11. Interrupted Birthday Dinner

The rest of the week went by without a hitch. Classes ran smoothly and Severus even had a little bit of time here and there during the evenings to work some more on the theory of curing the insanity that was the result from prolonged time under the Cruciatus Curse. He had always thought that the potion he had developed against the aftereffects of the Cruciatus would make a good base. Reading up in the potions book that Bobbie had given him for his birthday and that had at one time been forbidden by Voldemort, he wasn't so sure anymore.

His potion had been a great help against the symptoms of the curse but Alice and Frank Longbottom and all the other victims of the resulting insanity didn't show these symptoms anymore. They were lying in bed perfectly still and didn't recognize anybody and anything, almost like statues.

He had read about a disease that transpired 70-80 years ago and it reminded him of this disease. Most victims had been Muggles but even a few Wizards had come down with it. They eventually had found a cure, a potion, in the Wizarding World but never gave it to the Muggles because Grindelwald had prevented it. The disease had never occurred again and therefore no one stocked up on the potion anymore or even knew how to brew it, but he was sure he could find the recipe for it by doing some research and maybe this potion would be a good starting point.

Soon it was time for them to leave for home. The weekend at the cottage turned out to be even more relaxing now that the registration had been approved and Severus was able to do magic there. He decided to continue to conceal Apparating from and to the cottage though, since there were still some Death Eaters out and about, who had so far managed to avoid imprisonment.

After dinner on Sunday night Severus and Bobbie were sitting in front of the fireplace with a cup of tea each. Usually they would have shared a bottle of wine but because Bobbie didn't want to drink during her pregnancy Severus decided he was joining her in not drinking any alcoholic beverages. He was sitting there with her in his arms and she had her head against his shoulder. Finally she asked, "How come we can go home every weekend, I thought there have to be two of the heads of houses at the school at all times?"

"Minerva is doing us a favor. She said she will take my weekends for the rest of the school year because we are newlyweds and because I am working on that werewolf potion so much. She insisted I needed some rest." He smirked at her. "It will be different next school year."

Then he said while laying his hand on her stomach, "This little girl will have lots of aunts and uncles."

"Yes she will," Bobbie said. "Poppy told me there hasn't been a married couple with children living at Hogwarts for a very long time. She said that she had heard about it but it was way before her time."

"How are you feeling? I heard women have something like morning sickness in the first 2 or so months," Severus asked.

"Some do and some don't. So far I have been lucky. It is enough that my breasts are tender and I can't believe how huge they are," she said.

Severus face showed remorse when he said, "Please forgive me if I have hurt you. I will be more careful when we... when we make love. I... I just was trying to give you what you like..."

"It's okay Baby. You didn't know and I think you are very gentle to begin with. My body is changing. Pretty soon I will be as big as a Muggle car, or the way Tonks had put it, as large as one of Hagrid's giant pumpkins." She laughed and then became sad when she thought about Tonks.

Severus saw a lone tear running down her cheek and wiped it away with the pad of his thumb and kissed her. "I know you and Tonks had been close..."

"I just can't shake seeing her in the back of my mind how happy she was with Remus being back and then having that little boy. Now Teddy has to grow up without parents."

"Yes, it seems very unfair, even though Lupin was never one of my favorite people. I have to say seeing him in that place when I almost died, ...that place where I saw Albus, the Potters and Sirius Black, it somehow showed him in a different light..., actually all of them. I don't really know how to describe it...," Severus mused. "It also was very peaceful there. I don't think you have to feel sad about it."

"Yes, that is what my grandfather always says. Some Nevari have the ability to communicate with people who have passed. Unfortunately I never inherited that gift." Then she snorted. "Speaking of sadness, I hope you can handle my emotional ups and downs when I am a little farther into this pregnancy. If I am anything like my older cousin, it will get downright annoying for you. I was about ready to wring her neck a few times."

Severus stroked her hair and said, "We will cross that bridge when we get there. I think you can't ever be annoying and you will be beautiful even then."

Bobbie sighed and stifled a yawn and said, "Unfortunately one of the things that also changed is that I am feeling tired earlier."

Severus got up and magically directed the tea cups into the kitchen sink and then pulled her off the sofa by her hand. "Come my Love, let us retire then. In any case we have to get up earlier than we did the last two mornings."

He led her to the bedroom and after they got ready to go to bed, Bobbie fell asleep in Severus's arms.

888

The two of them Apparated back to Hogwarts Monday morning. They walked inside the castle and dropped off their things they had brought from home and went straight to breakfast where Minerva engaged Severus into a talk about Bobbie's upcoming Birthday. Since Bobbie was in a conversation with Poppy who was sitting on her other side they were sure she wouldn't overhear them.

"Are you still thinking about taking Bobbie to that new restaurant on Thursday?" Minerva asked.

"Yes, I am. Why do you ask?" Severus said.

"Well, I was wondering if I should give Bobbie a birthday present or if I should pay for a good bottle of wine for you two to drink with your meal. I have heard they have a very extensive wine cellar."

Severus smiled at Minerva and said, "I think a small gift would be sufficient because Bobbie isn't drinking right now." By then his smile had almost grown into a grin which was something Minerva hadn't seen too often on the caustic teacher, even though he had changed somewhat in that regard.

She looked at him for quite a while thinking and with a puzzled expression on her face but not coming up with anything, so Severus whispered into her ear, "We are expecting."

Minerva's face lit up in realization and blurted out, "Severus that is wonderful!" Then she looked around and said a little quieter, "I am so happy for you...!"

Of course Filius had heard Minerva's excited outburst and asked, "What is wonderful?"

Needless to say the news went around the teachers table within seconds and even the students noticed the excitement. They didn't know what was going on but they caught on that it had to be something really good because even Professor Snape had a smile on his face.

As soon as breakfast was over and they all went into the teachers' lounge everybody congratulated them. Bobbie winked at Severus, "I was wondering how long we could keep that a secret."

888

In the evening while getting ready for bed Severus came up from behind and took Bobbie into his arms while she was standing in front of the mirror. He kissed her on the cheek and said, "I was hoping to take you out to dinner for your birthday on Thursday."

Bobbie smiled at his reflection and said, "I would like that. Where are we going?"

"I was thinking about trying that new restaurant we saw in Diagon Alley, 'The Blue Cypress', so we need to dress accordingly," he said and nibbled on her earlobe which made shivers running down her spine.

"I will do anything you want if you are keeping this up," she whispered with her heartbeat increasing. She turned around in his arms so that she was facing him. She wove her fingers into his hair and her breath was turning ragged when he nipped and sucked on the sensitive part on the side of her neck. She moaned when she felt his hardness press against her. His lips were finding hers and his tongue demanded entrance in between them.

When they came up for air she whispered, "Make love to me Severus..."

She didn't have to tell him twice. He led her to their bed and positioned her underneath him. He traced a trail of kisses from her mouth, to her earlobe, her neck and to her breasts. He made sure he was very gentle with his caresses when he kissed and nipped her there. He heard her moans and felt her pushing up her pelvis to let him know how ready she was for him. He parted her legs and slowly entered her while closing his eyes and enjoying the feel of her around him. Merlin, she felt so good... The passion in him was mounting while he moved with slow deliberate strokes. He heard her moans of pleasure and it almost undid him.

Bobbie met his every stroke with a hunger that only he knew how to still. When she felt the tension mounting, a small cry escaped her lips. Her climax was shaking her body to the core. When he felt her tense, the sensation pushed him over the edge. He came violently and collapsed on top of her but making sure he wasn't going to crush her. He finally rolled off her panting. He pulled her to him and into his arms and said, "I can't seem to keep my hands off of you. I had no idea it could be like that."

"I feel the same way, Baby. I never met anyone like you. This is a whole new experience for me also. I hope it will always be like this," she said.

"Speaking of it, is there a time when we can't do this anymore because of the baby?" Severus asked.

"No, we may have to get a little creative because eventually my belly will be in the way and we may need to be a little careful."

Severus lay there thinking about this for a moment when he heard her stifle a yawn and just a minute later he smiled when he noticed her even breathing from having fallen asleep.

888

The next days moved along like in a blur and before long it was Thursday. Severus woke his wife with tender kisses and happy birthday wishes and in the evening, just before Bobbie left the infirmary to walk to their quarters, everybody showed up to wish her a happy birthday. Of course Poppy already had done so as soon as she had shown up for work in the morning.

Minerva gave Bobbie an envelope and said, "This is from all of us and it is for both of you. We still thought Severus was on the dark side when he had his birthday. So it will be a very belated one for him."

"Thank you very much you guys," Bobbie said and gave all of them a radiant smile.

"Well, open it!" Poppy said.

Bobbie opened the envelope and found two small cards inside. She looked at Poppy with a puzzled face and said, "I'm really sorry, but what is it?"

In that moment Severus came inside and walked up to her. She showed him the cards and he said, "Where did you get those? It is the fee for the Portkey to Canada."

She pointed at the group of professors and said, "It is our birthday gift from everybody."

Astounded Severus looked first at Bobbie and then at his colleagues and shook each ones hands and said, "I sincerely thank each one of you. You didn't have to do this. This is too much."

"No it isn't! It also doubles as a wedding gift," Filius said.

"But you already paid for the wedding," Bobbie argued.

"We were very happy to do that for you and you are very welcome. It is the least we could do, especially with all of Severus's help during the war," Poppy said. "By the way, Kingsley pitched in too."

"We truly appreciate it!" Severus said sincerely and Bobbie nodded in affirmation.

Then Minerva said in a no-nonsense way, "Now, get out of here you two and get ready for your dinner. Let us know how it was and if it is worth all the hubbub I keep hearing."

"Thanks again and we will let you know," Bobbie said and then she and Severus went to their quarters to get ready. Severus of course wore the usual black dress robes. Bobbie wore her wedding dress that she had given to Millie the day before to change the color. She had it done in a medium grey which almost made it look silver combined with the shiny material of the dress. Her auburn hair, that she had curled into corkscrew locks was a perfect contrast to it and reminded Severus of fire and ice.

Severus looked at her and reverently said, "You look magnificent. I am so lucky having a beautiful wife like you. I don't even know how I deserve this life I have now."

She went to him and put her forefinger against his lips and said, "Shh, I don't want to hear it. You deserve this and much more. By the way, you look very handsome." Then she kissed him gently.

Severus pulled her to him and deepened the kiss and then suddenly stopped and said with a husky voice, "We better stop this or we never get out of here." Then he stroked her up her back and laid his hands on her shoulders and said, "I like this dress on you, it looks familiar."

"I wore it for our wedding and had Millie change the color. I thought I better wear it as long as I still can. Pretty soon my belly won't fit in it anymore. It already has gotten a little tight around the top." She shrugged.

"You look perfect and you still will with a baby belly," he said and went to the wardrobe to get her cloak just in case it cooled down on the way home and she would get cold while walking from outside the Apparition zone to the castle. He draped it over his forearm and tucked her hand over his other and led her out of their quarters. On the way out of the castle they saw Minerva. She waved at them and wished them a good evening.

They walked outside and then through the castle gates where Severus Apparated them to Diagon Alley and right in front of the Restaurant doors.

When they walked inside Severus gave Bobbie's cloak to the valet to hang it up. A waiter walked up to them and inclined his head and said, "Professor Snape, may I escort you and your lovely wife to your room?"

Before Severus could give him an answer Narcissa walked up behind him and said, "Ah, this is the reason why we couldn't have the private room tonight, because we had to give precedence to the hero of the Wizarding world." She all but spat the word 'hero'.

Bobbie saw Lucius walking up behind Narcissa and Draco and Pansy just entering the restaurant. Severus inclined his head in greeting and drawled, "Narcissa, lovely and observant as ever." He nodded at Lucius and then greeted Draco and Pansy and said to Narcissa, "Excuse us, our room is waiting," and he motioned for the waiter to lead them to the private room.

If looks could have killed Bobbie and Severus would have dropped dead from Narcissa's glare. Severus was livid with the looks Lucius had given Bobbie in her satin dress that fit her like a glove. He had all but undressed her with his eyes.

The waiter pulled out a chair first for Bobbie and then Severus and gave them the menus and said he would be back in a minute to ask them what they wanted to drink.

Bobbie noticed Severus's mood and laid her hand onto his arm and said, "Don't mind Narcissa. She just has to get used to playing the second fiddle these days."

"I can handle Narcissa, it is Lucius. He was virtually devouring you with his eyes," Severus hissed.

"Let him, Baby. He is nothing but a sad philanderer," she said. "He can look as much as he wants. I am all yours." She stroked his cheek and smiled at him.

Severus smiled back and suddenly glanced over her shoulder and through the archway that led into the private room and growled and then said, "Don't turn around and look but the Malfoy's took the table right outside the room and Lucius has a straight shot at us."

In that moment the waiter came back and asked what they wanted to drink and Severus ordered a tea for both of them. The hostess who brought it a little while later recognized Severus and said, "Professor Snape, it is good to see you."

Severus looked at her in recognition and said, "Don't tell me... Ah yes, Miss Johnes... Ravenclaw I recall. You graduated two years ago. How is life treating you?"

She answered, "Actually it is Mrs Greyborow now. I married Thomas Greyborow, also from Ravenclaw but one year ahead of me."

"I remember him well. He used to be one of my better students. So were you by the way. I thought you would be working in research by now."

"Well, I started but Thomas always wanted to open his own restaurant one day, so when he got into some money and the war was over we started this." She motioned with her hand around the room.

"This is your restaurant?" Severus asked.

"As a matter of fact, it is!" she said proudly.

"Congratulations! It is a very nice place. You have done well." Then he motioned to Bobbie and said, "This is my wife Dr Snape. She is working as a psychiatrist at Hogwarts."

The young woman shook hands with Bobbie and said, "It is very nice to meet you Dr Snape. I hope you have a nice evening and let me know if I can do anything for you both."

Bobbie said, "Thank you, as a matter of fact there is something. I was wondering if there was any way we could move the table over a little. There is this man out there staring."

She waitress turned to look outside the archway and saw Lucius Malfoy. Bobbie and Severus saw recognition setting in on the woman's face and she said, trying not to laugh, "Very well. I can fix that for you." She walked over to the archway and with a flick of her wand a white opaque glass door appeared over the opening.

Severus smiled at the woman and said, "We appreciate your kindness."

She said with a knowing look, "You are very welcome. It was no trouble at all. I will give you some privacy to go over the menu."

When the woman was gone Bobbie asked Severus why Draco and Pansy weren't at Hogwarts. He answered, "Draco asked me if he could leave on Thursday after classes this week because of his parents' 25th wedding anniversary. I had no idea their anniversary was the same day as your birthday because when I looked at the calendar in the classroom it didn't hit home that it was the same day. I knew they got married soon after Narcissa left Hogwarts. Since this school year is a month longer because of the war, that makes sense. What an unfortunate coincidence that they picked the same restaurant. Of course that still doesn't explain why Miss Parkinson would be here."

"Maybe when they picked up Draco they decided to take Pansy also," Bobbie mused.

"I will have to ask Minerva if they even asked her. Well, what is done is done. Let us not dwell on it and ruin your day."

"I agree!" She smiled at him and they went to look over their menus.

Unfortunately Lucius Malfoy had a different idea. They had just decided what they wanted when somebody knocked on the door and Lucius stepped inside with a bottle of wine and two glasses in his hands. He looked down at the both of them with his haughty air and said, "I haven't failed to notice that the both of you decided on tea. They have a marvelous selection of wines here, if you are ready to shell out a few more galleons of course. I seem to recall that you are partial to a good red wine once in a while, Severus."

Severus didn't fail to notice the veiled jab against his limited funds and breathed in a deep audible breath of air and let it back out in annoyance. "Lucius, do you mind? This is my wife's birthday. I appreciate the gesture, however if I would have wished to have some wine I would have ordered it. I have only decided that I will join my wife in not consuming any alcohol as long as she is carrying our child."

Malfoy first stared at Severus like he needed to get a grip of what he had just heard and then he stared at Bobbie and then at her stomach. After the information had finally set in he looked at the bottle of wine and the glasses and said, "Well, I, err..., I guess I will take that back then..." He turned around and went out the door.

When Severus looked over at Bobbie he saw her with her hand pressed against her mouth trying not to burst out laughing. Severus shrugged with a grin and said, "I guess that took care of that idea..."

Bobbie chuckled and shook her head at him. "Severus Snape shrugging and grinning like a banshee. That is something I thought I would never see."

"Don't tell anybody. I have a reputation to uphold." He smiled and took her hand and kissed it.

The next one to show up was a boy with a huge bouquet of red roses. He sat the vase on the table and Severus gave him some money before he left. Severus again took Bobbie's hand and said, "Happy Birthday, my Love!" He then leant over and gently kissed her.

"Severus, these are beautiful, thank you!" She pulled one of the roses out and smelled it. She smiled when she noticed the wonderful scent. She then brushed the flower gently down Severus's cheek and bit her lower lip with a seductive look in her eyes.

Severus's breath quickened and his eyes were riveted on hers. The spell was broken when the waitress showed up to take the order. After she was gone again Bobbie looked at the roses and reached across the table and took his hand and quietly said with a smile, "I think my wonderful husband is a closet romantic. I like it."

"Again, don't tell anyone," he said and smirked.

"I wouldn't dream of it! I want you all to myself. If word gets out I may have competition." She flirted with him knowing it would cheer him up even more after the interruption from Lucius Malfoy.

Eventually their food arrived and they had an enjoyable meal. They agreed that whoever had told Minerva that the food was excellent had not exaggerated. Just after they were done eating Draco knocked on the opaque door. "May I come in? I just wanted to say goodbye."

"Yes Draco, by all means." Severus said.

Draco went to Bobbie and shook her hand and said, "Happy birthday Dr Snape." And then he added quietly, "I hope you had a nice evening despite my parent's interferences."

"I appreciate it Draco. It isn't your fault, so don't worry about it," she said.

Draco looked at both of them and said, "I will see you tomorrow. I wish you a good evening."

He was just about to leave when Severus put his hand on Draco's arm and asked, "Draco, why is Miss Parkinson here? I thought you had made up your mind about her."

Draco first looked at Bobbie contemplating if he should say anything in front of her but then just came out with it, "It wasn't my idea. I didn't want to be here in the first place. I thought we are celebrating at home, but mother coaxed me into going out to eat with them for their anniversary and the next thing I knew, Pansy showed up. Father said he had talked to Professor McGonagall about it."

"Draco, my wife knows what is going on with you and Pansy - or should I say, what is not going on. She figured it out when you came by our quarters the other day." Severus took Bobbie's hand and continued, "We both agree that you, and only you, can make the decision with whom you want to spend the rest of your life."

Then Bobbie said, "If you already know that Miss Parkinson isn't the right person for you it will never work." Then she smiled and said, "Don't tell your parents I said that. I have the feeling they already have made up their mind that they don't like me."

"It's only my mother...," Draco blurted out. Then embarrassment flooded his face and he looked down at the floor and said, "I better go. Good night!"

When Draco was gone Bobbie said, "Poor Draco, he is so confused. We need to let him know that he can always come to us if he needs someone to talk to, or just to get away from that mess he is living in."

"I have told him that already and I think he knows that I speak the truth, but he has to get over that pride first. Slytherins don't just pour out their hearts, ...as you very well know," he said with a flush of embarrassment thinking about himself. Then he added, "I will tell him again."

When the waitress came Severus paid the bill and left a generous tip. She thanked them for their patronage and wished them a great evening. When Bobbie wanted to take her bouquet of roses Severus told her they would be delivered to their quarters. Before they left the restaurant he helped her into her cloak. She thanked him and when they were outside she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him and thanked him for the wonderful evening.

"I would have preferred fewer interruptions though," Severus stated.

"It wasn't your fault, Baby. I still had a good time, and quite honest I enjoyed seeing you putting Lucius Malfoy in his place. That was priceless," she said and grinned.

Severus chuckled. "That happens to be one of the many perks of Voldemort's downfall. It is refreshing to do whatever I choose, including giving Lucius the cold shoulder. Are you ready to Apparate?"

She took in a deep breath and the next thing she knew they were outside Hogwarts' gates. They slowly strolled up to the castle enjoying the cool fresh air. When they came to their quarters the bouquet of roses was already sitting on the table. Bobbie looked at him with a feral grin on her face and pulled one of them out and said, "I think I want to continue where we left off when the waitress walked in on us..."

Severus burrowed his fingers in her hair and put his forehead against hers and said quietly, his voice husky, "As much as I like seeing that dress on you, I can't wait to peel it off... Merlin, I just remembered the last time you wore this... Did you have anything under it this time?"

"Yes, I was a good girl and wore panties and a bra," she said and gave him a peck on the tip of his nose.

"Gods, I am glad I didn't remember that in the restaurant. I would have sat at the table like this all evening." He demonstrated what he was talking about by pressing his hardness against her. He then reached around her and opened the zipper, while she stepped out of her shoes. He brushed first one of the spaghetti straps off and kissed, nipped and sucked on that shoulder and then he did the same thing on the other side. Eventually the dress fell to the floor and Severus scooped her up and carried her to bed.

They undressed in a hurry and when they were blissfully naked she started to caress him with the blossom of the rose she still had in her hands when Severus had picked her up. She started with his face, working her way down her 'happy trail' to his magnificent shaft.

He had no idea how utterly arousing the feel of soft petals on his skin could be. She almost got him to lose control with her caresses and when she circled his member and moved on him he had to put a stop to it.

He turned the tables and started by caressing her with the rose. The peaks of her full breasts were responding and he could hear her breath getting quicker. He moved down her belly and to her core. She arched her back and moaned, "Oh Severus..." Her husky words went straight to his groin, his erection painfully throbbing in his need. He groaned, wanting her so badly. When she moaned his name again, pleading for him to enter her he couldn't wait any longer. He parted her legs and probed her entrance, a gasp of pleasure escaping her. He slowly filled her with all his length. She arched her back to receive all of him. The tension was so great he had to pause to get some semblance of control back.

She relaxed beneath him, and he claimed her mouth with hot kisses before he pleasured her with slow deliberate strokes. Her body was craving each and every one of them. She grew almost mindless with desire and just when she thought she would go over the edge he slowed down just enough to drive her crazy with her need for release, "Please Baby..., now...!" she whispered against his lips.

Hearing her pleading like that he couldn't deny his body the pleasure of release any longer. His strokes grew urgent and when he felt her tense around him and cry out his name, he only needed one more thrust before a wave of carnal lust came over him and he emptied himself in her, with a groan of release coming from deep inside him.

The sensual bliss of the afterglow, basking in each other's caresses and kisses was as always a wonderful feeling of love and togetherness. Later, when she was lying in his arms the way they usually fell asleep she murmured, "Mmm, this is the safest place in the world..."

He kissed her on the top of her head and very soon they were asleep.