A.N:

- This is the longest chapter I have ever ever wrote, so I hope you enjoy and review.

- Also, if anybody would consider producing some sort of fan art for me then please email me or whatever :)

Chapter Twenty One: Quarrels and Quidditch

"I've had a fantastic evening Severus," said Hermione as she snuggled into bed beside her husband (who had turned his back on her) and leant over him so that she could see his face.

"What's wrong now?" she asked as she noticed his reserve and silence.

"Nothing," he lied closing his eyes to avoid her gaze.

"Something must be because you were the one who wanted to come home early for some 'us time,' but then on the way home you were exceptionally quiet and when you got here you were undressed and in bed before I had even took my shoes off!"

"It's nothing!" he snapped. "Is it too much for me to just want to get some sleep? I'm tired Hermione, I work hard!"

"So do I!"

"Do you get called to Dark Revels twice a week and suffer the Cruciatus curse from the Dark Lord himself on a regular basis?" asked Severus sarcastically, as he rolled over onto his other side so that he was facing her. Hermione shuffled away from him but he drew closer again in his anger. "Are you the one who not only has to pretend to be a Professor and Order Member by day, a Death Eater by night, and then to add to that, a Father and Husband?... I thought not," he added finally noticing her rather regretful expression. "Half of the time Hermione I don't even know who I fucking am," he spat, "so forgive me if I haven't got the time for 'us' twenty four fucking hours a day!"

"I just don't get you," whispered Hermione, resigned to the fact that her husband's mood would not falter that evening, and so stood to move into Septima's bedroom for the night. As she reached the door, she turned back to Severus who had now sat upright against the headboard. "One minute you're delighted about the baby, the next you don't even have the time for me never mind anything else. I want this baby Severus, and I will have it, so if you don't I suggest I leave…permanently."

"Hermione wait!" sighed Severus as his wife stepped out of their bedroom and into the hall. "There's something I have to tell you…there's a reason why I'm being the way I am…"

"And what's that then?" asked Hermione bitterly, as she made her way reluctantly back into their bedroom where Severus held his head in his hands. "Bellatrix is back."

"She can't be! I fired the killing curse at her just after she killed Ron. I watched her fall…I…I-" Hermione broke into tears and Severus drew her to his bare chest, rocking her as she now lay in his lap.

"The Dark Lord used the stone to salvage her life after he used it for his own gain," he began to explain but Hermione interrupted him.

"-But you said, Dumbledore said," she corrected, "that he could only use the stone once!"

"He can only use it once for to return his own life, but when it comes to others, he can reincarnate anybody whomever he wishes."

"But he has the greatest weapon of all then!" sobbed Hermione in defeat.

"No he does not. The Dark Lord is prudent in the sense that he does not wish to compromise his own authority by bringing back those whom he regarded highly. He sees such an act as a weakness, thus made Bellatrix's return a 'one off' so to speak."

"I'll kill her Severus!" spat Hermione as she wiped her tears away. "She's already ruining things by making you feel the way you do Severus. Please don't let her ruin our marriage Severus, don't become affected by her, don't resent our baby."

"Hermione I want this baby more than you could ever imagine but I don't want to be responsible for our child's death. The only reason Bellatrix hasn't already attempted to kill Septima and Sebastian is because the Dark Lord has forbidden her to do so. He understands that by hurting Septima's family she will not take the mark. But once Septima has the mark, Bellatrix is free to do as she wishes, and I assure you, she wants revenge against you. Killing our child would be Bellatrix's greatest revenge and I simply cannot sit back and allow her to succeed."

"She will not hurt us Severus. I'm twice the witch she is and I proved that in the final battle!"

"I know my love, but you have the baby to consider now and you can't go duelling people until it is born."

"So am I to hide in your shadow for six months Severus!" she snapped angrily. "Hide until I have given birth!"

"Not hide, be protected."

"Protected?" she mocked. "In case you haven't already noticed Severus, I am not one for remaining quiet and keeping myself to myself, so I am not about to do so for that bitch!"

"If you love me and our baby Hermione you will do as I say."

Hermione threw herself out of Severus' lap and flung herself onto her own side of their bed, with her back to him.

"You don't have to be like this Hermione!"

"Oh yes I do!"

"I never thought you were such a petulant child!"

"And I never thought you were a coward!" she retorted.

A moment of silence passed between them and Hermione instantly regretted her words as the atmosphere grew tense.

"If being scared of losing my family makes me a coward then I will gracefully accept that title!"

"I never meant that-"

"No but you said it didn't you!"

"Severus," she began placing an arm around his neck which he instantly pushed away. "I just don't want to be hidden away like a useless lump whilst she goes around terrorising innocent people like us!"

"Innocent?" he huffed. "Who are you kidding?"

"What do you mean by that Severus?"

"What do I mean?" he repeated venomously. "I mean that I am not innocent Hermione, and maybe I deserve all that I get!"

"What have you ever done that would warrant your death at that bitch's hand?" she asked seriously as she searched his eyes for some sort of reasoning behind his words.

Before he answered, Severus reached into his top drawer which was beside his side of the bed, and pulled out a cigarette which he lit instantly in angst.

"Don't avoid my question?" she asked as she used her wand to shield the smoke from her and by extension the baby.

"Well," he drawled darkly, "Septima's conception wasn't exactly an immaculate one was it?"

"For the billionth time Severus, Septima's conception was one of the best things that happened to me and I just wish you'd live to accept that I forgive you."

"And what if I cannot forgive myself?" he answered quickly with a droop of the head.

"After almost fifteen years Severus, if you can't forgive yourself, then you have some serious issues. I stayed with you, I loved you, I married you and I had your children. What more do you want?"

"I want to be free!" he sighed finally with an exasperated gasp and a gesture towards his branded forearm. "I want to be able to take my children out to the park without being scared that a Death 

Eater will attack us to repay for my reluctance to allow Septima to join the Dark Lord. I want to be able to wear a t-shirt on a summer's day, without being worried by the thought of people seeing my arm, and I want," he added with an air of mortal finality, "I want to be accepted."

"Oh Severus," whispered Hermione as she pulled him close, "your such a fool sometimes. How can you not see that you are accepted and you are loved?"

"Am I free though?" he asked. "Every time I close my eyes I see Bellatrix's face taunting me. If Septima doesn't take the mark then she'll kill a person of our family until she does."

"Then we must talk to Septima and the Order immediately to establish what must happen."

"You mean you're going to allow Septima to take the mark and become a double spy?" he asked with a tone of melancholy.

"If she so agrees then I think it is the most sensible thing to do. You said it yourself, the Dark Lord needs her and will not hurt her."

Severus sighed. "I'm sorry," he whispered as he cupped her face in his hands and brought his lips crashing down onto hers. "If you had never of met me then you wouldn't be in this position."

Hermione rolled into of his and straddled him. "Or this one," she whispered sultrily.

"Do you thing now is the time?" asked Severus as he felt his member harden as his wife kissed his neck.

"There is never, not, a good time to make love to your husband Severus," she rebuked with a soft, whole-hearted smile.

"Then I suggest you remove your nightdress my love," he whispered into her ear as he nibbled her lobe. "For time makes fools of us in the best of situations and I want to make love to you all night."

Hermione did as she was told and removed her black silken nightgown with ease. After she did so, she raised her hips of Severus', so that she could remove his boxers and begin their night of passion; and oh what a night it was!

When she awoke the next morning as the early winter's sun poured though the gap in their curtains, Hermione was still naked and encased in Severus' arms, feeling the immense soreness in places that she hadn't felt since she and her husband first got together, and sex was a thrice-a-day occurrence. They had made love several times the night before, each time meaning more to them as their passion and lust for the other intensified. It was a special night for both and symbolised that their love was as strong as it ever had been.

"Severus," whispered Hermione as she shook him to wake up. "Love it's nearly nine and Quidditch starts in an hour."

Severus stirred and groaned like some sort of caveman, which was an unfamiliar morning reaction for the man who was usually awake and dressed at the crack of dawn.

"I'm exhausted," he groaned almost inaudibly as his eyes shut once more and he sank back into his pillow. "I don't think I can make to Quidditch, you wore me out last night."

"Severus Snape, both out children are playing today and they expect us to be there!"

"But I don't even know who to support!" he protested, his eyes still not open. "On one hand I have my house and son playing, and on the other, my daughter captaining my wife's house! As if it could get any worse!"

"I'll do you a deal," began Hermione with a huge sense of diplomacy, "you support your house like you normally would and I'll support mine. That way whoever wins will have somebody to congratulate them."

"Fine," sighed Severus as he finally opened his eyes, "but when our beloved daughter attempts wrings my neck for wearing a Slytherin scarf and chanting for my house I will not be held responsible."

"I don't think she'll mind too much," teased Hermione. "She'll be too busy celebrating the defeat of poor Slytherin."

"I think not," jousted Severus, "have you seen my boy play seeker?" he asked with a smile.

"Yes, and he's not quiet as good as the Gryffindor Seeking Captain who I call my daughter," answered Hermione.

"We'll see," he smirked as he reluctantly swung his legs out of bed and dragged himself over to the bathroom.

At nine thirty and after a very slow process of getting ready thanks to Severus' tiredness, Hermione and her husband finally arrived at the teacher's stand at the bustling Quidditch stadium. Everybody else was already seated and the stand was jam packed, but Albus had kindly saved Hermione and Severus a pair of seats between he and Lucius Malfoy. Severus sat beside his fellow Slytherin and friend Lucius, and Hermione beside possible the most famous Gryffindor of all, Albus Dumbledore.

"You look exhausted old friend," stated Lucius as he took note of Severus' dark circles under his eyes and slumped position.

"Your observation skills never cease to amaze me," answered the Dark haired wizard sarcastically.

"Did you get summoned?"

"Yes by my delightful wife," smirked Severus and Lucius chortled.

"All night?"

"All night long!"

"Oh I remember them days my friend," mused Lucius as he sat staring out towards the currently empty pitch.

"Wonderful aren't they?" asked Severus rhetorically with a vast smile.

"You're a lucky man Severus to have her. She's a special lady and what's more she makes you happy."

"I know I am Lucius, and that is why your sister in law better watch her back."

"Bellatrix?" asked Lucius incredulously. "She's dead my friend, and even that crazy bitch couldn't harm you now."

"On the contrary," corrected Severus as the commentator began his opening speech which drowned out the crowds rampant cheers. "Your delightful grandson paid me a brief visit two nights ago and informed me that the Dark Lord had used the stone to bring her back."

"Scorpius? Why would he go against the Dark Lord's wishes and tell you."

"He came to warn me Lucius. And although I am not overly impressed by your Grandson's recent behaviour, he seems to have realised the impact of his actions and decided to 'come good' as it were."

"Really?"

"Really," answered Severus as he noticed Lucius proud smile. "As we all were my friend, I believe that Scorpius was sorely tempted by the Dark Lord's power and took the mark like his Father and Grandfather before him. He wanted to impress you Lucius, but now I think he realises that to impress you he needs to join the Order."

"And you believe him?" asked Lucius incredulously. "What about the seventh year girl you caught him with?"

"Actually Lucius I was wrong to believe that Scorpius was using his authority to tempt the girl. The girl in question – Miss Zachary – is actually your Grandson's fiancée. Although it is against the rules of Hogwarts due to the fact that Scorpius was a Professor, the girl was of age and Scorpius' intentions were honourable."

Lucius mouth fell ajar at this revelation but he soon continued… "He tried to hurt you Severus, how can you sit their and stand up for the boy when he tried to do such a thing?"

"I cannot explain everything at the present time, as I do not have all of the facts; however, given time I am sure that I will begin to understand Scorpius' actions, but for now I will accept that he was tempted but now redeemed."

Before Lucius had chance to rebuke and take things in the commentator began to introduce the two teams and the beat of excited drums echoed around the stadium.

"Ooh Severus," squealed Hermione to her husband as the players emerged from the tunnel below, "I'm so excited!"

"Save some of your excitement for me my love," he answered with a silky grin.

"And first onto the pitch steps the red and gold clad players of Gryffindor," bellowed the commentator, "lead by their new captain Septima Snape! It's the sixth years first big game as captain and let's hope that she, as the sexiest player I've ever seen, can rise to the occasion."

Severus shot a quick glare up to the commentary stand where the seventh year Ravenclaw commentator was sat. The boy gulped at Severus' gaze and swiftly moved onto the introduction of the Slytherin team.

"…and last but most definitely not least, is Sebastian Snape, the second Snape on the pitch today. Not only does he look like his Father, he is rumoured to be as aggressive as his Father when he flies so Gryffindor better look out for the young man's sneaky moves!"

The Slytherin Crown began to chant Sebastian's name as the commentator finally introduced the boy who they were all so exited to see fly. Everybody knew how good Septima Snape was, but the prospect of seeing the youngest child of the two Professors was widely anticipated. Sebastian was rumoured to be as good as seeker as his Father was at his age and even better than the great Harry Potter had been, and so the pressure was now on to see which Snape would come out on top.

"Unbelievable," muttered Severus to Hermione. "Not only does that dunderhead Ravenclaw boy, introduce my daughter as 'the sexiest thing he's seen ride a broomstick' but he also hinted that I was aggressive!"

"Well then he's a very honest young chap," smiled Hermione who was focused on the centre of the pitch where Septima and the Slytherin Captain, whom she recognised as Scorpius Malfoy's girlfriend Ronnie Zachary, stood with Madam Hooch who was about to release the balls.

As the game continued, the score was close with Gryffindor narrowly winning by one hundred and twenty to one hundred. Hermione was nervously biting on her nails as she watched her children searching for the tiny golden ball which if caught would win the game. Suddenly, Septima's head turned and locked onto something in the distance and she soared towards it without reservation.

Sebastian, who had also noticed the flying golden ball but from the other side of the pitch, dived down to chase the snitch and his sister who was already close to catching it.

"He flies fantastically!" exclaimed Lucius to Severus who was stood up and rooting for his son.

"He takes after his Father Lucius, what do you expect?"

"A little modesty?" joked Lucius sarcastically, but Severus was far to focused on the game to retort.

Sebastian finally caught up to his sister as they reached the teachers stand, and they both turned to look to each other momentarily.

"I'm sorry little brother but I'm afraid I'll have to embarrass you here by taking the Snitch and leaving you high and dry."

"Is that right my dear sister?" mocked Sebastian with a silkiness that resembled his Father's. "The thing is though Septima," he added still chasing after the Snitch and with his shoulders locked against his sister's, "I promised Dad I'd win the house cup for Slytherin."

"And I promised Mum, that I'd win it for Gryffindor so we're in a bit of a predicament aren't we?"

"Just catch the bloody Snitch!" called Severus from the stands after losing patience with his quarrelling children, who were flying at great speed but with no attempt to reach out and catch the small golden ball.

"Oh would you look at that," said Sebastian glancing back to his father with a wink, "Daddy calls!"

He sped of with a sublime acceleration towards the Snitch and Septima followed equally as fast. As she came closer, Sebastian pushed himself up so that he was now standing on his broom rather than sitting. This earned him a few "ooh's" and "ahh's" from the impressed crown but a "show off," from his Mother.

As Sebastian finally reached out with a huge smile to grab the Snitch, Septima used her broom to knock into her brother's causing him to fall. At the last minute he caught the tail of his Nimbus 2500z, and clung on by only his finger tips.

"Shit," he muttered, and over in the stands Hermione felt her heart skip a beat as she saw her son dangling fifty feet above the ground by only one small hand.

"Flicico!" thought Sebastian with an immense power and he felt himself levitating back onto his broom with a sigh of relief.

"Did he just use a non-verbal spell?" asked Dumbledore in amazement to Hermione who was sat with her mouth ajar to his left.

"That's my boy!" beamed Severus before his wife could answer, and as he watched Sebastian catching up to his sister.

"That wasn't very nice was it Septima?" drawled Sebastian as he pushed against his sisters broom.

"If you're a Snape then you have a right to play dirty," she retorted with a smug smile.

"And there was me always thinking you were more of a Granger, always playing things by the book!"

"Mum would kill you if she heard you say that," snapped Septima, but without answering and using his Sister's distraction as a chance to act, Sebastian leapt from his broom and caught the Snitch which instantly ceased fluttering as it fell into his grasp.

Severus' heart skipped a beat as he watched Sebastian hurtling towards the ground after he had leapt from his broom. Just before he reached the ground, Sebastian wandlessly and non-verbally cast the cushioning charm on the ground below to break his fall.

When he landed with a soft bump, Slytherin cheered and screamed in delight and Hermione Snape fainted suddenly into her husband's strong arms.

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