The restraining order went through without a hitch backed with strong evidence that the Wizengamot couldn't refute. Just as quickly, the death threats stopped and Emilia heard no news from Arius. She had the tattoo on her hip removed, left with an odd scar that the witch in the tattoo parlour assured would lighten over time. Emilia did not like the discolouration of the skin but Severus paid no mind, always planting a kiss on said mark as if silently proclaiming that she was his.
Emilia became comfortable with a routine. She would teach the day away in Hogwarts and set up consultation hours till six in the evening. When night fell, she would be home with Severus, having the most delicious of meals prepared by her husband. Thereafter, they would share about their day and fall asleep by each other's side.
Emilia never thought she could fall for another, not after Arius but she knew for a fact that she had grown to care dearly for Severus. She wondered if it could manifest into love and if he could return such love.
"Severus?"
"Yes?"
Severus noticed a funny look on his wife. She was nibbling on her lower lip, her brows were scrunched in concentration. Either she would be making an interesting observation or was simply nervous about something. He had been studying his wife's habits and Legilimency helped. He bet it was the latter.
"You've something to ask?"
Her eyes brightened. "How did you know that?"
Severus shrugged, hiding a smirk. "A guess."
"Well, it really isn't a polite question. A tad intrusive," Emilia confessed.
Severus nodded. He had an inkling of what her question might entail. "Go on."
Emilia chose to fixate on her hangnail. "Have you ever been in love?"
"Yes."
Emilia licked her lower lips, nodding. "I see. Do you still love her?"
Severus took a moment's pause to reflect before nodding once. He saw the drop in her smile.
"Oh."
"Any further questions?" Severus asked quietly.
Her mind was screaming at her to ask if he could spare a room in his heart to love her. Instead, Emilia shook her head. "Not really. Could we have dinner now?"
Severus chose to not prod further. He could sense her wanting to ask more but had restrained.
"Of course, I'll heat the food up."
They ate fish and chips, bought from the shop down the road. They ate in silence as always. Emilia's mind floated to the earlier conversation. She was curious yet again. She wondered if the woman Severus loves was alive. Wondered if she was beautiful. Wondered if she loved him back. Wondered if she were ever to appear before their eyes, he would choose that woman over her.
"You're distracted," Severus murmured.
"Hmm?"
"My point exactly."
Emilia smiled thinly. "I was thinking about work."
Severus would take that lie. He didn't wish to discuss Lily either. "How was today like? Were the dunderheads difficult?"
Emilia shot Severus a dirty look. "You really do need to stop calling them that."
Severus rolled his eyes. "Sorry, dear."
Emilia blushed whenever he teasingly calls her endearing terms. She wondered if he ever meant them. Quick to brush the thought, Emilia changed the subject.
"Remus joined the faculty."
Severus scowled. "Lupin?"
Emilia chuckled. "He did say your reaction would be as such."
A spike of jealousy hit Severus, narrowing his eyes. "You are friends with Lupin? You know he is a —"
"I do," Emilia interrupted. "We have tea in between classes. Besides, we have spoken before. He was my prospective husband, you see and I almost married him."
Severus frowned. "You never told me that."
"Was I supposed to?" Emilia asked, the corners of her lips tugging to form a smile. "I didn't know yours either."
"Mine are inconsequential," Severus muttered, "and fairly insulting. Two past students, a Death Eater and you, wife."
Emilia chuckled. "Let's see, mine has Arius which was frightening. Lucius Malfoy who was horribly arrogant, Remus who was kind," she spared a glance at Severus, noting the slight flare of his nostrils. He did that whenever he was peeved or perhaps, when envious, "and you, Severus Snape whom I married."
A strange swell of pride filled Severus but apprehension soon followed. "Do you regret the decision?"
Emilia thought for a bit before shaking her head, "no. I don't. Remus is married and has a child, Severus. I am for one, not a homewrecker."
The frown stayed. "Otherwise you would've married him?"
Emilia shrugged. "Perhaps. There's no telling about the series of what-ifs."
Severus thought he had exposed himself a little more than necessary and immediately turned stoic. "Are you done with dinner?"
"I am." Emilia handed the plate to Severus. She followed her husband to the kitchen sink, standing behind him as though inspecting his work.
"Yes, dear?"
Emilia hid a smile. She tipped-toed, brushing her lips against the curve of his ear. "Shower with me?"
"I have already showered. So, no thank you."
Emilia sighed. She took the opportunity to slip her arms around his waist, cheek pressed against his back. "Not even with me? A warm shower before bed sounds nice, don't you think?"
Severus grumbled softly knowing that his wife was making that adorable pout. "If you insist."
"I do insist!"
Severus chuckled, relenting. "Go on first. I'll finish washing this up."
"I'll wait. I want you to undress me."
It was time for Emilia's monthly check-up in St Mungo's as stipulated by their marriage contract. Severus helped her to put on the hospital-issued lilac gown, tying the ribbons at the back. She was understandably nervous, wringing her hands and her body shivered from the cold.
"What if the potion doesn't work?" Emilia murmured before wincing, "I'm sorry. I don't mean that your potion isn't effective. It's just that —"
Severus gently squeezed her shoulders, turning his wife around to face him. "Emilia, we'll see what Poppy has to say and we'll go from there. Alright?"
Emilia sighed, nodding her head.
"Yes, alright."
The door clicked open.
"Good morning!" Poppy chirped.
Severus stepped back and nodded his greeting.
"Hello, Poppy," Emilia said softly.
"Get up on the bed, dearie," Poppy instructed.
Emilia did as told, taking Severus' hand as he helped her up.
Poppy snapped on her gloves. "Spread your legs for me, Emilia. I'll have to do an endovaginal scan."
Emilia swallowed thickly, glancing at Severus.
"I am here," Severus murmured, squeezing her hand.
The scan was uncomfortable, with an odd pressure when Poppy inserted the probe. "Just a bit more, Emilia," the Matron assured.
A complete scan of her uterus was mapped by Poppy's side. She finally removed the probe much to Emilia's relief and had already begun studying the scan.
"How is it?" Emilia asked, holding Severus' hand to her chest.
"There's an improvement, Emilia."
Emilia broke into a smile, sharing a glance towards Severus who still looked all too serious.
"Your uterus is looking healthier, not as bruised. Though the lining is still running very thin at this stage of your menstrual cycle."
Emilia nodded. "I'm not menstruating regularly. Only spotting and a day or two of actual blood. Also, the cramps really hurt."
"I see. A pain relief potion should aid with the abdominal pain. I must concede that Severus' potion has helped, even just a little but you're currently in no condition to get pregnant. It is wise to consume contraceptive potion as well, assuming the both of you are sexually active."
Poppy glanced up seeing the light spots of pink colouring Emilia's cheeks. She chuckled. "I'll prescribe contraceptives or would you like to brew them too, Severus?"
Severus cleared his throat, choosing to cast his gaze towards his wife, who was biting her lower lip, looking at him shyly. He would have to kiss her later.
"A prescription should be fine."
"Mm," Poppy agreed. Her quill scribbled a quick note for the couple to pick up a month's worth of contraception.
"Should I tweak the potion?" Severus asked after helping Emilia down from her seat.
Poppy nodded, checking the parchment that Severus passed to her. It contained a long list of ingredients used to make Emilia's healing potion."Perhaps add more Boom berries and an additional half portion of dragon's liver if possible to hasten the healing process."
"Of course," Severus assented. "What about Horklump juice? Should I reduce it?"
"That would balance out better. Yes."
"Certainly."
Poppy looked up and caught Emilia's gazing at her husband with a look that she understood to be love. A small smile graced her lips, thinking it was about time Severus found someone who would take care of him.
"Emilia," Poppy called softly.
Emilia shifted her attention to the matron. "Yes?"
"You're doing well, love. Keep a healthy diet and take your potion regularly. In time, you will fall pregnant."
Emilia nodded, beaming. She did not catch the look of uncertainty on Severus' countenance.
"Thank you, Poppy."
"You're welcome. I'll see you next month?"
"Alright."
"Isn't dragon's liver expensive?" Emilia protested softly after they made their way out of the room.
"It's for you," Severus assured.
He had galleons sitting in Gringotts and a hefty monthly paycheck from his potion patents. He was not worried. What worried him was the fact that his wife could indeed fall pregnant after she was healed. He hadn't really thought about that, about being a father. Although, he was quite sure his wife would be a great mother.
"Let me pay a little," Emilia suggested, taking Severus away from his thoughts.
"You're my wife, Emilia."
"And that settles everything?" She asked with an endearing smile, looping her arm into his.
He really wanted to kiss her then but restrained himself.
"It does."
"Could we go somewhere after this?"
Severus arched an eyebrow. "You don't wish to go home?"
"You haven't shown me around Cokeworth," Emilia complained.
"There's a dirty river for a perfect picnic and an abandoned mill where we could watch the sunset from the roof if you're keen?" He joked but his wife's eyes shone brightly. It was bizarre to Severus that Emilia would only picked up the positive side of things.
"Could we go?"
Severus chuckled, sweeping away a stray strand of her hair. "I was jesting, wife. There's nothing much to see."
Emilia pouted. "Oh, please!"
Severus sighed. "Do you want fish and chips for our picnic?"
"Yes! But you must buy it from the chippy near our home, not the one near the bridge. They taste horrible. And I want more salt on my chips. The chippy could be so stingy with their salt."
Severus couldn't agree more but chose to tease his wife. "You're exceptionally demanding."
Emilia wrinkled her nose. "I know but you like that."
Severus actually laughed before planting a quick kiss on her lips, catching Emilia by surprise. Her husband never kissed her in public, always in the confines of their bedroom. Granted, there wasn't anyone around to witness his unguarded affection.
"You kissed me," Emilia whispered.
Severus dared to be careless once more. He leaned down, brushing his lips against the curve of her ear.
"Can't I kiss my wife?"
He noticed how fast the pink in her cheeks travelled to the tip of her ears. In a fluster, Emilia swatted his chest before hurrying to the nurses' counter to collect her contraceptive potion.
Severus strode just as quickly, stopping just behind her. He was glad he wore his signature voluminous robes, allowing him to slip his hands on her waist, just holding her.
Everyone was none the wiser.
Under the cloudy skies, Severus and Emilia lay on a picnic blanket. They had returned home earlier to change out into more comfortable Muggle wear. Emilia had taken a liking to wear sundresses, of bright colours and floral prints despite the cold. Severus couldn't complain about the way some of those dresses were backless, showing off the scars that she grew to accept and he certainly didn't mind how all her dresses nicely stopped mid-thigh, showing off her shapely legs as she walked in front of him.
Today Emilia wore a baby blue dress with small daisies as prints. She laid her head on her husband's thigh, her thick curls sprawled all over. She would observe the clouds, pointing out the funny-looking shapes whilst feeding Severus bites of their chips.
Severus felt oddly blissful. He would thread his fingers into Emilia's hair, fingers combing her curls. His mind floated to the past for he had brought them to the same exact spot he and Lily spent their afternoons discussing what it would be like when they entered Hogwarts.
It wasn't the same. For one, Lily never rested her head on his leg. She wouldn't feed him either but Severus couldn't help but wonder if it could be Lily instead of Emilia if all those years back he wasn't inclined to the Dark Arts or hadn't picked the wrong path to join the Death Eaters. He thought how wonderful it would be if it were Lily in Emilia's place right then.
"Severus?" Emilia murmured, catching her husband looking faraway, looking into the river that wasn't that dirty if she was honest.
"Mm?"
"A Knut for your thoughts?"
Severus returned his gaze back to his wife's honeyed eyes and for a moment he was stuttered by the differences.
Green and brown weren't the same. The woman he loved wouldn't return and the woman before him was his wife; would be his wife till the end of the godforsaken law. Would the law even be repealed?
"Severus?"
"What?" He said sharper than intended.
"Sorry," Emilia responded instinctively. She sat up, conscious that she might have overstepped.
"Emilia —"
Emilia smiled softly, displaying nothing of her apprehension. "Should we go home?"
"What of sunset?" Severus amended his tone.
"Next time, perhaps? It has been a long day."
"Yes, of course," Severus murmured guiltily, packing up. He thought of another when he was with his wife. That's essentially terrible of him.
He did fancy his wife but he loved Lily. He couldn't love two people, could he?
They walked home in silence, side by side.
"Thank you for today," Emilia began.
"It's my responsibility."
"Responsibility," she repeated softly. Of course, as mandated by their contract. She supposed all the fuss about brewing her healing potions was to keep up with the Ministry's requirements. It wasn't anything more. She scolded herself internally for assuming otherwise.
The back of their hands brushed. Severus refrained from taking her hand in his. It wasn't right. Not after he thought of Lily in her stead, saw Lily through his wife.
It appeared the decision was made for him when Emilia called out — "Remus? Remus!"
The werewolf was at the front step of his house, waving.
"It's Remus!" She told him.
"I can see that," Severus scowled.
His wife hurried to their visitor.
"What are you doing here?" Emilia asked. Her smile had returned.
"Hello, Emilia," Remus nodded courteously. "I have the book you were looking for."
"Oh, that's really nice of you. Thank you. You could have waited till the weekend was over," Emilia said, taking the thick book into her hands.
Remus chuckled. "It's no trouble."
"Lupin," Severus greeted. His face was devoid of emotions. He stood behind his wife.
"Severus," Remus acknowledged with a cordial smile.
"Would you like to come in? For tea?" Emilia asked.
"I shouldn't trouble —"
"You came all the way. It's the least we could do," Emilia turned to Severus, "right?"
Severus didn't want the werewolf to step into his home but he wanted to make up to his wife.
"I suppose."
Severus felt out of place in his home, observing Emilia and Remus having their own in-depth conversation about the book.
Severus had gleaned the title, it wasn't exceptional. It was a book about Dark Arts and its defences, albeit advanced for the textbooks used in Hogwarts. He could've procured it for her just easily if she wanted.
Severus frowned.
Why didn't she ask him?
Severus stayed in the kitchen, stirring his cup of tea but his eyes were trained on them. His wife was speaking animatedly, gesturing and Lupin was smiling at her, nodding away. Emilia laughed sweetly at a joke the werewolf made. Severus' eyes widened a fraction when her hand squeezed the man's knee. A strange feeling bubbled within him. Funny, he wanted her special interaction to only be directed towards him. He didn't like that others received similar affection.
"Severus?
"Yes?"
"A dinner with Remus would be nice. What do you think?"
"Doesn't he have a wife and child to return to?" Severus sneered. He wanted his wife back.
Emilia's smile faltered. Remus cleared his throat awkwardly, standing up. "I should leave. Thank you for the tea, Emilia. Severus."
Emilia mouthed a muted sorry towards her friend who shook his head.
Remus understood.
She saw him out the door with an all too polite smile. "I'll see you on Monday. Sorry," Emilia added.
"No worries. Good day, Emilia," Remus greeted before apparating away.
Emilia closed the door with a click and swivelled around. She fixed a glare on her husband. "Remus is my friend. A colleague. You didn't have to be rude, Severus."
"I never liked him," Severus muttered rather petulantly.
Emilia frowned before realisation dawned upon her. The words slipped out. "You don't like that Remus is a werewolf. How prejudiced. As if you were any better. You were a Death Eater."
Severus felt the smarting sting of her words but didn't let on. He simply narrowed his eyes, waiting to see a bigger reaction, the one where she would shout at him, condemn him and leave but those didn't come.
Instead, Emilia sighed. "I'm sorry. Severus. I didn't mean —"
"Didn't mean to label me as an incorrigible Death Eater? How long has that been on the tip of your tongue?"
Emilia bristled at his accusation. "It wasn't intentional!"
Severus scoffed. "Really? It sounded deliberate."
Emilia threw her hands up. "Fine! Think what you will! I'm going to shower."
Severus grumbled softly, "insufferable witch."
"I heard that!"
"That was intentional!"
Their bedroom door slammed shut.
It was their first fight. His wife was a spitfire if needed be. In hindsight, he was slightly — only slightly, he conceded— jealous.
Emilia did not wait for Severus that night. She pulled the covers to her chin and faced away from him. He knew she wasn't asleep for her breathing sounded the same.
Severus sighed deeply, slipping under the blanket.
"Are you still angry?" He asked quietly.
There was no answer. His wife was giving him the cold shoulder.
He poked her back. "Emilia?"
"I'm sleeping," she murmured.
"You're pretending to sleep."
Emilia breathed out a puff of air. She shifted herself, turning to face him with a glower.
"What?"
Severus reckoned it wouldn't be smart to point out that Emilia looked particularly beautiful when peeved. Instead, he kept a neutral face.
"I apologise for being rude, as you pointed out, to your guest."
Emilia narrowed her eyes. Her lips were pursed. "You were rude to our guest. Remus was invited to our home, Severus. Where's your courtesy? And where the hell were you when I was conversing with him?"
"I didn't know I was allowed to join the conversation," Severus retorted.
"Of course you are! You're my husband," Emilia emphasised.
"Whatever do you need me for? You seem perfectly fine with Lupin, laughing at his jokes," Severus muttered.
Emilia's frown deepened before it relaxed. "Oh, Merlin. You were jealous."
"What! No," Severus denied.
A small smile graced his wife's lips. The knowing smile he was familiar with. He didn't like that he was caught.
"You were jealous of Remus. Come on, admit it. It was because I said I would've married him," Emilia goaded.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Severus deflected.
Her smile grew. She moved closer to him. Her hand came upon his chest. "Severus, it wouldn't kill you to admit you were envious."
"There's nothing to admit because I'm not what you said I am," Severus countered.
Emilia shrugged, lifting her hand off Severus. "I see. So it wouldn't matter if I go to Hogwarts tomorrow to meet Remus? We have more to discuss the book and perhaps dinner thereafter."
Severus said nothing.
"I should write him a letter, to tell him about tomorrow," Emilia murmured. She went over to the writing desk and took a seat to prepare the letter, feigning ignorance.
Severus looked hurt. He didn't like another man's name used in their bed. But, he remembered that earlier in the afternoon, he briefly mistook Emilia for Lily. Perhaps, it was good to allow his wife and Lupin to enjoy the day. So he remained silent, turned the other way and brought the covers up to his chin.
Emilia's shoulder dropped, realising her words had backfired. In a moment of spite, she finished the letter and called upon Oats to send it to Remus before taking her side of their bed.
The next morning, the couple spoke no words to each other and had their own breakfast. One was positively still jealous and the other hurt. Severus went down to the basement for his brewing and Emilia went to Hogwarts for her lunch appointment. She amended it to lunch because dinner seemed too intimate, like a date. But she made no mention of said changes to Severus.
Remus had asked if she was unwell when Emilia appeared less than enthusiastic to discuss the book. She nodded quietly and the wizard suggested she return home. It was quiet when she Floo-ed back to Spinner End's. Still feeling the pinch of Severus' disregard, Emilia took the chance and wandered down to the basement where she wasn't allowed. When she found no one around, she fiddled with the glass vials and watched the cauldron boil, waiting for Severus' return. She assumed he was in the storeroom, searching for potion ingredients.
"What are you doing here?" Severus barked.
Emilia jolted in surprise, accidentally dropping a vial. She brought her hand close to her chest.
"I'm sorry."
"Get out!"
"You didn't have to yell," Emilia muttered, tears stinging her eyes. She bent down to pick up the shattered glass. "I was just —"
"Just leaving for Hogwarts?" He asked sharply.
Emilia's face hardened. She squared her shoulders, "as a matter of fact I am! To see Remus!"
She caught the look of surprise in Severus' face that softened a little. But, she was angry and storming off seemed like a good decision then.
Emilia did not leave for Hogwarts. She walked out of their home to the river. There, she sulked and thought of ways to apologise to her husband.
A twig snapped, catching Emilia's attention.
"Go away, Severus."
"Oh, Darling, he isn't here."
All the blood in Emilia turned cold. She recognised that alluring voice.
"Arius," Emilia whispered.
"Miss me, Emilia?"
AN: Thank you for the reviews. Frankly, I have no idea how to reply to them but I greatly appreciate them. 3
