AU. OC. Non Canon. Older man, younger woman. Inspiration: Remains of the Day!

Severus is the butler and Zoe is his new housekeeper. It's Zoe's birthday.

Zoe finished her work before retiring to her room. She showered, scrubbing her entire body before rinsing off. She wrapped a towel around her body as she brushed her hair and pulled it onto the top of her head. She went to her bed, stopping when she saw Severus sitting there. Waiting.

"Good evening, sir."

"Miss Devonport."

She pulled her dressing gown on, tying the sash tightly. "Was there something I could help you with, sir?"

He stood, coming towards her. He stopped a yard from her.

"It was brought to my attention that Mr. Thompson has been bothering you."

"He likes to joke around."

"I understand it was him who dyed the white linens pink."

"Yes, sir."

"I have spoken to Mr. Thompson. His pay will be docked for the cost of the linens."

"But, sir, that'll only make him worse!"

Severus gave her a look and she looked away.

"If he retaliates in anyway, you are to tell me immediately. Do you understand, Miss Devonport?"

"Yes sir."

"Good." She looked up at him, noticing then that his eyes were on the wall and not on her. "I apologize for interrupting your personal time. I only have a few minutes before I must return to Lord Roke."

"I understand, sir."

"Then I bid you, a good night."

"Good night, sir." After he left, she sat on the bed, her knees suddenly weak.

Zoe had worked for the family for two years before she fell in love with Severus Snape, the butler. After Thompson was fired, he seemed to always notice her and she in turn. On her twenty-first birthday, it was Severus who informed the cook. She came to breakfast to find her favorites and the staff waiting to wish her a happy birthday. In the evening, when she was on her way to the servant quarters, Severus discreetly slipped a small gift into her hand. In her room, she opened his gift to find a sweet necklace. A simple gold circular pendent. She put it on and hadn't taken it off since. She kept the necklace hidden under her uniform collar. Zoe felt like it was her secret from Severus.

Severus looked up from his paper as Zoe sat down with her tea. She looked exhausted and he felt the same. The house was bursting with guests, all whom seemed to need some favor. He was sure her shoes were just as worn as his. He was planning for a staff outing that weekend to allow them all a moment to breathe and blow off some steam.

The house was empty and silent when Severus looked up from his polishing. Zoe stood in the doorway, dressed for an outing.

"Miss Devonport, why aren't you with the rest of the staff?"

"Because I realized it meant you were here. Alone and doing our work." She sat at the table, picking up a pair of shoes and inspecting them. She reached for a rag and began to clean and polish. Severus inwardly smiled.

"You deserve a night on the town."

"So do you, sir." She smiled softly at him.

Severus looked up from his reading, catching Zoe wandering the gardens with a basket and clippers. He watched as she made a small bouquet of flowers. He forgot about it until he went to his office, seeing the small bouquet brightening up his desk.

Zoe was no longer a maid but now the housekeeper. She kept the house clean and running with Severus at her side. Often times, she felt like they were a married couple, they were so in tune to each other. On more than one occasion, the newer staff mistakenly called her Mrs. Snape. It was never in jest – straight up, honest mistake.

Zoe would never admit how much she wished it was true.

Had Severus known, he would not know how to respond.

Severus stood at the edge of the ocean, watching as his staff relaxed. Several were playing volleyball, more walking through the waves. He turned his head, seeing Zoe was sitting on a blanket, a book in her lap. He smiled, headed in her direction.

"What are you reading, Mrs. Devonport?"

She smiled up at him before he sat down.

"Just a silly romance."

"Romance? Seriously?" He took the book, reading the flap. She raised a shoulder.

"I need to get my fix somehow. At least this way, it doesn't disrupt my work."

Severus handed the book back to her. "There is more to life than work."

Zoe laughed. "Did I just hear Severus Snape, say there was more to life than work? The man who rules with an iron fist?"

"I like a job well done, as you well know." He smirked. "Come to think of it, you haven't used your days off in months – you should go on an outing."

"I am currently on an outing – and it's disrupting my love life." She joked, lifting the book. Severus shook his head.

"Silly girl. Fictional kisses don't make up for real ones."

Her face froze and she looked at her lap. Severus immediately felt he had done something wrong when a ball landed on their blanket. He tossed it back to the players before he looked at Zoe. She was staring at her open book, her face set. He growled interiorly, unsure what to say.

When Zoe turned thirty, the staff planned amongst themselves to do her work, so she had two days off to herself. Up in her room, she sat on her bed, frowning at the walls. She nothing to do. No one to see. She was wondering what she'd do when there was a knock on her door. Standing, she opened the door, surprised to see Severus with a tray.

"I brought your breakfast. The staff has long since eaten – as you know." She nodded, opening her door wider. Severus stepped into her room, placing the tray on the corner of her unmade bed. Zoe was suddenly glad she had the thought to get dressed this morning. Severus smiled at her. "How are you celebrating your 30th year?"

Zoe growled. "I have no idea." She sat on the bed, motioning him to sit in the only chair. He sat as she picked up a piece of sausage and began to eat her breakfast.

"Surely you have family or friends to share the day with? You are always writing letters to acquaintances."

"They are all working. As I should be." She sipped her tea, savoring it on her tongue. Severus made the best tea. "I thought I might go to the bookstore and browse."

"Nothing else?" He asked after a lengthy pause. Zoe shrugged.

"Maybe go to bed early?"

Severus growled. "Youth is wasted on the young – you should go dancing! Or go to the ocean."

She smiled at him. "It takes two to dance." Severus hissed, looking away.

"The ocean then. It should be a pretty day – not too hot and not too cold, just how you like it."

"True." She didn't sound enthusiastic about the idea. Severus watched as she finished her breakfast. "Thank you for the tray. That was very thoughtful of you." He stood, taking the tray. "I promise not to come in late."

He paused in her doorway, turning towards her. "You really should go out, let your hair down and have fun."

"I would, but I hate to be alone."

His expression softened and he nodded once before leaving her room. Zoe finished getting ready and headed to town to visit the bookstore. She didn't have much spending money but she found a few books to enjoy. In the shop, she froze seeing a romance with a butler on it's cover. She picked it up, scanning the flap. Her insides tingled, as it described a sordid romance between the butler and his housekeeper. His housekeeper. Her mouth went dry and she swallowed hard, opening the book to a random page. She scanned until her eyes froze on the word licks. Before she could stop herself, she paid for the book and stuffed it at the bottom of her purse. Lucky, the usual shop owner wasn't working the counter and the young woman didn't look closely at her purchases.

She found herself walking towards the ocean and she took shade under the boardwalk. It was the Wednesday, not busy at all. Zoe got comfortable on the grass, slipping out her book. She forced her eyes not to jump ahead as she read about the young housekeeper and how the butler slowly seduced her. She was gripping the book when the butler pressed the younger woman into the wall, trapping her in before he kissed her hotly. A seagull caused Zoe to jump and she exhaled. She had become so engrossed, she hadn't noticed the light was going. With her book hidden away, she made for the house.

It was supper time, so the kitchens were very busy and she easily grabbed a sandwich on her way to her room. She dressed for bed, going under the covers before she opened her book again. Her heart was pounding in her ears as the butler caused the housekeeper to forget propriety all together, returning his kisses and tugging at his jacket. Zoe was reading how the two teased each other daily when there was a knock on her door. She shoved her book under her pillow in time for one of the newer maids to come in with a tray. They talked a little, getting to know each other while Zoe ate her meal. Afterwards, Zoe went to her window seat, looking out into the darken sky.

What possessed her to buy this book? It was more sensual and erotic than she normally read – her damp panties a sure sign of that. She touched her forehead to the cool glass, closing her eyes. If she were honest with herself, what she really wanted was for Severus to say and do all the same things to her. She inhaled, imagining his hands on her hips, his lips brushing hers. She let out a moan, imagining his hands holding her buttocks, while pressing her into a nearby wall. She was thinking of his lips moving down her body when there was another knock on her door. She didn't recall letting them in but when she saw Severus, heat flared within her body and she felt her pussy gush.

"Is everything alright?" He noticed her strange breathing and the heat on her cheeks. She touched them, trying to hide them.

"I'm fine. Did you need something?" He must have come for a reason. She stood, going to her unmade bed and tiding the blankets. Severus immediately helped and she felt her heart skip when he fluffed her pillow, revealing her book. He glanced at the cover, seeing the butler's uniform before he replaced the pillow.

"Cook wanted to know what you'd like for breakfast tomorrow."

Zoe shrugged. "Anything is fine."

"Alright." He turned towards the door. He stopped before leaving, the door still wide open between them. Zoe watched his back, wondering what he must think of her. He seemed to be wrestling with something before he closed her door and turned to her. He had never closed the door while in her room. Never. "Forgive me for being blunt but was there any birthday gift you wanted this year?" He swallowed. "I was unsure what to get you this year."

Without thought, her hand went to her necklace. This caused him to look at her collar, which was lower than her normal housekeeper uniform. She swallowed.

"You're sweet to remember but I don't need a gift."

He stepped towards her. "Then maybe, just your birthday kiss?"

Her eyes widen and her heart skipped. Before she could think, she was nodding her head yes. Severus lifted her chin up, searching her eyes before he lightly pressed his lips to hers. Her eyes closed, inhaling his scent so close to hers. Her hands took a hold of his sleeve. The kiss was short but it still caused her insides to melt. When he pulled away, a soft moan left her lips before she blinked her eyes wide. Severus brushed the side of her face, studying her face.

"Happy birthday, Zoe."

She felt her insides beam. "Thank you, Severus." Feeling bold, she pushed up on her tippy toes, pressing their mouths together again. Severus seemed surprised, but only for a moment, before his hand was cradling her head and he was deepening the kiss. She sighed against his lips, her arms wrapping around him. They kissed until air was needed and then Severus was pepper kisses along her jaw and neck. She shivered, griping him tightly.

"We should stop." It was clear that she didn't want too. Severus continued his kisses, now stooping to reach her collarbone. She moaned, feeling his tongue graze her skin. "Severus, don't stop."

"With pleasure." He teased, picking her up with ease. She wrapped around him, holding his face to hers for more kisses. Their tongues dueled as he carried her to the bed, lying her out. She pulled him to join her, not thinking twice about what they were doing. She just needed to do.

They continued to kiss, lick and suckle on each other until Zoe felt like she was on another plane of existence. Severus was her anchor and she never wanted to be parted from him. When her hand moved his to her breast, he actually growled before devouring her mouth with more ferocity. Her legs parted, letting him get them much closer and she gasped feeling the evidence of his arousal pressed against her thin nightgown. Severus pulled back with a hiss.

"Fuck."

Her body shivered under his and he moved to get up, only for her to wrap her legs and arms around him more tightly. He gave her a look but she only shook her head.

"It's my birthday. I want my present."

"Have you decided on what you want?" His voice was more husky than normal, if that was possible. She nodded. "Then tell me, what do you want?"

"I want you." She felt no shame saying the words aloud. Finally. "I want you in my bed. In my body."

His nostrils flared, his eyes hot on hers. "That's a very special gift – are you sure I'm the one to give it to you?"

She laughed softly, "Yes. Heavens, yes. Only you." She kissed him hard. "Only you."

He lifted her higher up the bed until her head was on the pillow. His hand went under the pillow and he retrieved her reading. She blushed as he looked at the flap.

"This seems a rather saucy book, Miss Zoe." His words were like caramel on her skin. "Members of staff aren't allowed to have such reading. Even in their private rooms." She hugged them closer. His lips turned up slightly. "You will have to be punished, Miss Zoe."

"Yes."

He kissed her mouth, teasing her lips with his tongue. "How does the butler punish the housekeeper, I wonder?" She moaned, his mouth dropping to that spot under her ear. It was like a direct line to her pussy, which was slick in her desire. "Answer me."

"I haven't read that part… yet." Her words hitched as he positioned his body above hers, his cock now pressed into her belly.

"Should I read to you, Miss Zoe?" He kissed her forehead. "Until we learn how the housekeeper is punished?" She nodded, holding him to her body, while he opened the book to her bookmark. He kissed her jaw before he began to read, softly. The walls were thin but she desperately hoped everyone was fast asleep. Her body was coming alive, listening to Severus's sexy voice, as he described how the butler fucked the housekeeper in the storeroom during an important dinner. The housekeeper had to return to work without her panties, as they were now in the butler's pocket. Zoe's skin felt like it was tingling everywhere as Severus continued to read, his free hand stroking her body lightly.

As he had predicted, Severus was soon reading how the butler punished the housekeeper for being too familiar in front of the staff. Closed away in her office, he held her against the wall as he bared her lower half before he spanked her bottom. Zoe inhaled with a squeak. Severus paused, raising a brow at her before he continued reading. His fingers were teasing along the collar of her nightgown and she realized she was wiggling her lower half against his cock. He read aloud how the butler punished the housekeeper until she was in tears. Then he was kissing her softly, cradling close before smoothing away the sting. They kissed with teeth and tongue and Zoe felt her body respond to Severus's closeness and scent. He snapped the book closed, tossing it aside.

"Are you ready?" He nudged her jaw with his nose. "Are you wet for me?" He pushed her nightgown out of the way, seeing her panties were wet. He inhaled deeply before slipping her panties down and throwing them to the floor. He looked up at Zoe, who was gripping the bedcovers. "Do you want me to stop?"

"No. Please, keep going."

He used his hands to spread her thighs apart more and she shivered at being so exposed.

"I should court you properly before entertaining such ideas." He said this almost to himself, one long finger dipping into her slick pussy. She moaned at the touch.

"You're closer to me than any husband, Severus. Just, just make me feel good."

He smirked, withdrawing his finger and licking her taste off. "I'll make you feel better than good, Miss Zoe."

"Yes, sir." She watched as he loosened his trousers. She watched as he undressed completely, completely naked before her. He pushed her nightgown up her torso, just past her breasts when he took a nipple into his mouth. She stifled a moan as he teased her, her body curling along his. His naked cock was leaking against her pussy and she desperately wanted him to slip inside. She brought his mouth back to hers and they shared an intense kiss. Severus kept his eyes wide open, whereas Zoe felt drugged, her eyes barely open.

"Watch me, beautiful."

"Yes, sir." She forced her eyes wide and her body arched as he slowly slipped his cock into her pussy. She hissed through the pain, gripping his shoulders. He kissed her softly, nuzzling her skin. When he was fully settled, they laid still, letting her body adjust. Severus sucked on her earlobe, driving her insane with need. She flexed her hips and he growled into her ear. Flexing again, Severus pulled almost completely out of her warmth before he pushed all the way back in. Gradually, he increased his strokes, watching how each one affected the woman in his arms. She was a puddle of nerves before her orgasm overtook her and she dug her nails into his back. He growled feeling his release come suddenly. He inhaled through his nose, watching the woman beneath him, who looked taken by bliss.

When he moved to lie beside her, Zoe tightened her hold, so they both ended up on their sides. Her hand stroked along his back before stroking his abs. Severus felt the haze but tried to stay awake.

"That was excellent."

"I completely agree." Zoe moved her leg over his, her hand moving to palm his butt. He raised a brow as she gripped and massaged his butt cheek. It felt nice but he hadn't thought Zoe was an ass woman.

"We should clean up." She prevented him from getting up and Severus growled. Zoe's eyes told him what his growl caused and it wasn't her backing down. She kissed along his chest, nuzzling his skin and licking anything she could reach.

"I want you to dry on my skin. Is that disgusting?" He raised a brow before he shook his head.

"As long as we do clean up. Eventually." He tucked her body closer, touching her more freely. She purred as he stroked and palmed her breasts. "When did you buy this book?"

"Today." She licked her lips. "I pictured you as the butler, pressing me into the wall, kissing me."

"Indeed." They shared a lengthy kiss. She wanted more but they both heard the night maids in the hallway, going to their rooms. Severus quietly cleaned up, Zoe gathering his clothes together. She sat with her robe loose, letting Severus see an eyeful of cleavage while he silently dressed. They could hear the last of the maids talking in their rooms when he pulled Zoe into his arms and sucked her tongue into his mouth. She resisted the urge to make noise but her entire body felt alive as they dueled before he was stepping back.

"I wish I could stay the night." He whispered, stroking her face. "No one must see me or we'll both be dismissed."

"I know." She kissed him softly, hugging him close. "Thank you for my birthday present."

He growled, pinching her butt cheek. She smirked. "I love you." Her eyes lit up and he gave her one last kiss. "I love you, Zoe."

"I love you, Severus." Her voice was barely a whisper before he was slipping out of her room. Zoe looked back at her bed, realizing how empty it would now always be. She finished cleaning herself up before she changed into a clean nightgown. Pulling the blankets back, she paused seeing the small blood stain. Her virgin blood. She scrubbed the stain out before going to sleep. Her eyes were closed before her head hit the pillow.

They went forward as if nothing had happened and Zoe didn't feel snubbed. They had work to do, after all. By Sunday, however, she was desperate to feel close to Severus. After the house was silent, she helped herself to the men's corridor and slipped into his room. Severus looked up from his bed where he was reading. He said nothing as she removed her outer robe, dressed only in a nightgown. He pulled the covers back. The only invitation she needed. He pulled her in close, his attention back on his reading. She read a few lines, until she realized it was an instruction manual. She began pressing kisses along his chest and neck until he snapped his book closed, pulling her over his body.

She felt her body come alive as Severus kissed her deeply, tugging her nightgown over her head. She licked his cheek as his hands squeezed her ass, grinding her down on his hardening cock. She kissed behind his ear. His hand moved to her front, palming a breast. They shared a look before she was tugging his pajamas down and her hand was gripping his cock. His eyes rolled to the back of his head, his body arching against hers. Apparently she wasn't the only one who needed release. She worked him until he spent himself, licking her skin clean.

Zoe found herself on her back, Severus spreading her thighs and kissing her pussy. She grabbed his pillow, biting down on it hard as he went to town on her lady bits. She was stifling her moans and cries when her body climaxed and he removed the pillow. He found a woman fully stretched out and at complete ease. He kissed her lips and she licked her taste off his face. He tugged off his shirt, once again wrapping her thighs around his hips, his cock just touching her pussy. She put a hand over her mouth, trying to quieten her desire. He slipped in roughly and she arched up against his body. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she found herself moving up and down his body, his cock hard inside her body. Her head fell back as they came together, Severus's hand silencing her moans this time. Afterwards, she laid out on the bed while he dampened a cloth and began to wipe her body clean. He carefully dressed her before pressing a light kiss to her forehead. She wanted to return the gesture of care but he walked her to the door. They shared another kiss before he stuck his head out. It was safe for her to return to her rooms.

This went on, the back and forth from each other's rooms late at night, for another three months. Zoe knew how to make Severus lose control. Severus knew how to make Zoe come completely undone. Neither changed their behavior around the staff, all clueless to how close the pair had become. Zoe was loving this new aspect of her life when she realized she was late. She looked at her calendar, confirming she hadn't had a period since before her birthday.

On her day off, she took a bus ride to another town and found a pregnancy test. While she waited for the results, she stared into nothing. What would she do? She would be dismissed immediately. Would Severus take care of her? Or their child? When she saw that she was indeed with child, the joy she felt was darkened by the uncertainty of her next move.

That night, Severus came to her room. She was already in bed, staring at the wall. He slipped into bed with her, pulling her close and kissing the back of her head.

"Good evening, beautiful."

She put her hand on his. "Severus." She took the test from under her pillow and held it up for him to see. It took him a moment to realize what she was saying. He hugged her closer, kissing her softly.

"Don't fret, love. Just rest." She turned into his embrace, snuggling close before she left her body fall asleep. Severus was wide awake, holding his woman close, listening to her breathe. They had some tough decisions to make. Once decided, he knew Zoe would be ecstatic for their baby. He smiled, bringing her closer. Their baby. He was to be a father. He kissed her forehead. He wanted nothing less with Zoe.