Another July
Heather hugged Leonor and patted her on the back saying, "Nice that you visited for the Sunday Brunch; we'll repeat that whenever the pub offers another possibility. You are always so … unsmiling. But you enjoyed yourself today, didn't you?"
"I did and thank you very much for the invitation. You and Thomas are so attentive, helping with the children and everything whenever I ask." Leonor shuffled her feet. "It was lovely to be here."
"Don't mention it! It's about time to meet our small wizarding community."
"Well, I should go now. Marcus and Eileen are whining. They are tired after playing with the other children."
Leonor wrapped Marcus safely in her cloak who leaned the head against her shoulder, the eyelids heavy with sleep.
"I'll floo him home and return quickly to get Eileen. I cannot manage having both in my arms anymore. They grow so fast."
"No worries. I can bring Eileen if you want," suggested Heather tilting her head and pressing the matter of Leonor's home once again.
"One day, I'll invite you. Promised!" said Leonor firmly giving no extra information. She meant it and disappeared in the green flames to return just minutes later picking up her daughter from Heather's arms.
It took not long until both children were in a deep slumber. Leonor yawned; the interruptions of the nightly sleep when Marcus was hungry, the overall circumstances and the sea air made her still more tired than busy days allowed. She walked slowly upstairs, deciding to leave potion making for once and have a nap instead. Each time when she returned, she hoped to hear Severus' voice but today at was silent again. More fear clenched the heart with every step; blaming herself for leaving the cottage and frightened by the thought that it was too late.
And then, there was something different. Severus leaned against the headboard; eyes closed.
"Sev," called Leonor cautiously.
She placed herself on the edge of the bed, taking Severus' hand. It was comfortable warm. She squeezed it lightly, and he opened the eyes, first gazing to the window and squinting against the bright blue sky then turning towards her.
Severus looked at Leonor, enchanted by the soft voice, feeling cool fingers on his skin. Her brown eyes sparkled, the face pale and calm. Leonor was even more slender than he remembered, the dark straight hair carefully placed around her left shoulder. She wore a night-blue dress with the casual elegance he admired so much. Shadows of worry blighted the beautiful eyes and grey strands accented the dark brown hair again. He had to keep a better eye I on her.
"Sev, you woke up. I hardly believe it," she whispered pressing a kiss to his lips, hesitant and gentle. Then she beamed at him.
He didn't respond to it, just tried it with a crooked smile, inhaling the familiar smell of lilies of the valley.
"Can you speak?"
Severus shook his head; the picture of the snake coiling in the cage and biting through his neck returned. He remembered that he spoke last words to Harry Potter after giving him all the painful memories. He had no clue what the boy made of it nor did he know how he came here. But it was certain that it was the cottage 'Above the Cliffs'. He straightened again in that new life and looked around, searching an idea about what to do next. His mind was blank.
"I bring you something to drink. You must be thirsty," suggested Leonor and left him to think about the taste of pure sparkling water running down the burning throat.
She hurried away, returning first with a glass of water and later with a tray of different food, soup, tea, fruits, chocolate.
She still beamed at him, taking the empty glass and conjuring a small table to set the tray down that Severus could eat. It looked delicious and created a selfish feeling of immense hunger in him. He had never been that hungry before.
"Eat," said Leonor quietly and if he started with a small gulp of aromatic tea she continued to speak. "Take your time, I've got loads to tell you if you like to hear it."
Severus nodded; an apprehensive frown darkened his expression.
"It's good things," she reassured him and started, "You've been bitten by Nagini —"
Severus listened and stopped eating sometimes to give full attention to Leonor's words or to ease the pain from swallowing. He brushed the overlong hair from the face out of desperation that he couldn't speak. Severus moved the lips, but no word escaped his mouth. Leonor held his hand or reminded him to continue with the meal; after a long tale she finished saying, "You've been asleep for two months. It's July now."
Severus gaped at her, bewildered and angry with himself. He cursed the own weakness, looked away ashamed and hid behind the curtains of black hair as he'd done already as a boy.
"Look at me, Sev!" Leonor's soft voice became more resolute. "It's not your fault. All what counts is that you are alive."
Severus looked at her again and gratitude swallowed the anger.
She said firmly, "Your voice returns, I'm sure."
Leonor hugged him and the warmth of love flowed through his body. She loved him, still.
XXX
The window in the guest room stood open. Flint lingered on the windowsill, ruffling the crimson feathers now and then. A thunderstorm brewed in the distance, the temperature high and the summery air stifling humid before the sun dipped below the horizon.
Severus used still the guest room, his new clothes in the wardrobe, the Daily Prophet of the past months read through and in a heap on the floor. He hadn't yet missed any of his few possessions from the old life, although refusing to move back to the large bedroom with Leonor and the children. Now he sat alone on the wooden chair in the corner watching the Phoenix. The arranged distance helped to shake off the unsatisfying feeling of being just half a man; it sorted his mind, healed his soul. There were daily moments when he believed to awake from a nice daydream and to learn that Voldemort was still alive. But the end of the war became more real with every new Daily Prophet. Just meeting with Lily had been a hallucination, a terminating one.
He allowed a day in between waking up and sneaking to the bathroom, testing his strengths. Then he waited another two days before attempting to speak, impatient with the progress. The initial croaking changed into a softer rasp and meanwhile he accepted the speech sounds as his own. It was about time that he worked on the last stage and Leonor gave him enough space strengthening the magic in solitude, taking silent walks on the beach, flying longer distances with the broom or brewing potions to fulfil mail orders now and then. He progressed.
Leonor cooked extremely well and missed no opportunity to surprise him with something delicious. If it wasn't for a meal — and she pulled all stops to overfeed him — then with a new story about Eileen or Marcus or a walk along the cliffs. Severus liked it most, when she made scrambled eggs every morning, just wrapped in that silky black dressing gown. It showed the female curves well and sometimes his hands got lost under it, kissing her mouth deeply. They'd not explored further, everything appeared new and different. There was no rush to finish; every day was followed by a tomorrow in that new life.
Severus' most favourite pursuit by far was watching the children. Marcus loved to play on a colourful patchwork blanked in the guest room, the sister always close and under observation when she improved walking along the walls and furniture, holding tight to keep the balance. He could truly say that he had a knack in calming his son whenever he was upset; Severus couldn't deny that he was proud of it. Marcus smiled just now and then but Eileen was a sunshine, curious and looking for toys everywhere. She preferred pushing chunky blocks in different shapes through matching holes. Whenever she succeeded, Severus conjured a colourful butterfly, or a flower, and she giggled in delight. Her little finger pointed already to her father's wand demanding a reward for every mastered challenge.
Severus stood up from the lone chair and dressed in denims and a t-shirt preparing for dinner. It was the first time that he chose a t-shirt over a roll-neck pullover. He had difficulties seeing the scars, the fresh skin still red and puffy and the sight created the unmistakable feeling of weakness.
"Flint come here!" said Severus suddenly and the bird obeyed with a beat of its wings, landing on the outstretched arm.
"It's not good to brood upstairs on my own, isn't it?"
The bird tilted his head, the beady eyes gleaming.
"Leonor doesn't deserve that. I've got to do something."
Flint gave Severus an interesting look, screeched and escaped down the stairs taking a seat on the perch in the kitchen.
Severus sighed, "Of course, I follow you."
Leonor stirred a lamb stew.
"Dinner is almost ready," she said. "You are earlier than usual." She frowned at him. An amused smile curled her lips when she noticed the casual shirt, but she said nothing putting parsley to the luscious smelling pot.
"Can I have a word with you?" said Severus with a low voice.
"I wanted to ask you something too." Leonor took the stew from the stove, set it in the middle of the table and filled the plates.
"You start," said Severus hesitantly, a little afraid and curious at once.
"You asked first, you start," grinned Leonor.
Severus cleared his throat, tasting the lamb stew. "You've outdone yourself again."
"Not bad for the English, isn't it? Anyway, come to the point!" she cheered.
"I'd like to go shopping and if possible, get us some fresh fish."
Leonor looked up, "The ministry is still searching for you and it's no fish season."
"I will give myself up to the ministry." Leonor gaped at him and Severus added quickly, "— not immediately but soon. I need to make a clean sweep of the past."
"We can hide here forever."
"No, we can't. Neither you nor I want that."
Leonor swallowed. For some reason she'd hoped to have more time before Severus suggested going to the ministry. The thought to lose him again was worse than the dislike of the isolation.
"You can go to the ministry right away. There's no need to do the shopping before," she snapped.
"I thought you'll come with me," suggested Severus quietly. "This Thomas is a ministry official and can be a help when I sort out some things first, necessary things. And what did you want to ask me?" said Severus casually cutting the tension.
"It's Eileen's birthday tomorrow."
Severus looked questioningly at Leonor. He had seen all the ingredients for a marvellous birthday cake and was sure that she planned something.
"I like to invite Caryn, Heather, Thomas, Alma and Richard. They all helped so much and asked for visits. All excuses are exhausted. I'm sure they don't tell a thing about you if I ask them."
Severus just shrugged, taking Leonor's hand, smiling, "That's what I want if it is your wish. You've been locked up for so long; I've been too long — ill."
"You don't mind meeting them?" Leonor raised a brow.
"No. From what you told me, I'm sure they surmise something anyway. It will make Eileen happy to have some change."
Leonor flicked the wand, still anxious, "Would you also be alright with that?" Two scrolls of parchment flew into her hand, and she gave them to Severus. He read the words on the official documents quickly.
She explained with a determined voice, "I think there's no reason to keep it a secret anymore. You are the father. I want to call our children Marcus Severus Snape and Eileen Eleanor Snape. These are the only rightful names to me."
"And what if the ministry thinks I'm guilty? I've been a Death Eater after all. Dumbledore cannot vouch. I'm his murderer."
"You are still the father; you did everything on Dumbledore's orders. I cannot believe that they lock you up. Lucius and Narcissa are already free again."
"They are free on bail with loads of money. The trial is open," snapped Severus and added grudgingly, "and I became a Death Eater out of free will."
"It does not matter to me. I want your name on the birth certificates and I will ask Thomas to authenticate that tomorrow. I'm utterly not willing to tell a tale to my children about her father."
Leonor continued eating ignoring Severus' frown about her rock-solid wish. She knew that she took him by surprise, and he would never agree voluntarily.
"Well, if you have to do that," said Severus after a long silence and pushed the empty plate away. "Don't blame me if Eileen and Marcus have to fight biased opinions in the future."
When Leonor didn't react, he stood up walking to the bedroom, undressed and went to bed, his arms folded like a defiant teen.
Leonor cleared the table with a hex and asked a bit too sharp for being believable, "What's that supposed to mean?" She pointed at him lying in the bed while she slipped into an emerald green cotton chemise and caressing Eileen and Marcus before snuggling under the blanket. Severus eyes followed every move and the boyish expression changed into mischief.
"Nobody believes that I am your man if I sleep in the guest room," he purred velvety. Severus just snapped his fingers to turn off the lights and conjured some candles. The thunderstorm reached the coast and heavy raindrops drummed to the windows. It was cosy when Severus embraced Leonor, warm and intimate.
They kissed, exploring their bodies in the romantic light. Leonor moaned soon under Severus' touch, the thin fabric in between them boosting the desire. She pushed him away, sitting upright to undress completely. She lifted the night shirt over her head, the taut breasts dancing in the orange glow, Severus' eyes watched her shape greedily.
"Are you protected?" he whispered, raining kisses down her neck, licking the salty skin around the hard nipples, sucking them gently. "I've prepared something if you haven't —"
"I've been waiting long for you to come around," she groaned under his lips. "I'm prepared. Three drops of potion every day, and we can be together — always." She moved the fingers along his chest drawing circles on the fine black hair. He shuddered under the feather-light touch.
"There…is…no…risk?" he murmured in between breathing kisses to her shoulders, tracing the thumbs along the insides of the soft thighs.
She withdrew, stretching out on the bed. He gasped; her skinny, almost fragile body was perfectly shaped, erotic in the candlelight. Then she took his hands, pulling him softly down to the mattress; she whispered, "Everything is perfectly safe."
XXX
The heavy rain of the night cleared the summery dust in the air. A mild refreshing breeze blew along the coast and rippled the curtains. The day greeted the world bright and sunny. Severus dozed in a dreamlike state, Leonor snuggled up to his chest, moving slightly and yawning.
A hungry Marcus interrupted their love play in the middle of the night, or they'd never stopped until daylight. The little one drank the bottle fast and fell quickly asleep in between his parents, befuddled by the homely warm atmosphere, cuddled against his father's chest, sucking his thumb peacefully. Watching Marcus was tiring; the magic of physical attraction translated into unconditional love for the little soul that seemed so often grumpy and unsatisfied. It took not long before they all fell into a relaxing rest.
"Are you already awake?" asked Leonor, eyes still closed, the voice uneven from sleep.
"Kind of awake," replied Severus.
"What do you mean by that," she said intrigued by the suggestion.
"Is reliving tonight's events awake or daydreaming?" Severus reddened slightly.
"Wordplays," scolded Leonor softly.
"Eileen plays in the baby cot, she's definitely awake and Marcus observes the dreamcatcher."
"So, we have some more minutes." Leonor pressed kisses to Severus' skin, circling the left areola with her lips. Her hands touched the sensitive spots under the blanket making Severus groan in frustration.
"Not now," he pressed through gritted teeth. "It's bright daylight, we've been unguarded tonight already. Good that Eileen didn't wake up."
Leonor stopped and leaned on her elbows. Then she frowned and made pouty lips, "Secrecy again?"
"We've to behave ourselves in front of the children. They are in the same room," snapped Severus.
Leonor knew that he meant it but couldn't stifle a grin about his deathly glare.
"Upholder of moral standards," she said pointedly and broke into a laughter when Severus blushed. Then she fell back into the pillows, closing the eyes again and saying, "Kiss me or I seduce you on Eileen's birthday."
Severus pinched his nose before a smile twisted his expression; he whispered into Leonor's ears, "Right away, Ms Scott?" but didn't wait for the confirming yes.
Severus leaned closer and traced Leonor's lips with his tongue, kissing her sweetly. It added spice to the moment and soon they knotted under the large double blanket. They both craved for more, but Eileen had to say something too.
"Mummy, daddy," she piped stretching a hand to show her teddy bear to them. When her parents poked out under the blanked slightly disturbed, she hugged the teddy and fell backwards, rolling with him in the baby cot.
Leonor pressed the white linen to her mouth, stifling the giggles. Severus looked mortified, pulling the shorts over his butt and moving aside to sit upright against the headboard.
Eileen still cuddled with the teddy bear and Marcus curled his lips to one of the rare smiles. He tried to reach for Eileen's stuffed toy, but she was too far away in the large baby cot. He grabbed the blankie instead and pressed it against his cheek, still smiling.
Leonor enjoyed laughing aloud now, the family planet was complete. Severus kept a straight face, though the corners of his mouth twitched.
"You've been right," said Leonor under another fit of giggles, "We have to be careful." She summoned her nightgown from the coat rack and wrapped herself in it. Then she walked round and lifted Eileen upwards, kissed her and said "Happy Birthday, Love. One year old and so clever!" She spun Eileen around in circles sharing the easy laughter with her daughter.
"Your turn." Leonor gasped for breath handing Eileen over to Severus.
Then she took Marcus, kissing him as well, rocking him on her knees gently until the little boy showed a solid smile. She leaned against Severus who played 'happy birthday' tricks with Eileen. Marcus cuddled against Severus chest, watching the escaping colourful butterflies very concentrated. Severus put an arm around Leonor pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
"We should indeed hide here forever," he said when a dark red rose erupted from the tip of his wand.
Eileen seized and snuffed it, sneezing from the strong smell.
"That one is for your mummy." Severus took it gently away from the little hands.
"Thank you." Leonor swallowed, allured by the strong smell. "It is perfect," she whispered in awe.
"Not the rose, you and my — my family," he spluttered before falling silent again. It was the right decision to return. In the past he never dreaded facing death. And now there was so much to discover, every day had a pleasant surprise that was worth living. Did he fear death after passing the threshold?
Severus heaved a sigh, conjured a strawberry and Eileen took a greedy bite stretching the arm making Marcus to taste as well.
"It's time to lift the Fidelius Charm, isn't it?"
"Unfortunately," said Leonor, one eye sad and the other smiling at him.
"When do the guests arrive?" Severus spoke with lips pressed together.
"Richard comes only for dinner, Alma and Caryn for the birthday cake in the afternoon. I'll ask Heather and Thomas to come an hour earlier. I still need to send them all a message."
Severus looked at Leonor, uneasy with the thought about visitors and still convinced that it was the right step to go forward. They could not hide forever even though it was an enticing thought in moments of bliss.
"Can I help with something, except erasing the Fidelius Charm?" asked Severus.
"It would be nice to eat outside. The weather is brilliant."
"Good. There's some wicker furniture in the attic."
Leonor looked bewildered.
"You haven't found it, have you?" smiled Severus knowingly.
She just shook her head.
"A corkscrew stair winds down when using the same spell as Dumbledore used to secure the entrance to his office. It's in the niche between the bathroom and the guest room. I checked it before showing you the house."
"Why didn't you say it?"
Severus shrugged, "I probably forgot. It's big and empty, except that wicker furniture, no vermin or pests."
"No flying Doxies? They can be dangerous to babies."
"It's clean. Coffee or tea for you?" He pressed a quick kiss to Leonor's lips amused by the mix of delighted surprise and motherly care. He walked away.
"Coffee," she said calmed by Severus' casual tone. "I want to come with you when you go to the attic."
"Sure," said Severus and narrowed his eyes. He smirked.
"Ah, you are proud that you found italone!" shot Leonor at him, angry about her stupidity to not even search for a loft. There was such a big roof!
"No, of course not."
"Don't play the innocent. You did that on purpose!" she snapped.
A soft pillow flew to the direction of the door and hit Severus to the back of the head before it fell abandoned to the floor.
He grinned over his shoulder chuckling, "Unsatisfied with yourself, Leo?"