AN: Sorry it took me so long to post a new chapter. Work was crazy! I hope you enjoy this new chapter. Thanks for your reviews!

I don't own Harry Potter and don't make any profit.

She bought the expensive olives

It was two days later when Severus knocked on the Lupins door. The door was wrenched open, and Teddy was hopping up and down.

"Mister Snape! Mister Snape you came," Teddy squealed excitedly.

"Muuuuummy! Mister Snape came," he yelled.

Severus grinned, but with the warm and fuzzy feeling spreading within him, that somebody would actually be excited about seeing him, his grin turned into an affectionate smile. Smiling makes him look so young and really gorgeous Tonks thought to herself.

Severus held his hand out to Tonks and said, "Good afternoon, Tonks."

She inclined her head and took his hand, "Hello, Severus. I am happy you came."

Tonks smiled at him and hoped he would see how grateful she was that he kept his distance in front of Teddy, since she didn't know how he would react to her and Severus being in a relationship.

"I brought you a gift," Severus said and handed the boy a gift wrapped in the Hogwarts house colours with a silver bow on top.

"I also have one for you," he handed another gift to Tonks wrapped in yellow gift paper with a black bow.

"I really hated the Hufflepuff colours… yellow and black," Tonks huffed and suddenly clasped her hand over her mouth.

"I am sorry, Severus. That was rather rude of me. Thank you very much for the gift."

Severus burst into laughter, "Wait I can change that."

And with a swish of his wand the yellow turned in bubble gum pink.

"House colours are overrated anyway," he chuckled.

Teddy was tugging at Tonks sleeve, "Can I open it, Mummy?"

Tonks looked at Severus who replied for her," Sure! Open it!" The boy ripped open the paper finding a framed drawing of his father inside. Remus was standing there, wand at the ready a determined look on his face. Teddy looked at his father in awe. "Thank you very much, Mister Snape," Teddy said and threw his arms around Severus' legs to hug him. Severus ruffled the boy's hair and abandoning himself to an impulse he lifted Teddy up and said, "You are welcome, Teddy."

Teddy put his little hands on either side of Severus face, while his hair suddenly grew black and long.

"Oh," Tonks softly said. Severus raised an eyebrow.

"It's the very first time," whispered Tonks.

"Oh," Severus mimicked.

"Do you want to come to my room? We can find a place for the picture and then we can play," Teddy asked totally oblivious to what just happened and staring deep into Severus eyes to convince him.

"It would be an honour. And please call me Severus," Severus replied and left the room with Teddy on his arm.

Tonks slumped onto the settee with her unwrapped gift still in her hand. She slowly and carefully not to rip the paper opened it and gasped. It was a drawing of Remus and Tonks at the Order's Christmas party. Severus had captured a very intimate moment between the couple. Remus with his arms around Tonks waist holding her close to him. While one of Tonks' hands was cupping Remus's cheek. They were looking into each other's eyes, both very happy.

The young widow couldn't supress her tears and they started flowing freely. She needed a few minutes before she gathered herself and looked into Teddy's room. What she found was a sight to behold. Boy and man both on their bellies on the floor face to face playing with some muggle matchbox cars.

Tonks leaning in the doorframe, smiled, and said, "Thank you very much for the nice drawing. It's a very thoughtful gift."

Severus slightly bowed his head, "You are welcome!"

"I thought we will have pizza, since it's the only thing I can make that doesn't taste awful."

"Mummy is a very bad cook. Aunt Molly is much better," Teddy stated matter-of-factly without taking his eyes of his cars.

Severus chuckled," Pizza it is than, I guess."

"Boys," Tonks hollered an hour later, "the dough is ready to put your toppings on."

Severus and his copy came into the kitchen hand in hand. Teddy hopped on a stool so he could reach everything and feverishly threw every topping he found onto his pizza. When he was finished, he leaned to Severus pulling his ear closer and said into his ear, "I think she likes you, because she bought the expensive olives."

And with that he skipped out of the kitchen. A slight blush crept over Tonks' face.

Severus chuckled, "He is very eloquent for a three-year-old."

She nodded kind of defeated.

They were sitting at the table enjoying their pizza, Teddy happily babbling on about different subjects. Severus relishing the feeling of a family meal, he never had as a child. Come to think of it never had at all really. It really was a first. And Tonks looking at the scene in front of her was happy about this newfound comfort.

When Teddy was finished, he licked his fingers and then placed one of his sticky hands on Severus' hand.

"Severus can you please marry my mummy," he said with wide pleading eyes.

Tonks paled.

"I … I ….I," Severus stammered.

"She is the most beautiful mummy there is and when you marry her, you and me could play all the time," Teddy continued his train of thought.

"I promise I will think about it, and you are right she is the most beautiful mummy there is," Severus replied in earnest.

Tonks whose colour went from pale to a deep blush said, "Please go and wash your hands, Teddy. And after that it's one more hour of playing and then off to bed."

Teddy huffed in annoyance and stomped to the bathroom.

Severus covered Tonks' hand with his and whispered, "I love you."

Tonks smiled in return.

"By the way did you see what happened to your hair, Teddy," Tonks asked him when he came back from the bathroom.

"I know," he replied casually, "I am like you. I like it. When will I become a werewolf like daddy?"

Tonks gasped.

"I am afraid never," Severus answered instead of Tonks who was on the verge of tears.

"Oh," Teddy replied pouting.

Severus lifted the little boy onto his lap and started to explain, "Your father was bitten by a werewolf once and you weren't. And I think it's for the best. Your father was not very happy about being a werewolf…"

"But why?"

"Because he was always scared to hurt somebody."

"Oh! Did he ever hurt somebody?"

"No," came Tonks weak voice.

"Ok. Good. Do you want to play some more, Severus?" Teddy asked.

When it was time for bed Teddy looked at Severus and asked, "Can you please tell me a story from the war as bedtime story?"

Severus raised an eyebrow.

"No Teddy," he said very stern, "you are much too young for that. I promise to tell you all about it when you are older. But not now."

Teddy pouted and stomped his foot on the ground."

"Teddy Lupin," Tonks scolded.

"I am happy to read you one of your books," Severus offered.

Teddy rolled his eyes but got one of his books from the shelf and settled into bed.

"Mummy always lies next to me," Teddy stated.

Severus quizzically looked at Tonks. She nodded encouragingly.

Severus settled into bed next to Teddy and started reading, while Tonks started tidying the kitchen.

After about twenty minutes of reading, Teddy yawned and mumbled, "Thank you for visiting us, Severus."

He snuggled closer to Severus and fell asleep. Severus was awed and didn't dare moving. After five minutes he carefully entangled himself from Teddy, kissed the top of his head and whispered, "Thank you too, Teddy. I had a perfect afternoon."

Teddy sighed in his sleep. How a live can change within a few years Severus wondered.

"Bugger," Tonks exclaimed the moment Severus sat foot in the kitchen.

"Let me see," Severus said looking at the blood dripping from Tonks thumb.

"I just broke a glass and then cut myself," Tonks huffed in annoyance. With two flicks of his wand Severus vanished the shards of glass and then sealed the wound.

"There you go," Severus smiled and placed a soft kiss on the hurt thumb.

"Thanks," Tonks mumbled and blushed.

They both slumped onto the settee.

"What an afternoon," Tonks stated.

"I quite agree. That calls for something strong," Severus chuckled.

"Accio firewhiskey," he called out and a bottle soared out of his bag and flew right into his hand.

"Thank Merlin," Tonks mumbled and took the bottle out of his hand. She opened it and took a big gulp. Severus raised an eyebrow.

"Glasses?" he inquired.

"Overrated," she grinned and handed him the bottle. He took a big gulp and sighed contently.

"So, a metamorphmagus," he said looking at her.

"So, marriage," she said looking back at him.

They both burst into laughter and drank some more.

"Oh, before I forgot, this came yesterday," she reached to the end table, fetched a letter from there and handed it to him.

He unrolled the scroll of parchment and started reading:

Dear Nymphadora,

I hope you are doing fine, and life is treating you well. How is little Teddy doing? It has been quite a while since we last met. I have an offer to make to you and would love to invite you to Hogwarts for an afternoon tea to explain everything. You are happy to bring your son along. Next week would be fine with me. Just let me know what day and time would be good for you if you are interested.

Best wishes

Minerva McGonagall

"I feel honoured that you showed me the letter," said Severus handing her back the letter.

"Why wouldn't I," she shrugged he shoulders, "I wonder what's the offer is about?"

"To be honest, I know," Severus replied.

"Oh! Tell me please," Tonks looked at him curiously.

"You have to know I have been harbouring a companionship with the headmistress, for quite a few years now. Well except for this one year I had been headmaster. And since the war is over we meet once a month at Hogwarts, have some tea … or firewhiskey … depending on the topic of the day. We talk together or remain silent. We laugh together … we even … we even cried together," he mumbled the last half sentence.

"It seems it's a bit more than companionship. You could also call her a friend," Tonks softly said.

"I guess you are right," Severus had to admit.

"Anyway, when I last met her, she told me she was looking for a new flying instructor, since Rolanda wants to retire. In addition, she also wants to establish a duelling club and needs somebody for that too. Since it can also be a combined job, I suggested you. It would be a safe job, without being boring. You can fly and hell you can duel. And you are young and hip."

"Thank you, Sev," she smiled.

"There is something else,…" Severus admitted.

Tonks raised an eyebrow.

"Minerva knows we have … have … a … romantic bond," he mumbled.

"Romantic bond? Are those the words you used?"

"No … I … I … I am sorry. I guess she knows me very well and I kind had to admit that we are in a relationship. I am sorry."

"Oh Severus, I am sorry for you she found out. I know how private you are. But now it's my turn to feel honoured. I feel honoured that you admitted our relationship to her."

Severus sighed in relief. They looked at each other for a few minutes before they closed in and their lips met. Slowly the kiss deepened before Severus broke apart.

"Too much .., I am sorry," he mumbled looking at his hands embarrassed.

"It's all good. Don't worry, sweetie."

Tonks took another gulp of fire whiskey, when her gaze fell on the drawing of Remus and herself.

"Thanks again for the nice gift. I can actually remember that moment… I cannot remember though you being there."

Severus chuckled.

"I remember that moment too. You two seemed so happy. I was a bit jealous … a bit jealous of Remus … but more of the thing that you two had. This was my dream … well not to be in a relationship with you … maybe a bit … I always had a soft spot for you … but more to be in a relationship like you two were in. And because I remember this scene so well, I could draw it for you after all these years."

Tonks eyes grew wide, "You just drew this?"

"Yesterday. I also drew the one for Teddy yesterday. You said I should draw again and so I did," Severus replied shrugging his shoulders.

Tonks took another sip of firewhiskey and let her head fall back on the settee and stared at the ceiling.

"What an afternoon," she said. Severus smiled and lightly squeezed her hand, "I love you Tonks."

She rested her head on his shoulder.

"I am sorry I can't," she whispered.

"All good," her replied and kissed the top of her head.