CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

In a remote stretch of New Mexico desert, near the foothills of the Capitan Mountains, meandered a dusty, unpaved road, full of tumbleweeds, scrub and cactus. At the end of this road, stood a small, adobe cottage, baking in the August heat.

The secluded, little house was the color of sand, and practically blended with the sand, so travelers didn't notice it if they passed by, though few did pass.

The cottage may have been small, but it had a definite charm. There was a traditional tiled roof and a neatly tended cactus garden, now blossoming with in vivid desert colors like magenta and orange.

If visitors had come to call (which they did not), they would have been startled to the core. Just one step inside brought all of the friendly Southwestern appeal squealing to a halt.

In a word, it was black. Black curtains, black rugs, black-upholstered furnishings, a black piano, and, even, black wallpaper, albeit with small purple flower accents.

The only light came from an unusual candle, burning brightly in a black holder. And the only color this particular day, may have been a pair of unique blue eyes.

How large they were, and how beautiful, and so many colors and hues if one looked long enough. And it was wonderful to look long enough.

Were they azure? Were they turquoise, or perhaps lapis? They looked familiar - so big and kind, and filled with so much warmth.

"Severus," came a whisper, in a loving voice that seemed to perfectly match the eyes. Lips touched his forehead.

"Severus, wake up. It's time."

But he was so tired - so incredibly tired. Did he have to wake up? He closed his eyes.

Erratic, nonsensical flashes flickered in his mind. Visions of a castle, of children wearing robes, of a pretty woman with incredible eyes tripping on a step...

These visions were so comforting, part of him didn't want to wake up. And he wouldn't have, except for that relentless nagging – like one would hear from some bossy nurse in the infirmary. He groaned.

"I love you so much. I've waited so long. Please, wake up."

He felt a hand patting his cheek, and reluctantly opened his eyes.

"Amelia…" he whispered. He knew her. Yes, he knew her very well.

Bursting into a deep sob, she collapsed on top of him and held onto him for dear life, as if she were somehow afraid he would escape or disappear. He caught his breath, as she'd knocked the wind out of him.

Why was she crying? He felt tears on his cheeks and a soft hand. She murmured so many things. How much she loved him, how wonderful he was, how deeply she'd missed him.

"Missed me?" he asked. "What do you mean?"

"I'll explain later," she choked. "You're going to be all right now. The worst is over."

Smiling, he gazed up at her. "Look at you. You're all in black. You're beautiful."

Laughing and crying at the same time, she just clung to him and continued to nearly smother him with kisses.

His head was killing him, and his throat was as dry as it had ever been, but right now he could only hold her close, kiss her, and smell the faint floral scent of her perfume.

"Where are we?" he asked. "Is it time for class? Have we been in bed all weekend again?"

She began to cry even harder. He'd meant it as a joke. Had it hurt her? God, he'd rather die than hurt her.

She wasn't sad. She was happy. His sense of humor had returned and it was wonderful. How she'd missed his wry comments and teasing. He would recover, she thought gratefully, and could not stop even more tears.

"You're safe here," she whispered. "I took you into the desert where nobody can hurt you. You've been sick a long time, but you're getting better."

When their lips met, she felt such joy, as if she would have a stroke right then and there. Every nerve snapped to life within her, every ounce of blood began to pump faster, and she thought she would pass out from the happiness.

His face was a little darker, a bit thin, and perhaps more deeply lined, but over the next half hour, with her tears and kisses, those lines seemed to fade. Loosening his collar, she cupped his face in her hands and simply allowed herself to admire its darkness and beauty.

Soon, he was able to sit up, and she gave him a glass of water and checked on his IV.

"We'll be able to take that out soon," she said, smiling. "Then you'll have to endure my cooking."

He only laughed and reached for her hand, pulling her back down beside him.

"What happened?" he asked, smoothing the hair from her eyes. "The last thing I remember was Draco sticking me with something. I feel like I've been run over by a train."

She nodded. "I'm sure you do. You took a syringe full of the poison."

"Lovely," he muttered, and shook his head. "I suppose my powers are gone for good."

Smiling, she shook her head. "They should return slowly. Hermoine's have. Albus needs you to help find something to hasten the recovery period."

He closed his eyes in exhaustion.

Slipping her hand into his, she whispered, "I'm very honored, you know. You took that needle for me. It was very chivalrous of you."

He frowned. "There you go, putting me on a pedestal. I tripped over my robes."

Nodding thoughtfully, she kissed his cheek. "Well, then, I wish you hadn't tripped. What did I have to lose?"

His forehead creased. "I had plenty to lose. Do you think I'd be worth a damn without you?"

She sighed and glanced away, her eyes beginning to sting. He gripped her shoulders.

"Amelia, we'd have all probably lost our powers without your help. And who knows where Malfoy would be."

She took a breath. Yes, who knew where Malfoy was. They still couldn't find him. She'd try to save that news for later.

"Look at me, Amelia. I promised I'd help you refine your power, and I will." He kissed her gently.

Tiredly, she closed her own eyes and leaned against him.

"Where are we?" he asked.

"At my little house in New Mexico."

"You've been taking care of me, all by yourself?"

"Well, yes. They thought we'd be better off here. I was…a bit hard on everyone after you got sick. I've sent poor Madame Pomfrey ten bouquets of flowers, but I don't know if she'll ever fully forgive me."

He laughed and kissed her again. "You're the best nurse in the world."

"She doesn't think so, and I don't blame her. I…really fell apart for awhile. I'm banned from the infirmary."

As they lay together, they said nothing for what seemed hours. It was just so good to see him awake, and to know he was all right. She would cry now and then, and he would kiss her, and make a joke, and she'd laugh, and then start crying again. But it didn't matter. She'd never felt such happiness and relief.

He sighed. "No power. I've never had no power. It's like losing one's purpose."

She blushed and couldn't contain a small laugh.

"What was that for?" His voice grew prickly.

"Oh, I'm just glad to see you."

His eyes sharpened. It was impossible to keep anything secret from him and she could feel the moment approaching. Try as she might, she could not get her eyes to stop sparkling.

"What is going on, Amelia? Why are you blushing?"

"I just think that…sometimes our purpose in life shifts a little."

"Go on." His voice was dark and formidable, and he crossed his arms and glared at her.

She slipped her arm around his waist. Her eyes began lighten into a lovely, aqua blue.

"I have a little news."

His eyes darkened to their blackest black. "I just woke up from a coma. I don't want news."

"It's very, very good news, though it might wind up a murder-suicide with you."

Every muscle in his face went rigid. "You'd better tell me. I'm not in any mood for riddles."

She took a deep breath. "Well, Severus…a lot happened while you were unconscious."

"Enlighten me." His eyes were sharp as lasers.

"We, sort of, have a son."

His eyes clouded. "What?"

"We have a son."

He froze, and stared at her in pure shock.

"No, we don't."

"Yes, we do."

"No, we don't."

"I'm afraid we do."

His mouth fell open in horror and her lips bloomed into a huge smile.

"You…never looked…like you were…" he was stammering so much he could barely get out the words and she melted into laughter.

"You've been in a coma for a long time. I was big as a house." Her eyes sparkled merrily.

His lips parted and he could only keep shaking his head in denial. "Amelia, this is not funny."

"He's beautiful and healthy. I named him after you."

"You're lying."

"I could never lie to you."

"Why can't you try? Oh, my God…oh my God…why would you do this? I don't understand." His face filled with confusion, followed by raw panic.

"What don't you understand?" She bravely met his gaze.

"Don't be coy with me, miss. What is going on?"

She only laughed all the more, squeezing his arm.

He scowled and leaned closer to her, as if he were afraid others would overhear. "How could this happen?" he demanded.

She tried to steady her voice. "I think we may have had a miscommunication."

"Miscommunication? For God's sake, you're a nurse. I thought you had everything under control."

She shrugged tensely. "Well, you're a wizard, and I assumed, with your powers…"

"Oh, Amelia…" He covered his face with his hands and slumped back. "You don't have the slightest comprehension of wizardry. You refuse to take it seriously. You simply refuse."

She slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him. "I'm sorry. I'll try to be more serious."

"You will not. You live to torment me."

"Well, he's here, and he's not so bad. You'll get used to him."

"No, I won't. My God, you've ruined my life. Just ruined it - torn it to shreds."

"Well, I'm sorry about that, but he's adorable, and he looks so much like you."

"That seals it. I'm leaving, it's as simple as that."

"Don't go just yet." She kissed him. "He's beautiful and he's such a good baby. You'll love him…given enough time."

He covered his face with his hands. "He's not mine; he's not. I knew you had an affair with Lupin."

She blushed and took his hand. "He's yours, yours, yours."

He rubbed his temples. "You're evil; simply evil."

"I'm sorry," she whispered, smiling.

"You're not sorry. You always say you're sorry, but you never are. You just say it – like other people say hello or goodbye."

But his eyes found hers and for a brief moment, he couldn't help smiling, but quickly forced a frown.

She took his hand and pressed it. "You promised I could have ten."

"I was lying. You wanted to take poison. I would have said fifty to change your mind. Don't look so happy. You know this is a disaster."

Radiant with joy, she found his eyes and began to get lost as she often did. The room became a blur, and she didn't see anything but him. He smiled briefly and put his hand on her cheek.

"You're glowing like a candle when this is as bad as it can be."

"I know it's a shock, but I really did believe that, with all of your potions, there wouldn't be any surprises like this."

"You know, my dear, I've taught hundreds of excuse-making students – but that is the most pathetic attempt to shift the blame I've ever heard."

"Maybe it was magical, in its own way."

"I can't wait to hear this."

"Forty weeks, to the day, from Halloween." She kissed him recklessly.

"Magical…" he grumbled. "Another weak attempt to cloak the horror of all this, but why am I surprised? One night of pleasure, and years of torment. That's how it always goes for me."

"As I recall, it was more than one night. Given the circumstances, this was inevitable, medically speaking."

"So that's why you wanted to stay with me every night. You wanted a baby, and you trapped me. You always have to have your way."

"I promise he was a wonderful surprise. And besides, you said you couldn't be trapped." She tried not to laugh, but failed once again.

"Do you want to meet him?" she ventured.

"No."

"Well, you have to eventually. I'll go get him."

-o -S- o-

She returned with a warm bundle of black blankets and handed the baby to him.

"He's only three weeks old, and he already has black hair like you."

Taking the baby into his arms, surprisingly naturally and easily, Severus sighed.

"I manage to survive a miserable childhood, Deatheaters and Harry Potter, and you destroy me in a matter of months."

As he held his son, there was a sudden stillness, even a serenity, in the room, and he fell silent for a long period of time. There were no words. Amelia said nothing and looked away, allowing him to take his time.

"You've given me quite a year," he said wryly. "It hasn't been dull, that's for certain."

Kissing the baby's cheek, she smiled. "He's an angel, and he's such good company. Even before he was born, I never felt alone. I would talk to him about you, and Hogwarts, and how special he was, and how special you were."

"You're insane. He has the worst father in the world, and it's true his mother's pretty, but she's nothing but trouble."

She only slipped her arms around him.

"Are you upset with me?" she ventured.

"I'm furious. Look what you did."

"You just kissed him, you know."

He sighed deeply. "Oh, I'll get used to him, I suppose. I've been drowning in children for years. What's one more?"

Tiredly, she closed her eyes and held onto him.

He shifted the baby to one arm. "You're pale. Are you all right? Did everything go well for you?"

"Oh yes, it was fine. I'm just tired. He eats and eats and eats."

His lips turned. "I certainly can't blame him for that. That's one potion only you can make, and I'm sure it's wonderful."

She blushed deeply.

"Going and having a baby behind my back, Amelia, I should abandon you both."

"I know, but I wish you'd been there when he was born. It was beautiful."

His lips tightened and he put his free arm around her. "I regret that. I hope you forgive me."

"Of course I do," she said softly. "You can be there for the next one."

Closing her eyes, she felt so safe and so comfortable, and she felt his fingers interlace with hers.

"Do you think he'll have any power, Severus?" she asked dreamily.

Pausing, he studied his son. "Yes, but with you for a mother, he'll need a lot of guidance to use it properly."

She nodded. "Maybe he could attend Hogwarts. He'd be a very gifted student, with you for his father."

Severus smiled vaguely. "It's possible."

Then, to her mild surprise, he kissed her softly on the lips.

"Do you still love me?" she asked, a little nervously.

"I never did. I certainly didn't want a child with you."

She smiled in relief. "He's wonderful, and, you have to admit, he does give you the purpose you're looking for."

"Don't even try." But his voice was kind and he was actually smiling.

"I'm only saying, you can pass your knowledge onto him, and to any brothers and sisters who come along."

"Don't try to soften this, Amelia. And that's your second hint for more children."

"You promised, and you've been holding him a half-hour."

"I'll throw him out of the window the second he cries."

Radiant and laughing, she wrapped her arms around him and their lips came together softly at first, but then again and again, and again and again and again.

"My powers aren't quite so erratic these days," she said softly. "Until yours come back, I might be able to help you with the potions. You'd have to teach all of the theory and methods, of course."

"You would do that? You hate it there."

"It isn't that bad, and I love working with you. Besides, we need to help them find Draco."

"What do you mean?"

"Minerva turned him into a tortoise, but Hagrid accidentally let him go."

His gaze rolled to the heavens. "Why should I expect anything else?"

She smiled.

"All right. We'll go, but the baby stays here."

She only laughed and squeezed his arm.

"There's silver lining in all of this," she mused, taking his hand.

"No, there's not. You've finished me."

"Picture my aunt's face when she sees the three of us."

He paused and nodded thoughtfully. "That's very true, my dear. I suppose this isn't the worst thing in the world."