Chapter 16

"May we enter, Severus?" Lucius wondered with an arched eyebrow, still diverted by the surreal situation.

The rest wasn't as amused as Lucius, though. Draco was trying to erase the image of his Professor doing that with that woman from his brain. Narcissa was bewildered. Severus was cursing himself for being so slow and not telling his wife there was a student from Hogwarts behind the door. Skyrah was trying to keep her cool even though inside she was screaming. She was the first to react.

"Sure. Excuse our manners. Welcome to our home," she babbled as she moved her hand indicating they should come in.

They didn't step out of the hall. There was an awkward silence which was broken by Skyrah. She had a tendency to do that, Severus thought, and he was really relieved she had the ability to make people feel at ease.

"I already had the pleasure to meet you, Mr. Malfoy," she said as she looked at Lucius. Then she turned her glance to the blonde woman and the boy and added, "We haven't been properly introduced, though. I'm Skyrah Andraste Snape."

She extended her hand towards the young Malfoy, who reluctantly shook it and said, trying to keep a steady voice, "Draco Malfoy."

She smiled at him and ignored the fact that he didn't smile back. The boy likely knew she was Voldemort's daughter. Not to mention, he had just seen her in a compromised position alongside his Potions teacher. His shock was comprehensible. Skyrah faced Narcissa, who said her name as she gave a solemn nod. Skyrah imitated the gesture and motioned for them all to get in the living room so that they could sit on the sofa, and thankfully, be a little more comfortable.

"Would you like some tea?" Skyrah wondered.

"That would be lovely," replied Narcissa.

"I'm sorry, but unfortunately, we do not possess house elves. I'll have to leave you for a minute as I prepare the drinks. Please forgive this little incident."

The three Malfoys nodded at the same time and told her how they liked their tea. Skyrah took a mental note of their tastes and scurried away. She thought she heard her husband mumbling his apologies and suddenly, he creeped into the kitchen.

"Severus?! What the bloody hell are you doing here? You can't leave the guests alone!" she hissed in a low voice.

"I was feeling violent in there, something which wouldn't have happened had you let me speak to inform you that a student was out there!" he growled with red cheeks.

"Excuse me for trying to save our arses!" she replied sarcastically. "We were taking too long! We had to think of something fast and you weren't precisely collaborating!"

He had expected some understanding from her part. After all, she had demonstrated on countless occasions she was a compassionate woman. He had got used to her empathetic nature. Nevertheless, she looked anything but sympathetic right then.

"You didn't leave me time to think!"

"You should have thought faster! And you shouldn't have left the Malfoys alone!"

"I was embarrassed, Skyrah! I still am! Draco is my student!"

"So what?! Do you think you are the only one who feels embarrassed? Think twice."

Severus rubbed his hand over his face, a clearly exasperated gesture. "We can do nothing about it now…"

"It's great to see that your ability to think has struck again. Welcome back," she mocked.

"Skyrah, you're getting on my nerves!"

"Right back at you!"

They were arguing.

Like an old married couple.

Merlin!

Severus didn't know what to do. They had never fought before; this was their first little squabble, a brand new experience. True, there was the time that Skyrah threatened him after he tried to use legilimency on her, and also that one time when they confronted each other about their secrets (Lily and her family). But that was way before they knew their true loyalties. Skyrah had never behaved the way she was just doing now. Whenever there was a problem of any kind, she faced it with a logical and calm attitude while taking care that nobody got their feelings hurt. It was something he admired about her… But right then? Right then she was acting like an immature teenager.

He found himself thinking that she looked even sexier than usual with her frown on her face, her pursed lips and her darker shade of brown irises, making them look almost as black as his own. He had the impulse to slant his head and kiss her hard so that she would shut up. He controlled his lust though. He wouldn't risk getting caught by the Malfoys. He was still embarrassed.

Instead, he inhaled and exhaled profoundly and asked, "What has got into you?"

"I don't know, okay? Everything irritates me and I feel very angry. Are you helping me with this or do I have to do everything?" she replied pointing to the cups of tea and the water she was heating with her wand. "It's the least you could do since you left the Malfoys alone."

Severus sighed and gave her a hand with the drinks as he kept sending her side glances. He was trying to figure out why she would feel that way. If he hadn't known better, he would have sworn that she was on her period. Lily got moody, too.

"What is it now?" she asked annoyed when she caught one of his glances.

"Why are you so moody? You were just fine this morning."

"Do I look like I know the answer? Let me be."

"You cannot act like this in front of the Malfoys."

"That's why I'm letting it all out on you!"

The teas were finally ready. They brought them to the living room. Skyrah had a calm composure, but Severus knew better: his wife was fuming inside, and he really didn't comprehend why. Each Malfoy took their cup and started to sip it slowly. The Snapes did the same.

"To what do I owe this unexpected visit?" Severus inquired with a raised eyebrow, wasting no more time.

Lucius looked at him with a fake surprised face. "Can't two old friends talk?"

"You tried to mask it by bringing your wife and son, but this isn't a social visit. We all know it."

Lucius smirked. "I see no one can deceive you, Severus. The truth is that I have to make sure everything goes as planned. As I said before, you take his orders seriously. He'll be pleased to hear that. Now that we know this though, I was expecting to continue with the visit as friends. Is that possible or will you tell me and my family to leave?"

In that moment, Severus was grateful that his wife had been cunning enough to make them look like they were having sex when they knocked. He was still mortified about it, but it turned out that it was exactly what Lucius (and Voldemort) wanted to see. The embarrassment had payed off. He only felt bad for Draco.

"You may stay," he replied.

Lucius smirked.

Harry was concerned. Why would Snape tell him to get to his bedroom? Was he in danger? Who had knocked? He tried to listen to whatever was happening downstairs, but he couldn't hear anything. He waited for ten bloody minutes, which felt like thirty, until he had had enough. He was worried about Skyrah, and truth be told, about Severus as well. He guessed that was what happened when you got to live with someone, no matter how grumpy and bad-tempered that person was. He decided to investigate and just get a glimpse of the unexpected visitors. He had the invisibility cloak on, anyway. What could go wrong? He would satisfy his curiosity and Severus would never know. A flawless plan.

Silently, he made his way downstairs. When he saw the familiar platinum blond hair he nearly let out a startled yelp… Malfoy. What the hell was the ferret doing at the Snape's? And he wasn't alone. Lucius was also there. The blonde woman next to him had to be Draco's mother. Why would Severus order him to hide from the Malfoys? He wasn't sure, but he was glad. Otherwise, it would have been extremely awkward for him.

Harry couldn't help but pry to know what they were talking about. He listened closely and realized they were discussing…school and Draco's vacations? He nearly let out disappointed sigh, but caught himself before doing so and quietly made his way upstairs, praying that the visit would end soon. He spent the time thinking what kind of relationship the Snapes had with the Malfoys. He couldn't ask them that though, or they would find out he had disobeyed.

Skyrah closed the door after the Malfoys and sighed in relief. Suddenly, her eyes got tearful. Severus couldn't handle more strong emotions today or he would have to go to a mental hospital.

"Skyrah?"

A weep escaped her fleshy lips and a tear fell down her face.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me before… I just know that I felt so angry and now I feel so sad and I don't even know the reason," she answered as she dried her tear.

"It's okay, Skyrah. When people live together, misunderstandings arise," he said, trying to avoid an emotional wreck.

"But I was unfair! I took out my anger on you and I don't even know why I was feeling this way to begin with. Unless…"

She paused, as if pondering something.

"Unless?"

"Bloody hell! I've been so stupid!"

She looked like she was going to burst into tears at any moment now and Severus was more and more confused as the time went by.

"Moodiness is a pregnancy symptom."

Severus sighed relieved. So that was it? A pregnancy symptom? Thank Merlin!

"It makes sense. Do not worry about it. It's something entirely normal. I should have realized it too."

Skyrah threw her arms around him. Their cheeks pressed together. Her tears stung to his face. Bloody hell. Yes, moodiness had to be the reason her emotions were so wild. Awkwardly, he put his arms on her back and held her in place.

"I'm so lucky to have you."

Severus's breath hitched. If there was someone in this room who was lucky to have the other, it was he, not the other way around. He couldn't even comfort her. Skyrah deserved someone better than him.

"Stupid hormones! I'm sorry, I can't stop crying right now," she apologized, pulling back.

She sniffled and dried his cheek with her thumb. Soon, she was using all her palm, drawing patterns on his cheek, caressing it. Severus was staring at her eyes, which were slightly red from the crying that was gradually subsiding. His breathing slowed down. His heartbeat sped up. Her final tears streamed silently down her face and Severus, acting on impulse, imitated her actions: he wiped her tears and started to stroke the smooth skin of her cheek. The gesture made her smile brightly at him.

"Kiss me," she breathed.

Severus froze. She was usually the one who initiated any kind of contact, including kisses. He didn't know if he should obey. Did he want to kiss her? Absolutely. Did he think it was a bright idea? Taking into account she was a moody woman who could change her mind any minute, he wasn't so sure.

Noting his hesitation, she arched an eyebrow and teased, "You just have to press your lips against mine. If the dunderheads, as you like to call them, do it all the time, it must not be that complicated, right?"

Severus let out a low chuckle and finally leaned in. He just couldn't help himself; he felt drawn to her playfulness, to her warmth... To her. They fondled each other's cheeks as the kiss progressed. She drew back, hands still on his cheeks.

"I feel better now; crying always helps me." As an afterthought, she added, "That and kisses, especially your kisses."

Severus smiled shyly at her. The smile was barely noticeable, but she detected it, for she gave him one last peck.

"I think moodiness isn't the only pregnancy symptom I'm showing… My bras feel tighter," she said, biting her bottom lip.

Severus arched an eyebrow and stared at her chest. It was as flushed as her face, now. He had seen they looked fuller a few days ago too, but he had thought the wisest thing to do was not to say anything about it.

"I noticed," he husked, eyes lingering on her chest.

The lust on his eyes and voice was palpable.

"You're dying to touch them, aren't you?" she asked, putting her hands on her breasts to emphasize her point.

Severus gulped at the sight. What kind of response was she expecting? Luckily for him, she wasn't expecting an answer, for she shook her head and chuckled.

"It's safe to get Harry now. I think I can control my moodiness."

Someone opened the bedroom door. Harry kept still, hoping that the mysterious person wasn't a member of the Malfoy family. When he spotted a hooked nose, he sighed in relief and removed the cloak.

The evening went by without any incidents... or more moody episodes. Severus thought that it was strange that Harry didn't ask about the visitors. That went against his nosy personality.

"You have spied on us," said Severus. "You would have inquired about the meeting otherwise."

Harry's eyes widened as he cursed himself for being so stupid.

"I guess that if you haven't informed me yet, it means that the visit wasn't that important, sir."

"Don't. lie. to me."

Harry gulped and, under Severus's threatening glare, he explained, "I only heard something related to school and Malfoy's vacation. I wasn't interested in it, so I went back your bedroom. It's the truth, I swear."

His deep black eyes pierced Harry's soul. "Do not disobey me again, Potter. Think. What would have happened if the cloak had fallen off?"

Harry knew by the scowl on his face that his Professor was about to punish him. Skyrah must have also realized it, since she touched his arm to stop him from doing so.

"Go to sleep, Potter."

Harry couldn't be gladder that the dungeon bat was married to her in that moment.

Severus and Skyrah went to their bedroom as well. Skyrah cast some silencing spells and closed the door. When she faced her husband, he distinguished her mischievous smile and yearning in her eyes.

"Skyr-"

He wasn't able to pronounce her full name as her lips were already moving against his, hands tangled on his hair. She was kissing him passionately and Severus found himself unwittingly responding to her need, solely focusing on the warmth that travelled down his body. There was a sly grin on her face when they broke apart.

"Wha-What are you d-doing?" he choked, struggling to breathe properly.

She rolled her eyes. "For being so intelligent you sure have your dense moments, Severus. I think it's obvious."

She started to kiss his neck as she whispered seductively, "You clearly wanted to touch me before." She took his hands and placed them on her breasts to prove her point. Severus gasped and Skyrah smirked. "I'm letting you. We haven't been this intimate since Harry came… I need you. Now."

Before he could object, Skyrah shoved him onto the bed and straddled him. She unbuttoned his robes in a painfully slow way until he was half naked. She was still fully clothed. Her hands travelled along his chest as she kept kissing and sucking on the crook of his neck. She stopped, causing him to groan in disappointment at the loss of contact. She was snogging him again, making Severus whimper in need.

Skyrah broke the kiss and continued trailing down feather light kisses until she reached his abdomen. Her hand slowly caressed his erection. She was touching him through the fabric, but Severus's hips went up on instinct anyway, wanting to feel more. It was as if his brain had stopped working, had turned numb. He could only feel.

Feelings terrified him.

He was a lost, vulnerable boy in front of the wave of feelings she aroused in him. Needing to take control, he swapped their positions so that Skyrah wasn't on top anymore. He tried to snog her senseless, but on the last second, she turned her head and his thin lips landed on her cheek. He tried to kiss her again, but she put her hands on his chest and stopped him. Her eyes did not hold lust any longer. She looked like she was recalling something. He furrowed his brow.

"Did I hurt you? Did I do something wrong?"

"You did the same the last time…" she whispered, sitting up.

Severus also sat up and asked, "Pardon?"

"You never let me control the situation. Every time I try to pleasure you and get farther than your neck," she said, peeking at his hard member. "You get on top… It's like you have the need to have the power. Do you think I do not see the vulnerability in your eyes? Why do you feel like that?"

Although her dark brown eyes were gentle, her tone was impatient. She was expecting a truthful, complete answer. Any chance at having sex had vanished.