Disclaimer.

J.K Rowling went out one day so I took her characters out to play.

We ran around, they laughed with glee,

All this fun and she works for free!

Thanks to all who reviewed. Now about Snape being nice (cearrae pauses, taps lips and wonders how much she should reveal.) Let just say, remember he is a Slytherin and payback can be a bitch. When would a Slytherin like Snape do anything nice if there weren't something in it for him? Wait and see.

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The small group stood on the brick driveway in front of a brown and white Dutch Colonial style house. It stood atop a sloping hill over looking a large lawn now dusted with a light layer of snow. The driveway turned to snake down the hill before disappearing through a tree line which hid the roadway beyond from view.

Severus sniffed the air, finding a familiar tang bite his nose. "Phaelan we are near the ocean."

"Yes," Susan agreed, "I smell the salt air."

Phaelan was still smiling as she approached the front doors. "Well, come on then folks, you're home for the foreseeable future waits."

Phaelan unlocked the front door and stepped back into her childhood. She moved away to allow the others to enter behind her. The three newcomers stopped and looked around.

Immediately as they entered, they were struck by the actual size of the house. It was much larger than the frontage revealed. The front door opened onto hallway with rooms to the right and left. The centre space was a square foyer with a round table sitting upon a round Persian carpet. Atop the table sat a giant fern fed with light from a tubular skylight directly above.

"I had the Solatube installed a few years ago." Phaelan indicated the source of natural light. She walked to the room on the left "This is the kitchen." She pointed and led the couple with Severus to the left doorway.

As they entered, they beheld a large square room crowned with a professional gas range with six burners and two ovens.

Susan's eyes widened at the sight of a, to her, huge fridge freezer. "How many people lived here Phaelan?"

"Just my Grandparents and me, of course, when I came to stay." She told them as she looked around. "Severus, you can put the beans down over there." She pointed to a counter at the same time noticing an envelope on the bulletin board.

Taking the large manila envelope from where it was pinned, she opened it and read, "It's from my godfather," she looked up, "He's my attorney too." She told them before returning to the letter. Phaelan smiled and left the letter on the butcher block wood that served as part of the counter.

"He's filled the fridge and serviced the cars, cleaned the furnace and had a maid change the linens and clean the bathrooms. Best of all, he hooked up the satellite TV." She looked over at Severus, "He always spoiled me."

Susan opened the refrigerator door. "Goodness, we could feed an army."

"That's the freezer Susan," Phaelan told her and opened the other door of the side by side fridge. It was well stocked too.

"May we see the rest of the house? We are, after all, not living solely in the kitchen." Snape interjected into the cuisine centred moment.

"Yeah, of course. Come on." Phaelan led them out of the kitchen towards the back of the house. "The layout is really pretty open." She began gesturing "This is the library, the formal dining room, my grandfather's office, a bathroom," she paused and opened a door. "This leads to the cold cellar and wine storage. You'll find a billiard table, dart board and a putting area for golf down there; it was my grandfather's domain." She continued down the hall. "This is my favourite room." She told them as she led the way.

At the rear of the house, a room spanning the width of the building with wall to wall windows offered a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean. Two sets of terrace doors opened out onto a deck that also spanned the width of the house.

The three newcomers stood open mouthed at the view. Phaelan looked at their awed expressions; she'd see the same on the faces of other visitors to her grandparent's home.

"You should see it when a storm blows in. The spray from the waves can actually reach the windows." she looked out placing her palm on one of the small panes of glass making up the doors. "If you want, there are drapes to cover the windows for winter; it can get chilly." She walked to the side and pressed a button that caused curtains slide out from their recesses to cover the windows. She stopped when they had reached halfway.

"Lets go upstairs and get you settled." She suggested.

"Yes, I think I'd like that and maybe a bath." Susan managed.

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Ron had asked Hermione to walk to the tower with him after dinner. He knew Snape had gone with McKenzie and her parents and wanted to get some time in without the Black Bat's interference. When they reached the favourite spot of courting couples, he pulled out a blanket which he had shrunk down to palm size and re-enlarged it for them to wrap around themselves as they sat.

"It's the first time we've had together in ages," Hermione told him as she snuggled against his side when he wrapped his arms around her.

"Yeah. Between training, NEWT work and the strategy meetings, we've hardly any spare time." Ron turned and kissed her head where it tucked under his chin. "I could sit like this for along time."

"Mmh." Hermione muttered into his neck, "I've missed just being the two of us." She looked up into his blue eyes.

Ron looked down and melted into the warm brown orbs of the girl he loved, before kissing her softly. "I don't want you to feel alone, Hermione. I want to be your family."

Hermione smiled, "Me too."

Suddenly realizing something, Ron sat up straight, "Oh, I almost forgot. Sweets for my sweet as requested." He pulled out the Toblerone white chocolate Harry had picked up.

Hermione's face lit up with a smile, "That's my favourite, where'd you get it?" She asked him as she grabbed it and opened the box.

Ron pulled her back into his embrace, "It helps to have a mate with connections and access to a Muggle shop."

"Harry." Hermione said as she broke off a piece and handed it to her boyfriend. "How lucky can a girl get? A boyfriend and his dorm mate looking after a poor PMS ridden female."

"What?" Ron asked.

'You know! Girls plus that time of the month equal a need for chocolate." She replied biting into her piece and closing her eyes in ecstasy.

"Uh, Hermione, too much information for my tender ears." Said Ron, grimacing in embarrassment.

"One day, you might be glad to hear that news." She teased suggestively.

Ron chewed on his chocolate thoughtfully, "One day, we might get the chance to have a reason to be glad to hear that news." He told her dolefully.

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"They run like sheep. The pathetic cull of misbegotten spawn." Spat Voldemort. "Unable to perform the most menial of tasks they flee from my wrath; cowards." He reached out a scratched the head of his familiar, Nagini. "Never fear my beautiful pet, we shall yet exact payment and you shall feast upon my quarry. Hmm?"

The snake hissed and laid her head upon her wizards lap, flicking a forked tongue to caress his wrist.

"Peter, "he called, "I need your arm."

Peter Pettigrew approached and extended the left arm bearing the Dark Mark. "Master, do you call a meeting?"

Voldemort shook his head. "No, we shall simply remind our disciples who they have sworn their loyalty to. It shall be burned into their minds once more." Pulling his wand, he muttered an incantation and touched the Dark Mark on Wormtail's arm. Peter screamed as searing pain travelled through his body.

Across the United Kingdom, certain places in Europe and at least one location in the U.S., those who bore the mark of Morsmordre gasped at the agony coursing briefly through their bodies.

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Severus was standing in the library of Phaelan's home listening to soft music as he browsed the excellent selection of books her grandparents had collected. He was looking forward to a quiet afternoon sitting by the fireplace in the leather wingback chair, reading, listening to Bach and perhaps sampling a bottle of wine with Phaelan. It was as good a way to waste time as he could imagine. Then, Phaelan had planned to cook dinner; she did cook so well. If the weather held, perhaps he could coax her into a walk on the beach below, before retiring to her bedroom where they would warm each other as the North Atlantic waves crashed on the shore outside. Severus smiled, he could get used to living like that.

The door opened admitting Phaelan bearing a bottle and two glasses.

"The Grangers are getting unpacked. I think they like the bedroom. I gave them a bottle as well." She set the glasses and bottle on the desk and pulled a corkscrew from her back pocket. "I have a feeling they might want to spend a little time alone with the Jacuzzi." She smiled as she pulled the cork and set the bottle aside. "It should breathe a little."

"Your home is far more lavish than I had envisioned, Phaelan. Is there no Muggle convenience lacking?" Severus asked.

Phaelan shrugged, "My grandfather wasn't born rich but his father was a shrewd business man and a veteran sailor." She moved to sit on the sofa facing the fire. "He parlayed a fishing boat into a fleet and headed up a company which did rather well during the Second World War and after."

"Your grandfather sought to garner everything he did not have as a child." Severus commented.

Phaelan nodded, "That and he wanted to give my grandmother everything he could. After my uncle died in Viet Nam, he had this house renovated from top to bottom. It was as though he was trying to wipe away bad memories I guess."

"I can understand that." He replied looking into the fire. Pulling out of his reverie, he smiled and walked towards Phaelan. Suddenly, he gasped and grabbed his left arm. His colour paled further than normal and he sunk to his knees moaning. Phaelan ran to him, catching his head as he slumped to the ground.

"Severus, what's happening?" she asked alarmed at his condition. Pushing the hair from his face, she saw the tension ease slightly and felt his muscles relax minutely.

"Mark," He gasped, still holding his arm.

"Are you being summoned?" she was pushing up his sleeve to check.

Severus shook his head, "Punished. All of us."

"Lie still." Phaelan instructed before heading to the kitchen. She got chipped ice from the fridge dispenser, put it in a plastic bag, sealed it and wrapped it in a tea towel. Getting a glass of water, she returned to find him trying to stand. Putting everything on the side table, she helped him stand and walk to the sofa where he sat heavily. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Phaelan got the ice pack and water. As she placed the pack on the Dark Mark, he hissed then relaxed.

"Drink this then I'll get some brandy." She told him holding the water to his lips. He sipped and took a few deep breaths. Phaelan walked to a cabinet and opened a bottle of VSOP. She poured three fingers into a snifter and brought it back to Severus.

"Here, you look like death warmed over." She told him as she sat and passed him the glass.

He laughed softly, "Thank you; I've never been told I resemble the Dark Lord before." He sipped the brandy, closing his eyes to savour its warmth. "Better."

"What do you mean punished, Severus?"

Severus sighed, "It's obvious He who Must Not be Named is not amused. As he cannot get his hands on those he holds responsible for the loss, he punishes all."

Phaelan shook her head, "How do people give allegiance to someone like that?"

Severus looked at her and stroked her cheek, "It's a long story and I haven't the energy."

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"Where's he gone any ways?" Crabbe asked as he lounged on Draco's bed.

Draco sighed, "Damned if I know. The old fool has sent him and McKenzie on some kind of research." He turned to his computer where a game was quietly displayed on the screen.

Goyle chuckled, "I've got it, 'How to fuck a Muggle on a galleon a day,' that's what he's researching."

Draco pounced and pulled his companion up by the collar, "We already know you're this close to being an imbecile, Goyle. You don't need to prove it." He shoved the large boy away from him.

"Leave off Draco, "he spat, "I'm not so thick as to know that your daddy is still in the good books while my family is up for the killing curse. I'm sorry if I don't hold Snape as my saviour like you."

Draco frowned, he didn't want to share the feelings Snape had espoused when they met in private. "None of us really knows that man Greg. Best we keep him on side."

"What happens when we don't take the Mark Draco? What happens when we stand against our parents?" Crabbe asked.

Draco felt a headache coming on. Was this what Snape felt bearing the burden of his house? "I don't know Vince, not yet."

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Phaelan set dinner out in the kitchen. The crock of home made Boston baked beans was accompanied by spare ribs basted with home made sauce, baked potatoes and for dessert, apple pie a la mode. How American can you get thought Phaelan. Susan had set the table but wondered how to handle the ribs. Phaelan pulled out several dish cloths and dampened them before warming them in the microwave.

Severus and Geoffrey joined Phaelan and Susan. The Muggle couple passed secretive looks between them as they sat at the table. Phaelan placed platters of ribs and potatoes on the table along with the beans.

"Dig in; nobody's considered company around this table." Phaelan told them as she spooned beans on to her plate.

Severus had taken some ribs and had begun to attack them with a fork and knife.

"Severus, you're gonna die from hunger trying to eat spare ribs like that. Watch." She told him taking some ribs for herself. Splitting a rib off the small rack she had, Phaelan held it with both hands and brought it to her mouth. She bit into the tender meat and pulled it away from the bone. Putting the rib back on her plate, she took the damp cloth and wiped her fingers and mouth. "That is how you eat spareribs." She told him, picking up her glass of Chablis to toast him. The Grangers and Phaelan broke into laughter at the look on his face finally causing him to smirk at himself.

"Very well madam, but we will discuss this later." He told her in his dark silken tone.

Phaelan smiled back and took another bite of rib taking time to lick her lips sensually. "I'm sure we will Professor."

"Ah, young love." Teased Susan earning her a scowl from Severus.

Later, when the dishes had been loaded in the dishwasher and the kitchen cleared, with help from both gentlemen, all donned warm clothing for a walk outside. Phaelan led them down the stairs in the corner of the large living room. Directly below, a room of the same dimensions held a large television sitting area and exercise equipment. The doors led out to a patio partially covered by the deck over head. At the end of the patio, more stairs led down to the beach. The moon had risen in a clear sky showing the infinite waves lapping on the shore. For November, it was unusually calm. The two couples walked slowly and looked back at the house on the hill. The Grangers decided to sit on a large tree stump while Phaelan and Severus walked on for a bit. They passed a boat which had been pulled up out of the water for the winter. Severus pulled her behind the boat and pushed her up against it.

"You are a cheeky little wench." He told her through hooded eyes. "Eating with our fingers in the presence of others."

Phaelan smiled, "It's perfectly acceptable here and in the UK Severus."

"Not the way you do it." He tipped her head up and captured her lips in a sensual kiss.

Phaelan wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him to her. Pulling away, she looked up into his darkness, "And just when should I eat with my fingers?"

He smiled and pulled her hips closer to him. "Only when I can lick the leftovers from you; from all over you, as I have done before."

Now curling her arms about his neck, she kissed his jaw and whispered in his ear. "I have leftover sauce."

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He turned over and immediately regretted the action. Severus' morning erection was raging harder than usual. Hardly surprising given the previous evening. Who knew peanut butter and grape jelly could be so delectable. It didn't even drip on the bed. What was it she called it? Ah yes, a Sucker and yes she did just that to his swollen member. Said appendage was looking for attention but the aforementioned soft body required to sate the unrequited need was missing. He lay back and recollected her technique with the knife; spreading and smoothing the creamy nut butter and gelatinous fruit preserve upon his erection. The memory made him shudder, forcing a swift retreat to the shower where he could release his tension whilst enjoying unlimited hot water.

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Phaelan danced around the kitchen to the music coming from the radio. Of all the things she missed while living at Hogwarts, popular music on the radio was high on the list. There were Muggle kids in school that probably felt the same. Then again, as she recalled her basic military training, the civilians who were about to become servicemen and women were removed from mainstream life for several weeks. Their diet, exercise, social and spiritual life were strictly controlled. Being immersed in the magic world was probably the easiest way for the young, malleable pupil to become a part of their new reality.

"Morning Phaelan," Greeted Susan as she entered, "You've got to stop this, you know."

Phaelan looked at her confused at what she meant. "Stop what?"

"This," Susan gestured at the stove where Phaelan stood frying Peameal Bacon. "You're treating us like guests. We're supposed to make this home for the foreseeable future."

Phaelan shrugged, "Fair enough. You cook the eggs and toast."

"No, no. That's not how we do it." Gregory told her as he too came in the kitchen, "I do Sunday breakfast. That's the rule. Now show me the way around this Cadillac of a cooker."

At that moment, a chime sounded through the house. Phaelan looked up frowning, "That's the front door."

Setting aside the frying pan, she wiped her hands on a tea towel on the way to the entrance. Looking through a small side window, she saw someone of small stature on the front step. She opened the door to encounter the first goblin she'd ever seen outside of Gringotts.

"Yes, how can I help you?" she asked the creature.

The obviously male goblin removed his hat "Good mornin' ma'am, y'all must be Miss Phaelan McKenzie?" he asked as he bowed slightly.

"Yes, and you are?" she asked mystified at his sudden appearance and the strange sounding southern accent emanating from his mouth.

"Permit me to intraduce ma self." He held out his palm and a business card suddenly appeared which he passed to Phaelan. "Colonel Garrulous Loach at youah service ma'am."

Taking the card, Phaelan read the logo 'RENT-AN-ELF' printed in a font that appeared to be animated. The printing changed to 'WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF GOBINS 'R US. FOR FRANCHISE INFORMATION OWL……' Phaelan shook her head and looked back at the business goblin before her.

"Perhaps you should step in a moment." She told him standing aside to let him enter.

"Thank you ma'am, it's a mite chilly here comparison to San Antonio. Its cold enough to hang slaughtered hawgs here abouts." He told her as he stomped his feet and wiped them on the door mat.

Phaelan closed the door and followed him to the center table. "How did you find out about us Mr. Loach?" she asked.

"Colonel Loach Miss Phaelan; ah inherited it from ma daddy who got it from his daddy. He headed up the Goblin Minute Men down to the Alamo."

The Grangers had stepped into the hallway as well and stood gaping at the goblin in their midst. At the same time, Snape was descending the stairs behind the newcomer. With out preamble he approached the goblin with his wand drawn.

"Who are you?" he demanded.

The goblin turned and drew back slightly seeing the wand, "Colonel Garrulous Loach. You have me at a disadvantage suh. You are obviously the wizard I was to contract with. May ah know who am addressin'?"

"Master Severus Snape." He replied stiffly.

"Master," the goblin remarked in a sceptical tone, "Youah bona fides suh?" he requested holding his hand out to Snape.

With a flick of his wand, Severus produced a scroll bound in a black silk ribbon with a gold medallion suspended from it. Untying the ribbon, Loach opened and read the parchment. A minute later he passed it back to the dark wizard.

"Ma apologies suh in doubting your veracity. One rarely meets a true master here abouts Sir Severus." Loach told him as he offer a deep bow.

"Very well." Snape addressed him imperiously, "Let us retire to the office and discuss business." He led the way to Phaelan's Grandfather's office leaving the Muggles behind.

The goblin turned and bowed to them.

"Ladies, suh, your pardon." He excused himself from their presence.

"What was that about?" Susan asked.

Phaelan sighed, "Haven't a clue." She turned and led the way back to the kitchen.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

St. Mungos Hospital was quiet on Sunday afternoon. Only a few visitors were on the wards along with the support staff needed for the patients. In a private room off to one side, two young girls lay in a magically induced coma. They never had visitors; there were no parents to wring their hands over the still bodies. No family to keep informed. Long tubes had been inserted through their noses to their stomachs to allow nutrient potions to be administered. Ward orderly's turned their bodies according to a schedule. Therapists visited to manipulate their limbs and stretch their muscles.

Madam Pomfrey and Shacklebolt arrived at the hospital to check on the two girls who were wards of the school. Travelling up the lift to the floor where the girls were, the odd couple approached the dutywitch announcing their arrival. Checking the girl's charts, the bored woman passed them through to see the pair in the private room.

Poppy entered first and instinctively pulled her wand to check the somnolent children. Shacklebolt followed her and stood back, leaning against the wall.

Poppy sighed in frustration, "When we check them, it's as if they're in a normal sleep. Not dreaming mind, just a deep sleep. I can't find a potion and there is no curse detectable that I can discern. You try Kingsley, you know how to check for a Dark Curse."

"All right Poppy but, I don't usually do this to sleeping children." He replied as he stepped forward and pulled out his wand. Sweeping the wand over one of the girls he began whispering incantations. After several attempts, he paused and frowned. He began passing his wand over the girls again, causing an image of the body to appear above the bed. After one sweep he stopped and stared.

"Poppy look." He pointed at the spot on the image that would equate to an ear. "There is something there."

"Kingsley, the girls were checked when they came in. It's here." She pointed to the chart at the foot of the bed. "There was nothing."

"There is now. Can we get it out?" he asked.

Passing her wand over the girl's ear, Poppy located the exact location of the barely detectable foreign body. "Expellae flottus contamitus."

A globule of what appeared to be earwax floated out onto the palm of the Mediwitch, "We need to analyze this Kingsley."

"I concur. Let's see if the other child has the same affliction." He told her before turning and casting the same revealing spell. The results were the same and Poppy extracted the wax as before.

They made their way from the hospital and apparated to the gates of Hogwarts.

"I will put these samples aside for Severus to look at when he returns." Poppy stopped and placed a hand on Shacklebolt's arm. "How did you find this Kingsley?"

The Auror looked at the Mediwitch sadly, "I used the spell we cast upon luggage. It appears they thought the girls were little more than movable commodities and treated them as such. The healers and Mediwitch's treated them with more respect and missed the insult."

Poppy looked up at the face of her former pupil. "Oh, Kingsley, why? Why would anyone want to hurt them so?"

"I don't know Poppy, I really don't know." He answered, as he wondered what else held them in a coma.

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Phaelan and the Grangers were seated at the kitchen table. They had finished their breakfast and were now sipping coffee wondering exactly what business was being conducted in the office. Phaelan sniggered softly.

"What?" Geoffrey asked.

Phaelan shook her head. "I sounds stupid but for some reason, I didn't expect to hear that accent coming out of a Goblin's mouth. I mean, have you been to Gringott's?"

Susan smiled, "I know what you mean, and he's even got gentleman's manners."

"Tennessee Williams could have written him into one of his plays." Phaelan mused making the others laugh. At that moment, Severus called them out to the hall.

"I have negotiated a contract on behalf of Professor Dumbledore for the lease of two elves for the duration of your stay." He told the Grangers.

"Elves?" asked Geoffrey, "Why do we need elves? We can look after ourselves thank you very much."

"Beggin' youah pahdon suh. An elf is much more than just a servant. It is a sign of status. Only quality folk may hire one of mah staff." Loach looked at the Muggle with disdain.

"Indeed, there is more than just servitude in the magic of an elf. They will maintain the wards of protection and activate the alarms. When you were living in England, there were witches and wizards tasked with those duties. You were simply unaware of it." Snape educated the Muggles on the true nature of their security.

"Yes, mah staff is highly trained for these assignments. Why the Secretary of State for Magic himself has purchased the services of my business for his office in Washington. My reputation is impeccable." He told them, slightly miffed at any suggestion he was second class.

"We're sorry if we've offended you Mr..Eh…Colonel Loach, we had no inkling of the implications of having an elf in the house." Susan said in appeasement.

"Very well. Let us proceed." Loach put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a book which took on dimensions much larger than the pocket it had been contained in. Placing it on the table, Loach opened it and perused its contents hemming and hawing to himself.

"Ah yes, indubitably." He said to himself. Suddenly his snapped his fingers sharply twice in succession. Two elves suddenly popped out of thin air to stand before him. Each wore a neat navy blue pillowcase embroidered with their names on the front and RENT-AN-ELF in large bold orange letters on the back.

Pointing at an elf Loach introduced them, "This is Dotty. A trained ladies elf and a fine cook. She came into mah service from a client who had difficulty payin' a debt. Bred and trained in the green meadows of Erin. Dotty, meet your new lord and lady."

At his word, the little elf approached Susan and Geoffrey and bowed so deeply it appeared her brow touched the ground. "It's honoured I am to be in your service, Milord, Milady. I promises you won't need teh beat me much."she told them in a soft Irish brogue.

"What?" said Susan, clearly horrified. Phaelan moved over to her and touched her arm mouthing "Later."

"Now heah be Chug. A fine sturdy house elf if ever there was. He can do grounds work, household repairs and makes a handy valet for the gentleman. He's also a dandy security elf guaranteed to take any curse on youah behalf. Chug, get aquainted boy."

The second elf also approached the Grangers, "Master, Missus, ah's mighty proud to work for you fine people. Ah hope you'll be happy with my humble attempts but I always punish mah self right quick when you tell me to."

Susan was leaning on her husband who was beginning to look angry. Geoffrey was now looking at Snape, whose face was unreadable.

"Is there anything else?" Phaelan asked trying to end the meeting quickly.

"Ah believe we have concluded our business for today. You have mah card. If there's anythin' else you need or if you need to rent temporary elvish labour, jes tap mah name three times and Ah'll be right here." He placed his top hat on his goblin pate and turned to Snape. "A pleasure doin' business with such an astute wizard, Sir Severus, a pleasure."

Phaelan walked over and opened the door for him to mercifully leave, finally.

"Aw shucks, how Muggle to want to do it youahself." He remarked as he walked to the door. Turning back he bowed. "Ladies, gentlemen, ah bid you good day." Taking one step through the door, he promptly disappeared.

Phaelan turned and looked at the tableau before her, centring in on the two elves wearing matching ear to ear grins. Oh Savta, she thought, thank God you didn't have to see that.

"If you'll show us the closet we's to stay in, Missus, we can get to work for yah lickety split." Chug told Susan.

"I'm going to be sick." She announced and headed for the bathroom.

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Phaelan and Snape were in her room getting ready for bed. It had been a trying day with Susan ending up in bed early with a splitting headache. Phaelan had had to referee a tug o war over a tea towel between Dotty and Geoffrey. Then she'd removed a hot iron from the clutches of Chug who was set to iron his hands for not setting out Severus' clothes for dinner.

"I'm exhausted." Phaelan told him.

Severus sighed and sat beside her on the bed. "It was a trying day." He looked at her profile, "Do you think they understand now?"

Phaelan snorted, "Who? The Grangers or the elves?" she asked wryly.

"Both, either." He replied.

"Severus, you must understand, it smacks of slavery to us to have these elves running around. And when they start to punish themselves, really." She stood and walked to her dresser to brush her hair.

"Enough for tonight," he told her. He held out his hand, "Come here….please."

She walked to him slowly, "I'm tired." she said in a petulant voice. She took his hand to let him pull her into his arms.

"You are entirely over dressed my lady." He told her as he untied her robe and pulled it from her shoulders, letting is drop to the floor. She was nude beneath. He looked at her smooth skin wondering where to begin tonight's exploration. Reaching up, he took her breasts in his hands and gently kneaded the softness before taking the nipples between his thumbs and forefingers to pinch and twist making her moan. On one side, he replaced his hand with his mouth, sucking in the turgid peak to bite and suckle. Phaelan stroked his hair and whispered his name. Moving his mouth to the other side, he repeated his ministrations finally biting and sucking hard enough to leave bruising. Phaelan was panting with desire now which pleased him.

Sliding his hands around to cup her buttocks he made her part her legs. Closing his eyes, he leaned forward to kiss her mons, taking a moment to inhale her scent. He felt her tremble with desire.

. "My lady would cum with out my permission? It won't do, it simply won't do."

"Please." She begged, "please."

"Naughty girl, you need to be punished. Now hands and knees on the bed." He whispered in her ear. Severus stood and made her kneel on the end of the bed with her buttocks facing him. "Knees apart," he ordered. "Put your head down on the bed Phaelan. Now you will count out loud. If you miss a count it will be repeated."

Putting his left knee on the bed and his left hand on her centre back, Severus raised his right hand and brought it in a stinging slap on one of her buttocks. She cried out, "Tut tut, my lady, you've forgotten already. We start again, count out loud."

Another stinging slap, Phaelan shouted "One! Two! Three! Four!... Seventeen Eighteen, Nineteen, Twenty." Severus stopped his hand also stinging from the spanking he had administered. Pulling out his rock hard member, he pushed into her heat and buried himself as far as he could reach. Pulling her against him with every stroke he brought them both to climax at the same time. Phaelan collapsed in exhaustion. He lifted her and put her to bed and slipped in beside her. Turning towards her, Severus pulled his beloved to spoon against him. Wrapping his arms around her, he fell soundly and peacefully asleep.