"Take it back," Minerva deamanded angrily as she glared at Severus Snape. They were sitting on the couch in his parlor enjoying a cup of whiskey and discussing random things as had became their routine. Severus had been his bastard self and insulted Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom as usual. She hadn't been amused.

"It's the truth," he argued as he glared back and entered her personal space.

Her insides fluttered at his closeness. His strong body almost touching hers, the scent of whiskey, sage and a smell uniquely Severus infiltrated her senses. The expressions showing in his dark eyes ranged from amusement to something else. Lust, want she silently mused. "Severus," she said in what was supposed to be a disproving tone but came out as a needy one.

He eyed her intensely then dropped his gaze to her lips before meeting her eyes again. "You're beautiful," he admitted softly. Her chest heaving in her anger, her emerald eyes ablaze had reminded him of a Celtic warrior.

Ignoring her mind that screamed at her to run away, she licked her suddenly dry lips and whispered his name. He saw desire flicker in her eyes before she looked at his own lips. "Kiss me," she demanded breathlessly.

"As you wish," he said tenderly before drawing her closer and kissing her tentatively. The kiss turned passionately rather quickly and prompted a moan from Minerva. That had been his undoing!

"Please," she whispered but had no idea what she was pleading for. She just knew she wanted closer to this man.

Severus pulled the older witch onto his lap and kissed her heatedly. She tore her mouth away to catch her breath but he contented himself with lavishing her long pale neck and jawline with kisses. She threaded her fingers into his silky hair, it's not greasy, just very fine and soft, and held him near. "We need to stop now or I won't be able to later," he whispered against her neck.

She would normally never allow something like this to happen with a coworker, a friend, but she was unable to walk away from him. She tugged on his hair until he met her gaze. Emerald eyes met chocolate ones. "Don't stop," she uttered to his amazement.

She witnessed his want and need in his dark eyes before he shuttered. He drew her lips back to his and kissed her more passionately than she ever thought possible. He stood up with ease, her still in his arms securely, and walked to his bedroom. He kicked the door shut with his foot.

Hours later found Minerva drapped across Severus' chest wearing nothing but a smile. His arms were wrapped around her protectively as they enjoyed the aftermath of their lovemaking. There was no doubt in her mind that it wasn't just sex but a true act of love. "You are in love with me," she said matter-of-factly.

It wasn't a question or something that needed validation. It was something he realized she knew without question. "I am," he admitted tenderly as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"For how long," she asked curiously.

"I am not entirely sure," he confided. "Love just snuck up on me. I realized it the first Slythrein vs Gryffindor quidditch match when I came back to teach. The fire, the passion in your eyes stole my breath. It was so refreshing to see someone so transparent. I made it my mission to sit beside of you for every game just to see that look on your face. I think that's the reason I can't refrain from our banter either."

Suprised, she lifted her head from his shoulder and looked at him. His silky hair was a mess, his face was more relaxed than she had seen it in years. He had a softness in his expression that she knew was reserved for her. "Really," she questioned.

He chuckled but nodded his head. "I love your fierceness, your need to protect others regardless of your personal feelings," he spoke with such emotion it caused tears to fill her emerald eyes. "I love the sarcasm, the strictness you demand and your love of knowledge. Merlin knows I adore your emerald eyes and the sea of emotions they reveal."

Minerva smiled at him before she shifted to straddle his waist. She lifted herself slightly and smirked at the quivering member she felt spring to firmness. She slowly took his manhood into her velvety channel and sighed happily. She raised up and down slowly as she made small circles with her hips. He hissed in pleasure as he placed his hands on her hips. "My feelings changed for you that day we managed to force Albus into an Unbreakable Vow," she admitted with a grin. She stilled and stared at him before saying, "Arwen remains in my heart and most likely always will but there is room for you too."

He raised an eyebrow at her frankness before rolling her onto her back and pinning her hands to the mattress next to her head. He stared into the very depth of her soul before kissing her hard, demanding. She tore her lips away to take a deep breathe. "I shall never ask you to hide your past or your past loves," he whispered soothingly. "I want to know all of it, your happy thoughts, your sad ones and all of those in-between. I want to love all of you!"

Tears of wonder fell from her eyes as he claimed her lips once again. "Oh Severus," she whimpered as they rejoiced in their new-found love and danced a dance old as time.

Minerva was sitting on her couch with a huge smile on her lips. Her book abandoned on the side table as thoughts of last night played throughout her head. Severus had been so gentle, so passionate, it had suprised her. Elphinstone Urquart certainly did not make her feel like Severus did. He set her skin ablaze and fulfilled her like no other man had. Arwen had reached her on an emotional level and Severus had managed to as well. Was it possible to have two great loves in a lifetime? she pondered. Severus certainly was in the running for it if it was possible.

Hermione and Robert came in and settled down on her. "Good morning Màthair," they said musically.

Minerva chuckled happily and kissed them both on the forehead. "Hello my loves," her ever-present Scottish brogue dominant. "What have you two been doing this early?"

"Spending time with Lee before the rest of the Gryffindors woke up," Hermione answered with a grin.

Robbie gave his mother a questioning look before asking, "What have you been up to Màthair?"

"Nothing," she answered as she raised her eyebrow in question.

"I would normally believe you," Hermione said as she noticed where her brother was looking at. She reached out and tugged Minerva's shirt collar down to reveal a purple mark. "That love bite says differently."

Minerva groaned before waving her hand to charm the mark out of sight. She looked guiltily at her children but couldn't find words. They seemed to realize that though. "We want you to be happy," Robbie said reassuringly. "Does whoever left that mark make you happy?"

Minerva looked from one child to the other before nodding her head yes. "He does," she finally managed.

"I'm assuming this is a new relationship," Hermione inquired. Minerva smiled and nodded her head. "Well it seems we will have to have words with Severus about his treatment of you."

Minerva's mouth dropped open in suprise. "How could you possibly know it is him?"

"We aren't blind Màthair," Robbie said with a massive grin and then nestled closer to her. "We happen to like him a lot."

"You do?" she asked tentatively. "Truly?"

"We do," Hermione confirmed and settled on the other side of Minerva. "He will probably make a good stepfather too once you get past his insecurities."

"Well let's not put the cart before the horse," Minerva said dryly much to their amusement.