A/N: I do not own Harry Potter
Sorry for the delay - currently judging a competition and taking part in one. Please enjoy a belated Chapter 4.
THIS STORY HAS HAD THE RATING CHANGED - THIS IS NOW M RATED.
Chapter four
Severus sat at his desk in work and covering it was parchment and inter-office memo's. However, he had decided to ignore all that in favour of the magazine that lay open in front of him. He gazed at the various products, hoping to choose something special - after all, it was their thirteenth wedding anniversary. Thirteen years, he had been reliably informed, is represented by lace. Apparently, it symbolised intricate beauty. Regulus Black was full of useless information; however, this time it would most certainly impress Lily. That is why at noon, on a work day, at this desk, Severus was flicking through a ladies underwear catalogue. He struggled to imagine Lily in anything too kinky, but there were a few black lace numbers that he rather liked the idea of seeing her wrapped up in, like his very own anniversary present. Lost in the catalogue, and the racy lingerie he didn't hear the sharp knock on his office door.
"Earth to Severus!" Came a somewhat irritated voice.
Severus looked up, and it was none other than Regulus Black. He was the younger more prim brother of Sirius Black. He was altogether a lot nicer in Severus' opinion, though maybe lacked the backbone that Sirius had. Regulus didn't honestly believe in his families beliefs but was willing to play the part rather than deal with the fallout. Not to mention the hidden lifestyle choices he had made, decisions that his mother would likely hex him into oblivion for even thinking about partaking in.
"Regulus?" Severus asked, not used to seeing him publicly, Regulus' his mother had labelled Severus a blood traitor long ago.
"Hey, I have that report that I have to hand into you, you know the one I have no choice regarding?" Regulus smiled.
"Oh yes, that report," Severus smirked, "do take a seat."
"It's top secret Severus; I should at least close the door, I don't want any prying ears!"
"Obviously." And with a flick of his wand the door was locked and soundproofed. "So, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I need you to pass a letter on," he began, "we had a bit of a falling out, I can't go to him and apologise, so I need you to deliver this." Regulus handed over a thick envelope.
"I don't understand why your mother wouldn't approve, Gideon Prewitt is a Pure-blood." Severus mused as he took the envelope.
"I think it's the lack of pure-blood offspring, you know cause we both have gigantic penis'" Regulus replied with a deadpan expression.
Severus just looked at him for a long moment. The silence wasn't awkward, but there was a slight unease as Regulus' grin spread over his face.
"You don't have to be so crude, Regulus," Severus replied.
"Just jealous," Regulus replied.
"I have enough to be proud of, I would show you, but then you wouldn't be able to stop thinking about it while you were with Gideon, and that's not fair is it.
"Lily did say-"
"I do not want to know what unbelievably crude conversations you have been having with my wife!" Severus cut him off, "I will deliver this letter, on one condition."
"Name it. You've got me by the short and curlies here Sev. He needs to read that letter as soon as possible."
"I need to buy my anniversary gift for Lily, and I am struggling to pick lacey lingerie that she would like, it needs to be tasteful. I think I am drawn to something a bit ... different."
"What's wrong with a bit of kinky?" he asked.
"I'm going for romantic, I have a proposition with the underwear, so it needs to be more..." he trailed off, struggling to find the right word.
"You're looking for soppy, fairytale, love me forever kind of panties then?" he asked.
"If you want to put it like that..." he retorted uncomfortably.
"Okay, well you need to move away from black, can't get red, that will clash with her hair." Regulus mused as he flicked through the catalogue.
"I'm very fond of black lingerie, and she looks so good in black," he replied, "I adore her in black lace."
"Ooo, she would look great in this, and it's a soft grey, so it's like black..."
"Why have 'like black' when you can have black?"
"Fiiine," he drawled out the word continuing to flick through the catalogue. After a little time, he pointed out a black lace set, complete with ribbons and cream accents, lightening the look slightly. "What about that, surely that will make you go gaga, and her breasts would look great in that!"
"Okay, I'll get that one." he folded the corner of the catalogue, placing it in his drawer for later.
"Surely that's not all your getting? It's thirteen years!"
"No, that's just the lace, I'm taking her away somewhere, and we will be partaking in couples activities, which I will hate, but she will love."
"I bet you will get enough of a particular couples activity to make up for it."
"You think about sex too much," Severus said as he got up from his desk. "I will go see Arthur now before I go on my lunch and plan this god-awful weekend."
"Thank you, Severus," Regulus replied and opened the door.
"Regulus this is shoddy work, and I expect it to see it again next week, completely redone!" Severus shouted, giving Regulus an alibi for future visits and lunch-time chats. "And then I will be going over it again, point by point." He thrust a small stack of parchments into Regulus' arms and stormed off.
Severus made his way directly to Arthurs office, as he always did after a meeting with Regulus. Arthur was the brother-in-law of Regulus' secret boyfriend, Gideon Prewitt, a man hopelessly in love with a hopelessly closeted Slytherin. It wasn't that Regulus wanted to be in the closest, he just didn't want to be excommunicated from the family, and in all honesty, he didn't think his mother would survive after losing another son.
Severus wrapped his knuckles on the door as he waited for Arthurs response.
"Hullo," came Arthurs response.
"It's Severus, can I come in?" he asked as he walked through the door.
"How did things go with your meeting with Harry the other day?" he asked.
"He says that everything is okay now, there was no explanation as to why he, Ron and Hermione were facing an Erumpent in a bathroom. There was no explanation as to what has been going wrong; just a promises that it's all better now!" Severus felt his temper rise again at the mere memory of it. "You get anything more useful from Ron?"
Arthur offered Severus a seat and pulled out a bottle of firewhiskey from it's hiding place, under the desk. He poured them both two fingers of whiskey and handed it over.
"I'll take this as a yes?"
"Well, I came down on him like a ton of bricks," Arthur began, "apparently, Ron hasn't been that great of a friend lately, I believe there was some name calling earlier in the day, Harry heard Ron laughing along, and he called Harry a teacher's pet!"
"Did he say who else was doing the 'name calling'?"
"No, apparently Harry doesn't want anyone to know about all of that, and Ron wouldn't budge."
"No offence Arthur, but your son is too bloody loyal!" Severus fumed.
"Well, I think he will be from now on at least." Arthur continued, "Because of the name calling, Harry didn't want to go to the feast, he and Hermione were holed up in a spare classroom doing some practice spell work - they had no idea they were supposed to be in the common room, he's lying to keep Ron out of trouble I think."
"Hmm," Severus mused as he knocked back his drink, "I'm okay with keeping Ron out of trouble, I just want to be sure nothing else is still going on."
"I'll let you know what I can get out of Ron," Arthur also drank his fire whiskey in one. "I suppose that's all I can have around noon, right?"
"Probably," Severus replied looking wistfully into the glass, "unless you have aspirations to take after my father, which I do not." He handed back the tumbler. "I have something for you to pass onto Gideon," Severus handed over the letter.
"I should have known. Gideon came round this morning looking rather forlorn, wanting Molly's sympathy!"
"Regulus is very, very sorry," Severus replied, "Anyway, I only have so much time for lunch, and I have to go and pick up the last of Lily's anniversary present and pick up the port-key for our spa lodge thing..." he trailed off as though bored.
"You're not looking forward to it?" he asked.
"Spa's aren't my thing, but Lily will enjoy it, so I shall grin and bear it."
"I thought you were doing that whole mud thing?" Arthur asked with a smile, "You can't tell me you won't enjoy that?"
"Smearing hot mud all over my naked wife... hmm, I don't think I can say that I won't enjoy that." Severus left the office with a slight smile in place.
He left the Ministry of Magic altogether, finishing off the final preparations for the upcoming weekend away.
When Severus arrived home later that evening, he found a worried and stressed out Lily, penning a letter to their son. Lily had been less than impressed with the resolution in Minerva's office. Severus wasn't too happy with it either, but it was affecting Lily far more. Severus at least felt confident that Ron and Harry were friends again, and he hoped that was all that had contributed to Harry's withdrawal. They were now relying on Harry to keep his word and tell them if something was wrong - not something that either of them had a lot of faith in. As Severus walked into the kitchen where she sat with multiple drafts of her letter, he realised just how worried she was.
"Lily? Are you okay?" he asked.
"I'm worried about Harry. Do you really think he's okay?" Lily asked.
"Nope," Severus responded, "I spoke to Arthur today, it seems Ron was a little more forthcoming," Severus continued to explain what he had learnt, Lily only seemed more worried.
"What can we do?" she asked helplessly.
Severus sighed and pulled his wife into his arms.
"We have to figure out what's going on to start with, and if it's still going on." He paused a moment, "Is it wrong for me to use legillimens against Harry?" he asked far too seriously.
"Yes. Severus, it's very wrong!" she exclaimed.
"In that case, we need to get one of his friends to squeal." He said seriously.
Lily turned and looked at her husband. His expression was just as serious as it had been when he made the legillimens comment.
"Please tell me you're joking?" she asked. Severus' expression was unchanged. "Sev, you can't 'lean on' his friends for information! This isn't taking down a terrorist group!"
"No, it's protecting our son! I think the Granger girl will break quite easily, and she seems sensible, I bet she loves telling on people!" he smirked.
"Stop enjoying this," she smiled.
Severus could only think that he had accomplished something, easing her worry, making her smile, just a little.
"I'm not, I just have a dark sense of humour." He smiled back at his wife. "I can't sit and do nothing."
"Severus, we said we would give Harry a chance, just see how things go?"
"I have been Harry's father his entire life, he knows full well I am not going to drop it. It was more of an armistice." He explained.
"Maybe, but wait, give him a chance to come to us, that is what we agreed. I really need him to come to us, to tell us what's going on."
Severus simply kissed his wife, wondering how he could fix this. He mumbled a half-hearted agreement, as he nuzzled her neck affectionately. Lily didn't seem to relax though.
"You're losing sleep over it. I can go speak to Harry, and I can force the subject," Severus implored as he watched her furrowed brow go over the numerous possibilities in her mind.
"I thought you would have thought of something a little more clandestine than forcing it out of him, and I thought he would have written by now."
"Hey, it's okay. I promise, we can write to Harry, and then he has to write back, and we can see how he's doing?" Severus suggested.
"That's all my spy can come up with?" she asked.
"Your spy is fantastic," Severus smiled, turning to his wife. "sometimes, the simple answer is the best answer. Now, show me what you have?" Severus moved his wife from her seat, taking it for himself, while simultaneously pulling her to his knee, his arms wrapped protectively around her.
'Harry,
Mum here.
Now, I can imagine you were expecting some sneak attack after the meeting last week. However, I have decided that there will be no such thing. I am going to trust you and ask; Harry, please tell me how things are? Tell me you are okay and there isn't anything bothering you! I am your mother, and I worry at the best of times. Seeing you the way we saw you in that meeting, and hearing how withdrawn you have become, well, it sends my worry into overdrive. Your the only son I have, I love you dearly. Even if we can't, or you don't want us to do anything, please let us know, because we love you and we want you to be okay!
I am now going to move on, and trust you will be honest with me. Christmas is just around the corner, please find enclosed a range of catalogues for your perusal and make us a list sharpish - otherwise, you might find you only get school supplies and clothes! I also wanted to check if you wanted to come home for Christmas. I know Ron is staying as his parents are going to Romania - but I would still love you to come back!
With this end in mind, I plan to entice you with my Christmas plan. We will get a tree your first day home from Hogwarts and spend the day decorating and baking. The house will be filled to the brim with goodies! On Christmas Eve the family will be coming, we are organising a place for everyone to sleep so we can all wake up on Christmas morning together! So far we have your Nan and Grandpa Snape and Granma and Grandad Evans. Your great-grandparents are coming Christmas morning as they can Floo over. We are working on getting confirmation for the Dursleys.
I know what your thinking, your father is sulking at the prospect of Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia coming too - that being said with them comes Dudley. We are working hard on getting a confirmation but also a peace treaty - we will have requirements for peace, and I can imagine that they have a whole lot of conditions also!
I have a party planned for New Year's Eve, the family can come, but I have invited friends, Neville will be coming as his mum and dad have already confirmed. This party is going to be chock full of fun and games as we bring in the new year! New Year's day is all about recovery and resting up before going back to Hogwarts.
Please let us know what you think.
Love you
Mum.'
Severus read the letter with a smirk.
"You do realise you're emotionally manipulating our son, right?" he asked.
"How?" she asked incredulously.
"'You're the only son I have, and I love you dearly,'" he said as he imitated her motherly tone. "'it sends my worry into overdrive.' The poor child has no choice but to right back." He laughed.
"I should tone it down a little," she relinquished.
"Oh no you don't, it's perfect!" Severus snatched the letter away and put it in an envelope. "I'm sending it right now." He jumped up in search of the family owl. "Devilishly clever woman!" he smirked, "I commend you. Now, your spy wants to please you." he smirked as he pulled his wife onto his lap.
"And how are you going to do that?" she giggled, almost wrapping herself around him.
"Our anniversary is coming up. I have been conducting a very secret plan, a plan that will make you very, very happy." He smiled and pulled out a thick parchment envelope, something he had been planning on giving her at the weekend, just before they needed to pack, but she needed it now. She opened the envelope revealing tickets for 'Wistmans Wood Wizarding Spa.'
Thankfully Harry replied before their weekend away, and as such Lily was able to relax, if only a little. Harry was a little too insistent that everything was okay. Lily opened the letter anxiously while they were sat eating breakfast.
'Mum,
I'm sorry. I should have known and wrote to you about how things have been. I'm sorry that you have been worried. I'm okay, I promise. Ron and I managed to get Hermione to leave her homework until the evening, and we taught her how to play wizards chess! She thinks that it's barbaric, but I think she says that cause she's rubbish at it. Ron likes Hermione being our friend now; he even let her win one. I promise a million times I will tell you if anything bad happens, but it isn't, I'm ok. Ask Uncle Remus, and he can spy on me as much as you need.
Speaking of Uncle Remus, I have a message for Dad. Uncle Remus is very eager to spend Christmas at Hogwarts. He said that it's so Professor Slughorn can make his Wolfsbane Potion- but you could do that! I think he has a thing for the new Muggle Studies Professor! Do with this intelligence what you must; for more details, I require payment - in sweets!
And finally - Christmas. Ron wants me to stay with him here. Hermione is going to be going home, and Neville is too, and just about everyone else in our year. I suppose Ron has his brothers, but he might get lonely. Having said that everything sounds very promising about your Christmas - except Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, do they have to come? I will get my list to you next week, I have made a few notes, but I figured I would put too much on my list that way I don't know what I am going to get!
Harry.'
"Hmm," Severus responded after reading the letter a third time. "Everything seems too good."
"Maybe it really is sorted now, Harry could be quite happy at Hogwarts, and we are worrying for nothing," Lily responded hopefully.
"Maybe..." he wondered. "On a completely different note, we need to find out about this Professor!"
"You don't think he's dating without telling us?" Lily asked, "Remus would tell us."
"No, he wouldn't because we would make a huge deal out of it!" Severus smirked. "I will be replying, thank you."
Severus snatched the letter and folded it in his robe pocket as he got ready for work.
"You want some coffee to go?" she asked.
"No, I got it all over me in the Floo last time," Severus pecked her goodbye before stepping into the fireplace. It was the last workday before he would be whisking her off to their spa weekend. Their romantic weekend where he would see her bedecked in black lace.
Severus replied over his lunch break at work, after getting the appropriate bribe from Diagon Alley of course. There was an incredible selection of sweets in the care package and even a little extra treat. Quidditch Through the Ages was an educational gift; it was a book after all. Then he added the letter to the package and sent it off.
'Dear Harry,
It's Dad. I am glad that you told your mum and me what you were up to. You have no idea how hard it is as a parent when your child is out of your reach and hurting, to feel like you can do nothing about it. I'm ecstatic that you are happy now. If and when you decide that you can speak about it, I am here, waiting to listen and make it all better. I love you Harry - more than you will ever know.
Moving on to the more important matters - the bribe has been supplied. Now I want details, starting with what you have seen and this professors name! Do you ever find them in secret corridors or alone in abandoned classrooms? Also, ask him why my Wolfsbane Potion isn't good enough? I would like to know the answer, if he genuinely thinks that Slughorns is better than mine, Remus and I need to have words!
Speaking of Professor Slughorn, how are you doing in Potions? And your other classes? Its a shame that we don't get a mid-year report with your grades, I am sure that I would be impressed. How are things with Ron now? I know you said that they are better, but I wondered if you have been up to any of your usual antics while at school? I imagine from what you have told me that Hermione is curbing this particular habit of yours? I have to say, Harry, your mum and me like her and would not be opposed to you marrying her at some point. Your mother would probably say after Hogwarts - I, however, decided who I was going to marry at the tender age of nine, and I still haven't changed my mind.
I have added a little treat, just because I saw it and I knew that you would like it. It's not a Christmas present; it's an 'I love you' present. Have you been spending any time with Draco? I know he's not close with you like Ron, but I want to make sure you're surrounded by people who are going to treat you how you should be treated. And if any of the issues you don't want to mention pop up again, please let me know. I can help.
Love you - Dad.'
When Severus arrived home, Lily had already got everything packed. He'd floo'ed their things ahead of them, and soon they too were on their way. They apparated a distance from the actual Spa; Severus wanted Lily to see the beautiful woods that the Spa was nestled in. Large oak trees surrounded them, their trunks and branches twisted and turned, mingling with one another, and everywhere was coated with a thick covering of the brightest moss. Severus took her hand and led her down a rough stone pathway. There was the faint trickle of water somewhere nearby.
"This wood is supposedly the last place in Britain where Dryads still live." He smiled at the excited look in her eyes.
"Really?"
"Yes, though they are quite rare now; Muggles chopped too many of their trees down."
"What else?"
"There is a herd of Aethonan horses nearby. There are a lot of Bowtruckles here; Ollivander uses some of these trees for his oak-wood wands. It's also believed that a Kelpie lives in the lake; that's much deeper into the forest than the Spa," he continued as she huddled closer to him, linking her arm into his, telling her stories of the woods where they would be staying.
Soon they reached a sizeable homely cabin nestled between two enormous oak trees. The rough cobbled path led to a thick oak door. As they walked in, they were enveloped in the warmth of the tremendous fire that roared in the hearth. At the front desk, there was a witch with a bright smile; she wore white and moss green robes.
"Mr. and Mrs. Snape," he said to the woman at the counter.
"One moment, please," she said in a sickly sweet voice. She rummaged through her filed parchments and pulled up their details. "Ah, yes. Mr Snape, I have your luggage already waiting in your rooms and here are your room keys." She handed a small glowing globe on a green velvet ribbon. "These are similar to Portkeys. You squeeze them, and they will take you to your rooms; a tree-top suite I believe?"
"Thank you," Severus said as he took the globe in his hand.
"One more thing, a letter was delivered here for Mr. and Mrs. Snape." She smiled and handed over the thick parchment envelope.
Holding Lily close, Severus squeezed it. Instantly the familiar feeling behind his navel took hold, but in mere moments he and Lily were stood in a large suite.
"Oh, Sev, this is gorgeous." She flushed as she looked around the room.
It was decadent. The faint glow of many candles illuminated the room; the candles stood in a vast and ornate chandelier. There was a large bed which lay on a dais at the head of the suite, and a roaring fire in a deep hearth. Everything was in vibrant greens, browns with hints of gold, a perfect mirror of the view. The vista opened from a large window over the heart of the forest, and through the window was the distant song of the Dryads.
Lily turned to him, smiling easily. He had done a fantastic job planning and executing this anniversary get-away.
"Who's the letter from?" she asked.
"Hogwarts," Severus said as he flipped over the letter and groaned. He ripped open the envelope and scanned the letter, his eyebrows raised and a faint smile played on his lips.
"What does it say?" she asked anxiously.
"Harry got detention," he smirked, "for talking and laughing in class." He finished with a smile.
"Really?" she smiled. "Harry must be okay then; things must be getting better!"
"Must be." He handed her the letter which she read over multiple times, "I don't think we should be overly encouraging of the detentions though!"
The next day Severus and Lily were laying in bed, waiting for breakfast. According to Severus, on your anniversary you always have breakfast in bed. Lily curled into his chest, dozing, as he read the paper. He grumbled as read, mainly about Cornelius bloody Fudge. Breakfast appeared magically on the table beside their bed. There was a wide range of fruits, croissants, jams and butter. Alongside their meal was steaming coffee, with milk and sugar. Leaning against the milk jug was a letter.
"Sev!" Lily called him as she picked up a bowl of strawberries, placing one in her mouth. "These are delicious." She smiled.
"I'd rather have that steaming coffee..." he mumbled irritatedly.
Lily obliged, pouring the hot dark liquid into the pristine white china mugs - no milk and no sugar and handed it over; the great aroma of the most excellent freshly pressed coffee filled the room. It was her turn to take care of her husband today; she plated him a breakfast of his favourites, then tucked in herself. Once Lily had finished eating, she found the letter on the tray. She snuggled next to her husband, opening the envelope that just happened to be from Harry.
'Dad and Mum,
I'm glad you're happy that I'm happy, and telling you every little detail of my life! I guess if I thought you and Mum were hurt, I would want to know, so it's only fair really! Not that it isn't irritating. It's just cause everything is fine now, and it feels like a big deal about nothing. I do feel very loved from your smothering though! I love you both, too.
I love the bribes, and as we suspect a sweet thief in the dorms, they are all hidden in Hermione's room. It's a bit annoying as her mum and dad are dentists, so she tends to ration us! Just so you know dad, that alone is a reason never to marry Hermione Granger! I, unlike you, have no designs on who I am going to marry just yet, I plan to wait till I'm like fifty or something!
Anyway, It's Professor Burbage, she teaches Muggle-Studies, so I don't have any lessons with her. Everyone thinks that Professor Quirrell (old Muggle-Studies professor finally had a nervous breakdown, but I think he was the one that let the Erumpent out and got fired!) I asked Uncle Remus about your wolfsbane, and he got all cagey and said he was going to try it out? I don't know what that means. From what I have seen they spend a lot of time together, and they were both huddled over a book in the staff room one time. I tried to get information from other sources, but Professor McGonagall told me to mind my own business! I was going to say to her it was my business, but she had her angry face on!
I'm not getting into too much trouble. Hermione has loosened up a bit though; we managed to convince her to sneak out after curfew! That was because there was a rumour that Professor Hagrid was having a Dragon delivered!... It wasn't true though.
I do spend some time with Draco. He and Ron don't like each other, and he isn't polite to Hermione. Luckily he doesn't use THAT word. I think Draco knows what I would do to him if he ever did. I think he sees things a bit like his mum and dad now. Some of the kids he hangs out with are a bit like that. I will let you know if I need help. Promise.
Love you,
Harry'
P.S - Happy Wedding Anniversary - that was about now, right?'
"I think I can safely say that I am officially not worried about Harry." Lily smiled.
"That's good because we have a rather busy day ahead of us."
Lily looked at him quizzically.
"We need to be ready in half an hour. This activity is a bit of a surprise."
Severus had kept his surprise. She was ready, and all she knew was that she needed a towel and a change of clothes. All the way down the warm corridors Lily wondered what on earth they would be doing? What kind of couples activity required towels, new clothes, but no bathing suit? Severus stifled a laugh as he told her that he wasn't taking her skinny dipping; he smirked at the disappointed look that flitted across her face. He unlocked a door, and he walked her into a hot sauna-like room; floor and walls were all wooden, except the one wall that was glass, opening onto a glorious view of the forest. There was a large bathtub which was full to the brim with mud. At least that was what it seemed; the aroma, however, was sweet, floral and surprisingly mulchy. Outside of the glass wall was a natural hot spring, it beat a muggle jacuzzi any day of the week.
"I don't understand?" Lily said turning to Severus who was securing the door behind them.
"It's a Moroccan Rhassoul Mud Massage," he explained as he began undoing the buttons of the simple shirt he wore.
"Someone is going to come and give me a 'Mud Massage'?" she asked sceptically.
"No, we are going to give each other a massage." He paused removing his shirt. "Then we will get into that mud bath together," He began removing his trousers, "and when we're finished; we will go outside naked and covered in mud." He stood there in nothing but his underwear, "Then we will relax in a very cleansing hot spring." He finished as he stood there - completely naked.
"That all sounds very - erotic," she blushed a little, smiling at her rather smug looking husband. "But, why does it have to be mud?"
"It's not the kind of mud you find in the backyard, at least I hope not!" he smirked, "It's nice mud."
"Nice mud?" she asked sceptically.
"Yes, it's got many healing and invigorating properties. The mud is infused with various herbs, both mundane and magical. This one has honey water, which has invigorating properties; hence it's used in Wiggenweld-"
"I get it, Professor Snape, I don't need a Herbology lesson!"
"Fine - Dittany, which makes it very healing. Fluxweed, which is especially good for the skin." He paused for a moment eying his wife. "You need to take your clothes off for this."
"I thought you could do it for me." She smiled coyly raising both arms above her head.
Severus stalked over to his wife, and he pulled up her top, taking it over her head. Kneeling down, he placed tender kisses from her navel working upwards, always gentle and feather light. When he finally stood before her, he took her face into his hands and touched his lips to hers, tilting her head for a deeper kiss.
"Happy Anniversary," he whispered.
His hands moved to the buttons at the side of the loose and flowing skirt she wore; it instantly fell, puddling around her bare feet. Lily stood there, bedecked in the lace he had bought for her.
"Ravishing," he whispered in his deep, gravelly voice.
"Are you not going to take these off too?" she asked sweetly, wrapping her arms around him, her lips caressing his neck. He made short work of the lacey underwear.
Severus pulled towards the mud, but there was also shea butter and black soap. He began at her feet, soaping her up, moving attentively up each leg. Then he rinsed and massaged up her legs and thighs with the hot mud, the mulchy and minty fragrance overtook their senses. Severus moved slowly and sensually up her body, kneading her muscles, drawing out satisfied moans.
"Turn around," he asked, ignoring her more intimate area.
She complied, and he buried his face kissing all over her luscious derriere.
"Sev..."
His hands then joined the mix, massaging the globes of her bottom, rubbing the mud into her skin and between her thighs.
"You are so beautiful," he whispered almost to himself.
His hands moved up and round, coating her taut abdomen and his hands slipped down, intimately.
"Yes-"
"You like that?" he asked.
Lily nodded her approval as his lips continued their assault on her lower back, as though he was priming her with kisses, before sensually rubbing in the mud.
"Your turn," Lily demanded as pulled him up, kissing him deeply.
She rubbed the mud into her chest, and he looked at her quizzically, she merely smiled, ensuring she had an ample coating. She pressed herself against him kissing his lips once, then moved her body down his, kissing as she went. Soon she was on her knees, staring at the proof that this was indeed this was his favourite couples activity. She lavished the rest of him in mud, leaving just his straining member clean.
"You're allowed to put it there you know," he smiled down at her.
"I am not completely coated yet; I think you should finish me off first,"
Severus smirked back set to make sure he thoroughly coated the rest of his wife in the rich smelling clay. Then finished painting the last portion of his own body against his wife. He led her to the bathtub, climbing in, he helped her into the hot clay mix, pulling her close to him.
"I love you, and I honestly have no idea what man I would be if you hadn't married me thirteen years ago. I hope you know how much I appreciate you. How much I love you," he whispered the words into her ear as she lay against his chest, cradled together, both quite content.
"Always." She whispered back, and it seemed that was enough. Knowing that she would always love him, and he her, that she knew how much and that he knew it was reciprocated.
It was sometime before they rubbed off the mud and headed to the outdoor hot spring. Their tingling skin, fresh and invigorated, was only intensified by the hot milky coloured spring they sat in, Severus now fidgeted, knowing now was when he planned to make his proposition to his wife. Not that he was nervous, but what Severus was suggesting, he had wanted for some time, and though he felt she would want it too, he couldn't help but fear that it wouldn't come to pass.
"It's that time, right?" Severus began, "You should be taking your - er - monthly potion today?" he asked.
"Mmm," Lily replied, curling into her husband's chest, the water lapping against them.
"I thought that, maybe, you don't take it this month?" he questioned.
"But Sev, then I might get pregnant…"
"I know," he replied as he lifted her, gently placing her on his lap. "I know." He repeated kissing her.
Lily looked into her husband's deep smouldering eyes - very few people had the pleasure of seeing Severus Snape's smoulder, and it made Lily swoon.
"Are you serious?" she asked with a faint smile.
Severus nodded slowly, beginning to kiss her neck. Lily reached an arm to her husband's neck pulling him in for a long and satisfying kiss, practically wrapping herself around the man.
"You can take time to think about it, I've thought about it a lot," he smiled brushing the bright red hair out his wife's face and capturing her lips once more.
"I want it," she smiled as she broke off the kiss for a moment, "I really, really want it, Sev. Are you sure?" she asked tentatively, almost like she was frightened he might change his mind at the last moment.
"I want it more than anything else in my life. I want to have a little girl; I want her to be just like you; bubbly and smart. I want her to have your eyes, and I want to hold her in my arms every single day."
Severus leaned into her, kissing her passionately and she more than reciprocated.
"Sev, the potion is likely still in my system, I am not getting pregnant today," she smiled.
"Practice makes perfect," he said as he continued.
"Practice makes sense," she breathed nodding furiously, her voice filled with arousal.
The weekend was coming to an end. Severus had endured many more spa treatments and couples activities, though he had been thoroughly compensated each and every night. It was on the last afternoon when they were waiting for their table at the restaurant that they had an unfortunate run-in with 'The Potters'. They sat by a window that overlooked a vast lake that was framed by a cluster of willows. For all intents and purpose, it should have been the perfect ending to a perfect anniversary weekend. As it happened, Mary, an old friend of Lily's and James Potters wife, spotted them and was soon waltzing over.
"Lily!" she beamed.
"Mary? I haven't seen you in years!" Lily gushed as she rose to greet her friend.
Severus remained seated. He watched as the husband, James, walked stayed at the bar - evidently he was just as eager to avoid interaction as Severus. Mary, however, settled down beside them with little thought.
"What are you two doing here?" she asked with her warm and friendly tone.
Severus had to admit it was a shame that she and Lily had lost contact - and all because their husbands despised one another. Mary had always been a good friend and someone that Lily had been able to talk to; it was that best friend that every girl needs, especially when complaining about a significant other. Severus figured she would have a lot of complaining to do, he had to admit he must be hard to live with, and he was the grumpy sort.
"Severus is treating me for our thirteenth wedding anniversary," Lily gushed. "Honestly, we have had the best time. Is this your first night?"
"Yea," Mary continued, slightly less enthusiastic. "James' idea..."
"How about I leave you two to catch up, and I can get you both some drinks?" Severus' hand snaked into Lily's giving it a gentle squeeze.
"That would be lovely, a White Asphodel for me please?" Lily asked, then looked over to Mary.
"I would love a large Redcurrent Rum please," Mary smiled.
"On the way," Severus slowly made his way towards the bar, though he still heard the starts of an interesting conversation;
"James thinks this place is going to 'save' the marriage!" Mary complained as he neared the bar.
Severus stood a moment waiting for a bar-wizard, purposefully ignoring James to one side who was downing a shot of Firewhisky - Severus was more of a scotch man himself.
"Mr. Snape, what can I get for you?" the bar-wizard asked.
"I would like a White Asphodel and a large Redcurrent Rum, and for me, I will have a glass of the scotch from the other night?"
"Ah, yes, the Pheonix-Fire Scotch?" the Bar-wizard smiled, "No one makes Scotch like Aberforth," he said as he poured a generous portion over the rocks.
Severus nursed his scotch as he waited on his other drinks. He glanced over at the messy haired man, the other husband, a man resorting to a spa to save his marriage. He took pity on the man and offered him a bit of advice - smug advice - but advice none the less.
"You don't take your wife to a Spa to save your marriage," he said as he sidled over to the man, still keeping a careful distance between them.
"Snape, that isn't why we're here!" James retorted defensively.
"Sure, that's why your wife is sat over there complaining to my wife - when Lily and I should be enjoying our final night by celebrating thirteen years of marriage," he added sarcastically. "If you want things to get better - counselling. Spa means a 'quick fix' you need to show that your willing to change - counselling is a long-term solution."
"And who said that I was in the wrong,"
"James- you're always in the wrong," Severus retorted as he placed coins on the bar to pay for his drinks. He was about to take them to the table when the Bar-wizard returned with two envelopes.
"Mr. Snape, Mr. Potter, you both received some mail,"
The man handed over the cream envelopes and was soon attending to another customer. Severus flipped it over in his hands, and there on the wax seal was the Hogwarts crest. What could possibly be wrong now? Severus ripped open the letter, reading he got more and more worried. Leaving the drinks, he went straight to Lily.
A/N: Thanks for reading - please review
i also have a poll on my profile page to decide which of my longer running fics should be my prority whilst I am taking part in the Quidditch League. If you want the Grudge please vote.