Severus pulled off his black cloak and stepped quietly into the dark hallway of Grimmauld Place. The severed elf heads loomed eerily at him in the dark and he eyed the closest one warily. Someone had put Christmas hats and tinsel on them and Severus sneered.

He wasn't quite sure what he was doing there and he hated himself for that, yet even with that thought in mind his legs carried him forward.

Severus Snape was not a man who made irrational and spontaneous decisions. Spontaneous decisions could get him killed. Rash moments could lead to fissures in his carefully conceived disguise.

He had been vigilant, he knew that, he had rubbed his temples a few times, and made sure Cissy saw him take the pain potion. He had even dimmed the lights as they sat in the drawing room. Everything pointed to a simple headache and a will to rest at home.

None of it was true, of course. But again, he didn't know why he had carefully constructed such a lie. Why on earth he found himself in the house of a man he hated at one o clock in the morning on Christmas Day.

Music and laughter drifted up from the kitchen and as he moved to the top of the stairs, he recognised the sound.

She was singing. That sweet, confident voice made his heart swell.

He slipped quietly down the stairs and paused to take in the scene. The main table had been pushed against the wall to make more room. Black and Lupin were dancing together in the middle of the floor and the Weasley twins were mimicking a waltz. His beautiful wife sat in the centre of the room playing her guitar and singing loudly whilst Bill Weasley, one of Severus' old students, had fashioned a sort of drum kit out of plastic boxes and was tapping a rhythm with his hands.

Molly and Arthur sat with them, and Samuel, Kingsley's brother was making drinks in the kitchen.

His eyes moved back to his love. Her face was shining with happiness, her pink lipstick brought out the golden colour of her skin and she had styled her hair in lose curls which made his stomach leap. She was wearing a sequinned silver dress which gave her the most delicious figure, and her shoes were long gone, sheer tights covering her legs and her delectable pink toes just visible, tapping to the beat against the stone floor.

He had another, strange, leaping sensation as he recognised the book of sheet music he had bound for her perched on the table in front of her, and the upbeat song she was singing with occasional put-ins from Bill Weasley was familiar to him.

She looked so happy.

He could feel the underlying jealousy pulsating in his veins, the way she bellowed the lyrics with the handsome man that was so much younger than he was, how she laughed openly with Black and Lupin, how Molly Weasley gazed affectionately at her, how she even managed to have such a relaxed posture when two of her current students, albeit final years, were prancing around the kitchen to her singing.

It all came so naturally to her, he thought. Everyone, just like him, was drawn like a spell towards her, charmed by her charm, transfixed by her kindness and warm personality, enticed by her youth and beauty.

But she chose you, a small voice reminded him smugly.

The guitar grew louder, Bill hit harder and Arthur and Samuel had begun clapping their hands as the song hit a crescendo.

"Lips like sugarrrr, sugar kisses!" She sang delightfully, moving her legs to the beat, "lips like sugarrrr... Sugar kisses, yeah yeah!"

They all cheered and broke into applause and after a quick whisper with Weasley, she launched into another song, just as upbeat as the first.

Just as Severus was changing his mind about staying, Lupin spotted him lingering in the stairwell.

Before Severus could say anything, he had called to Serena and beckoned him into the room.

She faltered halfway through her lyrics and he could see panic rising in her eyes, but he shook his head very slightly and sent her a feeling of reassurance through their connection.

He would never forget the look on her face then, when she realised that he was just there because he wanted to be. Her cheeks rose red with colour, her smile widened into a warm and welcoming image of home and she all but threw feelings of joy at him. He wondered how much she'd had to drink, but then again, he'd had a fair few himself.

Serena, who had continued her steady strumming, took up the lyrics again and restarted the song, her eyes never straying from his and she encouraged him to step into the room and join them.

He knew he wasn't welcome in everyone's eyes, but when she used her wandless magic to pull out a chair for him just opposite her, he sat down and found he didn't care.

Samuel handed him a drink.

"Thank you," he said in a quiet voice, looking carefully about the room.

"Severus," Molly said in quite a kind voice, considering that she didn't approve of their relationship, "Merry Christmas. I have given your present to Serena."

Startled as to why Molly insisted on buying him presents, he nodded and forced a "thank you."

Arthur reached over and shook his hand and Severus was relieved to see he looked almost fully recovered.

"How are you?"

"Just fine, just fine," he said in a jolly voice, "thanks to your expertise and the Healer's ideas, I will make a fully recovery. Molly has forbidden me from dancing tonight though-"

"You'll regret it tomorrow if you do!" She chided him, and Severus found his gaze turning back to Serena, whose eyes, it appeared, had never left him.

As uncomfortable as he felt, as soon as he looked at her he felt more reassured, and her beautiful music filled his ears soothingly.

"Now and then when I see her face, she takes me away to that special place…"

She finished the song with a duet with Bill and everyone cheered again as it finished.

"No, no, Samuel can have a go now, he's got a much better voice than I do!" She stood, handed the guitar to Samuel and took a sip of her drink. "Anyway, I haven't seen my husband all day."

Frozen, he watched as she put her gin and tonic back on the table, walked unabashedly towards him and sat straight down onto his knee, her arms slipping around him and her lips planting a kiss on his cheek.

It was such a natural move to her but inside Severus' mind was screaming as it fought a bloody battle with his heart.

He heard Black spit a comment behind him, but her lips found his ear and she whispered into it, her soft skin tickling his sensitive lobe.

"I don't give a fuck today," she said to him, under the watchful gaze of all of her friends. "Everyone here is bound by the charms of the Order of the Phoenix. No one could ever spill any of our secrets. This is how I feel about you, it's about time they saw it."

As stiff as he felt, he gave a small nod and moved his hand slowly to the small of her back, his gaze anywhere but on the others.

When he did, finally, have the courage to look up at them, they were doing a very good job of pretending not to be interested.

Molly was now dancing with Black, Samuel and Bill were singing to a U2 song, Remus had come to join Arthur, and the Weasley twins, thank Merlin, were saying goodnight to everyone and slipping out of the door.

Apparently spending Christmas night with their potions master wasn't the done thing.

Serena kissed his cheek again, gave him a reassuring squeeze and launched into the song too, singing her heart out as though nothing had just happened and she wasn't sitting on the knee of the most disliked man in the Order.

That was her power though, he realised, fascinated by her openness and will to embrace life.

She had always treated him just like anyone else and being in a relationship with him wouldn't change that. Even when he thought about those in the room- she had befriended a werewolf and invited a divorced and broken man to live there with his child. Molly and Arthur had taken to seeing her as an extension of their family, and the twins represented every student she brought comfort to in the school.

His little witch had such an impact on everyone's lives, although she would never see it that way herself.

"Oh go on, please! It's my favourite for dancing! Will you dance Severus?"

He hated saying no to her, but it was one step too far for him. She accepted his answer without a hint of anger and asked if he wouldn't mind if she danced with Remus.

He knew that she had probably been dancing with them all before he had arrived, but he appreciated her asking him so publicly, it would do them well to remember his claim on her.

"Not at all," he said quietly, as she slipped out of his arms and took Remus' hand.

"You're a lucky man," Arthur Weasley said loudly over the music, clapping Severus rather unnecessarily on the back.

Severus didn't know what to say so he didn't say anything, and they both watched their wives dance about the room with other men.

Ten long minutes later she sat back down in her chair, flushed, and pulled it closer to his.

"What are you doing here?" She asked quietly, linking her fingers with his.

"I'm not quite sure," he said honestly.

She smiled at that. "Well, I'm happy that you are. "

He wanted to say that she seemed quite happy enough before he arrived, but he swallowed his words, forcing himself to embrace the light that shone from her, knowing that she was actually happy to see him, and that she must be the only person in the entire world that looked at him that way.

"Severus," Remus called to him, from the kitchen. "I'm about to open the bottle of cognac you bought me, would you like to taste?"

Severus nodded, and stood up smartly, joining Remus in the kitchen.

Serena watched him go with a smile on her lips. She never could have dreamed that Severus would be accepted by her friends, and to see him among them, on Christmas of all days, drinking with Remus in the kitchen, filled her heart with happiness.

She felt someone watching her and turned to find Sirius making his way towards her.

The rhythm Samuel was playing was slower now, and Molly and Arthur was swaying along to the music from their seats.

"So, what's he doing here?"

She raised her eyebrows at the tone of his voice but answered as calmly as possible.

"I'm not sure... I think he just wanted to be here, believe it or not."

"Not," Sirius muttered, pulling at his bow tie, undoing it as well as a few buttons. "isn't he supposed to be with notorious death eaters today?"

"What reaction are you trying to get, Sirius?"

He grimaced and sighed, summoning the gin and the tonic and pouring them both another drink. "None, sorry darling. He just puts me on edge."

She reluctantly clinked drinks with him and Sirius sighed again, thankfully conscious that he had overstepped the mark. "Sorry," he repeated, "he's so clearly in love with you, I shouldn't have a bad word to say. And it's clear as day that you are, rather incomprehensibly, head over heels with him."

She smiled a little more warmly at him.

"Can I tell him your news?"

Sirius nodded and his eyes softened.

"Can you fucking believe it, Serena? I'm going to be a fucking dad."

She laughed and squeezed his arm tightly. "I can't quite believe it, no! But it seems utterly logical at the same time. You and Remus will be the best fathers any child could have. And a little girl, oh I am almost as excited as you!"

She followed Sirius' gaze to Remus who was in deep discussion with Severus in the kitchen. Remus laughed at something and she swore she almost saw Severus smile. She felt a strange, swooping feeling in her stomach. This really was a perfect Christmas.

The holidays came and went and January was pierced with three events that changed the mood slightly in the Slytherin dungeon. The first, was Albus' demand that Severus teach Harry Potter occlumency.

Serena had been marking papers one evening, when Severus came in, slamming the door behind him and causing several books to make strange ripping noises in protest as they shook on the shelves around the room.

"What in the name of Merlin's wrong with you?" she looked at him, concerned, as he threw his cloak over his armchair and began attacking his boot laces almost violently.

He didn't answer until he had managed to pull both his boots off and half-launch them across the room.

"Potter!" he snarled, throwing himself into the back of his chair and glaring at her. "And Albus!"

With a wave of her hand she sent his boots to sit neatly on the rack where they put their shoes, and raised her eyebrows at him, waiting.

"Fucking Albus," he snapped again loudly. "Doesn't he just love abusing his power! He wants me to teach Saint Potter occlumency! One hour a week! As if that narrow-minded boy could master the arts of the mind! As if he's nothing but a good for nothing, sneaky little-"

"Occlumency?" she interrupted, surprised. "Why?"

"His vision," he answered darkly. "Albus believes Potter has some sort of connection with The Dark Lord's mind, a connection that was formed the night he couldn't kill him as a baby. He wants him to use Occlumency to close that connection."

Serena pushed her papers to the side and sat up straight, frowning.

"Has Harry had other moments where this… connection, has become apparent?"

"According to Black, in whom he incomprehensively confides, he has moments of pain or intense moments of feelings foreign to him. He confessed during the holidays that he had a sudden surge of wrath towards the Headmaster and that it wasn't his feelings at all."

"Is it dangerous for Harry? If he hadn't seen Arthur's attack, Arthur would be dead."

"That may be so, but Albus believes this connection could be two-way. You know Albus had been avoiding the boy all term, this is partly the reason why. He doesn't want the Dark Lord to know that he is closer to the boy than one may think. He fears the Dark Lord may use the connection to spy on the Order or Albus himself."

"Christ," Serena breathed, taking in all the information. "So, I know you don't like Harry, but surely-"

"Like is a feeble word that does not even begin to describe the feelings I have towards that boy," Severus said in a low voice. "Albus has refused to teach him and all but ordered me to do it in his place. It is a clear abuse of his power, but then again, he does like to have me as his puppet. We start lessons tomorrow. I shall be unavailable in the evening."

She grimaced. "I'll have food ready for when you get back."

He merely grunted and she knew better than to press him any further, but she felt slightly nervous about how Harry's first lesson would go.

Indeed, the following evening, Severus returned around nine o' clock, in an equally bad mood as the previous evening.

She let him eat his pie in silence, but when he had finished he threw down his fork and snarled, "just as I expected. The boy has no discipline, no brain, no courage, and absolutely no idea of the great sacrifices people are making every day all around him just to keep him alive!"

"Don't forget, he's a kid. I'm not sure how intelligent and courageous you were at his age."

Severus glowered at her and she saw his fists clench.

She sighed, "Sev, I know that it is very difficult for you to be in any close proximity with him because of your past, I know who he reminds you of, and what difficult memories you have, but all Albus is asking is that you treat him like a student. Be neutral, be as emotionally detached as you possibly can and focus on your task."

Severus scowled at her, but several minutes later he came and sat next to her on the sofa, opening a book and pulling her silently against his side, a sure sign that his anger has dissipated.

She kissed his shoulder and reached for her own book, snuggling into his side.

Unfortunately, another event unbalanced him just a few days later.

Severus had a Wolfsbane delivery for Remus on the last Saturday of January, and Remus had asked Serena to accompany him as well.

"Coffee?" Remus asked cheerily, summoning the kettle and pulling out three mugs with a wave of his hand.

Severus turned stiffly to Serena who nodded, smiling. "We will stay for a quick one, thanks Remus. What's got you in such a good mood anyway?"

Remus winked at her and sent them steaming mugs of coffee. "Thanks," Serena said, as they sat down at the table. "You look like you need a strong coffee, you look exhausted!"

Remus chuckled, "That's because I am exhausted."

"It's not normally this early, is it? Isn't the full moon on Thursday?"

"Indeed," he said, beaming still.

"What-"

"Hellooooo," Sirius' voice echoed down the kitchen steps and Severus' face turned into an immediate scowl. Serena placed a gentle hand on his leg and turned towards the door to greet Sirius.

"Oh my god!" She was out of her chair in a heartbeat and rushing towards his beaming face, and the other, tiny pair of eyes that were gazing out at her.

"Oh my god, a baby. Hello," her voice turned to a whisper and she had to blink away her tears as Sirius presented their baby girl to her.

"This," he said proudly, "Is baby Lavinia. Lavinia, this is your aunty Serena."

She couldn't stop the tears rushing down her face as Sirius slowly transferred the warm bundle over to her. "Hello," she whispered, half-laughing half-crying. "Hello Lavinia, hello darling."

She turned to Remus, her eyes full of pride and happiness and found the same emotions mirrored in his. "Congratulations," she whispered, looking back down at the baby that was transfixed by her face. She smiled widely. "Aren't you just beautiful."

Lavinia had tiny dark curls on her head, and her big blue eyes blinked up at her innocently.

"She's two months old," Sirius said putting an arm around Serena and guiding her towards the table. "She's had a tough start in life, but she's with her family now."

"Oh and what a family," Serena smiled, "yes, you are a lucky girl! Two handsome daddies to look after you, how lucky you are! Yes you are! Yes you are!" As the little girl made a gurgling giggle, Serena felt her heart swell with love.

She sat down carefully into her seat and sat baby Lavinia carefully on her knees so that she could see everyone. "And this," she said quietly, turning to Severus who was as stiff as a petrificus totalus and was looking anywhere but at the baby, "is Uncle Severus. He always looks grumpy, but he's very funny in private. Oh and look, here is Max, good morning Max."

Samuel's little boy skidded into the kitchen in his golden snitch pyjamas and came to say hello to everyone. He took Lavinia's little fist in his hand and gave it a kiss.

"Do you know what Max?" Serena said smiling, "the last time I held a baby, you were the baby."

Max laughed at that and then his eyes widened as though he realised that one day he had been a tiny baby like Lavinia.

"But now you're all big, six years old."

"Six and three quarters," Max corrected importantly.

"Three quarters, that's right, excuse me," Serena smiled, catching Remus' eye and laughing silently.

"If you'll excuse me." Severus stood up abruptly, and his cold tone vanished the warm and humorous atmosphere in an instant.

He didn't even look at her as he swept away to the front door, and Serena felt a small pang of sadness inside of her. He couldn't bear to look at her holding the child she could never have.

Aware that the mood had suddenly shifted, Serena laughed and looked back down at the baby. "He stayed a lot longer than I expected, he must have found you very cute."

They all chuckled and the conversation resumed, but she couldn't quite take her mind off his icy voice and his distant expression.