It was the last day of school and Taranis arrived late to dinner to find Xiomara sitting next to Professor Snape. For the past week she'd been intentionally arriving early so she could sit next to her fiancé, and even though they hadn't made an announcement, she was surprised no one had noticed her new ring. "Hey, Xiomara, would you mind letting me sit here?"
"Why, there's a free spot over by Minerva?"
Severus pretended to be ignoring them completely as she placed her left hand on top of Hooch's, whose eyes immediately focused on the ring, "because I really want to sit next to Severus if you don't mind?"
Her eyes went wide in shock, from Taranis to Snape and back, "you two?" Said the woman who was now on the receiving end of a smug look from the Potions Master. The young woman beamed down as she nodded her head. Xiomara elbowed the man's arm, "why Severus Snape you sly devil you, can I get some of that Love Potion you used."
"I most certainly did not!" Said the man looking aghast.
The elder woman began to laugh as professor Aislin added, "more likely the other way around. You know I've been after him all year, wiley fellow that he is nearly escaped didn't he?"
Severus smiled at her wickedly, "I assure you professor, escape is not an option you enjoy."
"Ok, I'm out of here," said Hooch as she got up, "McGonagall is gonna love this."
The two turned upon hearing Minerva cough to see the stunned look she was aiming in their direction. Taranis who was grinning from ear to ear noticed Severus had that same innocent 'what did I do' look on his face.
Dumbledore moved to the front of the dias and began to speak to the students, "before I announce the winner of the House Cup, some congratulations are in order. It gives me great pleasure that two of our esteemed professors are going to be wed. Lets all offer felicitations to Professors Snape and Aislin.
"Severus Snape wipe that innocent look off your face right now," Taranis hissed softly, "I didn't know you told him."
"Well naturally I didn't want him disillusioned that you were still contemplating the move to Durmstrang."
I didn't tell him that, she thought as the hall was covered in a dazed stupor for several moments, Harry Potter was the first to rise, his face lit up with a smile, and he began to clap. Ron and Hermione stood next, and soon all of the students and staff rose in salutation of the couple. Taranis felt heat rise to her cheeks as she gazed upon the man she loved, he, was not minding this a bit, that arrogant smirk on his face. Dumbledore began to announce the scores for the house cup, Slytherin was leading Gryffindor by ten points. "Severus go," the woman motioned pushing him with her hands.
"Fine," the Potions Master said, reluctantly walking over to whisper something in the Headmaster's ear before returning to his seat.
"It seems I have some last minute points to award. For his help in the effort to save a life, and allowing our Potions Master to get married," added the regal man with a twinkle in his eye, "ten points to Harry Potter."
"Ten points?" Taranis shot at Snape who shrugged his shoulders, "you are a greedy one aren't you."
"I am the head of Slytherin house after all, you didn't really expect me to give the House Cup away did you?"
"Men!" Taranis exasperated, "but you're still pretty cute," she added, squeezing his hand under the table.
After the feast as the students were dispersing, Severus was surprised to see Hermione Granger make her way over to the Slytherin table. What is she up to, he wondered, watching her approach the Graves boy. Realization overcame him when Granger took his hand in front of all of the other students. That was whom Taranis had advised to give the boy a chance. Ye gods, it was certainly good for the Graves boy, but I hope she doesn't try and pair all of the Slytherins with Gryffindors. Furrowing his brows as he realized Taranis was a Gryffindor, perhaps it wasn't so bad after all.
That night as they sat in Severus's quarters, she reveled at the feeling of his lips on hers. He'd left her alone until now, giving her time to recuperate fully from her attack. "Darling I really think we should wait until we're married to be, intimate," she teased.
"What? That's just wrong woman."
"Besides, I'm to sad right now. I'm really going to miss my old home, my potions classroom. DADA is ok, but it's kind of depressing you know, potions is my true love after all."
"I thought I was your true love?" The man said teasingly, "I do have some knowledge of Dark Arts Defense. Perhaps I could be, persuaded to trade classes with you, for a price."
"What price?" She asked warily, grinning as he pulled his erect member from his trousers, "that is a hefty price indeed," she responded as she kneeled between his legs.
Several days later Taranis went to London on a shopping spree, accompanied by Hooch, Poppy, Sprout and McGonagall. "Do you guys know if there's a Frederick's of Hollywood in London?"
"Frederic who?" inquired Minerva, raising her eyebrows as Xiomara whispered something in her ear, "really? And how do you know where it is Xi?"
"I just happened to notice it one day when I was in the neighborhood," the woman answered placing an innocent hand on her chest.
As the ladies perused the lingerie, Taranis quizzed Minerva, "Severus hasn't spoken of 'that night' and I'm dying to know what happened after Barl hexed me?"
"Apparently Remus, Black, and Moody arrived at the shack about that same time and started to blast everyone as only men do. They were barely able to stop Professor Snape from killing your attacker. Apparently the man was flayed and disemboweled and Severus was still repeatedly hexing the man. Moody says he fought like the devil when they tried to pull him away, snatched his wand right out of his hand as he started to cast the killing curse."
"He's still alive then?"
The elder woman nodded, "he's in Azkaban. Dumbledore says your father intends to move him, doesn't trust the Dementors, can't say that I blame him I hate those horrid things. He mentioned something about your grandmother taking him back to the faerie mound for a thousand years of torture."
That night when Severus came to her room Taranis shyly brought a book out of her room. Grinning she took it over to where the man stood wine in hand.
Severus glanced at the book as she brought it to him, he couldn't completely make out the title, something about pain and pleasure. Her cheeks covered with a blush as she held it out to him.
"Um, Severus," her eyes sparked as he took them in, "do you think we could try this tonight?"
Severus examined the page, instantly hardening as he took in the details of the 'act' she wished to perform. No, silk ties, no rope to burn her delicate flesh, he thought as he sank to his knees in
front of her and kissed the hem of her robe. "Dear gods Taranis, you are every fantasy I've ever had and more." His breath caught in his throat as the robe fell from her body, revealing the scant bit of white lace underneath. My gods she was beautiful, he thought, staring at her in awe. Demurely she touched the garter where it met with her thigh high stocking.
"I'm afraid I've been a very naughty girl professor . . ."
"I am the happiest woman in the world," Taranis said to him, taking his hand as they strolled by the lake, "but I don't need to tell you that do I?"
"Yes, actually you do."
"Well Snapey boy, I am the luckiest woman ever. My heart swells with joy when I think of the life we're going to have together. I am so proud to have you as mine Severus. You are the most wonderful, perfect, sexy man ever and you're all mine. Tee hee. My preciousssssss. I love you so much," she said as she pulled his mouth onto hers. She felt him stiffen slightly as she added, "my parents are coming day after tomorrow. Oh, that reminds me I need to owl Remus."
"Why?"
"Kiera's coming with them," she grinned, "and she will need a place to stay won't she?"
"There are plenty of available rooms in the castle."
Taranis elbowed him in the ribs, "no Severus, there aren't 'any' rooms at all."
Several days later they sat in the staff room with the Headmaster and Remus as a tell tale screech shook the castle. Taranis jumped to her feet, "they're here!" Grabbing Severus by the hand the four of them emerged from the school to see the massive black coach, pulled by two enormous dragons, land just outside the Quiddich field. The dragons roared, shooting fire into the air as they flexed their wings before settling down.
Severus steadied himself as three people emerged from the coach. Kiera, he recognized from the Christmas dance. It was the other two that worried him. Meeting Taranis's parents was something he'd prefer to put of indefinitely. Ye gods, how does one go about making a favorable impression on one's future in-laws, especially when I'm used to making a bad impression intentionally.
Hagrid came running over just then, not stopping until he reached the dragons, "Norbert, oh I missed ye I did." The dragon sniffed the man and apparently recognizing the giant, as it began to nuzzle him affectionately. The older woman placed a hand on Rubius's arm and said something only they could hear before the two continued on.
The man had long white hair, pulled back from his face by two small braids. About the same height as I am, dressed all in black, but something about the goatee gave the man a dark imposing look, I'll bet he's more than adept at intimidating the students. Her mother was every bit as lovely as her daughter, her long red-blond hair flowing to mid back, light blue robes covered a white paint suit. Snape watched the scene, purposefully ignoring Lupin and his woman as Taranis engulfed her mother in her arms.
"You look radiant my darling, something in the air must agree with you hum?" She asked as she eyed Severus. Taranis glowed as she turned to hug her father before returning to Snape's side.
"Mom, Dad, this is Severus, Professor Snape, this is my mom and dad."
"Please, we're to be family after all, you must call me Dwyn and this is Raykir."
Severus took the woman's hand, placing a gentle kiss on it under her smiling gaze. "I am honored to meet you my lady," turning to the man, her father, they both stood erect glowering at each other for several long moments before the man was elbowed by his wife.
"Raykir knock it off!"
"Humph," said the man as he reluctantly extended his hand, the two shook briefly. "So you think you're going to marry my daughter do you?"
"Dad!" She exclaimed.
"I assure you Mr. Aislin, I think nothing," Severus drawled as only he can, "I will marry your daughter and there is nothing that will stand in my way."
The two men stood close, eye to eye locked in a silent embrace, Taranis held her breath before her father spoke. "Good because you don't have a choice."
"The choice is mine and I will do as I please, with or without your approval sir, you would do well to remember that."
The elder man grinned slyly, "well then it's good that I approve isn't it? Welcome to the family, son." Turning to his daughter, "Taranis Snape, don't know if I like the sound of that, maybe you can keep your maiden name?"
"She will be taking my name, that, is 'not' up for discussion."
"Daddy of course I want to take Severus' name."
"Ha ha hem," the forgotten Dumbledore interrupted, "Headmaster Aislin, how good it is to see you again, Professor Aislin you are lovely as always."
"Dumbledore you old sweetie you," the woman said placing a kiss on his blushing cheek, "sometimes I think if I didn't have Raykir"-
"Woman!" He snarled, "son, I hope you know what you're getting yourself into, these two are peas in a pod. Headmaster," he came forward taking the older man's hand, "things are going well here I trust?"
"Indeed they are, especially now that we have stolen a fine DADA teacher from Stormhaven."
"Stolen is right old man, we're stuck with a horrid little weasel of a man, what he lacks in intelligence, he more than makes up for in stupidity, when I look into his eyes I can see straight through to the back of his head."
Severus raised his eyebrows at his future father-in-law as he patted Taranis's hand, "I think your father and I will get along just fine."