Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, except the one I created myself. All others belong to J. K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. I have only borrowed them for my amusement and hopefully yours as well.

Chapter 35

Easter break was fast approaching. Jolicia's mother had been after her to visit ever since she left home. Jo had finally given in. She had agreed before she and Severus had gotten together. She was torn between her family and her lover. It felt too soon to be away from him, but she didn't want to break a promise. Two days before she was to leave, Jolicia decided it was time to tell him about her impending voyage.

"Severus, I have something to tell you," she said, breaking away from his embrace. She sat up in bed beside him.

"Hmm, sounds serious. Is something wrong, my love?"

"No, nothing is wrong. I promised my mother I would come home for Easter. Do you mind? She misses me terribly."

"No, of course I don't mind. I know you miss them as well. It'll do you good to see them," he said. He feigned a hurt look and added, "I'll just have to struggle along here all alone."

Jo laughed and said, "You're a nutter, you know that don't you?" She kissed him and had a thought.

"Sev, why don't you come with me? They'd love to meet you."

"I think not, Jolicia. Another time." He felt uneasy at the prospect of meeting her family. She was a little disappointed that he had declined.

Severus accompanied her to the Portkey on the day of her departure. He wished she wasn't leaving, but understood that he had to share her with others, especially her family.

"Have a safe journey, my love. Enjoy yourself." He needed to give her one last hug before she left, but he did not dare for there were people about. He settled for a quick word in her ear.

"I miss you already, Jo. Hurry back. I love you."

"I'll miss you too, Sev. I'll be back before you know it, my love." She was brave enough to give him a peck on the cheek. In an instant she was gone. Severus walked slowly back to Hogwarts.

It was a joyous occasion in Montreal. The Medwin family was reunited at last. Her whole family had come to meet her at the Portkey. After many hugs and tears of joy, they made their way home to catch up on each others' news. There were things that couldn't be said in a letter.

Jo finally met Robert's fiancée and took an instant liking to her. Anne was a pretty dark haired Muggle. Anne and Robert had met in the park not far from the building where they both worked. It had been a case of love at first sight. Jolicia could see how much in love they were. She wondered if she and Severus would have had the same appearance if they had been able to be overt about their relationship. She laughed to herself as she tried to imagine Severus with Robert's expression. No, it didn't work! Jo closed her eyes and remembered the way her lover looked at her; she felt a tingle run up her spine. A surge of emptiness and longing overtook her. Jo realized how much she missed Severus – there was an ache in the pit of her stomach that she was sure would not leave until she saw him again.

The family had been thrilled with her news! Jo's mother burst into tears and hugged her daughter.

"That name is familiar – Snape. I know, it was he who wrote for my recipes at Christmas time! It all makes sense now. When is the wedding, Jolicia?" asked Éliane.

"Maman! Severus and I have not discussed marriage. Let Robert get wed first. Okay?"

Alaisdair hugged Jo and said, "How come your young man didn't come with you, Pixie? We're looking forward to meeting him."

"He's busy with some experiments that could not be left unattended, Dad," lied Jo.

The week was short in one way, but interminably long in another. Jolicia enjoyed every minute she spent with her family – it felt so good to be back with them. Every second she was away from Severus was torture. She counted down the days to her departure home. She smiled at the thought – Hogwarts was now her home. Montreal was her family's home.

Severus fared no better during his Easter break. It was fortunate that there were few students about. His mood was particularly foul and he would have welcomed any excuse for a fight, just to break the tension. The return to the celibate life did not suit Severus at all! Sleep was practically non-existent. He would wake up several times each night and frantically search the bed for Jolicia. Each time he would remember that she was away and sink disappointedly back into fitful slumber. By the end of the week, he had to rely on a potion for dreamless sleep, just to get in a few hours of rest. He did not want to be too exhausted for his love's return. He as well counted down the days and then the hours and finally the minutes.

He went to greet her at the Portkey, pacing impatiently until she at last appeared. His heart leapt to his throat when she smiled at him! It was hell not being able to kiss and embrace. The second they were out of sight from all others, they flew into one another's arms and murmured words of love. A great sense of relief flooded over them. Things were right again – back to the way they should be.

It was all they could do to restrain themselves. They barely made it back to Severus' room. Even though it had been only a week, it felt like they were re-discovering one another after many years of separation. They made passionate love over and over, until both were nearly driven mad by the incredible sensations they experienced. They were sure that no one before them had ever reached such heights of ecstasy. Professing their love, they fell into a wondrous, contented slumber.

While searching for a place that they could be alone, Draco and Hermione had come across a room in one of the towers. They figured that it must have been the caretaker's quarters many years ago, but had long since been abandoned. Once they cleaned it up, it became 'their' room. They would sneak away there whenever the opportunity presented itself. It felt good to be able to be a couple, without having to think twice about every word and every gesture. Draco was free to call Hermione 'Babe' whenever he wanted, and not have to worry that someone might hear. They could kiss to their hearts' content and not be fearful that someone might see. Hermione loved to run her hands through his hair; here she was free to do just that. They would lie together on the sofa and talk for hours at a time. They shared everything about their pasts, presents, and what they hoped would be their futures. Sometimes they would just sit quietly at the table and do their homework, neither one speaking. What was important was that they were together.

Draco was coming increasingly dissatisfied with their relationship. He wanted more. He wanted to be able to hold her hand when they walked down the corridors. He wanted everyone to know Hermione was his girlfriend and that he was proud that she was. He detested having to sneak around. He wondered how in the name of Merlin his godfather handled it. He decided that he would seek out his advice.

Draco knocked on the door of Severus' office.

"Come in. Ah Draco, what can I do for you? I haven't seen much of you lately, except in class."

"I need your advice, Severus."

Snape noticed that the young Malfoy looked nervous – that wasn't like him. Draco was nervous. He was worried about revealing his relationship with Hermione. Although his godfather was in a similar situation, that is, he was in love with a non-pure blood witch, he didn't have his father to deal with, at least not directly. The elder Malfoy scared the crap out of the younger.

"I…I need to know how you do it," he said. Seeing the blank look on Severus' face, he continued, "How do you and Jolicia live in secret?"

"How do you know about us, Draco? Who else knows?" There was a note of apprehension in his voice.

"Only Hermione and I know. We accidentally saw you kissing in the classroom one afternoon. We figured you didn't want the whole school to know, so we kept our mouths shut."

"I see. Smart move – we don't want everyone to know just yet. What do you mean, how do we live in secret?"

"Hermione and I are seeing one another and we also don't want anyone to know. How do you keep from showing affection for one another in public? Doesn't it drive you mad not being able to? I want to tell everyone about us, but I can't. I don't think I can stand it much longer."

"It is very difficult, Draco. I'll admit it. Many times I catch my self about to touch or kiss her and I pull back. I hate it – yes I hate it, too. I tell myself over and over, it is the right thing to do, at least for now. Are you in love with Hermione?"

"Yes."

"You do realize that your father will never accept your relationship, don't you?"

"Yes, I know. He is the reason why I want to be discreet. I could care less about what my fellow Slytherins think – fuck them. Father is another matter all together. What am I going to do, Severus?"

"For now, you have to do the same as I. Appreciate the time you can be alone together. Practice self restraint when you are with others, as difficult as it may be. Patience will reward you. One day you will be free to do as you choose," he offered. Draco nodded, wondering how it could ever happen.

 "You are fortunate to have found someone to love so early in life, my little Dragon."

Draco smiled. His godfather used to call him that when he was a small child.

"Thanks, Severus. You have always been easier to talk to than my father. I'll keep your secrets, if you keep mine."

"Agreed. May I tell Jolicia? She will be pleased. She cares about you very much, you know."

"Yes, of course you may tell her. I care for her as well. She has…been very good to me, in spite of our rocky start," smiled Draco.

Later that evening, Jo and Severus were enjoying a quiet evening in his rooms. She was grading papers at his desk and he was reading a journal by the fireside.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, Jo – it seems that we have company in our clandestine affair."

She laughed and said, "Is that what this is, an affair? I thought it was something more than that, love."

"You know what I mean. Don't be difficult."

"You know I can't pass up an opportunity to tease you. What do you mean by company?"

"Draco and Hermione are seeing one another. They are in love."

"YESS! I knew it!" she cried. She went to Severus and hugged him around the shoulders. Kissing him on the temple, she said, "This is wonderful news."

"How could you possibly know?"

"It was just a feeling. I guess the same way Albus knew about us before we did."

"Speaking of us, Draco and Hermione know. They saw us kissing in the classroom awhile back."

"They never let on!"

"They're both intelligent. They realized that it was a secret."

"Hogwarts has certainly become a hotbed of hidden passion," she blew into his ear, stopping to nibble his lobe.

Jolicia slipped herself into his lap, her long legs draped over the arm of the chair, her arms around his neck. His hand caressed her thigh.

"I thought you had papers to grade, " he smirked.

"Papers? What papers?" she asked innocently, undoing the collar of his shirt.

The following day, Dobby delivered two messages - one to Draco, whom he found in the Slytherin common room and the other to Hermione in the library. They both contained the same message:

"Please come to my office at 4:00 – Professor Medwin"

Neither was aware that the other had been summoned. Each was curious as to what was the reason. Promptly at the appointed time, both presented themselves to the second floor office.

"What are you doing here, Babe?" asked Draco, pleasantly surprised to see her.

"I got a message to come here at 4:00. You?" She was obviously pleased as well.

"I got a message too. Shall we go in and find out what this is all about?"

They knocked and entered once Jolicia called 'come in'.

"You wanted to see us, Professor Medwin?" asked Draco.

She looked strangely serious.

"Yes, I did," she replied sternly. She saw the two students tense and look at one another. "Sit down."

Once they were seated, she got up and strolled around to the front of her desk and perched on the edge. She crossed her arms and glared at them.

"It has come to my attention that you two are seeing one another. Is this true?"

"Yes," they answered in unison.

"Well, I just wanted to say…" She paused and watched them look expectantly at her, wondering what was to come next.

Breaking into a huge grin, she said, "I just wanted to say I think it's smashing! Well done, you two!"  She saw them relax at once.

"You had us scared, Professor. We thought we had done something wrong," gulped Hermione.

"Had you going pretty good, didn't I? I couldn't resist. As Severus will tell you, I love to tease," said Jo.

Draco tried to imagine his godfather being teased good naturedly by Jolicia. He never thought anyone could do that and live to tell the tale.

"Wow! She sure has changed him," thought Draco.

"Does anybody else know, besides Severus and me?"

"No."

"Not even Harry or Ron, Hermione?"

"No, especially not Ron. I don't think he'd be happy. He doesn't really care for Draco. I think Harry would be more accepting, but I haven't gotten up the courage to tell him yet. I guess I'll have to do it soon."

"Can I ask, Professor, who else knows about you and Severus?" inquired Draco.

"I think you two can call me 'Jo', just not in class, of course. To answer your question, Professor Dumbledore knows, as well as Harry. That's all. Harry found out accidentally, much the same as you two did."

"Good. Now at least we all know where we all stand, Jo," said Hermione, beaming.

"Anyway, I won't keep you. I just wanted to say congratulations. I'm sure I don't have to remind you to be careful, do I?" said Jolicia, hugging both of them.

"No you don't, Jo. Thanks," replied Draco. "My godfather is a lucky man."

The young couple left the office and made the way to 'their' room. Both were quite pleased by what had just taken place.

"It's kind of nice that someone else knows about us, don't you think?" asked Hermione after their long kiss. She snuggled up to him, her head in the crook of his neck.

"I think I'm going to tell Harry. After all, he is my best friend."

"What about your other best friend?"

"No, I'm not ready for that yet!"

"You want me to be there when you tell him, Babe?"

"No, thanks. I'll do it myself."

Hermione entered the Gryffindor common room and found Harry alone reading a text book by the fire.

"No time like the present," she thought.

"Hard at work I see."

"Hey, Hermione! Where were you this evening? You didn't even come for supper."

"I was studying with Draco. Harry, I need to tell you something."

Closing his book, he said, "Sure, go ahead."

"This is a little difficult. It's about Draco."

"What about Draco? He didn't hurt you did he, Hermione?"

"No, no - just the opposite in fact. Harry, Draco is my boyfriend."

"You and Malfoy?" Harry ran his fingers through his hair, and tried to absorb what she had just said. Although he had suspected as such, it was still a shock to hear it.

"Are you in love with him Hermione?"

"Yes."

"Does he love you?"

"Yes, I think so."

"Have you two…," he hesitated. "You know, have you and he…"

Hermione caught on to what Harry was trying to say. She blushed and answered, "No, not yet."

"If this is what you want, I guess I'm okay with it, Hermione. Does Ron know?"

"No, and I'm not ready to tell him yet. The only people who know are Professors Snape and Medwin."

She bid Harry a goodnight and left feeling relieved, glad that she had told him. Harry was pleased to hear that she and Draco had not slept together. He figured Draco must care for Hermione; otherwise he would have jumped her bones by now.

"Funny how life turns out," Harry thought and went up to bed.

The next morning Harry saw Draco in the corridor.

"Malfoy!" he called.

"What do you want, Potter?"

"Don't hurt her, Draco. If you do, you'll have me to answer to. Believe me, you'll regret it."

"I have no intention of hurting her, so don't worry."

"Just tell me one thing, do you love her?"

"Not that it's any of your business Harry, but yes I do."

"Good, glad to hear it," stated Harry and the two walked into the Great Hall.