I woke in Sev's arms on Sunday morning, his body warm against mine and my every fibre tingled with memories of last night. I kissed his lips gently and he woke slowly, groaning and as I rolled up onto my stomach I felt the emptiness within me and it warmed me to know how perfectly he fit there. Everything ached but seeing the gleam in Severus's eye when he woke was enough to make the pain disappear. Our Patronuses had curled together beneath the window and were waking sleepily. I rested my head on Severus's chest and watched as my lioness came to stand by the bed, and when she nudged the hand that lay lazily over Sev's stomach, I stroked her head gently but there was no texture there, and instead it felt as if I was holding icey smoke. She prowled around the bed, her lover at her heals and I laughed softly seeing the way he looked at her as looking up at Severus I saw a gaze staring back at me not unlike the lions. I kissed him a little more hungrily and his hands wrapped warmly around my waist, holding me tight as I moved so that I lay over him.

His fingers were warm against the soft skin on my back and as my mouth moved over his in feather-light kisses I wondered whether he'd leave scorch marks when his fingers moved from my body. I rolled back off him noticing how his breathing had become ragged beneath the hand I lay over his heart. I stood slowly, knowing he was watching my every move and so I wiggled my hips a little as I walked out the door, leaving it swung open. I switched the shower on and stood under the pouring water that ran down my back in icy cascades, not yet having shaken the feeling I was being watched and so I was not overly surprised to feel hot lips at my neck, pushing me up against the wall with burning fingers.

Sev's eyes were dark and I yelped a little as he grabbed my leg, lifting it over his hip before raising his hand up behind my head. I could feel him pressing against the inside of my leg and I took his mouth hungrily in mine as he slid inside me, feeling my nails rake down his back. The water soaked us as Sev nipped at my skin, his length hard inside me. I felt my head fall back against the hard wall as he shook within me and I clamped myself around him moments later, shaking with my own release, but as he pulled from me, my hand caught his face, pulling him back towards me so that I could bit down on his lip as his tongue played softly against the lower rim of my lip. My legs felt weak beneath me and I stood from the shower shakily, wrapping a warm towel around myself. I lent up against the wall and watched as Sev pulled himself from the shower, gleaming with water droplets that caught the candle light and shimmered around the small tiled room. I laughed as he pushed me back against the wall, his mouth finding the soft flesh below my ear, my heart doing a raggedy trot as his lips melted against my skin.

I transfigured the camisole and jeans that I had been wearing yesterday so everyone would think I'd changed, the camisole being a deep burgundy and the jeans a light gold for the match later and at 8.30 I stood beside Sev's desk, waiting for him to finish before we walked up for breakfast. I left a little before him and wasn't surprised to find an excited mob of Gryffindor supporters stood at the mouth of the stairs. This allowed me to feed into the hall almost unnoticed and I took my seat happily by George. He looked up at me briefly and seemed to question the look on my face when he shook his head a little. Angelina sat nervously infront of me and it didn't shock me that she hadn't noticed my late arrival or absence in our dorm the night before. She had Wood's tiny quidditch set in-front of her and was pushing the tiny figures around the pitch, mumbling to herself.

I helped myself to pancakes and syrup as Sev walked into the hall, his hair still damp from the shower and a small green and silver rosette pinned to his usual black robes. When Hermione and Ginny entered the hall, we took it in turns to spin gold and red fibres through our hair. The twins and other team members left before everyone else and I made my way down to the pitch, loudly with the other Gryffindors. Somehow I found myself walking in time down the slope with Sev, who winked at me jokingly and I giggled, neither Ginny nor Hermione noticing as they discussed the fact Ron would probably end up being killed. The Slytherins had all been muttering something at breakfast and it was only now as we reached the quidditch pitch that we really heard what they were singing; the bitter lyrics of a taunting song that was bound to unnerve Ron who had already been shaking at breakfast at the prospect of playing the Slytherins.

Us three girls all found space up in the Gryffindor area of the stand and I couldn't help but blush, noticing Sev looking up at me with a smile on his face. Hermione pulled a large banner from nothing using her wand and we draped it out across the barrier, Go Go Gryffindor! already being chanted out across the pitch. Stood there in the waves of maroon and gold, you couldn't help but notice that the Slytherin chants were louder than ours,

"Weasley cannot save a thing,

He cannot block a single ring,

That's why all Slytherins sing,

Weasley is our king!"

Hermione had gone as white as a sheet and I had to hold Ginny's arm as she struggled to get over to the Slytherin stands, "I'll kill them!" "Ginny stop, but both girls stopped and watched silently as the teams walked out on the pitch. Ron was glancing up around the stands nervously and I waved happily, he smiled weakly back and returned to looking at his feet. Harry waved up at us, as did the twins, but it was plain to see none were happy with the state of affairs, the crowd was booing loudly and Ron's head was as good as on the floor now, he was staring so intently at his shoes.

The match lasted what seemed like eternity and so far the Slytherins had sung the bloody chant on round so that even when we scored, Ron shuffled nervously up at the posts. The match ended in a raucous of applause and glee, Gryffindor winning with Harry's catch of the snitch. We all made to leave the stands as the team flew down but Harry, Fred and George were surrounded by a group of Slytherins, causing me to stop and hold Hermione and Ginny up. We watched nervously as taunts were shouted between the twins and Malfoy before Harry and Fred suddenly fell on top of them. We ran down through the stands, out over the pitch, with Ginny catching George's arm as he stood to support his brother who was throwing punches in every direction towards Malfoy who lay on the floor, whimpering. The teachers ran up towards us, Severus sending Malfoy to the hospital wing while McGonagall and Umbridge talked to the boys.

Us girls stood back and watched quietly, Severus coming to stand by my side when he'd finished with Malfoy. "Did you enjoy the match Miss Black?" I looked up at with a wicked grin on my face, "Very much so Sir, but I'm going to head on up now I think, leave the boys too it." Both Hermione and Ginny were engrossed with what was going on on the pitch and so ignored what was going on. "Hermione?' she turned to me but it was as if she didn't really see me, 'I'm going on up to the castle, I'll see you there, have to talk to Snape about my essay," She nodded and George flashed me a look, not of sadness or anger, but shame. I looked away from him so that he wouldn't see the sadness in my own eyes and started on up the slope, Severus at my side. I checked behind us briefly and seeing no one watching, led him over towards our spot by the lake. Checking no one was around again, he took my hand and pulled me close to him. I smiled up at him and he smiled happily down at me, tracing my cheek with his finger softly. I sighed, happiness pulsating through my veins. I'd never felt so whole before and stood here in his arms it was as if I never had to let him go. "Lena," I looked up at him and smiled, his face breaking and a smile spreading so wide there I thought his face might split. "God, I love you." I kissed him gently, "I love you too Severus, yours, always." He cupped my face and I looked into those dark eyes that sparkled with the lift reflecting off the lake. "You mean it, always?" I nodded and took his hand, leading him back through the forest where we could walk safely up towards the school without being seen together. "I've been thinking Lena, about us, and I don't think I'm going to be able to live without seeing you over the holidays. I take it you're going home to Grimmauld, but I can't bare the idea of two weeks without you." "Well, are you staying at school this Christmas, maybe I could stay here for a bit longer then go home later." He shook his head, not looking at me. "I'm needed at home. I'll be in Spinners end this Christmas." I squeezed his hand, "You're needed? Order stuff? Cant that be done from Grimmauld, it would be amazing, having you at home again!" He shook his head, keeping his eyes from mine as we walked slowly up the slope. "It's him isn't? He wants you at home?" He took my other hand and held me steadily in a clearing in the forest, tall dark elms casting long dark shadows over the canopy floor below. "If there was a way around it Lena, if I could be with the Order, I would, but, he needs me and Albus wants me to build that trust with him again." My hand slid up from his left hand to the arm that I knew was blanched with a dark mark. "It's part of you, I get that. You have a duty. I just wish things could be different." My fingers slid beneath the cuff of his robes and my fingers traced the inky tattoo gently, and although he flinched against the soft touch, he rested his forehead down on mine; his eyes watching my face as I looked down to where by fingers were rippling across his smooth skin.

"Visit me Lena, at Christmas. It doesn't have to actually be Christmas, but you could come to Spinners, it's nothing special but I can't bare the idea of two weeks without seeing you, hearing your voice." I smiled up at him, his forehead pressing against my cheek, "I'll come, I don't think I could bare any longer than a week without you again anyway!" I wrapped my arms around his neck and he lifted me gently from the ground as he lay hot kisses down the length of my neck. We began to walk again and we discussed the match quietly, laughing at Draco's near misses, "He always has been more of a looker than a thinker that boy," I laughed and pulled myself tighter to Severus, he was so much more relaxed and I wanted to be led in his arms again, tucked up safely in his bed.

As we reached the edge of the forest, Sev pushed me gently against a large oak that was covered from the school by three large elms. His lips were soft but powerful against mine and when he pulled away, I pulled him back in to me, sliding my tongue across his. Eventually I released him and I walked on up into the school, his footsteps much quieter than mine as I ran full speed up the staircase to Gryffindor tower, while he descended down into the dark, cold, dungeons.

November flew passed even faster than October in a blur of homework and studying. So much so that I barely saw Severus, although we both made sure we spent our Saturday afternoons together, me studying or reading while he marked essays over in the corner of his study. We hadn't spent another night together since that first night but we'd become even more relaxed with one another and it was as if we were two halves of a whole.

George seemed to dislike Severus more and more as time passed. Now that he had no quidditch to fill his weekends he expected to spend some time with me and although I spent all of the school day and most weeknights with him, Fred and Angelina, he begrudged the Saturday's I spent with Severus. Angelina and Fred seemed to be closer than ever and it seemed to irk George that he had no one. I tried really hard to spend time with him but it was becoming more and more uncomfortable, knowing that he despised my relationship with Severus.

Harry was taking it much better. It seemed that Severus had laid off of him a little, although Harry still couldn't be bothered to put any effort in with potions and so I found most Friday nights were not spent down in the dungeons where I wish they were, but were instead spent helping Harry finish essays or studying that he didn't complete in the week. With the lack of Quidditch I had expected him to be fairing a little better with time organisation but if anything he was doing worse. He was busy with the DA and that took up a good night of our week, let alone what must have been another good two nights for Harry, planning and prepping for our next lesson.

It was on the last Friday of November that I found myself curled up in front of the fire with Harry, his potions books everywhere; when Ron passed me a small note that Pigwidgeon had just delivered. His hair was damp from standing up in the open windowed owlery and he was shaking uncontrollably from the cold. He perched himself in front of the fire and accepted the large mug of hot chocolate that appeared as if from nowhere beside him.

I turned the letter over in my hands and seeing Remus's faint scrawl there, I opened it quietly, turning so the boys couldn't see its contents.

Lena,

I wondered how you were doing. Your father hasn't heard much from you and he's worried. He's been spending more time with Buckbeak of usual and I think he's starting to draw in on himself again.

We all miss you Lena, the house isn't the same without you, even Kreacher's depressed.

I hope everything's okay your end, don't work too hard,

Remus

It had no secret meaning, no hidden agenda but I found it comforting to know they missed me. I missed them so much, just being able to walk downstairs in the mornings, in my pyjamas and drink my coffee by the fire. If I walked down to the great hall in my pyjamas, no doubt the Slytherins would heckle and jeer, and I'd probably earn myself a detention.

I slipped a piece of parchment from Harry's pile and scribbled a nice simple reply,

I'm fine, stop worrying, I can see you frowning with worry from here!

Tell Dad I love him and I'll be home soon enough, tell him not to do anything reckless, and Remus, please keep an eye on him. I know you will but it seems important for me to say it.

I hope you're okay, everything's going really well here,

My quill hovered above the parchment, as I wondered whether it would be right to say it and shaking myself, this was Remus after all, I put the quill to the parchment, my writing scratchy and hectic,

I think I'm in love Remus, well and truly, head over heels in Love, being back here, well it's been like being with him for the first time again, I really am sorry Remus,

Lena x

I slid the roll of parchment into my bag, making a mental note to get Iris to send it later. He needed to know, I couldn't have any more temptation, not now. I was Severus's and he was mine, and this was the way we were made to be.

Seeing Harry had finished his essay I wound my way over to George who sat under a stack of charms homework in a dark corner. "Want a hand?" He didn't look up but shook his head, his quill stroking his chin, deep in thought. "Is everything okay George?" He looked up at me briefly and sighing he shook his head. He pushed the papers away from him and frowning stood, leading me out of the portrait hole. "Why him Lena? I know you to have…been together. It's been written all over both your faces." I flinched at the coldness in his voice and began to walk slowly down the corridor. "So what George, what if we have? What difference does it make to you hmm?" I turned to him and I could see the pained expression in his eyes. "Why him though? He's too old for you. He's a teacher Lena!" It was only a whisper but I flinched and looked around us quickly; we may very well have been alone but the walls had ears, and so did the gossip hungry portraits. "What would you rather George? Is that what this is? You're jealous?" He flinched away hurt, "I'm sorry George, I didn't mean that," I went to him and placed a soft hand on his arm, but he wouldn't look to me. "Maybe I am," I blinked hard, "Sorry, what was that?" I turned him to face me and he looked down at me begrudgingly. "Maybe I am jealous." My grip loosened on his arms, "Don't be stupid George." "I am though, I hate it; knowing your with him," he said the word bitterly and with such distaste I blinked furiously and dropped my hands from his arms completely. "Why didn't you say something?" my voice was quiet and I knew I could manage nothing but a whisper, knowing what was coming.

"Everything happened, the Ambrose thing, Snape. I thought maybe I had a chance, just a slight one. Wrong again George mate." He shook his head, his arms clamped firmly over his chest. "You're like a brother to me George, I love Severus." He flinched and I knew I'd said the wrong thing but he turned to me and took my arms tightly in his grasp. "Maybe you can change your mind, maybe you'll pick me, he's a death eater Lena, how long before he makes you one huh?" I slapped him hard across the face, the shock evident on his face as he grasped his swelling cheek, "How dare you." I stalked off down the hall, tears falling slowly down my cheeks and I ran up the stairs to the girls dormitories without another word to anyone, even though Harry tried to stop me.

I'd slapped George, I'd ruined everything. But how could he? How could he say it?

It had been playing on my mind for a while now though, how long could Severus and I last without me being a death eater? Was it even safe for us to be together? The answer was of course no. I was Sirius Black's daughter; Voldemort would kill me without a second glance, or keep me hanging on to torture Dad. Severus's dark mark was clearer now than it had been when we'd met, the shape more defined and he flinched much more easily when I touched it now. I'd been thinking about the future for so long and had never considered the fact that Voldemort might get in our way. There was a part of that was hoping that Severus would ask me to move in with him to Spinners at the end of the year, to be with him completely, but would that even be possible, safe even, if I wasn't a death eater. I wouldn't do it of course. I'd sooner die than pledge allegiance to him. There were very few things that would make me even consider doing such and the problem was Severus was one of them. Maybe George was right; how long would it be before I had a dark mark of my own?