A few days after Lily had spotted them leaving the train station, there was still no sign of Mr and Mrs Evans knowing anything of their relationship. Though Petunia had told him she had discussed things with her sister, she had not told Severus of the precise nature of that conversation and Severus had not pressed. He felt that if the girl was keeping it from him it was because she did not feel like sharing certain things she had said. Severus respected that. He also knew that Petunia was painfully aware of how hazardous their situation was. In an ideal world, she would not have to worry about how much time left there was for them but this was not an ideal world. Though Severus would have preferred to keep her away from such fears, he would admit that it was better that she was aware of everything even though it may cause her pain. That, and Petunia was not the type of woman who would let anyone leave her in the dark concerning important matters. She was stronger than that. It was one of those things he loved about her after all.
He gazed at her across the room. She was busying herself in the kitchen and from where he sat in the sitting room, he could see her through the open door.
She was seventeen now, while he would be sixteen soon. Due to the difference in the legal system of the Muggle world and the wizarding world, they would become of age at the same time, despite the age difference. Had they been in a regular situation he would have probably prepared to give her an engagement ring the following summer. Unfortunately, it did not seem like a very viable idea at this time. Though he could not imagine himself married to anyone else, it was the sad reality that it was unlikely to happen in the years to come. In a moment of rebelliousness a few days before, he had pondered about leaving the country after graduation, taking Petunia with him. But he knew this was not possible.
Regulus had told him that recently Voldermort had started looking for a Potion Maker and as he could not find someone talented enough to suit his needs, he was now considering setting his sights on a wizard who was still a student. Much to Severus' – and probably to Regulus' as well though he hid his own anxieties well – Lucius Malfoy had started advertising Severus' talent to the Dark Lord. The young Snape had not been particularly flattered to learn that Lucius Malfoy considered him a genius in Potions Making. In the first place, he had never liked the Malfoy scion much. Though he had built something of a friendship with Narcissa Black who was currently engaged to the man, the semblance of an alliance did not extend to her husband-to-be. And that aside, he could not be flattered when the compliments were paid in order to make him join the Dark Lord.
He let out a deep sigh which made Petunia, who was coming out of the kitchen, stare at him questioningly.
Suddenly craving the feeling of her body in his arms he got his feet and joined her. He knew he had been unusually clingy with the girl lately and he was painfully aware of the reason prompting this new desire for her. In fact, the desire itself was the problem. Kissing her and holding her was barely enough anymore, he wanted more. Yet, he was reluctant to push the girl further. He was not sure she was ready for it, for one thing and he did not want to rush her into anything.
This was why, he contented himself with holding her gently against him. He had not intended for the gesture to turn into anything else so he was pleasantly surprised when Petunia pressed herself even closer to him and lifted her face towards him clearly intending to be kissed. His lips quirked upwards and he readily obliged. It seemed he was not the only one who was becoming demanding with affection lately. Still, he felt that the line needed to be drawn somewhere and so after their lips parted he made to withdraw. He was gently but firmly stopped and with a sweet expression that looked painted with authority in his eyes, she planted her gaze in his.
"Severus." was all she said but her tone said all he needed to know.
When he still did not move, more out of the worry that he was reading more into the situation than he should, she took his hand and pulled him with her out of the sitting room and up the stairs. By the time she pushed the door to his bedroom and led him inside, he felt confident that they both desired the same thing.
Making love to the girl was not as ridiculously passionate as one might believe. Even when the intimacy of their relationship reached its peak they stayed true to themselves. It was a moment of delicate touches and deep emotions and of course, the pleasure they took in it could not be denied. Still, Severus had never felt as satisfied as when they finally laid down on the bed, Petunia's head resting on his torso. There was nothing like the simple warmth of her body pressed against his, the flowery scent of her hair which tickled his nose and more than anything the brightness of her pale blue gaze as she stared at him with half-lidded eyes, her fingers tracing his jaw absent-mindedly.
And as he lay there he found himself thinking of the Patronus he had finally managed to produce the past year, a serene doe of wispy white. He did no doubt who it represented.