Taranis felt the flush rise to her face as she spread her questioning gaze over her grandmother and then to Snape who stood stoically as ever, glaring morosely at the woman.

"I don't really mean that you know," she stared Snape in the eyes, "I just wanted some answers and now I've got them. There's nothing you can do to completely stop it except grow apart," she said pulling two coin-like objects out of her pocket, "I brought these, well, just in case. Put one under your pillow and that should do the trick, so to speak. Turning to the younger woman, "your parents don't like to be joined either, not that I can understand, it's as natural part of being sidhe as the Induction," she shrugged her shoulders and giving a coin to her granddaughter, moved onto where the man stood with the cauldron. "I know you don't yet understand, but know this, I love Taranis very much. I am not above mistakes, and I have done all that I can to rectify them. It is unfortunate to have those you love hurt by your mistakes, but it is not always unavoidable. There are worse things Professor Snape, like not loving someone for fear of causing them pain." She leaned forward and said softly to his ear, "I'll tell you a little secret I've learned in my long life, you can't love someone without causing them pain, but you can love the pain you've caused out of them."

Drawing back she smiled and winked at the Potions Master before grabbing Dumbledore's hands, whispering something in his ear before giving him a big kiss on the cheek. A last hug and kiss for her granddaughter and the fairy began to disintegrate into a mass of crackling lights, swirling about the room before filtering out.

Severus looked from the blush still staining the woman's cheeks to where the old man stood, "Albus, about what she said, I really don't think"-

"What did she say Severus, I must have dozed off for a moment, did I miss something?" Said the man innocently.

Snape stood there staring at Dumbledore. Did Maeve do something to him, or was he merely pretending not to remember as to protect Taranis' feelings, "hm, no I suppose not, perhaps I misunderstood? Professor Aislin, it appears we have a lot of work to do, shall we?" He put the cauldron inside the box and shut the lid tightly as they left for the dungeons.

Taranis felt content as she left the dinner table with Minerva and Xiomara. Things were progressing, if only slightly, now that they had the cauldron and the situation with Snape was, except for the sexual tension buzzing around them, relaxed. The three women stopped as they saw the Potions Master towering over three terrified looking third years.

"Mr. Lockren, are you always this stupid or is today a special occasion? I would have liked to insult you, but the sad truth is that you wouldn't understand me. Miss Knarpe, you have reached rock bottom and are finally starting to dig. I'm glad you're not letting your education get in the way of your ignorance. Mr. Sniggles, considering you are not even beneath my contempt, I'm impressed, I've never seen such a small mind in such a big head before. You are cruelly depriving a village somewhere of an idiot. I"-

"Professor Snape!" Minerva finally called halt to his enraged ranting at the terrified children.

Xiomara and the elder witch were eyeing Severus aghast as he approached, his face covered with the usual haughty arrogant sneer. Taranis couldn't keep the grin off her face.

"What are you smiling about Professor?" Snape drawled at her.

"You're pretty sexy when you're angry." Xiomara snorted and elbowed her in the ribs as McGonagall looked at her with mild disgust. The Potions Master just glowered at her for a moment before turning sharply and storming off amidst the scattering students.

"He gets like that every year on his birthday, I dare say I wish he'd stay in his rooms. Taranis I can't believe you'd egg him on like that?"

"What? I didn't do anything, don't give me 'that' look honey, I've got to work with him tonight you know."

She left with their pitying looks following her down the hall.

Later that evening as they were working Taranis felt herself become distracted. She'd read the same page in the book at least four times, but took none of it in.

"Professor!" The man raged beside her.

"What? You don't need to yell."

"I have asked you a question three times! You are wasting my time!"

"Well excuse me! I've got something on my mind," at his inquiring gaze she continued, "I keep thinking about the other day," she paused as he furrowed his brows, "your butt in those jeans, ye gods Severus!" Grinning as she approached him, "these long robes are hiding such a magnificent view."

The man stood still, arms folded across his chest while she slid her arms around his waist and over his back side. Groaning she cupped the firm mounds in her hands, "so nice and round, I hate skinny, flat butts. Yours is absolutely perfect," she moved against his chest as her hands continued to roam over his ass. His body was stiff she noticed, smiling to herself, his 'entire' body and she was pleased that he responded thusly.

"Stop that right now," he hissed between clenched teeth, "we have work to do and enjoyable as it may be for you, I assure you it is 'not' relaxing me."

"You do seem a bit, er, tense Sevs, very tense indeed. Perhaps I can be of some assistance," her hands moved from his back side to the front where they made quick work of his zipper. Brushing his hands aside and pushing his clothes down, she touched his member gently. While never having been this close to one before, she wondered at its softness beneath her fingers. It's amazing that this thing can give me so much pleasure, she thought, cupping his balls in her hands. Leaning forward she heard him groan as her tongue gently licked the drop of fluid from the tip of his member. Taranis, feeling a surge of control over the man, looked up into his pleading eyes as she took him fully into her mouth.

Moistness began to gather between her legs as she ran her tongue over the throbbing length of him, drawing him to sexual release with her mouth.

Grinning widely she stood and looked him in the face, her body reeling with power over this man as he stared at her in awe as she slowly licked her lips. "Happy birthday Severus," she declared before going over to pour them each a glass of wine. "I just found out it was your birthday, or I would have gotten you a proper gift," she said blushing slightly, "I've never . . . well . . . I hope it was pleasurable."

"Taranis Aislin, if I was to receive so much enjoyment on my birthday each year? Lets just say certain people would die from the shock of my smiling face."

Now it was Snape's turn to be distracted as they worked, his mind reeling over what had just happened. Never had a woman done such a thing to him of her own free will, he had actually procured the services of certain females in the past for such an experience. That such a beautiful, intelligent creature would do this, solely for the purpose of pleasing him filled him with emotions he'd not thought himself capable of. This woman was like ambrosia for his soul. Happy birthday indeed.

"Taranis I believe it's time to speak with your grandfather, once again our work is at a halt."

Her mind swept over the last time the man was in her room and felt his cheeks begin to warm, yet reluctantly she agreed and so here they were, standing in front of the portrait. Merlin was sitting at his table, consuming a large portion of cake as they spoke. Severus was getting frustrated at the lack of answers the man was giving him.

"What do you mean you probably would have blanched the Spineweed rather than boil it? Did you or didn't you? Take that cake out of your mouth and answer me!"

"I wasn't there now was I? How could I possibly know such a thing Professor?" Merlin stuffed another portion into his mouth, "Taranis your grandmother always made the best pumpkin cake you know."

"Blast it all, he is no help! What was your grandmother thinking, this infernal portrait is useless!" Severus raged as he swept out the door, shaking the room as it slammed behind him.