Severus watched Taranis sit down at the staff table, immersed in conversation with the other professors, as he searched the room for misbehaving students. He caught site of Draco, scowling first at Taranis, and then at the man on the stage. Casually he made his way over to the boy, whom quite openly had a crush on his professor.

"What does she see in him anyway?" the boy asked.

"Hmm, let see, he's intelligent, and Auror, funny, most likely rich and as fair as a pixie in the sunshine," he glanced down at Draco who was now scowling at him, "the fact that he doesn't live with his parents any more is a bonus as well."

"Why do you think the sorting hat put her in Gryffindor?"

"What do you mean?"

"I heard her ask not to be put in Slytherin, but the hat said she'd be great there. If she were truly a Slytherin, it wouldn't have put her in Gryffindor would it?"

The Potions Master shrugged, "probably not," but he had wondered that same thing himself.

"She reminds me a lot of you."

"Is it my cheery disposition or my god like good looks," he drawled?

Draco smiled, "she's rubbing off on you to I see."

"I mean in class, she's quiet and intense, no patience at all when we make mistakes. She glowers at us when we're trying to work and pretends to be doing something else, but she's really watching us. Longbottom's terrified of her too," the boy smiled, "had the baby in tears a few months back, it was wonderful," he said with a sigh. "That thing at Halloween, that was really low down and sneaky. What a woman."

"That hardly sounds like her."

"Well I'm not sure she was feeling very well at the time," he shrugged, "I guess she has cheered up since then."

Both stood quietly, looking somber as they followed her with their eyes to where she was laughing with Remus and Professor Flitwick, until Pansy came over and took the boy to dance.

Soon the dance was at a close, Taranis came over and asked if he had enjoyed himself. He only snorted in reply. They stood in silence for a few moments before she glanced to where the band was packing up their things. Remus and Kiera seemed to be deep in conversation, the woman seemed quite taken with him, he mused as Lupin took her hand.

"Keira, oh what is Remus doing?" she fumed as she made to leave, stopped by Snape's hand on her arm.

"They'll be fine, you should mind your own business professor," he stated.

"What? You don't understand Severus, Kiera she"-

"Lupin is a werewolf."

"What?"

"Did I stutter?"

"Oh. Oooooh, he's a, a, oh, wow," Taranis broke into a huge grin as she watched the two with interest. "That's great! I mean it's not you know, but it's great! Remus is a great guy, I wondered why he always seemed so sad, oh goody," she said clapping her hands together. "Don't they make a cute couple?" she exclaimed.

Severus simply scowled and shrugged as she went off to join her friends. That Murphy person said there was nothing between them, but he surely touches her an awful lot for someone who was 'not interested.'

Taranis stood with her arms around Colin, "I'll miss you so much, I wish you didn't have to leave so soon."

"I know lassie, but I promised me mum I'd be there tonight, and I haven't even started my Christmas shopping. I don't think you're the only one sad to see us go," they looked over to where the two werewolves were gazing into each others eyes. "I'll be interested to see what happens with those two," he planted a kiss on her forehead. "Come on everyone, I've got the Portkey, do your kisses and lets go."

Taranis wiped a tear from her eye as they disappeared, and turned to see Severus heading for the door.

"Hey, Sevs, wait up," she called as she hurried up to him, "hey I'm really too wound up to sleep, mind if I go work for a while?"

"I'll join you," he replied and they headed off to his lab.

Taranis hung her cloak over a chair and stretched, "got any wine?"

As he poured two glasses she spread out the books. Severus noticed that she scratched the page with her fingernail.

"There's a smudge here," pulling her long hair over one shoulder she leaved closer to the parchment, "I can't quite make this out."

Stopping in his tracks the potions master gaped, dozens of fine white scars marred her delicate back He eyed the cris crossed marks and was reminded of those wounds inflicted on him by Voldemort. Indeed he felt her pain, suppressing a shudder he moved toward her and reached out, tracing the lines with his fingers, across her back and up one lovely shoulder where he rested his hand. The woman seemed nonplused at his touch as she reached her own hand up and grabbed his, not taking her eyes off of the paper.

"What does this look like to you?" she asked as she put her other atm around his waist and pulled him closer. When he didn't respond, she turned to look at him, he was so close, she hadn't even realized. Oh, she breathed him in as she looked from the black covered chest in front of her up to the face she found so alluring. His eyes were filled, with, what compassion? Her breath quickened at his proximity, yet she did not draw away. Reaching up she caressed his face with her hand, drinking him in with her eyes.

Severus reached up and took her hand in his, they stared into each others eyes as he slowly lowered his head to kiss her softly, parting her lips with his tongue. Pulling back he gazed at her again, she is so beautiful. He felt himself harden, his mind replaying his earlier thoughts.

"Oh Severus," he saw tears well up in her eyes, "no games tonight please."

"No," he replied huskily, "no games tonight Taranis," as he claimed her lips and kissed her deeply.

She wound her arms around his neck to deepen the kiss. Greedily she tasted him, the silken tongue gliding against hers. Her hands made their way up his chest and into the silky softness of his hair as she inhaled his scent. That spicy masculine Snape smell that she couldn't get enough of.

"Come," he said, grabbing her hand, pulling her out the door and to his private rooms.

Taranis felt herself begin to throb as she grabbed him, kissing him in a frenzy of passion, pushing his robes from his shoulders. His rough hands on her breasts felt exquisite, her hands trembled as she began to undo his buttons. Suddenly she wondered why she had ever liked those buttons, too damn many of them. Her hands were shaking so badly, she was grateful when he took over, making swift work of them and they fell in a heap to the floor, baring his chest.

"Oh," was all she could say as she stared at that chest, many a time she had fantasized about touching it, running her hands over it, now she touched it tentatively, as if it would burn her. Putting both hands on that chest she moved them upward, the feel of the warmth of his skin under her fingers was awesome. Taranis began to lean forward when he grabbed her head, turning it toward his, "Severus," she whispered as his mouth claimed hers.

She clung to him, unwilling to let go as he unzipped her top and it fell to the floor, the moistness between her legs pulsing as he took her nipple between his teeth. The man's hands roamed over her back, buttocks and stomach as that mouth suckled and lapped at the taunt nub. When he stood straight, Taranis ran her hands around his lean waist she gripped his bottom, pulling it into her, pushing and rubbing against his hardness with growing frustration.

Severus reached around and grabbed her as well, and she put her leg around his waist, arching her back as she tried to push into him farther. He grabbed the waist of her pants and worked them down around her ankles, slipping off her shoes and then the pants. As she stood there clad only in her thong panties, he grabbed her ass and pushed his face into her crotch, playfully snarling as he bit her.

Standing he quickly removed the rest of his clothing and stood naked before her, not able to suppress a grin at her shy look of awe.

"Oh, Severus," he loved the sound of his name on her lips, "you are so beautiful."

"You are the beautiful one, Taranis, there is no mistaking that," slowly he took her panties off and he traced one finger down her shapely leg as she blushed.

He could feel her tremble as he took her hand and led her to the bed, drawing her mouth in a kiss as he eased her back. She grabbed his hair and forced his lips tightly over her own as she wrapped her legs around his waist, grinding herself against his throbbing member. He could feel the moistness on his thigh, proof of her desire for him. Snape felt very empowered, very much a man, as this beautiful caring creature writhed under him in passion. For months he had imagined how her body would feel next to his. This was reality and he couldn't touch her enough. Her skin, her smell, the taste of her, he couldn't get enough.

His lips traced their way down her neck, over her throat and to her breast as his fingers probed into her gently. Her groan of response prompted him to work his fingers in more deeply, exploring the delicate folds inside. A trail of fire followed his tongue as it worked it's was across her stomach and down to her womanhood.

Slowly he explored the outer folds with his tongue, before thrusting in into her, tasting her deeply, grinning as she pushed upward and grabbed his hair. The little mewling noises she began to make made his hardness swell even more, and his kisses worked their way back up to her lips. She didn't hesitate to kiss him, to taste herself on his tongue, and he felt her hand wrap around his throbbing member.

It was his turn to groan as she stroked him, causing a drop of his seed to spill onto her hand. Taranis stopped and locked eyes with him as she brought her hand to her lips and wiped it away with her tongue.

Reaching down Snape eased himself into her slowly, immersing himself in her wet sheath, he began to move in and out slowly at first, her legs wrapped around him and he thrust into her deeply, pounding himself into her completely until they cried out together in the ecstasy of orgasm.

Taranis held him tightly in the aftermath, afraid to let him go. Ye gods he was wonderful, she thought with a smile, everything I've ever wanted. Blissfully they held each other in silence. I never thought I could find a man who could complete me so totally, and I love him, she thought as they drifted off to sleep.

They awoke several times through the night, clinging to each other in a passionate embrace, Taranis recalled as she languished in bed that morning. She stretched lazily and smiled as Severus came in with hot coffee.

"You are perfect," she smirked as she donned the white shirt he'd worn the night before.

Pouring a cup of coffee to and taking a few deep sips she settled herself on his lap, snuggling against his chest. His stiffness bothered her, why didn't he put his arms around her? Did he regret their lovemaking? Looking into his face she frowned and sat up. "What?" Taranis asked, her chest suddenly filled with fear.

"We cannot continue this relationship Taranis," he said as he gently stroked her hair, "it would put us both in grave danger, and that, would not be wise."

She stiffened, thoughts reeling through her head at the implications. Her heart burst as she realized he was right. Barl was still out there, waiting to kill her, if he found out about Severus there would be no qualms about killing him to hurt her.

Self pity rose through her, "of course, you're right as always, it would not be wise for us. . ." His eyes were hard as she took them in, fighting the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. "Perhaps, we could put that off for another hour or so?" Hopeful to spend a few more minutes of pleasure she kissed him gently and then drew back to look at him. More forcefully she grabbed his hair and pulled him to her, and gratefully he responded, ripping off the shirt he carried her to the bed where he stripped off his clothes and they began to claw and grab at each other roughly, meeting thrust for thrust until they collapsed exhausted.

Taranis lay quietly for several minutes, finally she turned to Severus, eyes filled with sorrow, to take him in one last time.

She got up and dressed rhythmically, and holding her head high as she strode toward the door.

Severus' body ached as she got up, anger, fear, and lust washed over him in waves of conflicting emotions. He raged at the irony of it all, finally, he Severus Snape had ensnared a beautiful, intelligent, caring woman and his only choice was to watch her walk out the door. He'd given up everything, all hope of a normal life for his past transgressions. Now he hated Voldemort with a fury he never thought possible, fury for forcing him to give up such a precious thing.

She paused as she opened the door, never turning or uttering any words of comfort, he heard a soft sob as she closed the door.