A/N: I've been rather irregular in posting but I do have a couple chapter written. As soon as I get around to proof-reading them, you'll have them here. Thank you for sticking around!

Draco was missing Marvolo terribly. He had just returned from making his 'report' and was once again very bored. With the presence of Death-eaters, the students were well behaved. Lestrange brothers were actually quite popular as teachers and the kids liked DADA much more than in the past. This kept the rebellions to a minimum as well. If Carrows had been here, Draco would have been sure there would be little student groups trying to rebel- well other than those bloody DA members that is. He sighed in relief at the averted disaster. Still the problem remained- he was bored.

He settled in his corner in the common room and settled down to read some until he thought of something better to do. He wondered idly if NEWTS were still going to be around as always- he supposed he could ask Marvolo later. He hoped to be rid of those exams soon so that he could travel with Marvolo and be somewhat better help than he had been able to. However, he knew Marvolo would insist he do some mastery or other. He supposed potions mastery would be nice. Marvolo always needed potions. Perhaps he would do DADA mastery and become a master dueler- that was always a good idea. He could also become a healer but he could not really imagine himself really as one after the war ended. He supposed a mediwizard qualification that came with potions mastery was more than enough. He had absolutely no interest in manipulating the ministry like his father though- perhaps Marvolo would really like him to do that anyway. Maybe, just maybe, he would talk to his lover about his future.

Meanwhile, as he was terribly bored, Draco decided he would watch people. It was pure chance when he spied his godfather acting decidedly strange. He was almost smiling unconsciously as he walked down a fairly deserted corridor. Draco followed, wondering what was going on. After all, from all his family, he was closest to Severus and he wanted to know if something was wrong… or in this case right. He wouldn't let some idiot hurt Severus and for Severus' own good, Draco was being nosy or so he told himself.

Severus walked for five minutes and stopped in front of an inconspicuous door. Draco frowned as Severus looked one way then another and slipped through the door. Draco waited a few minutes and was rewarded when the door opened again but there was no one there. The door closed again. Was someone using disillusionment? Draco frowned again and cast a disillusionment charm on himself and approached the area only to walk back and forth confused. There was no door there! However, Draco was sure he saw something like a wooden door being opened! Confused, he searched the wall for secret, hidden sections and found absolutely nothing.

He stopped cold when he heard a voice. He waited and there it was again. He experimentally went closer to the wall and heard another sound. He put his ear to the wall and listened intently, moving closer to where the sound was originating.

"Severus." Someone moaned. Draco blinked.

"Shadow, faster… please."

"So tight." The voice was strangely metallic.

"Ah! Shadow…"

"Sev! Almost… there." There were some labored noises and suspicious creaking noises. Draco blanched and then blushed furiously as he realized what he had been listening in on. He literally ran from the area and straight to his room, trying very hard not to imagine his godfather with someone… a man! Merlin what was wrong with him? He was getting hard! He needed Marvolo! Draco promptly abandoned everything and headed for a cold shower.

Severus had once again happily submitted to his mysterious lover. Shadow was really so gentle and it felt so wonderful, he really wanted to allow himself to hope. However, he could not. Severus sighed and regarded the man who was carding his fingers through his hair. They had been having these meetings for a month now and there was something bothering Severus. He decided to ask about it.

"Shadow?"

"Yes, Severus?"

"I am really curious about something."

"What is it?"

"Why do you never undress? It is a bit awkward when only I am devoid of clothes. I should be allowed to appreciate the feel of your skin…" Severus stopped himself before he could slip into begging.

"Do you wish to see me in the nude, Severus?"

"Yes." Severus breathed, putting his head on one strong shoulder. "I would very much like to touch you as well. Do you not want me to?"

"It is not that… I am just uncomfortable showing myself." Shadow sighed. "Do you really wish it?"

"Yes."

"Be careful what you wish for." Shadow warned.

"Shadow, I have seen many hideous things in my life, no matter how horrible you think you look, I do not believe it will affect me wanting to be with you." Severus felt like he was lecturing but his words rang true.

"And if my scars disgust you?" The man asked quietly.

"You like me with the scars. I am able to return the favor." He sneered for effect.

"I hope so… I really hope so." Shadow muttered then he got off the bed. Severus felt those eyes looking into his own and he stared back. Slowly, Shadow unbuttoned his shirt and opened it to reveal a toned chest, excruciatingly slow. Severus' breath hitched; the man was gorgeous, why did he want to hide? Then he saw them. An ugly scar right across his abdomen. Another right along his side looked like it was still painful. There were other small scars littering his body. Severus reached out his hand and traced the long one on his abdomen as Shadow dropped the shirt.

Severus stood before his lover and kissed him- by now he did not need to really see those lips to find them, his hands and his very body had his face memorized. Shadow kissed him back before he pushed his hands away and turned around. His back could have been a map with the amount of scars it held. They were made over the years with a whip or a belt and had left their mark. There were a few burn marks as well.

"I didn't want to hide from you." Shadow explained. "No one else knows about these save those who made them."

"Who was it?"

"My family." There was no bitterness, or anger, just plain acceptance and resignation.

"These don't make you unattractive, they make you a survivor." Severus told him quietly.

"Do they not repulse you?" He asked softly.

"Never. Scars make a man." Severus muttered. "But if you want to be rid of them, I may be able to brew something. It won't take away all but some will fade."

"Hm… they don't bother me but I'd appreciate something to permanently correct my eyes. I tire of using that spell- it lasts only a day at most and sometimes fails at the worst moments."

"I'll see what I can do." Severus smiled and laid his cheek on the scarred back.

"Thank you, Severus."

"For?"

"Not turning away in disgust." Severus turned Shadow around and put his arms around the man's neck.

"Why would I do that, when you did not do the same to me?" Severus asked and without waiting for an answer kissed his lover. He knew his own body sported many scars, many which would forever be with him- Shadow did not push him away despite how ugly he knew he was. In comparison, Shadow was beautiful despite the mauled back- he would be brewing some anti-scarring balm anyway for his lover… along with an eye-correcting potion.

He boldly pushed the pants down making Shadow chuckle. Shadow obliged him and for the first time Severus got to touch his lover and pleasure him with his hands and mouth. He straddled his lover and kissed him passionately. It didn't take long for them to once again partake in the age old dance, sinking deeper into the abyss sometimes called love.

A/N: Well there's a bit of warm goodness... does that qualify as fluff or romance? Next up: How does Marvolo react to Draco's worries? And what is Harry up to? Is Severus smitten?