Firelight

0o0o0o

Severus had only really loved two women in his life: his mother Eileen and Lily. He had never held down a relationship for longer than a few months, but he was quickly finding room in his heart for a third love: Neasa.

What surprised him was just how fast he fell in love with her. He had long since resigned himself to the life of a bachelor, no longer believing that he could reclaim his youth. For a long time, potions had been his sanctuary: his research, his teaching, his students. He knew that he was a brilliant academic, he was well aware that he had a gift for potions, and he had nearly convinced himself that that would be enough for him. But then Neasa came along, and he began to see the world in a new light.

He spent so many years in mourning. He mourned the life that he could have had if he had not fallen out of sorts with Lily. If only he hadn't snapped at her, if only he hadn't pushed her away, perhaps she would never have found comfort in James' arms and perhaps Severus would not have needed the solace of the Death Eaters. They made him feel special, like he was part of something exciting, forbidden, bigger than himself. All he wanted was to belong - and Lily made him feel that way, but he had stupidly thrown that away for the shallow acceptance of a gang of criminals. He had tried to cleanse his soul by helping Dumbledore in the First Wizarding War - and where had that left him? Lily still died. And he mourned her death for so, so many years. His grief never really left him - he just grew around it. He threw himself into potions, he built a successful professional career as a master brewer and a teacher. He tried to suppress his feelings until, eventually, they subsided and he was able to move on.

Then the Triwizard Tournament. Cedric Diggory's tragic death, Potter's pronouncement of Voldemort's return. Immediately, Severus was thrust back into it all. His fatigue over the summer had stemmed from the prolonged use of Occlumency shields to protect his thoughts and intentions from Voldemort's prying eyes. It was truly exhausting to keep up a double face, knowing just how much rested on his shoulders.

Then Neasa came along. Neasa, who, somehow, understood Severus. Neasa brought him peace. Neasa made him want to keep the fight on. Neasa made every exhausting meeting with Voldemort worth it. She gave him something to fight for - she gave him hope, and he loved her for it.

Severus had found the courage to talk to Neasa about Lily over Halloween - the anniversary of Lily's death. Neasa was nothing but understanding and sympathetic, allowing him to talk as much as he needed to. She held his hand and wiped away his tears as he recounted that horrible night, and she showed not a single sign of jealousy of the love he once had for Lily. Neasa was a kind, forgiving soul: exactly what Severus needed after so many years alone.

0o0o0o

Neasa and Severus decided to walk the scenic route to the new Hogsmeade restaurant for their first date. A cheerful waiter welcomed them and escorted them to a cozy table on the first floor, overlooking the street below. Severus wore his usual black robes with a crisp, white shirt underneath, and Neasa looked breathtaking in a dark red dress with a small pearl pendant resting delicately on her chest. The waiter carefully placed two candles in the middle of their table before taking their orders and then leaving them to be.

"I hope you don't mind," Severus began, reaching into his pocket and retrieving a small velvet box, "but I got you a present for tonight."

Neasa beamed, taking the box from him and thanking him. She opened it up to reveal a delicate golden necklace with a small red ruby pendant.

"Severus, it's beautiful," she smiled at him, "thank you so much."

"May I?" he asked, and she nodded and removed her pearl necklace. He stood, circling the table, and delicately placed the ruby necklace around Neasa's neck. She held back her hair, allowing him to fix the necklace in place. Severus could not help letting his gaze land for a moment on the curve of her neck, on the way the candle light danced on her skin. There was her scent again - sweet, spring lavender. He briskly returned to his seat, hoping Neasa hadn't noticed.

"It looks perfect," he said, with a wide smile.

The rest of their night was quite simply the perfect first date. They each ordered the chef's special and shared a bottle of French red wine, talking and laughing well into the night. Severus could not remember being as happy as he was when he was with Neasa - she truly brought out the best in him. He was entranced by her smile, her loving gaze, the way she softly traced circles in the palm of his hand and the way the lights danced in her eyes. He felt little butterflies every time their eyes met, every time their fingers brushed.

Severus walked Neasa back to the staff dormitories, all the while a small glowing orb floating above their heads to show them light. Neasa paused by Severus' door, tugging his arm softly. He turned back to face her, confused.

"Can I come in?" she asked with a small smile.

"Of course, but... it's late - we should be getting to bed," Severus replied.

"I think we can stay up late just this once," Neasa murmured as she stepped closer, a mischievous undertone to her voice. She reached a delicate finger up to Severus' jaw, softly stroking down from his ear to his chin, and then stepped forward to softly kiss him.

"It can't hurt," Severus said, returning the smile.

Severus unlocked the door and, once they had passed the threshold, he hung up both their coats on a small hook. Neasa gently took his hand and pulled him towards the sofa, inviting him to sit down next to her, which he did. She waved her wand at the fireplace and it roared to life.

When she turned back to Severus, there was a glint of something in her eye. Passion? Desire? Severus didn't have time to identify it before Neasa's lips were firmly pressed against his own and her hands were cupping his face. His hands fell to hold her waist and he pulled her body closer to him. He couldn't think clearly - all he knew was the smell of lavender in Neasa's hair, the sweet, intoxicating scent of her perfume, and the softness of her lips and her tongue working against his own. He cupped the back of her head, his fingers caught in her soft hair, and she pulled herself up and onto his lap, finally releasing his mouth from hers. Their foreheads pressed together, their breathing was shallow and soft.

"I want you," Severus whispered, "now - tonight - I want you so much."

"I can't wait any longer," Neasa replied as she started unbuttoning Severus' black coat. There was an urgency, an immediacy, in the way that she moved that Severus responded to: he fumbled for the zip on the back of Neasa's dress and slowly pulled it down. His hand slipped under the fabric and he softly stroked her back, her skin warm and delicate below his fingers. She shivered under his touch and wrestled with the top buttons on his white shirt. Her mouth came to rest below his ear, her breath fanning his neck and sending goosebumps down his arm. One kiss, two kisses, three kisses, four - his eyes shut as Neasa played and teased with his neck, drawing out soft little moans from the back of his throat. Her lips tugged softly on his skin, followed by gentle bites from her front teeth.

He pulled her closer to him and, in one sudden move, picked her up and wrapped her legs around his waist. His arms held her tightly in place, one hand cradling the back of her head. Their eyes met, just for a second, before their lips reunited again in a slow, passionate kiss. Keeping Neasa tightly pressed against his body, Severus knelt slowly down onto the fur rug in front of the fire and gently placed Neasa onto the rug below him as their kiss broke. For a moment, he just hovered above her, his hands resting on either side of her head, soaking up her beauty. The yellow glow of the firelight dancing on her skin, the soft light flickering in her eyes, the way her chest rose and fell with each heavy breath. Neasa affectionately pushed Severus' hair behind his ears, keeping it out of his eyes, and then pulled him down to rest on top of her.

The scent of perfume, and potions, and smoke, and sex in the air was intoxicating.