He did not make love to her, although it was temping. No, like a fool, he left her sitting on the couch, alone. He ran, too afraid.....of what, he could not pinpoint.

Sitting in the Mater bedroom, he held a non-moving picture showing one of the few days in which his life was finally at peace in all ways. Alexis, sitting on this very bed, her arms covered in a blanket to her waist, a small bundle in her arms. He, himself, sat behind her with arm wrapped around her shoulders. They both were smiling, showing their joy to Albus and Minerva who stood behind the lens.

The fire was roaring, making the castle draft less obvious. Severus sat in his favorite hard backed chair, a glass of brandy and a first edition Shakespearian novel in his hands. Led Zeppelin played quietly in the background, almost non-existent. It was one of the few nights that he could relax fully, with out worry of errant students or Albus throwing a streaking party. His mind started to moss over, knowing that the witching hour was soon coming.

He stood, stretched, and started up the stone stairs that would take him to the Master bedroom where his wife was resting peacefully. He had barely opened the door before he was confronted with an image more horrifying than any Death Eater Rally.

Alexis lay in the large, four-poster bed, sweating and withering in pain. Her eyes were shut tightly in sleep, and a low moan escaped her throat.

"Alexis?" Severus sat down on her side and brushed a lock of raven hair from her face. "Alexis? What is it?"

"The baby," she gasped, clasping his hand. "He's coming."

The remainder of the night passed in a blur, from the calling and arrival of Poppy Pomfrey, the Hogwarts Medi-Witch, to the moment where his son had been placed in his arms. He had not even seen Albus use that muggle camera to snap a photograph of the tender moment.

"Severus," Alexis sighed, leaning against his chest as she held their newborn infant. "We have to give him a name."

"Yes," Albus said, putting the camera in a pocket hidden in his robes. "Are you going to continue the tradition, my son?" At Severus' nod, he suggested a name that was immediately accepted.

Silvvam Snape was born on 13th September 1997.

He died in December.

Severus laid the picture down on the stand beside the bed. God, how he wished life had been different. If he had not been so unsure of himself, maybe his son would still be alive.

Alexis closed her book and checked the grandfather clock. Midnight had come and gone, Severus had left and Harry was still asleep in the library.

She left the study, woke Harry and shuffled him to his modest bedroom. At fifteen, the boy was gangly, but the fact that he was becoming a man was evident. Her heart broke at the sight of the orphan, coming into age in a time of death and destruction, with no guidance other than Hogwarts.

Harry lay down in his bed, obviously tired from the day's events. "Alexis," he asked, a yawn slurring his speech. "Why do I have to spend the summer here? You're nice, but...he's a greasy git!"

Alexis sat down on his bed, and brushed a lock of his hair out of his eyes. "That's a story for another time. Suffice it to say, you are in safe hands. And as for Sev," she paused, and then gave a lopsided grin. "He's a bastard at times, but he has his reasons."

"Good night."

Alexis raised her wand. "Nox. Good night, kid." She stood and left.

Alexis walked the halls of her former home, knowing that Severus would not disturb her. It had been six years. Six long years of loving a man that could NOT love anyone. How could she bear to be in their home with him now? And with a boy who needed love and protection to boot?

Heaving a sigh, she continued to wander. She was not surprised when she found herself before the Master Chamber door. Severus would, by now, be asleep, a forgotten book in his hand. Silently she opened the door, stopping suddenly when she noticed the lights were out.

She moved silently into the room, her body and mind on alert. Had Severus already gone to bed? Did he leave the room for her alone, or were they to share as she had requested? Unsure, she took out her wand. "Lumos." Blinding light filled the room, opening every corner for inspection.

She turned to the bed, which was up against the farthest wall, to find Severus sitting there. His legs were out stretched, robes completely discarded. His shirt had been opened to his chest and his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. With a glass of some form of alcohol in his left hand, he looked so forlorn that it was all Alexis could do not to offer him comfort.

"Is the brat asleep?" Severus did not look at her, nor did he speak above a whisper. He turned his face slightly, focusing in on the woman who shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot.

"Yes. And don't call him a brat." Alexis flicked her wand, lighting the candles and fireplace. Another flick and her wand's light quieted. "Harry is a good kid. Lilly and James would have been proud."

The wrong thing to say. His glass whirled past her head and smashed into the wall behind her. Severus had jumped off the bed and was coming toward her in a way that would have most people backing away in fear. Alexis stood her ground. "I've asked you time and again, Alexis," he snarled, spitting slightly in his rage. "Never, never mention those two slack-jawed idiots in my presence!" She could see that he was itching to throttle her.

Alexis took a side-ways step, moving out of his way. "Why won't you at least acknowledge it, you bastard?" She waved her wand and fixed the broken glass. "He has a right to know! Why else would father place him with you?"

She grabbed a pillow and the comforter and pushed them into his arms. "Get over it, you ass. It's done, over. Harry is not his father. He owes you nothing, you owe him nothing." She walked to the door, opened it, waiting. He cocked an eyebrow. "I really love you, Severus. But you're really a bastard. Learn to let go."

Severus held the bedding in his arms. "I'm not the one whose----"

"Get out."

"There are no other rooms that are---"

"Sleep with Harry, then. Or in the study. This is OUR room, Severus. But right now, I really don't like you."