A/N: Usual disclaimer, I own only the plot and some characters. Everything that is related to Harry Potter belongs to the wonderful J.K. Rowling.

I know that it has been a while since the last update but I have been getting ready for college and I am now settled in my dorm. It is cramped but at least I have a computer so, I am a happy camper. :D Also, I have been thinking of ways to go with this story since Snape and Ashley were beyond my control in chapter 20. Whoops. What is done is done so, on with the story.

Chapter 21: Nothing like Midlothian in the Winter

Severus' time in North Carolina passed very smoothly since the night after they went to the Barn. He had to admit it to himself; it was nice to wake up with your arms around somebody. It seemed that Ashley thrived on his touch and his voice. They left on a Sunday and spent the ride talking about life. Snape had never met anybody that was interested in him and what he was about. It was almost as if she was trying to figure out everything about him.

They arrived at Ashley's wonderful home in Midlothian, Virginia, just as the sun was setting. Ashley leaned her head back and looked up at the skylights in her kitchen. "Oh Severus, let's go. I want to show you something."

"Like what?"

"Just come with me." Ashley grabbed his hand and dragged him into her car. She sped down the main road and headed into a muggle neighborhood. "I used to live here." Ashley pulled into a parking lot and rushed him over to a table looking over a large lake. "Isn't this great?"

Severus turned his head towards the setting sun, "Yes; it is, simply amazing."

"My mother used to take me up here just to watch the sun go down. It was a great way to relax. I haven't had the chance to do this in years."

"Do you want to order anything?"

Ashley shook her head, "No thanks, trust me, Sunday's is known for the view and the brunch but never dinner."

"Oh, so you used to live around here? Where, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Down the road a bit, not in one of those nice houses over there. My mom was a single-parent and couldn't afford a house like that. She left the house after I graduated from college. It is just a small two story gray house with a very small yard. Nothing special."

Severus nodded; "I still want to see it."

"Ok, fine." Ashley and Severus stood and left. She drove down the main road that led to the house of her youth. After they passed a stoplight, Ashley smacked her horn. She grinned wildly as she heard another horn, slightly higher pitched.

"What was that about?"

"Just a way to see if somebody is home that my best friend and I thought of. She is at her parents' house right now. Yes, you have met her."

"Really, who?"

"Aleda Stefano, one of the judges for the symphony."

"Oh, and the other guy?"

Ashley laughed softly, "You mean Bryson Fey, I have known him since I was a fourth year. We have a brother/sister like relationship. There are times I hate him but deep down I really care for him and he does the same for me. Plus, it is great to have free flights to where ever I want to go. He is a pilot, there is no doubt that Dumbledore got the tickets from him. I have never dated him and probably never will."

Severus became interested in the trees that lined the right side of the road. Ashley turned into a neighborhood, which was slightly run down. She turned down another street and began swearing at the cars parked on the side of the road. "There is my old house. Wow, those people must be cheap or didn't realize that the mailbox names can be changed." Ashley said while pointing at a mailbox that still read 'Hammock'. Ashley turned around in the cul-de-sac and headed toward the main road. A guy that saw her waved at her as she turned on the main road, "Wow, I didn't know they let him out of prison. Frightening thought, thank god he doesn't know where I live."

"What? Who is that?"

"His name is Russell; we used to date when I was in school. It didn't last longer than three months. He is scary, pureblood, but loves muggle weapons. Go figure. Do you mind if we make a stop?"

"Where, to Aleda's?"

"Of course, I haven't seen her in a while. Her parents are muggles but all of her siblings are not. They are very nice, and are like a second family to me." Ashley pulled into Aleda's neighborhood and parked on the side on the street next to a brown house, with tons of cars parked near it. They walked up the driveway and Ashley ringed the doorbell but didn't wait for anybody to answer, she just opened the door. Severus followed right behind as she headed into a room and was greeted by four men, all of whom were surrounding a computer. Three of the men shot warning glares at Severus, who just simply glared back. "Severus, this is Drew Stefano, Aleda's younger brother. This is Kurt Fuchs, Drew's best friend. That is John Stefano, Aleda's other younger brother, watch out for him, he is worse than the Potter trio. Finally, this is Mr. Stefano, Aleda's dad." All of the men shook Severus' hand and said how nice it was to meet him.

Aleda came rushing down the stairs, followed by a younger woman, both of which gave Ashley hugs. Aleda looked at Severus, "Oh, Ashley, I knew was your type. Truly, Madly, Deeply." Ashley let out a short laugh while glaring at Aleda.

"So how are ya, short stuff?" Ashley asked the younger woman who was shorter than Ashley by a couple of inches was.

"Not bad," She stood on her tiptoes, "See I can be taller than you."

"Severus, I know you remember Aleda, this is her younger sister Keri Stefano."

"So, Ash, how long are you going to be here?" Aleda questioned hopefully.

"Well we are going to dad's next weekend, then we are leaving. So probably another week. Ya'll are coming to the party right?"

"Of course, we wouldn't miss it for the world."

Severus turned to Ashley, "Party?"

"Oh, whoops yeah the kennel Christmas party. It is usually on Christmas Eve; all of my friends are usually invited as well as all the people that I sold a dog to. Aleda has one of my beagle girls and Mr. and Mrs. Stefano have one of my beagle boys. He is probably being spoiled rotten by Mrs. Stefano while she is cooking."

"Yeah, so when is the next beagle litter?" Keri questioned.

"Who knows, I am thinking about using an AI on Shiloh, but that probably won't be until this summer. I can't wait to see my Clumber pups; all of the people who bought a clumber from me are coming."

"What?!" Severus said.

"Yes all of them."

"Including the Malfoy's?"

"Yes, I believe so."

"Ashley, we need to talk."

Ashley looked at Aleda, "I wish I could stay longer but we really must be going. See you on Thursday."

"How fast can you make it back?" Severus questioned as they got in the car.

"Five minutes, I think. Why? What do you have to tell me?"

"Not while you are driving, I want to make it back to your house."

"Oh," Ashley floored it back and used all the shortcuts that she knew and made it back in five minutes. Severus rushed her in the house and sat her down on a couch in her living room.

He sat beside her and rolled up his left sleeve, "You didn't see this on Saturday night, it was probably too dark. Do you know what it is?" He showed Ashley his arm and the dark mark imprinted on it.

"Yes, I have heard about it but never seen it. I also know what it means." Severus started to move away from her but Ashley grabbed him.

"I don't know if Dumbledore told you, but I am a spy for the Order of the Phoenix. I know that he has tried to get you in it, am I right?"

"Yes, I don't have to give him my answer until the New Year. I will probably accept his offer."

"Good, the Malfoy's are major supporters of the Dark Lord. If I am here it would definitely strike up his curiosity. It could be dangerous for you, the order your kennel, you, and me family."

"I understand."

"Do you?"

"Yes, but I think this might have been part of the reason why Dumbledore wanted you to come."

"You have a point, I think the wisest way to deal with this party is to be naive about what I have told you."

"So you want me to play dumb?"

"For a lack of better options, yes." Ashley looked past Severus and out the window, it was snowing. Severus turned around and looked outside. "It is just snow."

"Yes, I know but Midlothian hasn't had a white Christmas in over 40 years." Ashley gave Severus a childish grin and walked towards the back door. A house elf appeared.

"Blinky, can you get the dogs in and bring them in the house for the night? You might want to get some of the other elves to help you. That's all." The house elf nodded and began bringing the dogs in.

A/N: I really like this chapter for some reason. Please read and review.

This chapter is for all of the people in the Richmond metro area that suffered during the Gaston, when it rolled through there and caused tons of damage.