A/N: Reply to the Guest review of June 27th: Hi! You should thank Google translator because otherwise, I couldn't make out what you were saying…Thanks for the compliments. And I know most of my readers are also relieved that Lilith didn't get to dance with Severus. I was also confused as to how to make Severus show his insecure side, but I guess it was nice according to your review. However, this chapter has a twist.

And what do I mean by that? Severus isn't exactly a lone child. He isn't exactly half-blooded. And he isn't exactly a nobody in the Magical Community. You'll see in this chapter. *Wicked laugh*

Sorry for the very very long wait and the inactivity…Things got in the way.

Usual Disclaimer: Don't own, don't make profit out of this. Entertainment purposes only.

Anyway, Enjoy!

Chapter seventeen: Tumbling Down

As they both stood there looking at the night sky admiring the stars, Severus spoke again. This time his voice was bitter and slightly colder.

"But we do have a problem."

"We do?" Ember repeated, confused.

"My family," Severus said bitterly.

Ember was still confused.

"What about it?"

Severus let out a laugh.

"You have no idea who they are, have you?"

"Apparently, no."

"They are the mighty, ancient family of the Snape bloodline," Severus said in bitter sarcasm.

"So what? I'm not marrying your family. I'm marrying you."

"I'm glad you see it this way, but I must say this: They are monsters. Especially my father." He let out a sigh."At least the two of them took after mother."

"Hold on…You have siblings?!"

"You thought I was a lone child?"He chuckled.

"I…assumed."She stared at the starry sky. It was so beautiful tonight.

"Well, I have two younger siblings. Vivian is the middle child, she is five years younger than me. Dean is the little one. He's ten years younger. They have both got a lot of my mother in them. Mother died when Dean was ten. I was twenty and Vivian was fifteen."He looked up at the night sky."Her loss, tore our family apart. Father was…well father. Never cared about anyone rather than himself. Remember when you asked about that scar? The one on my back?" His voice was cold and his eyes were dull. Ember nodded.

"Dear old daddy melted his leather belt on my skin once…"He said that one as if he was talking to himself.

"H-he…Hit you?"She breathed.

"Whenever I set a foot out of line…One time I decided I had to stand up to him because he treated my brother and sister like garbage. That was the time when I got beaten up like never before…I still remember his voice yelling at me that he was a god and he could do whatever the damn he pleased. When I graduated from here I left. I still have some contact with Dean. Just to check in, see if he's alright. I-"

Ember hugged him, burying her face in his chest.

"I don't know what to say…"

"You…you don't have to say, anything."

They kept hugging each other tightly. Never letting go of the other.

.

The next day students marched happily the halls and entered the great hall for the usual breakfast. It was Sunday, so students were going to get letters from members of their families or other things.

Harry kept looking over at the two professors. Judging by Ember's face the proposal went well.

Meanwhile, the female staff professors had seen the little ring resting on Ember's finger. They each trade equally curious glances.

Severus was nervous about something today. Ember couldn't make out why and every time she asked he just replied with "I'm fine."

Severus's eyes fell on a particular black owl he hoped he wouldn't have to see again.

"They found out…"His breathing hitched.

"They? Found what?"

Every single pair of eyes in the Hall was staring at him. Curious as to why Snape got mail. He never got one.

Severus quickly got the letter inside his inner pocket. Ember caught a glimpse of the seal. Dark red wax with an 'S' stamped on it.

"I…I'll be in my office." He said in a hurry and rushed out of the scene.

Ember got up and followed quickly. Whatever this was it was certainly not good.

.

"Damn it! Damn it all to hell!" He repeated again and again tossing everything out of his desk. Ink fell on fresh parchment. His office was a total mess. But he had to relieve his anger somehow…

This can't be happening! How did they found out? And why he wanted to meet her!?

These thoughts kept playing in his mind on repeat. He didn't hear the knocks on the door. Didn't hear it unlock and didn't see who entered.

"Sev?" The feminine voice broke him out of his thoughts and made him look up.

"Huh?"

"Who sent the letter?"

"Doesn't matter."

"It does matter because you got upset. You were anxious from the moment you opened your eyes this morning! Tell me what is going on!" Ember demanded.

He gave the letter to her.

My Dear son,

Family Dinner on March fifteenth. Your uncle Damien will join us.

I was told earlier this evening that you have been engaged. I would like to meet her.

Your father

Lord Tobias Snape.

"Your father…is freaking Tobias Snape?! The man is a creature sent right from the pits of hell itself!"

"I'm glad you put it so nicely."Severus spat out.

"Sorry…I just…Something is wrong with this letter…It's suspicious…" She read it over again.

"Uncle Damien? Who's that?"She said again after a sort while.

"His counselor. And his brother. He tried to set me up with a blonde girl once…I don't even remember her name." He said coldly crumbling in his office chair.

"We will go."She said determinant.

"What? Are you out of your mind?"

"Sev…They are your family. Which I have to meet on some point…"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Pretty pretty please? You will get to see your siblings again!" She said as if she was singing some song. Severus rolled his eyes.

"Still no."

"Aw c'mon…" She started to play with one lock of his hair.

"No. Ember I do not want to see them again. Ever!"

"They can't be that bad…After all you like your siblings. Don't you think they want to see their big brother after so many years?"

"Whatever."

"So is that a yes?"

Severus nodded slightly.

"I love you!" She kissed his cheek and got out of the room.

Severus kept staring the closed door in shock. This woman was a bad influence on him. But he didn't care .

.

"Miss is it true?" Neville burst into the room followed by several other seventh year students.

"What?"Ember eyes him suspiciously.

"You got engaged with Snape?"Several heads turned her way.

"It is none of your concern, but yes."

"I KNEW IT!" Seamus said closing the door behind him.

"That's the ring?" Parvati said making every girl surround her.

"Damn it's beautiful."Lavender said. Her eyes were fixed on the ring.

"Snape's got taste."Another girl said. The female students giggled.

"Alright, alright you gave your congratulations, now back off. She's a teacher. And we got class." Harry yelled from behind. Every head turned at him. Ember gave him a smirk. Harry smiled.

"I cannot believe it. What does she see in him anyway?"Ron whispered to his friend.

"Something that is none of our business, Ron."Harry hissed. The school had gone wild with that rumor going on and Harry was getting pissed. Everyone said that he was unlucky, but it wasn't as if he would marry Snape!

But he was happy that his aunt had found happiness.

"Ok, class…Open your book on page 160. Today we'll be learning about the eight most deadly spells in the known wizarding world."Ember addressed and some students groaned.

.

"Even if the teachers hadn't let it slip... It's written all over your face, Professor."Harry said as the last student left the room.

"Really? Didn't notice…" Ember said looking over some third-year essays.

"So are you happy? Because if you aren't I-"

"Harry I'm fine. Thanks for your concern."

"Oh…ok then. You know I don't like him very much…"Harry looked over the window aimlessly."But if you like him and he does too, I guess it's none of my business. But if he dares to hurt you…I'm killing him."Harry said somewhat seriously.

Ember burst out laughing.

"Oh, Harry, I'll be fine. It's not like he will chew my head and spit it out. He's not like that to me."

"He better. Anyway, I got Transfiguration, gotta go. Love ya!"

.

The days flew by rather quickly and Severus was getting even more irritated. Every female student was greeting him in the halls, hell even some were giggling. He was pretty sure the snarky bastard reputation he used to have, was gone for good. He headed to the first floor of the castle and entered Ember's office.

Ember flinched, making her ink spill down the table.

"God, you startled me."She placed a hand on her heart.

"Sorry…I just can't take it anymore! Every girl in this school has a crush on me. It's nerve-cracking!" He said collapsing in an armchair.

"I can relate. You do remember when I first came here, every boy used to eye me in a certain way."

"And all I wanted to do was punch them in the face." He mumbled.

"Sev…It's just a faze. It'll pass."She said giggling. He crossed his legs and looked over her papers.

"And what exactly are you doing?" He said pulling a diagram.

"Hey!"She snatched it back."You know, you shouldn't just take whatever you want from whomever you want!"

"I only do that to my fiancé."He said with a proud smirk.

"These are the places for my team. Me and six others will be up there providing fire support…"She pointed at the Astronomy tower."Trelawney, the Patil twins, and Miss Brown will be up there and inform us about the positions of the Death Eaters." She pointed at the Divination tower. She smiled at him as she looked up.

"I hope this works…"He said, his mind running over possible outcomes.

"It'll work."She said determinant."Because I don't know what I'll do if it doesn't…"She said sadly.

.

"Sev?" Her voice echoed Severus's rooms. They were getting ready for the family dinner.

"Yeah? Is everything alright?" He went inside the room while fixing the two last buttons on his black shirt.

"Could you…um…give me a hand?" She couldn't zip her dress.

"Mhm…" He then noticed that she was wearing that necklace he got her for Christmas."You know red suits you really well."He commented, starting to rain kisses on her neck. She gave a chuckle.

"What can I say? I'm a fiery woman." She said flirtatiously.

"Yes, you are…" Black eyes pierced through deep blue. The red maxi dress was a perfect fit for her. He started kissing her shoulders.

"We're going to be late."

"Don't care." He mumbled as he kept tracing paths with his lips on her skin.

"We are going to be late!" Ember fought the sensations that overcame her and raised her voice slightly.

"Fine…"He stopped and opened the door for her to go out.

"Well look at that. A true gentleman!"She smirked.

.

They both apparated in front of the Mansion's gates. The place was huge but it gave you the sense that it had seen better days. It was that old gloomy big house you usually see in horror movies.

"Wow…Now I know from where you got that mysterious thing of yours…"

Severus gave a chuckle. "Maybe…"

Suddenly the gates opened wide to reveal a tiny house-elf greeting them with a deep bow. But you could tell that the little creature was more than excited to see them both.

"Master Snape!"

"Lux, it's been a while."He kneeled to the creature's level and gave his hand.

"W-We thought we would never see you again, sir!" The creature said.

"How's everyone doing? Is Greta still that little troublemaker she always has been?"

"Reluctantly sir. This way."The little elf gave a crooked smile and motioned them to follow him.

"You seem to be friendly with them."Ember observed.

"Doing my best."He shrugged.

"That is what you've always been doing."A male voice said from their right. A young man stood on the top of the stairs. He was young. Younger than Ember, with slightly dark brown hair and black eyes.

"Dean Snape, give me back that necklace!"A female voice yelled from upstairs. Dean started running down the stairs.

"God I've missed this…"A huge grin formed on Severus's face.

"Hello, brother, ma'am. Bro, hold this for me."The young man gave the necklace to him and started running the opposite direction. Ember choked a laugh.

A woman that seemed about her age came rushing down the stairs. She wore a black dress that went to her knees, her pitch-black hair was tightened up in a bun and her eyes were a chocolate brown.

"Why do you still act like kids?"Severus rolled his eyes. His voice was somewhat humorous.

"Um, let me guess…Because we ARE still kids. Unlike you."She made him turn around so she could get a better look at him."My big tough brother just got tougher…You seem to have lost weight. Are they feeding you well at that school?"

"More than enough I'm afraid."Ember chuckled.

"And you must be…."Vivian looked over at Severus."…Ember, I'm Vivian the middle child."The woman extended her hand which Ember took smiling at her.

"So are you going to give me my necklace?"Vivian looked at him.

Severus eyed the necklace suspiciously."This wasn't here the last time I came."

"Because it was eighteen years ago. Now hands off!"

"Here."He gave the piece of jewelry back at her.

"Is he still that demanding?"Vivian whispered at Ember.

"All the time, believe me when I say." The two women giggled as Severus left to seek his brother.

"I'm surprised he decided to arrange his life."

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, Severus isn't the kind of person who would settle down, have kids, and retire to watch them grow. But I can see I was clearly wrong..."She said as if she was talking to herself."He has changed. Is he still…?"

"A death eater? No…Severus was caught, sort of, spying for the light."

"Thank heavens…"Vivian breathed out audibly. Ember could make out her relief."Father practically forced him into the ranks…He never wanted to…but a part of me still thinks he has that dark side."

"He does have that side... But he's such a sweetheart at times."

The women laughed.

.

"What about you? Is there any romance in your life?"Severus asked as the two brothers were walking in the garden.

Dean laughed out loud.

"You know me, can't stay with a girl for more than one night. Plus, I'm only twenty-eight! I have all the time in my life to decide if I want to marry or stay a bachelor. You got engaged at thirty-eight!"

"True."

"And to a woman that if I had set my eyes upon sooner, I would've definitely stolen her from ya."Dean winked.

Severus grinned."Yes but I've already captured her so don't you dare."

"Lucky you! Out of the Death Eaters and an engaged man! Damn, I wish I had that life."Dean kicked a stone.

"You're not in the ranks. I really don't understand why you haven't come with me to the Order."

"Believe me we will. But for now, we will stay neutral."

"You better." He smiled at his little brother.

"I'm glad I got to see you, Severus."

"Me too Dean. Me too."

.

When everyone entered the dining hall they found themselves looking at a grey-haired man. Ember tilted her head slightly. His facial characteristics were pretty much similar to those of Severus. Technically the man that was now staring coldly at the couple was Severus's father.

Severus clenched his fists.

"Tobias."

"Severus." The man equally addressed to him.

It was common knowledge that the two men had cut ties long ago. Ember, however, hadn't thought that they were acting so cold to each other until today.

Another man appeared from behind Tobias. They seemed like twins, minus the crooked nose that only Tobias had.

"So this is her?" The man spoke as he approached further towards Ember.

"Ember Potter, pleased to meet you." Ember extended a hand which the man politely took and kissed.

"Damien Snape. Call me Uncle Damien." The man made a forced smile. "How about we sit for dinner?"

.

The atmosphere was tense, more than usual. It was evident that Severus did not like it there. The food was pleasant but for some odd reason, Ember was feeling quite sick.

"Are you alright?" Vivian from beside her asked. Ember's face was a bit pale.

"What? Yeah I'm fine, probably I ate too much." She made a weak smile. Severus side-glanced her from his left, he looked slightly concerned. Ember would never turn down the opportunity for food.

Suddenly she felt a rush of heat penetrate her right dress pocket. With quick moves she got the golden coin the DA was using to communicate.

SOS SECOND FLOOR EAST WING

Keeping herself calm she leaned towards Severus's left ear.

"There's a serpent situation in Hogwarts." They both exchanged stoic looks. He nodded slightly.

"I see no reason as to why we should stay here since we have nothing to discuss." Severus rose from his chair. "Dean, Vivian, Uncle Damien."He addressed every member of the table except for his father, who looked at Severus with an evil smile on his lips.

"Have fun while it lasts my boy." His voice was heard echoing the room. Severus held his wand. Ember grabbed his hand before he raised his wand and did something he would regret afterward.

"You orchestrated this whole thing…just to let the recruits leave the castle?" Severus's voice had gotten low. Tobias smiled even more. The two siblings shot up from their chairs and took their perspective places. Right beside their older brother.

"Tch. You always take the cowards' way." Tobias looked at his children in despise.

"I am not a coward," Severus said coldly. Then the chandelier above them broke into millions of pieces. The quartet quickly disapparated from the scene before the chandelier crashed on the floor where they stood just seconds ago.