Domestic Bliss

Given such troubled circumstances, Zelda was delighted to have half an hour to consult with Severus before he needed to leave. Her plan for the afternoon settled, she kissed him goodbye and sent him on his way.

"I'll see you when you return," she said, caressing his lined cheek. "We'll have fun."

He kissed her once more, adjusted his robes carefully and left her.

Zelda sighed. Turning to Rowena, she said, "I feel like a house elf, only useless. Do you want to snuggle?"

The dog, sprawling in front of the fire, thumped her tail on the floor when Zelda sat down and began petting her.

"Mrs. Professor Snape? Why are you sitting on the floor?" asked Dobby, arriving without warning.

"I love to sit by the fire," she said. "Are you here to help me?"

"Dobby is assigned by Professor McGonagall to help whenever Mrs. Professor Snape is here," he replied.

"Dobby, you made our bedroom look so beautiful. How did you learn how to do it?"

"Dobby is serving the Malfoy family before he is freed. Mistress was wanting everything to be perfect, so Dobby learned to make things nice," he replied.

"Were they awful to you?" asked Zelda hesitantly.

Dobby nodded apprehensively. "They is bad Dark wizards and being very cruel to house elves."

"Dobby, you're wonderful, and you've helped me so much, but I don't want to force you to do anything. The way they treated you was horrible and wrong," she said. "And I feel guilty having you do work I could do."

"But house elves likes to do work!" protested Dobby. "Maybe Mrs. Professor Snape doesn't know because she is a Muggle, but house elves has always done work. Truly, we likes to work."

"Does it bother you that I'm a Muggle?" asked Zelda. "Professor Snape says lots of magical people don't like Muggles."

Dobby shuffled his feet slightly. "Dobby likes Mrs. Professor Snape, but some of the others… They is thinking bad things about Muggles. But Dobby is happy to help you, Mrs. Professor."

"Thanks," she said, smiling at him. "Now, if you're really sure you don't mind, I was wondering if we can make some improvements while Severus is gone…"

&&&&&&&&&

Severus arrived at Professor McGonagall's office as the meeting was beginning.

"Come in, Severus," she said with a small grateful smile. "We are just starting."

Professors Flitwick, Sprout, Hagrid and Tonks were there with Kingsley and Michael. It was an interesting group of people, he thought.

At a nod from Minerva, Professor Sprout said, "I thought at first the Whomping Willow was completely destroyed, but although damaged, the roots and trunk are still living, so eventually it will grow back. But it appears that someone injected Exploding fluid into it. The poor tree was completely helpless against such an attack."

The witch's voice shook with outrage when she spoke and she looked around at them, honestly bewildered.

"So it seems this was planned in advance," said Minerva, "since Exploding fluid is not something allowed at Hogwarts."

"It's highly restricted," Kingsley said grimly. "When I return to London I'll see if I can trace it."

"What about Draco?" asked Tonks. "Is he all right? Did he do it? He's looked so depressed lately, that I don't see him having the rage or energy to be so destructive. And would he be so stupid as to be discovered out there?"

All eyes turned to Michael.

"What Draco tells me is confidential," he began. "I won't violate that, or he'll have no reason to trust me. But your instincts are good. Also, he needs to keep coming to St. Mungo's for the foreseeable future, so I hope you'll make that happen."

Minerva nodded, pleased by his succinctness and professionalism.

"Headmistress," said Hagrid. "Someone took a huge sack o' trophies and awards from th' Trophy room and shoved 'em inter a knothole in th' tree. They're all bunged up from the explosion."

"Why would anyone vandalize the Whomping Willow and the school trophies?" she asked, shaking her head in disbelief.

"I dunno," he replied. "I brought 'em back ter Mr. Filch. He's gonna need help ter fix 'em."

She pressed a hand to her temple and rubbed firmly. "I'll speak again with the entire staff at our regular meeting tonight. Filius, have you spoken with Miss Patil about this?"

He nodded. "She will make discreet enquiries among the students. I'll speak with her again tomorrow after dinner."

"Thank you all for your assistance," said Minerva. "Severus, if I may have a few moments now, I see no need for you to attend the meeting this evening."

She nodded dismissively to the rest.

Michael, Kingsley, please wait for me," murmured Severus, instructing them without words to return to Zelda.

"No problem," replied Kingsley, smiling lazily at him.

Severus turned to Minerva as the door closed behind them. "How unfortunate that you cannot accuse anyone without proof of their guilt."

"That would be the Ministry's way," she replied. "Severus, we must resolve this quickly. Rumors say that Rufus Scrimgeour wishes to take more control of the school. It must not happen."

"When Draco will speak with us, he can shed some light, I believe. Although he is not behind these incidents, he seems to know a great deal."

She nodded, wishing briefly that she could simply blame Malfoy, but knowing there was more to it.

"I suppose you'll leave soon. How has your weekend gone? Does Zelda seem happy here?"

"She's unaccustomed to being isolated, so this must be a temporary situation. Having the dog with her has helped." Smirking, he added, "Dobby fascinates her. She enjoys his company, although she dislikes having him do the work. But there may be dangerous magical rubbish hidden in the unused corners, so I'm glad he's cleaning. It was clever of you to bring him down to us."

"Slytherins aren't the only cunning people in this castle," replied Minerva complacently. "We'll speak more of this tomorrow."

&&&&&&&&&

When Severus opened the door to his quarters, he was amazed. There were lamps everywhere, and the fire in the hearth beckoned. The main room was still sparsely furnished, but what furniture there was had been clustered around the hearth to make a comfortable conversation area. However, only Rowena was present. She rose from the hearthrug and trotted to meet him.

He headed next for the smaller sitting room. He noticed the large desk had been moved to the wall near the doorway, and another lamp had been positioned near it. When he entered the formerly unused room, he stopped in complete surprise.

The room radiated color and warmth. Zelda, Michael and Kingsley were having tea at a table positioned near the windows. They were laughing and talking so intently that they didn't notice him at first. Zelda's eyes were sparkling with amusement, and the sight of her warmed him. He was fortunate to have acquired such a wife, he thought complacently. For many years he'd thought he had no need for a soft life. Now, however, he felt he'd been a fool. Life could have wonderful moments.

Zelda looked toward the door and saw Severus standing quite still, watching her. She smiled as she studied her thin, black haired husband. His body radiated tension; something she was beginning to realize was normal, except when he was alone with her. Perhaps he'd never truly feel safe, she mused sadly. It seemed so unfair.

"Hey, gorgeous wizard," she said. "We'd like to make plans for Christmas."

One black eyebrow rose enquiringly and he advanced toward the table, glancing around at the room. Zelda and Dobby must have been very busy, he realized, and this welcoming room was the result.

"What plans?" he asked.

"I hope you and Zel will join us at the cabin between Christmas and New Years," Michael offered. "Lily and Eli can come too, and thanks to your magic, there's plenty of room for everyone."

A glance at Zelda told him how much she hoped he would agree, so he could only approve. After all, there was no one else he had the slightest interest in being with for Christmas.

"Of course we will," he said. He was rewarded by a glowing smile. "Let us know the exact dates, Michael."

The two men rose from the table, each kissing Zelda's cheek in passing.

"We'll be going," said Kingsley. "And we'll be in touch about this other situation. Enjoy the rest of your day, Severus."

"Thank you," he replied, walking them out through the main room. He closed the door firmly behind them and returned to Zelda.

"Well?" she asked, coming to him and hugging him.

"I like what you've done with this room," he said. "You and Dobby were busy, weren't you?"

"I actually like the wide-open spaces. No need to clutter it with too much stuff. I just added certain features."

She led him to the couch, still in front of the fireplace, but with large squashy throw pillows on it, and a thick hearthrug under their feet. Once they were seated side by side she let her head fall against his shoulder.

"I feel so different here," she told him. "I don't feel like the cranky old teacher woman, I dare to feel safe when I'm with you. I play house with Dobby, sit by the fire with Rowena and snuggle with you whenever you're here. I feel like someone else."

"In fact, you're on holiday," he said softly as he slipped an arm around her shoulders. "Shall we go home soon?"

"Don't you have to stay for the staff meeting?"

"Minerva has excused me," he murmured into her curly hair. "I'm at your disposal."

"Why don't we stay a little longer? We haven't actually had much time together since we've been here."

Hope ignited in him as he realized that she liked it here, but he must not pressure her because of his own desires.

"I'd like to see everything you've done. Will you give me a tour?"

"Of your own rooms?" she asked mockingly. "Sure."

The room they were in still seemed huge, since she had not filled the space with furniture. Yet there were two different seating areas, as well as a small table with four chairs. Dobby had also uncovered the wall of bookshelves and polished the wood. It cried out to be filled with books, he mused. The south-facing windows were uncovered, and when there was daylight again, there would be more sunshine than he'd imagined, from the skylights and windows.

"Dobby must be smitten with you," he remarked, looking at two arrangements of bright colored blossoms. "Needless to say, house elves have never brought me flowers."

"He's so sweet and funny," she replied, a faint frown wrinkling her brow. "Sev, I know Hermione went at it foolishly, but it's not right for these creatures to work without pay and feeling like they have no choices. I'm all for accepting people as they are, and I know they like to work, but… it makes me uncomfortable. But Dobby'd be so hurt if I said this to him."

"Don't say it, then," he advised. "You cannot instantly change something that developed over centuries."

She nodded thoughtfully. After a few seconds she said, "Let's go see the rest of it."

The main room was still largely empty too, although better lit and with the couch and armchairs around the hearth.

"You could have awesome parties with all this space," she murmured with a teasing smirk. "This one room is as big as my whole house."

"Apologize at once for that appalling suggestion," he hissed. "It is perfect as it is, empty."

"If you had any sense whatsoever, Snape," snapped a haughty voice from the wall, "you would entertain and begin to form political alliances. I hate to say it, but your wife makes a good point."

Zelda began to laugh helplessly. "Between house elves and portraits, is it possible to be alone at Hogwarts? Phineas, you know I didn't mean Severus should become a sleazy political suck-up."

"If he wishes to be Headmaster of Hogwarts someday, he must make the right connections now," replied the late headmaster.

Severus could feel control of his life being wrenched from him by a magical portrait. "Ridiculous!" he snarled. "I'm not even a teacher here, merely a consultant. You forget yourself, Phineas Nigellus."

One slim eyebrow rose curiously. "Then why are you redecorating as though you mean to live here?"

"Because it pleases me to do so," he replied sourly. "I am finished dancing to anyone else's tune. My life is my own, to live as I see fit!"

"Go away, Phineas," said Zelda. "You're annoying my husband and I won't stand for it. You won't look nearly as handsome with that old towel thrown over you."

Looking quite pleased with himself, Phineas sauntered out of sight. As soon as he had disappeared, Zelda put her arms around her husband's waist and pressed firmly against him.

"Ignore that pompous thing," she murmured. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. Hey, has anyone ever used a magical portrait for a Muggle dartboard?"

Reluctantly he tried to let go of his ill humor. With Zelda to defend and baby him out of his mood, he could not help but feel better.

"You treat me like a child," he said a bit sullenly. "God forbid that Phineas should witness that."

"You're not a child, merely a brilliant guy who should learn to say no, when idiots try to manipulate you," she said appraisingly. "Your appalling and splendid devotion to duty can only get you into trouble. Phineas knows it too."

He sighed. "I am not prepared to think of a future beyond the next few weeks. I have no interest in political meddling or becoming headmaster. I'm tired of playing games."

"Don't be discouraged," she said. "I wonder if you forgot what our bedroom looks like. C'mon, let me show you."

He smiled then, as she pulled him into their room. In fact, it looked very little different than it had earlier, he thought in some amusement.

She pulled back the comforter and turned to him. "You need relaxation, my boy. The Christmas holidays are coming soon, but this won't wait."

She had him undressed in record time, and once he was lying on the bed she massaged his back and shoulders firmly, gradually brightening his outlook for the time being.

"Thank you," he said grudgingly. "I'm a lucky man."

"You are," she agreed, smiling. "I'm equally lucky, of course, which makes life perfect."

She began caressing his thin shoulders, savoring the feel of his warm skin.

"Something is not right here, my girl," he said, rolling over so he could look into her eyes.

"You're right," she replied, pulling the comforter over him and standing up to get undressed.

He gazed at her intently. It was extremely endearing, he thought, that she still blushed when she realized he was watching her.

She dove hastily under the covers and into his arms, snuggling against him.

"Much better," he murmured. He studied her face for a long moment, and then kissed her forehead gently.

"I'll never be able to take you for granted," he whispered. "Your existence in my life is a miracle."

She pushed his hair back from his face, twining her fingers into it, and softly kissed his lips. She smiled when his hands began moving downward and turned her onto her back.

"It still startles me that I'm married," he said, brushing his nose against hers. "My sweet wife, your presence is the only safe haven I've ever known."

"You're so sexy and adorable," she murmured, stroking his cheek. "Sev, do what you want to do with your life. I'm on your side, no matter what you choose."

She put her hands on his shoulders and drew him down into her embrace as their eyes were locked in deep communion with each other. As always, they were swept away by their intense passion. The next few hours seemed to fly by, once they finally had the chance to concentrate on each other.

"How long do you think it'll be before we stop acting like horny teenagers and behave like the staid middle-aged people we are?" asked Zelda, drowsing in post-coital bliss.

His eyes narrowed irritably.

"You, my sweet minx, are anything but staid," he said mockingly, while a hand strayed playfully to her breasts. "And I spent many wretched years alone. Unless you object, I shall take frequent advantage of your talent and enthusiasm."

"It's not dignified," she suggested mildly, but her eyes twinkled. "It's fun, though. Does anyone here at Hogwarts know what a stallion you are, Sev?"

A slow flush crept up his gaunt cheek. His mouth opened, but it took him a moment to say, "Erm… No."

"It's our little secret then," she murmured, pressing her face against his neck and kissing him. "I adore the stallion, of course. But I'd rather not be mocked for conduct unbecoming my advanced age."

He smiled thinly. "I prefer not to be mocked at all. A wholesome fear and loathing are what I prefer to inspire. Only then can I be left alone."

Her lips curved into a smile against his ear, tickling him.

"Anyone who meets me will reconsider that terrifying impression. They'll either think you've gone all soft or that you have low, disgusting taste in women."

"If they have the foul audacity to propagate such lies, I'll hex them," he replied.

"What if it's someone who's better than you are at magic?" she asked with an impish grin.

"That is unlikely," he said simply.

She considered his response. Knowing him so intimately, on some level she was aware of his knowledge of his own powers. Only Voldemort had frightened him, she realized, so even though she no way to compare him with other wizards, she believed his magic was very strong.

"Would you ever hex me?" she asked slowly.

"No!" he said, a frown clouding his stern brow. "It pains me that you could suggest it."

She was instantly stricken with regret. She'd known what his answer would be, even before she asked. But she was unprepared for the unhappiness she saw on his face.

"The reason I asked is…" she murmured softly, "I might sometimes want to do this."

She shoved him onto his back, straddled him, kissed him briefly and began to tickle his belly. His sudden gasp told her that he was indeed ticklish, and his breathless laughter made her laugh and try another sensitive area.

Severus reflected, weak with helpless laughter, that no one else would have dared to do this to him, and it was marvelous. He withstood it as long as he could, then sprang upward suddenly, flipped her over and covered her body with his own.

"I don't need magic to counter your impudence," he said, finding her ineffectual struggles beneath him quite amusing. "What do you have to say for yourself, Mrs. Snape?"

He was holding both of her hands firmly with one of his, and his other hand began tickling her soft belly with a light, teasing touch that made her squirm.

"I found your weakness, Professor. The soft underbelly, so to speak," she said, gazing up at him, defiant and completely unrepentant. "And a wonderfully tender, kissable underbelly it is."

"Will you tell me your weakness, my naughty wife? Or shall I discover it for myself?"

She'd begun to struggle as he tickled her harder, trying and failing to subdue her laughter. Her attempt to escape his clever fingers created friction between them. She felt the result against her belly and realized that their frivolous play had taken a turn for the better.

"You're my weakness, Severus," she confessed seriously, effectively ending the game. "You're the dearest person I've ever known."

Their eyes locked and they opened their thoughts and feelings to each other, drawing closer than any mere physical embrace. By the time they gathered Rowena and their belongings to return to Zelda's house, they were in remarkably good spirits.