Chapter 13

At first, they ate in absolute silence. Every time Skyrah directed her gaze to Harry or Severus, both averted her eyes. The atmosphere carried an awkward and pretty uncomfortable air which disturbed everyone, mostly Skyrah.

However, just when she was about to break it and start a light-hearted conversation, Harry wondered, eyes fixed on his plate, "How long am I going to stay here?"

His home.

Severus had opened his home to the boy. And this is how the arrogant thanked him: wondering when he will be free of him. The question offended him. He clenched his fists.

Before he could snarl at the boy, Skyrah replied, "We still don't know, sweetheart. Try not to think about it. We'll make sure you feel comfortable here, right Severus?"

She raised an eyebrow, urging him to collaborate and tranquilize the child. Nonetheless, Severus snorted and kept eating quietly. Skyrah shrugged, thinking it could have been worse. At least, she had avoided a nasty comment which could have resulted in an argument or in an even more awkward dinner. She still felt bad for Harry though, so she turned her head to the boy and whispered loud enough her husband could hear her words too.

"Don't mind him, Harry. He's just a little grouchy… I'm sure you've noticed."

She winked at Harry, making him chuckle slightly in disbelief. Severus nearly choked but masked it well. He would have made a snarky remark, if it weren't for Harry's little laugh. He laughed like Lily. Genuinely.

The corners of Skyrah's mouth moved upward and drew on her pretty face a little grin. It wasn't directed to Harry though, it was directed to her husband. She wasn't being serious or insulting him, she was just trying to bright up the mood, and for that, he was thankful.

"The meal is delicious, sir," said the boy, more at ease.

Severus was taken aback by the honesty the boy had conveyed. He also noticed that he had addressed him as sir. At last, some respect from his part, Severus thought. Skyrah lifted an eyebrow, as if telling him to say something to Harry. Severus cleared his throat and unenthusiastically muttered thanks, all while avoiding those green eyes.

The most awkward dinner in the Brittish history was finally over. Harry got up and started to wash the dishes the muggle way. Skyrah and Severus exchanged alarmed looks, but the man didn't know how to react. He had seen in his memories that Harry was the one who dealt with the house chores.

Skyrah hadn't seen it, but she was the one who mumbled in a soothing voice, "Harry, sweetheart, there's no need to do that…"

Harry didn't even look at her and continued with the task. "You are welcoming me home. It's the least I can do."

Her expression softened as she approached the boy. She put a hand on his shoulder and with a wave of her wand, the dishes were clean and the hands of the boy were dry. Then, she turned him so that they were face to face.

"Listen to me, Harry. I truly appreciate that you want to help with the chores, but I don't want you to think about them at the moment. Relax. Today's been hard enough."

Harry gulped and nodded.

"Thank you, Skyrah."

His voice was thick with emotion, and the woman couldn't help but squeeze his shoulder.

Severus was watching the scene from afar. If he hadn't known any better, he would have never guessed who Skyrah's father was. How could Voldemort's daughter turn out to be so compassionate? She had witnessed her fiancé's death at the hands of her own father, seen her family trapped in a cell in poor conditions, been forced to marry a Death Eater and to have a child with him…. And yet, there she was, grinning and making everybody else feel better. She was a fighter. She walked through hell with a smile. It made him wonder how she did it. He had been through hell too, but he never managed to smile. Instead it had made him turn even bitterer. Just before dinner, she had told him that what he was doing was admirable and that she was proud of him. What she didn't know was that he thought the same of her and that, in comparison, he was unworthy of her words.

The swirl of thoughts were interrupted when somebody grabbed his hand. Skyrah. She didn't voice her thoughts, but it was clear by her expression that she was worried. Of course, she must have noticed he was in his own world; so he simply squeezed her hand to calm her down and assure her everything was fine. She didn't look entirely convinced, but still gave him a tiny smile. She guided him to the old sofa, where Harry was already seated. Skyrah sat in between of the wizards.

"Where will I be sleeping? I heard you say you have no guest room… I can sleep here," Harry said, indicating the sofa.

"I am going to sleep on the sofa, Potter. This is my house and you'll do as I say," Severus instantly replied with sternness.

"But I-"

"Obey for once in your life," snarled Severus.

Harry kept cursing Severus in his mind. Before another uncomfortable silence could reign over the room, he wondered, "Can I… I mean, may I go to the garden again? I need to think."

He felt awkward sitting so close to Severus, he needed to go out. Besides, he was still digesting that he was going to spend the night there. And who knew how many other nights would follow… This couple, who happened to be the greasy git and his wife, had found out he was abused and tried to help him. It was too much to take in, even though Skyrah was trying to make him feel better. Besides, Harry wasn't a fool. He knew that Severus and Skyrah hadn't had time to discuss anything related to him. They needed to talk and this was the perfect excuse to let them do so while he also found a way to finally breathe.

"You may go… If you need anything you know where to find us."

Harry nodded at her and hurried to the garden in a failed attempt to escape the stark reality. Once the Snapes were left alone, Skyrah turned her head to her husband.

"We really need to talk about Harry. I don't mind having him staying with us, but is it safe?"

"Can your father reach you somehow?"

She shook her head.

"Good. Then there's nothing to worry about. The house has got protection wards. Only Albus, Minerva (the Transfiguration teacher) and Poppy (the medi-witch) can enter it without permission, apart from us. The Malfoys know where I live, but I don't think it is an inconvenient. Your father likes to meet in the woods. He wouldn't come here even if Lucius revealed the location."

Skyrah nodded in agreement. She had met Malfoy, since he had organized the wedding and was one of the select Death Eaters who knew about the arrangements.

"Right. For how long will he stay with us?"

Severus sighed.

"All I know is that he can't go back there. What he said was true: he has nowhere else to go. Sirius Black, his godfather, is on the run. His best friend has enough siblings and they aren't exactly rich… Other teachers have their own families or are too old for this. Besides, we promised we wouldn't tell anybody and I don't break my promises. If he was to live with someone else, questions would arise. He could stay with us until school begins. We'll be able to teach him better this way too. It's what you want, isn't it? We'll tell Albus that you persuaded me because his room wasn't spacious enough to practice Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Skyrah grinned at the excuse he made up to retain his dignity in front of the headmaster.

"So you've changed your mind. Not only is he going to be living with us, but he will also be taught by you; despite your obvious refusal when Albus proposed it."

"I had no idea that he was being abused by his family then."

"I know," she replied taking his hand. "We should think about the sleeping arrangements. The library is the biggest part of the house. Maybe we could take advantage of the space and transfigure a little bedroom there."

"The library?" he growled, pulling away his hand.

"Would you rather divide our bedroom in two to build him a room of his own?" she asked in a mocking tone.

"Obviously not!"

"Then listen to me! Look, I adore books. You know that. I'm not telling you to throw some of them away. I would never ask you to do something like this. All I am saying is that we should put the bookshelves closer to each other so that there is enough space to create Harry's bedroom."

He still didn't look convinced.

"Besides, he'd sleep downstairs and we'd be upstairs. Everybody would have their space. It could be the room of our little girl in the future…"

This final argument did the trick, for Severus found himself muttering, "We'll start to arrange it tomorrow. It will take at least all morning between the two of us."

Skyrah smiled brightly at him and threw her arms around his neck, bringing him closer to her. The hug only lasted for two seconds though, and just when Severus's mind registered what was happening, she pulled away and thanked him. With that small grin and shiny eyes, gratitude was evident on her face. He found himself slowly leaning in, as if charmed by her beauty. He caught himself before anything happened though, and put some distance between them; cursing himself for not concealing his emotions.

"What will happen when my father summons us?"

"We'll have to think up an excuse."

"The boy isn't a fool, Severus."

He rubbed his temples and snapped, "I cannot think of anything else. I wasn't expecting any of this to happen. Unlike me, Potter is breathing fresh air to let it sink in!"

"Don't say it like that! He's the one who was being abused!"

"I don't need you to remind me!"

Skyrah breathed deeply. Her voice came out stern, almost as if he was her student and she was his teacher, when she said, "Don't take your anger out on me, Severus. Harry is the victim here. I understand that this situation is difficult for you. I cannot even begin to imagine what you must be feeling. Snapping at me will not make it any better, though."

She was right, but his pride, his stubbornness and his embarrassment did not allow him to apologize. The words wouldn't come out, even if he tried. So he stared deeply at her eyes, hoping she would see right through him and know that he was sorry for taking that tone with her. Skyrah's eyes softened as she lay her head on his shoulder. Severus tensed but didn't push her away. It felt too good to push her away, too comforting.

"Today's been exhausting. Aren't you sleepy?"

"A little…"

Skyrah got up.

"Stand up."

Severus complied. Then, she took her wand out and started to transfigure the sofa into a mattress.

"I said I would sleep on the sofa, Skyrah. There is no need to-"

"Severus Snape," she interrupted him, "there's no way you or anyone can get some rest in this sofa. You should be thanking me. Now, are you assisting me with this or not?"

He helped her.

"For the record, I'm not planning on telling Potter he will be spending the rest of his summer days with his Potions Master and his wife."

Skyrah chuckled and ribbed, "Sure, I don't want you to cope with the stress that would cause you."

His lips twitched into a slight, close-lipped smile. She smirked back.

By the time Harry returned to the living room, the sofa - now a bed - had already been made. Severus and Skyrah kept staring at each other. He had to clear his throat to make his presence known.

"Harry! I didn't hear you coming in. Do you need anything?" wondered Skyrah.

"I'm fine. I'm just a little sleepy…"

"All of us are, sweetheart."

"Brush your teeth, Potter. The bathroom is in front of the bedroom."

Harry nodded and made to leave, but stopped dead in the tracks and said, "I want to sleep here. It's not a sofa anymore, I'll be fine."

"I am in the habit of giving the best to the guests, Potter. A transfigured mattress will never be as comfortable as a real bed."

"But I won't be comfortable next to her!" he cried out. "Er- I mean- You are not bad, it's just that… Well, you should be with your husband and-"

Skyrah saved the boy from his misery by assuring, "It's all right. We can pretend the living room is the guest room, but only for tonight…"

"Only for tonight? What do you mean?"

"Go brush your teeth already, Potter."

Severus had sounded so strict that the boy hurried upstairs without looking back.

"I told him I would be sleeping here, Skyrah. Why did you have to intervene? It's just one night. Guests are supposed to feel welcome."

"That's why I'm doing this! I promised the boy we'd do anything to make him feel comfortable. Sleeping next to his Professor's wife isn't his definition of comfortable… Why are you complaining, anyway? Is it so horrible to sleep next to me?" she joked rolling her eyes.

The truth was that Severus had gotten used to her presence on the bed. It soothed him better than any calming draught. Feeling her warmth and watching as her chest moved following her breathing rhythm while her face looked at peace had become a pastime of his. He was too embarrassed to tell her that he liked sleeping next to her though, so he kept silent, hoping she wouldn't notice his crimson cheeks. She giggled.

"What?" he grunted.

She shook her head and confessed, "You look adorable when you blush like that."

He narrowed his eyes.

"I. don't. blush. and. I'm. not. adorable."

To his dismay, his cheeks turned rosier. So did his ears, but his hair covered them.

"See? Adorable."

"Just this morning you called me grouchy. Grouchy and adorable are incompatible."

"Nonsense. You are adorably grouchy."

The comment should have embarrassed him more, but for some reason, it got him smiling softly.

"You are impossible."

"I'm tolerable enough, especially when I touch you."

Was she flirting with him? No one had ever talked to him with that intention. His flirting experience was null. How was he supposed to respond? Should he act on his sudden urge to wipe that sly grin off her face with a kiss? Should he tease her back? Smile? Touch her? Let her touch him? He didn't realize that, while he kept mulling over how to act, he remained still, eyes fixed on her mouth.

Suddenly, she was looking at him like that morning she caught him in a towel - with lust. She took one step closer, noses bumping, and brought her lips to his. Just a peck, enough to drive Severus crazy.

Skyrah bit her lip. One moment, she was staring at his half-hooded eyes. Another moment and she was kissing him again, sucking on his bottom lip. That caught him off guard, and a moan escaped him. He would have been mortified had it not been for the fact she let out a small moan, too. Timidly, Severus's hands found her slim waist. Skyrah smiled into the kiss, laying her hands on his chest, seeking his palpitating heart. They parted to breathe without breaking the embrace. Skyrah grinned broadly at him. Her smile was contagious that Severus gave her a small grin too.

It didn't last long though, for he said with a serious voice while pushing her away gently, "I will not let Potter see me in such a state, mind you? I have a reputation to protect and I reckon it has already started to suffer today… I'm not going to speed up the process of its destruction."

Skyrah burst into laughter.

"Sure thing! It would be horrible if other people found out that underneath the black robes and the cold exterior an actual human being lies."

"I am dead serious!" he exclaimed, trying hard to keep a straight face.

Her infectious laugh was making it difficult. Where were his spy skills when he needed them? Why did she disarm him so easily?

"I know. Your secret's safe with me," she whispered, still in a playful tone.

"I wasn't wrong: you really are impossible," he muttered under his breath, letting go of her waist.

"I heard you!"

"I intended you to!"

Just then, Harry walked into the living room. He noticed that Skyrah and, to his surprise, Severus looked more relaxed...

Until they saw him, that is.

"Is that your sleepwear?" Skyrah inquired softly.

Harry nodded, self-conscious. He knew his pyjama was over-sized and old. From Dudley.

"Well, we'll have to buy you new pyjamas now that you're going to stay with us until September."

"What do you mean?"

"Really, Potter? I am aware it is late, but my wife has spoken clearly. Everybody else would have realized that she meant you will be spending the summer break with us until school starts. Horrendous clothes are not tolerated in our house, even if they are meant to sleep," claimed Severus, leaving no room for discussion.