A/N: Reposted, because somehow I managed to royally screw up my story. I am still not sure how it happened. And my deepest thanks to George's brother Fred, for pointing it out to me.

Mysterious Hearts

Plans

Time as always passed at Hogwarts in a whirlwind of classes, detentions and quidditch matches. And before everyone knew it fall had ended and the winter was beginning.

Severus' winter was not what he had been planning on. There had been one peaceful day with out students, ruined by none other than Draco Malfoy telling him that Harry Potter's head had been seen in Hogsmeade. And to top that off he had been insulted by a piece of parchment bearing the names of Padfoot, Prongs, Wormtail and Moony. And anyone who had been to school with the marauders knew who Padfoot, Prongs, Wormtail, and Moony were.

Tonks had told him to laugh it off, that it meant nothing. Severus had, but swore to keep his eyes on Remus Lupin and Harry Potter. Somehow he had the feeling that those blasted Weasley Twins were also involved.

Severus had no plans for the holidays, except of course, what his wife had planned. Which was nothing to his knowledge. Unbeknownst to him his wife was preparing to tell him about her plans.

Severus usually corrected papers in his office after class, but today he decided to retire to his rooms and read the latest potions journal. He was just getting into an article about the uses of dragon tears in memory potions when he was pounced upon.

Tonks jumped into his lap and flung her arms around his neck. She planted a large kiss on his lips.

"Merlin, woman," snarled Severus.

"Hi," she said cheerfully, perhaps overly cheerfully for Severus tastes, "guess what?"

"What?" Severus rolled his eyes at his wife's childish antics.

"My brother, Jamie, has invited us to his place in Virginia for Christmas, and I promised him we'd be there."

"I do have duties to attend to at Hogwarts."

"Already thought of that," she told him with a grin, "and he said that you were welcome to portkey in whenever and leave whenever you wanted to, or an apperation point near his place."

"Seems that you have taken this all into account, Nymph," he said as he realized that a holiday in his dungeons with alone Tonks was not going to happen, maybe next year.

"It has been over a year since I've seen him," she pouted trying her best to look adorable, "dad is going to be there as well, and if I recall you and Liam get along well."

"Your brother is one of the more intelligent members of your family."

"You're just saying that because you both were in Slytherin," she laughed.

As the Christmas season rolled around Tonks was busy preparing for the holidays and her visit with her brother James. James, often called Jamie by his little sister, was three years older than Nymphadora. He, as Tonks said, had been a Slytherin; he was in the same year as their cousin Regulus Black.

James though interested in the dark arts, was more fascinated by politics, all politics, especially muggle governments. After Hogwarts he began to work for one of the diplomats in the ministry. He impressed all with his ambition and abilities. He was soon promoted, and quickly climbed that ladder and he now works as one of the Ministry's ambassador to the United States.

James Tonks was most definitely a Slytherin, much to his mother's dismay. That was the one thing she never forgave him for, his sorting into her old house, he was a continuous reminder of what she had left behind when she married Ted. Eventually it just became something never mentioned. It was hard on her even though Andromeda Tonks remained a Slytherin until the day she died. She never cared much for muggles and their methods. Oh, she didn't hate them like the rest of her family, but there were very few that she actually enjoyed spending time with, her husband and most of his family being some of the few. She preferred to spend time with those muggles that had married into the wizarding world and not those who were ignorant of it.

"Severus, old boy," Lucius Malfoy said as he barged into Severus' private office a few short days before the end of the term.

"Lucius," nodded Snape and he sarcastically remarked, "what do I owe for this pleasure."

"Narcissa has been wondering if you were still alive," the blond told him, "and she wants you to come to dinner sometime after the holidays."

"Does she."

"Yes, she says you need to spend more time with Slytherins."

"As opposed to the Ravenclaw I married."

"Yes, Nymphadora and of course that Gryffindor."

"I am correct in assuming that you are referring to Mundungus Fletcher?"

"Yes, him," Lucius said distastefully, "honestly Severus how can you remain friends with filth like him, and a Gryffindor, no less."

"Stimulating conversation," replied Snape, "and I do believe that you have been known to do business with him."

"Necessities."

"I see, now are there any other matters of urgency that you require of me? Because I have work to do, and since you knew the way in you should be able to leave unattended."

Lucius smirked at Severus and bid him a good day. There was no love lost between the two men, though as friendly as Slytherins could get. To each the other was worth something, information, a cover, news, or a favor. Not at all like the friendship he had with Fletcher.

Not long after Lucius left, Tonks burst in to Snape's office. He looked up sharply from his grading. His features relaxed when he saw that it was she. He indicated to the chair in front of him.

Tonks dropped some brochures on the desk. Curious Severus picked them up and looked at them and then looked back to his wife.

"Yellowstone," she said nearly bursting from excitement.

"Why?"

"Because it would be great," she said grinning, "they have a large alpine lake, geysers, a huge canyon, hot springs, paint pots, and everything."

"We will discuss this."

"Please," she pouted.

"Maybe."

"Thank you," she said leaning over the desk to kiss him, "you won't regret it."

"I haven't agreed to go."

"Yes you did."

"When?"

"Just now."

"I said maybe."

"It is only a matter of time."

Severus sighed a long-suffering sigh and gave into his wife's desire to see Yellowstone. Just as he knew that he would. But he was having no part in the planning of the trip.

To be continued…