Severus's eyes shot open, fully alert despite the fact he was in deep sleep only a moment ago. He slowly breathed in and out of his nose, trying to create as little noise as possible as he listened intently. His heart was racing so fast, the only thing he could hear was his pulse pounding in his ears and the soft breathing of Amelia still sleeping. He untangled his limbs from her, careful not to wake her and grabbed his wand.

Something had tripped his wards. And not just the wards surrounding the cottage but the cottage itself. Someone who was not charmed to enter and exit at will has entered the small dwelling. Severus held his wand at the ready and carefully made his way towards the door. He opened it only a small crack and listened. Someone was definitely down there.

He quickly descended the steps and before he knew it the lightened end of a wand tip was in his face. His wand however had made contact with the intruders stomach.

"Professor Snape?" Came the unmistakable high pitched voice of Hermione Granger. Severus immediately lowered his wand and rolled his eyes. Relived it was her but also annoyed that she decided to visit at 530 in the morning.

"Miss Granger, what are you doing here so early! Surly you could have waited for your friends to wake at the very least. Then again... politeness was never a top priority for you." he hissed.

Ignoring his jab, Hermione explained herself. "I was looking for Ronald. He left after your argument and i haven't been able to locate him. I thought he may have come here to talk to Harry." She sighed defeated. Hermione lowered her wand and flipped on the lights. Her eyes grew wide as she realized that her former professor was in nothing more than a pair of black boxer briefs. His bare chest fully exposed to her.

"Apologies for the appearance...I had to react ... promptly." Severus was honestly too tired to care. He walked around the corner and grabbed a robe from the downstairs bathroom, tying it around his waist. Hermione had averted her eyes, staring at an old teapot on the stove with sudden interest, anywhere but him. She let go of the breath she had been holding as he rounded the corner, thanking the Gods he was now fully covered. "Obviously, Mr Weasley is not here unless he is sleeping in Mr Potter's room..." He arched a black brow. "which I wouldnt question but...given Mrs. Wesley's state, I wouldn't bet my gallions on it." He said sardonically.

Hermione pocketed her wand and shook her head in frustration, ignoring his sarcastic quip. "I don't know where he could have gone to. I know he was upset but...but we talked about this. He promised he would never just storm out on me like that again." She sagged into the kitchen chair, clearly exhausted from worry and hurt at the prospect that he may have done exactly that. She held her forehead up with one hand and fiddled with the rim of an empty glass with the other. Her eyes were practically shutting on their own accord, beyond tiredness, she was fighting to keep them open.

"Miss Granger, I'm sure he will turn up." The sound of him trying to reassure one of the golden trio was foreign to even his ears but he carried on. "Mr. Weasley is probably passed out in a drunken stupor somewhere." Severus was really trying to calm her nerves but he felt like he was somehow making it worse. That last bit even made him cringe.

Hermione sighed and rubbed her face. "You are right. I should probably just go home then." she shrugged.

An internal war inside of him was raging on. Part of him wanted to tell her to leave so he could go back to bed with Amelia. The other, newer and more annoying part of him was unfortunately winning out. Adamant that she stay and talk to Potter. There are death eaters on the loose after all.

"Miss Granger, Potter will most likely be up within the next few hours. There is an extra bedroom upstairs you are welcome to."

Surprised by his care, Hermione stared blankly at him. "I...no...no-thank you professor. I don't want to miss him if he comes back. I will be back in a bit if he doesn't show." She added as she headed for the door.

Before she apparated back home, Severus placed a warding charm over her. "Now you may enter without a wand being jabbed into your stomach."

Hermione chuckled quietly. "Thank you professor." She made her way out the front door leaving Severus in her wake. Before she got too far on the beach she turned. "Oh professor!" She whispered loudly. "I hope you don't mind me saying ... thank you. I know it's not enough for all you did... but thank you and I hope..." Hermione didn't know if she should finish her thought. "I hope you find some happiness. You deserve it" Within a second she apparated away with a pop.

Severus's back stiffened as he stood in the doorway staring at the spot where she was just standing.

Amelia cracked open her eyes slowly, morning light poured into the room. Her back was pressed up against Severus's warm chest. She could feel his heart beating against her, his soft snoring rumbling against the back of her neck. She smiled to herself remembering the day before. Amelia stretched her body against him, her back popping from irritation of being stuck in one position all night. The once sleepy hand that was cradling her body against his was now running up and down the length of side.

"Good morning" Amelia whispered as she tapped her mouth with two fingers, banishing any trace of morning breath. 'thank Gods I tortured myself until I got that down.' That particular spell became a necessity once she became sexually active as a teen. The thought of turning over and your booty call grabbing your face for a morning kiss pre-spell made Amelia's stomach roll.

Severus didn't open his eyes but instead grumbled a low "mmmm" in acknowledgement. Amelia twisted in his arms and pushed a strand of black hair away from his eyes. He looked so peaceful while laying there. The intense lines between his eyebrows nearly gone. His usual scowl replaced with perfectly relaxed lips that Amelia began to trace with the pad of her thumb. She could have laid there all day watching him snooze in the quiet little house. Not a care in the world.

Their peaceful morning was soon interrupted however by hurried voices below. Severus opened his eyes and stared back at Amelia. "I guess everyone's awake." She said disappointedly.

Severus then lifted his head and stared at the door, listening intently. "And they sound worried." After a beat, he turned and pecked Amelia on the forehead and with that he was on his feet, throwing his robe on and headed downstairs. Amelia moaned and rolled her eyes, begrudgingly she ripped the warm quilt off of her. The cool morning air hitting her naked body causing her to practically lunge for some clothes. 'Merlin this place is freezing ' She threw on a pair of sweatpants and hoodie and shuffled downstairs, her legs still stiff and tired from her late night activities. Realizing halfway through her descent to the lower level of the house that she must look a mess, she threw her hood up and drew the strings in, tucking her chin inside. She knew she probably looked like an insane person but she didn't care. She knew these people well enough and comfort always came first. 'and let's face it, who isn't a little insane' she chuckled to herself.

The first voice she heard belonged to Hermione. "No he is still gone. Something is wrong-i know it." followed by the low rumble of Severus. His voice so low and sleep laden that she couldn't make out what he was saying.

Hermione was sitting at the kitchen table, Molly handed her a cup of tea and turned her attention back to the breakfast that she was preparing. Severus was standing across from where Hermione was sitting, Harry and Ginny sitting beside her. Everyone seemed a bit off.

Amelia said a quiet "morning" to the group, not wanting to interrupt, she waddled over to the stove and poured herself a cup of tea. 'Tea is nice but I would give anything for a cup of coffee right now' she thought offhandedly. She leaned against the counter and watched the small group talking amoungst themselves.

After sipping her not so tasty morning brew, Amelias curiosity got the better of her. " Sorry to interject but-what's going on?"

"Rons missing. He left after the fight and hasn't been back since." Hermione said plainly.

Severus had his arms folded over his chest and was currently staring a hole into Harry's head and chewing the inside of his cheek.

Amelia didn't want to be indelicate as she was in this same position only a few months ago. She did feel however that it was unlikely that he knowingly threw himself in harms way as Severus had.

"okay...soooo is it possible he's at a bar-or pub i mean? " she corrected, remembering she wasnt in America.

Hermione shook her head slowly. "No i checked all the pubs in Diagon Ally plus the taverns." Hermione threw her hands up, defeated. "I even came here last night. He wasn't even mad at me when he left." she added confusedly.

"Have you sent out your patronus?" Harry asked.

"Yes of course! This isn't like him! I even spoke to a few people who frequented a couple places in Nockturn Ally. No one has seen him-"

"okay okay..." Harrys hand rose to cut her off in an attempt to keep her from having a nervous breakdown. "I will go look for him-"

"Mr Potter, if Mr Weasley is truly missing...I do not think it is wise to be looking unaccompanied. Especially given your... status and the possibility of you turning up missing. as. well." Severus said with finality.

"Well we can't just sit and wait for him to show up any longer." Harry looked around the room, his eyes landing on Amelia. 'oh fuck leave me out of this'

He looked down at the table, pulling his glasses off and running his thumb and forefinger over his eyes. He was clearly at a loss. "Fine. Okay. " He said as he righted his glasses. "I will contact Remus and Tonks. Hermione, contact the rest of the order, we will need to start looking for him. " At that Hermione sat up a bit straighter, her tea sitting cold and untouched. Her eyes were red and swollen as if she had been crying for hours. 'I know how that feels' Amelia thought bitterly to herself.

"Severus..." The sound of his name coming out of Harry's mouth must have surprised him as they both locked eyes. Severus looked hesitant while Harry almost seemed pleading. "I need you to stay here with Molly, Ginny and Amelia."

Amelia could see Severus's body relax a fraction. He simply nodded in response.

After an hour, Harry and Hermione left to meet up with Lupin while the rest of the order members broke off into odd groups. All except the three women, Severus and Teddy who was dropped off before the rescue party was released. Amelia decided to have a hot bath while Severus paced in the kitchen. Molly walked around him in circles, dusting and cleaning while baking something and holding Teddy on her hip. Amelia walked downstairs in a clean t shirt and a pair of jeans, her hair still wet from the tub. She watched Molly in awe as she did 14 things at once. 'she might have lost her mind but she is efficient if nothing else'

Severus was boring his thumb nail while pacing in front of the back window.

"Severus you're going to not have a thumb anymore if you keep that up." Amelia teased. He turned to her and scowled half-heartedly and popped his poor thumbnail out of his mouth. Amelia shot him a cheeky grin and made her way to the door.

"And just where do you think you're going?" Severus asked somewhat panicked. He walked in between herself and the exit, crossing his arms and looking at her in disbelief.

Amelia slumped and rolled her eyes. "I'm going to stand on the beach and stretch my legs DAD. "

"Does.this.amuse You? Need i remind you that dangerous witches and wizards are currently looking for you and i and that we are in HIDING?" He said in one breath.

Amelia smiled softly and put a hand on his shoulder. "Severus... I'm only going to be 30 feet away. If you're so worried, come outside with me. If i don't breathe some fresh air, I'm going to murder someone." She said matter of factly, the soft smile never leaving her face.

A few moments later they were both standing on the beach, staring out at the large body of water. Waves lazily lapping at the shore. The cold salted air whipping and tangling Amelia's hair. 'i don't care, let it knot' she thought to herself as she closed her eyes and absorbed as much sunlight as she could.

Severus would have liked to enjoy the tranquil moment but he was on guard. His head whirled back and forth as if it was on a swivel.

Amelia could feel his unease and started on him. "Severus Snape, we are at a safe house. No one knows where we are." Amelia then did something no one has ever done before. She moved even closer to him and took his hand, interlacing her fingers with his. Her head rested on his shoulder and she closed her eyes once again, breathing in the briney sea. Severus froze for a moment. Even after all of thier recent physical contact, this gesture surprised him. This was the first time someone was trying to calm his nerves through physical touch. Severus could feel his shoulders drop and his blood pressure began to even out. The pounding pulse in this ears no longer threatening a wicked head ache.

As he began to finally relax, Amelia smiled to herself knowing she is still peeling back the layers of her mysterious companion.

The couple was interrupted by the sound of glass and a screaming Teddy from the kitchen. The once relaxed form of Severus Snape was once again stone solid as he stared at the kitchen window, wand already in hand.

"I need to make sure Molly is alright... stay here" He said without moving his head to look at her. His sights were glued to the cottage.

Once inside, Severus stuck a hand up to the window, giving the universal gesture of 'everything's fine' The wailing baby finally calmed down and Amelia sighed, holding her breath without even realizing it.

'What happened?' Amelia pushed at him.

'Molly dropped a casserole dish. Im checking on Ginny and will be out in a moment. Do not move.'

Amelia shook her head and rolled her eyes. 'Yes Sir!' she though sarcastically.

Amelia looked back at the sea and began digging her toes in the chilled sand. She was trying to come back down from her near anxiety attack but something was off. The world had become eerily quiet. The birds overhead were no longer calling to her and playful waves began to feel like ice against her feet. The small cottage was only 30 feet away yet it seemed impossible to run to it as her entire body went numb. Amelia was suddenly hyper aware of her surroundings. She scanned the beach , sky and sea suspiciously while her chest slowly tightened around her frantic heart. Amelia flared her nostrils and forced herself to keep breathing as she moved for her wand.

An unfamiliar "Hey!" startled Amelia, causing her to jump and jab her wand in the direction of the yell. it came from a small sandy hill covered in what looked like long dead weeds and sea lavender.

A head of red hair could be seen through the dry ocean garden a few yards away along with an outstretched arm waving towards Amelia. "Amelia! I'm hurt!" The stranger cried.

Amelia took a step towards the figuring laying on the ground. "Ron!?" she yelled back. He pulled his body closer to her, clearly in pain.

"Yes! Help me! I slipped on a rock and twisted my ankle!" He then grabbed his leg and winced. Amelia didn't move. She watched him suspiciously, wishing Severus would hurry up. There was something tugging at the back of her mind annoyingly telling her this was wrong. 'Its Ron and he's hurt.' She wasn't sure if she truly believed that or if she was just trying to convince herself.

"Amelia, please hurry!"

"O-Okay..." As soon as her leg moved her towards the injured Weasley, she shook all thoughts of doubt from her head. 'Youre being silly Amelia. Just fucking walk.' She barated herself as she hurried across the beach.

"Why didn't you levitate yourself to the cottage?" She asked as she crouched down next to him, looking him over for any further injuries.

"Would've but when I slipped, I fell on me wand n snapped it." He said gruffly.

"What? Ron, why are you talking like that?" She was met with silence as the horrific realization dawned on her. Goosebumps covered Amelia as she stopped touching his ankle and slowly turned to look at him. His face was suddenly unfamiliar to her. Although he looked like the Ronald Weasley she knew, his smile was foreign. It was twisted, dark and cold, his eyes were dull and dead and held the most imaginable evils in their depths. The strangers outstretched hand held the two ends of what looked to be Ron's wand.

"R-Ron?"

The strangers smile never faltered as he shook his head no. He then lunged for the wand in her back pocket. He managed to wrestle it away from her and shoved it away.

Amelia's blood ran like ice through her veins, her only line of defense now gone, she made an attempt to run but it was too late. As she looked towards the cottage, only a few yards away, she saw Severus walk out the door. "Amelia?" he shouted once he saw she wasnt there. He was so close yet so far. She reached for him as the stranger held her back, the long dry weeds burying her from view. Thankfully he spotted her hand and what looked like a head of red hair pulling her back. "AMELIA!"

"SEVERUS!" was all she could scream as he sprinted towards her. She kicked and clawed and pushed at the arms holding her down, her wand stuck securely in his back pocket out of reach. Before Severus could get to her, she was ripped away from him. Within a split second, she was gone.

Severus stopped once he reached the area where she disappeared. He fell to his knees and screamed, pounding the dry overgrown earth beneath him. "FUUUUUCCCCKKKK" He cried towards the sky while holding his head as if it might explode from his shoulders, not believing what had just happened. He stood and turned on the spot, looking for any sign, any clue of where they might have apparated to. He was absolutely frantic.

Ginny must have heard the commotion and began walking towards Severus. He was walking around in circles with his head in his hands while she called out to him.

"Severus? Severus what's happened? What's wrong?!" She held her hands up to him in an attempt to steady his chaotic movements. Looking around, she realized Amelia was nowhere to be found. A terrible feeling rolled over her and her once concerned demeanor transformed dramatically.

"Severus. Where is Amelia?" She demanded. When he didn't answer she yelled for Molly and cast a patronus ordering everyone back to the cottage. She grabbed his hands away from his face and yanked them down forcefully. "Severus where is she!?" She shouted.

Finally looking at her, she saw that there were tears falling from his eyes. "I don't know." he snarled jerking his hands away from her. Severus walked around her, his face now murderous. Molly stood with Teddy on her hip outside of the door, watching the scene unfold. Ignoring her, he stormed into the cottage and slammed the door shut. The sounds of glass shattering and yelling could be heard. Through the kitchen window they could see a chair was thrown against a wall and smashed at contact. Ginny began marching up to the house but was stopped by a hand on her arm.

"Darling, wait for the rest of the order. It's not safe right now."