Family

Amanda gave the large oak door a gentle knock before pushing it open, she could not believe she was returning but she had promised and even though she did not owe him anything nor felt like doing him any favours, she felt a bit guilty, she had been trying to put herself in his shoes, she had never been without Theo and here she had robbed someone of their child, someone who had actually wanted to be there. The inside of the house looked very different but also very Slytherin. She chucked at the choice of colour but she was sure that with time she could put her own touch on the whole scenery, it was, after all, not only Slytherins living there anymore. She sighed again. What was she doing? Walking into the serpent's lair? Did her maternal instinct not tell her to protect her child? To protect herself so she could keep her son safe? Had Marcus changed? And was that change enough? Hesitating she rested her hand on the doorknob for the kitchen; the cool bronze tingled against her skin. He knew she was there; the magical tatter-tale would inform him if he didn't already know. Damn these old houses! Licking her bottom-lip she took another deep breath before turning, she could come back another day. A small scream escaped her as she turned; he was standing right behind her, his dark eyes watching her. Clutching her chest, she gasped to breathe while pressing herself against the door, something he apparently found amusing as a small smirk curled his lip and he placed a hand on the door levelled with her head, leaning in and over her. Locking eyes with him she gasped to breathe, her pulse was racing and she suddenly felt very small. Why did he scare her like that?

"The house looks nice…"

She hated how small her voice sounded and how he smiled wider. He was getting a kick out of this. Bastard! Taking her hand and placing a light kiss on the back of it, he winked at her.

"You haven't seen half of it"

Guiding her by the hand, he opened the door to the living room and motioned for her to step inside. The change was nothing less than a full transformation; everything had been changed, painted or in other ways improved. He had really made an effort. She ran her fingers over the table top and over the back of a chair as her eyes scanned the room.

"Impressive…"

Marcus chuckled

"I had help"

She felt chills down her spine and held her breath while giving him a wild look, one he instantly caught and replied to with a scoff. She was still on her guard, she feared the Potions Master though he would never more cross their paths, Marcus had made sure of that and to be completely certain; he had asked a few of his friends to help. Severus Snape now lived in a small Bulgarian village where he was the local healer and Wiseman. Marcus smiled at the thought, he had retired the old bitter man but because of everything that had happened, he could not bring himself to take his life. It was a kind deed and out of character but he felt that the older man needed a bit of forgiveness, for everything.

"Relax, I borrowed Montague's Houseelf"

She licked her lips nervously as she continued into the kitchen, she could barely believe she was in the same house, even the garden had had an overhaul, no more weeds and wild forest growth. The grass was trimmed and the small flower beds immaculate.

She had probably been standing there for longer than he liked because he walked closer.

"Well?"

She turned and looked at him.

"Well what?"

He sighed

"Is it up to standards?"

She eyed him for a few moments before slowly nodding.

"Yes, it's fine"

He smiled, no smirk, only a genuine smile. He seemed to have passed the test.

She wanted to go back on her deal with him, she did not want to stay nor bring her child there but could she make him see? Make him understand?

"Marcus…"

He frowned; she could see his jaw working.

"I … "

He cocked an eyebrow at her

"What?"

She sighed, there was no way she was getting out of this one, she had promised but she didn't trust him, she barely believed him when asking about the weather. She always had to go check herself. Maybe she had just grown too conspicuous but then again, with everything that had happened; who could blame her?

"Well?"

She had been lost in thought again

"I need more time..."

He shook his head

"No, we had an agreement, you cannot keep Theo from me any longer, and I won't allow it"

She sneered, her eyes cold and narrow

"Excuse me?"

Marcus straightened himself up, she saw just how small she was compared to him.

"I have been patient, I have done everything you have asked for and more, you need to hold up your end of the bargain"

She gasped, taking a step back while reaching for her wand.

"Stop it, don't be silly girl, I am trying to reason with you"

She held her breath, keeping completely still.

"I know I promised but see it from my point of view"

He scoffed

"I have and I do but see it from mine, I have a right, I have missed out on so much of his life, I am not missing out on anymore"

She eyed him for the longest time, he had a point, as much as she hated to admit it; she understood him.

"Fine then…"

3 years later

"How about another one?"

Amanda spluttered and missed the pot as she threw a potato towards it, the spud skipped over the countertop.

"I take that as a no…"

She turned and looked at him, her face slightly pale.

"I'm not even out of my maternity wear and you want to ruin my body all over again?"

He smirked as he got up, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her. He kissed her neck, ignoring as she tried to move away from him. He held on a bit tighter.

"You look good being pregnant"

She scoffed, trying to break his hold.

"Have you taken a Bludger to the head again?"

He chuckled as he buried his face in her hair.

"No, not this time…"

((A/N: I suck at happy endings so this is as good as it gets and as always; I have no Beta-reader so this is as good as it gets.))