Note: Romance and spice are about to begin (at least for some).

Hope you're enjoying it! I'm working daily on this story and am very happy with where this is going!

June 2011

Snapes' family home

"First day of Summer break," softly said Severus, while lying in bed, caressing his wife's naked back as she relaxed on his chest on that lazy morning.

"Yeah," Florence sighed, "The teenagers are home... our last three," she rested her chin on his left pec and looked at his face, "Do you miss having all the kids home?"

Severus silently arched an eyebrow at her, making her chuckle, "C'mon, Sev. Do you?"

He let out a sigh and drawled: "Sometimes... I miss certain moments."

"Like when?" she asked, curious.

He caressed her face, brushing a lock of hair away from her cheek, "The months between the end of the war and the twins leaving–"

"You mean," she retorted with narrowed eyes, "the months when you knew James and Nick were about to leave our home but never told me anything?"

Severus chuckled and pulled her closer, "Exactly," he kissed her lips and she huffed softly, "You can't still be mad about that, love; you know it was for the best."

"Still," Florence said between kisses, "I don't have to like it..."

"You do not prefer when they're all home," he asserted, looking at her with a knowing glint in his eyes.

"I love having the kids home!" she retorted.

"So do I – but not all the time," added Severus, "With just three of them home the risk of catastrophe will hover over our heads every minute of every day for the next two and a half months!"

"Don't be so dramatic, Sev," she rolled her eyes, "Gigi is not coming here, and your son will not go anywhere she might be."

"My son?" he playfully scoffed, "So now the little troublemaker is my son, as if you're this perfect little lady–"

"I'll have you know," she interrupted him in a smug tone, "That I'm an upstanding member of wizarding society! I was Minister of Magic not once – but twice!"

Severus snorted a laugh and rolled them on the bed, positioning his larger body on top of hers, settling between her legs, "Are you really counting that as two? One was nepotism – your mad dad gave you that position."

"What?! Nepotism?" she feigned affront, "Says the man who was awarded a cushy headmaster position just because he was fucking said mad man's daughter!"

"Nearly died because of that too," he said, hiding his smile against her neck, as he kissed the curve of her shoulder, moving down towards her breasts.

"True," she sighed and pulled him up for more kisses, running her hands through his messy long hair as he circled his tongue around hers expertly.

Florence dropped their playful banter and kissed him back with hunger, rubbing her legs on his sides, letting herself be completely taken by his knicker-dropping kisses – not that she was wearing any.

"Hm," he hummed as he stopped the kiss, "I think, wife, we're going to be late for breakfast."

"Yes, I agree, husband," she inhaled sharply when he lowered his mouth to her left breast and sucked on her hardened nipple, "Fuck– I agree, but not too late– oohh," she moaned as he moved to her right breast, "We're having friends over for breakfast."

"Hm, I see," Severus drawled, looking up into her eyes as he kissed down her belly, "How about... three orgasms in twenty minutes, is that good enough for you?" he rubbed his nose between her legs.

"Yes, yes, please," she whimpered, spreading her legs wide open.

And he dipped his tongue between her folds, licking and sucking until she was arching and trembling on the bed, moaning his name and begging for more.

"One down, three more to go," Severus said as he moved between her legs, entering her body with his hard cock and riding her towards (and through) multiple climaxes.

Four doors down the corridor, inside a lavishly decorated bedroom, on a luxurious bed, lay sixteen-year-old Sophie Snape, smiling in her sleep as her mind was fully immersed in a lovely dream:

She walked into Greenhouse #2, immediately seeing Him standing by the long worktable, nothing but a pair of jeans covering his tall powerful body, hanging low on his hips, leaving the perfect v of his pubic bones on display, his strong torso bared from the waist up, dirt stains on his navel adding to the sensuous sight.

"Good morning, Prof. Longbottom," Sophie greeted in a breathless tone she barely recognised as her own as she approached him.

"Hello, Miss Sophie," Neville replied, turning his face to look at her, his blue eyes taking in every inch of skin her summer dress didn't cover.

"Do you like my dress, professor?" she twirled, showing him more of her thighs.

"Yes, it's a lovely piece, darling," he gave her a long appreciative once over before returning his attention to his plants.

Sophie hopped on the worktable, sitting very close to the sack of dirt he had been working with, crossing her legs and allowing her dress to ride up her thighs.

"Where do you need me today, professor?" she asked with feigned innocence.

A lazy smirk formed on his lips as he raised his dirt-stained right hand and placed it on her knee, applying enough pressure to coax her legs to uncross.

He slowly moved towards her, lowering his head to her ear, speaking in a low and sexy tone: "You know exactly how I need you, Miss Snape."

She whimpered as he kissed down her neck, his other hand covering her left breast, only the flimsy fabric of her dress separating her hardening nipple from his work-roughened palm.

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Sophie frowned at that sound, looking at the door of the Greenhouse, "Are you expecting someone?"

"No, darling," Neville kept on kissing the curve of her shoulder, touching both her knees, softly ordering: "Spread them for me, my sweet."

She trembled at his command, opening her legs further to accommodate him between them.

"Yes," she gasped, fisting a hand in his ear-length hair as he pressed between her legs–

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There was that annoying knocking again, increasingly insistent.

"What-?"

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And her dream stopped.

Sophie turned in her bed, slowly realising that the knocking was coming from somewhere inside her room and not from her dream.

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She sat on her bed and turned towards the window, seeing a large barn owl pecking angrily at the glass.

"Alright, alright, come in," she murmured, opening the window with a wave of her hand, hiding a yawn behind her hand as the owl hovered over her bed, dropped a roll of parchment on her head, screeched indignantly and left.

"Oh, you're upset?" Sophie scoffed, "You have no idea the dream you intruded on!"

She pulled on the blue ribbon holding the letter tightly rolled and unrolled the parchment.

It was her O.W.L.s results!

She smiled, happy that she had achieved the results she had studied hard for.

Knowing she wouldn't be able to fall asleep again and return to the lovely dream she had been having, Sophie got up and started her morning routine.

Whenever she was home, she liked to take her time in the mornings; choosing a cute dress, and low-heeled sandals, she sprayed some argan oil on her hair to hydrate her waves and walked downstairs, finding the house dipped in silence despite it being nearly nine.

By the sounds coming from the kitchen, she could tell the elves were getting breakfast ready.

"Melody?" she called one of the elves.

"Yes, Mistress Sophie?" their younger elf replied, showing by the kitchen door.

"Is anyone up?"

"Master Severus and Mistress Florence are up and soon will be down for breakfast; both Master Stephen and Mistress Lily are still asleep."

"Thank you, Mel," said Sophie, turning to go sit on the back porch but stopping on her tracks when the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it!" she said out loud, letting the elves know they didn't need to worry about answering the door.

Sophie opened the door and looked at the couple standing on the front porch.

"Hi, can I help you?"

"Hi, you must be Sophie," said the woman with a sweet smile, "Neville has told us so much about you that I feel like I know you already."

Sophie frowned. Neville? Prof. Longbottom had spoken about her to these people?

"Yes," the man nodded, "Oh, sorry, we haven't introduced ourselves, I'm Frank Longbottom," he said, reaching his hand out to her.

Sophie blinked twice rapidly, raising her hand to shake the man's, her whole body freezing as she understood who they were.

Neville's parents! She held in her breath, feeling herself blush, These are the parents of the man I was fantasising about thirty minutes ago!

"Are you ok, dear?" asked the woman– Alice, Sophie remembered her name was Alice.

"I'm– yes!" Sophie stammered, her heart pounding as she stared at the familiar blue eyes on the woman's face.

Then from inside the house, Florence's voice reached them: "Who's at the door, Sophie?"

"Nevil– Prof. Longbottom's parents," she quickly corrected herself.

Florence gasped excitedly and came quickly to the door, inviting them in and leading them to the beautifully set breakfast table where Sophie could see her father was already sat at.

Absentmindedly, she closed the front door, her mind still reeling at the fact she had just met Frank and Alice Longbottom.

Neville's parents– her crush's parents!

"Sophie?"

Someone was talking near her, she could tell, but the sound of her fast-pounding heart made it difficult to understand what they were saying.

"Hey, Sophie? Sis?"

There was a hand gripping her right arm.

Sophie blinked and looked at the purple eyes of her youngest sister.

"Lily. Yes. What– what is it?"

"Are you alright?" the girl asked with a frown.

"Yes. Of course!" Sophie replied a bit too loudly, glancing at the table and finding her mother's concerned gaze on her, "Just hungry. Breakfast?"

Lily raised an eyebrow and nodded slowly, not letting go of her arm as they walked to the table to join the others.

"Morning, dad," said Sophie, kissing her father's cheek.

"Morning, love," he softly replied.

Lily sat beside Frank, and Sophie found herself sitting across Alice Longbottom.

"You're as beautiful as we were told, Miss Sophie," said Alice.

"Thank you, you're very kind," Sophie replied, her polite and calm demeanour hiding the utter confusion she felt inside: Were told? They were told she was beautiful?

She looked at the woman, the question certainly clear in her eyes for Alice chuckled and explained:

"Everyone in the village talks about you and how much you look like your mother," Alice looked at Florence, "You truly do look just like her!"

"Oh– yes," Sophie said, trying not to stammer again, "People say that."

Alice smiled at her, "Neville says you're one of his best students."

Sophie couldn't stop her returning blushing cheeks at the mention of his name, "Oh, he's very kind. And a great teacher."

"He says you're a brilliant young woman," continued Alice.

Sophie noticed then how her mother looked at Alice with a hint of apprehension.

"Nev said you intend to follow your mother's footsteps and become a healer," Frank added.

"Ah, yes, sir," Sophie nodded, "But not exactly like mum. I'm more interested in the different forms the healing process takes around the world – especially how nature has helped people deal with pain and infections throughout history. I'm planning on travelling with my brother Chris, once I finish Hogwarts and he has time away from his wandmaking training to come visit."

"That sounds very interesting!" Alice said, continuing to smile at her, "And sounds like you'll be studying plants – just like Nev!"

Sophie nodded and looked down at her plate, cutting and eating her croissant, not knowing how to reply, trying to understand if the woman's words meant something more.

Does she know something I don't? Sophie wondered, Has Nev– Prof. Longbottom really spoken to his parents about me?

She sipped her latte – made perfectly by Mel as usual – her mind going fast as she struggled to undersand why Neville would speak about her to them; Does he feel–

"Sophie," called a feminine voice, too soft to take her out of her musings.

"Sophie!" asked the louder, stronger voice of her father.

And her head snapped up, cold dread filling her as she wondered if he had seen anything in her mind about her and–

"You seem distracted, love," said Florence, interrupting her thoughts, her green eyes darting to Severus, silently adding to Sophie's fear that she hadn't been hiding her thoughts, "Something on your mind that you would like to share?"

Fuck. It was clear she hadn't been occluding. Think fast– the O.W.L.s!

"Oh, yes, mum," Sophie said, realising she could use the results to justify having been caught thinking of her professor, "All this talk about Prof. Longbottom reminded me that I got my O.W.L.s results this morning."

Yes! That had her father's full attention.

Florence smiled at her, nodding discreetly, letting her know she had done the right thing.

"And how did you do?" Severus asked.

"Eleven Outstandings," Sophie replied proudly.

There were soft gasps of happy surprise, and Florence beamed: "That's wonderful, my dear!"

Severus raised his coffee cup in her direction, "We're very proud of you, Sophie."

"Thanks, dad."

Alice smiled at her, "Beautiful and brilliant – what a treasure you are!"

Sophie blushed, giving the woman a soft smile and wishing she could casually ask her what exactly Neville had said about her.

When it was time for the Longbottoms to leave, Florence joined Alice and Frank in the short walk to their house.

"So," she asked as soon as they were far enough from her house, "Neville has been talking about Sophie?"

"Yes, he has," Alice nodded.

"We were curious to meet her," added Frank, "He mentions her name at least once a day."

"And having met her now," Alice sighed, "I can't deny that I'm worried, Florence," she glanced at her husband, "We both are."

"Why?" asked Florence, needing some sign that Neville was as affected by her daughter as Sophie seemed to be by him.

"He– erm," Alice hesitated.

"We fear," Frank took the lead, "Nev's got feelings for your Sophie that go beyond those a teacher should have in regards of his students."

"Oh, really?" asked Florence, feeling they were about to confirm her suspicions.

"Our son is an honourable man, Florence," added Alice, in clear defence of Neville, "He speaks of Sophie with nothing but respect and admiration. His feelings aside, he'd never act untoward–"

"I know, Alice," Florence interrupted her friend, smiling softly, "I'm not here trying to tattle about Neville's misconduct– there has been none. However, I am trying to confirm something... and you might have just done that."

"Confirm what?" asked Frank with a frown.

Florence decided to share her suspicions: "I have reasons to believe they're blessed."

Both Longbottoms inhaled sharply.

"Our Nev and your Sophie?" gasped Frank.

"What?" Alice also gasped, "You mean blessed like... like soulmates?"

"Yes," Florence nodded, "I felt a burst of magic the first time Neville sat at the high table last year – and when said burst happened, he was staring at my daughter and she at him."

"That's great, isn't it?" asked Frank, smiling, "He likes her, she likes him and they're soulmates–"

"No, Frank," interrupted Alice, slapping his shoulder, "She's just received her O.W.L.s results! She's underage!" her eyes filled with concern as she looked at Florence.

Florence nodded, "Yes. And that's exactly the reason why I think they are blessed. Blessing a couple is magic's way of interfering to make sure soulmates end up together despite exterior circumstances that may keep them apart," she paused, letting out a sigh, "Poor Neville... if he likes her, he must be so confused... perhaps even berating himself for feeling attracted to a student."

"Yes, he hasn't been himself lately," said Alice, thinking about her son, "He seems concerned."

Frank nodded, "I've never seen him like that. Maybe if we told him about the Blessing–"

"I don't know how that would help," said Florence shaking her head, "Blessed or not, she's still underage and he's a full-grown adult; it's best that he tries to stop her advances. At least for now."

"Her advances?" asked Frank, concerned.

"Yes, Frank," nodded Florence, "I am honestly worried about my daughter's actions."

"How so?" asked Alice, trying to understand.

"Sophie isn't certain of Neville's feelings towards her; she believes he's just a great teacher that appreciates her help in the greenhouses. I haven't told her I suspect he is her soulmate."

"Why not?" asked Frank.

"I've been through this with Elizabeth," Florence chuckled, "and had to keep her away from Draco Malfoy for two years for she was trying to seduce him at a very very young age."

"I hope you know that our son would never act on his feelings while Sophie is underage, Florence," said Alice.

"Of course, dear. But Sophie might do her best to try and seduce him. And I tell you from experience: as honourable as Neville is, resisting the pull of your soulmate is not easy."

"Didn't you and Severus live apart for years?" asked Alice, her head tilted.

"Yes," Florence snorted, "And we fucked every time we were in the same room together."

"Oh, dear, I see how that can be a problem," Alice nodded, sharing Florence's concern but, for both of their surprises, Frank laughed.

"How can you find that funny?" Alice asked, slapping his shoulder for a second time.

"Our son is under the risk of being seduced by a gorgeous young woman who happens to be his soulmate," he shrugged, "That's bloody amazing! I don't see why you two are concerned–"

"Oh, I don't know," said Alice with heavy sarcasm: "Her age and her father, perhaps!"

"Yes, Severus won't find any humour in this situation, Frank," added Florence.

Frank visibly deflated, "Fuck, that's true. Alright, I see what you mean. We must keep Neville away from Sophie until she's of age."

"Or else he'll end up in Azkaban for touching a minor–" said Alice, "Or dead for touching Severus' daughter."

"Yes," Florence chuckled at her predictions, "Meanwhile, I'll slowly ease my husband into the idea that Neville is our daughter's soulmate and that killing him would be a bad idea."

"Well, he didn't kill Draco Malfoy, I don't think he'll harm Nev," said Alice, looking at her for confirmation.

"He didn't hurt Draco because I intervened – it wasn't for lack of want," explained Florence, receiving two scared looks, so she tried to reassure them: "I won't let Severus hurt Neville. Don't worry. My daughter's happiness is at the stake here–"

"And my grandbabies!" exclaimed Alice, "I want grandbabies!"

Florence and Frank laughed at the honest, unrestrained, way she expressed her wish.