Evangeline came slowly back to consciousness in the full daylight of her sitting room. Remembrance flooded in and joy filled her heart. Happily she turned her head and contemplated the naked man sleeping peacefully on the hearthrug beside her. A throw from the wing chair was covering his legs, but his lean muscular chest was open for her perusal. One arm was flung above his head with his hand buried in the softness of her hair, the other rested lightly on her thigh. His face looked peaceful and serene, without all the lines that daytime cares gave to it. The sleeping wizard looked younger and very vulnerable, and she wished with all her heart that she could make his life safer. For the thought of anything happening to him made her go very cold inside. Just as she was contemplating waking him with a kiss, and continuing their activities of the night before, she was startled by a knock at the door.
Snape's eyes snapped open at the sound and a look of panic flitted over his face, which Evangeline knew was mirrored on her own. They both sat up and looked at each other.
"Who is it?" she called.
"It's Minerva, Evangeline. Are you ready for breakfast?"
Evangeline gasped. "Not quite, Minerva. I'm not dressed yet."
Anxiously they both scrambled up grabbing at clothing, as Severus made a mad dash for the bedroom. Evangeline slipped her nightgown of the night before back over her head and searched for her robe. As she headed for the door, she tripped over a shoe, which she picked up and threw at her retreating lover, who grabbed it out of the air and slipped into the bedroom, pulling the door mostly shut behind him.
Trying to slow her pounding heart, she took a moment to compose herself. Then she crossed the room and let Minerva McGonagall in with a smile on her face. Minerva bustled in as usual, carrying her tray. She was the only one who brought food instead of relying on the house elves. The Transfiguration professor set her tray down and turned around. Noticing Evangeline's disheveled state, she frowned in concern. "Are you all right, Evangeline? Did you sleep well last night?"
Evangeline ran a hand through her tangled hair. "I'm fine, Minerva. I'm just not really very hungry at the moment. Maybe we could do this another day." She looked hopeful.
Minerva's sharp eyes darted around the room, taking in the discarded throw on the hearthrug, the door to the bedroom, which moved slightly, and the lone article of black clothing, which peeked out from underneath one of the wing chairs.
A smile crossed her face and she walked over to Evangeline and patted her arm. "Of course, dear. I understand completely. I'll talk to you later. Keep the tray, you might be hungry after a bit." Then she walked to the door and opened it. As Evangeline began to breathe easier, Minerva turned back as she was closing the door and said, "Better check under your chair, dear. I expect that Severus will need his trousers later on." Then with a sweet smirk, she quietly closed the door behind her.
Evangeline sighed and dropped her head to her chest. She heard the bedroom door open and turned to see Severus standing there holding his clothing balled up in front of him like a shield.
She gave him a sheepish smile. "Well, so much for keeping this quiet. Hope you don't mind, too much."
He sighed and walked over towards the chair under which his traitorous trousers lay. He picked them up and deposited them in the chair, topping them with the bundle from his arms. Thus unencumbered, he walked over to her, removed her robe, and picked her up in his arms. As he headed for the bedroom, he murmured against her smiling lips, "We'll worry about that later."
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Remus Lupin was sitting down to a solitary breakfast, when he looked up to see a smiling Minerva McGonagall enter the Great Hall, and walk up toward the head table.
She sat down next to him still grinning broadly.
"Minerva, I thought that you were having breakfast with Evangeline this morning?"
"Oh, I was supposed to. Plans change," she said happily.
He smiled at her. "I can tell from your expression that something's up, and you're dying to talk about it. So tell me, why aren't you eating breakfast with Evangeline?"
"Well, she had other company and wasn't really prepared for breakfast." The pleased witch reached for the nearest pot and poured tea into a cup.
"Other company?" Lupin was still puzzled.
"Left over from last night, I imagine." She raised her eyebrows at him, giving him a significant sideways glance.
"Left over?" Light dawned. "Oh, you mean an overnight guest!"
Minerva nodded smugly, "Judging from the article of clothing I saw on the floor, yes."
His eyebrows climbed his forehead and a big smile broke out on his face. "Would this discarded article of clothing happen to be black?"
She nodded and took a sip of her tea as her eyes sparkled in smug happiness. "Yes, I believe it was."
The two of them sat there grinning at each other like children.
"Well, it took them long enough," said Lupin.
"Yes, they did seem to be taking their time getting around to each other, but you must admit, there have been some issues they needed to overcome. I just hope they can be happy together. Both of them deserve some happiness. Evangeline has been so frightened since she came here, and goodness knows Severus has had very little happiness in his life."
Lupin looked sideways at her. "We probably shouldn't say anything about this to anyone else. It would only embarrass them."
Minerva nodded. "You're right, Remus, and you know how much Severus hates being embarrassed."
Remus grinned. "Yeah, he was always a lot of fun to tease."
"I agree that silence would be prudent," said Minerva with a sigh.
"Well, I won't say anything to anyone else. That doesn't mean I can't say anything to Severus himself. After all, I presume he knows all about it," said Lupin with a smile. "Yes, this day is shaping up with a lot more promise than I thought."