Severus crawled on top of her once more and kissed her softly. Amelia could taste herself on his lips and loved it. She deepened the kiss wanting more as she ran her nails up and down his back languidly.

Severus positioned himself above her as she wrapped her legs around his hips wanting nothing more than him inside of her. Pulling back he looked into her eyes. Both of them wanting to say something but not knowing what. He was past the point of no return. He knew this wasn't just a normal fuck for him. He knew that once this happened, he wouldn't let her go.

No, he couldn't let her go.

Just as he bent his head to kiss her once more there was a-

-tap tap tap-

Both of them stopped moving and looked towards the window. Then came another impatient

-tap tap tap-

It was a large tawny owl with a rolled piece of parchment tied to it's leg. Annoyed by the interruption, Severus lept from the bed with a scow and let the owl in. As Severus untied the parchment from the animal Amelia grabbed a handful of treats for him. The owl ruffled it's feathers and greedily ate up the offered treats and helped himself to the crows water dish. It was a long flight after all.

Severus didn't open the parchment but instead laid back on the bed, his face once again an impenetrable mask of indifference. Amelia plopped down and looked at him curiously.

"what's wrong?" she asked, her anxiety eating away at her. Amelia was suddenly overcome with the idea that he was about to reject her in some way and that he suddenly decided he didn't want her rather than his issue being with the letter.

He offered her the letter and stared at the wall. "It's for you...order seal"

It must be from her cousin. Pealing back the seal it was indeed from her cousin Tonks.

Lea,

I hope this letter finds you well. Sorry for the lack of communication, we don't want to draw attention to ourselves. How is training going? Is Snape being a total wanker? Told you he was. We could really use you back within the next two weeks or so. Ginny is starting to show and we don't have much to go on. Please let me know when you plan on coming back. I'm sure you're eager.

Lots of love,Tonks

Amelia crumpled up the letter and tossed it across the room. "It was from Tonks" she said as she laid her head down, looking at him. She thought about the contents of the letter and her heart sank. Her hand found its way to his chest and she started drawing patterns on it. Of course she was on the brink of something potentially good and she has to be ripped away. No surprise.

He nodded in understanding. His face was like stone. "Wants their spy back no doubt. I'm sure you're...eager...to get out of here."

Amelias brows furrowed. "What are you talking about? I don't want-" she was silenced by his mouth coming down on hers softly. This kiss was different than the ones previously. It was warm and full of hidden affections like they were speaking without words.

'I don't want you to go' he thought as his forehead rested against hers.

'I don't want to go' She screwed her eyes shut trying to will back tears.

They both looked at one another for what felt like hours. Laying in bed facing each other. They didn't have sex, they weren't pawing at one another, they were just there in that moment looking. Amelia searched every inch of his face, commiting it to memory. They both knew that she had to leave sooner than later and when that happened, she was throwing herself into danger.

After some time Severus finally spoke. "Stay here. stay with me." His voice only a whisper. She could feel the trepidation around the request. He was nervous of her response, like she would reject him in some way.

Amelia smiled at him sadly, brushing a strand of black hair out of his face. "Severus...you know they need me...you know what could happen if I don't return. I don't want to...if I could I would stay here with you for as long as you'd have me."

Severus began to plead. This was unlike him but he was desperate. "Amelia please...you have no idea what war is. You have no idea what they ask of you. You aren't ready."

"That's why I'm here. You have to make me ready."

He couldn't look at her anymore. He was lying to himself when he thought he could have her. She could be his and him hers. He was lying to himself when he thought he could keep her safe. He was destined to be alone and she was destined to die.

Severus stormed out of her room before she had a chance to react, slamming the door behind him.

'Youre an idiot for thinking this would end up any other way' she thought bitterly.

The wall paper was pealing, the floors were old and creaked under his weight. The smell of mold, mildew and rat urine assaulted his senses as he wearily moved around the abandoned home. With each gust of wind the house groaned, little light shown through windows caked in dirt.

Something was pulling him through the house, his feet moving on their own. The further he entered the more decrepit the house became. Picture frames that once lined the halls were shattered on the ground leaving behind nothing but a stain on the wall from where they had hung for years. Doors were ripped away from their hinges, windows were broken, floor boards covered in...he didn't know.

Looking closer he noticed dark red stains began to appear, as if someone was badly injured and was drug across the floor. The reddish black pools became thicker, whoever was hurt couldn't have made it very long. Poor bugger.

Finally his feet stopped. His eyes followed the trail until it landed on a dark mass on the other side of the room. Moving closer he noticed this mass had feet. He moved his eyes up the body until he saw a pair of dead hazel ones staring back at him.

It was Amelia. It should have been him.

He screamed.

Then he woke up.

Sweat poured down his forehead as he caught his breath. Throwing the blankets off of him he jumped out of bed and ran to Amelia's room. He could see her breathing steadily, his crow perched on her bedframe standing guard.

He shut the door and went back to his room, dressing quickly, his mind made up. Going back into his room, he dressed quickly.

Walking across the hallway in one step he opened her door once again. As quietly as he could he moved across her room and looked down at her, drinking in her face. She looked so peaceful and he was going to keep it that way. Bending down he placed a soft kiss to her forehead and left. The smell of white tea and ginger lingering around him.

Amelia woke the next morning and stretched, trying not to dwell on the events of the day prior. Her heart broken by the realization that whatever her and Severus wanted wasn't possible for her place was in another country. A country he had abandoned and for good reason.

She smiled at Severus' crow and bid him a quiet good morning as she got out of bed. The crow ruffled his feathers at her and squawked. Touching his wing she noticed it was cold and wet. "Went for a morning flight?"

The crow squawked once again as if he were responding.

Amelia smiled at the thought. "I will give you some ham with your breakfast."

She forced herself out of bed and pushed all romantic notions of her surly mentor to the side. This could be life or death for Amelia and she had to be prepared and carry on with her training no matter what.

The apartment was silent. Across the hall she saw Severus' bedroom door was closed. 'odd for him to sleep in' she thought as she made her way towards the bathroom.

Grimmauld place was nearly silent. Tonks sat in the kitchen feeding teddy when the front door crashed open. Several people came rushing out of multiple rooms and pointed their wands at none other than Severus Snape. His hands went up as a show of surrender. His face stoic as ever.

"Snape?!" Tonks exclaimed, pushing her way down the hall. The rest of the order put their wands away. Some of them confused while others eyed him suspiciously.

"Where's Amelia?" Tonks asked worriedly.

"She is safe. I need to speak to Potter." He said calmly.

Harry nodded and moved towards the library. Everyone stayed where they were as they watched Severus disappear into the room.

"What's this all about Professor? Where is Amelia?" There were so many questions he wanted to ask but those were the only ones he thought appropriate at the moment.

Severus held up a hand to silence him. "I am no longer your professor, please address me appropriately. As I had stated before Amelia is safe... she is in Washington unaware that I am here and I would like to keep it that way."

"Okay? What can I do for you prof-sir?"

"I need your supply of polyjuice and I need to know everything the order has gathered on the uprising."