Severus was not getting any better. He ached all over, and spent a

lot of the time coughing and sneezing. Sheyliegh had told him to take some

time off and that she would take care of the classes. So that's just what he

did. He made up some concoction to help him with his cold. But it would take

time for it to take effect. So he spent most of his time lying in bed. Every

once in a while he would get a visitor like Albus or Minnie.

One day after a very tiring day of sneezing and coughing Severus went

to his bed to go to sleep. Sheyliegh was over visiting in Minerva's room.

His body ached and there was nothing else that he wanted then to curl up in

a ball, and sleep away. He climbed in bed and pulled that covers up when it

happened.

Fireworks started going off at the end of his bed. He sat straight up a

and started looking around the room as if looking for the reason of this. He

then took out his wand and tried to stun the fireworks so that they would

stop. But not before the fianlly. A green firework went off and formed a

shape in the air. A shape that was only too recognizable... it was the dark

mark. Feeling outraged he lept out of bed and went to the examine it more

closey. A strange voice then began to talk. "To our dear Snivellus. We can't express

the great deal of happiness it brought into our lives to hear of your dear wife and

Sirius Black together. They make such a better couple. When she finally

decides to run off with him don't worry, we hear that Voldemort has some openings

for Death Eaters. Love truly, your most hating fans."

Severus looked at the smoke. Before it disapeared he repeated what it

had said, to himself once more. Sheyliegh running off with Sirius? His most hating

fans? Then he realized who was responsible for such a thing. He grabbed his dressing

gown and headed out the door. This was the last straw. First he kissed her and

now he was playing some evil trick on him. Sirius was not going to get away with

this one.

The steps leading to Albus' office moved like an escalator as always.

The pain that Severus had been feeling earlier was now gone from his body.

When the steps stopped at Albus' door he gave his knock. Slowly, the door

opened on it's own. Severus stepped inside to see Albus sitting at his desk

with the Daily Prophet opened.

"Why Severus, feel like a chat on this fine night? Sit down sit

down." He waved his wand to make another chair appear in front of his desk.

He then closed the Prophet to give Severus his full attention. "Now what is

it that you would like to discuss?"

Severus could feel the hate for Sirius grow within him. "Albus, he's

gone way too far. This is the last straw. I can't stand it any longer."

"Severus, Severus may I ask what your making such a fuss about?"

"It's Black. He's gone too far. I was feeling bad this evening but

when I went to get in my bed, a load of fireworks went off at the foot of

the bed."

"But how do you know that this is Sirius' fault?"

"At the end of the fireworks, there was a last one that turned to

resemble the Dark Mark. Then after that a voice started saying that

there was much happiness in the fact that Sheyliegh and Sirius had kissed,

and that the two of them would be running off together. And at the end

there was a messege that I shouldn't worry because the Dark Lord had a

Death Eater opening. And we all know what he had said at our first Order

meeting. I can't take it anymore."

Albus looked at Severus in utmost disbelief. "Severus, perhaps you

should ask Sirius about this himself." The old man got up and walked over to

the crackling fore. He threw some floo powder in and leaned down so that the

tip of his nose was an inch from the green flames. "Sirius, I hate to bother

you, but do you think that I could have a word with you in my office?"

Within a few minutes time, the door swung open and in walked Sirius.

He went and conjured himself a seat and sat as far as possible from Severus.

"Severus would you proceed in asking Sirius the question you wish to

ask?" Albus could tell that without him being there, the two would have sat

in silence all night.

"I was just wondering... you havn't been to Zonko's lately have you?"

"Zonko's Joke Shop? No I don't think so why?"

"How about Weasley's joke shop?"

"Severus, may I ask why on earth you are asking me such questions?"

"Well I just want to know where on earth you got such remarkable

fireworks."

"Firewo-"

"Black just admit it! You're the one who put those fireworks in my

room to scare me, and your the one that wrote the message! Just fess up

already!"

Sirius jumped to his feet, and Severus did the same. "Listen here, I

havn't the slightest idea what you are talking about. You might want to

think beofore you go around blaming people for things they didn't do!"

"We all know by now that you've had such a pathertic teenage crush on

my wife! She told me about the truth or dare game, and about how immature you

were about the whole thing. Your the only one that would say that she's

going to run off with you! You are sick! And I never want to see you in my

sight again!" At this he pulled out his wand at pointed it at Sirius.

Reaching into his robes Sirius grabbed his too. They stood in front

of each other with their wands drew, and had them pointed at each others

chest. They were both shaking with rage, and hatred torwards one another. But

before any of the two could jinx the other, Albus yelled "Expelliarmus!" and

both wands went flying across the room and landed neatly on a shelf.

"Sirius tell Severus the truth. Did you or did you not have anything

to do with that prank?"

It looked as though it was killing Sirius to turn his head from

Severus to look at Albus. "I'm telling the truth, I had nothing to do with

it."

And after that Albus dismissed them both to go back to their rooms.

Severus opened the doors to his living quarters to find Sheyliegh sitting in

front of the fire. She looked up at him as he entered. "Sev, where have you

been? You know that your supposed to be resting."

Severus told her of what had happened with the fireworks. Sheyliegh

believed that it could have been Sirius who had done it. But they had no way

to prove it. All they could do was sit back and ignore it.

***

Ron and Harry were up in the boys dormitories talking. "Ron, do you

think that we possibly could have taken it too far? I mean, he did look

pretty mad. And what if he finds out that it was us?"

"He won't find out. We had the invisibility cloak remember? And I

don't think that even Snape can see through those. Come on let's write to

Fred and George and thank them, and also tell them how great it worked out!"



***

The next morning was better. Severus had decided that he needed some

fresh air and went outside to walk around the school grounds. The wind blew

and made the trees sway. He looked up to see the owls heading to the great

hall to deliever the post to the students. Down by the lake sat a couple of

sixth years. They were cuddled up together and laughing and pointiong at the

squid in the lake. Then they leaned over to kiss one another. Severus knew

that he should go and break the two of them up but he just couldn't find it

in his heart. He had once been one of those hormone-driven teen-agers.

Severus decided that he would go to the great hall for breakfast. He

found his seat next to Sheyliegh and sat down. "I thought you were going for

a walk?"

"Already did."

"Well that was fast. So are you going to be in the classroom today?"

"I think so. I don't think I'll be much of a help though. I couldn't

sleep very well last night. I had the cough keeping me up and then I kept on

having dreams. I didn't wake you up last night did I?"

"Well when you sat up last night, I couldn't help but wake up. Sev,

are you still dreaming about... her?"

"Well, actually, yes. Was it that obvious?"

"Erm- you kinda talked in your sleep last night. Actually you, uh-

yelled."

"I'm sorry Sheyliegh. It's just those darn nightmares. And the fever

didn't help much either. If you want, I'll sleep on the couch tonight. That

way you'll be able to get a good nights sleep."

"Don't be silly. I mean, I wouldn't feel safe without you there in

bed with me." Sheyliegh smiled at him and then took a bite out of her toast.

Severus went through a coughing spell and then started on his

breakfast as well. When the great hall started to empty out the two potions

masters headed down to the classroom. Severus took a seat at his desk. It was

good to be back. Sheyliegh sat at her desk which was in the oppisite corner

of his. She took care of the classes that day almost completely by herself.



That night Severus felt too sick to eat supper in the great hall. So

instead he retreated to the living quarters. He laid down on his bed and fell

asleep. About an hour later Sheyliegh came into the room. She made her way

over to their bed and laid her hand onto Severus' shoulder. She got down into

bed and put her arms around him. He awoke and rolled over to look at his

wife.

"So how was supper?"

"Delicious as always. I missed you though." She leaned over and

kissed him on his nose. Then she made her way down his neck. "I really hope

you get over this cold soon."

"Yeah me too." He looked straight into her eyes. "I love you

Sheyliegh Snape."

"I love you too." They leaned closer and rubbed their noses together.

"And nothing will ever change that," she whispered.

"Not even Sirius?"



Sheyliegh pulled away at this and sat up. "Sev, will you do me a

favor?" There was a look of hope in her eyes. Severus sat up so that he was

level with her.

"Of course, I'd do anything for you."

"Well- I talked to Sirius earlier. And it's plain to see that the two

of you got off on the wrong foot this year. He um- well if... oh Sev! The two

of you need to get together and work this out! It's silly!"

"Sheyliegh he's the silly one. He's the one that kissed his newly

married childhood friend over some stupid truth or dare game that happened

back when you two were students!" He sat up and looked her in the eyes. Just

mentioning Sirius got Severus ready to duel at any given moment.

Sheyliegh had a look of saddness in her eyes. "It's just that him and

I have been friends since we were kids. And I miss him being my friend. Can't

you two just try to talk?"

"I'll try, but I can't make any promises that every thing will work

out like you want them too."

"Thanks Sev." She laid back down with Severus. They looked straight

into each other's eyes. Sheyliegh took her finger and touched Severus full,

sexy lips. He closed his eye lids, hiding his shining black eyes, and they

fell asleep in each other's arms, as always.