A/N- Well these chapters seem to be ending right around 3500 words lately. This one literally picks up where the last one ended and I laughed SO MUCH writing the Amelia/Severus scenes. So fair warning if you read this at work- laughs are quite plausible. This chapter is Snape-centric with a bit of Harry-centric in the middle. It's alot of text and not much dialogue. Sorry! Things just kind of unfolded that way as I wrote it and Snape uses a large amount of words in his internal monologues. Harry too, annoyingly.

P.S. in canon Amelia Bones is described as older than she is here. I made her Snape's age intentionally so her physical appearance won't line up with canon. Minus the monocle. That's the great thing about AU. I get to alter the universe to my whims. I like that.

Severus Snape had loved two women in his life. The first was Lily Evans, but when he'd seen her gravitating toward Potter, that love had vanished in a puff of smoke. The second time had happened when he was a seventh year.

But that had been a dark time in Severus' life. He was angry at two worlds for the way he was treated; the muggle world where his abusive father beat him and his mother regularly and the magical where James Potter and Sirius Black acted to make his life a living hell.

Enter Amelia Bones. She was a Hufflepuff, like the rest of her family. She had also become his newly assigned potions partner. The witch wanted to be an auror but was horrible at Potions (better than Neville Longbottom, but not by much). Amelia had shocked him by not only hexing Potter and Black quicker than he'd ever seen anyone draw a wand when they'd tried to start something behind Slughorn's back but by her willingness to trust him. If Severus told her to do something to a potion, she would do it. Even if it wasn't in the text (and so many of those instructions were not in the text), Amelia would simply do as he commanded, trusting him to explain why he did what he did and why his method worked better than the book.

An astonished Snape had asked why she trusted him so easily and Amelia had smiled at him and said that he had a good heart. That he wouldn't steer her wrong. Not even Lily, his friend since early childhood, had trusted him so easily or in such a way. And then the more time he spent with Amelia Bones, the more he started to lower his rather considerable walls. Somehow, he still wasn't sure how nearly 20 years later, Amelia Bones had ripped down all of his efforts to hide and shield himself from other human beings.

Nothing happened at Hogwarts. After Hogwarts, even as he took the mark, he continued to tutor her for her auror exams. Amelia was a pureblood but she despised the dark lord. Her brother had married a muggleborn. Then, somehow (so uncomfortable with emotions, Severus could never explain how it happened), he and Amelia's relationship became more than tutor and pupil. One evening after she excitedly told him she'd passed her potions exam in auror training they'd fallen into bed together. He hadn't remembered to cast the spell to hide the dark mark and Amelia had seen it.

After having a very intense sexual encounter (and admittedly Severus' first one), Amelia had looked at the mark on his arm and asked him why. That he grew up in the muggle world, why would he hate them so? He'd not been able to articulate the reason why. His nervous utterances were about Potter and Black and trying to kill him and Lily shattering his heart into a million pieces and Dumbledore not protecting him and letting the so-called 'good guys' get off for trying to murder him. About his muggle father beating his witch mother and beating Severus too…when he finally finished talking she gently wiped his eyes and he realized he'd started crying without his knowledge.

She had told him that Voldemort wasn't going to help him. She told him everything that, deep down, Snape already knew. But he'd ignored her. She'd kissed him gently and whispered that she was sorry. Their relationship (was that even what you could call it?) was over. Her brother was expecting his first child and she couldn't be with a man who would take her niece's mother from her. Severus hadn't even argued with her. Just quickly got dressed and left her flat. He'd not seen her again until his trial after the first war. She'd just been an auror then.

As Dumbledore testified about how he wasn't a Death Eater, he'd been unable to look at her. She never spoke up in his defense. Probably just as well. Crouch loved slinging mud at anyone who might be 'harboring' a Death Eater. Snape wasn't bitter. Sometimes he wondered if she'd ever felt for him what he'd felt for her. Dumbledore liked to say it was Lily but in all honesty, it was Amelia that motivated Severus Snape turning spy. Amelia and Draco. Being named godfather was something he'd never expected but from the first time he'd laid eyes on Draco, Severus had fallen in love with the boy. And he'd wanted to protect him from his father and grandfather.

Severus had spent the next sixteen years doing just that. Protecting Draco at all costs had become the former Death Eater's atonement. Hermione had taken that from his grasp, and the potions master was relieved because it meant Draco was safe. He could now help them stop Voldemort once and for all. Seeing Amelia again, though, was unknowingly bringing back to the surface emotions he'd never fully realized he'd had for her.

She was impeccably dressed. Being head of the department clearly did her well. Her auburn hair was pulled back in a severe bun that would have done Minerva McGonagall proud. Being alone in the room with her for the first time made him uncomfortable and he felt like that awkward teenager she'd known years ago. "How have you been?" He asked, nearly wincing as he realized he sounded like one of his Slytherins pining after a new crush.

"I was very pleased to hear you became a spy for the light in the first war," she said.

"I did it for you," he said before putting his hand over his face. Since when did he become an idiot?

Amelia let out an uncharacteristic giggle, "It seems we both revert to our teenage selves when we're together."

"Disturbingly so," Severus scowled. "The monocle is unnecessary."

"It's charmed like Alastor's magic eye. Very useful." Awkward silence reigned again and Amelia gazed at him, "It must be hard for Draco, trying to get out from under Lucius Malfoy's shadow."

"Miss Nott does not tolerate anyone treating him as less than," he responded. "I only wish I had someone so loyal to me in my youth. Certain decisions would not have been made if I had."

Amelia nodded. Then she smiled, "I got to throw Black in Azkaban. I had some words for him when I did about him deserving to be there years ago for what he tried to do to you. He was outraged."

Snape's cheeks pinked. The witch had been thinking of him. He looked at the door. Was it just him or were Draco and Hermione taking too long?

Draco pulled Hermione into an alcove, "You look so hot in those jeans," he mumbled, his hands slipping into her back pockets to keep her snug against his body.

Hermione returned his kiss but after a few seconds ended it, "We have company," she scolded, though her words lacked any anger or irritation.

"I know but I think those two need some time alone anyway," he reasoned. "To sort out whatever is between them. I mean, the tension is so thick in there."

"Maybe they were lovers," Hermione said. "And if so, I do not want anyone shagging in my study save for us."

Well that was a good point. Draco wouldn't want that either. It'd be weird, fucking Hermione on the desk while wondering if Snape had fucked Amelia Bones there. "Okay let's do this. Winky!"

The elf popped in, "Yes Master Draco?"

"Can you pop in and see what my godfather and Amelia Bones are up to? And inform them that we're headed to the dining room as dinner is nearly ready?"

"Of course Master Draco," Winky smiled. She looked at Hermione, "Miss Nott has beautiful home. Winky is most grateful to be here."

"Thank you. I'm glad you feel welcome Winky," Hermione smiled at the elf who beamed before vanishing without a sound. Apparently the loud pop Dobby would use with Harry was not a requirement. "Are your elves at the Manor like my elves?"

"Some of them. I had a nanny elf and she had a daughter," Draco said. "Her name was Leeta. We grew up together."

"Why not bring her with you?" Hermione asked.

"I don't know," Draco answered with a frown. "I guess I was so excited to be out of that house I didn't really think about it. I was still in danger, Severus was still in danger…it just never crossed my mind to bring her with."

Hermione kissed the corner of his mouth, "Well she's welcome here if she's loyal to you." Draco let her pull away from him and they made their way to the dining room. He just hoped whatever was between Severus and Madame Bones didn't descend on their dinner. Or the study's desk, he mentally added, shuddering at the thought.

At dinner Amelia met the rest of the household. She was very bemused by how much it varied. A werewolf, an auror, an ex-Death Eater, a retired auror, four teens from dark families, one teen from a light family, a crup puppy, and Harry Potter. "I'm pleased to see you aren't holed up somewhere alone Alastor," she said to her former mentor.

"Tried that already," he frowned. "Didn't work out. I can play nice with others Amelia."

"He has to. Blinky doesn't take kindly to intruders in her kitchen," Hermione smirked.

"Nor does she approve of snacks before dinner," Theo added.

"Bossy little thing she is," Alastor muttered. The others chuckled.

"You've adapted well to learning only recently about your heritage," Amelia told Hermione.

"I had some motivations that helped," Hermione admitted. "And Draco was very helpful at not letting it bog me down. Teaching him and Theo about the muggle world took away some of the stress of learning about my family and new status."

"Plus the snogging was brilliant," Draco grinned.

"That too," Hermione winked at Neville who snickered.

Theo groaned, "Seriously Hermione?"

"You don't have to infer anything from that if you don't want to Theo," she stuck her tongue out at her brother.

"Theo must be a masochist then," Blaise said. Theo mimed stabbing him with a fork, "I'm not scared mate. Draco would be furious if you killed his chaser."

"That's true," Draco confirmed. "We have more games to play. You can kill Blaise after we win the trophy." Blaise pouted at that while Neville, Hermione, and Tonks laughed.

Dinner conversation as always did not feature Voldemort. It was a rule in Nott Manor, Harry had learned. Don't discuss the evil bastard outside of the library. There were many rules. The muggle wing was inaccessible to anyone not Hermione, Theo, Draco, Blaise, and Neville. Harry felt very outside of those five. It was quite apparent that his presence at the manor was about keeping him safe, not because he was wanted by the occupants. But it was better than being at Hogwarts alone or being at the Dursley home. Although recently he'd begun to suspect his mother had actually done something to earn her sister's ire given that every horrible thing he'd heard about his father and godfather had both been confirmed. If she associated with such men, married James Potter despite knowing what a bastard he was, then it seemed plausible to Harry that his mother had not been as innocent as Harry had always imagined her. Sure she loved him. But was she as kind to her muggle sister?

Thoughts about his aunt had started to swirl in his head when he had walked into the library to see Hermione and Theo lying near the fire on a fuzzy rug. They were so close to one another, talking quietly and occasionally laughing. The familiarity that was there, the obvious affection for one another…Hermione had said that she and Theo had been cheated of a childhood growing up together. What if what had happened to them had happened in reverse to his mother and his aunt? Rather than be ripped apart at birth, they were close siblings and ripped apart by Hogwarts? What if his mother had completely written off the muggle world once she learned she was a witch? That was what Harry had done. Unlike Hermione, who was proud of her muggle roots. Even learning she was a pureblood hadn't shaken her love of the muggle world or her belief that part of her belonged in that world.

Harry vaguely recalled that Snape had at one point mentioned Petunia and he wondered if the potions master knew both of them. When it came to learning the truth about his parents, he didn't have many sources. Remus kept quiet out of respect for the dead and knew nothing about Lily Potter's muggle life before Hogwarts. At least, nothing other than she arrived already knowing Snape. But Amelia Bones had known his parents. So Harry asked, "Did you know my parents Madame Bones?"

Amelia gave him a measured look, "I knew enough about your father and Sirius Black to despise them." Everyone missed Snape's spine straightening at that and the small smirk that appeared on his lips. "I only had a couple classes with your mother. She didn't take Runes or Arithmancy, and I did."

"The professors always told me she was brilliant," he frowned.

Severus took over, "Your mother was smart, but she was viewed through the lens of a muggleborn. Or, perhaps I should phrase that differently. The prevailing opinion was that for a mudblood, Lily Evans was exceptional."

"People who think like my father, or worse than him, think if a muggleborn is as good as your average wizard or witch then they're quite talented. Because they believe that muggleborns are inherently inferior," Draco further explained.

"Having known Lily and taught most of this room, including tutoring Amelia and attending classes with Remus," Snape continued, "Lily was very talented in Charms but Tonks and Hermione both make her seem average at best by comparison. Even taking into account that Tonks is a metamorphmagus and thus more gifted with Charms by nature."

"Like Veela are inherently more gifted with Transfiguration," Tonks nodded.

"It's also worth bearing in mind that purebloods around that time were typically much weaker than their half-blood counterparts because of inbreeding," Snape added. "Draco for example is much stronger magically than his father was at the same age. That he held Hermione's feet to the fire in a few classes even at eleven highlighted to me that he was truly gifted."

"See? You're not just a pretty face," Hermione teased her boyfriend.

"If I was you'd be very bored with me," Draco smirked.

Theo rolled his eyes. His sister and Draco liked to try and get a rise out of him. In this instance he wasn't giving them the satisfaction. He was taking Hermione Christmas shopping the next day and was looking forward to some brother-sister time. They didn't get as much of it anymore with so many people in the house. Even that summer once Draco moved in they still found time to be alone together. But so far since coming home that wasn't quite as feasible. Still, he looked forward to Christmas shopping the muggle way the next day.

After dinner Harry found himself alone as the other teens were in the library with Severus, Amelia, Moody, and Tonks. With the full moon approaching Remus had retired to the basement where he could change safely. Harry went up to his room. It was a really nice bedroom. Easily double the size of Dudley's room at the Dursley home and it was nicely decorated. The walls were a soft blue and the bed was a very nice size. Bigger than Hogwarts, of course. Harry knew if Ron saw Nott Manor he'd be outraged that Hermione lived in such a big, beautiful mansion. And the food! Harry could safely say that Blinky was the best cook he'd ever met. Her food was just amazing. And so much of it was grown at the manor.

In fact, that had greatly impressed Harry. Nott Manor was largely self-sufficient. The Weasley twins and Bill had overseen the construction of greenhouses on the property when Hogwarts had begun again. One was completely for the garden and the elf, Tugg, was very proud of it when he'd shown Harry the first greenhouse. The second contained potions ingredients and some specimens that Neville had been nurturing. It was really, really cool to see the pride these elves took in their work.

Of course, thinking about elves brought him back to his conversation with Kreacher. With Theo and Blaise leading the conversation they'd learned a few things. First, Harry did not own the house. According to Kreacher, Draco was the Black heir. Walburga had set it up after Regulus Black had gone missing. The only reason Kreacher even responded to Harry's call was because Sirius had ordered it and only Draco could cancel such a call. With ownership of Grimmauld Place established, Blaise had called for Winky. Winky had wasted no time laying into Kreacher. It was strange, seeing the formerly distraught elf so authoritative. She'd actually kind of reminded Harry of Hermione the way she bossed Kreacher around.

Winky had interrogated Kreacher about the state of the house and how many items were in there that could hurt Draco. The answer was staggering. However when Theo suddenly asked if Kreacher knew what a horcrux was Harry'd been really confused. He knew Bellatrix had had one, as had Lucius, but why would Grimmauld Place have one?

He was shocked when Kreacher said one existed and vanished, returning with a silver locket. Theo had put it in the case Fred and George had left at the house. The day after they'd arrived from Hogwarts they'd destroyed the cup using Fiendfyre in a fire pit outside. Moody and Snape had cast it while Remus and Tonks protected everyone with shield charms.

After such a heavy event, Harry'd been utterly shocked to see Hermione and the boys playing around in the snow. They'd thrown snowballs at Remus and Moody and Harry had stayed on the sidelines, just taking it all in. It was…strange. They were in the middle of a war and yet there was Theo throwing his sister over his shoulder and running to throw her into a big snowbank. Draco and Blaise tackled Neville into the snow and the three boys wrestled around, Hades barking and hopping through the snow around them happily until brother and sister teamed up to pelt the three boys with an arsenal of magically made snowballs.

Harry understood the need to distract yourself from the war but for them it was like the war was a nuisance they were offering some of their spare time to; they didn't let it consume them. Harry couldn't imagine living life that way. But then, hadn't he been bred by Dumbledore to be a sacrificial lamb? Trained enough to think he could fight but not enough to actually be able to?

He did not know what he wanted to do or even what he should do anymore. His death and his mother's revelations, combined with everything else that had happened since, had left him unsure of everything in his life.

In Amelia's presence they destroyed the locket, "That leaves Nagini then," Hermione said. They'd already worked out the diary was one, they'd destroyed the cup and the locket, Voldemort had inadvertently destroyed Harry's horcrux, and a ring had been destroyed by Dumbledore. That meant the seventh and last horcrux was Nagini. "Do we destroy her in battle or before battle?"

"Before," Snape said. "I don't think he has the mental faculties to make another one. He's quite insane."

"It'd be nice if Dumbledore and Voldemort took each other out," Hermione mused.

"Somehow the two of them would bungle that plan," Draco snorted.

"Plus it's more impressive if we do it," Theo pointed out.

Hermione nodded and then looked at the clock. "It's getting late. Theo and I have to go Christmas shopping tomorrow."

Moody flooed out while Remus and Tonks headed up to their bedroom. "Severus you should show Amelia out," Draco smirked, ushering the others out of the library and leaving Amelia Bones and Severus Snape alone. The potions master was not amused at his godson's antics.

"It was nice to see you Severus," Amelia said as they approached the floo room. Only Moody had access directly to the library. Everyone else had to floo to the front room. "I'm quite relieved, actually, that your spying days are behind you."

"I am as well," he said, resisting the urge to rub the back of his neck like an embarrassed school boy. He really didn't know what to do. Or say. What the bloody hell was wrong with him that Amelia's presence made him so tongue-tied? "Be careful. I'm quite sure he's not done trying to kill you."

Amelia kissed his cheek, "Thank you for your concern. I believe Hermione mentioned some house elf wards that would be placed over my home over dinner. I daresay I'm much better protected now."

With that Amelia Bones flooed out of Nott Manor, leaving a shell-shocked Severus Snape behind her. It was only when he was in his bedroom changing for bed that he realized what was wrong with him. He was still in love with Amelia. And she was attracted to him. Snape groaned. His godson would never let him hear the end of this.