A/N: Once again, I promise to update sooner. But as fate would have, my Severus muse went on strike after I read The Half Blood Prince, for some reason. Sorry!

Mysterious Hearts

Nerves

Severus was quite glad to return to his rooms after the starting feast. The looks that Mad-eye kept giving him, had been giving him the chills. He though about flooing Tonks, but figured that she was busy with Auror things.

The arrival of the students from the other schools did nothing to calm his nerves. Something bad was going to happen, Severus knew this as sure as he knew that the dark mark was emerging on his forearm.

Severus headed to his office and then his lab because he had potions that he needed to finish up before morning, and his classes started. Madame Pomfrey wanted extra on hand due to the upcoming Tri-Wizard Tournament. Before heading to his lab, he noticed an owl sitting on his desk. He took the letter and cringed.

It was from his mother. And she was inviting him to her annual Halloween party. The invitation said nothing to even indicate that he was married. So he decided to bring his wife just to spite his mother.

He refolded the piece of parchment and headed into his labs. A few hours later he emerged with no hair out of place. Severus found another owl on his desk and opened the letter. He breathed easier when he noticed it was from 'Dung. Mundungus was hoping to get some potions made in exchange for some rather rare, expensive, and hard to come by herbs. Severus owled him and told Fletcher to met him at The Three Broomsticks on Saturday for lunch.

That Saturday, Severus headed to the pub to meet his old friend. He avoided any pleasantries with Madame Rosmerta and the other patrons. His mother had sent him a howler that morning. She had been very upset when he informed her of his decision to bring Tonks with him to the party.

"What are you doing hiding in the corner," said his rather ragged friend.

"You look awful," Snape told the other wizard.

"What do you expect, not all of us have a comfortable job up at Hogwarts," Fletcher said sitting across from the dour wizard, "At least I don't look like that Lockhart bloke."

Both wizards ordered when Rosmerta came to see if they were eating. After the witch left, Dung hand Severus a list of potions he need. Snape looked over the short list; there were only a dozen potions, many that he could do with very little effort on his part.

"Very well, 'Dung," he said nodding his head.

"Your herbs are in my room in Diagon Alley," 'Dung told him, "Too valuable to carry around you know."

"Of course," Severus sighed, "we will get them after lunch."

"Good," 'Dung said while munching on his sandwich.

Severus spent the first month of the school year trying to avoid Mad-eye, the former Auror unnerved him, and Dumbledore, he was still angry with the old codger. But most of all he avoided mentioning the Yule Ball to his wife. She was already gushing about the Halloween party, and the last thing he wanted was for her to find about the ball.

"So, Severus," Tonks said settling onto the sofa near and snuggling up to her husband, "are you going to invite me to the Yule Ball."

"No," he replied not glancing up from his book. Inwardly he groaned, he had not luck of her not finding out. He might as well bite the bullet and agree to take her, but not without some fun first.

"What!" Tonks gasped, "why not?"

"Why should I?" Snape said raising his eyebrow; finally looking at his wife, "What on earth did you do to your hair?"

"Short green spikes," she said, "stop changing the subject."

"How did you find out about the ball?"

"Albus asked me."

"That old codger did what?" Snape demanded.

"Not that, Severus," she smiled trying not to giggle at the notion, "he asked if we were going."

"Oh, but I'm still not asking."

"Why not, I'm your wife."

"Yes, you are," he said returning to his reading, "I assumed that you would be joining me."

Tonks' smiled split into a brilliant grin.

"Oh Severus, "she exclaimed throwing her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek, "I'd love to go with you."

"Are you done with you screeching, woman," Severus glowered, "because some of us have things to do."

"I love you too, honey," she said leaving the couch and heading to get a glass of water. She settled back down on the couch and picked up the latest issue of one of Severus' potions magazines. She wrinkled her nose, but thumbed through it anyways.

She left the next morning before classes. She had kissed Severus goodbye before his shower. He growled when he saw a mug of coffee and a note on the table.

Have fun scaring the first years. Take lots of points from Hufflepuff.

Nymphadora

To be continued…