Chapter 4
Severus took a final look around the room, taking in all he had set up for his reunion with his lover this evening. He had cleared away all his potion equipment, had changed the bedsheets, and had a fine whiskey ready to go on the side table. He hadn't planned any food as he knew Minerva would be coming from Hogwarts and would have hopefully eaten already at the evening feast. Eyeing the clock, he found he only had half an hour till showtime. Taking a deep breath to settle his nerves, he made his way to his bathroom to check for the umpteenth time that everything was in its place and looking tidy.
Just as he was brushing his robes of imaginary lint, a knock came on his front door. 'Was she early?" "Was it her at all?', thoughts whirled around in his head as he went over to the door. It couldn't be a customer, he had made sure to warn of his changed open times today, and he couldn't think of anyone else it could be. Opening the door, he was startled to see his best friend, Lucius Malfoy, and his wife Narcissa standing on his doorstep, matching grins appearing on their faces as they took in his appearance and the made-up room behind him.
"Can I help you?" he drawled as he leaned against his doorframe, annoyed that they were here now of all nights. "We just thought we should stop by and see how you are, Sev. It's been ages since we've heard from you." Narcissa said as she and her husband glided past him as though he was nothing and into his sitting room to take a closer look at his date set-up. "As you can see, I'm completely fine, now please stop nosing and head off. I have plans for this evening." Sev said while fiddling with his cuffs. "We can see that!" Lucius said with his grin still fixed firmly on his face, "Fine whiskey, made bed and you've even cleaned, Sev! She must be special!" Both Malfoys now turn to him expectedly, wanting to know all about this mysterious woman.
"She is very special, in fact, I would go as far as to say she's my soul-mate," Sev said, not even bothering to his the fact that he was expecting a date. "Oh...Oh! You FINALLY asked her! I never thought you'd have the courage to, my friend! Congratulations!" Lucius exclaimed as he patted Sev on the back, his beam somehow growing impossibly larger as he caught on to exactly who his friend was expecting this evening. "Oh, Severus! It's her, isn't it? You must keep us updated! Oh, you make such a fine pair!" Narcissa added, placing her hands on her friends' shoulders before pulling him into a hug.
If anyone knew how he felt about Min, it would be these two, as well as Lily, James, and Remus who were part of their small group of friends at Hogwarts, James and Remus had joined their group after a disgusting incident involving Black and Minerva, Severus shuddered to even think about it even now. Severus hadn't been the only one whose head had been turned by the Deputy Headmistress as they got older, Black had just been more...insistent... than Severus. When Potter and Lupin realized that Black saw this incident as Minerva playing hard to get, they were disgusted and ceased all contact with him, causing an end to the Mauraders indefinitely. A large discussion was had by the whole group, with James, Remus, Severus, and Lucius coming to an understanding. Once James found out that Sev saw Lily as a sister and not romantically, he had matured greatly and even asked Sev for his blessing to become serious with Lily. He had even been one of Potter's groomsmen, along with Lucius. He had turned down all invitations to be best man though, saying that Remus would be better than he ever could.
He was brought out of his memories by Lucius' voice, "So, when is she set to arrive exactly?". He turned to the clock, and panic set in as he realized he now had only five minutes until his goddess arrived. "In exactly five minutes, so while it was fantastic to see you both again and we really must do this more often, would you now please depart?" he rambled as he pushed both Malfoys towards to door. "Alright, alright, just please keep us updated on what happens, though it's not like you two won't end up snogging like sixth-years all night." Narcissa laughed as she linked arms with her husband, setting off into the night. Severus was just turning back inside from his doorway when he heard "Lucius? Narcissa? Is that you?" He turned back to the dark street, a smile appearing on his lips as he sees her finally.
She looks exquisite, but then she always does to him, even in her simple everyday robes. She was now reminiscing with the platinum blond couple herself, he couldn't hear much but caught a, "I really must be going now, don't want to keep him waiting." from Min before she hugged the couple goodbye and turned towards his place. She took about two steps before looking up and spotting him in the doorway. She stopped and gave him the most beautiful smile, which he returned, pointedly ignoring the Malfoys' own grins behind her.
"Minerva" he beamed as he extended a hand into his home to invite her in. "Severus" she responded, meeting him at the doorway and leaning up to peck his cheek before entering. With a final nod goodbye to the Malfoys' waves, Severus shut the door to begin a hopefully amazing night with his beloved.
"Well, my love, why should they have all the fun? It's been a good while since we had a night of just showing each just how much we mean to each other." Lucius enthused as he turned to his wife on his arm. "Oh, Luc, that would be divine, in fact, I think I should change. How about that white, silk, semi-transparent number from our wedding night, you always seem to adore it." Narcissa teased, leaning in to whisper along the shell of her husband's ear. "Careful what you wish for, Cissa," Lucius muttered, trying hard to maintain himself and not throw his wife over his shoulder and apparate back to the Manor as his wife continued her assault on his skin. 'Sod it!' he thought to himself as tucked his cane under his arm, bent his knees and picked up his wife, surprising a small scream from Narcissa before they both broke into joyful laughter, apparating away to their own night of bliss.