DISCLAIMER: I still do not own any of the Potterverse characters. There are a few I would like to own. Just keep them and take them out when I needed them. But alas, they are owned by JKR.

Timeline: Cannon HBP, beyond that it's my twisted timeline.

Rating: Starting to earn that mature rating. Ye be warned.

A/N: Holy crap. So sorry it took so long to update. I had a major plot problem that has since been dealt with. But it was a little touch and go there for a bit. This is becoming a much longer story than I had originally intended (I just broke 40,000 words last night). But if I could finish it, it would be momentous!

And review. I'm not going to beg, just do it ... ok, I'll beg, please, please, please review.

Severus.

Severus leaned against the balcony railing, looking out over the city. The morning bustle was already in full swing and the sounds drifted up to him. He sighed. He hated traveling between time zones. It scrambled his internal clock. He took a deep breath and almost choked on the smoke as it filled his lungs.

Crowley flicked his cigarette and let the ash fall out of sight over the balcony. "I don't think your friend in there likes me very much."

"I don't even like you very much."

Crowley's laugh was low and comfortable, a testament to how close the two wizards were. "What's his relationship with the girl?"

Severus frowned. "Kinglsey?"

"Si, signore."

He had wondered the same thing. Unfortunately neither Kingsley nor Aurelia were easy to read. "I think they've known each other for a long time."

"He wasn't thrilled to find her in only her undergarments after you left." Crowley smiled.

He couldn't have been more pleased with that turn of events, and again Severus found himself thankful that it wasn't just who was left alone with Aurelia.

"If you cared about the girl at all, would you want her involved with someone like me?" Severus asked. "Even I think it's a bad idea."

"And yet …"

"And yet." Severus sighed again and bent at his waist, stretching the muscles in his legs and back. "There is something about her, though. When I'm in her presence there is nothing else."

"Tread softly old friend."

The balcony door opened just then, grabbing both of their attention. Kingsley didn't look happy.

"She's asking for you, Severus."

Severus smiled. So that's why he didn't look happy. As Severus passed the larger black man, he didn't need to read his mind to know he was warring with himself like an older brother would if a good friend began to court his sister.

Courting, it seemed like such an archaic term. He didn't mean to take her out on a date or be an "item." He had never had a girlfriend, even in his younger years. In fact, he had never been in anything even remotely resembling a normal relationship and why would he start now, with the daughter of Albus Dumbeldore, of all people?

He schooled his thoughts and emotions as he reached the bedroom door. The room was almost completely dark. The curtains were drawn and he was sure there had been a spell to keep any natural light from seeping through the fabric. As the door shut behind him, he also noticed a silencing charm. Interesting.

The only light was from the silvery glow of what he recognized instantly as a pensive. Aurelia was sitting cross legged on the bed, leaning over the silvery pool. The soft light made her features dance like the liquid was flowing over her skin.

He was slightly disappointed to see her more clothed than he left her the night before, now in sweat pants and a tee shirt.

"Lumos," he said and the room lit.

Aurelia hissed and recoiled like a Dementor to a Patronous. "Nox!" she almost shouted and the room fell dark again.

He could feel the evil smile spread across his lips. "Last night's overindulgence still punishing you?" he said louder than necessary.

She flinched again, raising her hands to her temples. "Not so loud," she whined.

He chuckled under his breath and crossed the room, taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

"I need your help."

"Do you now?" he teased. He suppressed another grin as she glared at him.

"Last night was too easy. Any one of you could have acquired that box. Albus sent me for something completely different, and I'm not sure what it is."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "I believe that is the only reason Kingsley and Crowley are still here."

"I know, I know," she said glancing back at the pensive. "Lucius Malfoy has approached Wayne about the box and there was at least one other wizard present last night."

Severus frowned. So she was on a first name basis with the Muggle. "Why are you telling me this and not the other two?"

"Because I need you to tell me who the wizard is," she paused. "And I'm going to leave the part about Malfoy out of my report."

She handed him the pensive and stood from the bed. Severus wasn't sure how or why, but he felt like Aurelia was doing him a favor by keeping this information. He supposed he could return the favor with one of his own. He pulled a small vial out of his jacket and handed it to her. "Here, this will clear your head."

She mumbled under her breath and he thought he heard her comment on his timing, and downed the entire vial in one shot. Instantly her eyes became brighter. He ignored her soft sound of approval and dove into the pensive.

He was pulled through the liquid and then deposited in a coat room. A very large coat room. A warm familiar laugh sounded behind him. He turned to find Aurelia in that dangerously alluring dress from the night before.

He wasn't the only one enjoying the sight. The man beside her, Wayne, his mind supplied, was holding out a warm fur coat that Severus was fairly sure wasn't hers. She let him put it over her shoulders and Severus felt his face heat as the man let his fingers roam over her collar bone and then her neck.

"So other than throw ridiculous parities to showcase your conquests, how do you occupy your time?"

He laughed. "I build things. Some for government agencies, others for myself."

"The weapons," and it wasn't a question.

His face dropped. "Yes."

"Hm," and the sound was warm. She took a step away from him and shot a look over her shoulder. "So you're skilled with your hands." The smile she threw at him was devious.

The spark returned to the man's eyes and he mirrored the devious look. Severus couldn't stop the visions of this Muggle, he thought with a disgust that surprised him, and his Aurelia. He had an overwhelming desire to rip the smile from his face. He would kill him if he found out that he actually did demonstrated his skill.

Taking a calming breath he followed the two out of the coat room and into the entrance hall. Severus noticed the wizard leaning against the far wall before Aurelia did. He instantly recognized the Death Eater and watched him as he watched the couple. For just a moment, Aurelia caught his gaze and he tilted his head in silent recognition of what they both were, magical.

Wayne placed a hand on the small of her back and led her to the door, "I have an Irish professor friend up at Syracuse U who can't seem to hold his liquor, let's see if you can renew my faith in the drinking capacities of the Irish nation." And the couple disappeared out of the building.

The scene blurred and Severus was pulled back to the present in the hotel bedroom.

He raised his head and caught Aurelia's expectant look.

"Omaris Wilks. He's a Death Eater."

Aurelia nodded. "I suspected as much. I knew I recognized him. Just couldn't place from where."

Severus nodded. He had no knowledge of the Dark Lord sending any Death Eater to America. Did he know they were going to be there? Or was Wilks protecting the box. Severus frowned. How had Aurelia actually stolen the box. "How did you get the box?"

"I got Wayne drunk and then asked if I could see it."

"And he just handed it over?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Don't underestimate the allure of a woman."

He most definitely did not, but he chose not to voice it, instead he watched the silvery images float across the pensive surface and allowed himself to get lost in thought. He was going to have to do some poking around. He was slightly frustrated at the lack of information coming from either side. He didn't work as hard as he did almost his entire life to not be on the right hand of both the Dark Lord and Albus Dumbledore.

"I'm sorry."

Severus looked up from the pensive just in time to see her lean against the door. He couldn't help the horrible thought that she slept with the Muggle. "Sorry about what?"

"About my behavior last night."

He had to suppress the chuckle. She wasn't the least bit apologetic about her behavior the previous night. What she was sorry about was that it didn't have the desired outcome and he knew it. His movements were direct and purposeful as he stood from the bed and crossed the room to stand right in front of her. A predator stalking his prey. He saw the surprise in her eyes. "The only thing you have to apologize for is almost retching on me."

She blushed and her breath hitched in her chest as he leaned forward, almost touching her. Looking her straight in the eyes, he moved his hand to her hip and slowly drug it down between her legs.

She took a ragged breath that was the perfect combination of a gasp and a sigh. He could feel the warmth as his fingers pressed her center through her pants.

"I rather quite enjoyed your behavior last night." He pressed his fingers harder and he could feel the fabric dampen. This was power. She was his and he was going to have to prove it.

She tried to swallow three times before she succeeded and spoke, "But you didn't stay," and it was almost a whine.

The side of his mouth quirked up and he leaned even closer to her. She was having trouble concentrating and he knew it. He used it and pressed his body against hers. He watched her eyes close and her mouth fall open, trying to gasp for breath as he slipped his hand from between her legs and snuck it inside the front of her pants to resume its position without the clothing barrier.

She spread her legs, allowing him better access and he had to suppress a groan at how wanton she was. She shifted the angle of her pelvis and he knew she wanted him to push up into her, but he didn't. He just ran his fingers on her outer folds, making sure to apply just enough pressure on the bud of nerves.

"You never actually asked me to stay," he said, his lips on her ear. He took the lobe between his teeth and applied pressure. The sharp intake of air only encouraged him. With his free hand he grabbed her hair roughly, turning her head so as to capture her mouth. His fingers mirrored his tongue and dove into her warmth.

She gasped in his mouth when he finally moved two fingers in her, slowly. The gasp turned to a moan when he pulled his fingers out and then back in, even slower this time. The warm slick muscles tensed and he didn't even try to fight the thought of how she would feel wrapped around other body parts of his. He moved inside her again, this time quickly in and slowly out. She lost the rhythm of their kiss and he smiled against her lips, deciding to instead attack her neck.

"Stay," she managed between deep breaths. He had her right where he wanted her. A few more moments and she would be begging him.

"That wasn't a question," he chuckled and then bit down on her shoulder. At the same time he picked up the pace of his pumping fingers he twisted his wrist, just slightly and he knew he hit the right spot. Her legs almost gave out, but she caught herself just before she lost her balance.

She took two heavy gulps of air and cried, "Stay!"

He laughed out loud, increasing the pace once more and rubbing his thumb along her clit. "That was still not a question."

"For Merlin's sake! Severus Snape will you please, please stay with me tonight?" she cried, grasping his shoulders. She clenched her jaw and pressed her face into his chest. She moaned and the sound reverberated on his sternum. He closed his eyes, willing his body to calm or he would lose his composure and embarrass himself. The muscles in her fleshy walls contracted and he knew she was close.

"Come for me, Love. Come for me and I will stay."

It was all she needed. She clamped down on his fingers and her body went rigid, her fingers digging into the flesh of his shoulders. The pain was the only thing keeping him from following her to completion. He heard his own moan of pleasure as she collapsed against his body, panting heavily.

After a long moment her breathing slowed to a steady pace and he removed his hand. She pulled away from his chest and whispered a cleansing charm. "Potions Master wins for the most skilled hands."

He leaned forward and stole a quick kiss. "Do not forget it."

Aurelia.

Aurelia was having a hard time concentrating on the debriefing. At first she was terrified that the two other men had heard her … altercation with Severus. She had not been in the right mind to remember the silencing charm she had cast on the room earlier that morning to calm her headache, and she hadn't been quiet. Neither had he. She forced her body to ignore the impulse to shiver. But she should have known better. Severus was a lot more careful than that. Actually it annoyed her that he always seemed so composed. Especially when she was anything but.

She kept glancing over at his hands, and the damn wizard knew. The smug aura was overwhelming. He knew exactly what he was doing to her and he found it amusing. The bastard.

The box was discussed briefly with no clues given as to what it was or what it was for. The men found the means of acquiring it amusing, but that was it. All she knew was Father Crowley had taken it somewhere to be authenticated and was pleased with the outcome.

The rest of the discussion was centered on weapons and tactical maneuvers. Aurelia found it mildly interesting that they would be so interested in Muggle weaponry. In the end, it would be something that the Death Eaters would never use, because to them all things Muggle would be inferior. However, she knew better. A bullet to the brain was still a bullet to the brain, no matter how magical you were.

When Crowley had acquired the information needed, he made to leave, breaking up the meeting. Kingsley's farewell was cordial enough, but she got the distinct impression that he didn't like the priest. Aurelia wasn't sure how much even Severus trusted him, and they seemed to be friends. Either way, he wasn't invited back to Aurelia's house with Kingsley and Severus.

She spared a brief thought for the bellhop who had helped her back to her room and hoped that they weren't simply leaving and not paying some kind of bill. But she decided not to voice it and returned via portkey with the two wizards.

When they returned to her home, she cooked omelets with ham, cheese and peppers and she felt a strange sense of normalcy at playing house. It had been a long time since she had more than one visitor at a time.

Aurelia sat listening to the two men talk. It was nice seeing Severus interact with someone else. It was usually just the two of them and she was surprised at his shift in personality. There was a small perverse side of her that was pleased at how he seemed almost more relaxed when it was her and Severus. Not that he was a whole lot different with Kingsley around, just sharper, more direct and a touch guarded.

She absently wondered what he was like when teaching. Deciding to have a heart to heart with Minerva the next time she saw her, Aurelia turned her attention to the conversation.

"Are you still teaching Potter Occulumency?"

"No," Severus snapped sharply.

Both Kinglsey and Aurelia frowned. Obviously there was more to it, but Severus wasn't going to elaborate.

"Is Albus working with him then?" Kingsley asked cautiously.

Severus sighed. "I don't know. Albus seems to be keeping him busy with Slughorn."

"We still haven't determined how many he's created?"

"No."

"How many what?" Aurelia asked.

Both men looked at her, almost like they had forgotten she was in the room.

"Horcruxes." Kingsley was the one to speak, then turned his attention back to Severus, discussing the need to keep plans away from the Boy-With-A-Potential-Connection-With-You-Know-Who.

Aurelia thought about the implications of too many Horcruxes. They knew there were at least three, being that two had been destroyed and the mad man was still alive. She had done a fair amount of research on the subject years ago, although literature on something as dark as the forbidden magic was few and far between. It was, after all, Dark Magic.

Which she had always thought was ridiculous. The wizarding world as a whole had assumed if you made information illegal, it wouldn't fall into the wrong hands. But the kind of wizard to use Dark Magic wasn't the kind to be dissuaded by a few rules and regulations. It only made it so the people attempting to combat such evil were left completely unprepared. What the Order could really use was some good research on the subject.

Like the research she did in Ireland.

Aurelia stood suddenly and, ignoring the surprised looks on the wizards, she almost ran to her study. She dove into her book shelves pulling leather bound journal after leather bound journal out and piling them on the floor next to her.

Severus cleared his throat and Aurelia looked up to see him in the doorway.

"It's not here. I don't know where … wait, yes I do." She froze and her mouth opened, staring at a spot just above his right shoulder. "I know exactly where it's at. And that's why it had to be me." Finally her eyes focused again and she looked at Severus. "Albus never does anything without a motivation, does he?"

"No, not since I've known him at least." He stepped into the room. "But what are you on about?"

"I have to go back to New York. I was so mad at Albus I missed it completely. I can be really thick sometimes." She passed Severus and went into the her bedroom, one door over. She knew he was going to follow her, but she didn't care. She was more worried about how Kingsley would react. Not well, she realized, pulling out her dress from the night before. "Will you run interference on Kingsley for me?"

Severus frowned at her.

"It's an American football reference. Never mind. Just get him out of here. Meet me back here in say, two hours?"

He stood quietly for a moment then nodded. "You have two hours. I will be waiting." And he turned on his heel in a movement that would have been much more impressive if he were wearing robes instead of the altered Muggle suit.