Author's Notes: Thanks again for reading and I appreciate your comments. I hope you like this chapter. The next one will be a bit more on the light side, but important nonetheless. For those who have made comments, I will do some personal responses next chapter – promise!

Chapter 20 – Going Back to the Present

A few weeks later: After Yule Break – January 1997

Harry angrily clutched the papers in his hand and walked briskly down the hall. His scowl deepened with every step, until, at last he looked quite cross by the time he reached the Gryffindor common room. He stood by the portrait of the Fat Lady, his mind searching for the password, but he was so angry that all he could do was stare blankly at her.

"Mr. Potter, if you would please," the Fat Lady said indignantly.

"Oh, sorry," Harry said quite brusquely. "Something else on my mind. Err… 'Snaffeling Snitches'" he finally recalled the password and then mumbled it distractedly. He hurried through the opening and threw himself on the nearest unoccupied overstuffed couch. Sighing angrily he took the one parchment and opened it. It contained an extensive list of potions ingredients as well as some supplies.

"What do you have there mate?" Ron's voice cut Harry's concentration.

Harry looked over the parchment and then moved his legs, allowing his friend to sit down. He handed the list to Ron who looked rather confused. "McGonagall promised last year that she'd do everything in her power to ensure that I became an Auror. That apparently includes extra potions tutoring."

"More time with Snape?" Ron scoffed.

"I doubt it," Harry said. "He had a fit when Dumbledore insisted that I be allowed in his class at the beginning this term. Fortunately, the git had given permission to Malfoy and Dumbledore pointed out that I had scored slightly higher on my potions O.W.L.s than he – granted we had some luck with that Polyjuice Potion question. Snape made some comment to McGonagall when we returned today that I had done poorly last period so she is insisting that I spend some time with her each week."

"Between Quidditch, your… err… other tutoring with… err… you know… and then this?" Ron scratched his head. "When will you sleep?"

"I don't need the practice!" Harry snapped. "I've been working hard and trying to overlook the git – I've been focusing and actually my potions have been turning out well. Ask Hermione, she even commented a few times about it. Snape's just being difficult given what happened over break." Harry said the last softly looking around the room to make sure no one was listening to them.

"If looks were poison," Ron said, "Snape could have killed you over dinner. Not very gracious considering…"

"He's a git," Harry spat and motioned with his hand to get the list back. "And I'd especially warn your brothers to keep their distance – lucky for them that they're out of school."

"What's that?" Ron asked, pointing to a sealed envelope that sat on Harry's lap. The outside was neatly addressed.

To: Professor Severus Snape

From: Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall

Harry held it up and smiled. "She does have a subtle way of informing him of his pecking status in the school. I don't know the exact wording but she said it was a brief letter informing Snape that his cooperation without penalty on my part was… well… required."

"Do it or she'll turn him into a bat, in other words," Ron said with a smile. "Well, might as well get it over with. I need to talk to you regarding some ideas I have for some new Quidditch plays. I can walk you down…"

"Brave of you," Harry said, slowly getting up.

"I'll walk you to the door, but I'm not going in," Ron said playfully.

[SECTION]

Harry and Ron approached the closed door to Snape's office.

"Oh, he's out," Ron said quickly and turned around. He stopped when Harry clasped him on the shoulder.

Harry knocked with his free hand and waited for a second. The door unlatched and opened slowly and he heard Snape call out a very annoyed, 'Enter.'

To Harry's surprise and relief, Ron followed him in. Snape's office was small and was lined with shelves of preserved creatures and other oddities, including a sizable stash collection of herbs and exotic preserved plants. Off to the side the wizard had apparently enlarged the room to make way for a long table that was covered with an elaborate maze of interconnected glass tubing, decanters and cauldrons. To the right was a tidy table of numerous ingredients in various sized vials and bottles, each labeled and apparently placed in a very specific order. From behind the wall of glass and metal, Snape lifted his head and stared down his nose at the two young wizards.

"Dumbledore mentioned that you would be by," he said matter-of-factly, his tone conveying that this visit was indeed forced upon him.

"Yes sir," Harry said, stepping to the side and handing Snape the parchments, with the sealed letter on top, making sure to pick a point well away from the delicate equipment. He stepped back and was silent as the wizard inspected the letter. Snape's thin lips frowned even more as he noted how it was addressed. He opened it and read it, rolling his eyes.

Snape scanned the elaborate set up for a second and checked the cauldrons. "I suppose that this list would have been a bit of an effort for you to simply pilfer – as you had done before," Snape said casually.

"Oh sir," Harry said, with mock respect in his voice, "There is no way that I could have gotten through your wards. I would wager that even most of the faculty would get seriously hurt if they tried. I certainly could not surpass your skill there."

"Nor should you attempt it – again…" Snape said snarkily. "I have reinforced the wards… and traps… considerably. Dumbledore, of course, would not allow me to put up anything lethal, but I assure you that any trespasser would wish he were dead."

"Oh, I certainly believe you sir," Harry said. "Sirius Black frequently remarked that you had an extensive talent in many areas of magic."

Snape's eyes flashed at Sirius' name. His mind raced, trying to find a way to pick apart the statement. Unable to see through Harry's defenses, at least easily, he simply snorted and walked over to a side door. Turning quickly on heel to the boys he growled, "Touch NOTHING!" and then disappeared through the door – apparently a storage room of some sort – closing it behind him.

"He's in a good mood," Ron said as he inspected the equipment. "One doosey of a potion he's whipping up." He walked over to the ingredients table and motioned Harry over to join him. Two rows of about a dozen labeled bottles stood in a precise line. At the top edge of the table, flanked on each side, sat two small square jars, both topped with a rounded stopper. The ingredients inside were of a fine red powder; the color and consistency reminded Harry of dry raspberry Gelatin that just came from the box.

Curious, Harry picked up one of the vials carefully. He noted the label, 'Essence of Youth' and the picked up the other; it was labeled, 'Extract of Time.' It must have been the dampness of the dungeons compounded by the humidity resulting from the simmering cauldrons, but as Harry went to put the vials back, the labels slipped off and onto the floor. Harry's eyes opened wide and he looked over to the storage room door. "Here," he said quickly, handing the jars to Ron and then he stooped down to pick up the labels. He rose and looked at Ron, "Hand me the jar that was in my left hand," he asked. Ron handed him a jar. "No, that was in my right hand," Harry corrected nervously, his eyes darting to the door.

"That was in your left hand. See," Ron held out his left hand. "Oh, your left hand would be my right hand when you hand me something and then when I adjusted my grip, what was in my left hand I switched to my right, just for a second and then I put it back into my left hand…" Ron looked at Harry, his blue eyes wide and a sick expression of fear crossed his face. "I think…"

"Ok," Harry said. "We have a 50/50 shot. I've faced worse odds before. Besides, I'd wager that he's already used them. The potions look nearly done…" He grabbed one of the jars and with his wand, performed a quick charm to affix one label. "Essence of Youth was on the left," he said quietly and placed the jar back in the exact spot where, at least, the original one labeled 'Essence of Youth' had been. Taking the other jar from Ron, he affixed the other label and put it back as well. Hearing Snape approach from behind the large wooden door, he pulled Ron away from the table and whispered. "Go now. I can hold him back, but you can't. He'll know…" Without another word, he watched as Ron nearly sprinted to the door.

Harry quickly distanced himself from the apparatus and went back to the approximate area he was standing when Snape left. Pulling out the reference book he idly flipped through it, as if he were doing a quick study. Snape strode into the room, but did not slam the door as he normally did. Harry suspected that the Potions Master did not wish to do anything to disturb the delicate experiment he was working on.

Snape tossed the list back at him. "Some of the ingredients McGonagall does not need. Others I need to order. Tell her that I will have the elves set up a suitable room." He sneered, "What a shame it would be to blow up Gryffindor Tower in some accident."

"I understood that Professor McGonagall received an Outstanding on her Potions N.E.W.T.s," Harry commented.

"Some things take practice and years without practicum can make some lessons hard to recall," Snape said dismissively.

"Like transfiguring inanimate objects into animals?" Harry replied, referring to the exploding glass kitten incident earlier that term. "Well, I am sure the Headmaster will look in. Heard he's quite keen on Potions. Earned himself an Order of Merlin or two, if I'm not mistaken." He nodded to the Potions Master who was now turning quite livid. "But I do appreciate your concern."

"It is indeed a shame that our society has allowed those so marginal to access higher education which was once reserved for the best and brightest. Now our busy faculty has to be saddled with additional tutoring of marginal students – convincing themselves of some delusion that they would make something of it," Snape sighed and picked up one of the jars Harry had held earlier.

Harry was about to say something but just watched for a second. He then cleared his throat and trying to calm his hatred and anger, lest that be a path that Snape could follow directly into his mind, he said. "I do appreciate the additional assistance, including that of Professor Lestrange." He paused as Snape's black eyes snapped up from the jar and bored directly into him. "You are right, I am receiving too much individual assistance. Perhaps you could talk to Professor McGonagall about letting Malfoy join us? Like me, I understand he was let into your class despite your rigorous requirements and I think that I should extend some sort of olive branch. Considering that I killed his cousin and because of me his father will probably be thrown through the Veil like a sack of rubbish, I'd like to make things up a little bit. Once, of course, that curious limp he acquired over break heals. Curious that, Professor," he continued, surprised that Snape did not interrupt him. "Hermione said she had used a disabling hex on a Death Eater who attacked her. Said whoever it was that Voldemort," Harry paused for a second as Snape winced, "must have been skimming the bottom of the wizard barrel… anyhow, curious coincidence…" Harry splayed his hands innocently, knowing full well that given the letter that Snape was not in a position to deduct points or otherwise take action. What he said directly was innocent enough, but the underlying meaning was far more poisonous. Given that he might have learned little in way of Potions from Snape, he did learn a whole new level of being undercutting and decided to vent his anger through more passive-aggressive means. Seeing Snape seethe, he nodded and added, "Perhaps not," and quickly walked out of the office.

[SECTION]

Five Weeks Later – February 14th, 1997

"A surprise?" Ruedella Lestrange repeated as she sat on the rough couch in Severus' private rooms. "I thought, Severus, that we agreed to let bygones…" she rubbed her forearm and winced.

"This is a pleasant surprise, I assure you," Severus said quickly, trying to hide a scowl. Opening a bottle of champagne, he poured two glasses and levitated one over to her.

"Champagne and a surprise for Valentine's Day?" Ruedella took the glass. "Should I check for Polyjuice?"

Severus took a seat next to her and stroked her face with his ring finger, his eyes more focused on his family signet ring than her face. "There is a little matter which we much… conclude… and I felt that perhaps, given our rather rough start, that we start at the beginning."

"Putting aside your grudges?" Ruedella asked.

He held up his glass. "For you and only you, Ruedella, I shall. All others will endure my distain until I can exact final revenge. A toast: To the future and to us being the most influential, respected and powerful wizarding couple in the world."

Ruedella nodded and took Severus' hand, turning it so she could see the signet ring. "To the House of Snape. Heir to the House of Black. Heir, upon the eventual death of my last brother to the House of Lestrange and, if you have the will, Heir to the House of Malfoy."

Their glasses met with a soft clink and each took a drink. Severus again caressed her face, "I do, Ruedella, have the will and you shall share in more than just being a willing partner." He stood up and offered his hand. "Now the surprise. Stand by the fireplace," he said nodding towards the unlit hearth.

Ruedella rose and obediently took the place where he had motioned. By her was a small square table with some items covered in a black velvet cloth. She stood quietly as Severus walked over and uncovered the items; three potions and a small, apparently empty Pensieve. Picking up one potion, a glittering green elixir in a small round bottle, he poured it into the Pensieve. Then, he picked up the other two potions, both were identical opaque flat blue, and handed her one. "Drink it," he said.

"What is all of this?" Ruedella asked.

"I though we agreed to a new life of trust?" Severus countered.

"It's not a matter of trust, but of curiosity," she replied.

"As I said before, I wish to start at the beginning and," he added, as he removed the stopper from his glass. "Drink and I shall explain as we go." They both drank the potion quickly and he took out his wand. "You do know how to retrieve memories for a Pensieve?" Seeing her nod, he put his wand to his temple. "This is quite an elaborate spell based loosely on some Dark Magic. Remember the Halloween party your Uncle hosted nearly 20 years ago?"

"The one where my brother Rodolphus was keen on pickling certain body parts of yours?" Ruedella asked rhetorically.

"Not necessary as he and Lucifer blasted apart the rose bushes before things could get very interesting," Severus said quickly. "Now focus on the party. The details of your Uncle's mansion…" He guided her wand up to her head. Soon a silver strand appeared at the tip of her wand by her temple. "Pull gently…" he said as he guided her hand to the potion-filled Pensieve. Repeating the process himself, he added his own memories to the Pensieve. "We can retrieve these later, of course…"

"Now what?" Ruedella asked, looking into the swirling green and silver liquid in the bowl.

"Here's where I need your assistance," Severus said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a parchment. He unfolded it and handed it to Ruedella. "The Runes need to be translated. I would have consulted you earlier, but…"

"You did not want to ruin the surprise," she said as she studied the parchment. "I hope all of this isn't time sensitive…" She furrowed her brow. "First, these are not really Runes." She smiled at Severus, "Ancient Goblin. Runes were derived from Goblin, so I can see how one can be confused."

"You can translate it?" Severus said, staring at her.

"Fortunately Gringotts did train us quite well in Goblin lest we accidentally stumble upon some ancient stashes whose whereabouts were lost during one of the purges," she said. "Loosely translated:"

Past, present and future

Circle that connects

With no end

Invoke these memories

So that we can relive

The cherished past

Now, in this time

Or in the future next time

"Now, I'd suggest that we perform the incantation in actual Goblin, as doing translated spells can have rather unexpected results. You do know how to pronounce Goblin, do you not?" Ruedella asked. Seeing Severus' expression, she added, "Of course you do."

She quickly translated the Runes into more contemporary Goblin and handed Severus a copy. They both held their wands to the side of the bowl and repeated the incantation, a rough and guttural series of near grunts and throaty bellows. When they were through, the Pensieve emitted a high-pitched screech and the room was filled with a blinding green light. When the light subsided Ruedella gasped.

"It's the party," she whispered. She looked around the room and down to her silk green dress robe. She looked to Severus who was wearing a nice, but obviously second hand (as it was years out of date) dress robe with a high black collar. She made a double take at his face – he looked like he was only twenty, not thirty-nine (although she thought he normally looked much older than his current age). She turned and looked into the enchanted mirror above the fireplace and gasped. She too, was much younger and the few lines and wrinkles she accumulated were all gone. "What did you do?"

"You have never entered a Pensieve?" he asked. When she shook her head 'no' he added. "It is a variation. Instead of being a neutral, unseen third party observer, we are now part of the scene – at least until I end the spell. As you can see, it is quite powerful, as it has altered the very dimensions of my rooms to mimic that of your Uncle's estate." He leaned forward his lips passing by her cheek as he whispered in her ear. "You do remember what happened?"

"My brother burned your buttocks with a flame curse…" Ruedella said with a giggle. Her laugh was a bit too loud and a few nearby turned and looked quickly before returning to their conversations. Across the room Rodolphus was watching her intently. Bellatrix was at his side, looking rather amused and she tugged on Rodolphus' arm as she gave Ruedella a sly wink.

"Well, perhaps we can alter this memory for the better. Since we know their moves, we can play some games…" Severus said the last slyly as he ran his finger down her face. "Now do keep some wits about you, as we change the memory, new events can take place."

"You are certainly playing it more dangerously," Ruedella said as she scooted closer and then took an offered champagne glass from a passing elf. She looked around the room a bit, "I think at this point we were thinking of strategic ways of getting closer to the doors to the gardens…"

"SEVERUS!" a feigned cheerful voice cut the witch off. "So glad you could make it. Is your mother here?"

"She had other commitments, Lucius," Severus said, taking his finger off Ruedella's cheek. "Ah, Narcissa," he said nodding at the blonde who was hooked onto Malfoy's arm. "Congratulations on your wedding," he added politely. Narcissa simply rolled her eyes and walked away.

"Did you wise up and finally remove her tongue Lucius?" Ruedella asked.

"Oh, her aunt and she were talking. Venefica comes up with the most interesting… stories," Lucius said snidely as he looked Severus up and down.

"Do me the favor and get to the point, Lucius," Severus said quickly. "Otherwise your dear cousin and I were engaged in the most interesting conversation… seems she has an interest in Thermageunetic potions…"

Before Lucius could say anything an ancient, withered old wizard plodded up to them. He was a good foot shorter than either Lucius or Severus, but given his bent back, the wizard was probably quite tall when he was younger. He tapped his walking stick against Severus' leg. "I do say Nefarius, you are looking well. I was just talking to your boy over there… err… Regulus… yes. Just graduated from Hogwarts. You must be proud."

"Professor Sinistra," Lucius cleared his throat, "There is some mistake." He said the last with an amused sneer. "This is Severus Snape not Nefarius Black. Although the resemblance is quite… uncanny. However, this wizard graduated from Hogwarts… what was it, Severus, now two years?" He raised his eyebrow and looked over to his wife who was now across the room talking to another group of people. He then scanned over to Venefica Black who was staring at Severus like poison.

"I never had Nefarius as a student, although his father and grandfather were quite the handfuls," the ancient wizard chuckled. "Snape you say? Ah, yes, had a number of them through when I was head of Slytherin House. Good job, being head of House. Pay isn't poor and it is a great way to make connections. One would think that it is a fast track to Headmaster, but the Board of Governors always likes the Ravenclaw and Gryffindors – except for Phineas Nigelus – he got his job the old fashioned way – blackmail, if you'll excuse the pun. Most figure Hufflepuff head of Houses are too malleable and the Slytherin – well they're afraid that we'll run off or kill all those Half breeds and Mudbloods." He shook his head, "Now boy, what were you good in? Dark Arts, Potions or Herbology? Snapes generally missed the boat on Charms and Transfiguration talent. Silineas Snape, probably your grandfather several times over, nearly blew up a Gryffindor classmate – one of the Dumbledore boys, if I recall correctly; the boy ended up with a scar by his knee that looked like a map." He looked at Severus, "Now boy, what are you good in?"

"I excel at Potions and have a solid skill in Herbology – tutored extensively by my mother. I also dabble in the Dark Arts," Severus replied as he eyed up the garden doors.

"Dabbled?" Lucius scoffed. "On your first day of Defense Against the Dark Arts class your first year you embedded Professor Karkaroff into the wall. None of us Prefects could figure out what you did and Dumbledore himself had to undo your spell."

"Plus your 'special classes'," another voice, belonging to Evan Rosier chimed in.

"He received the highest N.E.W.T. score in Potions in well over one hundred years," Ruedella added, playing along.

"Really?" Sinistra nodded his head. "My great-great-great-great… probably another great or two in there… granddaughter took a position at Hogwarts. Astronomy, you know… she could never get her heads out of the skies. You know Aurora, about your age, I'd say…" Severus nodded and the man continued. "The current Potions Master is looking to retire in a year or two… Now Karkaroff is a fairly young man, so there probably won't be room for a new Slytherin Head of House for a few decades… could be a good opportunity although Dumbledore is a bit of a crackpot. Was an odd boy, but one could do worse I suppose."

"Well, Severus is probably just happy working in the garden with his Mummy and some part-time work in his cousin's shop," Lucius said snidely.

"For now that works," Severus said, not taking the bait. "Professor, it has been a pleasure." He looked at Ruedella. "Let me freshen up your drink and perhaps you can show me around?" He took the glass she was holding and nodded at Lucius. Ruedella excused herself as well, presumably heading for the witch's loo.

[SECTION]

Ruedella sat in the cool garden on a lone marble bench. She incanted a quick warming charm and then looked up at the sky. The moon was waning, but still bright in the sky and it obscured most of the stars. Mars was ascending and was quite bright in the sky – an omen she had learned that troubling times were ahead. She turned on the bench and looked through the large glass doors. Evan Rosier, Barty Couch, Regulus Black, her brothers… just a few people that she knew that would be dead or incarcerated within the next few years. She had to remember that she was reliving a memory and that she was not transported into the past. And, as much as this all felt real, to go in and warn them of events to come would be incredibly unwise and downright foolish.

"Your champagne, miss," a deep voice caught her attention. She stood and took the glass taking a few quick gulps. She giggled as Severus' hand snaked around her waist and pulled her close. "Time for the bushes," he said into her ear and then nearly dragged her to an entrance.

Her Uncle's estate consisted of a main central building with two smaller wings that flanked the north and south, making a large 'C' shaped complex. In the center was a large garden with carefully sculpted hedges and a maze of rose bushes. Severus had her by the hand and they walked briskly into the hedges as he released a charm to part the hedges so they could pass safely yet not leave a very noticeable trail behind him.

Once they reached a 'safe' area, they stopped. Ruedella pressed her body against his and put her arms around his neck. They stared at each other for a long while before Severus put his hands around her waist and pulled her in a deep kiss, his hands roaming her back and buttocks. Ruedella began to unbutton his collar and she caressed her fingers on his bare skin, pulling his head down so she could nibble on his ear.

"I feel like I'm eighteen again. I really do," she said with a sigh as he worked on kissing her neck.

"You are," he said as his one hand cupped her breast. "Temporarily, of course." Hearing her moan, he asked, "Are you a screamer too?"

Before she could answer, a bright flash passed just a few feet from then, startling Ruedella and causing her to squeak. She looked at Severus. "They're early."

"No doubt that our earlier escapades brought some attention. We were not exactly 'just talking,'" Severus replied as he took out his wand.

"Snape! SNAPE!" Rodolphus' voice bellowed, slurred a bit from too much alcohol. "If you have laid one hand on my sister, I will personally castrate you and feed your testicles to my krup!"

"Rodolphus!" They could hear Bellatrix's voice. "They're just having a little fun. Now how many times have we…"

"Will you come out my dear before your idiot brother kills my prized roses!" Lucifer's voice called through the bushes. He was on the opposite side. "Lucius, will you disarm him!"

"You disarm him, it's your roses," Lucius said. From the slur in his voice, he too had imbibed a bit too much.

"Afraid are you? Coward!" Rodolphus yelled across the courtyard. "Come here Lucius and I'll show you the meaning of pain!" A second later, they saw a bright blue light off towards Rodolphus' voice and they heard Bellatrix scream.

"Uncle has the wards down," Ruedella noted. "Lucius must have apparted over there and took Rodolphus by surprise."

"Then let's take advantage of their distraction," Severus concluded. "You lead," he said pulling her close.

They appeared instantly in a deserted, darkened hallway. The few portraits were all asleep and Ruedella held her finger to her lips and grabbed his hand, leading him a few doors down. She took out her wand and quietly unlocked the door, ushering him inside before closing and locking it behind her. With another quick flick, she lit the few candles that remained in the room.

"Now I don't know how this memory spell works, but I certainly hope that there is a real limit – that we're still somewhere in your rooms and not in the Slytherin common room, for example." Ruedella motioned toward the bed. "But, since we're having so much fun…"

"Apparating within Hogwarts grounds is only limited to the rooms – as little use that is – unless you're a House Elf," Severus said as he picked up Ruedella with a quick motion. "I doubt that this bed is a study table." He laid her on the bed and then positioned himself on top of her. "Too comfortable for a study table…" he said before he began kissing her.

They resumed their passion and before long their robes lay in a rumpled pile on the footboard. After a few attempts, Severus liberated Ruedella's bra and held it up like a trophy. "I assume, Ruedella, that we did not apparte to the normal chambers you kept at your Uncle's estate – it would be the first place they will look."

"After piecing back together Rodolphus and Lucius, that is," Ruedella said. "I'd imagine that Bellatrix threw a few curses on Lucius for attacking her little Dolphy…" She hooked her fingers on his underwear and began to move him down, giggling as Severus arched his eyebrows in feign surprise. "However, you might want to ward the doors… unless you want them to barge in, see us and then end the spell…"

Severus considered it for a few moments and then got off the bed. With a quick movement he took off his underwear and threw them at her, hitting her squarely in the face. "I'll put up the wards," he said. With a flourish of his fingers he summoned his wand, but it only rolled out a few inches from under the pillow. He tried it again, but with no success.

"Is throwing your underwear part of the spell?" Ruedella asked, holding the black underwear between two fingers. "I do hope that the original color was…"

"Will you shut up!" Severus roared. He looked at Ruedella who replied by sticking out her tongue. "Start a fire," he commanded, "but without your wand…"

Ruedella shook her head and looked at the fireplace, she quickly snapped her fingers, but nothing happened. She tried again, but only got a small spark that faded quickly. She looked over to Severus, who had a perplexed expression on his face. "Given this, I'll forgive your rudeness," she said. "Could it be the potion?"

Severus nodded and then retrieved his wand from Ruedella, who had grabbed it for him. He made a few quick incantations and a series of lights bathed the door. He was about to do a last incantation when he turned and looked at Ruedella. "I can't remember it…"

"What?" she said, patting the bed for him to return.

"It was a spell I was taught long ago. The Dark Lord taught me, actually, right before the Potter boy…" Severus pinched his nose. "You are right. It is the potion. Not only did we take the form of our former selves of eighteen or so years earlier, but our magical abilities are as well. Simple wandless magic – starting a fire or retrieving a small object – takes practice. And, from our perspective right now, we don't have the practice."

"Well, I hope you know how to end the spell…" Ruedella inquired.

"Yes, I do… when we're ready," Severus said and then pounced on the bed, trapping her underneath.

Ruedella caressed his back and chest and sighed, "Too many years wasted." She added, "had things ended differently last time, if we had ended up in bed in a guest room…"

"Instead of me trying to save face with my colleagues by making unfortunate comments about your anatomy," Severus interrupted. "Which, I may add, that your brassieres must be entirely too binding…" He ended by giving her a kiss on her breast.

Ruedella smiled, "I wonder how the later years would have turned out?"

"My guess is that if we were not caught that I would have asked permission to begin courting you – which I would have been rejected outright until a few deeds I performed for the Dark Lord gave me some leverage – in time we probably would have married and perhaps have our own in his or her fourth or fifth year by now," Severus said thoughtfully. "If we were caught, well… then… we shall see tonight…" He smirked at his comment and Ruedella's horrified expression.

"CCAARRACCKKK!" The door shattered with a loud sound and blinding purple light. The two lovers quickly rolled out of the bed to the far side, using the furniture as cover. Ruedella ducked as Severus quickly felt under the pillows for their wands. He got on his knees and held his wand out, preparing to defend them.

Four figures strode into room, two with noticeable limps. The first man was Ruedella's uncle, Lucifer. Who surveyed the room and picked up Severus' black underwear with his walking cane, holding it up.

"SNAPE YOU!! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY SISTER! I'LL…" Rodolphus lurched forward with his wand out and was about to send a spell. With a smooth, practiced move, Lucifer swung his stick around and with a huge 'CRACK' struck Rodolphus squarely between the eyes.

"He's shagging your sister like a Knockturn Alley whore, Rodolphus," Lucius said, nearly laughing. Another 'CRACK' rang through the room and Lucius fell to his knees, stunned.

"She is family and one does not refer to family in that manner," Lucifer said. "Would you care to make a comment, Rabastan?"

"No sir," Rabastan replied as he stood in the doorway. Behind him Bellatrix was jumping up and down trying to see over the wizards and into the room.

"Kindly duck, will you Rabastan?" Lucifer asked. Rabastan ducked and the wizard, probably not more in his late fourties, turned quickly on heel and pulled his wand from his walking stick, blinding Bellatrix with a curse. Turning back, he looked towards the bed. "Only temporary," he said aloofly. "Now would you two kindly stand?" Seeing them hesitate, he added, "Severus, at least hand her a pillow to cover herself. As for you, you don't have anything that we haven't seen…"

Ruedella looked at Severus, motioning with a slashing motion at her throat for him to end the spell.

"I don't intend to kill him," Lucifer said. "Boy, show me your left forearm."

Severus turned his arm showing his mark as he slowly rose. Ruedella covered herself with the pillow and stood up. It was both thrilling and embarrassing at the same time. She almost forgot that she was in a memory.

"So you are one of us. Not surprising as Snape used to be a respected and revered name. Used to be…" Lucifer said smoothly. "Aside from some drunken roll in the hay, what are your intentions towards my niece? Do keep in mind, boy, that if her father were still alive you would have been on your way to St. Mungo's – or the morgue – by now. But I have a far more liberal mind than Lestrange… So, I suppose I ask, how do you propose to take care of her at a level befitting her bloodline…"

Severus looked at Ruedella and then at her Uncle. "My plans? Nothing ornate. Simply arrange for the deaths of my brothers – you do know that my sire was Nefarius Black, did you not?" Lucifer quickly blanketed a stunned expression and panned over to Lucius who nodded to the affirmative. Severus continued, "Once that is done, I can inherit the Black Estate. Of course, Venefica has a home for as long as she is living…" He sneered, "As I owe her no small favor in regards to the early demise of my father."

And, upon gleening the satisfaction of seeing their stunned faces, Severus slashed his wand towards the ceiling, ending the spell. The room swirled and began to darken and soon the couple found themselves standing next to Severus' bed.

Ruedella tossed the pillow she was holding over herself back on the bed. She looked at Severus and gasped, "The… you're…"

"I would imagine that the youth potion might take a little longer to wear off," Severus said as he took her wand and his under one of the pillows. He scooped her up and laid her on the bed. "Now," he said, "where were we?"

Narcissa Malfoy walked the empty halls of her mansion, unable to sleep. She had hoped that Lucius would visit, but he failed to even owl. As she passed the main hall, she noticed an odd glow on the family tapestry. Curious, she walked over and inspected it – her loneliness turning into rage as she witnessed a particular set of silver threads transform into gold.

[SECTION]

Ruedella woke slightly and stretched in bed. She looked to her left and saw the top of Severus' head on the pillow, his raven black head bobbing slightly with each breath. Deciding she needed to go to the loo, she slipped out of the bed, surprised on how high up it was. Next to the bed were a pair of slippers and a night robe, placed, apparently by a few brave House Elves who were assigned to attend to Severus' quarters.

"They don't have a sense of size," she noted to herself as she put on the garment. Both where a bit big, but would do, and she made her way into the bathroom. Taking her wand out of her pocket, she did a quick time-telling charm, frustrated that it took three tries to perform one. It was only 5 am – several hours before breakfast and the Quidditch match that would be going on later that day. "Ravenclaw versus Hufflepuff," Ruedella noted to herself. As usual, she and Regulus would tease Barty about how Ravenclaw would lose to a bunch of poofsters. How Thomas Davies will have his broom handed to him by Amos Diggory and… She shook her head and then turned, popping her head through the bathroom door and back into the bedroom where Severus was sleeping. "Silly, silly," she said, playfully patting herself on the head. "That was so long ago…"

She finally entered the bathroom and walked past the sink over which a large enchanted mirror hung. Suddenly a shadowy face appeared in the mirror, its eyes following her with great interest.

"Mind?" She said, "Can't a witch go to the loo…"

"I think," the mirror said with careful measure of its voice, "that Professor Snape's self-imposed loneliness has gone too far. Don't worry dear, just tell Dumbledore and you won't be held…"

"Snivellus is my husband," Ruedella said, quickly holding her hands over her mouth. "Err… Severus…"

"Husband! Oh dear!" the mirror gasped. "He's so much older…"

"He is only two years older!" Ruedella said. "For your information my Grandfather Malfoy is over fifty years older than my grandmother."

"Oh," the mirror said simply. "When you are finished, you might want to…" It heard Ruedella stifle a scream. "Well, you are going to the loo… so you'd probably figure out…"

Ruedella jumped over to the mirror. "Why is it…"

"So high?" the mirror answered. "Same reason why, I would suppose, that would explain your discovery while relieving yourself."

Ruedella opened her night robe and looked down again. Tears welled up in her eyes and she ran into the bedroom. Pulling out her wand, she tried to hex Severus while he slept, but the spell misfired – but what she managed to accomplish was enough though to wake him. As he began to turn in the bed, reaching under the pillow for his own wand, she screamed, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!"

[END OF CHAPTER]

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