Severus hadn't had the courage to tell the truth about Emilia's condition. Each time he wished to broach the subject, an excuse would come up in his head. Afraid that she would be too fragile to handle the news. Terrified that she would withdraw and put a stop to her recovery process. It scared Severus that she would hate him as he prolonged sharing the inevitable truth. She had been happier lately, recovering slowly but steadily. He did not wish to jeopardise her healing or her happiness.

Severus spent most of his time sitting by her side in the isolation ward — talking to her, feeding her, helping her to move around. She would feel guilty half the time, urging him to go home for a shower and a proper sleep but Severus refused. He assured her that it was his responsibility to uphold his promise to her. That did not abate Emilia's guilt but seeing the sincerity in his eyes, she couldn't bring herself to say no.

"Severus," Emilia called softly.

"Mm?"

"Could we return home soon?"

Severus put down the paring knife and the apples he had been peeling for her.

"Poppy said another two weeks."

"Oh," Emilia mumbled. She had asked the same question last week and Severus could tell it disheartened her but she made no complaints.

"I could ask her later. See if she could shorten your stay."

Emilia shook her head. "It's alright. We shouldn't trouble Poppy."

Severus curled two fingers underneath her chin, tilting her face up. "I'm sure it's no trouble. There's no harm in trying. The worst she could say is no."

"I know that," Emilia muttered, a little miffed that he was treating her like a child. " I just… just feel a little trapped here."

An idea came to his mind. "Do you want to roam around Hogwarts?"

Emilia shook her head. "I don't want the students to see me like this."

Severus sighed softly, letting the back of his hand caress her cheek which was marred with yellowish contusions. "The bruises are almost gone, Emilia. I could bring the face powder you have at home and some disillusionment spell. No one could tell, certainly not dunderheads," Severus tried to humour her.

Emilia chewed on her lips.

"Don't do that," Severus murmured, lightly tapping on her lips.

Tears filled her eyes. She hated how her feelings would shift, swinging from being perfectly fine to feeling incredibly useless.

"It's not just that. I walk too slow. I need help going to the bathroom. And… and I couldn't even look at myself."

Severus noticed the minute changes in his wife's behaviour. He bathed her in the mornings and in the evenings. Each time when he undressed her, she would close her eyes and hold on to his arms, trembling. When asked if she wanted someone else, Emilia would start crying. He did inform Poppy of the changes in her mannerism and the Matron assigned Hermione Granger-Weasley for weekly psychotherapy sessions.

"Emilia," Severus soothed. "Recovery takes time. And you're doing better each day."

"I don't feel better."

The tears had fallen.

"Should I call Granger?" Severus asked softly. Both hands cupped her face, wiping her tears as if it was a daily occurrence.

"You don't understand, Severus."

"Then make me understand. I wish to understand, sweetheart."

That prompted more tears from Emilia. Her shoulders shook. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her nose into his scars. Severus let her cry, cradling a hand the back of her head and another ran up and down her back. He said nothing but provided everything.

As the minutes went by, her cries subsided.

"I feel guilty each time a person fusses over me. Be it you, Poppy, Hermione or even Minerva. All of you meant well and I know that. It's just… whatever that has happened, it's my fault, Severus. I don't wish to impose any longer than necessary."

"It isn't your fault, Emilia. You're not to blame," Severus replied instinctively.

"It is!" She insisted, pulling away. She let out a frustrated huff. "You don't understand!"

Severus kept his patience. He had no right to fly off the handle. "Then make me understand. I can never see it as your fault. My mind wouldn't allow it. All I see is that you've been terribly hurt, in inexplicable pain every day since the day I found you with the worst of injuries, Emilia. So tell me, make me understand."

Emilia closed her eyes, defeated.

"Arius didn't take me. I went with him. I let him strip me naked. I let him touch me. I let him hit me. I let him … have his way with me."

When Severus said nothing, Emilia assumed he was disgusted. She dared not open her eyes, knowing her husband would find her repulsive; a dirty slag, a masochist, a deranged person. She looked away, curled into a fetal position.

"Go home, Severus. I'm not worth your time."

The only benefit Severus supposed that came out of his upbringing in an abusive household, watching his abusive father beat the thorough shit out of his mother was he knew all too well how a victim would react. There was no slightest doubt in his mind that Emilia was forced. No matter how much his wife tried to convince him otherwise, he knew she was coerced or even conditioned to put the blame onto herself.

"I'm not leaving, Emilia."

For a while, there was only silence.

"Why?" Emilia voiced quietly.

"Because you're hurt. Because I could never lay blame on someone who has been grievously abused. The day I lost you was the only time I felt fear. I've faced plenty in this lifetime but never the crippling fear that I would lose my wife," Severus finished softly, watching and waiting for her to respond.

Emilia did turn eventually. She looked like she wanted to cry once more, not because she was humiliated. Rather, she was touched.

"You will stay?"

Severus nodded. "For as long as you'll have me."

It took a full six weeks before Emilia was finally discharged. She had improved, physically and emotionally. She had come to enjoy quieter activities such as knitting and writing her own thoughts in a notebook. The suggestion was provided by Granger. But, a concern that Severus kept to himself was how Emilia would easily lose herself as if drifting in and out of her own mind. It greatly reminded him of Luna Lovegood.

"Emilia?"

She was staring into space again.

"Emilia?"

Her eyes focused on him. She smiled.

"Yes?"

"Are you ready to go?"

"Could we thank Minerva?"

"I could call her down."

Emilia chuckled, "that's not courteous of us. We should see her in the office."

Severus walked towards his wife, holding her by her shoulders. "You wouldn't mind passing by dunderheads? It's midday, many are rushing to get their grubby hands on lunch."

Emilia pursed her lips in disapproval. "You can't keep calling them that."

Severus cocked his brow, smirking."Can't I? I've gotten away with it for years, my whole teaching career, in fact."

Emilia swatted his chest.

"Arse."

Severus winced softly, taking the opportunity to grasp her hand, bringing it to his lips. "Shall we leave before the dunderheads trampled on us?"

"But, we will have to invite Minerva for tea sometime later," Emilia murmured.

Her eyes were twinkling, delighted at the affection her husband was bestowing her over the past weeks. He held her hand each time they were in close proximity. Emilia could be sleeping or journaling, he never let go unless she did so first. He would brush her curls each morning before loosely braiding her hair because that was the only manner he knew how. He told her she looked nice despite the coloured bruises across her face. As far as that went, Emilia understood that he meant she was beautiful.

Severus grumbled. "If we thank Minerva, will it buy me a month of reprieve?"

"Try two weeks."

He sighed deeply. "Two weeks it is."

They walked hand in hand, making their way to the Headmistress' office. Emilia tried to ease hers away, assuming that Severus wouldn't want anyone, especially students, to witness them acting as a couple. He held on.

Emilia's heart fluttered but when she turned to her husband, she found a scowl etched on his features. Without a doubt, directed at any students who dared to stare for too long. She squeezed their joined hands, earning his attention.

"You're scaring the students, Severus," Emilia whispered.

"It's not my fault they scare easily," Severus murmured. Although, he was secretly pleased that his reputation stayed intact.

Just as they turned the corner, a first-year Hufflepuff came sprinting toward them. The chubby boy had ginger hair and was panting by the time he screeched to a stop in front of them.

"Professor Snape!"

"Oh! Mr Rowan," Emilia greeted with a smile.

"Are you coming back, Professor Snape?" The boy asked.

Severus thought it was odd that the first year did not bother to spare a glance at him.

Was he not intimidating among the younger students?

And what was even stranger was that his wife had used his name instead of taking her own name or some modern amalgamation of their last names, like the ever irritable Hermione Granger-Weasley.

Emilia bent down slightly, meeting his height. "I'm currently unwell."

"Oh," the boy mumbled. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"That's alright. I'll return once I feel better," Emilia replied, ruffling the boy's hair.

"Does this mean Professor McGonagall will have to teach us for the whole term?" The boy dropped into a whisper.

"Well —"

"Do I hear disrespect for the headmistress?" Severus interrupted.

Slowly, the boy turned and gasped. His smile grew wider and his eyes shone with admiration.

"Oh, you're Professor Snape! The spy!"

Caught off guard that the small first year was unfazed, Severus cleared his throat. "Yes?"

"Could you sign my robe?"

"Pardon?"

"I have a quill, sir!" The boy produced said quill, pushing it to Severus' hand. It had colourful feathers at the end.

"Wha—"

The boy had already turned around. "In the back, please!"

Emilia lightly elbowed Severus' ribs. She was amused. "Go on, Severus. Your admirer is waiting."

Severus resisted the urge to roll his eyes, seeing the eagerness in the Hufflepuff and the smile that graced his wife's lips. He reached the boy's height and quickly wrote off his initials. Funny, Severus of the past would never entertain such a request but he supposed he wasn't the dark wizard that many feared. People seemed to forget he killed Albus Dumbledore with an unforgivable curse or that he participated in unsavoury revels orchestrated by the Dark Lord.

Times have changed. The war had ended. He has a wife now. A family of his own and new generations of students came to admire the Snape's family name instead of dreading it.

"Could you wait for a while?"

"Excuse me?"

"I've friends who want to meet you, Professor Snape!"

The boy dashed off before another word could be uttered, leaving Severus dumbfounded, still clutching the Hufflepuff's colourful quill.

Emilia burst out laughing. Severus did not hesitate further. He grabbed his wife with his free hand, tossed the quill aside and began running towards the hidden passageway that would direct them straight into Emilia's office. He was never more grateful for the tedious memorising of all Hogwarts' secret pathways.

"Severus! The quill! The boy!" Emilia exclaimed, giggling as she was hurriedly pulled along.

"I refuse to be ambushed by a hoard of Hufflepuffs. I wish to preserve whatever is left of my pride and dignity. And we can thank Minerva another day."

Emilia was breathless by the time they reached her office. Her face was all pink. She couldn't stop laughing.

Severus clenched his jaw. "You find that amusing, wife?"

"Oh, absolutely!"

Severus narrowed his eyes before making the decision to pick his wife up. "You insufferable witch."

Emilia chuckled, pressing a kiss on his cheek and entwining her arms around his neck.

"Take me home, Severus, before every bit of your dignity and pride dissolve when the children bombard my door," she teased.

"It would be my greatest pleasure."

Home was peaceful.

Emilia missed every bit of home — their comfortable bed, the smell of home-cooked food, piping hot tea with tangerine-infused honey and warm showers with Severus.

A part of Severus was still worried that Emilia couldn't look at herself while nude. He would undress her in the bathroom while her eyes were screwed shut before carefully guiding her into the shower. He would soap her up and wash her hair attentively, making sure the suds did not get into her ears or eyes before rinsing.

Emilia would remain silent throughout; clung to him, pressing her face into his chest. It did not matter to her that he was equally naked or that his awkward erection prodded her lower belly. It made Severus presume that Emilia wasn't uncomfortable with his presence. Rather, she was terrified to see the wounds on her body.

For a while, Severus did not question her, hoping that she would bring the issue up during her sessions with Granger. He soon realised how selfish he had been for he could withhold the truth of her condition.

Tonight, he told himself. He would explain everything and hold her close if need be as she took in the information.

Unfortunately, fate would have it differently.

"Severus, Oats just swooped by. She's being fussy," Emilia called out. The owl was fluttering around the kitchen, making disgruntled hooting noises.

"Open the letters. She could be a terrible pain in the arse for days on end if the letters accumulate," Severus answered from the sitting room. He had been rearranging the furniture to accommodate the new dining set he had gotten over the weekend. A table for two so neither has to ever sit on their armchairs and balance a tray on their knees and hurt their backs by hunching forward.

"It's all addressed to you."

"I don't mind. Open them."

Emilia did as told, shuffling between letters that were mostly his Potion periodicals subscriptions, some shopping catalogues and his patent paychecks. She stopped at a cream envelope. It bore the Ministry's crest and resembled the letters each wizard and witch received when the marriage law was first decreed. Curious, Emilia sliced the letter open and unfurled it.

Dear Mr Severus Snape,

Based on your wife, Emilia Rosier's current medical condition, we regret to inform you that the marriage has been annulled. Your marriage contract had a strict stipulation that it could only continue if Emilia Rosier's fertility would improve over time but based on new medical reports, she was declared medically unequipped to bear children which was the fundamental purpose of the Marriage Law. She has since been struck off the list. The wedding rings could be removed at any time and they must be returned to the Ministry's registrar of marriage within the next twenty-four hours.

For your part, we have enclosed a new list of prospective wives to choose from. We apologise for the inconvenience your wife had caused. Please submit your chosen candidate within the next three days.

Thank you.

Emilia stared at the letter, unblinking.

Her lips were quivering but everything else had gone numb. She understood the words in the letter but couldn't comprehend it.

Severus entered the kitchen with a smile after redecorating the living room.

"What did Oats bring?"

Emilia did finally look up. Her eyes were red and filled with unshed tears.

"Emilia? What is it?" Severus murmured, alarmed but slowly approaching her.

"Wh– what happened to me?" She whispered shakily.

A frown formed between Severus' brows. "Pardon?"

"I'm not your wife, not anymore," she declared softly. The tears rolled down her cheeks. She seemed to have accepted reality.

"What? How —"

Emilia passed the parchment to Severus who read quickly. "Emilia —"

The look of hurt was palpable on her features. "I can't bear children anymore, can I? I can't bear your children."

"Sweetheart," Severus tried. He reached out to thread their fingers but Emilia pulled away, shaking her head.

"No, Severus."

"I'll fix this."

"It can't be fixed."

"Sweetheart —"

"Stop calling me that."

Severus felt a punch to his gut. He collected himself. "Emilia, then. I'll leave for the Ministry. They can't do this to us. I married you. I chose you to be my wife. They can't take that away."

Emilia let out a low chuckle. "But they did, Severus. You read the letter. You could choose someone else. Someone who could give you children."

"I don't want anyone else, Emilia."

"You should want someone else. You need a person who wouldn't burden you. Someone who isn't simply your responsibility," she insisted.

"You do not burden me."

"You deserve more."

"I don't want more. I want you."

For a moment, Emilia's heart faltered. She could see it in her husband's face — the unguarded affection, the exposed fear that he could truly lose her.

But, she knew what she was; a broken woman. That can't be changed. Arius' words had replayed in her mind — that after he was through with her, no man would want her. She didn't understand what he meant then but now it was stark clear that he wanted to destroy the very part of her that would make her a mother.

Emilia looked into Severus' desperate eyes.

"I don't deserve you."

His frown deepened. "Of course you do."

"I can't be the woman you want."

"You're everything I want."

"I am not," Emilia corrected. "You have someone you love, Severus."

"I don't —"

Severus had no idea how to finish his sentence. He couldn't deny he loved another but he was unwilling to let his wife go. He might not love Emilia but he cared enough to want her, to want to cherish her. Was that love? Was that enough to be classified as love? Or was it guilt?

Emilia watched the confusion in his eyes. Her heart stuttered knowing fully well she could never be the woman he loved.

She licked her lips. "Well, then. I should go."

Emilia made an attempt to leave but Severus caught her wrist.

"Stay. You're my wife."

"Not anymore."

Severus sighed. "I can't let you go."

"Severus…"

"I can't say that I love you," Severus murmured, "but I cannot give up on this marriage. For what it's worth, Emilia, I've come to care deeply for you."

"You're making this harder, Severus."

Severus took the chance to pull his wife close. He breathed out softly before a hand cupped her face. Leaning down, his lips brushed against hers, gently bumping.

"Please, Emilia."

Emilia couldn't help but flutter her eyes closed, enjoying his gentle caress. Her husband was pleading softly, peppering kisses along her lips. Before all coherent thoughts were robbed out of her, Emilia murmured, "why?"

A frustrated growl came from the back of his throat. "Must it only be love? Can't I have you because I care?"

They got carried away.

Emilia was sprawled on her back. Her fists were tangled in the sheets. Lips were drawn between her teeth.

"Severus," she groaned.

Severus was doing it again. He had his face between her legs. This time, he didn't even bother to remove her knickers, licking through the cotton, wetting the material with each swipe of his tongue.

Emilia writhed when he finally gave in, pulling her knickers aside to drag his hot tongue along her folds. His efforts were precise, thorough and languorous as he took his time to ease her clit out from its hiding. Once ready, he would wrap his tongue around her swollen clit and suckle into his mouth, earning a whimper from his wife.

Emilia allowed her head to fall back to her pillow, fingers left the sheets to thread into his hair. Moments like this made her forget her past associations of sexual acts with pain. Severus made her feel safe by prioritising her pleasure, uncoiling her body to relax and surrender. He wouldn't speed up unless told, maintaining a languid pace, licking and licking till she felt the thrum of pleasure rippling in her lower abdomen. Only then would her hips buck and her thighs threatened to close.

Severus held her apart, speeding up just a little before a long, drawn-out moan left Emilia's parted lips and he was rewarded with copious fluid streaming into his waiting mouth. He continued his task, licking her through her orgasm, going back to lap at her throbbing clit before Emilia released another whimper that indicated she was far too sensitive to receive more.

He would stop, wipe his mouth using the back of his hand and watch as his flushed wife came down from her high. He relished in seeing her half-glazed eyes, filled with lust and her chest puffing in and out to catch her breath. He would leisurely pull his trousers down, along with his underwear before lining his tip.

"Please," Emilia would murmur and Severus abided by her request, pushing in slowly, filling her to the hilt and pausing. He paused because she overwhelmed him. He had to recall something innocuous before he could even move and stop the urge to come with the heat and tightness encased around his cock.

Again, Severus took his time.

He drew her legs up, securing them around his waist and leaned down to meet her lips. He kissed her everywhere; the curve of her breasts, up the columns of her neck and along her jaw, leaving trails of butterflies to riot. At times, he would simply delve his face between her breasts, lips pressed against her heated skin till his tongue found a nipple where he would tease and nip till they were painfully aroused, sensitive to even the lightest blow.

When in the throes of passion, Emilia tended to forget herself, losing control in a manner that she hoped to inflict on Severus someday. She would forget to breathe when his thrusts became all too consuming, when his fingers found their way between their pressed bodies, rubbing her clit. She would grab at anything, back arching into Severus, keening and whimpering just before her orgasm crashed into her.

The flush of white noise whirred around her and warmth spread throughout Emilia's body, drowning her in a pleasurable haze. By the time she came to, Severus had finished, holding himself above her. His reluctance to pull out immediately was always endearing to Emilia. She learnt that her husband liked waiting, till he could no longer feel the pulse of her clenching around his cock. With a low grunt, he would withdraw and watch as his release trickled out of her before plopping to his side of their bed.

A calm would follow thereafter where the couple cooled off before Severus would pull Emilia close to his chest.

"Stay with me."

"Are you asking or telling?"

"Asking. Pleading. Whatever you need me to do… to say," Severus murmured.

Emilia sighed softly, covering herself with the quilt. "I can't give you children. I'm not enough for you."

"I don't need children."

"You say that now, Severus —"

"What do you want me to say? To say that I love you? Is that it?"

Emilia flinched at his harsh tone, pulling away. Tears stung the corners of her eyes.

"I know that you do not love me, Severus. You don't have to force yourself to tell me otherwise."

Severus winced softly, "I'm sorry. I didn't —"

"Could we speak about this tomorrow? I'm tired," she interrupted, facing away from Severus and drawing the covers up to her chin. She felt even worse than before. Found herself equally pathetic that if Severus were to utter those words without any prompting, she might have easily been persuaded.

Was she so willing to clutch on to any sentiments? How easy it was for Severus to see through her. Was she so undeserving that she looked desperate enough to accept even superficial declarations of love?

A drop of tear escaped and Emilia quickly wiped it away.

Severus didn't mean to say that.

He wanted her.

The words came out all wrong. Defending himself seemed foolish then. Instead, he suppressed a sigh.

"Yes, of course."

Neither slept well that night.