Chapter title from "There She Goes" by Sixpence None the Richer

It was Colleen's turn to sleep the day away, which had never happened in her and Sirius's relationship— probably not in her life, in fact. She'd always been an industrious early riser. But when the sun began to stream in their window the morning after their "dance party" encounter, Colleen chose to ignore it and forced herself back to sleep.

She wasn't ready to face any of the others. Sirius had immediately joined her in the kitchen to help with dishes the night before, after finishing up his conversation with Remus. Tonks had offered to put Ben to bed for them, the witch's motherly instincts already seeming to kick in as she spent more time with the little boy.

"What was wrong with Remus?" Colleen had asked Sirius, anxious to start on a topic wholly unrelated to the foursome. Sirius had answered her question and had begun filling their dishwasher, opting for the Muggle method that evening instead of his wand. He often drifted back and forth depending on whether he needed a mindless task to provide a distraction. Colleen had noticed his light grey eyes focus on her frequently though, in an effort to read her body language and gauge how she felt about their little escapade.

The truth was, Colleen didn't know. She knew kissing Rhiannon felt good. Intoxicating, actually. Colleen had always been drawn to her scent— the mix of wildflowers and tropical and citrus fruits, layered on a sexy sandalwood base with top notes of earthy green. Her taste proved to be delicious and fun, like sweet caramel dripped over salty popcorn. Colleen had given up any sense of jealousy over the witch long ago; Rhiannon and Sirius were in the past, and Colleen never questioned his devotion. She still didn't, but she did wonder how their marriage would fare under the intensity that would no doubt arise from reopening that chapter. And Severus. Colleen shivered a bit when considering that factor. He hadn't seemed opposed to the idea at all, shockingly. Was he turned on by it? Even though Colleen was a Muggle?

There were too many questions and not enough answers for Colleen to feel comfortable talking about it yet, so she hadn't. She'd promptly headed to a bath after the dishes were done, then popped one of her old Muggle allergy pills to aid her in falling asleep before Sirius came to bed. She vaguely remembered being pulled into his warm embrace, but he was long gone when she awakened for the second time around eleven that morning. She and Rhiannon were supposed to have a sex magic lesson in three hours. How in the world was that supposed to work?

Professional. Just act professional, she told herself. Like a student walking into a class. Colleen had experienced a massive crush on her philosophy professor her first two years at university, and yet she'd managed to go to class each day.

Yeah, that wasn't one-on-one, and it wasn't about sex, idiot. And you never kissed him. And you weren't freaking married. And he wasn't a woman.

Colleen was so confused.

When their agreed upon meeting time arrived, Colleen found their meditation room empty and dark, none of their candles lit or incense burning. Normally Rhiannon arrived early to prepare. Was she having second thoughts as well? Had the four of them gone and ruined a perfectly good thing? Had Snape scolded her? Or worse yet, Sirius? Was he jealous and forbade them to continue their sessions?

Colleen took a deep breath and began preparing the room. She knew she needed to reign in her thoughts and focus on what mattered. It was just a kiss. What was a kiss compared to the magnitude of everything else in their lives right now, and even compared to the overall breadth of a relationship? Colleen probably kissed Sirius twenty times a day, and she rarely dwelled on any of those above another.

But you do dwell on that first kiss, she reminded herself. Even now she was filled with a racing heat when she thought about it. How Sirius had pushed her against the kitchen counter in their old flat, lips soft and hopeful, tongue gentle and curious, mustache teasing and tickling. First kisses announced the depth of desire and searched to see if it was reciprocated. And when it was, fire was ignited for the first time. It created an energy— one of the fundamental tenets of their magical practice. And it was that act of creation that stuck in memory and served as an ever-present reminder of the pull between two people.

Rhiannon entered the small meditation room as the first tendrils of smoke curled up from the violet ceramic of the incense burner, twisting around strands of eucalyptus and sending a sweet comfort into the air. The witch's hair fell just past her shoulders in textured waves— shorter than when they'd first met nearly a year ago. She wore black eyeliner and mascara that made her lashes impossibly long and dramatic, her lips stained nude with a hint of peach. She was dressed in a long, oatmeal colored cashmere sweater held together with low buttons, and seemingly no bottoms, revealing her flawless legs.

Colleen sighed. "Are all of your pants in the wash?"

Instead of her normal bell-like peal of laughter, Rhiannon just gave her a small, knowing smile but didn't answer the question. She ran her fingers along Colleen's jawline, causing her to tense in response.

"Sirius said you wouldn't speak much last night. Are you feeling all right?"

Colleen nodded nervously. "What else did Sirius say?"

"Just that he was worried about you. We saw how afraid you were about the Muggleborn registrations. There's so much negative energy in the greater world right now that we can't afford to be generating any here. He and I were in agreement that if you feel we generated any negativity last night, then we need to eradicate it promptly today. So it's important you tell me how you're feeling about all this...about us."

The witch stepped closer, her fingers gathering Colleen's hair and pulling it over one shoulder to rest on the front of her black button-up shirt.

"What I'm feeling isn't negative," Colleen answered carefully. "But it's not positive either. It's like it's unclear, unsteady."

Rhiannon nodded. "It's neutral energy. Born, but not given its purpose yet. Subject to interpretation and manipulation by outside forces. And with four of us involved in the creation...well, that's a lot of forces."

"Exactly." Colleen was relieved that she seemed to understand without much explanation. "And that's where my mind is— trying to understand what all four of us may be feeling right now."

Rhiannon took a seat on her yoga mat and hugged her knees to her chest. She patted Colleen's mat and indicated for her to sit. The mats, when not in use, were outfitted with fluffy pillows against the wall and warm throws, and that was where they usually sat as they combed through ancient texts, carved runes into candles, meditated, and discussed Colleen's practices both alone and with Sirius. It was an awfully intimate exchange, so it was natural for the waters to become muddy. Wasn't it?

"Don't try to guess at everyone's feelings," Rhiannon suggested. "Because then your own intentions and interpretations begin to cloud the reality of what they are feeling, and you may not ever fully understand their perspective. Our best bet is communication. Honest, open, straightforward. I'll start. Colleen, I want you."

Colleen's head was buzzing like there was a bee humming in her ear. She felt a tremor low in her stomach and an equally powerful trembling in her limbs.

"Were you this straightforward with Severus?" was all Colleen could manage to reply.

Rhiannon smiled. She was running her hands along her legs as she continued to hug her knees, flexing her toes, her body glowing with energy. Colleen knelt beside her on her own mat, awkward and unsure of where to put her hands or how much space should be between them.

"Yes," Rhiannon answered. "Well, once I got to Hogwarts, I was very clear in telling him I wanted him. When I was at Grimmauld Place I was still very much entangled with Sirius, and completely dumbfounded whenever I encountered Severus. It's like the air went out of a room when he came in; I know that doesn't sound particularly pleasant, but it was— kind of like when you're on the edge of climaxing, and a firm hand grasps your throat, with just the right amount of pressure..."

Her fingers encircled Colleen's throat, cool against her hot skin.

"I'm not sure I'd like that," Colleen muttered.

"Fair enough." Rhiannon smiled. "We all like different things. Imagine the possibilities with four of us...four sets of likes, desires, fixations, knowledge, powers...so much to explore and learn."

Colleen shook her head. "I can't see Sirius and Severus ever being together. So that takes some of those exponents out of the equation."

"I'm inclined to agree," Rhiannon mused. "Severus has said as much. I can't speak for Sirius; I did say, after all, that we shouldn't make assumptions. But my intuition tells me their focus will be on us. Aside from their obviously troubled past with each other, I think they both lean rather heavily towards a worship of the feminine. " Her eyes roved over Colleen, seeming to follow every curve.

"What about you?" Rhiannon continued softly. "I know your experiences before Sirius were somewhat limited, stunted by your husband. But did you ever see yourself with a female lover?"

She spoke so easily, so confidently. These topics that seemed so complicated and taboo to Colleen were second nature to the witch.

"Not really," Colleen replied truthfully, toying with her rings, both of the ones Sirius had given her, pushing each back and forth with her thumb in anxious anticipation. "In the spirit of...honest and open communication...my attraction to you has more to do with you than anything else. Everything about you is beautiful to me. I used to think it was because I wanted to be you, but now it's like I want to...connect with you. Feel things with you. Ugh! I can't believe I said that!" It was her turn to draw her knees up, burying her face against her leggings and covering her head with her arms.

She felt Rhiannon's hand smooth gently up the underside of her leg, sliding in the nook at the back of her knee.

"No, I'm glad you said it. We all have to be completely transparent for this to work. And I completely agree— with the four of us, it's about each other. It's about the bonds we've formed and the energy we crave from one another, more so than simple attraction. Although there's certainly attraction, too. But that's the whole of what I explained to Severus. Of course his being able to be in my head helps him understand, but you practice this kind of magic, too, so I'm sure it makes sense to you."

Colleen peered at her, raising only her eyes above her arms. "Nothing makes sense right now. What does this mean? Are we in one giant marriage? Do we live together forever? What about our kids? Do they have four parents?"

Rhiannon just shook her head with a laugh. "You are getting way, way too far ahead of yourself. Do you always talk marriage and children after your first kiss? Just enjoy this and see where it leads. Might be nowhere...might be everywhere. But more than likely somewhere in between. And what is right at this point might not be right forever, and that's okay too. As long as we communicate with each other and respect each other, it will work out."

Somehow the Practical Magic professor had the uncanny ability to make the most abstract and esoteric concepts practical. This was no exception. It was easy to forget that this wise woman was only just a few weeks shy of twenty-one. Her soul seemed as ancient as the majestic sandy cliffs outside their window.

The questions that had been racing in Colleen's mind seemed to relax their pace, and she found her focus shift instead to the tantalizing plunge of the witch's v-neck sweater and whether she was truly bottomless underneath. She recalled the vision of Sirius under Polyjuice, standing there like a naked goddess...how his fingers had drifted between the smooth, slender thighs. His fingers had probably been there many times before, just like Colleen's could be there now, if she just maneuvered slightly forward. She imagined how thrilling it would be to make this woman come undone, just as their wizards had— this woman who was so sure of herself, so powerful.

Rhiannon met her thoughts with a deliciously sly smile.

"You're using Legilimency, aren't you?" Colleen whispered, feeling the blood that had rushed to her nether regions start to creep back up to her cheeks.

Rhiannon sighed. "I shouldn't. I'm so sorry. I can be dark sometimes. I'm far from perfect. There was a time I could have easily gone a different direction. Severus steered me back on course. But sometimes I still get pleasure from these parts of my nature that want to control, or dominate, or take advantage. You just excite me so much, that I lose control..."

Colleen was surprised at this admission, especially at the fact that Colleen herself had the ability to evoke such a reaction from this goddess of a witch. But Rhiannon was the Dark Lord's daughter, so her mixed intentions weren't all that shocking. It was easy to forget her parentage sometimes. That half of the woman who sat in front of her now— warm, sexy, smiling— came from the very person who would rid the world of Colleen and her kind if he could.

"If I decide...that I want to do this..." Colleen began hesitantly, "I need to know that all of four us are on board. I'm married, and I love Sirius more than I ever thought possible. I want to be with him forever, and nothing can change that."

Rhiannon nodded in adamant agreement. "I feel the same way about Severus. Our marriages come first, always."

Colleen winced, not sure how to say what weighed on her mind next. "Could you...read my mind so I don't have to say this?" she whispered.

Rhiannon nodded and obeyed.

"That's up to you and to him," the witch answered. "Like I said before, it's best not to force things. Let things happen organically. If you and Severus feel anything for each other, it will happen in its own time. But you have my permission to explore it, if you want. I'll make sure he knows as well. Of course I love the idea of us all together, but there's a lot to be said for passion generated in the moment. A kiss or touch or two, if it were to happen, would have my blessing. I can't say the same for Sirius, of course. I definitely feel hesitancy from him regarding Severus, which is understandable, given the history."

"I can't believe we're even having this conversation," Colleen sighed. "It's so unreal."

"Perhaps we've talked enough," Rhiannon said with a grin.

"Yes," agreed Colleen. "Don't we have a lesson today? I thought we were supposed to make charms? I brought...um...what you asked me to bring." She felt flushed yet again at the thought of the vial sitting on the mini-armoire beside her. Their last lesson had explored voodoo practices of harnessing the magic of bodily fluids to create objects of protection, which was a bit much, even for Sirius, who had been supportive and enthusiastic thus far. But like the good sport he was, he'd participated in the required act, which had to be timed with both Colleen's cycle and that of the moon and therefore suffered from limited opportunities.

"Okay good," Rhiannon said. "I like the idea of creating your own talisman, born out of your and Sirius's pure love rather than the clusterfuck relationship of my parents. Even though I'm grateful Sirius swiped it, just to keep my father from taking advantage of it. I still want you to keep it, at least until the war is over. Just because I don't know everything about this branch of magic, and I think you need all tools at your disposal."

The witch thumbed through the pages of her elaborately embellished spell book.

"I'm making yours a little differently. I've been reading, and I think the one my mother created was born out of fire magic and probably didn't involve this level of...bodily weirdness. But just in case, I feel more comfortable with the idea of you having your own." She laughed and rubbed Colleen's arm. Her hand was always incredibly soft and light.

"So even you have your mental limitations when it comes to this stuff," Colleen teased her. "Remus and Tonks will be happy to hear that."

"Please don't tell Remus and Tonks what I made you and Sirius do for this," Rhiannon begged. "They already think we're crazy enough. And I'm sure Remus would call this a Dark Art."

Colleen watched as Rhiannon used her wand to magically create a narrow, cylindrical vessel within a piece of rainbow moonstone flecked with deep swirls of black. She lifted a delicate, almost flower-like funnel and placed it inside, then instructed Colleen to pour the contents of her vial into the funnel while Rhiannon's wand created a cyclonic spin to fill the crystal. The crystal seemed to seal itself closed, and Rhiannon's wand punctured a small hole above the closed, inner vessel through which Colleen slid a brown leather cord.

"Perfect," Rhiannon declared. "You can't even tell what it is."

"Thank Merlin," Colleen muttered.

"Do you want to wear it?" Rhiannon asked.

Colleen shook her head. "No. I'll keep it with me if I leave the house. And the one your mum made. To be honest, I tried wearing the one from your mum, and it was...heavy."

"Heavy?" Rhiannon's face twisted a bit, puzzled. "I never felt any energy from it at all. Neither did Severus or my father. Maybe Muggles are more sensitive. That's exciting though, that it might actually hold some power. We need everything we can get, right?"

Colleen agreed and made a move to stand, but Rhiannon placed a gentle hand on her shoulder to push her back down. Her green eyes seemed to twinkle with a touch of gold, and Colleen felt that shaky limb feeling creep back again. Colleen leaned back against the silver shag pillow propped up against the wall and caught her breath as the witch leaned over her, the loose, bulky sweater falling forward so Colleen could see straight down. She gulped and closed her eyes as Rhiannon's mouth came within a breath's length of her ear.

"May I kiss you again?" the witch asked.

Colleen wanted to say yes, but she was afraid they wouldn't be able to stop there. She didn't understand exactly what this was supposed to be, but she knew it involved the four of them, and it didn't feel right to splinter off so soon or let things go beyond the point they went last night.

"Just a kiss...for now," Colleen answered quietly. "I need Sirius to be here."

Rhiannon nodded, seeming to understand perfectly. The witch placed her arms on the floor on either side of Colleen, her pillow soft lips finding the exact position they'd been forced to abandon the night before, sucking ever so slightly at Colleen's bottom one. Her tongue arched upward slightly as it returned between Colleen's lips, tickling the roof of her mouth before teasing the sides of Colleen's tongue, once again transmitting the salty-sweet deliciousness of something new and exciting. Colleen breathed in and sank her fingers into the witch's wild golden waves as she pulled her closer, feeling her lightweight body meld into hers.

The shoulder of Rhiannon's sweater had slipped down, Colleen now conscious of the swath of creamy skin it revealed. Colleen's hand was powerless to stop as it roamed upward to feel the soft skin, as flawless as porcelain or silk. She was torn once again between wanting Rhiannon and wanting to be Rhiannon, but both goals seemed to share the same path, and that was to unite with the witch in every way possible.

Rhiannon was still focused on her mouth— a noticeable difference from the two men Colleen had been with, both of whom had moved rather quickly to explore other areas. The sounds of their kisses were so light and delicate, dancing on the smoky, perfumed air of the candlelit room. Colleen allowed her own tongue to tickle the underside of the Rhiannon's, eliciting a throaty moan from the witch. All the possibilities of what Colleen could do with her tongue filled her in that moment— memories of what Sirius did to her, dreams of how the witch would moan if Colleen did the same. Memories of what Colleen herself tasted like on Sirius's fingers and face, dreams of how Rhiannon would taste instead. Sirius knew how she tasted— so did Severus. It only seemed right that Colleen did as well.

"Colleen," Rhiannon murmured sweetly. "We have to stop. Just a kiss, remember? Our wizards have to be here."

"Yes, I know," Colleen agreed, willing herself to remain against the pillow as the witch pulled back. "When do we talk to them?"

Rhiannon adjusted her sweater and ran her fingers through her hair, grinning. "Patience, sweet Colleen. We can't plan for everything. Let's trust the universe, okay? It's brought us this far."

The witch pressed one last kiss to her cheek, just as they heard a tap on the door. Colleen rushed to answer it and threw her arms around Sirius's neck.

"Everything all right in here, love?" he asked, his light grey eyes dancing as he examined the nest of pillows and blankets on the yoga mat on the floor.

"Yes, we made the charm," Colleen said quickly. "And we kissed again. But just a kiss."

Rhiannon confirmed with a nod and wink.

Sirius chuckled. "You did, huh? And how was that? You actually want to talk about it now?" He grazed his lips over the same cheek Rhiannon just kissed, pausing slightly to taste the spot with his tongue.

"It was...nice."

Colleen's heart skipped a beat as she felt the pull of their tangled web once again, just from the simple intermingling of a kiss on the cheek. She thought she might drown in the depth of it all if the four of them finally came together.

Four. Severus.

Colleen let out a small sigh as she took Sirius's hand and wandered down the hall to start dinner. Severus was already in the kitchen when they arrived, chopping vegetables with the same precision she imagined he would apply to potion ingredients...and probably everything else.

"Good evening," his deep voice greeted them.

Colleen cleared her throat. "Good evening, Severus. I'm sorry I'm late getting started on supper. I can take over if you'd like."

"No need," he replied. "It was 'move-in' day for the Carrows, and I couldn't get away from the castle fast enough. I'm rather glad to enjoy these last few weeks of distraction while I still can."

"We can at least help," Sirius insisted cheerfully. "Team effort."

Ben wandered in from playing and asked to help as well, so Colleen got him started on mixing together some seasonings for the roast while Sirius got a second knife and started on carrots.

Colleen heard her husband clear his throat. Silence. Except for echoes of Severus's even-paced knife work mixed with Sirius's more frantic pounding. Sirius cleared his throat again.

"Respiratory distress, Black? Perhaps a visit to the Potions cabinet is in order?" Severus's tone was noticeably brighter than normal, even with his classic sarcasm.

"Um, no," replied Sirius, giving a glance to Colleen. He seemed to want her to help him somehow, but she honestly had no idea where he was headed.

"I think Sirius has something he wants to tell you?" she offered uncertainly.

Sirius nodded emphatically.

"Well, are you mute, Black? That would be a first. Stumble into a Tongue-Tying curse in the hallway?"

"I want to apologize," Sirius said, letting out a breath so heavy it sounded like he'd been holding it for twenty years.

"Should we leave?" Colleen assumed quickly, prepared to scoop up Ben.

"No," Sirius answered. "I want Ben to hear this. Severus, I made many mistakes when we were younger. I could probably spend hours giving you reasons why, but the truth is, the reasons don't matter. I was a bully when we were in school, and I'm sorry. Plain and simple. And the...trick..."

Sirius paused, making it clear he wasn't elaborating further on account of Ben.

"The trick I played on you in our later years wasn't just wrong, it was gravely irresponsible and, well, truly reprehensible. I'm sorry for all of it. And for making your years at Hogwarts far more difficult than they should have been."

Snape's knife didn't stop, and his eyes were fixed on the potatoes as if they'd lost the ability to move. Colleen realized she was the one holding her breath in the silence now.

"What did you do, Daddy?" Ben's tiny little voice suddenly filled the void.

Sirius wiped his hands and came over to kneel at Ben's level. "When I was a young boy at school, I wasn't very kind to people I didn't understand. I tried to make myself feel better by making others feel badly. And as you see now, Professor Snape and I help each other, like friends. If we had been nicer when we were little, like you, then maybe we could have been friends sooner, without all the nasty fights."

"Did Rhiannon put you up to this?" Snape mumbled quietly, clearly trying not to undermine Sirius in front of Ben, but hesitant to let him take any credit either.

Sirius rolled his eyes slightly in annoyance before rejoining Severus at the counter.

"Rhiannon reminded me that moving forward without an apology isn't always possible. But she didn't make me, and the feelings are my own. I'm truly sorry."

Snape nodded. "Very well."

Sirius crossed his arms with a sigh. "That's all I get? 'Very well?'"

"Would you like a medal, Black? A trophy?" Snape picked up a pile of vegetables and layered them in the pot, still never meeting Sirius's eye.

"We really should go," Colleen insisted, standing with Ben.

"Perhaps we all should," Sirius said gruffly. "Clearly this was a mistake."

"Cease the dramatics, Black. I accept your apology. We are nearly forty, and this is hardly simple. Our past isn't going to be erased with one kitchen conversation, though I don't really desire to revisit this topic in the future. Perhaps moving forward is the answer." Severus finally turned away from the dinner preparations to lean against the counter, his face as close to conciliatory as Colleen had seen it where Sirius was concerned.

"I agree," Sirius said hopefully. "I...just needed you to know where I stand."

Severus gave a stiff nod. "Benjamin Black, shall we apply your mixture to the roast for this evening's meal?"

"Yes, Professor Snape."

Severus's heavy boots trudged across the kitchen and he lifted the bowl of spices to his nose with a look of approval. Colleen smiled and remembered she still needed to ask him for a Potions lesson. She hoped she would earn his approval as well.

This one was a lot of discussion, I know. The heat comes back in next chapter...time for a Potions lesson. ?