Chapter 16

Severus informed the portrait of Salazar Slytherin that there were to be no disturbances unless it was an emergency, and went back to the living room. "I forgot to ask him about Monday," Andraste said once he had returned.

"I didn't. He said it was fine as long as we go directly to the boat. We have to clear it through all the parents, as well, however... with the exception of Harry of course. As his head of house, Minerva took the liberty of granting his permission. He thought for a moment, and then laughed to himself. "I'm sorry he's gone for Harry's sake, but I guess it's a good thing we can't ask Sirius. He never would have said yes."

"Why is that?"

"Sirius and I had a slightly rocky past."

"You knew Harry's godfather?"

"Yes, I went to school here with him and Harry's parents. Lupin, too."

Andraste seemed to contemplate that for a moment. "How do I get a hold of Ron and Hermione's parents?"

"Ron's parents you can floo. Hermione, however, comes from a muggle family; so we'll have to send someone to go visit them."

"Why don't I just call them?"

"What?"

"On the phone."

"How?"

"You underestimate me, Severus. I'll get the number from Hermione tomorrow."

"No, really; how are you going to call them?" he asked after a long pause.

Andraste smiled brightly at him. "Magic, Sev, magic."

"Could you please stop calling me that?"

"What? Sev?"

"Yes."

"Okay, Sev," she said, no longer controlling the laughter.

"Shut up" he growled, doing his best to sound vicious.

"Make me, Sevvvv."

"Very well." He reached over and pulled her onto his lap in one swift motion, and kissed her. He felt her arms wrap around him, and her mouth open slightly, inviting him in – an offer he greedily accepted. When she finally pulled away, the look in her eyes was enough to make him lose his breath for a moment.

"Severus." She whispered in a voice softer than he had ever heard a woman speak. With no other words needing to be said he kissed her again and stood up with her still safe in his arms. Their lips never broke contact as he carried her back to the bedroom once more, only this time when he laid her down in his bed, he made love to her.

Severus and Andraste spent hours wrapped up in each other, until they were both too exhausted to move. Eventually she curled up next to him, her head on his chest, and let the rhythm of his heartbeat lull her to sleep.

Severus woke the next morning and lost himself in his thoughts as he watched her. This odd American girl has come into his life less than a week ago, but so much had changed that he felt like he had known her for years. The part of his heart that had been cold and empty for so long weren't anymore; and he found himself struggling with the hope that she could feel the same. The eventuality of her leaving was impossible to deny; at some point she would accomplish whatever she came here for, and move on, just as it seemed she had done for the last 15 years. In fact, there was only one thing Severus was sure of, he was not going to let this woman die, not matter what the cost. Beyond the feelings he had for her, she was the reason that he had been released from his duty as a spy, and for that he was in debt to her. Who was he kidding though? His feelings had grown past the point that he could control them. He brushed the stray hairs out of her face, thinking that she really was an extraordinarily beautiful woman. "I love you, Andraste." He said, shocked at the sound of his own voice confessing to the girl sleeping next to him.

"Do you really, Severus?" His body froze when he heard her respond.

"How long have you been awake?"

"Only a minute. Answer my question."

"What question?" he said, trying to avoid the topic, but she wasn't going to allow it.

"You said you love me. Do you really?" He sighed, and she waited patiently as minutes passed without him responding. He mulled over the situation in his mind, wondering what to say. He could admit it, and enjoy every moment he had with her before she was gone; or he could deny it, and possibly save himself a little bit of pain down the road. "Yes, Andi. Very much."

"How do you know?"

"I'm not sure, I just know."

"I've never been in love before."

"Are you now?" he asked, almost afraid of the answer.

"Yes."

"How do you know."

"I'm not sure, Severus. I just know..." She paused for a moment before continuing. "I'm scared.."

"Of what?"

"Leaving you."

"At least we agree on something. Now what do you want to do today?" he asked, laughing. She didn't miss the reference he had made.

"You know what, Severus?"

"What?"

"He forced us to be friends."

"Remind me to thank him." Any other thoughts he had in his mind disappeared as she kissed his neck. She tried to pull him on top of her, but he refused; instead leaning over her and tracing with his tongue where there was a deep cut just the day before. This time he was going to take his time, and explore every inch of what the woman he loved felt like underneath his hands.

Hours passed before either of them ventured from the world they had immersed themselves in. "I'm starving," she finally said.

"Me, too," He replied.

"What time is it?"

"I'll go see." Severus pulled on his pants and briefly went into the other room. "Almost seven," he said, sitting down at the foot of the bed. "And I still have papers to grade before class tomorrow." She looked at his half naked body, and he knew full well the look of hunger in her eyes had nothing to do with food.

Andraste let out a disappointed sigh and stood up, stretching, fully aware that she was still naked. She had meant the action as a tease, but he just watched her, his eyes full of something other than lust. "You are an incredible woman, Professor Andraste."

"And you, Professor Snape, are an incredible man. I love you," she added quietly. Actually having her say those words filled him with something he had never felt before, something akin to true contentment.

"I love you too, Andi." He simply stared at her for a moment, amazed at how his world had changed, how his very perspective had changed. Do you want to eat here or go upstairs?" he eventually asked her.

"We should probably show our faces since we left so quickly yesterday." They dressed and headed towards the Great Hall. Severus couldn't help but thinking that if the school knew what he and Andraste had been doing all day, they'd probably break out in applause again.