A/N JKR still owns it. I am extrapolating. This was SUPPOSED to be in response to a challenge on Petulant Poetess but I did not get enough done in time to submit it. My beta for this is SMW, an artist friend

He looked at me; let me into his mind, and then suddenly I knew. The Dark Lord had tortured him much worse than I had thought. His genitals had been bruised, torn, almost totally crushed. The potion Dumbledore had made me brew was the only possible treatment. Unfortunately, it might make Severus subject to almost uncontrollable sexual urges.

"What did he mean when he said ability if not total potency?"

"He meant that I may not be able to father a child, lass. Sit, it is time you knew the truth. Your father and I were fast friends years ago. He never knew I was Dumbledore's spy but when the Dark Lord fell the first time and the Death Eaters were being captured he made me promise that if you came to the notice of the Dark Lord if he returned or his followers that I would take you as my bride. We swore an oath on it. The letter you brought me from him after your birthday reminded me of that oath. The only other person alive that knew of it is Lucius Malfoy. He must have told the Dark Lord. That is why the Aurors will be here for the holidays. It explains your mother's decision about the holidays. Dumbledore has arranged a bonding for us the night of the Yule Ball. If I can do what must be done that night you will be safer because of the vows. If not then we both may die. This is not a game, Thera. No one must know about the bonding. We will have to continue as teacher and student. Except for the times that we must …"

"Have sex? I understand." I ran back to my room and dug through my potions stores. I grabbed a small jar of pale green ointment. "This should help. It is a salve of Murtlap Essence, Nettles and Aloe Vera. It cools and soothes bruising and swelling. Do you want me to apply it or would you rather do it yourself?"Severus goggled a bit at my calm acceptance of what he had told me, but he blushed like a schoolgirl when I offered to apply the salve. I would not show my shock at his news. I left him the salve and stood up to leave. He caught my hand, pulled me back to sit on the bed next to him. His eyes met mine squarely.

"Thera, will you go through the bonding? I am asking you because it is required by the oath. Can you accept me as your husband?" He seemed almost unsure of himself.

"Yes, Severus, I will. I am glad Mother brought me the Green and Copper silk dress. It will make a fitting wedding gown. Am I allowed attendants?"

"One attendant only, lass, she must be trustworthy. We had thought Tonks. But I believe you wish it to be Miss Granger. Very well, Viktor shall be my attendant. So be it. We are betrothed, then. Go back to bed, lass. The next few days are going to be trying at best."

I nodded, and then leaned forward to kiss him. His lips were warm and soft under mine. His left hand entwined itself into the hair at the back of my neck. He pulled me down to him. The kiss deepened. I felt the power of him, the desperation, the need, the pain. Suddenly, I realized what I felt. I loved this man, the way my parents loved each other. I dug my nails into his shoulders. He pushed me away abruptly.

"Go, Thera, now. " His voice was but a whisper.

I shook my head and took back the jar of salve. "Hush, Severus. Let me heal you. My touch will strengthen the healing power of the salve. Remember, I will see you, all of you, in a few days anyway. Let me touch you. Let me ease the pain. Please."

He sighed then lay back. I turned the covers back and gasped at the sight of the torn, bruised, bloody flesh that would require very tender care. I opened the jar of salve and began to smooth it into his skin. As I rubbed it into the skin, I could see improvement. I murmured healing spells, every regenerative spell I could remember. The torn flesh was mending before my eyes. The redness and swelling were lessening. I accidently brushed against his phallus as I reached for the lid to the jar. It jerked in reaction to my touch.

He laughed aloud at that. "We may not have children but we will definitely have a full sex life, lass. Now get you gone."

"No, I want to stay with you. If you should need care before dawn, I want to be here. I will stay in the chair." He looked at me for a long time before making a decision.

"No, there is room for you here, at my side. This is where you belong now." He answered me gently. He scooted over and I slept in his arms for the first time.

I am to marry my Head of House after the Yule Ball in four, no wait, three days time. At dawn, I got up to make tea for myself. I went back to my room to dress, when I returned Severus was awake. He looked very tired and still in a lot of pain. I checked his injuries, found them much better than last night. He laughed again at his reaction to my touch. This time he had achieved an erection even before I touched him. I asked him if he was feeling any overwhelming urges yet. His answer was negative which was good. I asked him if he could stand. He got up easily. I told him to take a shower then reapply the salve. I would make more of it after lunch. I called a House Elf and ordered breakfast for the two of us. I knew the House Elves could not gossip about the things they saw. I ordered the room cleaned. He came out of the bathroom just as breakfast arrived. His bathrobe was old, frayed. I went back into my room, opened the armoire. I took out the robe I had intended for Viktor. Viktor was not a priority anymore, Severus was. I waved my wand and the robe wrapped itself in silky green paper with a large silver bow. I took it back into his room. "Happy Christmas, Severus. Open it. You need the softness. Please, love."

He raised an eyebrow at the endearment but opened the package. The robe was black velvet with a satin brocade belt. It fit him perfectly. Mother had made it and I could have her make another for Viktor in two days. This was my first gift to Severus, it made my heart swell when I saw the way he stroked the velvet. He kissed the knuckles on my hand before we sat down to eat. I was glad that he was healing so fast. I was beginning to believe that my father had been something of a seer when it came to my future and my soul mate. Severus Snape was not exactly the man I would have chosen at first but he was the only man with whom I was well matched. I had slowly been falling in love with him from that first day. The fact that he treated me as an equal, an adult was one of the main factors. He had never lied to me or tried to dictate to me. I simply was not a child to him. I would make him happy. We would survive this coming war. We would emerge victorious. Working together with the Order, we would win.

I made more of the salve for him before asking permission of the Headmaster to go to London for a bit of last minute shopping. Dumbledore gave me permission and walked with me to the disapparation point outside the grounds." You are going to buy presents for the teachers aren't you?" he asked.

At my nod of assent, he handed me a list. I could see that some of his suggestions were better than mine, but a few I had to take issue with. I had decided on a Complete Works of John Donne for Professor Burbage. He agreed that it would probably be better than his idea of a continued subscription to Muggle Studies Monthly. I had also decided on a bottle of Glenfiddich and a box of shortbread for Professor McGonagall. That tallied exactly with what Dumbledore had suggested. I had decided on sheet music for Professor Flitwick, the music from Phantom of the Opera and Aspects of Love. Dumbledore suggested I add the music from The King and I also. He asked very cautiously," Have the two of you come to an agreement? He seemed much better this morning. I understand you have a salve that worked wonders. Could you give Poppy Pomfrey the receipt for it? Or brew us some more? He said he feels completely restored. He told you of the plans for the Ball?"

"Yes, Headmaster, I asked for Hermione to be my attendant. My cousin Viktor may ask her to marry him. I am not sure she is ready for that yet but she is a very good friend. I have given her some Dictamnus Albus for the cuts the Potter boy is suffering because of his detentions with the Umbridge filth. That is one evil woman. I realize Potter and Weasley do not trust me because I am in Slytherin, but can you tell them that we are on the same side. I am still trying to take this all in, but I think maybe my father did me a favor. Severus and I are well matched, our interests, our talents, our learning. And I think perhaps our sexuality. I will find out next week. I think also you have seen my feelings for him growing this term. Am I right?"

"It was only natural that two minds both turned in the same direction should find common ground. And he will need you much more in the coming months. Keep him safe, Thera. He is the closest thing I have to a son. He will need a strong right hand before too many months have gone by. Be that helpmeet. I have used him mercilessly. I regret the ways things have gone. He may have to do things in the future that will eat at his soul. You must be there to heal him, maybe not physically but his spirit. He still has a difficult road to travel. You must be the light at the end of the tunnel. His very life will rest in your hands. Love him and honour him, Thera. He will come to love you in time. He will need you for long years to come. Now go buy the things you wish to buy. Come back to us soon."

I went directly to Mother's flat. I requested that she make another robe for Viktor. I wanted new shirts, trousers, vests, and frock coats for Severus as well as two or three new cloaks. Mother agreed and promised to have them before the Yule Ball. She told me to come back before returning to school. I promised her I would, and then went immediately to Diagon Alley. I found most of what I wanted there but I had to go to Hatchard's on Piccadilly for the Donne Collection. I bought two copies on a whim, a few more books as well. I was back at Mother's before three in the afternoon. She had a trunk packed for me which she said contained things for my bonding. We added my purchases before miniaturizing it for the trip back to school. She kissed me before I threw floo powder into the fireplace and announced "The Hog's Head parlor." I waved at the bartender, grabbed my trunk and made my way to the school. I arrived in time to watch Hagrid setting up the trees in the Great Hall. I then went to my room to wrap presents. I checked on Severus only to find he was not in his rooms. I changed into my weekend casual attire of jumper, jeans and boots with a class robe over the top. I made my way out to the grounds. It was getting dark so I stayed within sight of the doors. I sat on the edge of the fountain humming the music that I loved from Phantom, The Music of the Night. The music of the night was now the music of my heart because night was when I would be able to be with my love. I was still humming it when I went back inside. I was singing it quietly when I went in to dinner. My eyes found those of the Headmaster who twinkled back at me. I saw Severus come into the room .He moved gingerly towards the teachers' table. I could not stop humming nor could I finish my meal. I left the Great Hall and made my way to the top of the Astronomy Tower. I sang the words, danced as if he danced with me. The music in my head made me impatient for the Yule Ball. I twirled and spun until I was caught. Firm, strong hands stopped my whirling. I looked up into the dark eyes I loved and smiled.

"Hello, Severus. I was just dancing. How do you feel?"

He just looked at me "We now have to go down many flights of stairs. I am quite sure I will be very uncomfortable before we arrive in the Dungeons. Come, Miss Leonidas. You have potion work that needs reviewing."

He indicated the open door and the three faces looking out at us. I waved to Hermione and her two friends. We made our way down those many flights of stairs. He left me at the door to the dormitory. I went to my room then opened the passageway. When I arrived, he handed me a glass of elf-made wine. The look in his eyes startled me. The warmth of his gaze was unusual. I asked him if he was experiencing any of the possible side effects of the potion. His answer was again no. He indicated that I should drink my wine and sit in the second chair by the fireplace. The low table was strewn with parchments, which I realized he wanted to talk to me about. I sat and sipped my wine. Severus began to explain what the parchments were. He had made a will making me his sole beneficiary. It enumerated his holdings and monies as well as the library he had accumulated. The house at Spinner's End, a cottage outside Glastonbury; currently let to Remus Lupin, a Potions shop in Glastonbury currently being run by a niece of McGonagall. The list went on for several pages. He indicated that I was to sign that I understood everything. I signed where he told me to sign. I asked him, if this was to be secret, where were these documents going to be filed? He merely smiled at me. He then refilled my glass and brought out a jeweled casket. Not much larger than a child's shoebox, he carried it to me and set it down. He opened the box and took out a small tray. He selected the only ring in the tray. A rose cut diamond with tiny garnets set around it. The setting was rose gold and very lovely. He slid it onto the third finger of my left hand. He then rolled up all the parchments and closed the casket. He put the parchments away, the casket he put back into the armoire in his bedroom. He asked me what I had been singing on the Astronomy Tower earlier. I sang him the words and explained the story. He then asked why I was singing.

"I am happy. It is Christmas and I am to be married. I found presents for the teachers today and Mother sent me a trousseau. I bought a set of the Donne books for Dumbledore also. I know he reads Muggle literature and newspapers. It is the same as the one I got for Professor Burbage. I bought Flitwick the musical scores from some of my favorite plays. One of the songs from Aspects of Love should be the last music the night of the Ball. I even bought charmed nameplates for the House Elves sleeping alcoves. I even bought some things for Hermione's friends. She is my friend, Severus. You and Viktor were correct. She and I think alike. I want to stay her friend. I hope she falls in love with Viktor. It would be nice to have her as part of our family."

"Thera, it seems that I have been spared the worst side effects of the potion you brewed. I think the combination of the potion and the salve may have spared us that. I will be fully recovered by the night of the Yule Ball. I brewed a contraceptive potion that I wish you to start taking monthly. You should continue it at least for this year and next, until you are out of school. Then you will have three years of Auror training. I am not sure if we will ever produce a child but we must discuss it."

"Yes, Severus, I want children with you. And things may change before I finish Auror training. The Dark Lord could fall before then. "

"Thera, look at my arm. This mark will go with me to my grave. If I could find a way to remove it, I would. The Dark Lord is going to gain a great deal more power before he falls, if he falls."

"The mark can be removed, Severus. There is only one thing that can do it. I have a supply of that ingredient. I will remove your mark when the Dark Lord has fallen."

"Thera, you continually surprise me. What exactly did your father teach you? I know your Occlumency and Legilimency skills are almost equal to mine own but what else?"

"I have studied the darkest of Potion lore and dark transfiguration. He was having me construct my own hexes and curses, and we were exploring curse reversal. I have excelled in non-verbal spells. He said my wand-less magic was very advanced. I have also studied ways to heal dark magic injuries. That is where the Murtlap, Nettle and Aloe salve comes from. We had been working on a more silent way of apparition. I am told that the ability to project an image such as the dark mark without a wand in unique. I can project images. Anything I have experienced. Would you care to see?"

I stared into the corner of the room and as I waved my hand at the air an image of my father appeared. He was dressed as he had been when he left for the Triwizard Tournament. The image faded as I waved my hand again.

"I do not even need to wave my hand. I can do it all mentally if necessary."

"Can you produce an image of the mask the Phantom wears?"

"Of course, I can project any image. Why?"

"I have a thought. If need be and we are facing the Dark Lord, there is only one wizard he has ever feared, Albus Dumbledore. We need to have you see Albus angry, furious. It might be enough to disconcert the Dark Lord enough for us to escape."

"I think that the image of Dumbledore as he was last night when he saw your injuries would suffice. I need to teach you how to do it also, that would protect you if something happens and we are not together. I will outline all the spells, hexes and curses Father taught me. You truly fear that we will be taken at some point?"

"I do not know, lass. However, it is best to be prepared. Show me what this Phantom looked like in his mask and cape, humour me, Thera."

I produced the image he so clearly wanted to see without asking him why. He would tell me in his own time. He smiled a very secretive smile and asked me to transform the small silver Slytherin shield on the wall into a copy of the Phantom's mask. I saw now that he had a small masquerade in mind. He was going to wait until the younger students had been sent to bed before requesting Flitwick to play Music of the Night. Then he would appear in the Phantom's mask and cape and dance with me. A tango, since the music would suggest that. What a wonderfully sexy thing to do. He had poured me a third glass of wine and handed me a small old book. When I looked at the title, I was surprised to see it was 'Popular Vows For the Wizarding Wedding'.

Severus told me to look through it. "We need to make our vows specific to protection and to avoid the ones that bind us beyond death. When I die I want you to move on, I do not expect to survive this coming war. I want you to find a wizard who will be your perfect mate. Do not mourn me, just move on, Thera. This marriage is for your protection, when I die and I almost certainly will die, I do not want your life ruined. Promise me."

"No. The vows I make will be the only vows I will ever make. You are the only mate for me. I recognised that. I will not make that promise to you. You are a fool to ask that of me." I was furious. I set the glass down and went back to my room. I looked through the book and chose the vows that best matched what I felt. He did not try to follow me.

But he sent his Patronus with a message. "I am a fool, Thera. I am sorry."