After a year of outings with Viviana I realized that I had fallen in love with this woman. It terrified me.

What scared me even more was the fact that she returned my affection.

"Viviana, there's something that I need to tell you," I started uneasily during another one of our picnics.

We were seated in the shade beneath one of the tall oaks at the edge of her lawn. She was curled up beside me, using my shoulder as a pillow as she began to nod off in the spring breezes.

"Yes, darling?"

"I-I need to tell you something," I managed to whisper.

Viviana opened her eyes and looked up to me softly. "What is it?"

I braced myself and lifted my left arm from where it lay on her side. Using my free hand I undid the buttons of my cuff and rolled the sleeve up to my elbow.

The Dark Mark was clear as day sitting there on my skin.

Viviana gasped at seeing it and sat up quickly. "You're a Death Eater?"

I nodded shamefacedly and looked away, unable to bear the scorn I knew she would give me.

"Severus," she reached out and grasped my chin, turning my head so I had to look at her. "Severus, I cannot condone anything you have ever done while serving Voldemort. I want you to know that."

Big surprise.

"But, I also want you to know that I love you regardless. You're a good man, Severus. Dark Mark or not, you've proved this to me time and time again." Her hand moved up to cup the side of my face.

Now that was a big surprise. I couldn't see my face to see how much shock I revealed but from the smile Viviana gave me I could tell it was clearly written. "You…still love me?"

"Always."

I wrapped my arms around her and held her tightly. Never before had I known joy like what had a hold on me then.

The moment was ruined by a clap of thunder that came from nowhere. Instantly the sky darkened with black storm clouds.

"Come on!" Viviana laughed, wriggling out of my grasp and springing to her feet. She held her hand out to me and smiled that smile which could melt any amount of ice.

I took her hand and with her help rose to my feet. She wasted no time in dragging me out from the protection of the tree and into the sudden downpour.

"Dance with me!"

"But I can't dance…"

Viviana laughed and took my other hand as well, placing it on her waist and putting hers on my shoulder. "That doesn't matter, just move."

I remembered a few years ago being taught to waltz for the Yule Ball at Hogwarts. Easing into slow movements I began the dance that I hadn't performed in many years.

Viviana watched me as we danced. Her hair dark and clinging to her skin; we were both completely drenched by now but it didn't matter. We were having fun.

"And you told me that you couldn't dance," she said with a sly grin.

"You bring out the best in me," I replied. Once again I wrapped my arms around her and lifted her up into the air.

She laughed as I spun her around in the rain. When I stopped and put her back on her feet Viviana stood up on her tiptoes, took my face in her hands and kissed me.

It was soft and sweet and unlike anything I had ever known before. Nothing could compare with it.

I returned her kiss softly, still afraid I was going to do her some sort of harm, and pulled back. "You're shivering, let's go inside."

Viviana nodded and took my hand again to lead me into the house.