Seventh Year, Part 1

The Room of Requirement replicated Severus's dorm at Hogwarts. He was waiting for Skyrah after the summer break, shirtless and with a cocky smile. To the casual eye, there weren't any wounds or bruises on his pale skin. When he confirmed he wasn't injured at all, she broke into a sprint. He lifted her by her armpits, swirling and laughing alongside her. He put her down and peppered kisses all over her face until she couldn't take it anymore and kissed him full on the mouth. They only broke the kiss when her legs hit the mattress. He'd been gently pushing her towards his bed and was looking at her intensely, as she was doing him. She let herself fall on his bed and brought him down with her. He took another moment to appreciate her beauty before molding his lips against hers again. There was no rush now that they were together. It was delightful...

Until his cheeks got wet.

He immediately broke the kiss and wiped her tears away with his thumb, an expression of worry etched on his face. "Have I done something wrong?"

"No." She put a hand on his cheek to calm him down, as she did when they were in second year. "No. They're happy tears. I'm very happy to be reunited with you at last. Most first-years are adorable but have way too many questions. I'm sorry I made you wait."

"It was your duty as a Head Girl and Prefect. I'm happy to be with you again too." He rubbed his nose against hers, something she'd sometimes done to him and had never failed to make him feel cherished. "Was summer okay? Did your father…?"

If her dark expression was of any indication, her father had hurt her indeed, maybe more than ever. Screwing his eyes shut, he arranged them so that she was the little spoon, facing him.

"What did that bastard do to you?" he asked.

"Bad things, none of which I'll retell nor should you blame him for."

"By what I've gathered, he abuses you mentally, emotionally, and physically. Who is to blame but him?"

"Nobody is to blame. For years, I thought he was a monster. Now I see I wasn't being fair. I wouldn't blame someone with Alzheimer's for forgetting their dear ones. Why should I blame someone without a heart for being incapable of loving?"

"Is that what you think? That your father suffers from a condition that makes it impossible for him to love?"

"It's the most plausible explanation for his behavior. It's terribly sad, too. Can you imagine how awful life would be without love? I don't know how to help him. He doesn't accept my love."

"Not all diseases are curable," Severus said as gently as he could, caressing her back soothingly. It was a cruel yet necessary truth she had to digest. "If having a caring daughter like you hasn't changed him, nothing and nobody ever will. Deep down, you must know that."

The sound she made, out of profound pain, frightened him. She still wanted a father that nurtured her and guided her, a figure to look up to and rely on. It was hard to accept she'd never have that. He understood that too well.

"I know how hard it is to accept, but you must. Holding onto false hope is hurting you."

"My mother gave up on him a long time ago. I can't do that. He's my dad, no matter what. I must be as sick as him. Who in their right mind would forgive the one who's hurt you so much you've sometimes thought he'd kill you?"

"You aren't sick. Everything he lacks, humanity and empathy, you have it. Your heart is so pure it loves someone like him. I don't know how you do it. I despise Tobias and he's never crucioed me."

"He finds other ways to torture you." The image of a very young Severus with bruises all over his body, listening to his parents fight came to her mind. It didn't help Skyrah. She nuzzled her nose into his collarbone, breathed in and out and, when she was calm enough, she inquired about his summer.

"This year's been different. I could threaten him with my magic at last. He hasn't hurt us, not while I was there. I declined the Malfoys' offer and stayed home to protect my mother while I could. She hasn't thanked me yet. She loves him more than she loves her son," he finished bitterly.

"If that's true, I hope she wakes up soon and finally sees how worthy of a mother's love you are. You're a good son. I'm thankful you protected her even if she doesn't know how to express her thanks." In a lower tone, almost afraid of her confession, she added, "Your mother and I aren't so different. We both love our tormentors."

"Listen to me, no human being deserves to be treated like Tobias treats my mother. She deserved better even if she doesn't see it, and so do you. Your father should be in Azkaban."

"He'd find a way to escape from prison. The dementors wouldn't affect him. He can't be more broken. He's already shattered, unrepairable. Incurable."

Severus sighed and caressed her cheekbone with his knuckles. "Tell me one thing: do you defend yourself when he hurts you?"

"I used to speak up and question him when I was younger. I learned to be obedient the hard way. I take his punishments as gracefully as I can. He doesn't tolerate weakness, remember?"

"Have you tried using your wand on him? You shouldn't underestimate yourself. You're a magnificent duelist."

"He's more powerful than me. If I raised my wand at him, I'd end up deeply hurt. Accepting his punishments is the best defense I have. Making a friend and falling in love with him behind Father's back is the best rebellion." She put her fingers on Severus's mouth, effectively silencing him before he could make a remark. "I don't want to talk about him anymore. What I want is…"

Her hands settled on his chest, which she began to caress, going down, down, until she unbuckled his belt, making him shudder in anticipation. She needed to make love to him, as if that were the most evident proof that Voldemort couldn't touch her, that Severus wouldn't leave her, and that she was wanted even when her own father didn't want her. He caught her wrist, preventing her tempting hands from rubbing him to hardness.

"You can't change the subject like that. This is serious, Skyrah."

"I refuse to keep talking about sorrows. I'm not with him now. I'm with you, and I need to feel your skin against mine. Feel you inside me."

He almost gave in, especially when she added a broken please. She was asking him to make her forget the pain and give her a moment of sheer pleasure, and there was nothing more he wanted than pleasing her in every single way. He shut his eyes and touched his forehead against hers.

"I just want to protect you and make you happy. I'm failing you," he said.

"I feel the safest in your arms. I feel…" The most loved, she thought. "Desired. Beautiful. Seen. How is that failing me? I love you, Severus."

He gulped, overcome with emotion, and she kissed him. From then on, he couldn't think about anything but granting her wishes. The times they had made love last school year had always been overall tender and caring, with some occasional awkwardness that came with their little experience. This time, their love-making started that way but soon became wild, passionate, and more urgent than ever. The summer break had been too long. They were starved of each other, and it showed.

When it was over, they got back to their face-to-face spooning position and grew cuddly and affectionate, as if making up for the lack of gentleness in the sex. He touched her face as she imagined painters touched their muses: with utmost reverence. She looked peaceful now. Severus couldn't help but feel proud of himself.

"I can't wait to repeat this in the Prefects' Bathroom."

Skyrah gave him a lopsided grin. "Now that you mention the Bathroom... Our schedule needs an update. Last year's doesn't contemplate my Head Girl duties… and advantages."

He lifted an eyebrow, interested in what benefits she was referring to. Since she was both, a Prefect and the Head Girl, she was entitled to use the Bathroom twice a week.

"I see it as a reward for having to collaborate with Potter without jinxing him."

Severus let out a loud laugh. Skyrah smiled, satisfied with his reaction. It was a delight to see someone who was so guarded act so freely with her. In summer, she'd brought her family agony and dread. Now here she was, making the boy she loved shake with laughter.

He kissed her brow, still chuckling, and said, "How I've missed your sense of humor. Your eyes, which see me for who I am. Your warm touch. Your tender kisses." He kissed her just as tenderly and became very serious when he added, his voice heavy with emotion, "I've missed every single part of you."

"The wait is over. I'll cling to you so much you'll get tired of me."

She'd meant it as a joke to cheer him up, yet he took it seriously and claimed he'd never get tired of her. Skyrah kissed his cheek, closed her eyes, and enjoyed the simple feeling of being held.

Later, she cleaned the mess, sat up in bed, and applied glamours to conceal every mark on his body that spoke of the abuse he'd suffered for years under the hands of Tobias and the marauders. She took the time to kiss every scar before making it invisible so that his dorm mates wouldn't interrogate him. Severus remained quiet through it all. It was a moment as intimate as their love-making. By the time she finished, he was breathing loudly, overcome by her caring nature and healing touch. She moved the sleek bedsheet so that it'd cover his body up to his lower back.

"I must leave now. It's bound to be a complicated night for the first-years. They may need me."

He pulled her into him, anchoring her. "Stay. I need you too."

"Jealous of a bunch of kids?"

"They demand your attention and you give it to them. I had to work especially hard to get it." He laid a kiss on her pulse line. "It was worth every minute of hard work. Life with you is beautiful."

She was, once again, reminded of why she was so in love with him. "It is."

It was a beauty that came with fragility. He wouldn't know how many summer days she'd spent thinking about their future and how grim it was destined to be so long as Voldemort stayed in the picture. Hogwarts wouldn't always be their sanctuary.

"Five minutes," she said at last. "No more."

Severus gave him a triumphant grin and pulled her towards him to properly cuddle with her.

Twenty-five days had gone by. Being Saturday morning, Quidditch training kept the Slytherin boys out of their dorm, everyone but Severus. He checked that what he'd hidden under his bed on his first day of school remained there, charmed to appear invisible.

Yes, everything was in order.

"What are you hiding under the bed?"

He raised his head at her voice, which resulted in him unintentionally knocking it with the edge of the bed. There was no use in lying now that he'd been caught, so he revealed it was a surprise to celebrate their first year together. Getting a bump on his head wasn't part of it. Since neither was looking forward to getting some anti-inflammatory cream from the Infirmary and wasting valuable time together being apart, Skyrah summoned a mug and conjured some water she turned to ice with a spell. She used it to apply it on the place a bump would likely form. He could've done it himself. Still, it felt too good being cared for, so he remained quiet and swallowed his pride. It was easy when she used her other hand to play with his hair.

A few minutes later, she vanished the ice, kissed the area, and sat on his bed. He joined her and handed the gift with his head hanging low out of shyness. It was a crystal jar identical to the one he'd given her one day before the Ball. The contents, despite having a similar texture differed in color. This one was pastel pink and smelled like her favorite flower, one that made her think of her Irish home.

"It's a rose shampoo I made myself."

Her eyes lit up. She brought the jar to her chest, as though it were a treasure. "My boyfriend's a genius."

And a thief. He'd stolen the roses from Professor Sprout.

"Making shampoo is simple."

"For you, maybe. I wouldn't succeed without following book instructions, and I'm pretty sure you used no books and came up with the perfect measures yourself. It's very special, Severus. You're so special."

She leaned into him to give him a thankful cheek kiss, only his hands on her shoulders stopped her. There was yet another surprise: a small velvety box and the reason he'd been so nervous. It was a bracelet that imitated the shape of a serpent, with a thin silvery body that was meant to curl around a wrist. The head with two emeralds for eyes nearly touched its tail. She went speechless at the sight.

"At first I wanted to get you something with our initials engraved. I even considered the phrase 'I see you.' Your father would suspect if he were to catch that, so I went for a Slytherin symbol instead. It represents us both, and at the same time, it's ambiguous enough for him not to wonder, or to assume your mother or your grandmother gave it to you. Do you like it?"

He took the lingering, cheek kiss as a positive answer. When she kept her hands on his face and inquired about the price, though, he became doubtful. Granted, he hadn't given many presents in his life (nor received them) but he knew one thing: revealing the cost wasn't proper.

"You're always saying you're hungry at home, and you don't even have hot water to shower, or enough money to buy yourself a school uniform. You already made me shampoo, and I adored it. Why would you spend money on a jewel?"

"I spent money on my girlfriend. I was naïve enough to think you'd appreciate it."

"I do. Very much. The present is absolutely beautiful. You were so thoughtful and cautious. It represents us perfectly. I love it. I love you. What I don't like is the sacrifice you made to get me this bracelet."

"I didn't sacrifice anything."

"You dare lie to me?" she hissed, withdrawing her hands from his face. "Do you think I didn't notice you looked thinner we began school? How do you think it makes me feel to know you got me a present instead of being properly fed?" Her tone was gentle when she spoke next. "Please talk to me. I'm worried. I need to understand why you'd do something like this for me."

Because I'd do anything for you. Because I love you. He didn't say that, though. Tobias was still at the back of his mind, reminding him of the chains he kept around Eileen, the love that kept her trapped in the most miserable of places.

"...When I stayed with the Malfoys, Lucius would often give Narcissa pieces of jewelry to make her happy. He says it's a way to show your girl that you value her because jewelry is valuable. Last year, Rosier boasted that Lucinda was very happy after receiving her earrings, so I thought Lucius was onto something. Sometimes, I fear you will realize I'm not good enough for you, and leave me. I needed to get you something of worth to show how much I value you, especially on such a date as today. Pearls or diamonds or gold, I can't afford. This was the best I could give you. You deserve more than that and homemade shampoo."

Her expression softened, for his heart had been in the right place. "I'll be wearing the bracelet and thinking about you every day. I'm pretty sure I feel more valued with this piece than Narcissa Malfoy with the most expensive jewel her husband has ever given her."

"But…?"

She took his hands in hers, and he relaxed a bit. "Lucius got it wrong. You make me feel valued every day. I wouldn't be taking so many risks hiding what we have from my father if I didn't love you with all my heart. I know Tobias and those Gryffindors make you think otherwise, but you're worthy of affection, of mine. I don't need a gift to want to stay with you. You are enough, Severus."

He let out a shuddering breath, his eyes shiny with unshed tears, and hugged her tightly, burying his face in the crook of her neck. His eyelashes slightly tickled her, but she didn't mention it and kept rubbing his back. He could tell, despite her silence, that she was still concerned about him and what buying jewelry when one was poor meant. In an attempt to ease her worries, he revealed that he'd eaten more this summer than any other summer, disregarding last year, when he'd stayed at the Malfoys for some weeks. He'd got himself a part-time job so that Eileen wouldn't spend a lot of time alone with Tobias. He'd considered working as a shop assistant in a cauldron shop in Diagon Alley, but he'd been embarrassed to meet somebody from school. Staying in his muggle neighborhood had been safer. He'd found work as a waiter in an Italian restaurant. Not an extraordinary wage, but it was something, and the chef would sometimes allow him in the kitchen to see how she worked, and would give him some leftovers if there happened to be some.

"I got the job to pay for the jewel and clear some family debts," he continued. "Tobias took it as a petulant child. He wanted my money for himself. He didn't earn it, though. I did. He had no say in how I chose to spend it or save it."

"And you chose to make me feel valued with your hard-earned pay."

"And got you worried in turn. You're the only girl who'd be worried about her boyfriend after he gave her a piece of jewelry. You always put me first. Thank you."

He broke the embrace only to adjust the bracelet on her wrist, caressing her sensitive skin. She took a moment to admire it shining against her pale skin color. It was indeed precious… and a most adequate present. They were hiding their relationship in full sight, and the people and creatures in the castle would be none the wiser. She felt empowered wearing it, empowered and adored.

"I've got a present for you, too, but I won't give it to you until you understand something: we need to take care of each other. Just like when you advise me to drink a dreamless potion to get some rest and I listen to you, I'll ask you to listen to me now and only buy me presents if your basic necessities are covered."

"I'll always take care of you."

"And yourself," she remarked. "For us."

"And myself. For us. And you'll do the same."

"I will."

Satisfied with the promise, she took a tiny leather box from her pocket and enlarged it. It was, in fact, not a box but a leather notebook, charcoal black in color. It was completely plain except for the engraved constellation of Capricornus, a sign which both symbolized Severus and hinted at the Lunar Ball, the day they'd shared their first kiss. He couldn't open it. Skyrah's wand touched the cover, and with an uttered incantation, she unlocked it. The first page was a whole letter signed by her in which she explained he deserved to carry out his experiments and note down his findings in a safe place rather than his Advanced Potions textbook. She'd written the instructions to open the notebook safely, too. She gushed so much about his potioneering and spell-making skills he blushed while reading her text. The closing was a 'For my genius Half-Blood Prince, from your Thorny Rose.' That brought a smile to his face. He was about to thank her when he became aware of a briefcase, the same shade of black as his notebook, with an engraved Scorpius constellation at a corner, so small it could be easily missed. Her zodiac sign.

He used the same incantation, and the briefcase opened. "I'd never heard of this spell before."

"I learned some basic magical theory with you. It's my own invention. Nothing impressive like your spells, but efficient."

The spell per se may not have been impressive yet she impressed him, especially when he got to see the contents: potion ingredients imported from Asia, Oceania, Africa, and America.

"I researched into rare but powerful potion ingredients last summer," she said as he marveled at the jars and pots and what they contained. "With them, you'll be able to make something more challenging than an anti-acne antidote for the allergic. You've got the brains for it. It'd be a pity to waste your talent because of lack of money."

The reason he'd never had access to them was the price, actually. Not even Hogwarts bothered with them. He'd have asked her how she'd been able to pay for the ingredient assortment in the first place, but he could imagine the answer. She'd told him about three siblings she always tutored in summer. Their family was quite generous at the time of paying for her service.

"Do you like it?" she wondered.

Judging by her uncharacteristic shyness, she didn't think she'd matched his expectations after learning about the bracelet. The sight made something in his chest melt. Nobody had ever cared for him like the witch before him. It was a wonderful gift. He'd never told her, but he loved it that she supported his passion pushed by no personal motive. His dorm mates used his potioneering skills to their benefit. The Malfoys had always encouraged him, though a part of Severus had felt as if they'd wanted an ally in him, someone to trust should they need certain potions. Skyrah simply wanted him to develop his talent fully and gave him the tools and ingredients to do so because she knew he found peace in potions, just like she found it in history.

The first kiss caught her unawares. She didn't respond other than to let out a small gasp. Although she'd expected a second kiss, she hadn't been ready to end up breathless because of it, with a racing heartbeat and a sudden desire to get his hands all over her body.

"Does this answer your question?" he asked.

She bit her bottom lip. "Yes and no. You can try harder."

"Are you challenging me?"

"Mmh. You never fail to deliver."

He lay on top of her, lips hovering over hers but not quite brushing yet. "Only one kiss and you're desperate for me to touch you?" he teased, barely containing the lust in his voice as his deft fingers slipped under her knickers.

If he'd expected her cheeks to turn red in arousal and coyness, he was disappointed. The disappointment didn't last, though, for she gave him a grin that spoke of naughtiness.

It was a Monday by mid-October. Skyrah waited for Severus in the Ghoul Studies classroom. After fifteen minutes, she grew worried. She wondered if Potter and his gang had hurt Severus and sent him to the Infirmary even if that hadn't happened since their confrontation in the prefects' bathroom. Insults and pranks had stopped after the compromise she and Potter had reached last year. Glares (on both sides) hadn't. Despite everything, Skyrah didn't trust Potter and feared he'd do something to Severus. She'd seen Severus earlier in Transfiguration class. Something had had to happen to him shortly before their scheduled meeting for him not to show up.

Another quarter passed and Severus was yet to appear. Skyrah went to the Infirmary and spied a Ravenclaw beater with what looked like a sprained ankle and Madam Pomfrey in a conversation with Hagrid. She explored the Potions classroom and library next, thinking he might have got distracted studying or doing homework. No sight of Severus.

The very next day, Severus was late for Charms class. He looked fine to her. The only reason she went to the Xylomancy classroom in the afternoon was that being vengeful would make her father proud. Hence, she swallowed her wounded pride and was there ahead of time. As soon as she heard Severus, she folded her arms across her chest and furrowed her brow into an unmistakable sneer.

"I thought you wouldn't come," he said, relieved to have been proved wrong.

"I sure was tempted. You scared me. I thought Potter had hurt you. I went to the infirmary, the Potions classroom, and the library, but you weren't there, and I didn't see you in our Common Room later either. You must've been in the Room of Requirement. It's fine if one day you need space and don't want to meet. I wish you'd told me instead of making a fool out of me."

"I understand why you're angry with me."

She huffed. "Aren't you even going to justify your actions?"

"I do have a reason for having skipped the meeting, and it isn't Potter. I won't make up excuses for forgetting to tell you not to wait for me. That wouldn't be fair to you."

"The reason'd better be good."

"We should visit Hagrid. He's got the reason."

Hagrid welcomed her in, glancing about nervously. She thanked him and craned her neck in search of her boyfriend. The furniture and household objects were oversized. While it should be intimidating, it gave off cozy vibes, much like the half-giant himself. Severus was sitting on the main table cross-legged, hypnotized by something covered by his knee.

"I didn't mean to get Mister Snape in trouble. Please, Miss Riddle, don't ye deduct House Points. He would've helped ye with the Halloween preparations if he hadn't been busy."

So that's the excuse he's using not to raise suspicion, she thought. "Busy with what?"

When Hagrid patted the chair opposite Severus, she knew what she had to do: she sat down to have a better view of whatever had enchanted Severus. As soon as she spotted the reason, she squeaked.

She was staring at a crow. An adult specimen, judging by its size. Its right wing was wrapped in a similar fashion to the sprained ankle of that Ravenclaw student. Severus kept scratching behind the crow's ears (or the place Skyrah supposed birds had ears). Arithmancy, Divination, and Ancient Runes were her chosen electives. The subject of Muggle Studies was out of the question, and Care of Magical Creatures didn't motivate her. Animals were sensitive to one's nature: they sensed whether a person was trustworthy or not. Except for snakes (and the occasional owl, trained not to be frightened of people), she doubted any creature would be calm near her. Her mother, a researcher specialized in dragons, had insisted it wouldn't be the case. Skyrah hadn't dared anyway. It wasn't Godric Gryffindor's blood, precisely, that ran through her veins.

Now she was face to face with an injured crow Severus was enamored of.

Fabulous.

"I was taking a walk when I spotted her," started Severus. "She was near the Black Lake, couldn't fly away. I took her here and helped Hagrid take care of her. That's why I didn't help you with the Halloween preparations. I visited her this morning, too. The doses of skele-gro are working. She should be able to fly soon enough."

She addressed Hagrid. "That's why you talked to Madam Pomfrey… To get a potion plus advice on how to treat the crow."

"How d'ye know we talked?"

"It isn't typical of Mister Snape to miss appointments like this. As I thought he might have been sick or injured, I checked the Infirmary."

Hagrid gave her a small smile. "Ye aren't like 'im."

Like her father, he meant.

Coming from someone who'd been treated cruelly by Tom Riddle, she valued the comment a lot. If only she could show it. Hagrid would have liked it if she'd thanked him, or at the very least, smiled at him. She restricted herself to saying that checking on students was part of her duties.

"I've found crows prefer to be scratched against the direction of their feathers," mentioned Severus, petting the crow himself. "Would you like to try?"

Skyrah looked at Hagrid, who gave her an encouraging nod. If someone like Hagrid wasn't afraid of her, perhaps the crow wouldn't fear her either. One look at Severus, and her curiosity became too powerful to overlook. She had something to prove to Severus, a reassurance she was worth dating despite the secrets they were forced to keep and the secrets she couldn't even share with him. She had to prove to herself that her bloodline didn't define her. The crow didn't jerk away from her touch. Skyrah relaxed, though not enough to do as Hagrid proposed and talk to the crow.

"It's an animal, not a human being. It doesn't understand us."

"Creatures understand more than ye think, Miss Riddle."

Severus's silence indicated he agreed with Hagrid…

Or he simply wanted to have teasing material for later.

Her eyes darted from the men in the room to the crow repeatedly, finally resting on the crow. Here goes nothing, she thought. And so she spoke, starting with a good afternoon and following with formal introductions. She soon realized she had no idea what to say after that and excused herself for coming across as awkward. She wasn't used to chatting with birds, after all. The crow stared at her, almost immobile through it all. Even when she fell silent, she had the crow's undivided attention. She only spoke again because Hagrid kept encouraging her, and she didn't want to let him down, especially after his kind comment.

"It is good news that your wing is getting better. You must miss the feeling of flying. It's part of your nature. Miss, ugh, what should we call you? You need a name…" Severus and Hagrid were staring at her (Severus looked more entertained than he ought to, considering they had an audience). As neither made a move to suggest a name, she did it herself: Morrighan. "A Celtic warrior goddess that foretells the victory of a battle and is able to transfigure into a crow. You're a warrior too, aren't you? You're winning the battle and soon you'll be free."

"A fitting name, Miss Riddle."

Skyrah pretended not to see the way Severus was smiling at her. It gave some playful fairies a reason to settle in her stomach. It warmed Severus's heart to see her kindness directed to an injured crow. He allowed her to pet her for a few minutes while she told Irish myths involving the goddess. Hagrid was listening as a child would, as Severus bet little Skyrah listened to her grandmother. He couldn't help but think Skyrah was treating Morrighan like she'd treated him: at first, hesitant, afraid someone could get hurt; and finally letting go and showing glimpses of her real self.

After Skyrah'd run out of myths, Severus asked Hagrid if he had a bowl. Hagrid rummaged in a cupboard and came up with the tiniest one he possessed. It was still big for Severus's proportions. An aguamenti later, it was filled with water. Skyrah took the hint and levitated Morrighan so that she could drink some water.

"Are you going to deduct House points for my actions?" Severus asked Skyrah.

The look on Hagrid's face was that of begging. He blamed himself for keeping Severus as a vet assistant.

"I will if something similar happens again and you forget to send me a note," she claimed, putting Morrighan on the table once she was satiated.

The sigh of relief that came from Hagrid was loud.

Severus thanked his Head Girl and properly apologized for any inconvenience, offering to help with the Halloween preparations right then. He caressed Morrighan's feathers as a goodbye and climbed down the table. Skyrah was about to follow his suit when the crow cawed at her repeatedly as if asking her to stay. Funny, not so long ago she'd claimed she couldn't communicate with an animal. She'd been convinced animals would sense her darkness and fear her. In spite of the twinge of guilt searing her, Skyrah mumbled a 'get well soon' and got out of her seat. The Halloween preparations hadn't been a total lie. She had to help organize them; plus there was a reading she had yet to finish before her next Ancient Runes lesson. If not for that, she'd have stayed for a longer time.

"Why don't ye and Mister Snape come 'ere on Friday morning and see 'er fly away? She'll be ready to go home then."

Severus accepted the invitation.

Hagrid patted his back, a bit too strongly, seeing Severus almost lost his balance. "What 'bout ye, Miss Riddle?"

"It'd be nice to bid Morrighan farewell so long as it is before class."

It was settled.

On Friday morning, Hagrid passed Morrighan to Severus and shed a tear before wishing her good luck and giving Severus and Skyrah some space. Severus placed the crow on the ground with utmost care. Morrighan looked up at the pair yet moved not. It wasn't until Skyrah and Severus scratched her head and ears one last time that she flapped her wings and took off with a shriek of delight. She hovered over them, drawing circles before flying into the Forbidden Forest.

Even though tears sprang into her brown eyes, her mouth was shaped into a radiant smile. These tears Skyrah refused to shed had to be of the happy kind, Severus deduced, like the ones she'd shed when they'd met after the summer break.

Still, he teased, "Do you already miss your avian Goddess?"

The chuckle he expected never came. Instead, she kept watching the infinite as she spoke. "You found her and helped her heal. Thanks to you, she's free. I feel like my wings aren't broken when you're with me too."

Severus turned her face to his with his hand, cupping her wet cheek. She automatically tensed.

"Severus, we can't be seen like that. I didn't like how you behaved in front of Hagrid either. The way you talked to me and looked at me... If you did that in front of your Slytherin friends, they'd know."

"Hagrid isn't like them. He's too naive to notice, and if he did, he'd think it's one-sided at most. We're safe."

"I'd like you to be more careful anyway. Losing what we have for a moment of weakness, of no self-control, would break me."

Severus withdrew his hands from her face. "You're absolutely right. I promised you I'd behave a certain way to have a relationship with you. I should have acted cautiously, even around Hagrid. I just… I wish I could show the world the extraordinary girlfriend I have."

"So you're unhappy with me." She let out a bittersweet laugh. "'The happiest boy of Scotland.' What was I thinking? I can't give you what you want."

Now more than ever he wished he could hold her, make her feel safe and cherished. Hagrid sure had better things to do than spy on two teenagers, and it was breakfast time. No student would be wandering near Hagrid's Hut… or maybe they would. After all, he and Skyrah were here. He'd make her nervous if he reached for her, always alert, her father and imminent danger at the back of her mind.

"Don't you ever think I'm unhappy with you. You've given me more than anybody ever has."

"It's not enough."

"How can the best thing in my life not be enough? Oh, don't look at me like that. Unlike Potter, I'm not in the habit of lying to my girlfriend."

For a fraction of a second, her expression became unreadable. If she hadn't smiled briefly at him right after that, he'd have thought she'd occluded. And she had, the moment she realized she was more similar to James Potter than she'd like. He didn't give it much of a thought, though. Her smiles, even if short and small, distracted him.

"Remember you said we were to take care of one another? This is me abiding by the promise: don't listen to the voice in your head telling you that you aren't right for me only because of your father and how he forces us to keep our relationship a secret. It is a price I've always been willing to pay. You're worth it, remember? It is my choice to be with you, one I won't ever regret."

He was trying so hard to make her feel better, she couldn't help but think he was endearing. She would abide by the promise, too, and listen to him, at least for now.

"You're a good boyfriend."

"I disagree. I still owe you an apology." He rubbed his nape. He'd spent days thinking about the best way to convey he was sorry, yet found nothing which convinced him, and in the end, he had to improvise. "I'm very sorry I scared you by not showing up. I won't let that happen again. I was so caught up with Morrighan that time passed, and I didn't notice."

"I should apologize too. I told you that you shouldn't have let your guard down with Hagrid, but I did, too, or I wouldn't even have petted Morrighan. My reputation..."

"Won't suffer."

"Hagrid's a big mouth."

"It isn't like you petted a pink puffskein. Crows haven't got a good reputation themselves, do they? Relax. Hagrid isn't one to gossip. Who would he tell anyway? Professor Dumbledore?"

She gave him a nod and thanked him for being the voice of reason. Hagrid, like Professor Slughorn, knew exactly who her father was. They both knew better than to talk about her. What the teachers talked about wouldn't reach Voldemort anyway. Only what he could learn from the sons and daughters of Death Eaters would, none of whom would talk to someone like Hagrid in the first place.

"I'm the one who's thankful. Even mad at me, you followed me to Hagrid's hut and, most important of all, listened to me." The contrary of what Lily would have done and did, he added to himself.

"I could be furious with you and still long to make love with you."

"Would you? Really?" he asked with a lifted eyebrow.

"Would you like to try it?"

"Do you even need to ask?"

Her chuckle came so suddenly she was too late to cover her mouth and muffle the sound. "I love you, Severus."

"I…" She gazed deeply into his eyes, holding her breath. He knew what it was she sought: for him to say the words back, but for some reason, they didn't come. Not exactly. "You may have been a Horned Serpent in Ilvermorny, you may represent the mind of the wizard, but you've become my heart."

Those were words she hadn't known she'd needed to hear.

"I wish I could kiss you right now."

So did he.

Severus scanned the area and spotted Hagrid. He, too, was having breakfast. It was visible from the hut's window. Severus beckoned Skyrah to follow him. They came into the entrance of the Forbidden Forest. She should be frightened, or at the very least, stand her ground. It wasn't the case, though. Being with him gave her the courage and serenity she needed, even more than the pine scent flooding the air.

"You're aware I'm your Prefect and Head Girl. This place is forbidden, as its name indicates," she said, though she was smiling, this time, freely. Nobody would catch them here, other than trolls, dugbobs, or more dangerous creatures, in which case, they'd try to keep calm and leave unscratched.

"And yet, you followed me, and you'll keep the secret and give me no detention, because you're dying to kiss me, and I've just given you the chance to do it. You can give me the thank-you kiss later. Start with the kiss you'd have given me right after I called you my heart. In my head, it's one of the best kisses I'll ever receive. I expect reality to meet my expectations."

Skyrah shook her head, chuckling despite herself. "You're incorrigible."

"I sometimes think the same about you, and it drives me crazy in the right way. Now, will you please kiss me before a centaur kicks us out of his territory?"

"Afraid of hooves?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. I'm being brave just for your kiss." Skyrah laughed and allowed him to bring her closer to him by putting his arms around her waist. "For you, my heart."

She kissed him tenderly, unhurriedly. His hands reached up from her shoulders to below her ears, rubbing her cheeks with his thumbs while he kissed her back, matching her gentleness. Mid-kiss, he put her palms on his chest so that she could feel the strong beat of his heart. It was hers. Entirely. Indisputably. The longer the kiss grew, the wilder his heartbeat became. Yet he kept the kiss light, basking in the soft passion behind her smooth lips and warm hands.

Caw!

They pulled apart. Morrighan was perched on a tree opposite theirs, tilting her head and flapping her wings.

"Sweet Salazar, not even in the Forbidden Forest can we have some privacy."

Severus cocked an eyebrow. "She viewed quite the spectacle. It was even better than in my imagination."

Skyrah was still laughing lightly when he kissed her again. It felt terribly good to kiss outdoors. They shouldn't have to hide the best thing that had ever happened to them. The thought alone made her feel despondent all of a sudden. She broke the kiss but leaned into his embrace, watching Morrighan. She felt free with Severus, and yet, she wasn't. As long as they had to hide, their relationship was but a golden cage. Pretty. Shiny. But a cage nonetheless. The freedom he gave her wasn't total. It couldn't be. When will I be able to fly like Morrighan, without fearing Father would break my wings all over again? she wondered.

"We must go. Classes are about to start."

"I won't be going to class," he said. "I received an owl from my mother before coming here."

Eileen had never sent her son a letter. Her mind reeled with possibilities: Eileen having found a way to evade Tobias or having got very sick. Maybe Tobias's wrath had caused irreparable harm. Her thoughts grew more and more negative the longer Severus took to speak. He swallowed hard and broke the news: Tobias had died. It took Skyrah a moment to the information to sink in. Another moment to realize she'd let out a sob but wasn't sad. Neither was he. Only shocked, as if saying it out loud made it real.

"How are you feeling?" she asked. To many people, being asked that question after learning about a parent's death would have been senseless. The answer would have been obvious. Tobias wasn't any parent, though.

"I should be relieved, and yet, my mother loves him so much, venerates him, even, that I'm afraid of how she'll take his death. The bastard had to die playing the hero. A fire. Sacrificing his life for someone else's. He'd have been a bloody Gryffindor."

"Beating his family is far from heroic or chivalrous." Her grip on him tightened. He hugged her back with the same fierceness. "Sh… I'm here, Severus. You don't have to go through this alone."

"I must for a few days. I'll be home with my mother."

She shut her eyes, wishing she could somehow go with him. It wasn't feasible, though. "Take care of yourself, all right? I'll miss you even if you'll be away only for a few days."

He knew she wasn't exaggerating since, the moment he extracted himself from her embrace, he already missed her too.

Severus returned to Hogwarts at breakfast time, after a week he'd spent helping his mother with the funeral and trying to make her see they wouldn't be abused again, and that was good. Eileen had barely been able to get out of her bed, let alone listened to Severus. The tears he'd cried had been of helplessness and not in front of Tobias's grave.

Seven days, short in time as they were, had felt very long to the couple. It took all of his willpower not to hug and snog Skyrah in the Great Hall, as Potter and Lily were doing not far from Gryffindor's table. Skyrah's grip on her glass of pumpkin juice, tight enough to turn her knuckles white, showed she, too, was controlling her urges. Severus was thankful she'd sat with the guys to have breakfast. It gave him an excuse to be close to her. Only after the boys greeted him did Skyrah acknowledge him with a curt nod, barely glancing at him. Of all the boys, the only one who showed some concern about his emotional state was Mulciber.

"How are you?"

"I'm… glad it's over," replied Severus genuinely. "I don't miss him at all."

"Not a good father, was he?"

"He disapproved of my magic."

"Typical. Muggles aren't meant to raise wizards. They can't understand us. We are superior."

"I never quite understood why you tolerate my blood. Half of it comes from him, from a muggle."

"One we've gathered you loathe. You have the same feelings towards filthy muggles as we do. You're more a Prince than a Snape. Your actions show it. You've earned your place in Slytherin." Mulciber paused. "If you need to talk about what happened, you can do it. We're on your side."

Brotherhood was one of the traits Severus liked the most about his House. At moments like this, he didn't feel lonely. He wouldn't take on Mulciber's offer, though. He'd rather be vulnerable only in front of Skyrah.

"By the way, you didn't miss much. I made a copy of my notes for you," mentioned Avery.

Rosier had done the same with Alchemy, the only other dorm mate who took the subject. While Severus thanked them, he overheard Mulciber asking Skyrah to go somewhere private to talk. Skyrah led Mulciber to a corridor not far from the Great Hall.

"Do you think he'll ask her out again?"

"Again?" asked Severus, baffled. Rosier had made it sound as if Mulciber had asked Skyrah out on numerous occasions. If so, why hadn't she mentioned at least one of them to him?

"He's got a massive crush on her. Haven't you noticed?"

"He's a womanizer. He fancies all the pure-blood girls," muttered Severus, feigning indifference.

"And Riddle in particular," corrected Avery. Severus nearly laughed at the irony. If only Mulciber knew Skyrah's blood had a muggle quality to it... "We should follow them."

"I sincerely doubt they'd want us there."

"Riddle will reject him. As always. We'll be there to support him. He'll need it," countered Rosier, who hid behind the corner of an empty corridor at a perfect distance to spy on the couple.

Avery signaled for Severus to join them quietly. If he didn't, they'd take it as an attack, a sign Severus didn't care about Mulciber when Mulciber had cared about him. Led by the peer pressure and the idea that, perhaps, by eavesdropping, he'd learn why Skyrah had chosen not to tell him about Mulciber's courting attempts, Severus complied with Avery's request and paid close attention to the echoing voices of Mulciber and Skyrah.

"...going to sign an arranged marriage contract. I'll be engaged to a pure-blood witch from an influential Hungarian family with a name I'm not even sure I pronounce well. I don't wish to marry her. I want to choose my wife."

"Do you expect me to change your parents' minds? I'm only a Prefect and Head Girl. I haven't got any kind of power outside these walls."

"I'm not seeking that sort of help. Tell me, Riddle, has your family engaged you to a wizard?"

"...No, but I don't see why you need to know that."

"You're a good leader and a respectable Slytherin, the only witch with whom I can hold an intelligent conversation, and the most powerful student in our year. You don't say yes to my every whim and aren't afraid of speaking up. I want someone like that by my side, someone who challenges me."

"Mulciber," she said in a tired tone.

"I know painfully well you have always rejected me. I only ask you to listen to me."

"How can he still have the willingness to try?" Rosier asked in a whisper.

"Infatuated with her. I'm telling you," replied Avery in the same volume.

Severus understood Mulciber in that he, too, had done everything within his power to have a chance with her when it had looked impossible. That didn't mean Severus was okay. The conversation was making him nervous, even more when Mulciber announced he had a deal for Skyrah.

"As a pure-blood witch, your family will pressure you sooner or later. You're expected to marry and provide heirs."

"I'm not a body to breed," she snarled.

"I agree. All I said is that is what society will view you as. When your parents arrange a marriage for you, your future husband will view you as that too. I don't want that future for you. I want you to choose, too."

"No, you want me to choose you and become your wife. That's different."

"It may not be the most romantic of proposals, but you are a down-to-earth, practical girl. You'll listen to logic. I wouldn't stop you from achieving your life goals. I'd respect your wishes. I have billions in the bank. If you took my surname, they'd be yours, too. You'd have an easy life, someone to rely on. An heir is the one thing you cannot escape, whether you marry me or not. You'd decide the how and the when. I won't ever touch you unless you ask me to. Power is what we most value, and I'm giving you the power over our relationship… if you marry me. Do we have a deal?"

Mulciber's offer triggered Skyrah's memory. Even if he wasn't at Hogwarts, she felt Voldemort's presence suffocating her, his sibilant, cold voice drilling her mind.

"Only one year left at Hogwarts, and you have yet to show the minimum interest in finding the father of my heir. You are useless."

Skyrah almost brought her hand to her cheek. It burned as if Voldemort had just slapped it. That had been the beginning of her punishment for having disappointed him. She hadn't dared tell him that, if he desired an heir so much, he could do the work himself, preferably, with someone who wasn't her mother, the blood traitor. He didn't have to rely on his useless, stupid, weak heiress. Instead, she apologized for having failed him, with her body still shaking from the cruciatus curse, and promised to tackle the issue.

"Slytherin's descendant must choose another Slytherin. Someone powerful, with connections and the proper beliefs. Someone undoubtedly loyal to the cause."

Someone like Mulciber.

She had the chance to say yes now. To please her father. Were she to reject Mulciber, Voldemort's discontentment would lead to misery and pain involving not only Skyrah herself but those she loved. It was something she couldn't afford to happen.

One look into Mulciber's green eyes, and her decision was made.

…

a/n: If you've read the main story "It's Not That Simple", know that I updated a one-shot. It's about the Snape family stumbling upon a kneazle. Very cute if I say so myself. You'll find it as part 2 of Felines Don't Make Things Simple (chapter 67, one-shot 7, "It's Not That Simple").