In Sickness and In Health

All these characters and their world belong to J.K.R.

Chapter IV

Watching Severus Snape in heat caused Tonks to nearly seizure with a round of dry heaves. She actually had to choke back some bile before managing to yell, "Stop! Stop! Don't kiss her!"

She could have yelled, "Stop! Don't kiss him!" But she was afraid that might really push Emmaline over the edge as they had gone through a similar situation a few years ago—it took three months for Tonks to completely heal from Vance's poxy- rash hex.

On hearing Tonks voice, a voice that to Severus was only slightly more tolerant than a banshee's cry, caused him to shutter and then on the verge of grabbing his wand and hexing her himself, he turned to Emmaline.

Emmaline stood up instantly, wand drawn and marked fiercely on her pray, "I told you Tonks, if you ever interfered with my relationships again," Vance bared her teeth, "I'd hex you back to London."

Severus, still sitting was in shock. He was certainly known for his rash behavior, especially against the late Sirius Black, but to see the same reaction in Emmaline was surprising.

"Emma, please that was mistake." Tonks replied calmly, "I just want to warn you-"

Snape looked back to his lover, thinking, So there is a history between these two. He was certainly not stepping in to a situation where two women were concerned. Anyway, he had faith that Vance could hold her own.

"Warn me what? That Severus has the mark? I already know that, thank you very much and I don't give a damn. So will you kindly, BUGGER OFF!" She screamed, before lowly adding, "Before I summons a pack of hungry little wolves to help you do so."

Tonks narrowed her eyes as Emmaline made one last quip, "Not afraid, Nymphadora? Well, I suppose you're right. Wolves wouldn't be frightening to you since you're sleeping with one."

Suddenly, Lupin and Dumbledore strolled into the garden from a side entrance. "Ahh, Emmaline, Severus, I see Nymphadora found you in time?"

Vance quickly pocketed her wand, but otherwise, neither party reacted to his question.

Dumbledore smiled, and then looked to the young auror, "Did you tell them the advice from the mediwizard?"

Tonks couldn't lie to Dumbledore, "No. I was interrupted with the threat of a hex."

Emmaline smiled sweetly at Albus, "Headmaster," she nodded, "This is not the first time that Ms. Tonks has made a surprise appearance when I am privately engaged."

"Ahh…Well, perhaps you should convey the point Remus."

Remus stepped forward and Severus noted it was strange that a man would wear a cardigan in July. This only added to his suspicion that Lupin went out of his way to look like someone's grandfather. The fact that he was shagging a woman half his age only made him more pathetic.

"I was unsure if you took my advice seriously last night or not Severus, as it wasn't an opportune moment to discuss the symptoms of the virus."

"Go ahead, Lupin." Severus, now standing as well, requested formally.

"We were told by the mediwizard this winter that the virus affects the palms, lips and more personal areas. In short, palm may stick to palm; lips will stick to lips, etcetera. I told Nymphadora that I had warned you, but she didn't feel it was sufficient, so here we are," then looking directly at Emmaline, "at her request."

Emmaline's heart leaped as she thought on close her and Severus had come to kissing. It was one thing to be stuck at the palms, quite another to be stuck at the lips for twenty hours. "Thank you, Remus." She replied in her usual reserved tone; still not acknowledging Tonks.

"Love," Lupin nodded to Tonks, who came forward and took his hand. The couple exchanging knowing smiles, "I suppose we should be getting back to London."

"You're visits are always welcome, Remus; Ms. Tonks. Or should I start getting use to saying, Mrs. Lupin?"

Tonks smiled broadly, and both Emmaline and Severus exchanged looks of nauseum as Nymphadora energetically replied, "I think I like the sound of that. It will be strange hearing myself referred to as Nymphadora Lupin."

"I'm sure, like all things about married life, you will accommodate to it easily."

With that the soon-to-be Lupins, gave their goodbyes, and left from the garden.

Dumbledore looked at Severus over his half moon glasses and walking forward, spoke, "So, we have a visitor on our grounds."

"I hope you do not object to me bringing Ms. Vance here. Since school is out for the summer, I didn't perceive any objections." Snape felt caught off guard by his superior's comments. He should have sought the Headmaster's approval, but like a silly school boy, he had other things had been on his mind—especially, one beautiful and seductive woman.

"Oh, I don't object Severus. How could I, Hogwart's is your home." Then smiling at Emmaline, "And it was once yours at well, Ms.Vance."

It was truly, when her father held the position as potions master here, the family had apartments in the west wing of the castle. Those days seemed like memories in another lifetime. Her anger subsiding in the presence of loving memories, "Thank you Headmaster, for having me home."

Dumbledore smiled, and then looked from Vance to Snape, "You should thank, Severus. As they say home is where the heart is. Or I suppose that you could look at it the other way around." He chucked slightly, and turned around, "Goodnight."

Both Severus and Emmaline watched Dumbledore's blue robes trail down the garden path as they were both so overwhelmed with the idea that finding love was another way of finding a home. Together, they shared a long moment of silence.

Finally, Vance was the first to speak, "Well, that was odd."

His voice low, "Yes." Then turning his black eyes on her, "He's often like that."

Smiling, voice dreamy, "I remember."

"I suppose there's a history between you and Ms.Tonks?" Severus interjected.

Emmaline rolled her eyes, "Yes. It's much too embarrassing to ever speak of, but let's just say she interrupted a private situation with the belief that my 'friend' was a vampire."

Severus raised an inquisitive brow.

"It wasn't true. Well…not really. He did drink blood, but he wasn't dead."

Snape looked disgusted.

"I didn't know about his little fetish, Severus! Anyway, the entire situation was very embarrassing. Needless to say, I've tried to avoid Nymphadora at any costs."

"Hmpff." He stroked his chin, "I had a similar run in with Lupin once. Except in my version he almost ate me."

Emmaline burst into laughter, "Oh Severus! That is too funny."

"It wasn't at the time." He added and then ever the gentleman, "Shall we?" They began to stroll out of the garden as well.

"This is the last thing I shall say about our dear friends, the soon-to-be Lupins, but I was always under the impression that Remus and Sirius were more than friends." Emmaline looked at him to see if he understood her intent.

Severus knotted his brow, "I always thought they were unusually close, but…I don't know, really." He tried not to think on any of the Marauders; especially not their love lives. "In school, Sirius fucked anything that walked and Remus, has alway been a bit of a fop. I'm not sure that makes them," it made him nauseas to say it, "a couple."

"It's so strange to think that you were all in the same grade in school. How miserable to have to put up with such a pack of self righteous Gryffindors! Thank goodness you were a Slytherin and didn't succumb to their disgusting arrogance."

Snape paused, truly effected by her words. Finally, someone understood what kind of people he'd been dealing with all these years! Placing a finger beneath Emmaline's chin, his lips turning upwards, "Emmaline Vance, I think you and I shall be lovely friends."

Then he sweetly kissed her check.

"I see all this talk of your old school days has made you a blushing school boy," she mused.

"Perhaps there is some innocence still lurking around in this old soul." Damn, she made him sentimental. Whoever would have thought it!

Soothing her free hand, against his bicep, "Love is always innocent." The stepping closer, so her lips whispered hotly against his ear, "But the acts of love can be wicked."

Severus chucked, a twinkle in his black eyes, "Aren't you the wicked witch?"

And with that, they descended into the dungeons and into the bowels of love and physical corruption…