The pecking of an owl on the Defence Against the Dark Arts window roused you from your marking trance. You broke off half a piece of biscuit you had been nibbling on and made your way to open the window. It was Stephanie's owl, Dr. Whoot, which you thought was a terrible name for an owl but Stephanie was a Doctor after all and a huge Dr. Who fan. It started off as a joke and quickly stuck. Poor bird.
He gladly exchanged the letter for the biscuit, accepted a stroke to his soft, brown speckled head, and flew off. Stephanie's letter could only mean one thing, you could barely contain your excitement as you hurriedly opened it, your hands shaking.
Skimming the parchment as fast as you could, confirmed that you were right. Little baby Delphine had arrived safe and sound yesterday morning; only 12 days late. She was due before your own birthday but she had kept her very impatient mother and father waiting, surpassing the day you were born 26 years ago. They could have had her magically induced at St Mungo's but Stephanie had decided to go 'au natural' and let Mother Nature take her course, or "Her sweet fucking time!" as she described it in her last letter, which arrived on your birthday.
Mother and baby were well and home on the same day. It was actually Lepus who had written the letter on Steph's behest; she obviously had her hands full. You were so happy for her, for both of them. Included was a picture of Steph holding Delphine with the newly devoted dad thoroughly fussing over the two of them. You were so glad she had him, even if he did drive Steph slightly mad from time to time. Which was a lot like Severus you conceded.
Better go tell him.
In his own, not so subtle way, he had enquired over the past two weeks about Steph and her, "condition," as he called it. Apparently, your anxiety over it had rubbed off onto him and he was eager to hear that the baby had been delivered safely, thinking Stephanie slightly mad for not wanting more magical intervention but understanding it had nothing to do with him, with any man. You'd make a feminist out of him eventually.
Packing up the parchments to finish off later with Severus, you locked up and made your way to his office. You could warn him you were coming but you thought he might like the surprise. Over the weeks that followed your night with the Pensieve, he had practised late into the night and over his weekends with you, to better your control. The practice paid off as you could touch each other much more freely, especially since the ability to communicate had progressed to not needing a physical connection, though you both agreed it made it much more powerful and far more...exciting at times.
It was a whole new level of control; Severus had described it as if something floated above and beyond his normal levels. Much like your Occlumency training had been, it was tough and Severus was strict, which didn't shock you in the slightest. There was just one more thing you had yet to test; how it worked around other Leglimens, well, other Leglimens who were trying to snoop anyway. Both Severus and you knew that you were going to have to enlist Albus to help in that endeavour, and you were both putting it off.
You rapped your knuckles against the door to his office in your usual, slightly obnoxious and over-the-top knock; you almost felt the eye roll and subsequent smirk on Severus' face through the door.
Come in, he spoke wordlessly. It sent a delightfully pleasant tingle through your scalp and down your neck.
"Okay, show off, just because you can, doesn't mean you always have to," you chastised with a smile on your face as the door closed behind you. Severus was sitting at his desk, jotting notes down onto a spare piece of parchment. Placing the quill you had bought him for Christmas back in its stand, he smiled at you and relaxed his previously hunched body back into his chair.
"You liked it," he replied, very sure of himself. Confident Severus was the very best Severus and he had grown in his confidence, with you, alongside you and it had become easier to detect. The relationship had reached a comfortable level, you were growing and working much better and, as much as you didn't want to curse it, things felt genuinely good for the two of you.
"Mhmm," you hummed back, sarcastically, biting at the inside of your cheek to stop yourself from smirking more. You were still an outrageous flirt.
"Oh, you don't like me inside of you?" He said, raising his eyebrow.
Involuntarily, you snorted, "Oh, shut up, I came to tell you something important."
"Come on then.." he patted his lap, "..that was very sexy by the way," he mocked, pointed at your nose, and then beckoned you to him with his finger, making space for you to sit.
"Whatever floats your boat, dear." You took your place in his lap and briefly buried your face into his neck, he smelled like his normal earthy scent; your shampoo as he'd run out in your shower that morning and it was mixed with...sneezewort and...you inhaled again...definitely scurvy grass, you thought. "Befuddlement draught?"
"Ah, my little snorter putting her nose to good use," Severus joked. He was in a very good mood, you thought, as you smacked his arm playfully.
"No more cuddles for you," you protested as you pretended to remove yourself from his lap.
"I don't think so," he held you tighter. Look at me. There was that shiver again and he loved the response. His lips were on yours before you knew it, his tongue pleading for acceptance which you gladly gave. The kiss was fire and tenderness and passion. His tongue soft but firm against your own, his teeth nipping at your bottom lip and his hands caressing dangerously close to your backside. Putting your hand on his chest, you pulled away, remembering why you had come to his office.
"Why is that so intoxicating, witch?" He asked, trying to chase the kiss, desperate for more. Resting your forehead against his, you decided to find your own devout reaction.
You know why.
Severus's eyes closed and he sighed contentedly. Stubble had formed through the day, it scratched the end of your fingers as you stroked softly down his cheek.
"Now," you started as you removed your face from his, "I had a very good reason for coming here."
"Yes, I can sense you're bursting to tell me something."
"Do you know anyone, say around 6 foot 1, dark-haired, despicably handsome, who might like to escort me on a date?"
"If I do, I shall have to kill the bastard," he rumbled.
You sighed and looked up to the ceiling, "Well, I suppose you do owe me. So you'll just have to do." He squeezed your side and you groaned in slight discomfort. "Grumpy."
"Why do I owe you a...date, anyway?" He hated that word, it felt far too young and casual for his personality.
"I mean, you didn't take me anywhhhhhere for my birthday," you whined and he squeezed again, "Ow, okay, okay."
In Severus' defense, he had wanted to take you out and had even suggested a muggle location so that you'd be free of distraction, and chances of running into people you might know would be minuscule, but you just wanted to stay in with him. So, much like his birthday, you had a delicious meal in the peace of your quarters, but unlike your grumpy partner, you had a cake and candles. He'd also gifted you the locket you had worn every day since.
It was spectacular and you were still in awe of how he had managed to do it. Severus knew you possessed no photos of Eleanor, so he had transferred an image from memory into the brushed silver confines of the locket. It had apparently taken him over a week to do and to his frustration, he had completely bodged the first one. You sobbed for a good 20 minutes upon opening it. The second gift was a very old but immaculately well-kept copy of a potions book dated near a hundred years ago. It was a subtle hint that he very much wanted you to take the job alongside him permanently next year; he knew you would be a formidable team.
Taking your bag from the floor, Severus' hands held onto your waist and steadied you. The letter from Lepus opened and floated in front of the two of you, you watched his eyes take n the words. The smile was small but you could tell he was pleased that she was well. After being so helpful and easygoing with him after your accident, Severus always spoke highly of her when she came up in conversation.
"How has she planned the naming ceremony already?" He asked, nuzzling his face back into your neck, you squirmed and giggled a bit as his tickling lips traversed the open terrain.
"Oh...that...would you stop, man," you said squirming from him again, "that...that would have been planned months...ago."
Severus finally gave in and stopped, "So you're going to agree to be Godmother then?"
You nodded your head, "I am. I've got to keep trusting myself, don't I?"
"You do and I will come, I've got to thank Stephanie for that lovely birthday present she bought you" the birthday present being a very skimpy lingerie set, she thought she was hilarious and said someone should be getting some because she definitely wasn't, "and my name is on the invitation! Though please don't make me hold the squirming ball of flesh."
"Severus!" You smacked his chest, "She's adorable, look at her..."
You ran your thumb over the picture of the new baby; Severus could sense the change in your demeanour as your smile faltered and you quietened as you looked at the cooing parents. He carefully took the letter and the photo attached from your hand and cupped your face, bringing your lips back to his.
Do you have anywhere to be? He asked already brushing the pads of his fingers down your neck and to the opening of your shirt, his other hand took his wand from the desk and locked the door.
"Not anymore," you whispered against his quickening kisses. "Shame I'm not wearing the birthday lingerie again."
"You won't be wearing anything in a minute, love."
Attending to the Mandrakes had become entertaining, to say the least. They had firmly hit teenage-hood and when you came in on the penultimate weekend of April, some of them had clearly been partying the night before.
Dirty little things, you thought, as you tidied up the mess and tended to their ever-growing needs. They were not far off maturity; the thought made you grimace slightly because soon, you, Pomona, and Severus would be cutting up the poor bleeders. It was necessary though, Colin had practically missed the whole school year.
Whilst you were working away, you heard the door to the greenhouse being knocked, which was a miracle considering you had your earmuffs on. Looking up, you spotted Harry Potter waiting on the other side of the glass, waving awkwardly. You bashed your hands together, to rid the excess dirt from your gloves and then took them off. Opening the door, you greeted Harry and invited him in with you.
"Everything okay, Harry?" You asked before putting your gloves back on, there was one more bench of Mandrakes to clean up. You much preferred this job on a Saturday to watching over the teenagers trying to craftily snog each other's faces off in the courtyard.
"Early morning Quidditch practice, fell off my broom…" He rubbed his neck awkwardly and glanced down at this feet.
"So you're avoiding people?" You guessed out loud but it was written all over the 12-year-olds face. The embarrassment plain as day. Being 12 was hard.
Harry smiled from the corner of his mouth and then huffed. He was shuffling between his feet and didn't look like he knew what to say.
"It's not like you to fall off your broom easily. Are you well? Been eating properly? Quidditch is hard work, you need to keep up your strength." You tried to keep an air of teacher about you as you spoke, you were fairly sure the last thing he wanted was every older woman in his life acting like a mother because he didn't have one. Experience told you that.
By all accounts, his Aunt and Uncle were awful to Harry, and you were struggling to believe that he was left with them at all. But not really knowing the full circumstances you couldn't kick up a fuss about it, though you wished you could. Why Harry couldn't be a ward of the school like you had been, was beyond you; it would certainly do him a damn sight better than his muggle family. Which was saying something coming from you because you loved your muggle side but these muggles were no good for magical folk.
"Yeah I'm eating, Professor, but I can't keep up with Ron, and when I try Hermione pulls a face at me. She thinks we're gross."
"Most 12-year-old girls think 12-year-old boys are gross. Now come here and make yourself useful," you sensed he just wanted somewhere to be away from others but not by himself, so you had him work alongside you, assisting you with the simpler things. He spoke a little bit, it seemed he was becoming overwhelmed with schoolwork, Quidditch, and the general stress of the school year. It felt like there was more but you didn't press him; he probably wouldn't tell you anyway.
Nearing the end of your work, he began to scratch at his scar, yours were hidden by your glove but he looked at your left hand anyway.
"Do yours itch, Professor?" He asked quieter than he had been the whole time.
"From time to time, does that happen often, Harry?" You peered at the scar and it did seem to be looking redder than usual.
"Sometimes." Vague. He must have spent a lot of time with Albus, you thought.
"Potter." The sound of Severus' harsher voice startled you both. "Nothing better to do on a Saturday afternoon?"
"Actually, Professor Snape, he is being a great help. How did you sneak in here?" Harry kept his head down, working on the Mandrake you had given him and you could see he was almost done. You gave a warning scowl in Severus' direction. Don't be an arse!
"Is he now? And I am Head of Slytherin house, after all, I can roam almost anywhere I like in the castle."
Would I be an arse, y/n?Severus directly asked you, his face not giving off any indication as to what was transpiring silently between the two of you.
You decided to ignore his ego for the time being. "Yes, he has been extremely helpful. 20 points to Gryffindor."
Harry smiled as he turned his face to you, probably so Severus didn't see his joy.
"You should go enjoy the rest of your day now, Harry," you lowered your voice and edged closer to him, "I'm sure everyone has forgotten about this morning, don't worry," you bumped your elbow into his arm gently and winked.
"Thanks, Professor." He scurried out past Severus, who gave him a wide berth. Harry thought Hermione must have been wrong about his two professors, they didn't even look like they liked each other to him.
"You could have been nicer," you stated, cleaning up your workstation.
"I thought I did fairly well considering he's spent more time with you than I have this weekend and you gave him 20 bloody house points," Severus grumbled.
"Don't be jealous over a 12-year-old, Severus, it isn't becoming and it certainly isn't sexy, so if you expect to get lucky any time this weekend, I'd stop pouting and help me finish cleaning before I find a Slytherin to deduct points from. Salazar knows one of them will be up to something dastardly."
He narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest, "You wouldn't."
"Oh, wouldn't I?" You countered, an eyebrow raised high.
The battle of your stares didn't last long as you both burst into soft laughter at the same. Severus conceded and helped tidy up, making the job twice as quick. He didn't tell you how long he had been watching and how, even though it was Potter, he had enjoyed the view; it reminded him of how Eleanor was with you in your memories.
Little Delphine's naming ceremony was lovely and you managed not to make a fool of yourself in front of Lepus' family and their friends as you stood with her at the front of an audience of people. Severus gave you a cheeky wink when you were up there and you knew your face flushed.
Sadly, Steph's family hadn't come to the occasion, she tried to play it off as fine but you could hear the hurt in her voice. You brushed it off quickly together before the ceremony started and hugged it out, not too tightly though as her breasts were tender, she graciously reminded you.
The 1st of May had brought about a mini heatwave in England, so, Stephanie and Lepus' home in Kent turned out to be the idyllic location to throw the small get-together afterward. Enchanted fairy lights and pink/purple pastel bunting adorned the high fences and the trees. Tables were laid with plenty of finger foods and drinks to suit everyone. A whole table had been needed for the gifts Delphine received; everyone knew she was going to be a very well looked after girl.
Stephanie breastfed the little milk monster and then handed her to you; after her avoidance of you in her pregnancy she promised not to be awkward once she arrived, and she hadn't been. Delphine was wearing a sleeveless yellow sundress, with a matching bow in her extremely thick, dark hair. She was just like her mama. Her tiny feet were covered in white socks and she slept contentedly with her head in the crook of your arm; completely oblivious to all the people celebrating her sweet existence.
"Champagne?" Severus's voice whispered from behind you, careful not to wake the sleeping bundle. Though you doubted she would wake from his voice; it was loud enough in the garden that if she was going to wake, she would have already. People were chattering and laughing, kids were play duelling, which led to a few whipped fingers, tears, and a telling off from parents. Fake wands can be just as harmful apparently.
"Yes, please," you quietly replied; it must have been instinct you thought as you hadn't meant to lower your voice. You secured Delphine in one arm, her little nappy-covered bum resting in your hand, and then took your drink. She made a pouty face in her sleep and raised her arm in the air before settling back into the cosiness of your body.
"You okay?" He checked as he looked down at Delphine, he had done so about ten times already through the day, worried that this might be rough on you and set you back once again.
"I'm okay," you reassured and took in the lovely sight of your adoring man. Persuasion had led him to dress a little more casually than normal but still smart; a new shirt had to be purchased to do so. It was dark green, of course, but it was better than all the black ones he had on offer or his white teaching shirts. He wore a black waistcoat over the top and black suit trousers; he obviously had to keep his shirt sleeves down and you felt bad because he must have been warm. Most of the men around had rolled up their sleeves mid-ceremony; he had at least left the top button of the shirt undone.
Regardless of his possible discomfort, he looked as relaxed as you thought was physically possible considering he was in a crowd of people he didn't know. Who you didn't know well either, bar, a slight mutual friend from school, Muriel. She had made a point of staring at you and Severus sitting together at the ceremony, and he made a point of holding your hand because of it; she soon stopped her gawking. You'd also met Lepus' parents during their marriage preparations and the wedding but most of their work friends you had dodged.
Admittedly, you had been nervous earlier that morning because Severus had been uncharacteristically troubled during the run-up to the event; questioning whether you were sure you wanted him to come with you or not, so his relative ease at being there alleviated your worries. The free champagne was probably aiding in his lightness as well.
The two of you had also used the occasion as the perfect opportunity to come clean about your relationship with the rest of the school staff, which ended up being a huge anticlimax because apparently everyone already knew; except Sybill. Filius had even lost a bet to Pomona; he had thought it wouldn't be until after the summer that you would tell everyone and Pomona said before. It earned her 10 galleons and a peck on the cheek from her love. Naturally, she felt very fortunate that day. Severus had quickly left before he was ambushed and made sure Lockhart saw the look of vitriol he shot at him.
But you were there, you were happy and he was with you now. In fact, he had been with you almost every night for the past month. It seemed the days of trying your best to keep personal space were gone; not that you couldn't have it if you wanted, but you found yourself more contented when you didn't.
"Babies aren't my thing, but I'll give it to Stephanie and Lepus...she's quite," he mulled over the word, was he really going to say this? "Cute."
"Isn't she?" You agreed and stared lovingly at your Goddaughter. Her delicate eyelashes fluttered in her sleep and she pouted again. Stephanie said she did it a lot when she was windy.
Severus didn't miss the look of pure devotion in your eyes. "She's very lucky to have you," he whispered, stroking your lower back and then kissing your forehead. He was sure of his statement because he felt the same way every day he shared with you.
"Didn't think you were one for public displays of affection, dear?" You said playfully, enjoying the open signs of his love.
"It was warranted," he replied, then tapped your bum lightly.
"Severus!" You gasped in jest, "not in front of the baby."
The two of you were happily laughing together when Muriel placed herself in the middle of the conversation.
"Professor Snape. How good to see you again," she beamed and pushed out her hand in greeting. Her mousy brown hair was bouncy and curled at her shoulders. She wore a short red dress and black wedge sandals. You were fairly sure that if she bent over, you'd get an eye full of her underwear.
Play nice.
He side-eyed you and did as he was asked. Severus was...nice.
"Muriel," he bowed his head subtly as he shook her hand; his usual curt two shakes. Then he moved his hand back to your lower back and settled himself beside you.
"Don't you two look...interesting together. Little Delphine could almost pass for your own child with all that dark hair." She chuckled, obliviously, and then finished the glass of champagne she was cradling.
Severus felt your back stiffen against his hand. Stupid bint, he raged and you caught the sentiment.
I concur. You replied before bothering to answer Muriel.
"Quite," you finally said to the intruder and turned to place your glass on the table. You didn't want to finish the alcohol with Delphine in your arms and you didn't want to consume more than needed because of Muriel's misplaced comment. It was a silly mistake, you had to move on from it.
Muriel was quite the popular girl at school. She was fun when you were younger, but she was blunt and that was mainly because she was a bit dim and terrible at reading a room. Case in point.
"So, how the hell are you two together?" She carried on, swishing her hair from her face. She almost reminded you of a less pervy Lockhart.
Hesitantly, you answered, and Severus made known he was right there with you. "I teach at Hogwarts now."
"I'm so glad you're back on your feet...not literally, obviously, well it is good you are on them again. Oh Godric, I'm sorry, y/n." She clamped her hand over her mouth and both you and Severus hoped she'd remain that way. She didn't. Instead, she quizzed your relationship more, not realising how awkward she was making Severus and yourself feel.
"Y/n," Lepus called, stepping out of the patio doors from the kitchen, and you praised the gods for his perfectly timed interruption. "Steph needs you...us, Thomas is here."
Severus looked at you concerned, seeing the distress in Lepus's face. "Who's Thomas?"
"Her very muggle, very anti-witch brother," you answered, concern filling your chest so rapidly that Severus sensed it immediately. Thomas liked to make trouble for Stephanie, for no other reason than not having any repercussions. Not anymore. The perfect muggle son Steph's parents thought they had produced turned out to be a substance abuser but they still defended him.
"Give Delphine to Severus," Lepus instructed and Severus' eyebrows shot up in fear. Muriel was right there, why couldn't she take Delphine, he thought but he didn't get time to protest as you carefully placed Delphine in a similar position in the crook of his arm. Severus looked like he'd just been handed a ticking time bomb. Which is what she might very well be if she woke up, he feared. She looked so small against his larger frame.
Muriel eyed him, slightly put out that Lepus hadn't asked for her help with Steph or Delphine. She thought Severus looked like he might break if someone pushed him, so she offered to have Delphine. "Here, give her here, I'll take her from you. You look shell shocked."
Severus frowned, pissed off at her doubts. He shuffled slightly, getting Delphine more comfortable against him, "No, I'm fine. Lepus did suggest me after all," he quipped. It sounded childish to his own ears but he didn't care, he was hopefully never going to see the woman again.
"Okay, profess, suit yourself," she took the rest of your champagne from the table and flitted to a crowd of people drinking around a table. Charming. The group all seemed to be trying to avoid the drama that was ensuing inside.
Profess! Severus grunted into the empty space in front of him but Delphine yawned and Severus froze instinctively. Please don't wake up.
What the hell was he doing? He was so far out of his depth it wasn't funny. He worried people would know who he was, what he was, and in turn, associate you with the same evils. Delphine wriggled, raising her legs to her stomach and passed wind, rather loudly for such a small being. Severus' mouth opened in shock. "That is quite rude, little lady," he muttered.
He began to walk down past the rest of the party-goers, he didn't miss them eyeing him with the baby; he knew he didn't look the part there, but fuck them, he thought. You had wanted him by your side and you were proud of him, he reminded himself of that as he headed towards the trees at the bottom of the garden. The sun was very hot that afternoon and he knew the shade would bring both him and Delphine some relief from the heat.
Steph's house was no Malfoy Manor but it was big and the garden even bigger. Severus actually preferred it; it was homelier than the Manor had ever felt. The chatter of the party was drowned out by the sound of the sway in the trees and the soft bird song. Severus slowly rocked the baby, not in the best rhythm to start but he soon got the hang of it until she raised her legs again, looking uncomfortable.
"If you soil yourself, this little arrangement is over," he whispered at the sleeping baby. Then he remembered from watching Narcissa with Draco that babies liked to be upright sometimes. It was about the only time he had been around a child of such a young age.
Severus was not a dab hand though, Delphine was floppy and breakable and what he feared most was breaking the poor child. That wouldn't go down well, he thought with a huff as he changed her sleeping position. He managed it, and Delphine's head lay on his shoulder, and her bum rested on the shelf of his forearm; he patted her back gently and mentally patted himself on the back. Well done for not dropping her.
Looking back down towards the house, he could see that Lepus' small family had joined the uproar in the kitchen. Lepus held Steph close to him, though it didn't look like it was for comfort, more for the safety of Thomas, who was thoroughly being chastised by you. Severus smirked as he patted, then rubbed Delphine's delicate back; his large hand practically the same size as her.
He certainly did not feel sorry for this Thomas bloke and he quite enjoyed seeing the fear in his face as you laid into him further. Seeing your protectiveness and the wrath he had once felt himself, strangely, consoled him; Severus had been keeping a very close eye on you over the last few weeks and he revelled every time he saw a beloved characteristic come back full force.
"Mam will hear about this!" Thomas eventually shouted, he shared the same Yorkshire accent as Steph; the phrase made Severus roll his eyes. I've heard that before.
He turned from the scene as Delphine stirred, her little head bobbed on his chest; she looked like she was trying to suckle on him. "Oh, you're going to be very disappointed there, little one."
Severus adjusted her back into the crook of his arm as she continued to fuss against his chest. She grabbed on tight to his index finger and Severus found himself staring down at her, quite mesmerised.
"Now, that is an interesting feeling." He said to Delphine, safe in the knowledge that she could tell no one that he was quite enjoying the solitude he had found himself in with her. He'd seen enough family arguments to know he wanted no part in the anarchy down there.
"Hey," your voice sounded soft as you walked around the large tree that had been obscuring them. Delphine was sucking on his knuckle fervently as he was speaking to her in whispered tones. He looked up.
"I think she's hungry...I'll give it to the little ball of wind, she did her best to find my nipple." He said with a smirk on his face.
"Thank you, my love," you chuckled, "Lepus is upstairs with Steph, her boobs are aching like mad, so I came to get her."
"Of course," he replied but you paused for a moment to take in how gentle Severus was with her; the same way he was often gentle with you. You can't give him this.
Severus heard.
"I'll wait here," he said, his throat feeling tight, "Seems a bit dramatic down there at the moment."
When everyone had gone home, you and Severus stayed back to help tidy up the garden and the house. It was fairly quick work between the two of you and your wands. Lepus had apparated his mother home and was expected back shortly. Steph came down from putting Delphine to sleep when it was almost all done and she looked immeasurably grateful.
"Thank you so much you two and I'm sorry for earlier." She said melting into your side, her arms wrapping around your stomach. Severus smiled at you softly and went to walk into the house but Steph grabbed his arm before he could escape.
"Thank you, Severus. Y/n says you took good care of Delphine when Thomas was here. That's more best friend points for you."
"Come on you, leave him alone." You tried to pull her away from him, in case he was uncomfortable with her touch.
"It was my pleasure, Stephanie." He replied and tapped her hand, then kissed your head and went into the kitchen through the already open patio doors. Lepus apparated into the kitchen which made Severus jump, you saw him nearly pull his wand on the younger man but he stopped himself at the last moment. Lepus was a lot like Steph and tapped Severus on the shoulder and lead him further into the house, Severus looked over his shoulder, eyes wide with shock. It made you snort with laughter. Your poor man.
"You two should stay the night," Steph suggested, "you can get some more time with Delphine tomorrow then and let me and Lepus sleep in."
"Oh, I see what I'm good for," you laughed, "we don't have stuff with us though."
"I can lend you PJs…but by the way that man looks at you, you won't need any tonight."
"Get your head out of the gutter."
"Look woman, I can't have sex for at least another 3 weeks," there was a pause and she cuddled into your more, "Please...you...you seem so much better today. I want to see it some more."
You sighed dramatically, "Fine, but it's going to take some persuading for Severus I think."
She let go and grabbed your hand, pulling you towards the house, her curly hair a mess from lying down with Delphine. "Flash him your tits, that'll do it."
You halted, "I just can't with you. I thought having a baby would mature you."
She laughed heartily, her tired eyes creasing, "You're still funny, my friend."
To your surprise, when you went into the living room, Severus and Lepus seemed to be having an actual conversation. A conversation where Severus didn't look bored or annoyed.
Wait.
"Severus, are you drinking beer?" You asked shocked.
"It has been known from time to time," he answered.
Steph snuggled into Lepus on the teal-coloured three-seater and you joined Severus on the smaller, two-seater. Though you weren't quite as familiar with him as Steph was being with Lepus, not until he pulled you towards him anyway.
Severus felt relaxed for the first time in ages and it felt so fucking good to him. You trusted these people and whilst Severus might not know them as well or be able to trust them wholeheartedly as you did, he felt momentary comfort. He was away from Hogwarts, away from any pressures with the increasing activity of Lucius and the others; he had to take these small moments when he could.
You brushed your lips against his ear, "Steph would really like us to stay the night," you whispered, "Is that okay?"
Severus nodded his head, in all honesty, he didn't want to go back to Hogwarts yet. "I'm okay with that."
That felt too easy, you thought. You'd at least expected an eye roll, maybe he was drunk? No, you'd seen him drink more and remain sober.
"What's the verdict then? Does Lepus need to sort the spare room?" Steph questioned, then covered a yawn with her hand.
"Yes...sorry, Lepus." You smiled.
"It's no problem, y/n," he kissed Steph and went upstairs. Severus sat and listened to you bicker with Steph for a few minutes before she went into a very in-depth birth story that made Severus squirm; he wasn't even the squeamish sort!
"I've left some toiletries in the en-suite, feel free to use as much as you need. There are a few travel toothbrushes in there, too." Lepus said once he was back in the living room. Severus let out a sigh of relief because, although he didn't know what an episiotomy was, he was very sure he didn't want to find out.
"You're very prepared," Severus remarked, then finished his beer. It had gone down very quickly because he clearly had nothing to add to a conversation on vaginas and birthing a child. So he did his best to only half listen and down his drink.
"Yeah...Steph has a tendency for last-minute sleepovers." He informed him.
She just shrugged her shoulders. "We'll leave you guys to settle down for the night, don't feel you need to go to bed, we have to though; Delphi will be waking us in no time for her first night feed. Good night," Steph kissed your cheek and then Severus' and entwined fingers with Lepus as they left the room.
There was a moment of silence after you bid them good night.
"She just kissed me," Severus whispered, having not moved from looking towards the TV in the corner. He wasn't used to such affections.
You snorted, "She kisses everyone, you'll get used to it."
"No, I don't think I will," he said turning to you.
"Well, start." You laughed, not noticing Severus' eyes grow darker; his gaze flicked to the doorway and then back to your lips
"I only want to indulge in kissing you," he whispered and pulled you into his lap as he kissed you firmly, his lips and tongue overpowering yours in an instant. It took you a moment to catch up but once you did, you returned his passion with the same intensity. His hand slipped up your inner thigh and his fingers brushed against your underwear.
"Ahh, Sev, I need to go shower and we definitely can't do what you want to do, down here."
Your tongues messily collided a few more times before he stood with you firmly pressed against him. He did let you go, not wanting Lepus or Stephanie to see him carrying you to bed; Stephanie would likely approve but it would definitely spoil the mood, Severus thought.
The both of you crept up the stairs and into the spare bedroom. It was far more neutral than the rest of the colourful house. The walls were cream, with an almost matching cream carpet and a very large bed. Perfect.
You attempted to shower together but Severus' wandering hands were distracting you too much from actually washing. Eventually, you sent him on his way so you could wash your hair properly; you felt sticky and disgusting and there was no way you were going to let him do everything he was whispering filthily into your ear without being clean and smelling glorious.
Severus was quite comfortably in bed when you had finished, resting his back on the headboard and reading a book he had picked from the extensive collection on the shelf. "Stephanie's into muggle books too then, is she?"
"I think they're Lepus' actually," you replied unwrapping the towel from your body and hanging it on the back of the bathroom door. Severus quickly abandoned the book and watched you delicately pad to him.
"I've warded the room already, you don't have to sneak around."
"Mmm, I'm sure that's definitely the reason why you've warded the room."
He smirked devilishly and ran a hand through his damp hair, his bicep flexed slightly and you licked your lips, ready for Severus to make them his. He'd given you that little display on purpose of course.
Severus shifted the duvet from his upper thighs so you didn't sit on it, instead, your bare skin met his and the delight it created throughout both of your bodies was evident in the small contented noises that left your mouths. His hands stroked up and down your thighs and yours instinctively wandered up towards his head.
"Thank you for today...you were really wonderful," you praised as you played with the ends of his hair.
"It was nothing," he replied, pulling you closer to him, "really. Anything I can do for you will never compare to what you do for me, what you have given me."
You had to bite your bottom lip to stop yourself from tearing up, you brushed your fingers up through the back of his hair and kissed him fiercely. Severus pulled you flush to him as he parted your lips with his delving tongue; one hand rested just above your arse, the other softly against the back of your neck.
Soon he released your lips and as he focussed with great effort on your neck, he kept coming back to suck on the sensitive area where your shoulder joined it; he knew it was a particularly good spot to get a reaction and it did every time. Either a pull of his hair or a hiss into his ear or if he was particularly focussed, a buck of your hips into his.
Licking your thumb, you dropped your hand down the small gap between your two bodies, to his growing arousal and rubbed the tip gently with your wet digit, before grasping him firmly and rolling your wrist languidly up and down. He breathed shallowly against your lips as he became unquestionably hard in your soft, warm hand.
"Keep doing that and you'll have me coming like a fucking schoolboy," he growled and pinned your arms behind your back. The sensation was very much appreciated, Severus knew this because you smiled gleefully into his next kiss and his thigh began to be wetted with arousal as you searched for just a touch of friction.
Eventually, he let go and moved his avid mouth to your breasts. He teased your nipple between his teeth before flicking the full width of his tongue over it and encapsulating it in his deliciously warm mouth; his sinfully talented fingers slid over your pubis and between your slick lips and you pushed wantonly into his middle and index finger as it circled the bud of nerves between your legs. Your head tilted back slightly and Severus saw the rumble in your throat as you began to moan louder, he took the opportunity to latch himself to your neck once more; the tickled groaning it produced only made him press further. You knew he was bound to leave a mark but in the moment, you didn't care.
"Get on your knees, lift up," he pulled your hips until he had you in the position he wanted and then he shuffled down in-between them, which earned him some giggles along the way but you soon stopped laughing as his entire mouth covered your very ready sex. He sucked and released it with a slight pop and you scrambled to hold on to the headboard in front of you. Severus gave you no time to ready yourself anymore and drove his tongue over your clit before exploring every delicate fold of your womanhood. The sensations overtook you to the point you couldn't push any words from your mouth.
Sev...Severus keep going.
The rumbling that escaped his throat whilst against your sensitive core made you buck slightly. Severus felt ecstasy run through him. This bond, whatever it was, he didn't care anymore because when he had you on his body and inside his mind, he couldn't help but feel things he had never felt before. It was dangerous.
The soft hand that gripped the front of his hair brought him back to reality and he relished in the feel of you bucking against his tongue.
Take what you need, y/n.
"Fuck," you sighed and then did as you were instructed, your hips working in perfect synchronicity with Severus' fervent mouth, his mind lingering in yours, radiating his adoring, lustful feelings. You shook involuntarily above his face and pushed your other hand roughly into his hair, pulling near the root as he let you ride out your orgasm on his tongue and soft lips.
Sitting back gently further down his chest, Severus gave you a moment to catch your breath and wet your dried mouth. Your fingertips tickled his chest idly and you looked down at him, his smile wide and his face slightly shimmery from your arousal. You wiped his chin with your index finger and then sucked on it, which had his eyes widening and nostrils flaring.
"Dirty witch," he hissed and pushed your right thigh from around him so you were on your knees next to him but he soon had you on your back. You grasped his erection again, rolling your wrist just how he liked it, as his larger frame hovered over you. Severus couldn't help but push himself into your hand further, his eyes faltering as his tongue flicked over his top lip.
I have to be inside you, love. To the four walls that surrounded you, the plea was silent but to you, it was so loud, so wanting and it prickled heat through your receptive mind.
You lifted your leg to accommodate him better and he held it there at the side of his hip. Dilated pupils watched as you guided the head of his erection down over your clit, you shivered and carried on until he pushed himself fully into you in one lusciously filling movement. Severus hissed, his eyes fluttering shut as the breath he inhaled was lost somewhere inside his lungs; he felt like he was drowning.
"You feel so good," he said as he was finally able to start moving. "Too, too good," he lamented into your forehead before locking your lips with his.
Fingernails scratched his back as your hips bucked upwards, trying to keep every inch of him. "More...more, love," you moaned and he gruffly laughed.
Pulling out he grabbed your hips and moved you onto your stomach, one strong hand hit the bed by the side of your head and the other snaked around your waist, dipping further down to spread open your folds so he could rub teasingly at your labia, your clit snug between his two fingers. Pressing your forehead into the mattress below you, the feel of his thick head bumped into your soft bum cheek; it took all your resolve not to salaciously push back into him.
Severus was with your every thought though and he knew what you wanted. He dropped to his forearm and much to your disapproval had to momentarily take his hand away from between your legs to help edge himself inside of you. The both of you knew this position was intense, it wasn't something you indulged in regularly but you were both giddy with the tightness you were already feeling. His fingers, still wet, resumed their teasing ministrations as he glided deeper inside of you until his hips touched the plumpness of your bum cheeks.
Your back stiffened and your fingers flexed, taking a handful of the duvet. It felt like you could feel nothing but him; it was nearing too much but he was more than aware he needed to start slow in this position.
"Are you okay?" Severus whispered huskily into your ear. He was fairly sure he was going to come at any minute because the tightness around his cock was delectably unbearable.
You nodded your head and mumbled for him to keep going and he did with slow, drawn-out strokes which pushed you further into his fingers each time. It didn't take much until you were panting into the sheets and you had to turn your head to the side to get more air to your lungs.
Severus licked the lobe of your ear and then suckled on it, his breathing heavy and hot against your skin. It tickled and made you writhe slightly; a quick shuffle and Severus was able to place his free hand gently around your throat and you hummed with excitement.
"Trust me?" He whispered.
"O...of course."
With that reassurance, Severus tightened his fingers at the sides of your neck, your pulse points now under his command.
Be rough…don't hold back. You pushed one last time before all your senses blurred into the pleasure of your joined bodies. His hips snapped harder and his skin slapped lewdly onto your backside until he pushed down roughly; the nerves above his fingers exploded and you panted his name into the room's atmosphere. The tightening your orgasm caused around Severus was far more than he could withstand; the outpour of his love was primal as he briefly let himself be consumed by his spine-tingling climax before he collapsed onto your back. His chest heaved and he kissed the sweat-slicked skin beneath his mouth, over and over as he released his grip on your neck. Neither of you were sure how long you stayed like that but Severus had moved his hand from between your legs and hugged you tightly.
Concerned he would eventually suffocate you under his weight, Severus moved first. You shuffled underneath him quickly and laced your arms around his neck and your legs around the back of his. His body was comfortingly warm and you missed it the moment he'd moved it from yours.
"If you think I can go again so soon after that, you are a delusional witch."
"I don't think I could take anymore, anyway," you reassured, rubbing his neck, "not if I want to walk tomorrow."
A soft laugh escaped him and he kissed you again.
"I love you," he declared quietly between the meeting of your lips. He hesitated with his next thought but pulled back, making sure you could see the sincerity in his eyes because he was always worried it wouldn't be conveyed properly in his words.
"Earlier," he whispered and paused, nearly nipping the feeling in the bud once more, "I don't need anything but you. That will never change."
This time, your eyes did spill their tears, understanding what he meant immediately. Graciously he let you ignore them and kissed you softly, lazily, until you were both so tired you could no longer keep your eyes open.
There was a soft knock on your door early the next morning. It woke both of you, Severus tried to keep you in the bed as you shuffled out of its warmth and away from him but failed in his sleepy endeavour. You covered yourself with the white robe on the back of the door and opened it carefully, trying to shield Severus as he lay with most of his chest on display, his mouth open, snoozing again.
"Morning...is it still okay if we get some sleep?" Stephanie asked sleepily, holding a very awake Delphine in her arms.
"Of course...come here, baby, keeping your parents awake all night again?"
"She's just fed for an hour so she should be good for a bit but come get me if she's being a fusspot." She kissed her daughter's head, "Thank you. You're a lifesaver."
A yawn escaped Steph and you sent her back to bed, assuring her Delphine would be fine.
"Me and you now, bud," you said as you closed the door quietly with your foot, turning back to the bed. Severus had draped his arm over his eyes, "I don't think Uncle Sev is going to be joining us."
Delphine lay happily on the bed next to Severus while you fished out your wand and cleaned your underwear. You settled on wearing the pyjamas Lepus left in the room for you last night and then put the robe back on.
Downstairs you had time to bond one to one with your new God-daughter but not before she puked over your shoulder. Lovely.
You lay the baby on her playmat and turned the dial on the top of it to play its lullabies. Little stars and colourful broomsticks dangled down above Delphine's face. She couldn't do much at three and a half weeks old but they seemed to catch her attention. Her arms and legs moved uncoordinated as you lay on your stomach next to the play mat, watching her intently. As hard as you tried not to think about your daughter, and what she would have looked like, what her temperament would have been like, you couldn't stop yourself. The what-ifs never got easier. But you were more than overjoyed to be in this little girl's life and you'd do your best to always do right by her and who knew? Maybe you'd the cool Aunt type. And you had Severus. Last night he had declared that you were enough by yourself. It shouldn't have taken someone else to let you know that but sometimes that's how it went, you could accept that.
Severus joined you and Delphine far earlier than you thought he would. He spread himself on the sofa, his head lulling onto the back of it and his eyes closing. Silly man.
"Why didn't you stay in bed?" You asked him, he still looked tired and after last night's activities, you weren't surprised.
"Moral support," he replied without looking at you. You twisted the top of the playmat again and it played its lullabies once more. "That's...is that meant to be relaxing?" He asked finally raising his head again.
You threw a soft toy at him and he caught it. Bastard.
"I love you, too." He replied sardonically.
"Will I never have privacy again?"
"Probably not."
Delphine suddenly wailed and you quickly picked her up. "You made the baby cry, Sev. She doesn't like it when Uncle Sev is mean to Auntie Y/n."
He scoffed and tutted, "Uncle Sev. Is this what I have become?"
"'Fraid so, dear." You kissed his lips, Delphine wriggling against your chest. "Come on, let's go for a little shuffle around, keep you quiet for a bit longer."
"Are you talking to me or the baby?" He smirked.
"Har har"
Severus put something mind-numbing on the television but the background noise seemed to please Delphine. Severus declared himself the baby whisperer at that and leaned his head into his hands. His eyes betraying him and shutting. He napped while you bounced Delphine to sleep, then joined him on the sofa and watched the rubbish morning television programme.
After a late brunch with Lepus and Steph, you and Severus apparated back to the edge of Hogwarts. You joined Severus on the journey, still somewhat nervous about the experience after the debacle of Spinner's End.
Nearing the castle, reality hit you hard as you extricated your hand from his. The staff were now aware but the students weren't and you weren't ready for their gossiping and questioning.
You sighed at the cool air of your room hit. Steph's house was light, airy, and spacious; all the things your dungeon quarters were not. Severus went back to his quarters to change and then check on the Slytherin common room, you sadly noticed that the relaxed look he had donned all morning dissipated into the atmosphere of the school.
Everything felt cold and suddenly very lonely. In the past, you enjoyed the solitude of the dungeons, but now you wanted to be close to Steph, to your beautiful Goddaughter. Somewhere, anywhere that brought out the lightness in Severus.
You changed into something more comfortable and warmer than the dress you were wearing at the party yesterday and you could feel it happening. Turning to your mirror the silver was running down your hair and your blue eye dilated next to your green one.
No! You thought and worked at pushing your old self back, which you did. But, what if? You'd been pushing your abilities, using your abilities, why not this, too?
There was no shame in your appearance, only in the memory of Amos.
You unlocked the caged little girl inside your mind and there she was, looking back at you. Unafraid. Testing it wasn't a fluke, you shifted between the two a few more times and smiled gleefully at yourself.
Fuck you, Amos.