A/N: Yes, theater is over, and so is testing. Now I will be able to update faster.

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Juliette still held her breath as she felt a cold hand touch her cheek gently.

He's gone, whispered the deep velvet voice of the potions master. You can start breathing any day now. she stammered, but still scared stiff. That was way to close.

She felt his long graceful fingers cup her chin and turn her face to look into the darkness where she guessed his face was. If she squinted enough she could kind of make out his glittering black eyes. She could feel her lips gravitating towards him, her eyes beginning to close. She felt his weight against her, pressing her against the folding doors of the linen closet. Suddenly she felt a jolt, and the doors were opened.

She fell out of the closet and landed with a thud, Snape falling on top of her.

What on earth... Andromeda started, but closed her mouth. She sighed, and started again. What is going on?Nothing... I didn't... Nothing, she murmured.

Please explain, Juliette. I'm completely in the dark. That wasn't nothing, dear.Well, it wasn't... But she realized it was futile to fight. Severus...he's sort of like my boyfriend.

Both Andromeda and Snape looked stunned. Andromeda more so, of course, but Severus had never heard Juliette call him her boyfriend before. Had the even decided they were together? Well, it was quite obvious, but they hadn't really ever talked about their relationship, they just did.

How...How long has this... this thing, been going on? Andromeda asked weakly.

You won't tell Professor Dumbledore, will you?That long? Since... No, I won't. I won't say a word. It hardly matters now. I don't think he would care.I know. He wouldn't. But Juliette still didn't like the idea of telling the Headmaster she'd practically been having an affair with a teacher that whole year, and risk Severus losing his job. That would be terrible.

said Snape, finally getting completely to his feet. I'm quite glad that's over with. What a terrible thing to have happen. Maybe I should go.

Juliette's eyes widened. The last thing she wanted was for him to leave her. Leave her feeling alone with people out to get her.

Oh, at least stay for dinner, said Andromeda, smiling. I'm making pasta. Actually, I should get right on that. I'll let you know when it's done.

And before anyone could say another word, she left down the stairs.

said Juliette, turning to face him. I missed you quite a bit.Oh really? You missed me? she said softly, putting her arms around his neck.

Well, if you must know, I didn't miss you one bit.

And with that, he pulled her into his arms, meeting her lips passionately, pulling her down the wall, his hands moving down her neck, caressing her body under her shirt. Her neatly combed hair was soon tussled by his precise fingering, and her eyes were aflame with lust.

She reached up between kissed, and turned the doorknob to her bedroom, and they both collapsed onto each other onto her bedroom floor. He pushed the door shut with his foot so that it closed with a slight gust of air as it slammed.

I love you, she breathed into his lips as she pulled away for a second. His hands moved from her chest to her shoulders, massaging them firmly. She let her eyes close, and her mind wander. She felt so safe in his arms. His presence was more comforting and secure than anything else in the world.

It had been so long, it seemed, since she'd last felt so in love. She'd never felt so in love, come to think of it. She never really was good at falling in love with people. She'd had a rather cold heart back at Durmstrang. She was never really loved by anyone, and it was hard to love anyone when everyone made fun of her.

But now she didn't feel so black, so cold. She felt like she could be herself, and get more love than anyone else. She felt just... happy.

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Dinner went smoothly... for the most part. Tom didn't really know who Snape was, so he didn't ask many questions. Tonks, on the other hand, was not very welcoming. She hated Snape, with a passion. And he didn't care for her much either. So she would make angry faces at him, trying to get him to go home, etc. But he was very good at ignoring her. Maybe he had practice from the school year.

But finally, it was over, and he was leaving. Andromeda said good-bye very politely, and Juliette did the same, but kissed him when she thought no one was looking.

She went back to her room, and laid herself down on the floor. The carpet was saturated with love and passion. She breathed in his sweet scent from the yarn fibers, feeling high of his memory. Suddenly, she heard a knock on her door.

Who is it? she called.

Tonks. Let me in!

Juliette rolled her eyes, and got up from the floor to open her door.

What do you want? she said, exasperated.

You love him. She was speechless. Finally, she found her voice. Love who? She might have not been talking about Severus. Oh, she hoped not.

You kissed him, too.Kissed who, she said breathlessly.

You are totally in love with Professor Snape, Juliette. You can so tell. she hissed. You... you saw...I was the only one. Does my mum know? Why do you like him anyway?Andromeda knows. And... I don't know. He keeps me safe, Tonks. I... I wish you could feel how I feel when I'm around him. I think everyone deserves to feel so safe and... and loved. He's just... wonderful. And... I've never felt so... so something.So happy?So, even slimy greasy gits can attract wicked girls. I'll remember that for when I'm older. I still hope I don't fall for someone like Snape, though. He's so cold, Juliette!He's just alone, she said quietly. As was I.

Tonks looked at her through narrowed eyes. Then her gaze softened, and she nodded.

So, I guess you two sort of understand each other, then.I suppose so.Well, you two are great together, I'm sure.Yes, but thanks to my maniac mother, we can't be together. Apparently it's too dangerous. I was going to go live with him, did you know?You were? Really?I was.Why is it too dangerous?Professor Dumbledore said that it would risk Severus' cover as...As a what?I don't know if I should tell you. You won't tell anyone, though. Well, he's a spy for Dumbledore. He spies on the Death Eaters. There aren't many that still come together now that the Dark Lord has fallen, but there are still plenty that are as loyal as ever, including my mum and I'm assuming the Malfoys and a few other of my mum's nefarious posse.Wow, really? That's so cool! A spy? I've always liked the idea of being a spy. Or at least fighting Dark Wizards in some way. It's been my dream. I'll be a Death Eater exterminator!

Juliette smiled, and put a hand on Tonks' shoulder, really bonding with her for the first time.

I can picture you doing that. Always go after that dream, Tonks. Promise me.

Tonks smiled, looking up at her older cousin. Of course I promise. And if I ever come face to face with your mum, she'll pay. I'll make her! I'll be one dangerous Death Eater-catching machine!

Juliette laughed at her enthusiasm. She bend down and gave her cousin a huge hug.

You're awesome, Tonks.So are you.

After they pulled away, Tonks looked up at her and asked, You want to live with him so bad, don't you?Yeah, I do.You should run away.You could use floo powder!You... you would cover for me?If you wanted to leave, I would.I... I do. I'm sorry, but I have to see him. Not running away with him in the first place was the biggest mistake I think I ever made. You think I should?If you want to.I have to. I have to be with him.