Alia: Like, I said, it's a week later and here is another piece of my oneshot. A lot of people seem to like Alex even though he is an OMC. I'm happy. I have plans for Harry finding out soon (although it'll be a while before you guys can read it).

In this chapter, you'll be finding out a little bit about Alex. I'm gonna keep adding more info about him as things continue, so you'll see why I'm so happy he and Sev are together. Just don't count your chickens though, okay?

Title: Expecting The Absolute Weirdest

Author: Alia

Part 1/1

Rating: R

Pairing: Severus Snape / Original Male Character; Severus Snape / Harry Potter

Spoilers: I'm not exactly sure...HBP spoilers (just not the way you would think)!

Warnings: slash, language, angst, humor?, AU

Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own Harry Potter. I would like to but JKR does and I don't think she's inclined to share.

Summary: Two men facing painful losses drown their sorrows, and make an already interesting rollercoaster much more interesting.

Author's notes: This is just a silly little story. I don't even know why I'm writing it. I think it may be one of those feel good stories. NO SAP. It makes me sick to my stomach. Ah well. Here goes.

Expecting The Absolute Weirdest

"You were married?" he asked.

The man sprawled out across the persian rug nodded solemnly. "For three miserable years."

"Did you love them?"

"Yes. I loved her. At least before I found out what she really was. Then I hated the little bitch."

The damn nightmares always started the same for him. He was always running down the familiar street, hoping and praying that he would get there in time as the street appeared to extend in length.

When his frustration grew he was instantly inside his house, staring at the dead bodies. One of his comrade. The other of his enemy. A moment later he would turn and race up the stairs to the second floor, hoping and praying that when he reached the nursery everything would be fine.

It never was of course. He would always hear the cruel laughs and jeers just as he reached the top of the stairs. The bastards not knowing how much danger they were in as he rushed toward the nursery.

He alway arrived as the man he cared for screamed at his attackers.

"No! Not NATHAN!"

He could never run fast enough to stop the flash of green light.

And he hated it that he ran to the nursery door just in time to see his love and their child fall to the floor dead, the baby clutched tightly in the man's arms.

Unfortunately, the nightmares tossed him one last 'fuck you'. He would always wake up covered in a cold sweat. His nails would be digging deep into his palms, trying to break the skin. His teeth would be clenched tightly as his eyes stared up in horror. His body would shake and shiver tightly as he lay totally still on the bed.

He always tried not to move when he woke in a sudden shock, but somehow he married a light sleeper and Severus woke up everytime.

"Alex?" whispered the potions master.

Alexius turned his head in the darkness of Severus's bedroom and looked into his husband's dark eyes. Severus stared back silently with concern.

/Damn it./ Scowling, Alex sat up in bed. Burying his hands into his hair, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his bent knees. "God damnit."

Severus sat up. He gently pressed his hand against his husband's back as he leaned in to check on the younger wizard. He didn't try to avoid the scars, one long, jagged and deep but most thin and short, as he rubbed Alex's back.

The potions master kept his silence as he watched his husband deal with his frequent nightmare. Alex had told him about it and Severus could understand why the man was still haunted by what had happened.

"I want this to be over. I'm happy now. So why am I still dreaming about all of it?" Alex whispered. He started taking deep breaths, hoping to steady his heartbeat and ease the shivering in his body.

Severus hated hearing the desperate tone in his husband's voice. He rubbed Alex's back and shoulder. "Some things stay with us," he said hesitantly.

Alexius's eyes darted to the side to catch Severus's. He wasn't the only one that had nightmares. Severus has told him of his shameful history as a Death Eater. He'd also heard of his lover's painful childhood and school years. He probably knew more than Dumbledore.

"I know," he replied softly. Alex ran a hand across his face. "But it's been three years, Severus."

"Alex, no one is going to get over having their family slaughtered."

The wizard grimaced at his husband's bluntness but knew that Severus was right. The deaths would be burned into his mind forever. "I want to forget the past." He looked at Severus solemnly. "I have my business in a good country with a very amusing husband." Alex grinned weakly at the expected snort. "I want to be happy."

"I'm...content with you, Alex." It was Severus's way of saying that he was happy with Alex and his marriage. Severus couldn't bring himself to say it straight, but a quick glance at Alex told him that the man understood. "But I'll never forget my sins or my failures. I'll never forget the people I couldn't help during the war, both my enemies and my comrades."

Alex nodded, his face showing deep thought. "I suppose that's a good thing. That I don't forget." /People as dark as me can't forget. It means I still have morals, still have a conscience, still have regrets. It stops me from sliding any farther down that road to become less than human./ He closed his eyes for a moment, remembering when he'd run down that road to embrace all he could absorb.

Severus might have been a Death Eater but he'd changed and did what he did for good reasons. Alex had started out with good intentions as well, but they hadn't lasted him long on his road to hell. /You are a better man than I, Severus. You just don't know it./

"Come here," Alex whispered, pulling Severus from his side of the bed to Alex's. The younger wizard needed to hold Severus just to prove that everything was alright now. He couldn't change the past but he could hold on tightly to the present and future.

Alex pulled the professor into his arms and let Severus's straddle his waist. He leaned in and kissed his husband. The two men lay back into the damp sheets as Alex undressed his husband.

Vector checked her watch again before shaking her head at her equally impatient colleagues. A few frowns were thrown Dumbledore's way, but only received smiles in return.

McGonagall tried to ignore her fellow professors as everyone waited for Severus and his spouse to arrive for breakfast. Albus had told them little to nothing about Severus's husband after sending them to the dungeons. The only information the old wizard had offered was the man's name and where he lived.

Hooch sighed impatiently. "Where the bloody hell are they?! Haven't they worn each other out by now?"

Minerva scowled at the flying instructor. "Do you mind? I think they deserve to have some privacy."

"I didn't say they didn't!" Hooch said rolling her eyes. "Calm down, Minerva. I don't mean any harm. I just want to meet the man already. I keep asking myself why Severus would marry someone after a few weeks."

"Don't you think that's something you should be asking Severus?"

"I don't really think he would answer," said Hermione. "You know he's always been a very private person."

"And that's why we're all so interested!" Sinistra smirked, concentrating on both the conversation and her breakfast. "Severus has no intentions of telling us anything. We have to find things out ourselves."

"All of us are curious, Minerva," said Sprout as she also came to Hooch's defense. "Even you want to meet Severus's mysterious husband."

"He must not be very bad." Flitwick smiled. "His name means Defender of Good after all." He paused. "I wonder if either of them intend to change their names? Alexius Snape sounds a bit off."

"See, Severus. I'm not the only one that thinks so."

Dumbledore smiled brightly as the newlyweds walked side by side through the Great Hall to the Head Table. Severus was in his usual robes and Alex was dressed the same way as before. Glancing discreetly at the others, Albus noticed that all of his staff had their eyes focused on the couple. "Good morning, gentlemen! You've decided to join us for breakfast?"

Severus provided Albus with a single nod in response while Alex gave a bit more opened response. "Yes. We wanted something on our stomachs before we left for Hogsmeade."

"Ah. A tour, Severus?"

"I may as well. If not, he'll go on his own and get lost," Severus responded in his usual caustic manner. He had mellowed a bit though.

The Hogwarts staff all turned to look at Alex to see what his reaction would be. The man merely smirked at his husband.

Poppy cleared her throat and tapped Severus on the shoulder. "Don't be rude, Severus. Introduce us." Severus glared at her as Alex grinned. Pomfrey stared at him until Severus growled low in his throat.

"Fine," snarled the potions master, who looked around at his too smug colleagues. "Pomfrey, this is Alexius Agathon. Alexius, this is Madam Poppy Pomfrey, the school mediwitch." Severus then went back to his breakfast, ignoring everyone else.

Again, Alex didn't look at all displeased or disturbed by his husband's behavior. He turned to the Headmaster. "Would you like to continue, Albus?" He nodded his head at the other professors. Chuckling, Dumbledore introduced Alexius to everyone else which only took a few minutes.

It was during the first meal of the day that everyone saw the way Severus and Alexius communicated with each other. They spoke of course to tell or ask each other common things, such as passing the butter at the table. They talked about where they would go in Hogsmeade and decided on any suggestions offered by the other professors.

But it was their silent communication that captured everyone's eyes. When Flitwick had said a joke that Alex found funny and Severus didn't, the younger wizard would tilt his head to the side and offer his husband an amused look. After a moment, Snape would roll his eyes and turn his head slightly away to hide the small curl of his lips.

When it was suggested that they go to a rather boring exhibit at a museum, Alex had nodded then gave Severus a tolerant smile. The potions master had raised an eyebrow, leaning back with a light frown. Alex had blinked in surprise when Severus shook his head minutely. The wizard in white had smiled in relief.

And after Severus had finished his barely filled plate, it had been Alex that had asked him to eat more. Usually, the duty fell to Dumbledore, but Alex didn't recieve as much trouble for it. He had simply taken Severus's hand before the wizard had dropped his fork and stared at his husband. The two men exchanged a long glance before Severus scowled and added more food to his plate. Alex then brushed his elbow gently against his husband's with an apologetic smile. Severus had paused before nodding again, not taking his eyes from his food. Agathon had sat back with a satisfied look.

The two men left not too long after. Neither realized that they had left a rather relieved group of concerned friends.

TBC

Alia: God, I'm so confused. Anyway, here is the third part of the long oneshot. I said a week. It's been a week, so be happy okay. Any questions? Ask me. I just might answer! Otherwise, REVIEW!!!