OMG. I'm so sorry this took so long! Life. Life got to me. Rather, the hardships of life.

Enjoy, and if there's one thing I've learned: Don't let the little things stress you. They're unnecessary, and cruel words are petty.

Kathryn, Severus, Draco, and Blaise crashed out of the fireplace into the headmaster's office. Thankfully, the room was empty, save for the pictures strewn about. They had stopped chatting amongst one another and looked at the four people that had flown out of the fireplace.

Severus Snape gave a slight nod of his head as he saw his godson and husband, as well as his "grandchild" with the sickeningly sweet Gryffindor, Huître.

"How did the trial go, Draco?" Albus Dumbledore inquired, a small smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. Draco stood, brushed himself off, and looked up to stare the picture in the face. He didn't answer, and instead, looked to Kathryn. She should be the one to answer, as it was her trial.

Kathryn cleared her throat, picking a lump of charcoal out of her hair, tossing it back into the fireplace.

"It went well, sir. Better… than I expected." She whispered, sniffling a little. She turned around and rushed out of the room, muttering an excuse-me. Severus stared at her, stunned. Blaise shot him a look.

"What the hell are you waiting around for? Go after her." Blaise ordered. Draco smirked behind Severus' back, and crossed his arms, tapping his foot impatiently.

"Yes, Severus, what are you waiting for? Chase after your precious trinket." Draco teased. Severus gave his father a strange look, but turned away anyway, rushing out of the door.

Blaise and Draco chuckled, and left the room as well, heading for their office. Blaise checked the time with a tempus charm, and scowled. It was nearing seven.

They only had half an hour to get ready for their dinner that they'd planned for Sheeva. Blaise tapped Draco on the shoulder and took off, pointing at his wrist, motioning that they were running short on time. Draco chased after him, catching a glimpse of his son running down another corridor, towards the seventh floor.

They barreled into their office, panting slightly, tearing at their ties and shirt, scrambling to get them off. Sheeva arched an eyebrow at them, confused at their feverish state.

"Is something wrong?" She asked, with amused smile on her face as she watched their struggle.

"Everything's fine. We're just in a hurry." Blaise answered, kicking off his shoes and tossing his tie and dress shirt on the back of a nearby chair.

Blaise hurried to the bathroom, stripping himself of his pants and boxers and jumping into the shower, not caring about the bitter cold of the water. Draco figured that he was clean enough, as he'd showered that morning. He ran a comb through his hair and looked at himself, growled, and ruffled his hair, trying again.

He decided he didn't like that look, either, and so grabbed his gel off of the dresser and squirted a glob of it, running it through his hair, trying to comb it into place. No matter what he'd tried to do, it didn't seem right.

"Damn it all. My stupid hair won't obey! Stupid hair! Stupid gel!" He growled, leaning against the dresser, head down in shame. Sheeva uncrossed her legs, stood, and walked up to him, turning him forcefully to her and planting a heated kiss on his lips, running her fingers through his blonde hair.

She grabbed a tuft of his hair in both hands, biting his lip as she pulled his head away to look up at him. He shuddered at the intensity of the kiss and the bite of his lip, and felt himself go hard instantly.

"As long as it is my hands or Blaise's hands that run through it, I do not give a damn how your hair looks." She growled, voice thick with arousal. Her eyes were lidded, and she had that look in her eyes. Draco blinked, her words sinking into his brain.

He smirked, and grabbed her hips, pulling her close to him and kissing her passionately, thrusting his tongue in her mouth. He pushed her up onto the dresser, and she immediately wrapped her legs around his waist, gripping his shoulder and pulling at his hair again. He growled, and grinded against her.

Draco ran his hand up her thigh, taking the hem of her blue dress with it, giving her hip a squeeze and biting into her neck. She moaned, and pressed herself against him.

"Draco, now. I need you." She pleaded, unbuckling the belt of his pants and unzipping them. Draco sneered at her, a fire in his eyes that he hadn't had for a while. He pulled aside the fabric of her lace underwear with his fingers, prodding at her core with the tip, teasing her.

She moaned at his touch, trying to buck her hips to thrust him in. Each time, he backed off, taunting her. She sent him a glare and grabbed his hips, holding him in place as she did it herself, gasping in satisfaction.

"God, damn, you really want this." He muttered, obliging her by bucking his hips, hard.

She bit her lip as he rubbed her clit with his thumb, pressing her nails into his shoulders, leaving small crescent-shaped indents.

"Fuck yes, Draco." She swore, giving him an answer.

She happened to glance at their reflection in the full-body mirror leaned against the wall, and the visual stimulation sent her over the edge, moaning loudly as she came, clenching tightly around him. She relaxed, trembling with her head rested on his shoulder.

Softly, she began to chuckle, unwrapping her legs from around his waist.

He slid out of her, and sighed, somewhat irritated that he hadn't gotten off. She felt him against her thigh, and gave him an apologetic look.

"I am sorry. That was selfish of me." She muttered. He shook his head.

"That was fucking hot, Sheeva…. And quick. Damn." He replied, impressed with himself. Draco turned as he heard the bathroom door open. Blaise walked out, drying off his hair with a towel, not bothering to cover himself.

Draco grabbed his wand and immediately locked the door, in case someone were to try to burst in at the moment. Blaise smirked and dried off his chest, then walked over to his section of their massive dresser, picking out a pair of clean boxers and slacks, giving them both a peck on the cheek. Draco blushed slightly.

"Couldn't wait for me, could you?" He asked, feigning being hurt by it. Sheeva chuckled and stood off of the dresser, smoothing out her dress, which was cut off above the knees. Blaise was sure that if she were to bend over, she'd reveal everything.

She ran her hands up his abdomen, across his nipples, and looped her arm around his shoulders, looking up at him, her previous sultry glaze replaced with innocence.

"What is the rush with you two? We have all evening." She asked. Blaise kissed her lovingly and gripped at her hips, fiddling with the fabric of the dress. It was smooth, almost like silk.

"We were going to treat you to dinner. Somewhere far away." He explained, buckling his belt and zipping up his slacks. She smiled at them.

"That is so sweet of you… but… what about Jeffrey?" She asked. Draco and Blaise caught glances, and their eyebrows arched.

"I was thinking that Severus could watch him." Draco stated, flipping up his collar to loop his tie around his neck. Blaise laughed.

"He's too busy wooing Huître." He snickered. Draco smirked, and Sheeva smiled. She wrapped her hands around herself, and turned away so that they couldn't see her becoming teary-eyed. She failed to keep back a sniffle. They heard it, and smiled solemnly, hugging her tightly.

"They grew up so fast." She whispered. She couldn't have imagined that she would have ever known what it felt like, watching one's children grow up in front of their very eyes. And now, they were almost as old as she was. At this, she let out a sob, gripping onto their shirts.

"I really hate to break up this sentimental, beautiful, emotional moment… but we're really going to be late if we don't get going." Draco announced, nodding towards the clock, which was nearing 7:30. Sheeva wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, grabbing a tissue out of the box on the dresser and blowing her nose with it.

"I will ask Joseph. It will give them a chance to get to know each other. That and Jeffrey can help him with his English. It has gotten much better." Sheeva announced, forming a seal to make the hem of her dress longer. Blaise and Draco pouted at her.

"I like it short." Draco muttered. Sheeva smirked and winked at him.

"I only do it for you, dears." She whispered, walking to the dresser and grabbing a vial of dreamless sleep. She turned around the corner to the Slytherin dorms, the after heat radiating off of her. Almost cheerfully she made her way to Severus and Joseph's room, a small smile on her lips, a giddy glow in her eyes.

She tapped on the wooden door lightly, glancing around the Slytherin common room. It'd been decorated with hearts and pink and red streamers. There was also a table with small gifts piled upon it, probably one of the house resident assistant's ideas. She had to admit, it was a cute idea.

She almost jumped when the door swung open, but smiled at the person who opened it. His red hair was a mess, either a signal of stress or that he'd slept incredibly well. She chuckled at him lightly.

"Captain." He greeted, more of a tired grunt than anything else. She nodded back and smiled.

"Evening, Cowles. I was wondering if you would be willing to do me a favor? Severus is busy with Kathryn, and my husbands have surprised me with a dinner. I was wondering if you would be willing to watch Jeffrey?" She asked. He looked at her, arching an eyebrow.

"Um… I don't have any experience with kids…" He began, his shoulders slouching and his eyes wandering from side to side. As she looked at him a little closer, she noticed that he did indeed seem stressed.

"Then you are lucky he is not a baby." She said lightly, trying to cheer him a little.

"He does not cause trouble. He is well behaved." She continued. She noticed that Joseph was looking behind her again, and not at her. In fact, he seemed to be paying no attention to her. She squinted her eyes at him, hoping that it would catch his attention. When he didn't look, she snapped her fingers.

"Cowles." She barked. He blinked and straightened up, looking at her with tired, slightly irritated and scared eyes.

"Yes, ma'am?" He asked.

"Jeffrey is a good boy. Just make sure that he eats, is entertained, and goes to bed at eight. I was thinking that he could help you with your English. He is learning to read too." She suggested. Joseph blinked, and nodded.

"I will try." He agreed. She smiled gratefully at him, and turned to leave. She felt the vial in her bosom, and grabbed it, tossing it to him.

"When you are ready to sleep, drink this. It will keep your nightmares at bay." She ordered, waving at him shortly before continuing on her way up the stairs. He kept his grimace hidden, and turned away, trying to ignore the shadow. He hated to admit it, but he was beginning to get used to the thing.

Kathryn raced up the steps, wiping at her eyes, not sure of what she was thinking, let alone what she was feeling. There was a slurry of emotion. Happiness, relief, and the nerves from seeing The Madam were still bottled in her chest.

She looked down the corridor to the Gryffindor House, and saw students filtering in, some holding hands, others celebrating a "singles' awareness day". She decided against going to her room, as she wouldn't be able to slip by without drawing unneeded attention to herself.

She ran past the hall, heading straight. She hoped that the Room of Requirements wasn't in use, and she skidded to a halt in front of it, looking around. She tried to keep her composure as she thought of what she needed: a place to hide.

A door materialized in front of her, and she grabbed the knob, jerked the door open, and rushed inside. She tried to shut the door, but someone's foot stopped it open. She let out a startled cry, and looked at the intruder.

Severus wormed his way into the door, and leaned against the wall next to it as she shut the door all the way.

"You. Run. Really. Fast." He managed to get out between breaths. She began to laugh at him, and then turned away, tears still spilling from her eyes. She then began to sob, the emotions too much for her to handle.

Severus looked at her almost pitifully, and scooped her up, guiding her over to the love seat couch that had appeared in front of a roaring fire. The frame was made of wood, and the green fabric of the couch pillows and arms and back was very old, the trimmings around the edges peeling off.

He sat them down and she nestled herself in his lap, her knees tucked up against the arm of the couch. He remained silent while she had her cry, a small smile forming on his lips when she would laugh hysterically. She was so incredibly emotional, he wondered how her head didn't explode.

Eventually she calmed down, breathing hard and sniffling. Her eyes were puffy and red, and her face stung from her tears. He stroked her long curly hair, giving her arms a light squeeze as though to remind her that she wasn't crying alone.

As she sniffled, she realized that she really needed to blow her nose and wash her face. However, she didn't move her head from his lap, too tired to cry anymore, let alone move. Severus turned his head, startled as a table sprouted up like a plant with a box of tissues. The edge of the table hit his "funny bone", and he bit his lip to keep from laughing. Why it was called a "funny bone", he'd never understand. Although, it made some sense. It hurt, but it made him want to laugh, as though her were some sort of masochist.

He grabbed a few tissues and handed them to her. She slowly reached for one and blew into it, sighing from relief. Her nose was still stuffy, though.

"I'm sor—

—Don't. You have nothing to apologize for." He interrupted, staring into the fire. He was feeling sleepy too. He found himself wishing that there was a bed that they could lie down in. He arched an interested eyebrow as to the left of him, out of the wall, shot a bed.

It was very large, he had to guess it was a king-sized bed, loaded with pillows and a very nice golden quilt. He smirked. This room was amazing, and scary at the same time.

He sat up, picked her up, and pulled the covers back with his foot, lying her down in it. He unlaced her shoes and pulled them off, setting them on the floor before kicking off his own. He unbuttoned his coat and draped it over the frame, unbuttoning his shirt and draping it over as well. He loosened the tie around his neck, rather than untying the knot that he had such difficulties with, and looped it around the bed knob.

He took a deep breath, and scooted close to her, lying on his back. He snaked his hand underneath her and effortlessly pulled her close to him, startling her. She was stunned by his unnatural silence, and wondered if it really was the Severus she knew. Upon seeing the seal on his shoulder from his mother, she relaxed.

She placed a light kiss on his chest before resting her head on it.

"Everything is alright now. Your friends will be well taken care of. That woman is behind bars." He stated, thinking that maybe the circumstances hadn't quite registered in her shocked mind. He didn't blame them. He gave her another squeeze, and kissed the top of her head, and ran his fingers through her hair again. It fanned out on his dark-skinned chest, and he found that he liked the way that it looked. It contrasted beautifully.

She let out a slight chuckle, and he felt her nod her head.

Yes. Everything is alright now. She silently agreed.

I have everything I need, here with you. I have everything I want now, and it's thanks to you and your family. I am… safe.

Her eyes shone with happiness and love, but he didn't see it. She didn't look at him. This revelation was something that she would keep within herself. Instead of voicing her thoughts, she tightened her hold, and placed a heavier kiss on his chest.

I love you, Severus.

She wasn't aware that she'd said it until he kissed the top of her head again and whispered to her that he loved her too.

Her eyes closed, too strained and dry to stay open anymore. She slipped into a deep sleep, her dreams glazed and sugar-coated with images of Severus smiling at her, the orphans recovering, their laughter echoing throughout the brightened orphanage.

He lay awake, shooting stinging hexes at the door when students (maybe even teachers) tried to enter, rattling the doorknob. He'd smirk every time he sent someone swearing.

That's it for this chapter. Shocking, right? I wanted to end the sweetness here.

Keep looking for more chapters, they'll be up soon.