eating upstairs."
"Ashamed of your lady friend, Snape? She's gotta be twice as ugly if she's shagging up with you." Black said, now leaning on the back two legs of his chair with his hands folded behind his head.
"Tell me Black, how long has it been for you? You basically traded one prison for another. You can't even leave your own home. Was it your old cell mate at Azkaban? Was it your cousin? The old Black family tradition?" Severus shot back with a smirk.
Blacks face turned red. Gasps and murmurs were heard around the table. Tonks' hair and cheeks turned pink, it was her family too. The incest in the Black family was no secret.
"Will both of you stop it? Sirius, stop talking like that in front of the children. Severus, stop letting him bait you. Now go feed your friend, let me know if you want seconds. There are plenty. Do you think she'll want dessert?" She gave him the tray of food and a pitcher of pumpkin juice.
He took it from her and bowed his head in thanks. "Yes I think so."
"How do we know it's a woman? Might be another bloke and I know for a fact you only got one bed up there." Black laughed.
"Alright, Padfoot. That's enough." Lupin said and shook his head.
"And we all know you share a room with a Hippogriff. A male Hippogriff. Is that why you were limping last week?" Severus smirked.
The Weasley twins couldn't contain their laughter anymore. Their fists were slamming on the table and they were bowing to their potions professor. George threw a white napkin at Black, joking that he should surrender.
Even Arthur was biting his lip to keep from laughing. Molly smacked Severus on the arm and shooed him out of the room.
"Well the pie is in the oven, not quite done yet. Give it a bit alright? I'll send it up later." She said and added silverware to his tray.
"It's alright, thank you Molly." He said and made his way out of the room.
When he passed Black he noticed his wand was out, ready with his notorious tripping jinx. He was still leaning on the back two legs of his chair. Severus wandlessly nudged his chair back and Black toppled backwards.
"Too much to drink, Black?" he asked innocently as he pushed the kitchen door and left.
"I fucking hate that man." Black said under his breath.